Milli vs Nano!

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Despite District 18 being a neighboring district, our apartment in District 16 is still too far from this place. I hope Gin's evening is doing alright. At the very least, I hope it's better than mine.

"Presenting! The newest member-"

"Temporary."

"The newest temporary member of aiMeter... Nano!!! Applause!"

The PalettePill I took provided me with additional cosmetic settings. I turned my hair into an icy platinum blonde with a streak of blue and purple. The settings disappeared shortly after making my selection and Deci informed me the dye would last for about 24 hours, or until washed off.

Now, I'm dressed in what seems to be a black motorcycle race suit. It is sleek and surprisingly easy to move around in despite how it seems to wrap tightly around my body. Deci added two large diagonal lines, one blue and one purple, that seemed to emit their own faint light.

Milli adjusted the configuration of my face module, something I wasn't aware was possible after initial installation. She also put light makeup on me, further turning me into the person apparently now named 'Nano'.

"Nano? What about Micro?"

Deci points to the side.

"That's Micro."

A compact, cherry red drone hovers about with a soft whir. The front is equipped with multiple camera lenses, similar to the megamarket's security drones but much smaller.

"Micro's equipped with his own AI, not as complex as an android's but he's like a really smart camera pet! Micro, catch!"

Milli lobs a throw pillow towards Micro and the camera drone expertly dodges before promptly returning to the place it was hovering at. Deci fiddles with my outfit, making sure everything is in place.

"Our names are supposed to represent our height and size relative to one another, but with you here that will stop being the case."

"Are you telling me to shrink myself?"

"Could you?"

"Of course not."

Deci shrugs.

"I don't know what you security models are capable of. For all I know you could shrink for surveillance or whatever reason."

"That's a very unsound sense of logic."

"Logic isn't my strong suit, Nano. If you can't shrink to fit your name, what can you do then?"

"Neutralize hostiles."

"Show me."

"Give me a hostile."

"Milli, attack Nano."

"What?! You're crazy! I'm not picking a fight with an android model!"

"'Milli vs Nano! New member battle debut! Loser gets kicked out of aiMeter?' Think of the views."

"My position will not be threatened! One millimeter PUNCH!!! aghyackk--"

Milli throws a wild haymaker so I land a swift front kick to her chest. Her fist doesn't even swing halfway before I send her falling flat on living room carpet.

"Truly a cold, heartless machine. Rules are rules, pack your bags Milli."

"What?! You're kicking me out of the (apartment) too?!"

"'Milli kicked out! Living in the streets of AIKA! Will she find a new home before the next flash storm?'"

"No amount of views is worth facing a flash storm!"

"I'm beginning to understand why the other member left."

"So you're good at turning smaller androids homeless, what else?"

"I have a built in taser."

"Does it work on androids?"

"Yes. Enough to paralyze without causing internal damage. The same as with humans."

"Show me."

I look at Milli, who is picking herself up from the floor.

"W-Wait."

I point my index finger at her. A small explosion of pressurized air hisses briefly from the nail firing off. It digs itself into her upper arm and the electrical pulses are released.

"AAAAAHHH!!! S-Stop! It hurts but also doesn't?! AAH! I can't feel my limbs! No, i-it's starting to- AAAHH!!"

"Huh. I was expecting it to also paralyze her voice box."

"Why?!"

"So I can finally hear myself think, obviously."

The high-voltage wire zips as I retract my taser nail.

"Deci, I really don't think I'm cut out for this. I wasn't designed to appeal to an audience and I don't think I developed any skills or unique deviations that would help."

"Nonsense, this is great content. Now, try to do your version of our catchphrase."

"You're putting me on the spot here."

I ponder a bit as I recall Milli's horrible 'inch' wordplay.

"Oh! Make sure to pose too!"

Being flat on the ground paralyzed clearly doesn't discourage Milli from making this more difficult for me.

"...P-Passion without measure, aiMeter's newest member: Nano... Applause..."

I wish to be decommissioned. Decommissioned and sunk into the ocean where no one can witness my shame.

"Huh. Far better than your lousy 'inch' line, Milli."

"Hey! I didn't hear you come up with anything good!"

"Can we just... start recording... And get this over with? I don't know how much more of this I can take."

Deci and Milli share a look.

"We're already recording."

"...What?"

Deci points at Micro, who has been occasionally changing stationary positions.

"Why do you think we brought out Micro?"

"But, don't you do introductions? Openings?"

Deci chuckles as he stands next to me and waves to the camera.

"We don't do those kind of things, don't need to in fact. Our viewers enjoy a more... casual and genuine approach. Have you not watch our metavids?"

"S-Since when."

"Since the early stages of our metachannel really."

"Not that. The recording."

"Since you saw Micro."

Then... my line... and pose...

"...? Strange, I sense... bloodlust? It's been a while since I've sensed this."

"...! Deci! Take Micro and run! Nano's going to kill Micro! Nano STOP! NANOOOOO!!!"