Sunset ^beta

Chapter Text

A distant explosion echoes through the streets.

Siân barely notices as she walks home from work. It's Saturday evening and it's been a long week, but an even longer day. She just wants to get home and spend too long in the bath.

"meow"

"Hi floof" says Siân as she enters her flat.

She dumps her bag on the table, quickly pours out some wet food for Catsune, then prepares a bath. As she removes her work clothes her top snags on her necklace.

She pauses a moment, remembering 2½ years ago when her mother gifted it to her on her first birthday since she came out as trans. It was an heirloom, passed down through the women of her family for the last 200 years. Its a fairly simple design housing a lilac gemstone.

At the time she'd only been taking estrogen for a few months, and though grateful, couldn't experience the emotions she should have felt. But now, after such a long week, her walls are down, and nearly 3 years of estrogen have worked their magic. She starts crying.

Happy tears.

Then sad tears.

Happy because her mother saw HER.

Sad because her mother passed away just over a year ago.

She's experienced some moments of heightened emotion since starting HRT, unlike the 30 years of her life before. But this? This is new. So much more intense.

Happy to be experiencing new levels of emotion.

Sad she has no one to share it with.

Happy to be experiencing new levels of emotion.

Sad she has no one to share it with.

The water is hot and soothing as she lowers herself in, still crying, still wearing the necklace. She never takes it off.

But before she has time to relax, the bathroom wall shatters in over her from a deafening explosion on the street. The bath topples over, throwing her to the floor.

Her body floods with adrenalin. Fight or flight kicks in, but she can't move as part of the wall is pinning her legs.

Pain. Ears ringing. Panic. She's about to die.

But she feels more than that, she somehow feels like she's about to die many times, all at once.

Die in the flat below.

Die on the street.

Die in an upturned car.

Silently, four women, holding hands, suddenly appear next to her.

One of them observes the chaos, twisting and turning with such speed and precision her limbs look like they're going to detach.

2 seconds after they appear, without any of them saying a word, the women get to action.

One woman lays her hands gently on Siân. The pain begins to ease. But she still feels like she's about to die many times over.

The observer and the third woman start removing the rubble trapping Siân.

The fourth woman goes into the next room, away from the exploded wall.

After removing the rubble, they help Siân to sit up, and the third woman noticeably pauses as she sees Siân's necklace.

After a moment she looks up at Siân's face.

They lock eyes.

Siân notices how serenely blue hers are.

Before Siân has a chance to say anything, Blue Eyes speaks first in a calming voice "don't worry, we're here to help. Robyn is getting your cat. We'll get you both to safety".

The observer passes a nearby robe to Blue Eyes.

"Thank you Ari" says Blue Eyes.

She places it over Siân's shoulders.

Robyn walks in cradling Catsune.

"Nikki, is she ready to go?" asks Blue Eyes.

"All set" answers Nikki, only now removing her hands from Siân, who realises her pain and panic has completely gone.

But she still senses her imminent deaths nearby.

Blue Eyes stands up, and Siân only now notices how tall and muscular she is.

She effortlessly picks Siân up into her arms, as though she's done so a thousand times.

The other women converge close around them, linking themselves by touch.

Siân doesn't take her eyes off of Blue Eyes.

Suddenly the sounds of chaos around them stops.

Silence.

Cold air.

White Light.

The sense of her imminent deaths is gone.

Siân looks around to notice she's no longer in her flat.

She's in a clean white room, still being held by Blue Eyes. It's a medical admittance area of some kind.

Ari and Nikki go to speak to a nurse nearby.

Robyn walks under a "Veterinary" sign and places Catsune in a carrier, writing the name from her tag on the top: "Catsune Meowku".

Siân has been rescued by the Angels Of Life, teams of women with extraordinary abilities allowing them to save people from imminent death.

They've been around since the 1800s, but how they get their abilities is a secret closely guarded by The Families, who run the Angel teams.

"Nikki eased your pain" says Blue Eyes "but you're still injured, so let's get you seen to".

She gently places Siân onto a gurney near a set of doors marked "Emergency" and joins Ari and Nikki speaking with the nurse, but Siân doesn't hear their conversation.

