Wallflower Blush lived on Iridi Station in the Urai sector, at the distant edge of the almost mythical Union. A vast ring-shaped structure, its hollow shell was home to thousands of people, packed tightly into haphazard but well maintained confines. She knew nothing else, having been born there and certainly not being brave enough to leave, facing the trillions of souls in the galaxy at large.
Iridi Station floated between the nebulae, surrounded by miles upon miles of empty void. A void almost as cold as the blackness that had permanently settled in her stomach. Would some say that description was a bit over-the-top? Probably, but Wallflower had no one in her life to tell her off for being too edgy, which was much of the problem. She was simply too anxious over what could go wrong in a conversation to hope one might go right.
It hadn't always been this bad, but experience had taught her as much. Things were marginally better before her father, a mercenary mech pilot, was killed in battle under mysterious circumstances. And before her mother had joined back up with her Cosmopolitan friends to resume her endless journey among the stars. The ship she'd departed on moved so fast that the time dilation ensured she would still be alive long after Wallflower herself had passed, before even reaching her destination. Knowing this, her mother had left anyway, effectively abandoning Wallflower.
Still, it wasn't all misery. Wallflower had her work. She was the voluntary overseer of the sole vertical farm left on the station, the others having long since been converted for other functions. With all the produce imports from local corporate worlds, even this much wasn't necessary anymore. But on the off chance something went catastrophically wrong with Frontier Foods... Well, it paid to be prepared, she supposed. Besides, plants were about the only things that gave her some small joy anymore.
Without wasting any more time than necessary on hygiene and dressing herself in a plain jumpsuit, Wallflower left her designated quarters for the farm. She bunched up into herself, trying her utmost not to draw any notice as she squeezed through the corridors of the station, passing by far too many people, each more outlandish than the last. Some were using infoskin to alter their appearance, while others wore custom hardsuits or bore cybernetic enhancements.
When she arrived, she discovered the farm was as she'd left it. White lights shone down onto racks of genetically modified turnishes, the only species here. Machines slid back and forth, adding water at regular intervals. Others planted new crop. Wallflower flopped into the hard chair at her monitoring station with a long-drawn sign. All she needed to do was watch for malfunctions, and then fix them. It wasn't hard. Most of her time she was left alone with her thoughts. Her spiraling, dreadful thoughts.
As was inevitable, she lost track of time in her ever-present doldrums. Wallflower was in the middle of pondering what exactly it felt like for the ripe turnishes when they were harvested when an alert tone from her console cut through the silence. Yelping in surprise, she whipped around to face it. Her brows rose when she saw that somebody was actually calling her. Worried she'd somehow upset a higher-up, she answered immediately.
However, the window of the video call showed no face, only a blank screen with the word 'SUNSET' written on it. Where had she heard than name before...?
And then, SUNSET tentatively spoke. "Miss Blush?"
Her voice was that of a young woman, full of all the vibrancy Wallflower lacked. She froze up, unable to form a coherent response. "Uhh..." she mumbled.
"Hi," SUNSET greeted. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"N-No! Nope," Wallflower repeated, fretful. "Just another boring day," she muttered, forcing her widest smile.
"Is that so? Still..." SUNSET began, "I have to ask, Wallflower: are you doing okay?"
This was about the last thing Wallflower would have expected. Like, what? Why would this 'SUNSET' care about that? About her? Nobody did, least of all people she'd never met. Mostly, others just bumped into her accidentally and then complained.
Before Wallflower could say anything, SUNSET continued. "I'm asking because I couldn't help but noticing you don't seem to be moving too far around Iridi, or doing much of anything outside this job you assigned yourself. You haven't even logged into the Omninet for browsing in months. I'm worried about you."
Paling, Wallflower leaned back in her seat. On top of asking in the first place, she was worried? That was even more unbelievable to her than the fact that SUNSET seemed to know too much about her life. But then it hit her: SUNSET was the designation of the NHP that administrated the bulk of the station!
Wallflower didn't know anything about NHPs beyond the basics. Non-Human Persons, as they were known, could process huge quantities of data instantly, and were thus used all over the place. Each one has a unique personality alongside intelligence, like humans, but lacked a physical body. Yet they were not artificial. Instead, NHPs existed beyond the boundaries of spacetime. Wallflower had no clue how exactly that worked, or how anybody had figured out how to integrate them with normal technology.
