"I don' trust him."
"Barret--"
"No one's hair is naturally that spiky!"
"Cloud is probably the only reason the hair gel industry exists at all." Tifa rolled her eyes at Barret as she wiped down the bar. She took a glass tumbler out of Marlene's hands and moved the young girl to a different spot on the bar. Marlene laughed and held out her arms to be picked up again, but Tifa just shook her head and handed the girl a plastic martini shaker to play with.
Resuming her conversation with Barret, she said, "He's always had his hair like that, even when we were kids." She paused. "And what does his hair have to do with his trustworthiness?"
"I dunno. There's just somethin' off about that kid, ya know?"
"He's just quiet. And serious. But he was always like that, so--"
"No, 'cause somma the kids in AVALANCHE can be pretty quiet too." Barret thought for a while, absently watching Marlene pretend to pour drinks into the martini glasses.
"It's more than that. He seems... aw, hell, I dunno! He's got somethin' weird about him, an' I don't think he's the same kid ya grew up with."
"It's been seven years since he left Nibelheim, but--"
"See! People can totally change in a few years. How do ya know you can still trust him?"
"I just-- Marlene, honey, put that down, that's dangerous-- I don't know, Barret. I just do. You've always trusted my judgment before."
"Well... how do ya know he won't turn traitor? He was in SOLDIER, for cryin' out loud-- he might decide he liked it better with 'em and turn us in!"
"Cloud isn't like that! He-- he's honorable, for one thing, and I know he left SOLDIER for a good reason. He won't go back. On top of that, he's broke, and he knows he won't get paid unless he sticks with the mission."
"Hmph."
"You've already hired him. It's a little late for second thoughts."
"Fine. But I'm keepin' a close eye on him!"
"Suit yourself. Now put Marlene to bed."