Raine's Monad Notes

[icywaters]

The System
Although supposedly a program designed to provide a comfortable virtual afterlife, the situation suggests otherwise.
Some details about the system:
-monthly updates cause a variety of problems that typically are not fixed until the next month; see Errors and System Updates below for more information
-it is possible to die again within the system; although death is not permanent, it will usually result in errors related to the circumstances of death
-rumour has it that we can't starve to death, but since we still feel hunger, verifying it isn't advised
-some users do become permanently deleted from the system under the reasoning that they do not mesh or interact well with the world
-use of special abilities such as magic, and possibly the occurrence of strong emotions, can result in glitches
-responses and communication from the system so far appear to be automated only
-a credit system apparently exists for buying goods and services, though there is currently no information as to how these credits are earned or how to see your total
-caution is advised when exploring areas that have been newly added by the system as they may be prone to dangerous glitches

Errors and System Updates; current as of 06/22/15
Ongoing and current errors:
-incomplete areas do not render properly
-some items cannot be accessed in apartments
-artificial light does not work in some apartments

11/11/14 System Update Beta
-the first update of the system as we know it
-books could not be accessed in any apartment; this was fixed in the following update

12/01/14 System Update v.1.01
-three users experienced unique personal rendering errors
-apartment walls did not render properly and were invisible; this continued until update v.1.02
-safety issues with the beach were apparently encountered but not acknowledged and fixed by the system until update v.1.02

12/12/14 System Update v.1.01.01
-the system generated presents for each user that could not be opened until the following update
-an error caused any users caught underneath mistletoe to be confined until receiving a kiss on the lips
-related to some holidays, including one called Christmas

12/25/14 System Update v.1.01.02
-the presents from the previous update could be opened
-the system generated unique gifts for each user based on memories and experiences
-little information available about the gifts, but some appeared to be troublesome or dangerous
-the mistletoe error continued

01/01/15 System Update v.1.02
-all users experienced rendering errors for the month
-errors were unique to each person; many involved personal significance

01/22/15 System Update v.1.02.01
-six users tortured six other users in various locations
-torture was broadcast on all televisions, which could not be stopped
-the system claimed the users were not being harmed, which was clearly false

02/01/15 System Update v.1.03
-the system claimed that the rendering problem responsible for the appearance of users in the broadcast had spread
-all users were rendered as they appeared at the moment of their deaths, but pain and other sensations were deactivated

02/14/15 System Update v.1.03.02
-all users were set up on blind dates by the system
-each pair was isolated from interacting with other people or the environment
-related to something called Valentine's Day

02/15/15 System Update v.1.03.03
-every user had unlimited access to any apartment for 24 hours

02/22/15 System Update v.1.03.04 Error Report
-starting with this update, all users fully experienced the sensations and pain from their causes of death (see Update v.1.03)

03/01/15 System Update v.1.04
-fixes to the previous month's update resulted in personalized rendering errors, similar to Update v.1.02, although they were short-term
-a library was implemented but was heavily prone to glitches

03/08/15 System Update v.1.04.01
-the season was changed over from winter to spring
-seasonal changes included flowers, birds, bees, and frogs; all were heavily glitched (see reference pictures taken by Henry Cooldown)

03/17/15 System Update v.1.04.02
-substantial amounts of green clothing were added to wardrobes
-all users besides Henry Cooldown woke up intoxicated
-drinking alcohol reversed intoxication but still induced hangovers the next day
-related to a holiday called Saint Patrick's Day
-corrupted information appears to reference a fool and something called Mardi Gras

04/01/15 System Update v.1.05
-library was repaired
-errors related to last month's spring update were repaired
-communication errors caused a variety of effects
-on the first of the month, users were unable to lie
-on the second day of the month, a message was privately sent from the system to each user suggesting that anyone not given a hard reset (ie, intentionally killed) by the end of the month would be permanently wiped from the system; due to the month's errors, users were unable to speak or otherwise communicate about this event until the following month
-any users given a hard reset had memories of the message erased