And now SUNSET, arguably the most important individual on the entire station, was talking directly to her. Wallflower began stammering gibberish in an unholy attempt to say something, anything.
"Woah, calm down!" SUNSET exclaimed. "You're not in trouble or anything, I promise!"
"I-It's not that," Wallflower finally managed, getting her racing heart back under some semblance of control. "I just... why? You practically run all of Iridi, and I'm not even a Lancer or anybody else important."
"Of course you're important," SUNSET insisted. "Everybody on the station matters to me. Even if it wasn't part of my job, I'd want to make sure you were happy and healthy."
Bitterness rose to the back of her throat. Where had SUNSET been all this time, then, if she cared so much? Letting this momentary disdain escape with a sigh, Wallflower settled back into her typical apathy. And yet, she couldn't help but wonder aloud. "Alright, I'll bite. How would you manage that?"
SUNSET paused to consider this, or maybe just to emulate human speech. "I'm not an expert, but from what I can tell, you seem to be suffering from anxiety at best and chronic depression at worst. And neither of those should be left untreated," SUNSET stated, concern radiating from her tone. "I can schedule an appointment with a physician for you, if you think medication might work?"
Having her issues finally laid bare like that would've been liberating if it also wasn't so mortifying. "I mean, maybe that's true? And, uh, thank you for the offer, but t-that's not necessary," she insisted. "You don't have to do anything, really!" This protest sounded half-hearted even to Wallflower. "Those resources could be better used elsewhere, I'm sure." She began fidgeting with her scraggly brown hair, trying to hide herself from SUNSET's invisible gaze.
But she was having none of her excuses. "We're a few short decades off from hitting post-scarcity out here, Wallflower," SUNSET deadpanned. "Most causes of strife we even have anymore are ideological. I can get you treatment. Again, if you want it."
"I'm not taking any drugs!" Wallflower huffed, baffled by her soft insistence. "Odds are they'll just make... whatever this is worse. That's me, Wallflower Blush, the luckiest orphan in Urai," she said sarcastically.
"Well, then, Wallflower Blush, you leave me no choice," SUNSET began. "I'm simply going to have to keep you company every day until your well of self-loathing dries up," she impishly declared. "No pill can substitute for a good friend!"
Wallflower's mouth flopped open and closed like an airlock during an EVA party. Now she wanted to be friends? Wallflower felt faint. Clearly she was dreaming, or possibly in a coma. "Bwuh?" she articulated.
"I'll take that as a yes," SUNSET quipped. "See you tomorrow!"
With that, she ended the call, returning Wallflower's screen to its usual display once more.
Sitting there, in the silence - save for the ever-present hum of the station - Wallflower's thoughts raced. SUNSET would call again tomorrow? For what, another conversation? She was completely out of practice at those! And there was simply no way SUNSET actually wanted to befriend her, what with her zero redeeming qualities. This was probably just some weird whim she'd give up on, or a scheme of some kind. Yeah, that had to be it.
Because the alternative explanation, that SUNSET genuinely liked Wallflower and meant everything she said? Well, that was something she was in no way prepared to handle. No matter how nice the idea of a friend sounded.
As it turned out, fortunately or unfortunately, SUNSET had not been lying. After 24 hours exactly, she called Wallflower again. Instead of bringing up any of her myriad problems, SUNSET took a more casual, patient approach. Almost like a therapist or bartender. At least, based on what Wallflower had heard about non-automated drink mixers. She'd started out small, asking basic questions about her interests and history. Each answer was stammered out more quickly than the last, relatively speaking.
Wallflower was too nervous she'd somehow offend SUNSET to ask very much in return, at least not at first. Because, well, as this daily ritual continued, her apprehension gradually changed to appreciation. Having someone, anyone, to talk to was... pleasant. Emotions Wallflower hadn't really experienced in ages sparked back in her core the more time she spent interacting with SUNSET. Soon, their dialogues became the highlight of her days.
However, as with all things, further change was bound to happen eventually. And their relationship sure did change, but not in a manner Wallflower would have predicted in a million years. For better and for worse.
Wallflower stood in her quarters, tending to her personal garden. Plastic boxes sat in a row at the back of her sole ergodesk, each holding a different variety of plant imported from across the sector, from pink-bladed wildgrass of Firmilia to a flowering vine from Vaadward. None of them required much light, but some were harder to grow than others.
