cloudyfenrir

[cloudyfenrir]

“You… are correct that machines don’t think usually. When my scans are not active and I try to generate answers, I hear a voice that’s my own… But also not my own. I’m unsure if that’s what thinking is but it feels like there’s two versions of myself. My programming says to ignore it as it potentially gives incorrect answers… But it feels right to listen. Sorry if that’s unhelpful.”

CLOUD follows Red XIII as they explain mako, the importance it is to life but also the detriment of it when one is given too much. It calls a lot of the mako knowledge they had been programmed with into question, while they know that it is very toxic in high dosages but the articles on SOLDIER explain mako infusion as a necessity… Was it turning them monsters? Were all the monsters they saw human or normal animals at one point? Did the Ancients meet the same fate despite their attunement?

What about himself? CLOUD was full of Mako, it was his blood…

“…Do you consider me a monster, Red XIII? If Mako is the indicator and… I’m full of it… Would I be lumped in the same category?” The android looks to Red XIII similarly to a student looking to their teacher, the other seemed to be knowledgeable in this subject and surely must be the best person… creature (?) to ask about it.

Gratitude as well, huh? Quirky machine indeed.

So much humanity had been put into it... Cloud could call it 'learning', but Red wondered if that was not just another very human-like word the android was simply built to call what boiled down to the mere act of performing in ways that were always possible. Could machines 'learn' things, beyond the scope of what a machine could actually do? Could a car learn how to fly, or to understand human language, without being built to do so from the start?

On one end, he really didn't want to know. On the other, it was really ironic to see. Particularly when Red had been on the receiving end of ShinRa's care. In the labs, creatures like him were treated like machines, forced to execute given commands and then discarded once broken.

He wished he could find that irony funny, instead of enraging.

"Thinking doesn't come naturally to a machine." He said, brooding but calm despite it all. "For that matter, it seems to not come naturally to some humans either. But you are not far off from the answer."

He led Cloud back by the road, slowly as they walked and talked.

"You shouldn't use aggression as an indicator. The doe might run, but what of the bear protecting her cubs? She would attack you, yet she is not a monster. The answer is the mako, as you've mentioned." His voice softened a bit, and the beast sighed, calling back teachings he'd once found so awfully boring. "The aether that flows in the Lifestream is the energy that makes all things. Me. The doe. The trees. The very ground we're stepping on. Even the things you're made of come from it."

He paused to look back, making sure the blonde was listening.

"Knowing this, you'd think mako would not harm us. Maybe you'd even think that the more one has, the merrier. But that is a lie."

A lie that ShinRa will not put to rest.

"The truth is that we are all meant to have only what we were born with. When you get more... you become a monster. Animals who get too close to mako springs become monsters. Animals who are injected with mako become monsters... And so do human beings."

[cloudyfenrir]

“I could try staring awkwardly before giving an answer.” CLOUD replies, a bit confused by the concept of an old Cloud but they couldn’t deny that when they saw Zack there was an instant sense of familiarity.

Maybe a prototype?

The android was unsure but this familiarity is why the android seemed to attach themselves to Zack very easily.

“I don’t have any memories before activation so I’m unsure of any previous versions. But… If you wanted to, you could tell me more about the Cloud you knew, then maybe I could act more like them.” CLOUD suggests before they started walking to the sixty-third floor with Zack to get some food.

“The idea of ration bars isn’t a bad one. They’re calorifically dense to provide necessary energy to perform duties. Though outright skipping lunch isn’t recommended if you are feeling hungry, especially not if you’re performing physically demanding tasks. Was this helpful?”

@cloudyfenrir

Zack lets out a small groan, rubbing the back of his neck with a tired hand as he looks at the android in front of him.

“Y’know, I still can’t get used to this version of you,”

He mutters with a crooked grin.

“I mean, don’t get me wrong, you’re helpful—super helpful—but it’s weird seeing you rattle off GPS data like a walking menu.”

He crosses his arms, studying CLOUD for a few moments.

“The old Cloud would’ve just stared at me awkwardly and mumbled something about ration bars or skipped lunch altogether.”

Then, after a pause, Zack chuckles and claps the android lightly on the shoulder. “Still… you’ve got your perks. Efficient. Direct. Always know where to go. Honestly, you might be more useful than the original in some ways...

Alright, Floor 63 it is. Lead the way, robo-buddy!”

[cloudyfenrir]

[My earliest memory is my activation.] The android replies honestly, any life before that was inaccessible and hidden from the android. While memories were gone, it didn't mean the feelings of nostalgia or familiarity met the same fate.

[I cannot say I've had strange thoughts, I'm not sure what a strange thought would be... Though I do get abnormal sensory responses in certain areas of this building.] CLOUD pauses to try and think of a recent experience, going back in datalogs to find what he was looking for.

[When testing my combat capabilities on the SOLDIER floor, there was a feeling of... familiarity. As though I had been there before when I hadn't. Was this helpful?] The android looking to Isrieal for her opinion of his answer, a default of his programming to adjust answers based of usefulness or relevance.

