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. Fog envelopes the windows, obstructing your view and reminding you of an unsettling dream simultaneously. The air is humid inside the carriages, a vent beside your feet heating the air and making the seats almost uncomfortably warm. A puff of steam from the train winds its way lazily past the windows, a slightly different shade and consistency as the grey fog.

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. The train judders to a stop, the shape of buildings and people only now barely visible as shadows beyond the windows.

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

Comments

Re: the lonely islands

[britainsbiscuits]

"Well, I do not know that either," England replied, resisting the urge to hug Japan. Even though they were friends, Japan seemed to not like things like that, hugging, touching. "Nor does Prussia. I think everyone here is in the same predicament."

[furisode]

"How strange."

Prussia was here also...? She finally takes the chance to look at the other passengers, seeing if she could spot her other friend. Mostly strangers, it seemed... even a few that were oddly colored.

"Is there anyone else here aside from us?"

[britainsbiscuits]

England shook her head. "Not that I know of. I really don't know anything about this place, or why we're here." She gave her friend an apologetic look, sad that she could not help. At least they were facing these problems together.

[furisode]

Japan closes her eyes for a moment, the drowsy mood from earlier taking hold of her again.

"... Utopia. I remember hearing that in a dream."

[britainsbiscuits]

"Utopia is a word in English," England said, wondering if Japan had never heard of it. "It means a perfect world. Sir Thomas More coined the word when he wrote a book with the same name. The false island he described was ideal; perfect law, perfect government, and all the natives there lived in harmony."

[furisode]

"So that's why this place is called Rakuen... Paradise."

She looks towards the buildings in the distance. "I wonder if it's as harmonious as the name implies."

[britainsbiscuits]

England followed Japan's gaze, letting out a sigh of discontentment. "I wouldn't think so. After all, we were all kidnapped and brought here against our will."

[furisode]

"It all sounds like a fantastical start to a fantasy movie or manga of some sort, doesn't it?"

She could only give England a weak smile.

[britainsbiscuits]

Fantastical was one word for it. England was surprised that Japan could still make jokes in this situation. Was she enjoying this, the way she enjoyed those adult doujinshi? She gently bent her finger back in thought. "Well, if that were the case, we could at least hope for a happy ending, yeah?"

[furisode]

Japan couldn't deny a certain sense of adventure tickling from beneath. She would never go out of her way to find such things, but if it fell into her lap... well, who was she to deny it?

"Yes, that'd be the best." Her smile brightens. "Perhaps England-san is the heroine."

[britainsbiscuits]

The statement caused England to blush intensely. She turned away, rubbing the back of her head and laughing nervously.

"H-hahaha! No way!"

[furisode]

She giggles. "It'd be most fitting, I think."

[britainsbiscuits]

"There are a lot of people here," England said, turning around. "Perhaps someone else is the main character. Even you!" Truth be told, England was rather flattered. She would have been the most awesome heroine of any story!

[furisode]

"Oh, no, that's impossible." Japan gives a wave of her hand, dismissing it immediately. There was absolutely no way she could be a main! "I'm more of a support character, I think."

[britainsbiscuits]

"I don't think you give yourself enough credit," England said. They had gotten off-track a little. "You're the one who knows all about these stories. You create them!"

[furisode]

"That's... true..." Though, she seemed to be having a hard time thinking of any particular stories this sounded like. Japan strains herself a little trying to think of something. Rakuen... surely she had heard of this before.

[britainsbiscuits]

Oh, Japan was adorable. England sighed and placed her fists on her hips. "Well, if you ever get the urge to... you know... be a heroine, let me know. I'll come with you. We can explore this place together. I'm an excellent explorer!" From her pirate days...

[furisode]

Japan nods, smiling. "I'll try not to be too reckless."