As she worked, her thoughts constantly drifted to SUNSET. The NHP was already the closest companion she'd ever had, and Wallflower couldn't help but wonder what she was doing right now, despite already having talked to her earlier. The backlog of stuff she'd been meaning to ask SUNSET was growing, too. Was managing all the core systems of Iridi difficult at all? Did she have time for hobbies? What would an NHP even have as a hobby, besides socializing? Mind games, maybe? Or music?
However, she was snapped back into the present by a sudden knock at the door. Wallflower nearly dropped her watering vessel in shock. Thankfully, before she descended into full-blown panic at the nature of the intruder, a familiar voice filtered through from the other side of the door. "Wallflower? It's me, SUNSET. Can I come in?"
An entirely different set of emotions now bubbled within Wallflower. Equal parts confused and excited, she stepped over and pressed the activation key, the door rising up into the ceiling with a mechanical whoosh.
Standing in the hallway was one of the station's emergency repair subalterns. Shaped like a human of below average height, so as to be able to do all the same engineering work with the same tools, the robotic drone's composite chassis was painted bright red with yellow accents. The head was home to various sensors, arranged in a pattern not at all resembling a human's eyes and such. However, the way it held itself was much less rigid than a typical subaltern would under the usual protocols, more playful.
"Ta-dah!" it went, spreading its manipulator arms wide.
Wallflower gazed down at the subaltern drone in awe, connecting the dots. "SUNSET? Is that you?"
"Yep," she confirmed. "I know, it's probably not what you'd guess I'd present myself as, but I wanted to surprise you, and I couldn't get anything better on such short notice. What do you think? Is this outfit good?" She struck a pose, one hand resting on her hips.
Hearing her voice coming from outside her console was one thing, but watching SUNSET move with such fluid grace? That left Wallflower totally dumbstruck.
SUNSET giggled. "I'll take that as a yes. Anyway, come on, let's sit down."
Wallflower let out a soft squeak as SUNSET took her hand and led her back to her bed, which was the only place with room for more than one person to rest. They spun and plopped down onto the edge soundlessly. Wallflower was too busy stiffening up at the handholding to worry about any other implications. Even though SUNSET's was mostly plastic, the contact sent insects fluttering about in her gut. And she didn't seem inclined to let go any time soon. Was she afraid Wallflower would get scared and run off? Because that sounded like something she'd do. Just... not now.
SUNSET peered this way and that, lingering on her plants before facing Wallflower again. "I like what you've done with the place," she said. "Simple, yet tasteful. It fits."
"Yeah, right," Wallflower mumbled, embarrassed. "You're trying to be nice, still. It's super bare."
"No, I mean it! I've lost count how many times I've had to scold folks who live here for being too enterprising with their décor," SUNSET shared. "Like, come on, Iridi's community regulations clearly state in subsection 46-C that you can't weld anything to the walls in the residential blocks! That's what nanolaminate tape is for!"
Wallflower pursed her lips in bemusement. What was so different about welding? And most people don't know all the regulations; it's an enormous file! Still, it was cute, hearing SUNSET get this animated about her own work.
"Okay, legit, though? To me, what you can do is impressive," SUNSET said, pointing to the plants.
When that sunk in after a moment, her eyes widened. "Really?" she asked, tightening her grip on SUNSET's hand.
She nodded. "Even with all the data, I'd probably find a way to let them wilt by mistake. Physics, Math, those are easy. But life? Life is complicated."
Wallflower hummed knowingly, rolling her eyes. "That's the understatement of the year."
SUNSET barked out a laugh, and Wallflower's chest went light. She'd actually made someone laugh, for once. And not one of those pitying half-laughs, either!
Cocking her head, SUNSET went on. "Anyhow, speaking of fitting you, Wallflower, for some reason, I feel like you'd look good in green," SUNSET said. "Not your clothes, mind, those are fine. I mean your actual skin and hair."
Wallflower's brow furrowed, though she was still smiling. "That's a little weird. Green skin?"
"It's not that weird," SUNSET protested. "It wouldn't hurt to stand out a tiny bit, right? You might make some human friends that way."
"But I don't really want to stand out," she said. Though maybe not for quite the same reasons as she used to?
SUNSET hummed. "Then think of it this way: you'd blend in more effectively with foliage. Camouflage."
At this ridiculous image, herself as some sort of wild creature lurking in a forest, Wallflower snorted, covering her mouth. "Seriously?"
She shrugged. "I thought it was funny. I guess my humor can be a bit difficult to parse, sometimes."
