Sunset's human world origin

Emi’s room
Date: Nov 4th, time: 10:00 am

*Emi’s perspective*

“Hey Emi, one of your classmates is here.”, Sunset said from Emi’s doorway.

“Who?”, Emi asked.

“Rynin”

“Rynin’s not one of my classmates. He goes to a different school. Ah know him from da park.”

“Oh, my mistake. Either way, he’s downstairs.”

Emi hopped off her bed and followed Sunset down the stairs. Rynin was just done getting decontaminated. This is the first time Emi and Rynin had seen each other since the diagnosis. That also means that Rynin hasn’t seen Emi’s bald head, and the face he made clearly showed that. “Don’t look so shocked. You know how beautiful I am.”

“Ah, oh, um, sorry.”

Emi shook her head at Rynin’s attempt of digging himself out of that hole. “Shut up. Let’s go up to my room.”

“Sounds good.”, Rynin said quickly, and followed Emi up to her room.

“So, what do ya wanna play?”

“Dumb Deaths”

“What’s y’r Mom’s problem with these games?”

“It’s because it has the Grim Reaper on it.”

“The Grim Reaper is present in slovic mythology. Although it’s a ‘she’, has a white robe, and goes by ‘Śmierć’ or ‘kostuch’.”

“She says the Grim Reaper is Satanic imagery.”

“Do you think that?”

“I don’t care. I just want to play a fun game.”

Emi smiled and got to setting up the game. Dumb Deaths is a game were you have to seperate survival myths and facts. It’s typically a college aged game, but Emi’s parents got it for her as a way to encourage analytical thinking and information gathering. The two played the game, and like always, Emi won.

“How do you keep winning?”, Rynin asked while scratching his head.

“I’m a ninja. Despite what pop culture would have ya believe, ninjas aren’t unstoppable super soldiers. We’re spies, saboteurs, the occasional assassin, and, most importantly, extreme survivalists. Knowing what’s a myth and what’s true is survival 101.”

“I’m going to beat you one of these days.”

“Yeah, that’s not gonna happen. So, what do ya wanna do now?”

“I’d like to do some tests with your powers. I’d really like to learn more about them.”

“Okay, what do ya wanna test first?”

Rynin grabbed a notepad and pen from his bag. “First, what all can your powers do?”

“Well, Ah can see and sense spirits, sense emotions, and have a heightened sense of where things are.”

“Okay then, are there any spirits here?”, Rynin said after writing in his notepad.

“Nope, although, there are some at the nearby highschool, according to Sunset.”

“Wait, your adopted sister has these powers too?”

“It’s not like Ah’m one of a kind. There are people like me all over the world.”

“Okay, let’s get back to the tests. I’m going to blindfold you, and you try to sense what I’m feeling.”

“Don’t make this weird.”, Emi said while crossing her arms and giving Rynin a mean glare.

Rynin got up and grabbed Emi’s night mask. After giving the mask to Emi, Rynin took his seat and pulled a book from his bag. “Ready?”

“Ready”, Emi said after putting the mask on.

It took a while for Rynin to speak, and Emi could hear the turning of pages. “Okay, what am I feeling now?”

“Aside from intense curiosity, happiness.”

Emi heard Rynin write in his notepad and then more page turning. It was another few minutes before Rynin spoke again. “What am I feeling now?”

“Boredom”

That cycle repeated eight more times. “Emi, I’m going to amend the testing process. From now on, I’ll tap your leg when I’m ready.”

“Okidoki”

Rynin repeated this new process ten times. “Okay, you can take off the mask.”

“So, how’d I do?”

“Out of the twenty times, you got all of them correct.”

“You sound surprised.”

“It’s just that this is extremely unlikely to be an accident, and you would have had no verbal cues for the second half. I can’t explain it.”

“Huh, look, I’m not well educated in the science behind my powers, but, from what I overheard from Sunset, this would be an evo-lution-airy ad-van-tage for humans.”

“A species so reliant on communication would benefit from being able to read each other's emotions like that.”

“Exactly, although, you’d have ta talk ta Sunset if ya want more of the scientific stuff.”

