[ He doesn't look all too surprised when Eustace eventually winds up placing a paw on his knee. Mainly because he doesn't know enough about the Erune in the first place. In all truths, if he decided they should go back to town and recuperate, he would have obliged that too. It wasn't giving up if they were retreating to strategize. But if they didn't nip this in the bud now... ]

That settles that.

[ As if he's done this before, Cloud gently picks up the fatigued pup, cradling him closer to his chest. While also fighting the urge to start petting him like this. jakfdls Looking to the familiar and his own Chocobo Chick that drops down on his shoulder with a peep, Cloud eventually sets his sights back on the foreboding forest. ]

Good thing Weiss ain't seeing me like this... [ Mainly because she'd probably start fawning over Eustace as a puppy and how cute Cloud looked holding him. ... would he have the power to say "no" if she asked for a dog? ]

Best we find another way in... Don't know if those vines are still pissed.

[ They'll need to be on their guard if they want to find any further clues. Even if they were revisiting to investigate... ]