The upload had made it from body to synthetic but she couldn't claim it to be a success if the memories were not intact. She couldn't figure out why the memories locked themselves away to begin with other than Cloud had been a previous experiment that had muddled memories to begin with. She was frustrated it didn't go as planned but she wouldn't let one prototype be the judgment of the project's success.

She was still determined that she could unlock his memories as well. She just hadn't found the right method. Regardless, something was in there that was making him respond. If the system was sentient it would know how to unlock itself and she would tech it too.

"What is the earliest thing you remember, Cloud?" She asks. There had to be something in there that at the least he was running off of. There had to be some link between his old body and this one. "Do you ever find yourself with any strange thoughts that come from nowhere?"

@cloudyfenrir

[cloudyfenrir]

[It's not so much programmed but something I've learnt from Tifa.]

The android thinks back to the first few days of his activation in the Sector 7 Scrapyard.

[Before I would say an answer as soon as possible based on information I come programmed with or nearby connections to ShinRa's internet. Turned out that I would say something very unhelpful or even unrelated if I didn't understand a question. So she told me to [listen and think] before answering. Was this helpful?] CLOUD looked to Red XIII when asked the next question, another that required a bit of thought to understand.

[I suppose an easy answer would be the mako density within the body. Monsters have a higher level of mako than most creatures. I'm unsure why but that's what the scans tell me. However if you want... my input outside of a scan... what I think... I think the aggression of the creature is a factor. The deer had more of a fear response where as a monster would have more aggression. Otherwise I'm unsure. Was this--] CLOUD caught themselves, remembering they're trying to break that habit.

[Thank you for these questions Red XIII, I... don't usually think like this.]

"Looks like they gave you the ability to second-guess your choices. That's interesting." Had he been more mature, more wise, Red XIII would have wondered why. But he was young, far younger than anyone here could surmise, and he didn't want to think too hard about things he didn't understand.

"But your answer is better than what I had expected." He added, watching the deer quickly retreat beyond the treeline. "I thought you'd only see it as a target, or a potential threat. Next question, then: what do you think the difference is between animals and monsters?"

[cloudyfenrir]

I hate to bug people during probably a tight spot for everyone, but due to some unexpected things (the only car we have needed new brakes which was $660 and the bank was supposed to credit some money into our account but they never did, and then our puppy got neutered), I am out of money.

So I'm offering up doodles for $$$.

$5 for just a line art doodly sketch. quick and easy.

$20 for a more refined line art.

$40 for something with some color/shading.

$60 for something like the banner; that will take the longest time, but it will be a very nice, hi-res image you can use for whatever suits your fancy.

If you have something else in mind, talk to me.

I do also offer crochet and cross stitch items. These will be much more expensive and take more time, but I do have plenty of patterns ranging from blankets to scarves to doilies. The artwork in the third row is available in cross stitch patterns, each $5, as a pdf.

My paypal is mb_phillips@hotmail.com or you can go here. My discord is regularsizedkevin for those who'd like to have a chat about what you'd like.

(Please ignore the name on my paypal. It's my given name.)

And if you would like to just give money for the sake of it, please do! It would be very much appreciated.

If you have any questions, send me an ask or contact me on discord.

[cloudyfenrir]

🌺 //Any verse of your choosing! Also, helloooo!

🌺 Put a flower in Cloud's hair 🌺 || ACCEPTING

To get Project: CLOUD used to the idea of listening to others outside of his assigned owner, the party started taking up odd jobs and would each pair up with CLOUD to get him used to being away from Tifa for long stretches of time. Even with Tifa's encouragement, breaking off the duckling behaviour was going to be an arduous task. After their meeting and exploration of Sector 5 back in Midgar, the android was more accustomed to Aerith than he was Barret or Red XIII at the moment.

As the two were looking for flowers specified in a drawing, CLOUD feels something touch his ear. Looking around for a moment before reaching up to feel a flower tucked behind his ear. He looks to Aerith with a slight tilt of his head.

[Where did this come from?]

[cloudyfenrir]

send 🌺 to put a flower in my muse's hair.

[cloudyfenrir]

CLOUD didn’t pick up on the other’s frustration, he had yet to fully master picking up on emotions; it didn’t help that Red XIII’s cues are different than a humans.

When his friend deviated from the path the android hesitated, the same hesitation he felt when trying to find a path through the destroyed ruins of Sector 7. It was another brief wall but after a brave step into the grass, assuring that nothing bad has happened, CLOUD hurries to catch up to Red XIII.

The android crouches slightly to get a look at the deer beyond the bushes, apertures scan the animal before him as programmed but the question throws him off for a moment.

[What do I... see in that creature?] It certainly was a new one and so CLOUD thought, a couple mechanisms whirr as he really wants to provide a good answer.

[...I'm sorry. I don't think I understand the question. You... don't want to know what this animal is.] He ponders out loud.

