[ V's good enough at reading social cues that as curious as he is, that avenue of conversation isn't one Cloud wants to explore. He can respect that. More than that; he gets it.

So without batting an eyelid he allows himself to be guided away from it, inhales deeply and raises his eyebrows. ]

'bout all I know how to do. I uh... been tryin' to get a rough idea of what this place is all about. Diggin' into parts of the city other gembonded aren't. Hard to know what's goin' on when the locals are this suspicious of us.

[ Not that it's in any way unfamiliar. In fact, the locals just seem a bit jumpy. Least they're not trying to drive him out because of what he is. ]

You looked into the merc scene here yet?