Cloud had no idea WHO he wanted to stand closer to, both options were horrible. On one hand, a sadistic asshole who will threaten him with a bad time, on the other hand there's hugs. Both clearly equally as bad. What would he rather, the same old material from this prick who did nothing but poke fun of him- or this total stranger who has a death wish? There was no better option here, there never was. He hated this, who was this man? Does he not know how their relationship works? Sephiroth kicks him around like some hackie sack, and Cloud just sorta takes it or tries to fruitlesly attack the man. It's how it's always worked, if Sephiroth ever changed that he would be very suspicious. The tones, the visions, all part of some fucked up little game Cloud had no choice in. Thanks to right winged (literal) asshole here the memories from so long ago had been seared into his mind, burned into the very flesh of his being. If it wasn't so traumatic he'd be bored of this song and dance by now.

[color=8493ca]"Yeah- if we were fighting I'd be dead before you could even blink. So do me a favor, I don't want to help clean up your mangled corpse."[/color]

He had to warn the other somehow, clearly he had no idea who they were if he was so eager to touch both. Even if the merc said he didn't want the other to get the floor wiped with him, he sorta wanted to see it. No one just walks up to him and hugs him, not unless they know each other first. Cloud was just going to need to frown and tolerate it, no one he knew was going to be of any help. Even if Sephiroth was quite terrifying, he knew the man better than he knew Falcon and it made all the difference in this uncomfortable situation.

[color=8493ca]"You must have the wrong guy, because I don't know you and you clearly don't know him."[/color]

Cloud pointed a thumb at the other he was standing near, arms crossing soon after. Who did this guy think he was? He had more guts than him to say those sorts of things. Maybe Cloud could learn from this guy, whatever egotistical idiocy has him this ballsy. Cloud could never- then again Cloud doesn't hug in general, affection isn't his thing.

[color=8493ca]"And you said I had a death wish.."[/color]
The merc muttered to himself, glancing up at Seph as he did so. Compared to that guy? Cloud wanted to live a lot longer than he will. A [i]lot[/i] longer.

[@TheRealMonaMona] [@midle1998]

[hr]

Meanwhile, on the other side of the glass cage Lucifer had started to peep in on the squabble. He should try and be friendly, but certainly not to that fucked up bunch over there. Maybe he should avoid the talking animals as well... this group definitely wouldn't be one he would bring with him to any normal social function. Have half of these guys been to any proper gathering? He'd assume not.

Deciding to get a better vantage point to listen in on various conversions, Luci had promptly gotten up and walked into the center of the room. More space to run or fly away from an unwanted interaction, and the best spot to eavesdrop. Perhaps he'd attempt to talk to someone eventually, but for now he rather peep in on others conversations.

[h1] Lucifer is open for interactions[/h1]