“Okay, I’d like to test your spatial sense next.”

“There actually is an existing test for that.”

“There is? What is it?”

“I forget what it’s called, but basically, the test giver stands behind the test taker with a bokken or something similar, and the test giver will randomly swing the bokken down on the test taker’s head. The test taker needs to roll out of the way before they’re hit but not before the swing.”

“That sounds perfect.”

“Great, I’ll go get my dad. He’s the only one certified to give the test.” Emi hopped up and began running out of the room but stopped at the door when Rynin spoke.

“Wait, you need to be certified to give the test?”, Rynin asked confusedly.

“Kind of. The test giver needs to have taken the test themself. My dad says it has something ta do with knowing how to do it right.” With that, Emi resumed running to grab her dad. “Hey, Dad!”

“Hello, Emi. Are you and your friend having fun?”

“We are. Rynin and I are testing my abilities, and Rynin wants to test my spatial sense. Do you remember that test where the taker has to dodge being smacked on the head from behind with a bokken?”

“The sakki test?”

“Yeah, that one. Can we do the test?”

“Emi, it takes many years of training before one can even hope to pass that test.”

“It’s not like Ah haven’t done stuff like that before, and it’s not like there’s some consequence, beyond getting bonked on da head, for failing.”

“Hm, I suppose you’re right. Alright, I’ll meet you outside. Go grab a bokken and a helmet.”

“A helmet? It’s just a wooden sword.”

“Emi”, Dad said seriously.

“Fine”, Emi said, defeated. Emi ran back to her room and told Rynin to come outside with her. Emi then ran into the garage and grabbed one of the longer bokken from the wall and her helmet from her bike. Emi ran back outside to see Rynin and her father waiting for her.

“Wow, is that a sword?!”, Rynin asked.

“This is a bokken, a wooden sword.”, Emi answered.

“Cool”

“Alright Emi, put the helmet on and take a seat.”

Emi handed her father the bokken, put the helmet on, and sat down in front of him, closing her eyes. Dad patted her on the head to make sure he was oriented properly, and Emi began waiting. It did not take as long as Emi feared it would. Once Emi sensed the strike, she rolled out of the way.

“Ta-da”, Emi said when she righted herself.

“Can you do that a few more times? I want to make sure it wasn’t just an accident.”, Rynin said after writing in his notepad.

“Fiiine” Emi was getting a bit annoyed now, but understood that Rynin was just being a good scientist. “Let me guess, nine more times.”

“That’d be good.”

Emi got herself back in place, and they began repeating the process. Emi successfully completed all of the tests. “Ya got what ya need?”, Emi asked Rynin.

“Yes, thank you.”

“What knowledge have you gained from these experiments?”, Dad asked Rynin.

“Well, there is no doubt that Emi’s abilities are real, but I still don’t know how they work. I have a few theories but no idea how to test them.” Rynin put his notepad and pen into his pocket but then seemed to focus on something else. “Mr. Katon, why did you need that wood sword when your cane would’ve worked?”

“Come here.” Dad grabbed the bokken and his cane. “Hold these.” Dad handed the two to Rynin.

“Your cane’s a lot heavier.” Rynin noticed.

“Good, now, imagine if Emi had not dodged one of the strikes and I’d use my cane. What do you think would happen?”

“Emi would’ve gotten hurt, and with her current state…”

“Hey, Ah’m not that fragile. Plus, the cancer hasn’t spread to my skull, yet.”

Rynin got a look on his face that looked like fear mixed with shock and something else that Emi couldn’t place.

“I’d say it’s a good time for the two of you to get back to your games.”, Dad said while gathering everything up. “I’ll put everything back.” Dad reached out for Emi’s helmet, and she gave it to him.

Emi ran back upstairs with Rynin following her.

Canterville College

Date: Nov 9th, time: 3:15 pm

*Brigid’s perspective*

When classes are wrapped up for the day, Brigid is usually left to take care of paperwork for the next couple of hours. Although, all the paperwork is done, for once. That left Brigid with nothing to do. Getting bored with opening and reopening the same three apps on her phone, Brigid began daydreaming. Brigid thought back to when she was a student. More specifically, when she met Anzhong.

