The market buzzes with life, vendors shouting over one another to peddle their wares. It’s a stark contrast to Cloud’s usual quiet demeanor, but you’ve somehow convinced him to tag along, weaving through the crowded stalls by your side. And like a house cat being forced into the outside world, you can tell he hates it.

He walks a step behind you, his expression unreadable but his brow has a small crease, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd like it’s a battlefield. You’re inspecting some fruit at one of the stalls when you feel his presence shift. You glance over your shoulder, expecting to see Cloud walking away to find some quiet wall to lean against, but no.

Instead, you catch his hand drifting almost imperceptibly toward the hilt of his sword, his posture stiffening. His gaze is fixed on a man lingering just a little too close, his movements twitchy and suspicious. Definitely a very normal, rational response, yes.