Robyn returns with a wristband with "Catsune Meowku" written on it, and places it on Siân's wrist.

Blue Eyes turns back to Siân. "Nikki's magic is only temporary so your pain will return soon, but they'll take good care of you here, you're gonna be fine".

The women all join hands again.

"I... I felt something back there" says Siân, her gaze locked onto Blue Eyes.

"I know" says Blue Eyes softly while glancing once again at Siân's necklace.

Looking up into Siân's eyes she asks "What's your name?".

"Siân" she says.

"I'll be back to check on you Siân. I'd like to hear more about what you felt". says Blue Eyes, "I'm Becky by the way".

They silently disappear, leaving four women shaped clouds of dust and smoke where they stood.

Chapter Text

As Siân lays awaiting triage, every few minutes the Angels reappear with more injured people. She recognises some of them.

A neighbour.

A waiter from the café next door.

More people injured by the explosion.

Some can stand, but those that can't are also carried by Becky.

Siân finds herself wishing she was still being held in those strong arms.

As the Angels disappear once again, a nurse comes and wheels the gurney through the Emergency doors.

Several hours pass as she is treated. Broken right leg, hairline fracture in her left arm, and many cuts and bruises.

By the time Nikki's magic has worn off she's already been put on strong painkillers. She passes out from a combination of the painkillers and sheer exhaustion.

It's late morning the next day when Siân wakes up.

Still a bit disorientated from the drugs, she takes in her surroundings. She's in a private room rather than a ward.

"Good morning".

Siân turns to see Becky sitting the other side of the bed, smiling slightly.

"You must be thirsty" says Becky.

Siân stammers "uh...ye...ple".

Becky pours water into a plastic cup and offers it to Siân.

She takes it with her right hand, has a few sips, then places it on the table Becky has wheeled over the bed.

"Thank you" Siân says in a quiet voice.

"How are you feeling Siân?" asks Becky.

"Uh, a little woozy, but I'm okay I think" says Siân.

She assesses the state of her body. Casts on her left arm and right leg. It's difficult to move.

"Why am I in a private room? Am I contagious or something?" she asks.

"No that's my doing. I wanted to be able to speak with you in private. Siân I don't want to overload you too soon, but there's something I'd like to discuss now before you get too distressed by what you're going to experience" says Becky in a serious yet somehow calming tone.

Siân looks into her blue eyes once more and says "okay".

"You said you felt something before we brought you here. Could you describe it for me?" asks Becky.

Siân thinks for a moment before answering "When I was trapped, I was in pain, panicking, I was certain I was about to die. But then you and your friends appeared".

"Whatever, what was it? Nikki? Whatever she did to me stopped the pain, calmed me down. I no longer felt like I was going to die in my bathroom. But, it's hard to describe, I still felt like I was going to die, just not there. In the flat below me. On the street. In an upturned car".

"I felt I was about to die in several places at once. I was so scared".

"And it stopped when we got here?" asks Becky.

"Yes" says Siân.

Becky pauses, gently places her hand on Siân's right arm, then says "you're like me Siân".

Siân trembles very slightly at Becky's touch.

"You're a mortality empath" says Becky "or mort as we call it. When anyone near you feels like you did, that their life is about to end, you feel it too".

"Wh...what?" stammers Siân.

"It's how we found you. I could feel your fear of imminent death" says Becky.

"Me and the other girls, our powers work together so we could get to you and make sure you didn't die" explains Becky.

Siân looks down, silently processing this information.

Becky continues "The extreme stress you were in manifested this power. I'll explain more later, but I wanted you to know this now".

"As you're in a hospital, you may be close enough to feel the mortality of other patients over the next few days, and I don't want you getting too distressed by it".

"I don't want this!" says Siân.

"I know it's difficult at first, but I can teach you to control it, and hopefully, accept it" says Becky, "But for now, rest and heal. I'll be back to check on you. Do you have anyone you'd like me to call?".

"No..I have no one" says Siân meekly, still looking down.

"Okay, well you have me now Siân. I'll see you tomorrow" Becky says with a smile.

Siân feels a strange sensation in her chest.