04/05/15 System Update v.1.05.01
-an egg hunt was organized by the system, though eggs were mobile, aggressive, and capable of inflicting severe injury
-prizes could be obtained; these appeared to be harmless
-related to a holiday called Easter

04/07/15 System Update v.1.05.02
-appeared to be a delayed error overload of glitches resulting from user deaths

04/17/15 System Update v.1.05.03
-an attempt to implement rain as a random weather feature resulted in a hazardous downpour that could penetrate skin

04/24/15 System Update v.1.05.04
-rain issues from the previous update ceased
-no further problems observed from this update as of yet

05/01/15 System Update v.1.06
-users not given a hard reset (see Update v.1.05) were not permanently wiped; the capability to communicate about the incident was fully restored
-several programs/processes within the system began to malfunction
-malfunctions in Heim.xml resulted in a huge array of environmental errors (possibility that each one was somehow connected to a user)
-malfunctions in Morph.ini and Freud.jpf resulted in intense, repetitive nightmares for each user anytime sleep occurred; sleeping users could also enter each other's nightmares

05/11/15 System Update v.1.06.01
-most environmental errors from the previous update were repaired, leaving only a small fraction remaining
-nightmares were still ongoing

05/18/15 System Update v.1.06.02
-the system revealed that users could fulfill unique requirements in order to terminate the nightmares; however, only hints were provided
-some users successfully completed these requirements and no longer experienced their own nightmares
-those who did not fulfill the requirements continued to dream until the next full system update

06/01/15 System Update v.1.07
-nightmares were fixed
-one user was placed into a frozen state for assessment by the system
-a yacht cruise feature was implemented for the month
-the program kharon.info exhibited more active behaviour than seen before and would answer any questions it observed

06/04/15 System Update v.1.07.01
-an intinerary and schedule for the cruises was provided
-any user signed up was forced to go, willingly or otherwise
-note the error in the itinerary: the system forced a murder to occur on each cruise around this time
-kharon.info continued to actively respond to any questions

06/09/15 System Update 1.07.02 Error Report
-kharon.info's active behaviour was deemed the result of corruption and the program was deleted
-the system conspicuously advised that the incident was not the result of a virus

Comments

[cloak]

I can confirm that starvation doesn't occur, although... I'm unsure if my case is unique, since I never needed to eat to begin with.

It may be worth noting that multiple instances of the same "user" have occurred at the same time in the case of a "Luke fon Fabre". As of this month, we've also had a case of an individual being removed from the system and rendered again.

For those unfamiliar with this system it's worth knowing that our environment is data, and so are those brought here.

Also...points can be used to immediately repair the effects of an individual, unique glitch. I'm uncertain why these points are a significant enough prompt to make the system maintainers act with any efficiency, but it's worth knowing in the event of intolerable conditions.

[icywaters]

With past update errors out of the way, these are all good points to add. I'll plan on incorporating some other general information.

I'd like to ask more about the starvation point, if you don't mind. Did you feel hunger without eating?

[cloak]

I don't mind. This is the first place where I experienced hunger. At first, I didn't know what it was. Although I can feel it, I sustained no damage.

[icywaters]

That's rather interesting. It provides a piece of evidence that the system reformats us in some ways. How long did you go without eating here?

[cloak]

Three and a half weeks. I didn't know what the feeling was, nor how to address it. Only that I hadn't ever needed to eat before.

As data, arguably I still shouldn't need to.

[icywaters]

More than long enough to confirm that death by starvation isn't a risk. That couldn't have been pleasant, though.

None of us should need much of anything now that we're all data. The system must have introduced a hunger process into your information, perhaps to match the rest of us.

[cloak]

Mostly, it was puzzling. I wasn't sure yet whether I wanted to trust the ice cream in my fridge during that time.

That would make sense. I'm also capable of bleeding, which I didn't do in the Datascape.

[icywaters]

Understandable. I take it there were no issues with the food provided to you, though?

