New Arrivals (All new characters)

[utopiamods]

You're falling, and you can't remember why. It's a sickening feeling that makes your insides lurch; the darkness and the vertigo combine, and all you can think of is a story you heard once, somewhere.

Ah, I remember now. It's... a simple story that everyone knows. A legend of a Princess, the Demon Lord who kidnapped her, and the Knight who fought to save her. The Demon Lord had kidnapped the Princess countless times, but every time the Knight bested his challenges and rescued the Princess. No matter what tricks and ploys the Demon Lord used, the Knight would always triumph in the end. This was because--

The world tilts on its axis one last time, and the dream slips from your mind as easily as it arrived. A new voice intrudes on your sleep. Mechanical, monotonous.

"Next stop: Rakuen City. This train terminates here. The next stop is Rakuen. All change." The train rocks steadily. Rain pounds on the train and runs down the window in rivulets. Despite the rain there is a ray of sunlight streaming through the window, heating the air and making the seats almost uncomfortably warm. A puff of steam from the train winds its way lazily past the windows when the wind is right.

It's strangely difficult to shake off the sleep; the rhythm of the train seems to lull you back into slumber and the air is warm and heavy, making it hard to keep hold of a thought. Finally, though, the nausea settles, the last of the dream fades and you can take in your surroundings. And, perhaps more importantly, those around you in a similar state.

"We have arrived at Rakuen City. All passengers must leave the train. This train is terminating here. This is Rakuen."

Comments

[naicha]

No, no, I'm not from the mainland! [ She waves a hand dismissively. ] And I'm not here to see Netherlands. I just woke up here all of a sudden... What about you? Why are you here?

[nusantara]

[... that is a good question.] I think I was going to get some food and accidentally fell asleep... [this is a safe answer.] Would you like to join me? There are a lot of places in the city that sell cheap food! [nooo don't promise these things.]

[naicha]

Wah, I'd like that very much! [ bounces in her seat and claps yaaaay ] We better get off the train, now, too... Haha, I don't know anyone else yet, so help me think of one while we eat!

[ She looks reliable. Despite... accidentally falling asleep. SHE SOUNDS LIKE SHE KNOWS THIS CITY, SO. ]

[nusantara]

It'll be my treat since you're new here. [aka charging on someone else's tab. She nods, getting off the train.] Well I'm the best person to run into because I've known this place for over-[then she looks around... and this is so not any of the cities or villages near Batavia. She looks around, her face confused. She looks back at Taiwan briefly before looking around again.] I think we got off at the wrong stop aduh...

[naicha]

[ That's alright! At least they're both lost.

Wait, that's bad. But Taiwan remains optimistic! ]

Ehehe, where are you from, miss? Rakuen doesn't sound like one of the cities down south...

[nusantara]

... I'm from the Dutch East Indies. [she hasn't been in another place in a while.] It's sort of hard to keep track of all the city names because the Dutch keep changing the names.

[looks around more...] Do you have an idea what country this is?

[naicha]

I see, so you're Indonesia's! Mm! [nods, but something's off. Dutch East Indies?] This isn't Indonesia, but it's definitely got to be my brother's place. It sounds a lot like his language, you know. But I can't remember what it's called. Ahh, I'm forgetting a lot of things today!

[nusantara]

You know me? [oh no did she forget this per- wait she mentioned her brother's place?] Are you saying you're a nation too?

[Pauses, trying to think things out.] Maybe the trip has made you tired, ya?

[naicha]

Maybe! But I don't think I'd forget my own name so easily! I mean, I'm a country!

... too? What do you mean by "too"?

[nusantara]

[she bows a litt.e] I am Indonesia, you see. That is why I was so confident in showing you around when I thought we were in my house.

[She's trying to remember a nation looking like her, but... she can't remember. A nation who knows Mandarin, has siblings...] It could be something is happening back in your place. Maybe if you tell me more about yourself, I can figure it out and we can get back home.

[naicha]

Indonesia!? [ how could she forget AFTER TRYING TO GET ALONG WITH THE SOUTHEAST ASIANS FOR YEARS ] Aiya... ahaha, I knew that! I was just testing you...

Thank you so much! [ takes both her hands in hers ] Ooh, I really owe you this time!

[nusantara]

It's alright. Even most of my siblings don't know what I look like these days. [oh no... ]

But you knowing me is important! That only leaves a few nations. [She starts counting on her fingers.] Are you Macau? How about Hong Kong? [she won't even bring up Formosa because the last time she saw her was when she was a tiny baby in Netherland's place and once or twice with Japan.]

[naicha]

[ INDONESIA THAT IS REALLY SAD. ]

Macau and Hong Kong are boys! Besides, I'm not that tall...

[nusantara]

They are? I've never seen them before, but I've heard of their names. [Thinking more...] How do you know the Netherlands? If we do find him, I'm sure he'll know the answer. He knows almost every nation, I think.

[naicha]

Never seen them before? You've been there millions of times! [ Strange! Maybe this has to do with her name, too. Dutch East Indies was something she hadn't heard in a while. ] Netherlands found me when I was younger. I guess we should find him first!

In the meantime, I'll name myself after my favorite flower!

[nusantara]

Maybe Macau when I as very young. [That's weird, and wait-!] Netherlands found you? [Thinking... thinking... she'll get it eventually.] Ah, yes, did you decide on a name?

[naicha]

Yes! I think I'll be Xiaomei for the meantime. It means "little plum blossom"! [ so close yet so far ]

But hey, Netherlands used to bring stuff from your place a lot. Maybe he brought stuff from my house to yours, too!

[nusantara]

It's a nice name, and girls with Mei in their names are always so pretty.

[She's quiet again, looking closely at her. She squints, and examines the hair curl. Hair curl + mandarin + plum blossom is adding up.] You couldn't be little Formosa, could you? You're much too big to be her! [unless everyone but her is growing up quickly.]

[naicha]

Hey, I didn't get that fat! But you remember me, so I guess that is my name, haha! I know that's not it right now, though... [ Because Taiwan's sure that Indonesia's the strange one here. Dutch East Indies? "Too big"? Taiwan is worried about her name as well, and one can see that by how she spins around and places a finger on her lip as she thinks. However, she tries not to let it show. There were more urgent things that needed to be taken care of. ]

Oh well, I'm sure I'll remember it soon! C'mon.

[ She takes her by the wrist. ]

Indonesia, what's happening at your house right now?

[nusantara]

[She's flustered for a few seconds because she doesn't mean to imply that.] You've grown into a young lady, that's all. The last time I saw you, you looked a lot younger.

[Maybe the trip has worn her out, but she complies and goes with her.] Ah... Netherlands talked me into building a lot of trains. [pause oh wait that's not so big.] He's been building a lot of stuff for me lately. Why?

[naicha]

Ehhh, has it really been that long since the last meeting? I can't wait for the next one! [ Asia... meeting... ] But that's strange. Didn't Netherlands leave years ago?

[nusantara]

Are meetings really that fun? [they always seems o long and boring and she gets so hungry in the middle of them...] He did for a bit after that big war, but he's back again.

[naicha]

War!? [ WHAT WAR... ] A-ahhh, what's the date today?

[nusantara]

[oh... this is sort of tough question.] I think it's early March! Why? Is there something important you have to do soon?

[naicha]

No, no! W-what about the year?