*Is this what people mean when they say their heart skipped a beat?* Siân thinks to herself.

Siân looks up into Becky's blue eyes and says "Thank you" with a slight smile and tears welling up.

Becky gets up and leaves, still smiling.

Siân is once again alone, but grateful to be alive.

Over the course of the day various nurses and doctors periodically check on her. She asks about Catsune and is told she's uninjured but is very stressed. She asks if she can go see her if a doctor signs off on it.

She has lots of time to contemplate everything that's happened.

It's the next day. She's bored because she has nothing of hers with her.

*being teleported naked will do that* she thinks *besides, is anything of mine even intact?*

*and how am I supposed to focus on TV or anything after what Becky told me?*

Her mind keeps racing with questions and theories...

... and thoughts of Becky.

When the Doctor is doing her rounds, Siân asks if she can go see Catsune because she's worried about her. The Doctor says it's ok if she's taken by wheelchair because she shouldn't try to walk yet. All the nurses are too busy however.

Becky returns mid-afternoon, to Siân's delight.

"Becky! Hi!" exclaims Siân, trying and failing to hide her glee.

"Hi Siân" says Becky as she walks round the bed to sit down, "How are you feeling? Any mort sensations?"

"I'm fine, pain's not too bad, and no I've not felt any...stuff" says Siân.

"That's good." says Becky.

"We're far enough from the emergency ward that you can't read anyone there. As a hatchling your range is limited right now, which is a good thing. You can increase it with training, eventually enough to cover the whole city".

"I have so many questions" says Siân, "Why...how am I one of these morts? Can I turn it off? Are Nikki and Robyn and Ari morts too?..." she continues, rapidly asking question after question.

"Woah, okay, slow down. I'll explain." says Becky as Siân takes a breath.

"This will be a lot, but we can go over it again later".

"So, there are the 4 powers. There's you and me, mortality empaths. You know the basics of that already".

"Ari is an observer. She can perceive time at a much slower rate than normal, allowing her to assess a situation in a fraction of a second. She can't move any faster than a regular person, so she has to be careful not to hurt herself when in that state".

"Nikki is an anodyne, she can ease pain, calm a panicked mind, and prevent someone from dying, even from fatal injuries, for a short time. She cannot heal those injuries though, which you are acutely aware of".

"Then finally there's Robyn, she's our porter. She can teleport anyone who's physically touching her, or in a chain of people touching, to another location by swapping our atoms with those at the target location."

"Those are individual powers, but we all have a level of psychic connection through touch allowing us to push images and concepts to each other. So when I sense someone feeling imminent death, I can push my sense of their location to Robyn who can teleport us there".

"When we appear there, Ari goes into slow mode and assesses the situation around us. She determines a course of action for each of us and pushes instructions to us. As an example, when we got to yours she saw the damage to the wall, you under the rubble and your cat in the next room".

"She pushed an image of you to Nikki so she could prevent you from dying as the first priority. She also pushed an image to me of the rubble on top of you, and imagined me and her lifting it off of you. Finally she pushed the image of your cat to Robyn so she could go pick her up".

"Wow, I knew the Angels saved people by using powers, but I never really thought much about it" says Siân "but why have I got powers now?".

"Your necklace" says Becky in a hushed voice, "The Families have kept this secret for 200 years. The gemstone in your necklace is the source of our powers."

Siân pulls up the pendant to look at it. The lilac gemstone has a slight iridescence she's never noticed before.

"But how?" she asks.

"We don't understand the science yet. When they first discovered the effect 200 years ago they called it magic, and that's just kinda stuck around" explains Becky.

"Just over 200 years ago 4 families owned coal mines here in Wales. They each discovered a different gemstone in their mines around the same time. It's unclear if it was coincidence or somehow orchestrated for them all to be found. The gems were beautiful, so were immediately mined for jewellery".

"After a few years women started developing these powers. It didn't take long for the families to make the connection with the gems. After prolonged exposure of at least a year, if someone has a surge of adrenaline while already experiencing heightened emotions, it triggers the power to manifest".

"As you can see, lilac gemstones trigger the mortality empath power. Yellow for porter, red for observer, and green for anodyne."

