tushanshu | 3% video;

[Holiday is back on the screens again. Thankfully, her hair was slowly turning back into its once dark color at her roots, but the eyes were still a light gray instead of green. If someone hadn't seen her before the ~~ghost event~~ that thing with the museum, they may not even recognize her all that well.]

I've been wanting to go through this for a little while now, since my... scare, but in the wake of our Emperor's death, I saw it fit to wait in her respect.

I just want to inform people of a, um... disease that I have, I suppose you would call it. On my world, every living organism is infected with nanoscopic machines that have corrupt programming. We call these nanites. I'm the only one infected with this type here, I assure you. They can only be passed along much like an STI, with bodily fluid contact.

If the nanites themselves become infected, they bound to the host's DNA and change it. These occur in physical deformities or mental abnormalities. Some that change may only experience boils on their skin, others develop mental illnesses. Then some... [And this is the tough part.] Some can turn into eighty foot, fire breathing monsters and anything in between.

At home, I worked as the lead researcher for the biggest, most resourced organization that was looking for a cure to the nanite plague. We had one that would only work on some people after they had changed, but it's not here.

I just want there to be awareness about my condition so that others can take whatever precautions they deem necessary to not contract it; though, I will continue to assure you that it won't happen. Otherwise, I want others to be aware and alert in case I do change one day. The best option may be simple... eradication. It was what we had to do back home before we found our cure against some of the more dangerous ones. My sister was one of those dangerous ones that, thanks to my position, wasn't killed but caged for several years. The changes seem to be genetic.

... If anyone has questions, feel free to ask me. [And on that wonderful note, she closes the feed.]

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That's....some confession. Good thing for me I'm essentially immune to that kind of thing, hmm?

[His vessel without him inside? Nope.]

Really? That's good to know.

[She still doesn't know about the angel thing. ~~Might have gone back to check.~~ Don't worry, Balthazar. She's not going to start poking on you.]

Really, it shouldn't be anything to worry about for anyone. I just thought it best to at least be open about it in case it does become a problem.

[The angel thing over ever comes up when somebody asks or it comes up in idle conversation...or just on a whim.]

Nothing wrong with being open just in case. It will certainly cover one's ass if something unexpected happens.

Definitely. There was a bit of a scare in regards to these things not too long ago and no one knew what to do. It could have been so much worse, so... I thought this would be needed.

Never thought I'd actually be doing this, though.

[Still weird being in a world that's nanite-free. She sort of wants to lock herself in a closet or something.]

I must admit that it takes a certain set of...er...bad choice of words. I set of courage! That sounds much better....Courage to mention that to the population here.

It makes me curious as to what else other might be keeping to themselves.

[That speculation can be for another time.]

So these nanites...did people just...create their own demise?

[Well, at least he makes her laugh.] I've been told before that I have a good set of courage, thanks. It's appreciated.

If they're keeping anything, it's probably for good reason, whatever those reasons may be. [Not like she could really talk, honestly. That's a pretty big secret she had under her belt until recently.]

Basically, yes. It was a secret project, though, and everyone that originally worked on it is missing or dead. We believe they were trying to make the nanites repair injuries and cure diseases, but they spread throughout the world before they were completed and we got this to live with now.

We all have our secrets. Some of us just do not have that good set of...courage to speak up about it.

[Like angels in willing human vessels. He would state his own story...but is there a point for himself? No harm, not like this could potentially end up being. He is not worried at all. besides, she sounds like she has it under control.

He listens with interest to what she has to say.]

It seems like a lot of people, no matter what world they come from, end up dabbling in something dangerous. It gets set loose of course and then everybody pays the price.

[There is no accusation in his voice. It is matter of fact and normal for himself.]

Discoveries cannot be made without a little trouble though.

[She has it more or less under control, sort of. So long as there's help around to put her down in a bad situation, everything should be fine.]

It does seem like that, doesn't it? [She wouldn't have minded if he was accusing. She was the one cleaning up the mess, after all.] I never could stand that sacrificing for the greater good talk, but it never ends whether I like it or not.

I suppose they thought the risks were worth the technology.

[He shrugs. No matter what, the consequences were always on the table. Making sacrifices always held certain gambles. He meant it when he said it brought about discoveries. It...also brought along failure but that was neither here nor there for him.]

Then you and I share something in common. You can never get rid of that sacrificing for the greater good nonsense. It will always be there. Nobody said we couldn't mock it from the sidelines, hmm?

Sometimes I think the ones that talk like that do not believe a word they are saying. That's practically an invitation, a pleading, for somebody else to step in to do what they cannot: Actually BE the sacrifice and not have somebody else do it for them.

[He shakes his head.]

Listen to me rambling though. You can always tell me to shove off you know.

No, no. I like your ramblings. You certainly understand the truth of the matter. I don't know if they don't believe their words, though. More like they don't fully understand them. Whenever someone speaks of sacrifice, it usually means for someone else.

I suppose that's human nature in a nutshell. [Not a very optimistic outlook, but she's not good at those most days anyway.]

[Human nature indeed. It would be just perfect if that was true for their existence alone. Balthazar has yet to meet a species or race in all of creation that was completely honest and well-meaning. As for this sacrifice and not sacrifice thing, he shrugs once more.

He has been doing that a lot lately. Force of habit.]

I'm glad that somebody appreciates them then. I'm not usually so...morbid. I was always curious about human nature.

[Very nearly getting into what he is, but skating right on past that.]

I suppose the bright side is that those nanites must have a benevolent purpose somewhere in there.

[She puts on a smile again, remembering that she's not usually so morbid either. Or, at least, not outwardly so. It was easier to do here, unfortunately.

The human nature quip doesn't even register as suspicious for her. Most humans are interested, after all.]

There's one person back home who's infected with completed nanites. He was the son of two of the researchers who worked on the project. He was fatally injured somehow and the nanites saved him. To this day, he doesn't tire out like a normal person, has a much bigger tolerance for pain and injury, and doesn't even get sick or hurt like average people.

They were definitely meant for something better. It just... didn't work out. I guess the world just wasn't ready for it.

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