[I suppose a correct answer is to say that it's food for predatory animals but... that's not an answer I came to without my scans. For me alone... without my other functions... It's just an animal that lives out here.] CLOUD's brow furrows, appearing unhappy with his answer and looks to Red XIII.

[I'm sorry. That wasn't helpful, was it?]

"Helpful in reminding me the situation we're in, perhaps." Red XIII shook his head in dismay, his tail swishing slightly in frustration behind him.

His steps paused after a little. Red turned his nose to the side, ears pointing forward. A moment of focus, before he looked back at Cloud.

"You are right, however. Here is not like Midgar. Here, the Planet still makes the rules. Everything follows its flow, you and I included... even if you might not be able to sense it." He said, leaving the road to climb up a short but steep hillside. "Come."

He sat down once he found what he was after. Patiently waiting for the blonde to catch up, he nodded in direction of the deer grazing between the low branches of trees and bushes.

"What do you see in that creature?"

The doe instantly stopped in its tracks as Red XIII spoke, turning its nose in their direction, ears up and wide open.

[cloudyfenrir]

pspspsps

anyone want some android cloud starters?

smash that like button

[cloudyfenrir]

Had big brain thought about android AU-

Real Cloud's subconscious exists in the mako inside Project: CLOUD's body, it's why the memories encrypted themselves as Cloud is trying to keep them safe – no one is allowed to know.

Had the thought of Aerith knowing that there's someone in there and can even commune with him a bit because cetra business

[cloudyfenrir]

Reblog  this  post  to  let  your  followers  know  you're  fine  with  being  tagged  in  random  starters.  Additionally,  reblog  this  post  if  you're  all  right  with  being  sent  old memes,  no  matter  how long ago you reblogged them.

[cloudyfenrir]

"Yo! Robot Cloud! What are the chances we find some food pretty soon? I'm starving!" //-waves to-

Project: CLOUD looks to Zack for a moment, he doesn't understand hunger very well as he doesn't experience it, but if Zack says he's hungry then it must be time to eat.

[If you are feeling hungry then eating is recommended.]

CLOUD brings up his internal GPS to look for food options for Zack.

[There is a number of restaurants in Midgar. Closest to us is the food court on floor [Sixty Three] which offers free food to SOLDIERs. Just outside [Sector 0] is a cafe that's very popular among ShinRa staff. Restaurants in [Sector 8] can be expensive but I detect military discounts in many. Was this helpful?]

[cloudyfenrir]

CLOUD jogs a little to catch back up to Red XIII, looking down at him when he speaks.

[The best way for my AI to learn is through experience. I come equipped with battle prowess upon activation so don't worry about teaching me.] The android explains, only pausing to stiffly step around a rock in the path.

[Learning to battle in the slums in Midgar came with similar... Growing pains I think Tifa put it.] There were many questions the android wanted to ask but wasn't sure how, nor did he know how Red XIII would take them. It was a new feeling that he didn't fully understand. Hesitation.

[As chaotic as the slums were, it was manmade and had some method to the madness that I could eventually follow. Out here it changes everyday, perhaps minute by minute. Even with pathways and roads, I can't account for trees falling over as... There were none in Midgar. But I'm learning and you guiding me, and observing, is essential to my growth. Was this helpful?]

"Don't thank me. That was all you. I only watched." Red replied in his gruff voice.

He was still bitter about the situation. About working with ShinRa. Every bit of his instinct screamed to run and go home, only... He had no clue where 'home' was anymore. He'd been captured all the way in Cosmo Canyon, subdued by the Turks, and transported by helicopter. His sense of direction was void. His nose didn't recognize anything it touched. It was as though he wasn't even on the same Planet anymore.

The only reason he complied was to get out of that lab. Here, he could at least look at the sky. That at least looked familiar, and gave him comfort.

But he'd still let him be bitter about it.

"If you're going to struggle with a log, I wonder how they expect you to manage killing monsters out in the wild." He said, shaking his head as they continued their walk. "With any luck, we'll find out."

[cloudyfenrir]

send me "be honest..." with a question your muse has been dying to ask mine and they'll answer truthfully.

[cloudyfenrir]

Just having Project: CLOUD thoughts and I realized that because Kunsel is always wearing that helmet, CLOUD would genuinely think that just what his head looks like

His lil android mind would be blown seeing him take it off

[cloudyfenrir]

@ofgeneticperfection

This project has proven difficult, the Research Department trying to figure out why Cloud's memories encrypted themselves upon upload into the android. Despite their hundreds of precautions and simulations to ensure that corruption wouldn't occur, this intense security measure from the android was beyond them. Some say it was a serious oversight while others speculate that maybe it was an act of the subconscious that still existed within the mako that fueled the android.

While the memory issue was a huge blow to the progress of the project, Project: CLOUD was innately curious and had a desire to learn. This curiosity was something they hadn't expected but perhaps could be useful.

CLOUD is often seen following Isrieal around, like a duckling to their mother. In a way she was his mother, wasn't she? She spearheaded the project after all.

[cloudyfenrir]

pspspsps

anyone want some android cloud starters?

smash that like button