[ Being an earthbound bird (and a very small one, at that), Cloud is not very well versed in properly estimating the height of impossibly tall man-made towers; to his perception, it seems he's hauled out more than a few miles' length of rope for them, by the time he's finished.
And it's an absolutely crushing blow to his momentary burst of confidence, when Sephiroth declares the effort inadequate. Even his feathers appear to droop in defeat, as he shuffles a step back and drops to sit on his feet upon the cold, steel floor. It's the chocobo equivalent of mimicking that sigh - all melodrama unintended.
The resignation is real, though. They've spent time enough accepting mere complacency for him to take this rejection as admonishment for having had the idea, in the first place - at least until his most esteemed princess speaks up, again, of the unthinkable.
Naturally, his reaction to the implication beneath that seemingly simple statement of fact is, at first, appropriately shocked. The startled sound that escapes him is not a proper wark at all, in fact. Except...
Well, is there really any point in being so cautious? Thinking of the future, he can't see wanting to climb back up to the top of their imposing prison - even if the world outside is populated only by the types of people who come to make their demands of and run their tests on their prize captive. If that's all they know, now, it won't really make much difference, either way.
In for a gil, in for a gallon.
(Not that he'd know one for the other, himself.)
Given the way that professor guards Sephiroth so jealously, already, irrevocable and drastic seem like a proportionate measure of response. If he really wants to get out there, that is.
Cloud's inquisitive look is even more hesitant, this time, wilting pride fresh from chastisement - but it persists, just the same. ]
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And it's an absolutely crushing blow to his momentary burst of confidence, when Sephiroth declares the effort inadequate. Even his feathers appear to droop in defeat, as he shuffles a step back and drops to sit on his feet upon the cold, steel floor. It's the chocobo equivalent of mimicking that sigh - all melodrama unintended.
The resignation is real, though. They've spent time enough accepting mere complacency for him to take this rejection as admonishment for having had the idea, in the first place - at least until his most esteemed princess speaks up, again, of the unthinkable.
Naturally, his reaction to the implication beneath that seemingly simple statement of fact is, at first, appropriately shocked. The startled sound that escapes him is not a proper wark at all, in fact. Except...
Well, is there really any point in being so cautious? Thinking of the future, he can't see wanting to climb back up to the top of their imposing prison - even if the world outside is populated only by the types of people who come to make their demands of and run their tests on their prize captive. If that's all they know, now, it won't really make much difference, either way.
In for a gil, in for a gallon.
(Not that he'd know one for the other, himself.)
Given the way that professor guards Sephiroth so jealously, already, irrevocable and drastic seem like a proportionate measure of response. If he really wants to get out there, that is.
Cloud's inquisitive look is even more hesitant, this time, wilting pride fresh from chastisement - but it persists, just the same. ]