[ the strangest thing about roche, to cloud, is his constant stream of unpredictability; this resort, for was lascivious and luxurious as it was, had every last one of them caged at their cores. cloud blinks as if taking it all in, the gentleness of his reaction, the benign and brisk reassurance he offers.

the sudden onslaught of his high right now isn't exactly helping. he's used to the grandeur -- to his more grandiose expressions. and less used to people attempting to make him feel... normal. even when he knows, deep within his heart, that he's not. that he never has been, and never will be.

cloud's breath is caught in his throat. flush creeps into his cheeks, although he hopes that the low light of the lounge obscures it. ]

...I don't know. [ he admits more honestly. ] Maybe it isn't normal for everyone. Maybe it's just us.

[ cloud's eyes flicker away. his inhibitions are lowering in real time -- words tumble out of his mouth, haphazard and earnest. ]

...Back in Midgar. When we were racing-- [ a pause. ] S'that mean you... were turned on, or?