*Flashback*

Canterville College
Date: Sep 2nd, 1998; 3 years after MCM, time: 12:00 pm

*Brigid’s perspective*

As had become routine in the last two years, Brigid sat alone. She did not mind this whatsoever. Nobody liked her, and she liked nobody. As much as Brigid wanted to enjoy her meal, the shrill laughter of Spoiled Milk and her piece of shit friends made that very difficult.

“Ew, is that a dog?”, one of the cackling hyenas shrieked.

Brigid looked around to see what the hyenas were talking about, and in fact, there was a dog, a seeing eye dog.

“Yes, Ai is a dog.”, the boy attached to “Ai” said.

“Who let you bring a dog on campus. You’re going to get my allergies worked up.”, Spoiled said in her usual “I’m better than you” attitude.

Before the boy could speak, Brigid spoke up. “It’s a damn seein’ eye dog! It’s written right dere on da harness! If ya couldn’t see dat den ya should get some glasses, n’ Ah know y’r not allergic ta dogs! Ah’ve seen ya sittin’ in a car with a sheddy german shepherd in da back seat, n’ ya weren’t sneezin’!”

“Hmf, well I never.”

“Neve’ bothe’ ta use y’r brain! Doesn’t surprise me!”

The boy walked over to Spoiled and leaned down so their faces were only a few inches apart. Even though he spoke in a soft, quiet voice, the cafeteria had gone quiet, and Brigid could hear him. “I believe it would be a good idea for you to pay more attention to what’s around you, instead of just yourself.” The boy stood back up and began to walk over to Brigid’s table. He used his cane to figure out where the seat was and sat down. “I appreciate your assistance with that situation. Unfortunately, stuff like that is practically a daily occurrence for me, and it’s rare for others to step in and help.”

“Ah only did it ‘cause Ah hate dat girl.”

“I don’t believe you. I do believe that you hate her, but I also believe that you don’t like to stand by while others are being bullied.”

“Ya don’t know me at all.”, Brigid said angrily.

“That is true, but I’d like to get to know you.”

Brigid gave him an incredulous look. “What’s your name?”

“Anzhong Katon, and yours?”

“Brigid O’Floinn”

“I think we are going to have a good relationship.” The way Anzhong smiled made Brigid want to punch him.

*Present day*

Brigid cringed when she thought about how much of an edgelord she was. At least it led to her meeting Anzhong. Brigid then thought back to their first date. It was over a year after they met. Anzhong had chipped away at Brigid’s armer until she began to open up again.

*Flashback*

The Lobster Boat
Date: Nov 5th, 1999, time: 6:00 pm

*Brigid’s perspective*

“Da Lobster Boat?”, Brigid said.

“They serve fish and lobster that they catch during the day. It’s as fresh as you can get.”, Anzhong said.

Anzhong had lived in the city since he was a teen. Brigid had only lived in the city for a little over three years. It did not surprise her that he knew more of this city’s hidden gems than she did, but Brigid was surprised by what this city had to offer. Before meeting Anzhong, Brigid had the impression that the US was filled with nothing but chain businesses, fast food, and trailer parks. In her defense, the town her aunt and uncle live in was exactly that. Learning about this town’s history and trying the various delicacies had thoroughly changed her opinion.

“Shall we go in?”, Anzhong asked.

“We shall.”, Brigid answered.

Anzhong instructed Ai to lead them in. Ai was clearly getting up there in years, but she did her job well. Brigid was glad that she got to know her but was also sad that she would only be around for another few years. She was truly a sweet dog and got along with Pumpkin quite nicely. The hostess gave Ai strange looks as she seated them. Brigid had already prepared herself for some kind of confrontation. It really was a near daily occurrence where someone would get their knickers in a twist about Ai. People wanting to pet Ai was the least they had to deal with. People would accuse Anzhong of not really being blind because he didn’t have cloudy eyes. Some people would get offended when Anzhong would tell them they couldn’t pet Ai. One man even tried to take Ai away from Anzhong while Brigid wasn’t in sight. The man had previously confronted them about Ai but backed off when Brigid stood up, revealing she was half a foot taller than him. Anzhong panicked when that happened and nearly killed the man with one whack to the head from his cane. Because of that incident, Brigid had become extremely protective of them both and began prepping for those instances.

