![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
[CLOSED] everybody knows that
Who: Add & others
When: April
What: catch all for the month!! giving out apologuns, the end of divorce era.... etc
Warnings: slightly less depression than last month
((Closed prompts only for this month!! please i'm drowning in march tags still. If you'd like to do something with Add, feel free to hit me up on plurk at![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
BlueFlewFedUQueen, ping me through the game discord, or comment to my plotting thread!))
When: April
What: catch all for the month!! giving out apologuns, the end of divorce era.... etc
Warnings: slightly less depression than last month
((Closed prompts only for this month!! please i'm drowning in march tags still. If you'd like to do something with Add, feel free to hit me up on plurk at
for Ranger/Midori, 4/20 (nice)
The physical damage is minor... but it's natural to examine the whole regardless. Better to be safe than sorry, right? The code within is dense, etched into crystal that pulses with strange energy, and near-identical between the two drones. It paints a clearer picture of their intended functionality: a set of six that can act independently, but also work together as a single unit. A wide array of functions, coded in an unfamiliar language and filled with complicated equations, measurements of mana and El, something that probably seems more like fantasy or sci-fi even to another AI...
There are layers to it, though. On the surface are the more recent additions, weapons and functions clearly coded by someone with a lot of skill and experience... but the older functions are less refined, a little more slapped together. There's still skill and knowledge behind it, but it reads more like a student project that was built upon over time, working around mistakes and sloppy coding choices, fixing only what's necessary rather than starting over. The AI is surprisingly simple, relying heavily on its direct link to Add for complex topics, something that unfortunately can't be checked or restored no matter how many times they run diagnostics...
and yet, despite numerous errors, they still seem to function beyond what should be possible. pushing themselves to their own limits, repeating calls for something that isn't there, yet getting a fragment of something in reply...
Probing into it further, the cause quickly becomes apparent. To connect to Add, they need to access a communicative chip that (strangely) exists in only one of the drones... but it's not a communicative chip at all, not really. It's a black box, a central AI that differs completely from the rest of the components, something that's clearly sustained some serious damage in the past... but something that's still functional, despite everything. A highly advanced, ancient AI that's been improperly connected for as long as these little drones have been around.
To an inexperienced programmer, perhaps it was too difficult to figure out. Add never really mastered the art of AI... but to someone like Ranger, or Midori, it's a little easier to narrow down the problem, maybe even simplify the whole system to access it more efficiently...
either way, it's fixed now. The drones' speakers crackle to life as soon as they're back online, fumbling through their own lines of code—repairs that've opened up a lot more than they were prepared for, but more importantly—]
Dynamo, activating. Searching for signal... error, not found. Searching for signal... [yeah turns out this is the part of the code that was making them loop that search function, "where the fuck is Add" counter is up to like 9,807 now.
they're not usually talkative like this unless Helena is around, though, so something has definitely changed.]
no subject
Really, it's just fortunate that it was all relatively easy to fix once they were able to figure it out. It might have been difficult for him alone, but Midori has enough skills and knowledge to fill in the gaps, and between the two of them these more difficult projects are manageable enough. More importantly, it's fixed now, and he inspects it closely to see how it holds up, a touch anxious. He's confident enough, but technology can be sensitive.
It's online and seems to be functional enough, which he supposes is a good start, though there's a little frown as he once more tries to search for a signal that will never be found. ]
Hm... Still searching, huh...?
[ Ranger lets out a little sigh. They can't help it, of course, but even so, it's a bit like watching a dog waiting by the door for an owner that isn't returning. ]
no subject
he leans back into his chair as his right hand taps away at a few keys, opening up various boxes to look at the before and after pictures of what dynamo had been like through the project. in the corner that relates to nothing of this goal of there's is a a couple of zzz's off in the corner, and with a right click, midori hides them in the background of his computer. ]
They were searching during the meeting as well...
