Comment by jeffcutsinger

If you clear metadata, the following pathological case results in an inconsistent read:

* x = 0 and y = 0, starting out in the "good" state with metadata cleared;

* client A reads x with no metadata, then for whatever reason blocks or is delayed;

* client B writes x = 1 and y = 1, completes the transaction, and the metadata is cleared;

* client A reads y = 1.

This shouldn't be an issue unless you aggressively clear metadata and have a long-running client.