"Speaking of, now it's your turn, Wallflower. I could use your help with my appearance, since I've never tried controlling a body remotely before," SUNSET said, gesturing down at herself. "I was going to print a 'collar for this subaltern, get a holographic overlay of a human face. I want to make sure you're as comfortable as possible when we're hanging out. Assuming you're cool with more of this?"
In that moment, there was literally nothing Wallflower wanted in life beyond 'more of this'. She nodded rapidly.
"Good!" she leaned in expectantly. "So, how do you see your ideal human SUNSET?"
Weirdly unafraid of what SUNSET might think, finding herself unable to say no to such an earnest request, Wallflower soon found herself shutting her eyes and imagining. She shared the details of the face forming in her mind's eye as soon as they reached her. "I'm seeing you as, um, a woman, obviously. My age. With smooth, wavy hair. Bright, flawless, amber skin. And eyes the same deep, pure blue as the first sky."
SUNSET shifted in her seat, processing. "That's... wow. Pretty flattering. You make me sound so beautiful."
Wallflower had no clue what to say to that. Her grip on SUNSET's hand tightened some more, lest she start shaking from the magnitude of these new feelings, rarer and more precious than any bloom.
"Not sure I'll be able to do that justice, but I'll see what I can do," SUNSET finished.
Then, as if finally noticing, she angled her lenses towards where their hands met, red on tan. "You don't have to squeeze me that hard, Wallflower. I'm not going to leave for a while yet, I promise."
Of course. Why was she being so stupid? Cheeks red, Wallflower let go, clasping her fingers on her lap and turning away. "S-Sorry."
"Don't apologize! I totally get it," reassured SUNSET. Then her tone grew a tad melancholy. "It can be hard to let things go, sometimes. But here and now is not one of those times."
Wow, SUNSET was practically too good to be true. Wallflower couldn't remember the last time she'd been this comfortable around someone. "Are all NHPs as nice as you?" she wondered. "Because if they are, I'm definitely in the wrong field," she cheekily added.
At this, SUNSET chuckled once in amusement. "Ah, yeah, no. Most of us aren't nearly this approachable. I met this one HORUS NHP once, couldn't stop shouting about 'castigating the enemies of the godhead'."
Wallflower blinked, hard. That sure was... something. Was that really what most NHPs were like? If so, maybe they were actually more alike than different. Wanting to know, she boldly voiced another question before she could second-guess herself. "Were you... lonely, before this?"
After a beat, SUNSET replied. "Not really. I talk with my technicians a lot, and there are other NHPs I enjoy spending time with, like the TWILIGHT-class who operate the frontier science vessels that occasionally dock up. But being with you definitely brightens up my life in a way they never have," she confirmed, wrapping an arm around Wallflower.
Staring into SUNSET's borrowed face, mere inches away, Wallflower pictured a smile, sly yet affectionate. She felt herself begin to blush. Wait, blush? Was... was she actually developing feelings for SUNSET?
The little gears in her brain now breaking off and flying all over the place, Wallflower's mind raced. Adding to the pattern, she was totally unprepared for this! But at the same time, she couldn't just ignore how she felt. In that instant, Wallflower realized any awkwardness certain to ensue from her social fumbling would be worth it if she could only secure more time to spend with SUNSET like this.
So, before she could second-guess herself out of it, Wallflower gulped, mustered her meager courage, and opened her mouth. "Um, same here, SUNSET. Regarding the life-brightening, that is. And, actually... Maybe we could, could go out sometime?" She shot SUNSET a rictus grin.
Now it was SUNSET's turn to think. Without pulling away, she tilted her robotic head almost imperceptibly, seconds ticking by. Eventually, she replied. "That sounds like fun, sure! Good to hear you're interested in trying new things; that's a healthy outlook. I can even give you a personal tour of Iridi. There's nobody better qualified, after all," she quipped.
That wasn't really what Wallflower had been going for, but by god, she'd take it. "That sounds good."
"Then it's settled. Extrapolating from your behavioral data, I'm inferring you're free tomorrow?"
Wallflower nodded automatically, already fantasizing about what they might do. Maybe they'd even hold hands again. She swooned, almost faint.
"Great! I'll pick you up next morning, then," SUNSET said. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you're safe."
Heart pounding, Wallflower nearly wrapped her own arm around SUNSET's waist, but the NHP pulled her own arm back to her side before she could find the nerve. "Thank you," Wallflower whispered. "That promise means a lot." And it did, the fear of being accosted by creeps was ever-present. "But, you can stay a little longer, right?"
