One might claim a boy of Sephiroth's age shouldn't be thinking about mommy. Gaia is not such a person; even if she has chosen not to look back to her former life in Eulmore, she's no stranger to the notion of what happens when one's parents... checked out of their responsibility.

Whatever the reason was. So for a brief moment there is a flash of empathy.

"I see. And it doesn't feel like she's... pretending to be motherly?"

It's not that Gaia doubts. She almost doesn't want to ask because it will lead to more questions. Such as whether or not one 'dragon' being of good intentions will mean they all are. What sort of impression will she gain from choosing to speak to the creature in her soul?