Cloud opens his mouth, closes it, and his brow knits in an expression of what only could be described as quiet confusion with a dash of self frustration. It tells little, largely in part because Cloud is uncertain how to fully put to words just what he thinks the boy- and consequently the man before him- went through. Let alone articulate his genuine concerns that he can hardly process or identify.
"Put a pin in specifics then. The kid has nothing to tell me besides criticizing my SOLDIER training and trying to evaluate me every damn time we talk." He's in deep on the indoctrination, that's for certain. Now Cloud at least has some perspective on where things stand and why in the present. "At least knowing where you stand on him being here and what the hell is happening on your end's good enough."
Cloud doesn't exactly feel confident he will find out much from younger Sephiroth directly anytime soon- who would he, a near stranger, be to pry? He knows he personally would hate it on the other end. Best to keep watching and listening for tells, anecdotes of training and conditioning, and the clues therein. The kid's made no effort to hide those things. Plus with some behaviors and general bitterness ringing incredibly close to home, it only leaves Cloud at even more of a loss as to what to do with the mini silver powerhouse. There's an instinct in Cloud separate from the dragon soul, or whatever, that urges him to exercise a certain patience with those who are younger. That maybe, just maybe, wants to help? Is it subconscious commiseration from a fellow stunted, bitter individual? Wanting to offer him something he's missing, as the elder Sephiroth is?
What he says next is much softer, and Cloud's expression shifts in that miniscule way that could be barely noticable...At least for someone uninitiated in interacting with or knowing him. "...I'm not gonna blame him for things. Haven't. Don't think he needs to know about specifics." Not now.
no subject
"Put a pin in specifics then. The kid has nothing to tell me besides criticizing my SOLDIER training and trying to evaluate me every damn time we talk." He's in deep on the indoctrination, that's for certain. Now Cloud at least has some perspective on where things stand and why in the present. "At least knowing where you stand on him being here and what the hell is happening on your end's good enough."
Cloud doesn't exactly feel confident he will find out much from younger Sephiroth directly anytime soon- who would he, a near stranger, be to pry? He knows he personally would hate it on the other end. Best to keep watching and listening for tells, anecdotes of training and conditioning, and the clues therein. The kid's made no effort to hide those things. Plus with some behaviors and general bitterness ringing incredibly close to home, it only leaves Cloud at even more of a loss as to what to do with the mini silver powerhouse. There's an instinct in Cloud separate from the dragon soul, or whatever, that urges him to exercise a certain patience with those who are younger. That maybe, just maybe, wants to help? Is it subconscious commiseration from a fellow stunted, bitter individual? Wanting to offer him something he's missing, as the elder Sephiroth is?
What he says next is much softer, and Cloud's expression shifts in that miniscule way that could be barely noticable...At least for someone uninitiated in interacting with or knowing him. "...I'm not gonna blame him for things. Haven't. Don't think he needs to know about specifics." Not now.