[ He nods, prompt, even if that's a strictly rhetorical question. He'd never lie to the General, no matter how pointless and simple the subject matter.
Cloud can't imagine not being called on his bluff immediately, were he to try, anyway. ]
Th-Thank you, sir! [ Was that... A compliment?
If he sounds disbelieving, it's because he is; the tiniest commendation validating his tireless efforts comes unexpected, still, from far lesser superior officers. (It's not that he doesn't try often enough, but he succeeds so rarely that it's become something even he can't anticipate.) Had that been outright praise, he might've been shocked right out of his dream, entirely.
Fortunately, Sephiroth's joke brings him back down to earth fast enough. To Cloud (and his own admittedly lacking sense of humor), it sounds more like an admonishment, though, whether honestly in jest or not. Of course he shouldn't be talking about SOLDIER to Sephiroth. He ducks his head uncertainly, eyeing the mess of notes cluttering up his desk in the periphery of his vision. ]
Sir. I wouldn't want to waste any of your time. [ But there's something painfully hopeful he can't keep out of his voice, just the same. ]
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Cloud can't imagine not being called on his bluff immediately, were he to try, anyway. ]
Th-Thank you, sir! [ Was that... A compliment?
If he sounds disbelieving, it's because he is; the tiniest commendation validating his tireless efforts comes unexpected, still, from far lesser superior officers. (It's not that he doesn't try often enough, but he succeeds so rarely that it's become something even he can't anticipate.) Had that been outright praise, he might've been shocked right out of his dream, entirely.
Fortunately, Sephiroth's joke brings him back down to earth fast enough. To Cloud (and his own admittedly lacking sense of humor), it sounds more like an admonishment, though, whether honestly in jest or not. Of course he shouldn't be talking about SOLDIER to Sephiroth. He ducks his head uncertainly, eyeing the mess of notes cluttering up his desk in the periphery of his vision. ]
Sir. I wouldn't want to waste any of your time. [ But there's something painfully hopeful he can't keep out of his voice, just the same. ]