You'd think he'd figure out by now you're your own woman. That's what you're thinking, right? [ He snorts, softly. ] Trust me, I get it. Independence is addictive. Once you've gotten a taste of it, it's hard to want to go back. [ He says it with fondness and, well, why shouldn't he? He's always hopping on Zachariah to go fetch this, that, or the other thing from outside town. In many ways Cloud marches to the beat of his own drum. ]

[ ...That said, he does scratch his head and look away a bit as she talks about Juri. Again, the smile unbidden creeps up to his lips. Gentle, and firm when she needs to be, huh? Certainly sounds like someone Cloud count mention... ]

... Take it at your own pace. Not like I'm doing much better than you are in that regard. [ He gives a sheepish half-smile. ] Would be kind of embarrassing to push you to go faster than you're comfortable with when I'm taking the slow path, myself.