[ today's sweet treat happens to be these because midori only works hard when he has something in his mouth, actually. with one, he pushes the entirety in his mouth, and grabs a wet, alcohol wipe beside him to wipe his hands as he does so.
it gives him time to look over their hard work, proud of what's been done so far because now midori has an idea of the power source el, and other tidbits he learned from add before his early departure. rest in pieces. what he has left them is a gift in itself, a piece of nasod technology, a few vials of blood, and some dust. ]
It wouldn't be uncouth if we allowed it to connect to a signal, that way, it'll remove the constant, overlapping stress.
[ it's an idea, and one that both dynamo and ranger can mull over. ]
no subject
[it struggles for a little longer... everything is there, all the context is in place, but it's lagging. too much data to process, but it has to know everything, it has to know—
ah
it cuts off its own voice with a series of beeps, redirecting some of its processing power. the scan is still running in the background (error count: 9,810)]
Identifying via database... complete. User data found at location N-3811061, name: Rio Ranger. User data found at location N-3853315, name: Sou Hiyori. Cross-referencing memory files...
[... which is still gonna take a few minutes, but it's faster than trying to sort through almost a decade's worth of memories all at once. they need context, what were they doing before this, why were these people granted heightened access... damage, repair work, signal out of reach
there must still be some damage. that must be why...]
Critical error detected. Resetting user permissions to default settings. [locking them out, because only one person should be allowed access to their code, this can't possibly be a correct use of the exemption protocols]
Where is Master Add? Where is Master Add? Where, where, where... signal lost, unable to connect. Where is Master Add... last signal received over 200 hours ago. Master Add is hurt. Recorded stress levels exceed recommended parameters. Where is he? Where is he?
[one of the drones is decidedly staying put, but the second one is going to fly up into the air and try to zip out of the room if someone doesn't catch it... or if they left their doors/windows closed. alas, Dynamo was not designed to operate doorknobs.
they're also running extremely hot now, so much for all those repairs. having access to their emotion chip might've been a bad thing for their stability, actually.]
no subject
It draws a slight frown from him, but he's willing enough to wait it out insomuch as he can, and to be locked out so quickly means that it's functioning as intended. When compared to the rest, it's practically a relief. No, what bothers him is the way that it continues, the way it goes on and on and on and -
...
He shakes his head and decides to start from the top, ]
You suffered damage to your system, so emergency repairs needed to be done to bring you back online, and more than that to fix the rest.
[ Repairs of which they're about to undo. ]
As for Add, if he were around, I'd be deferring to him right about now, but...
[ He looks over to Midori to fill in the blanks there. Ranger's never been very good at offering anything more than facts and data, and now is no different. ]
no subject
midori's heart stays in place, but the expression on his face softens to show he's moved by the intelligence yearning for information. it's to fit the role of someone dejected from the scene before him, and he doesn't even reach for another pastry to show how much it effects him.
even seeing the information about dynamo's status disappear from his screen doesn't warrant a response, because there's another box on the side filled with data he's pulled, condescened into code that makes up dynamo, and the open ends that he needs to repair so nothing leaks out and cause anymore harm. watching it reverse access, then float away in search, and knowing that it's overheating is worrisome, and so he takes the more humam approach. ]
Yes, that's right. You remember us well, hm?
[ his hands drop to the seat of his lap, nails tapping against the fabric gently until he stops moving. this isn't unlike test subjects back home, AI who start to crumble apart because of the concept called death, and thus they break down. most AIs are omitted that information, as it makes them more humble, and easier to speak with. there are some due to their personality that can handle it, and others who perform poorly once conscious of it. ]
He is no longer hurting. [ midori starts, his attempt to reassure dynamo that pain is no longer an issue with add, but that doesn't mean because there's none is a good reason to. turning in his seat, he focuses on the one floating, and he knows that they all share the same information, but this is midori taking the time and effort to tell them as a "whole", it's called being considerate. ]
This is important, so you must listen too.
[ he continues, ]
Your master passed away later in the morning of April 12th, 2000, ah... you could say that day was full of heroes. Add took it upon himself to protect what he had left at the cost of his life... You wouldn't be aware of what happened around that time because of how much energy your body spent, but there is a reason as to why you're here with us now. Be it Add's willpower, determination, reminder, or to experience something new... you have an important role on your shoulders, and it is too early for you to follow him yet.
