There probably isn't a damn thing that could prepare Cloud for the answer he gets. Elidibus speaks so much more softly than he can ever remember hearing him, but the words are easily clear- and startlingly relatable. Something he never, ever thought would be relatable in his life.

"Ah-" a soft sound leaves the blond unbidden, blue eyes going wide. He flounders to gather his thoughts, figure out how to speak to the other in a way that makes sense and doesn't tear his entire image he thinks he's built apart.

"Memory problems?"