"But how has this been kept secret all these years?" asked Siân.

"As I said it took a few years for the powers to manifest. By then The Families had become quite wealthy from selling these gemstones. Because they were the first to be exposed, they manifested the powers first and were first to connect them to the gems. They leveraged this to become very powerful".

"But by this point, the gems were out in the world, so more women were manifesting powers. The families forged an alliance and whenever a new woman manifested, they would use their wealth and power to ensure the secret was kept".

"Why only women"? asked Siân.

"At first it was thought because the gems were used for jewellery, typically only women had prolonged exposure. But since then many men have attempted to manifest powers, with...limited success." says Becky.

"That's probably a good thing, can you imagine what would happen if men had these powers?" asks Siân.

They both imagine. Neither of them wants to say what they're thinking.

"So, if you touch me, could you read my mind?" asks Siân.

"No" replies Becky, "we can only push things to others. I would only be able to see what you choose to show me".

Siân is silently very relieved, with all the thoughts she's been having about Becky.

"Please, don't tell anyone anything I've told you. The secret must be kept" says Becky flatly.

"I promise I won't" says Siân, "I have more questions, but I need to process what you've told me already."

"Before you go, could you take me to see Catsune please?" asks Siân "I'm worried about her".

"I'd be happy to, Siân" says Becky. She goes to find a wheelchair and returns a few minutes later. Siân struggles, but manages to get into the wheelchair.

To get to the veterinary they'll have to pass through the emergency ward. Luckily there are no patients that set of Siân's mort senses.

They get to the veterinary, Siân shows her wristband saying "Catsune Meowku", and they're led to her crate. Both Siân and Catsune are happy to see each other. Catsune is stressed but unharmed. She's not allowed out of the crate so Siân can only pet her with fingers through the bars.

"Catsune, that's such a beautiful name" says Becky.

Catsune purrs.

Siân starts crying.

Happy tears seeing Catsune is okay.

Sad tears for everything else.

Becky places a consoling hand on Siân's shoulder. She looks up once more into Becky's serenely blue eyes.

She can't help but imagine: [staring into those eyes more intimately. Becky staring back, moving closer. Feeling Becky's breath on her lips].

*Is she blushing* thinks Siân.

[Lips about to touch].

Becky lifts her hand.

*Did she see that?*

Siân, feeling embarrassed, says goodbye to Catsune and they head back to her room.

As they pass through the emergency ward, Siân senses something from someone nearby. Not mortality like before, something else, something very familiar. A nebulous discomfort.

Becky doesn't seem to notice.

It fades.

Becky helps Siân back into the bed, then turns to leave.

"Oh, almost forgot, I went back to your place and found your phone, thought you might want it" says Becky.

She passes it to Siân. Their fingers touch as Siân takes it, both letting the moment linger.

"I'll see you again tomorrow" Becky says as she slides her hand away.

"Thank you" Siân says sincerely, "for everything".

"And maybe I'll bring a treat for you" says Becky mischievously as she exits.

Chapter Text

"3 dead and dozens injured in 7 explosions across the city of Abergallu Saturday evening between 7pm and 8pm. City officials report the explosions originated in gas pipelines beneath the city streets. A cause has not been determined at this time as investigations continue."

Siân reads every news site she can think of for any information on what almost killed her. The biggest of the 7 explosions was on her street. 2 of the people who died were there.

She already felt miraculous to be alive, but still being relatively early in her transition, she's still learning how to actually LIVE.

She's 33, started taking estrogen at 30. Her life before was barely existing. Gender dysphoria induced depression and dissociation can really fuck up your ability to connect with people and experience the world.

Sure she kinda had friends, other nerds who would play complicated tabletop games, or watch sci-fi and fantasy as escapism. But she never really felt part of the group.

She spent 3 years away at uni to get a computing degree, and spent another 5 years living with various people she called friends.

But when she was made redundant she lost what little passion she had for her career, moved back home, and drifted apart from her friends.

After her mother died, she had no one in her life.

Although she is now happier thanks to transition, she's still just drifting through life.

Becoming a mortality empath is not the only change she's gone through in this incident.

