"She looks at you, you know."
Vincent averted his gaze from the glossy bartop to glance quickly at the brunette. She smiled softly, knowingly. He clenched his jaw beneath the red collar.
"Sorry. I shouldn't interfere. I can just sense that you're not telling us something. There's more going on with you than you let on. I thought you should know that if you feel alone, it's by your choice."
Her directness caught him off guard. He had become accustomed to the wide berth everyone had given him. She invaded the space boldly, raising her hand to the bartender.
"I'll have one of these," she ordered, pointing downward at Vincent's own drink.
"It's coffee," he explained dryly.
"She is not your type. That much is obvious. But I'm wondering if there's more than that. Is there someone else? Or was there?"
His silence did not deter her.
"I suppose you don't know what happened...if she is still out there, just waiting for you to find her, sweep her off her feet, and ride off into the sunset."
"She's not."
Her smile faded slightly as she picked up the mug now placed in front of her.
"Doesn't mean you should give up on everyone," she suggested quietly, sipping her drink. Her eyes widened slightly. "Coffee, huh?"
"Mostly."
She laughed softly, setting the cup of spiked coffee back on the bar. Her head turned toward the far corner of the building at the sound of Cid and Barret's overpowering laughter.
"They would welcome you, you know. You don't have to sit by yourself all the time. I bet...they might even like you."
His response came lowly, a near growl.
"I have nothing to say to them. I am here to find Hojo and kill him. That is my purpose for joining you. I'm not here to find clones, or discover Cloud's identity; to re-entangle myself with Shinra; not to chase after stolen materia or help restore a thief's relationship with her father. I want Hojo's head. Nothing more."
"Then why do you stay? We all suspect he's in Midgar. Go get him yourself. Or are you just using us as a means to your own personal end?"
The accusation stung coming from her.
His grip tightened on his mug. "Are we not all using each other? Who here has stepped in front of a blade or bullet for anyone else? We invite each other to fight our personal battles, lest we take the damage ourselves."
"Hmm..." she replied thoughtfully, furrowing her brow. A quick glance informed her that he was not going to make any eye contact. "I have no problem helping the others find peace. Why should that not be the reason the planet brought us all together? Your views of camaraderie seem awfully jaded. Is that what the Turks did to you? Turned you into a nihilist?"
"A realist," he quickly shot back.
"That must make me the idealist," she mused, a smirk playing on her features. "Well, ideally, you would accept that these people are willing to help you, and that any help you give them is greatly appreciated. I'm sure this path will eventually lead you to Hojo. In the meantime, maybe you should cultivate relationships with the people right in front of you instead of grieving those you've already left behind. I know you're a good man."
The statement ended too abruptly. He knew she had more to say.
"But?" he prompted.
"But...this persona makes people nervous. And I might not always be around to stand up for you," she quietly warned.
"I don't need anyone to stand up for me. If Cloud, or anyone else for that matter, should ever tire of me, I expect he would handle it like an adult."
She let out a single, quiet laugh. "You're right. And who would ever want you to leave, anyway? You're a great help to our cause." She rested her hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently. He wondered if anyone else could get away with such a gesture. She smiled wider and shook her head. "I suppose I was just being silly."
With that, she picked up her mug and left the bar for the larger group in the far corner. From the corner of his eye, he noticed bright blue eyes burning holes into his back. His mind raced through the previous moments, pausing at her touch. He decided that Cloud's reaction stemmed from jealousy. After dipping the lower half of his face into his collar, he allowed himself to grin. The expression faded only slightly as a velvety voice began repeating in his mind.

With their pitchforks and their torches, they will come for you, too.