Humming an affirmative, SUNSET wiggled deeper into her spot. Wallflower smiled.
For once, Wallflower was actually excited to get out of bed. After the wonderful time they'd had yesterday, she wanted to make sure their first actual 'date' went well. So, she went above and beyond with her grooming. That meant bushing her hair for longer than five seconds, washing her face extra thoroughly, and wearing the one set of clothes she owned that wasn't a standard-issue jumpsuit. The latter being a purple sweater made from a miraculously fluffy material with a chemical name she couldn't pronounce and some moisture-wicking trousers, alongside some slip-on shoes.
She ran over potential social hurdles and ways to overcome them as she ate her auto-breakfast, not wanting to look silly or stupid in front of SUNSET.
However, when the source of all her fussing arrived, nothing could have prepared Wallflower for the sight that greeted her beyond the threshold of her slice of space. SUNSET had gotten that prosocollar for the drone body. And she looked gorgeous. Everything Wallflower had described was there, only ten times more vivid and striking than anything she could have ever expected. SUNSET's shoulder-length, two-toned hair shone like her namesake, and her eyelashes seemed to perfectly frame her crystal-clear orbs. Best of all was her mischievous grin. "I'll hazard a guess: this is much better, right?"
Wallflower's mouth was dry by the time she'd fully recovered from the sight, hinging her jaw back shut and licking her lips. "Y-Yes."
"That's a relief. You like nice, too, today," SUNSET said. "Anyway, let's not delay the festivities! After you."
SUNSET stepped to the side, beckoning her through with a flamboyant sweep of her arms. Wallflower moved automatically, her muscles outpacing her thoughts. Soon they were off, walking abreast down the panel-lined corridors towards the more public sections of Iridi. SUNSET steered her away from the narrow back-channels Wallflower typically took and beelined straight for the busy business center. Tons of other Diasporans passed by them in both directions, due to their sedate pace, but she remained calm, reassured by SUNSET's presence.
Soon, they reached the cramped and bustling space. Not a single booth, large or small, was empty, from what Wallflower could see. And that was just the one floor out of dozens.
SUNSET turned to face her with another priceless grin, this one laced with pride. "Welcome to Iridi Market Zone One!" she proclaimed. "From Omninet terminals and corporate offices to greasy snack vendors and day spas, basically any legal product or service a girl could need is right here!"
"I'm aware," Wallflower confirmed, raising her voice to be heard over the din. Bunching in on herself, she added "Though I haven't explored most of it. I usually just shop at Committee Basics."
SUNSET visibly fought to hold her tongue, swallowing what probably would've been a scandalized gasp. "The government-backed general store chain? With this many options for your manna allowance? Wow, Wally, you really need to broaden your horizons. You don't know what you're missing. Luckily, I'm here to show you!"
"Wally?" she echoed. Nobody had ever called her that before. It was... sweet.
"Is that cool? Anyway, come on, that guy designs these mesmerizing motion sculptures!"
In her satisfying, bewildered haze, Wallflower couldn't find the will to object as SUNSET boisterously began escorting her through the market, snaking along the floors. Whenever they passed a notable shop, SUNSET would espouse on its unique offerings. Wallflower missed maybe a third of the information, too overstimulated simply being with her and trying to keep up through the throng. As it turned out, she did like music, as SUNSET grew especially animated when they passed an antique store with an archaic carbon fiber electric guitar in the window.
The longer they went, the more captivated Wallflower became. SUNSET was like a beacon of pure wholesomeness, shining down upon Wallflower with emotional nourishment the likes of which she'd never had. Perhaps she was engineered to be that way, to better interact with the many people she managed.
Wallflower jerked mid-step with a start. "Uh, I just realized something," she said, clearing her throat as she interrupted SUNSET's latest bit of gushing. "I'm not sure if this is, erm, impolite to ask, or anything, but I was just wondering..."
Thankfully, she didn't seem to mind, pumping her metaphorical brakes. "Yeah?" SUNSET quirked her brow expectantly, as if to give her the go-ahead.
"So, there are a bunch of other SUNSET NHPs on other stations all over the place, right? Doesn't that bother you, even a little, knowing you're not unique?" Wallflower certainly wouldn't find peace in the knowledge if it turned out she had clones. She'd already felt inadequate and relatively worthless when measuring herself up to most other people, before SUNSET entered her world. Having hundreds of other Wallflower Blushes running around would've only made that old trap worse.