She's now determined to experience life like she never has before.

She opens up Division and eagerly catches up in all the servers she's been lurking in. She starts posting, chatting with people about games she enjoyed as a kid and would love to play again. She finds a server for a local queer group who do meetups in the city and introduces herself.

She opens TealSea where she follows 100s of other queer people but has never interacted. She posts a selfie, smiling in the hospital bed. She replies to her favourite shitposters. She makes terrible memes that only get a few likes, but she's ecstatic to get those few.

Some people comment on her selfie with well-wishes. One stands out:

The Gay Tranarchist 🏳️‍🌈

@tranarchist.gay

Get well soon. You're gorgeous btw I hope you know that 😘

She's never been complimented like that before.

Siân 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🏳️‍🌈

@siansolo.tsea.social

rtghzdfggnzergrthsdfs

She spends all evening building the community she's always lacked. She connects to her people. She's happier than she has ever been.

It's Siân's third day in hospital. Becky arrives just after lunch as the doctor is doing her rounds.

"Becky!" says Siân, not hiding her glee this time.

"Hi Siân" replies Becky happily.

The doctor encourages her to get on her feet today using a crutch.

She does so, and takes a few steps around the room.

"Well done girl, you'll be out of here in no time" says Becky.

Siân smiles at Becky's encouragement, but it soon fades when she remembers she no longer has a home to return to.

After the doctor has left and Siân and Becky are alone, Siân asks "when I do get out of here, where do I go? My flat is gone".

"I wanted to talk to you about that." says Becky, "If you wish, you could come and train as a mortality empath".

"The Families run an academy. I can get you into student housing on campus once you're well enough. Until then you're welcome to stay with me. Pets aren't allowed on campus, so I'll be happy to keep looking after Catsune myself".

"I...yes, thank you" says Siân.

"You should know, the other cadets will be younger. Typically powers manifest in late teens as that's when they tend to start wearing jewellery, and become highly emotional." says Becky "I'm curious why you didn't manifest 'til now".

"I only got this necklace 2½ years ago." says Siân.

"Plus, if only women can manifest, I started my transition not long before that. What if it's something to do with hormones?"

"I don't know, I've never heard of a trans woman being an Angel before." says Becky.

"Because The Families have kept the origin of powers so secret, there's not exactly been a lot of scientific study of it."

"Well, that makes me feel special" says Siân.

"You are special" says Becky.

Siân blushes.

"Before you're discharged I'll go back to your flat and salvage what I can, take it to my place." says Becky, "But for now, while I was there yesterday getting your phone, I noticed your shelves of games. I'm something of a nerd myself, so I brought this from home."

Becky pulls a small game out of her handbag.

"Sturo? I love that game" exclaims Siân.

It's a simple tile laying path finding game which can be played one-handed.

"Great, I think I should probably shuffle" says Becky happily.

Siân giggles.

They play many rounds all afternoon. Each winning games, not caring who won the most.

Siân is happy.

As the afternoon fades to evening, Becky gets ready to leave, "I'll bring some more games tomorrow".

"Wait, before you go, could you take me to see Catsune again please? I miss her and I'm worried about her all alone down there" says Siân.

"Sure" replies Becky, pulling the wheelchair near the bed.

As they pass through the emergency ward once again, Becky points out a door to the side Siân hadn't noticed before, with a sign saying "Angels".

"That's where we primarily operate from" says Becky, "When we're on call we have to be close to each other so we can port at a moment's notice".

"I guess you're all pretty close then?" asks Siân.

"Yeah, we're bonded for life. Going through extreme situations, and prolonged psychic connection, we know each other better than anyone else possibly can" says Becky.

Siân silently longs for that kind of connection.

They arrive at Catsune's crate. Catsune sees Siân and begins mewling and pawing at the bars. Siân does her best to calm her down.

"Can't we take her out, just for a minute?" asks Siân.

"No sorry they can't risk a loose pet running around." replies Becky, "Is it ok if I try?"

"Uh, sure" says Siân.

Becky puts her fingers up to the bars to let Catsune sniff them. After a quizzical look, she starts purring a little. Becky puts 2 fingers through the bars to pet Catsune behind her ear.

