Cloud, called back to Seventh Heaven by Tifa after taking care of odd jobs around the Sector 7's undercity, slowly approaches the bar.
???: Hey, bro, wait up.
Cloud continues onwards.
???: I'm talking to you, bro.
A hand grabs Cloud's shoulder and tries to turn him around, before he grabs it and gets it off himself.
???: You're Tifa's 'childhood friend', right?
Cloud: And you are?
???: Name's Johnny. Me and Tifa go back a long way too, y'know?
Cloud rolls his eyes and turns back towards Seventh Heaven's entrance.
Johnny: No need to be so cold, bro. I just wanted to make friends with you.
Cloud: ...
Johnny: But there's something you should know.
Cloud: And what is it?
Johnny: If you harm her in any way, you're gonna have me to deal with, bro.
Cloud's attention is turned back towards him again, this time with much less cool on his face.
Before he manages to say anything, Tifa's muffled voice can be heard from inside the bar.
Tifa: He's not worth it, Aya...
Before Cloud can register it, the seriousness on his face is interrupted by a loud bang as Aya decisively opens the door and storms out of the bar in Johnny's direction, startling both of the guys.
Aya: Didn't I tell you to not show your face around here? *glances towards Cloud* Took your sweet time...
Johnny backs out to retain the distance between Aya and himself. Cloud is confused as he watches the dialogue ensuing between the two.
Johnny: I- I live here too, y'know?
Aya: Tough luck. Consider moving out.
Johnny: You don't get to-
Aya: Next time I see you, you're getting your teeth kicked in. End of discussion.
Johnny: But-
Aya: Out.
Aya turns her head back to Cloud and invites him to follow her, as she continues onwards.
Aya: Come on, blondie, we've got a special task for you. Jessie and Wedge are already waiting for us at his place.
Cloud: Tsk...
Cloud follows after Aya in silence for a moment.
Cloud: What was that about?
Aya: Johnny? He's a pain in the ass. Been pissing me off ever since Tifa started first working here, always bothering her. She says she doesn't mind, but I just can't stand having him around. Now that we're all in the cell, the guy's became a real danger.
Cloud: You make it sound like he's Avalanche too.
Aya: Pfft, yeah, noted. I'm sure you can imagine how having a dumbass like that around our hideout twenty-four seven can impact us in the long run. Whatever reason you feel you might have, don't refrain from kicking his ass next time.
Cloud: How long have you known Tifa, anyway?
Aya rolls her eyes before looking at him, frowning in annoyance. Internally, she still can't wrap her head around the fact he seems to not remember her at all, but she made a promise to Tifa - to keep the facade for now, to not mention Nibelheim.
Aya: *sighs* Ever since Jessie bumped into her and they became friends, a few years back. It was in our early days in Avalanche, still in the main cell. She introduced us to each other and we quickly started getting along too, as expected. We've been close ever since.
No response causes Aya to turn around to check on him. He was visibly lost in thought for a moment.
Cloud: You and Jessie... You both joined at the same time, right?
Aya: What are you, a fed? As if one Turk in my life wasn't enough.
Cloud: ?
Aya: I'll let you ponder it for a bit. As for the rest, you can ask Jessie yourself. I'm sure she'll be more than happy to tell you everything. Come on, we're close.