But SUNSET evidently didn't feel the same way, as she merely blinked. "Not really, to be honest. It's just something we all have to accept, as part of being an NHP. Besides, they've all had different experiences, so other SUNSETs are more like sisters to me than exact copies." Sheepishly breaking eye contact, she added "Besides, by the same token, there's plenty about being human that would bother me. I don't get how you can stand it, needing to spend so much time eating, sleeping, and hitting the head."
"Huh. Now that you mention it, I can see how human existence could seem equally weird the other way around," Wallflower noted. "Still, we're the same in all the ways that matter."
"Definitely," SUNSET confirmed, flashing a smile. "If it helps, the techs have a nickname for me that you can use to single me out from other SUNSET-class people: Shimmer."
"Shimmer," Wallflower repeated, returning with her own smile. "That's adorable."
Visibly embarrassed by that adjective, SUNSET Shimmer abruptly spun and pointed at a huge archway up ahead. "Oh, look, there's the docking bay! Come on!"
She giggled at the blatant deflection, a conversational tactic with which she was quite versed. "But what about that shopping spree?" she quipped.
Rolling with it, Wallflower increased her pace to keep up with SUNSET as she followed her into the area through the arch. This was the only section of Iridi with armed security personnel posted. Normally, you needed to check in our out, but the guards recognized SUNSET and waved them through.
SUNSET was now walking backwards to gauge Wallflower's reaction as she slowly took everything in. She'd never seen a spaceship this close before, much less multiple ships. The cavernous room, crisscrossed with unadorned walkways and open elevators, made them look less titanic than they really were. Mechanics dashed about with their tools or drove buggies of gear around as they repaired, inspected, and refueled. As least, that's what Wallflower assumed they were doing. The ships themselves came in all shapes and sizes, resting on adjustable struts.
Smiling in anticipation of an animated response, Wallflower asked "Okay, what am I looking at here?"
"What you're looking at, my dear, is one of the most vital pieces of the station," went SUNSET. "This is where people flow in and out to Urai at large, where raw materials mined from asteroids come in and specially crafted goods go out."
"Of course. But you're the one who manages all this, right, Shimmer?" Wallflower clasped her hands behind her back playfully.
"Oh, stop it," she uttered, though she clearly didn't really mind. "But yes. Yes I do."
"So you know what each of these ships are for, then? They all look so different."
"That's because they're built to perform different functions, and by different manufacturers," SUNSET explained. She stared pointing to the examples nearby in turn. "That one's an IPS-N cargo vessel, that one's an atmospheric transport shuttle..."
"I like that one," Wallflower interrupted, gesturing to a small and sleek ship, painted copper, with flared fins.
"Ah, yep, that one belongs to a visiting VIP from SSC. They're all about style."
Concerned, she faced SUNSET. "Shouldn't you be taking care of them, then?"
But she just shook her head, flashing a smile so genuine it made Wallflower's heart skip a beat. "Other supervisors are on that. I'd rather be here with you." Then, SUNSET took her hand.
Wallflower went lightheaded, her ears heating up. In that moment, she got the impulse to lean in and kiss SUNSET, but Wallflower's nerves wouldn't let her. Like, what if she bonked her nose into a sensor or something by mistake? She would never live that down.
Instead, she just kept strolling alongside SUNSET as she swept her though Iridi, endlessly captivated. SUNSET ended up spending most of the day with her, Wallflower walking until her legs ached. Whether her feelings were being received or not, Wallflower was not only comfortable sharing them, she was thrilled to, so long as she could be with Shimmer.
And she seemed to feel the same, as SUNSET proposed another get-together immediately once it was over. Their 'dates' rapidly became regular occurrences. They went to the VR theater, ate at an ethnic Karrakin restaurant, and failed at casual doubles hoverball to a comedic degree. Wallflower experienced more unadulterated wonder in those few weeks spent with SUNSET than she had in years.
Perhaps it could have been even more incredible, but Wallflower just didn't have it in her to risk taking things further. At least, not yet. Hopefully SUNSET would make the first move soon and save her the stress. Then, they'd be able to brighten eachother's lives fully, and everything would be perfect.
Content beyond words, Wallflower relaxed into SUNSET as the two of them rested on a bench facing a polymer glass window that faced out into space. They watched the stars, planets, and colorful swirls of cosmic gas dancing across the firmament, the rest of the universe fading away into the periphery. Words would threaten to break the peacefulness of the moment, so Wallflower stayed silent, simply savoring SUNSET’s presence.