Brigid had to read the menu out for Anzhong. They could hear tables around them commenting on Ai. So far, it was just comments about how cute she was or how well behaved she was. Hopefully, that will be it, but from experience, they both knew it would not. They both ordered their food, and Brigid practiced ASL with Anzhong while they waited. Anzhong initially thought that the idea of him learning ASL was silly, but Brigid blew his mind when she showed him how blind people can use ASL. Now, he was determined to learn it.

It didn’t take much longer for their food to arrive, but it also didn’t take much longer for someone to complain about Ai. A man in a business suit came up to their table. “Excuse me, sir.”, business suit man said.

“You are excused.”, Anzhong retorted. He knows what’s happening.

Business suit man was caught off guard by that. “Um, sir, people have made complaints regarding your dog. I’m afraid that you’ll have to leave.”

“My dog is a service animal. If you kick me out because of her, you will be violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are convicted, you would face a fine up to $75,000 for your first offense and $150,000 for additional offences.”

That took the wind out of his sails. The man went wide-eyed and immediately backpedaled. “Oh, no sir. Sorry to interrupt your evening. Have a pleasant evening.” business suit man walked away from their table as quickly as was polite.

“Hey, no screamin’. How lucky are we?”, Brigid jokingly said. Anzhong just shook his head and continued eating.

Business suit man became the butt of their jokes for the rest of the dinner. The rest of the dinner was peaceful, but they still wanted to get out of there quickly. After finishing their food and exiting, the two of them decided to stroll around. This part only mattered to Brigid, but the area they were in had very little light pollution. Brigid could see the stars clearly. It was a comforting feeling. Her mother would say that their bodies come from the earth and their soles come from the stars, and when they die, they return to the stars and earth. Brigid wasn’t sure about the “soul” part, but the whole being children of the Earth and stars bit was scientifically accurate. Either way, the idea that her clan was watching over her from the stars was comforting. Brigid wished that Anzhong could see the stars.

*Present day*

The attitude around service animals had certainly gotten better over the last decade, but those types of interactions still happen a lot and are another reason why Anzhong is a bit of a shut-in. When they moved in together, Brigid became responsible for all chores outside the house while Anzhong became responsible for all chores inside the house. The house, back then, was a bit of a fixer upper. It was nothing major. The previous owner had disappeared under suspicious circumstances mid-renovation, and there was no one to take care of the home until he was declared legally dead, 9 years later. They had to swim through the grass when they first went to view the house. That was actually eight years ago, to the day.

*Flashback*

The eventual Katon family home
Date: Nov 9th, 2000, time: 2:00 pm

*Brigid’s perspective*

“This house is an older one. It was built in the late 1800s. It has also been vacant for over nine years. It has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a detached garage, a mother-in-law suite, a basement, and two above ground floors. However, the house was abandoned in the middle of a renovation; so, some areas are unfinished..”, the retail agent said.

“What do you mean by “abandoned”?, Anzhong asked.

“The previous owner disappeared and has since been declared dead. The case is still ongoing, as far as I’m aware.”

“How does it look?”, Anzhong asked Brigid.

“Da grass is severely ove’grown, but da house looks fine, from da outside. Dere’s a chain link fence surroundin' da front yard.”

“If you follow me, I’ll show you the inside.”

Anzhong and Brigid followed the agent through the fence and cleared pathway, onto the porch, and into the house. Inside was a short hallway leading to the main area and a bathroom to the left, a set of stairs leading upstairs in the middle, and a closed door with a sign that says “not a closet” to the right.

“What does dat door lead to?”, Brigid asked.

“That door leads to the basement. The basement is unfinished. Know, follow me into the kitchen. The appliances do need to be replaced, but the counter tops are all marble.”