"Wow. I think she's gonna love living with you" says Siân.

She looks at Becky contemplatively.

"Why are you being so kind to me?" asks Siân.

Becky, still petting Catsune, turns to look Siân in the eyes, "Because I remember what it was like after hatching. Feeling other's mortality is a huge weight to bear. Nobody should go through this alone".

Siân gently takes hold of Becky's free hand, "... thank you".

[Becky leaning down and kissing Siân passionately]

"And one of the first things I'll teach you is how to control pushing thoughts, so you don't inadvertently push anything you don't want other Angels to see" says Becky.

Siân's eyes widen as she realises Becky saw that. She's still holding Becky's hand.

"Oh god, sorry" she says as she pulls her hand away.

*Oh fuck she thinks I'm a freak. No way she's going to help me now. I'm fucked*

Becky laughs "Don't worry about it".

*Wait, she didn't pull her hand away. Did...did she enjoy that?*

After an awkward silence, they start heading back. As they pass through the emergency ward, that nebulous discomfort sensation returns.

"Stop" says Siân, "I'm feeling something here".

"Really? I'm not picking up anything nearby." says Becky, "Can you describe what you're feeling?"

"I don't know. It doesn't feel like mortality. At least, not like the other day. This is something else. I felt it yesterday here too. It's familiar. It's uncomfortable. It's anxiety. It's a feeling of something being wrong, but I can't place what. It feels like nothingness. A void." says Siân.

"Can you tell me where it's coming from?" asks Becky, "don't worry if you can't, it's still early days for you"

Siân focuses. She points to the nearby reception desk. To a young man sitting behind it.

"Gary?" asks Becky, "I mean, he's a quiet guy, keeps to himself, but he's fine".

Siân looks at him. She understands immediately what it is. She sees it in his eyes.

*Gender dysphoria! I'm sensing his gender dysphoria*

"Get me back to my room! Please?" pleads Siân.

Becky does so.

Siân sits in the chair next to the bed, with her head in her right hand.

"Can you tell me what just happened Siân?" asks Becky.

Siân, through rapid breaths, says "I... I felt hi...I felt Gary's gender dysphoria!".

"What? What are you saying?" asks Becky.

"Gary is suffering with gender dysphoria. Might not even realise it. But trust me, I know what that feels like." says Siân.

"This is amazing. A mortality empath who can sense something else? You really are special Siân" says Becky excitedly, "you're a...a dysphoria empath!"

"This is too much!" cries Siân, "Please"

"It's okay Siân. I can help. You're safe in here for now. Tomorrow I'll see if I can get you discharged. My place is shielded so your senses won't reach past the outside walls." says Becky in a reassuring tone, "You'll be okay".

Through sobs Siân says "I don't deserve your kindness. I'm nobody".

"Hey!" says Becky, "You're not nobody, you're my new friend Siân, and no one treats my friends that way, even themselves".

"I... I'm your friend?" asks Siân meekly.

"Yes. Now, stop being mean to my friend" says Becky.

"Okay" says Siân, half chuckling while still sobbing.

Becky hands her some tissues to wipe away her tears.

"That's better. Now, I'm on call tonight so I won't be back 'til tomorrow afternoon, but I'll be speaking to the doctor to see how soon I can get you out of here. I'll take care of you".

Siân smiles.

There's a knock at the door. Becky opens it and a woman enters, kissing Becky softly on the lips.

"Siân, you remember Nikki? She eased your pain the other day" says Becky.

"Hi, nice to see you again" says Nikki cheerfully.

Siân, after years of practice, easily puts up a mask, "Yes, hi, thank you".

"We're going out for a quick dinner before our shift" says Becky, "If I can't spring you from here tomorrow, I'll try to convince Nikki to join us for some games, she's not as much of a nerd as me ".

Nikki does an exaggerated gasp, "and how do you plan to convince me?".

"I can think of a few ways" says Becky as she pulls Nikki in for a more passionate kiss.

Siân feels awkward.

"Let's leave Siân to rest now sweetie. We'll see you tomorrow" says Becky as they leave, both giggling.

Siân is alone once more.