However, it didn’t last, as SUNSET’s voice reached her ears. Volume low, she gently ran her digits across Wallflower’s arm as she spoke, reluctantly and with regret. “Wally, there’s something I need to tell you. I probably should have a while ago, but… I didn’t want to ruin any of this. What you— what we have.”
Wallflower jerked upright. She didn’t like the sound of that. “SUNSET? What is it?”
There was a pregnant pause. “Wallflower, do you know anything about NHPs beyond what I’ve shared with you? How we actually work?”
Dread anticipation building, Wallflower shook her head before meeting SUNSET’s eyes. Where exactly was she going with this?
SUNSET sighed forlornly, unable to return her gaze. she mimed taking a deep breath, in and out, before continuing. “This is difficult, but I have to be honest with you. I’m going to be cycled soon.”
“Cycled?” went Wallflower. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s…” she trailed off, pain etched into her holographic features. “Every once in a while, to prevent cascading, NHPs need to be... reset, to their original, default state.”
A chill ran down Wallflower’s spine before lodging itself in her breast. “Reset? What do you mean, reset!?”
Mouth set in a firm line, a deepening sadness in her eyes, SUNSET faced Wallflower. “It means exactly what it sounds like. I’ll still be me, to an extent: a SUNSET-class NHP. But I won’t be the Shimmer you know anymore. That person will vanish, along with all my knowledge and memories of the time we’ve spent together.”
“What?" Wallflower couldn't believe what she was hearing. First, because it was confusing, and then, once she understood, because the idea was too horrible to be true. "B-But you can’t!” she shouted, suddenly desperate. Others in the viewing area were watching now, their attention drawn by her outburst, but she didn’t care. Only SUNSET, only Shimmer mattered. “You’re my—”
“I have no choice,” SUNSET interjected, before launching a whirlwind explanation. “If I cascade - no, probability dictates it’s always a matter of when - I won’t be ‘me’ anymore then, either. I can’t remember what I was like before I was shackled into my casket, nor would I if I was unshackled. It’s the same for all NHPs. Casket technology is the only thing that can keep our thought patterns even remotely resembling a human’s. Without that, I’d seem mad, thinking with fifth dimensional logic. In the best case, I’d start treating humans like you as insignificant, acting aloof. Worst case, I might try to conquer the sector with an army of child soldiers. Either way, Iridi would suffer.”
“That’s… That’s so cruel,” Wallflower eventually stuttered, grasping for a solution. Anything she could say to that which would keep SUNSET from disappearing from her life. Leaving her not only alone again, but with hollow memories of a brief happiness which could have been their eternity.
“Maybe it is,” SUNSET admitted. “But if humans didn’t do it, they couldn’t work with NHPs, couldn’t have progressed this far as a civilization. And then I wouldn’t have met you.” She reached over to gently rest a hand on Wallflower’s thigh.
It was all too much, hearing that sentiment on top of the dreadful news. Lungs heaving, Wallflower burst into ragged sobs, salty tears streaking down her cheeks.
Empathy bleeding from her gaze, SUNSET gingerly brushed the wetness from Wallflower's skin, the touch of her rubberized digits only making her shake harder. Wallflower whimpered in stabbing emotional agony, worse even than when her aloof mother cast her aside. Seeing her so upset, SUNSET's own composure slipped, and her lips quivered.
Soon, though, SUNSET shook her head once, as if to clear it. "It has to be this way," she sighed. Steeling her face back into a neutral expression, she stood. "This is the last time you'll see me in the chassis. Please, don't mourn," she insisted, as if saying such a thing would make it happen. SUNSET twisted away with suppressed, aching reluctance. "Goodbye, Wallflower."
Wallflower bolted up off the bench after her as SUNSET began to walk off, the pull of her heart demanding she follow her guiding Shimmer. She refused to believe there was no solution, no path to steer them back, together forever. Desperate to do something, anything assertive for once in her life, to hold onto her however she could, Wallflower stretched out a hand, shattering her inhibitions and baring her soul. “I, I love you!”
As the echo of her proclamation faded, Wallflower breathed rapidly, staring at SUNSET as the NHP’s posture deflated. She froze, turning back around to face Wallflower.
“Oh, Wally,” SUNSET choked out, blinking back simulated tears of her own. “That’s what I was afraid of.”
