Cloud vastly prefers frankness over tact, so he appreciates it. He perks up a little when she mentions helping Aerith get plants from home. "You mean the lilies, right? The yellow ones? But...she's a warden, too, why doesn't she just request them herself?" Is this a bit of mild revenge for Aerith playing coy about literally everything? Maybe. But he's also just curious.

Then she talks about Sephiroth and Cloud can't help a quiet sound of wry amusement. "Changed his mind a little. Mostly focused on other stuff now." And by 'other stuff' Cloud means himself, but anyway.

"Oh, I work in the engine room. Though sometimes, calling it 'work' is a real exaggeration." He rolls his eyes. "But Nico figures out stuff for us to do. Ain't bad."