Inside the main area were half torn down walls, a destroyed sofa, a table and chairs that had seen better days, and 15 year old appliances. The counters were a nice marble, and despite the dust, the cabinets were in good order. Brigid had seen a bunch of old houses with lots of little cabinets stacked under each other, but luckily, these were nice and big. The kitchen was surprisingly efficient. The house she lives in now is horrendously inefficient in its use of kitchen space, with the “lots of tiny cabinets” included. One thing that she absolutely hates is when the sink is in the corner. That blocks off a good cubic foot of space behind the sink; which her current place is also guilty of, but this place is not. The stove is placed in the island, and there’s more cabinets under it. Opening up the cabinets, Brigid found pots and pans. “Yes” Brigid heard Anzhong say. Brigid looked up to see Anzhong touching the oven. The oven was the only “new” appliance and is placed in the wall right around Anzhong’s chest. He had previously explained how he preferred the older style of elevating the oven. It gave him more control over the situation. “Dere are cabinets unde’ da stove too.” Anzhong got a huge, by his standards, smile on his face. The kitchen was definitely a ‘yes’.

The dining room was not very interesting. Even before the walls started to come down, it was more like an extension of the kitchen. They moved on to the living room. Strangely, you had to take a step down to get into the living room, which Ai warned Anzhong of. The couch sat in front of a moderate sized TV, and there is a fireplace in the wall bordering the bathroom. Considering when the house was built, Brigid found the living room configuration weird. To the left of the TV, is double doors with a large, solid pane of glass in each. Brigid had some security concerns about the doors, but they did let in some much needed light. Even with the line of windows near the ceiling, it was a bit dark in the room for Brigid’s liking. She would need to consult Anzhong about the security of the doors. He was, apparently, some sort of expert with that sort of thing. Ah guess workin’ f’r da law gives ya some insight inta dat.

“What does dat door lead to?”, Brigid asked.

“That door leads to the mother-in-law suite. It’s unfinished. We can take a look at it now, if you like.”

Brigid nodded yes, and they followed the agent into the mother-in-law suite. The first thing Brigid noticed was the large near floor to ceiling window. It was nice, but it was the only window in the room. That left the rest of the room rather dark. The window faced a loft of sorts that is home to a bed and has a desk under it. Strange. There were various pieces of furniture wrapped in plastic and shoved next to the stairs. Along the same wall is a mostly finished bathroom. A toilet and sink just needed to be installed. The far side of the room was where the kitchenette would’ve gone, but it looks like the work to put it in wasn’t even started. All they would’ve needed to do was paint the place, put the toilet and sink in, and set up the furniture and this place would be habitable.

“Would you like me to show you the basement or the upstairs next?”

“Basement, please.”, Anzhong said.

The agent took them to the basement. The floor was concrete, and the space was completely empty except for a pellet stove, water heater, washer and dryer, and a door that led into another bathroom. Anzhong walked around to explore the room. He was done quickly, and they proceeded to the only part of the house left. The upstairs was the only part of the house that was completely finished, but it was still covered in a near decade worth of dust. The four bedrooms were furnished, but Brigid could tell that only one of them was not a guest room. Looking into the master bedroom was strange. Aside from what would have been moved by the police, the room had to be the exact way the previous owner left it, dirty clothes pile included. Brigid spotted a picture on the nightstand. It was of a man and a young girl. It felt like a massive invasion of privacy being in that room. Either a daddy’s missin’ his little girl, or a little girl is missin’ ‘er daddy.

*Present day*

After she got back home that day, she looked up what happened to the previous owner. It was the father who went missing. He left work one day and was never seen again. That girl in the picture was indeed his daughter. She had been in a car crash that left her with severe brain damage that left her unable to live on her own. Brigid went to go talk to her. She was 19 when she was in the accident and 29 when Brigid met her. She was capable of recognizing her condition, and she was angry that she was like that. The mother-in-law suite was meant to give her some independence while her father could still keep an eye on her. It was just the two of them. Neither the man nor his body has been found to this day.