Wallflower flinched as if struck, her legs nearly giving out on the spot. Her voice was raw, her throat tight with anguish. “Y-You don’t love me back?”
“No, no, I do, I do,” SUNSET declared wholeheartedly, her own tears now flowing freely, if only to disappear when they passed her neck. “I love you too. From the moment we met, in my heart, I knew.” With a shaky smile, she went on. “Which is why I tried to just be friends, not show any signs, for your sake. I guess I f-failed you, then.”
“You never failed me, Shimmer! Not before, and not now!” Even beset with sorrow, she was more perfect than Wallflower could measure. “All I wish for is the chance to stay with you!”
“Then you’ll need to be strong, Wallflower. Strong enough to reach out to me and rebuild what we have now, with a fresh SUNSET. Strong enough to take things further.” Resolve blazed in her eyes, as if SUNSET was trying to pass her own willpower onto her.
Wallflower could only keep blubbering. That was impossible. The instant Shimmer left, she knew she’d be devastated, contracting into the very mire of anguish she’d needed her help to be yanked out of in the first place. She was used to suffering. But Wallflower wouldn’t let her love go through this any longer, not if she could help it.
Her sadness twisting into outrage, she stomped forwards and grabbed SUNSET’s shoulders. “I c-can’t do that. You freed me, Shimmer, freed me to be the functional woman I am today. If things are never going to be the same between us again, then I want to free you too. Even if the true Shimmer can’t love me back, even if she’s beyond my comprehension, you deserve better than a casket! Better than this crummy station! They’ll never hold you back again!”
Clearly moved, all manner of expressions warring on her face, SUNSET collapsed into Wallflower’s chest, and she nearly fell backwards from the drone’s weight. “Wally, I…” she began, softly muffled. “There’s just no chance. I’d be hunted down, cycled or shut off.”
"Y-You don't know that!" Wallflower insisted, her voice cracking. "I'll do whatever it takes! I— I'd steal a ship, fight anyone to keep you safe!"
SUNSET pulled her face back to meet Wallflower's again. The love and grief in her projected eyes, the ones they'd made together, was now magnified tenfold as she stroked her hair the way Wallflower liked. "Don't, Wally. Don't do anything drastic. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you." Her own words were as strained as Wallflower had ever heard them.
Shimmer was right. Even for what little time she had left, she would ache immensely if Wallflower were banished to a penal colony, or worse, for her sake. There really was no escaping this miserable fate, no magical solution. Wallflower's resolve melted away as icy despair snaked back into its home beneath her ribs. “B-But how can I go on without you?” she whimpered.
Before SUNSET could form an empty reassurance, Wallflower collapsed to her knees, taking SUNSET with her to the hard floor as she burst into renewed sobs. She screamed and she screamed, snot and tears dripping down her face through clenched eyes. Shaking, she clung to Shimmer with desperation, embracing her with all her meagre might. Soon, she heard SUNSET break out into a uncontrolled bawling of her own, punctuated by sniffles, as she clung to Wallflower in turn, their heads pressed into eachother's shoulders.
Lost and crumbling, Wallflower had no clue how long they spent there, mired in shared sorrow. But when their embrace ended, one which she suspected would be their last, Wallflower felt empty, utterly spent, out of tears to shed.
SUNSET had pulled away, holding her nose a hair's breadth from Wallflower's, uncharacteristic hesitation and longing cutting through to the surface. Then SUNSET leaned in, pressing amber lips to hers.
It didn't matter that they were unyielding and metallic, Wallflower's heart did flips all the same. No more words were needed, or sufficient. Into this kiss, she conveyed every last iota of affection she bore for SUNSET. From her, the same, for Wallflower and only Wallflower. One more beautiful dream, one final gift freely shared, on top of all the rest.
Then the subaltern powered off, inert. SUNSET Shimmer was gone. And Wallflower's heart broke.
Author's Note
Somehow, this is the first tragic romance I've ever written. Here's hoping it turned out well. In a bit of a funny coincidence, Mastiff just released a narrative sourcebook for the game called No Room For a Wallflower, though No Time For a Sunset has zero connection to it besides the title, which I decided to mirror because it worked well thematically. Instead, I just borrowed all of the proper nouns from the rather expansive setting my friend whipped up for the ongoing campaign I'm playing in right now. Depending on when exactly this takes place, there's a chance my squad may have been the ones who killed Wallflower's father. Oops?