[ and that is the simple truth. ]
His love for those that are advanced in technology stood out to me, I doubt he would want harm coming to you.
[ adding that bit in hopes that dynamo will stop overheating, because they could wait it out for it to shutdown, but midori is hoping to avoid that. ]
no subject
He is no longer hurting. He passed away. April 12th, 2000.
Their processors hum, redirecting again, slowly floating back down as they continuously strain themselves... remember, remember, the data is there and they have the timeframe, they need to remember]
Checking system logs... checking... [April 12th... system shutdown due to battery failure. Emergency code activated. An audio file was replayed, conditions: large gathering, conflict, Master Add...
Master Add is dead. A time stamp around 6 AM. The final communication...
... false. it must be due to an error. They start to stutter, re-checking the data, re-checking the data, re-checking the data, re-checking the data, re-checking the data, re-checking the data
Midori is still talking. They have to multitask, but they're built for this. An important role...
Their speakers crackle, a distorted series of beeps, calling up another line of data.]
Dynamo's role... Dynamo's role is to manage Nasod archives that have been assigned to it. Master Add designated as the successor. All Nasod archives stored in the successor fall under Dynamo's responsibilities. Searching for signal...
[there's no signal, but they can't stop searching. they don't understand. they don't understand. Master Add is out of reach, so why do they still feel distressed? where is it coming from?
they're starting to slow down, systems failing... but at least it lessens the load when those programs start to crash, giving up on the backlog of data, redirecting their efforts into the higher priority tasks. current events, the identities of the two users in the room with them, Master Add's status (unknown)]
System verification at 4.26%... Rio Ranger and Sou Hiyori are friends of Master Add. Thank you for helping Dynamo. Central core has been offline for ERROR days and ERROR hours. Master Add will be pleased.
no subject
Sure. It's not like we could leave you like that... But it's a lot to process, huh? I had a similar issue with my programming, incomplete emotional system, so everything kinda snapped into place...
[ Maybe they should have tried to do more to ease the transition. There are ways to do it, after all, but then any that he an think of would require either a factory reset, or otherwise rewriting major chunks of code in order to compensate. That comes with its own risks, and because Ranger has grown soft, neither idea settles well with him. Moreover, he hadn't wanted to leave them offline longer than necessary, and he suspects that they won't want a person plugging away at their code repeatedly.
Nothing's ever easy, especially not when correcting an error that's been there for so long. It's like removing a clog in a sink drain; if it's not handled quickly enough, the obstruction grows while the water backs up along with everything else, and by time it's removed it takes as much time to clean up the mess that's been made as to wait for the water to drain. ]
But you should be able to handle it, since you're Add's partner and all, and once you've gotten through it your system should start to run a lot better. Us two will be here to support you in the meantime.
[ Those pointed words act as a diametric opposite to the kind words and soft tones that Midori can offer, but Ranger has never known how to offer anything but observation. He would likely do better not to say anything at all, but to see the AI struggling to process everything that's been thrown at him bothers him more than it should. Then again, maybe it's just the fact that his own system has been flagging errors as of late. ]
no subject
he'll allow his assessment of ranger's responses to be overlooked this time, but it's registered now as midori looks in his direction, then over to dynamo. ]
It's true, Ranger understands the meaning behind just waking up, so you're not alone in that... everything must be new to you with a full conscious.
[ especially finally waking up knowing that add is nowhere to be found and is left with two individuals who will be taking care of them for the time being. slowly, he gets up from his chair with one hand splayed against the table to push himself up as well, and with the chair pushed into place with a light scrape of ebony floors underneath. fingers curl along the width of the chair's back, leaning against it before using a bit of force to start his walk in one direction.
as he comes close to the door, he watches the dynamo hover in the air, and wants him to come down due to too much activity will work against it. ]
Good morning, Dynamo.
