[He's admittedly taken aback at the way she talks. The way she sizes up him and Aerith in equal measure - he wants to clear the misconception - it's not like that - but it would only distract from the conversation, he thinks. There's definitely no other reason he would stall on directly refuting her conception of Aerith and Cloud as - well, as an item.]
[She does certainly seem... well, she knows she has an allure, and she uses it to her advantage. Cloud feels a bit like he's stepped in the lion's den - and Aerith can see that nervousness on him, even as he nods back to Aerith's assertation that he take the lead.]
...You seem like you're the kind of woman who knows everything about what's going on. [It's flattery, but it's also Cloud's honest assessment - Madame M comes to mind immediately, in his mind's eye.] We're... looking for a certain vending machine. Rumor going around is, it's got a specific code associated with it. [His voice has dropped low - so that it's harder for the other patrons to get a bead on their conversation. A conspiratorial vibe.]
I take it you might know what we're talking about? And what vending machine we're looking for?
[Once again, Cloud's way to the heart is by being a straight shot - he figures a woman like this doesn't like someone who dances around the point, and it's never been Cloud's style to be indirect.]
no subject
[She does certainly seem... well, she knows she has an allure, and she uses it to her advantage. Cloud feels a bit like he's stepped in the lion's den - and Aerith can see that nervousness on him, even as he nods back to Aerith's assertation that he take the lead.]
...You seem like you're the kind of woman who knows everything about what's going on. [It's flattery, but it's also Cloud's honest assessment - Madame M comes to mind immediately, in his mind's eye.] We're... looking for a certain vending machine. Rumor going around is, it's got a specific code associated with it. [His voice has dropped low - so that it's harder for the other patrons to get a bead on their conversation. A conspiratorial vibe.]
I take it you might know what we're talking about? And what vending machine we're looking for?
[Once again, Cloud's way to the heart is by being a straight shot - he figures a woman like this doesn't like someone who dances around the point, and it's never been Cloud's style to be indirect.]