I see. Thank you for sharing that. You don't have any serious injuries, do you?

[cloak]

It's the way I remember it being, and I've observed no negative effects.

No, I'm pretty durable.

[icywaters]

['Durable' doesn't make her any less skeptical.]

Can you be certain when you didn't bleed previously?

[cloak]

Yes. I'm an emulation of a Nobody, and they do not bleed.

[icywaters]

However, now you do. You may require treatment if you become injured here.

[cloak]

At this time, I'm not wounded.

It's kind of you to be concerned for something like me.

[icywaters]

All right. If you do sustain any injuries, I may be able to offer some assistance.

After all, you don't need to be human to deserve concern for your well-being - not from me, at least.

[cloak]

I'll keep that in mind, but...what makes you say that?

[icywaters]

I don't believe that being a data emulation invalidates your existence.

[cloak]

Despite the fact that I have always been one?

[icywaters]

That's right. If anything, it makes you all the more fascinating.

[marvelous~♪]

[cloak]

No one has said that about me before.

[icywaters]

Really? How strange. But there must have been some who thought so, even if they didn't say it.

[cloak]

That would surprise me. Very few were aware of my existence.

[icywaters]

That would explain it, then. If more people had been aware, they would have surely agreed.

[cloak]

What makes you think so?

[icywaters]

Because anyone with a sense of curiosity would find you interesting!

[cloak]

Do you think that about everyone?

[icywaters]

Not necessarily, though different people can be intriguing in different ways.

[cloak]

Would you mind explaining that?

[icywaters]

Not at all.

People with different personalities, mindsets, or backgrounds will have varied reactions to the same event, for example. If you're accustomed to seeing someone react in a certain way, then seeing a new type of reaction is intriguing - because you ask what made them react differently or see the situation in a different light from all the others.

In your case, you're interesting because you're a unique existence - a completely different type of lifeform from others I've encountered. And a marvelous creation!

[cloak]

[The reaction that he has to the conclusion of her explanation isn't one Roxas knows how to identify. It's not something he has experienced, up to this point, and he finds himself at a loss as to what it is.

She acknowledges that she isn't like the rest. She doesn't deny it, or insist that he's the same as everyone else...

But she thinks it's a good thing.

Something about that simple acceptance stands out to him, even if he doesn't know why]

I see. Thank you for explaining it to me in detail.

[icywaters]

You're very welcome.

Have you found any people here that interest you?

[cloak]

I hadn't thought about it that way, but there are people I like learning about.

[icywaters]

Then you've likely taken an interest in them, if you want to know more.

[cloak]

Can something like me really take interest in something?

[icywaters]

I believe it's a possibility, and this supports it.

[cloak]

I hadn't considered it possible before.

[icywaters]

It may have been less likely under your previous circumstances, but here in the system, you're not limited to solely fulfilling your purpose. Perhaps that's the reason.

[cloak]

That seems reasonable to surmise. I didn't have this much exposure to a number of elements, before.

[icywaters]

So most likely, you needed a major change in your environment and situation for this possibility to be realized. How do you feel about taking an interest in people now?

[cloak]

I shouldn't be capable of feeling, in the sense that those with hearts do.

[To be quite literal]

I'm not sure what to think of it.

[icywaters]

[She doesn't take it quite as literally as he intends, although it wouldn't entirely surprise her. The angel transformation involved losing one's heart, after all.]

Well, that's understandable. Perhaps you'll be able to decide how you feel about it with more time.

[cloak]

I'll answer your question then, if it proves the case. Would that be alright?

[icywaters]

Yes, absolutely! I would appreciate it.

And I hope you find an answer, though it's not just for the sake of my curiosity.

[cloak]

I wouldn't assume that was your only motivation.

You did assemble all this information to help others, after all.

[icywaters]

And I'm glad people are finding it useful. I'll work on adding the points that you brought up, as well.

[cloak]

Good to be of use. I'll let you know if I come up with anything else that could be added.