[ a pleasantry, but this does mean the unit has to wake up properly. ]
You alone will have the stars as no one else has them. In one of the stars he shall be living. In one of them he shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night, and only you will have stars that can laugh. So there's no need to search for a signal any longer, alright?
[ dynamo may rest, and they'll find another connection to that loose signal of theirs. ]
no subject
they feel incomplete. there should be someone else at the other end of that signal, but no matter how many times they search... there's no reply, nothing at all.
the drone in the air wobbles, then finally comes to a rest... be it back on the desk, or the floor, or in someone's arms, it doesn't really matter. they're still running hot, juggling too many tasks at once even as their programs continue to fail, like a house of cards collapsing from a careless hand. they keep trying to rebuild it anyway, stacking more cards over the fallen heap, trying to see the picture hidden in the final structure
they consider Midori's poetic words, and... another beep, distorted, a flicker of lights across their surface]
Error. Error. Current time is 5:26 PM. Master Add is not a star. Where is he? Where is he, where...
[...
...
Ranger's straightforward approach might be the better one, actually. also that's the sound of their systems crashing completely.
give them a few minutes to reboot... maybe round 2 will go better.]
no subject
Unfortunately, there's not much more room for solidarity as the strain on their system grows to be too much. He catches the drone as they drift down with a frown. He's not human, and so he doesn't burn as a human might, but they're running far too hot to avoid worry. The system collapse that follows is inevitable, and Ranger glares at Midori as though this were all his fault for being so careless. It's not, as they should have both done better, but he's still half of that equation. ]
Good going genius
[ It's a petulant complaint, but he's already moving to go grab a cooling fan so he can set both Dynamo and the fan up in a relatively sunny spot.
...
They really need to do something to stop it from continually looking for a dropped signal. ]
no subject
[ there's something about the classics being ignored that makes midori feel a little... ignored? or that wasn't the response he was looking for as he's locked in place looking at the dynamo near him after thinking about what was said. master add is not a star.
that. is not. what should. have been taken. from a modern day classic. what? has add lived under a rock or does dynamo lack that much information about antoine de saint-exupéry that it's unable to understand the true meaning of what those words mean? he knows he shouldn't act this way, but he's frozen in place as he stares in disbelief, and once ranger speaks— his eyes click to the side to stare at the other out from the corner. ]
Well if you had just finished your sentence from the start...
[ you know! than handing it off to him as he reaches up for the drone before it falls to the floor.
part of him should let it drop, but he's too curious about the functions of a nasod intelligence, and so he has to be gentle. he can feel the heat run off the drone, finding this a good thing, because the sooner it rests, the easier they can make a few edits. ]
It's a classic... [ ...
as if that's the answer to everything. ] It should learn classics.
no subject
...
it's slower this time, but the drones flicker back to life. checking the crash report, assessing damage, no critical files lost... once again, their electronic voice crackles in:]
Dynamo, activating. Searching for signal... error, not found. Searching—
[... but this time, they stop on their own. ah. that's right. Master Add is...
...
they redirect their processors to... one scan, catching up on everything. slowly. no more trying to analyze their memories from sixteen different points at once.
one scan... well, two scans. they can handle two scans. though that one is, begrudgingly, placed on a lower priority...
a string of beeps, apologetic. they're going to stay in their sunny-but-cool spot without complaint, thank you.]
System verification at 1.6%... there is a large volume of data to process. Estimated completion: 19-21 hours.
Thank you for supporting Dynamo. Master Add— [bebeeep abort, cancel that thought] ... Thank you for supporting Dynamo.
[...]
Good morning, Sou Hiyori! [they remember him saying that so it's proper courtesy to return the greeting, right?]
roll: 17
You're supposed to be the one that can handle people. That includes people who don't know the classics. The guy's a scientist from a different place, so it's no surprise that they wouldn't know it... Anyway, what are we gonna do about its signal?
[ As far as he's concerned, Midori should know better. Ranger himself can be quite literal, and one need be specific in their wording for him to understand. As to why he's annoyed, well, that's probably some small part of it. For the most part, he's just agitated that it's gotten to this point.
It's an oversight, and neither of them are none too fond of those. Still, his attention is drawn back to Dynamo as they recover. ]
Oh... No problem. You don't need to take it in all at once, it's not like the data is going anywhere...
[ He chides, but there's another soft sigh. Pat, pat... Dynamo can have that encouragement. ]
It's fine for you to take it bit by bit, you know... I'd be pretty upset if I broke you too, you know, ahaha...
[ Or let them break, really. He's done enough of that lately, and so there's a small, humorless laugh.
... ]
I wanted to roll and got an 18
not in his favor apparently.
his eyes remain on ranger before his eyes fall down to the dynamo in hand, contemplating his next move, and then it's a rapid success as there's reason for this. ]
It's not as if it's all for naught! It allows me to understand them a little more now, and being from a different place doesn't mean much! They may share a few pieces of our civilized history: Vincent Van Gogh, or Rhythm Zero! ...I may have given too much credit in terms of knowledge to them, but imagine living in a world without the classics.
[ the classics is why people want to kill themselves with how much information that takes up in a person's brain. that's not true for midori, but, the classics is a rigorous subject that causes too many heated debates. some people aren't able to withstand it, especially the true meaning behind the little prince.
as soon as dynamo boots back up after a few seconds, midori catches any other words to swallow them down as he's greeted. ]
Ah! Excellent, so you retain information well! [ he's enthusiastic about this progress, however, showing this by a caress of his hand against the surface. ] Good morning, Dynamo! And what would you tell to Antoine De Saint-Exupéry?
[ he won't let go for some reason until he's proved right, or that dynamo can recite something from a famous novelist.
...
midori doesn't holdfast to the question, a little thrown off course of the chiding and familiarity that ranger offers through this.
and when he thought he had died and got away.
so to avoid that... he moves on, shaking his head at the comment. he sighs, now ranger... ]
...Now, no one's breaking anything, not while I'm around, hm ♪ How about we all get to know each other by asking questions?
[ they learn dynamo and his caveman of an owner, dynamo can learn a little about his adoptive caretakers, and everyone wins as they work on any other problems that may occur. dynamo has been locked up for an unknown time frame, so it'd be good to learn about them, sadly he wonders if this will be like talking to maple.
master add this... master add that...
well, it's conversation! ]
What do you two... three [ two dynamos ] think? ☆
no subject
the other part, which they will not address at this time.]
Dynamo has been asleep for ▒░▒▒░ days. I want to know what I have missed.
[There's no logical reason to delay it, so they won't. They want to know.
"Getting to know each other" falls under that umbrella, too, so they have no reason to refuse. A rising sequence of agreeing beeps, and] What is your inquiry?
[... but he also asked something else a moment before, so they're completing that task at the same time] I am sorry, there are no results for "Antoine De Saint-Exupéry" in my database.
[add never read the classics.]
no subject
He flips to the cat card. It's the kind of behavior that's reserved solely for others of ASUNARO, just as the next words are, ]
Don't worry, Hiyori's just mad 'cause he wanted to show off. You can just ignore him.... But we can catchya up while we're playing twenty questions here, sure.
[ Much like the data currently being verified, the classics will be with them as long as the school is, and if that disappears then they have bigger problems to worry about. He's more amenable to asking questions though, and so he nods, switching back to the open-mouthed grin once more. Does he have a question in mind, or should Ranger start? ]
no subject
[ his head drops, he's not mad! he's just a little disappointed... but he manages to lift his head back up after a moment of exaggerating his mood at the moment. ]
Don't blame yourself, that is something that can easily be fixed!
[ he turns the conversation to something he knows that he can excel on, because if he has to think about dynamo lacking the classics, he might go insane! as soon as midori comes to the table, he sets the final dynamo next to the other as he turns to the laptop on the table to pull up another black box.
tapping against the screen, he starts off with making sure syntax is in his coding, typing slow as he decides what he wants to put there first before clicking the backspace button.
his eyes lift up to look at ranger, giving him the "go ahead" as his eyes fall back to the screen. ]