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Sneaking through the castle, taking out the guards and subsequently attempting to assasinate Luke's tutor, Master Van - everything about Tear as we first see her paints a very different picture of her than the calm, tactically-inclined soldier she truly is.

Tear tends to be blunt, and at times comes off as insensitive. After finding out that Guy had feelings of hatred towards him, Luke wanders Grand Chokmah with Tear in tow. Eventually he turns on her, obviously hurt from the implications of Sync's curse. But Tear is adamant that he's acting the fool, and reminds Luke sternly that Guy returned for him even after Luke's actions concerning Akzeriuth. Although he knows she meant to help, Luke tells her:

Luke: ...You sure don't pull any punches when you talk to people.

Tear is unused to seeing things from an emotional perspective. Raised as a soldier, she is objective and concise, and though she isn't without sympathy, she seems to have a hard time expressing herself.

Tear isn't one who often jumps to conclusions. She is cautious and analytical, and rarely takes things at face value. In fact, the only times she seems to act rashly and with little thought are in situations that concern her brother. For Tear, the one aspect of her life she has no control over - and desperately wants to - is her brother. Further, her goal at this point in her life is to stop her brother, and from the very moment she came to the Outer Lands she'd sworn to do everything in her power to stop him. In some ways, as much as Van is obsessed with the Score, Tear is obsessed with Van.

Guy: She only acts this impulsively when it involves a certain someone...

When the others make a snap judgement, Tear's the first to call them on it. Tear strongly believes in thinking things through and finding out more information if necessary. After noticing the beginnings of change in Luke after the Akzeriuth incident, Natalia and Guy comment on how much stonger Luke's become. But Tear notes:

Tear: It may be that he's trying to keep himself busy, to keep from dwelling on Akzeriuth.

Tear isn't fooled by Luke's peppy attitude and talk of responsibilty - she knows that change takes time. Though she concedes that Luke is making progress, she knows that difficulties lie ahead for him that could bring him back where he started.

Tear constantly puts up a strong front. As a soldier, she learned to hide her emotions and remain objective, even in the most trying situations. During the evacuation of Engeve, Tear and Luke are confronted with the wife and mother of the father and son that died at Akzeriuth. Tear helps heal the woman, named Miriam, and the next night Miriam comes to thank her. She asks Tear about her parents, and Tear relents that they are both dead. Miriam gives her condolances but Tear denies finding it hard to be on her own. Miriam, knowing death firsthand, sees through the mask and tells Tear she understands how she feels. Tear still doesn't admit to feeling any pain, but because we know she's not devoid of emotions, it shows just how incredibly resilient she is.

When Tear discovers her body has been deathly poisoned by the miasma, and she may not live if she continues to use her Seventh Fonic Artes to keep the Sephiroths active, her strength gives in for a moment. Behind the closed doors of the medical room in Belkend, Tear struggles to keep herself from breaking down. Luke enters and stays with her despite her protests: she doesn't want anyone, particularly Luke, to see her so defeated. Luke faces away from her, allowing her to grieve in relative privacy while he comforts her by his presence.

When the group agrees there is no other option but to kill Van, Tear is suitably distressed, but manages to keep her feelings hidden. In fact, only Luke seems to notice; Tear hides her emotions so well that the rest don't realise how she must be feeling. Only after Natalia discovers she may have to kill her true father, Largo, does the party realise Tear's position is quite similar. Even so, Tear maintains her composure and affirms her resolve. Tear believes that she should act as a soldier, but by doing so, she keeps her friends in the dark.

And then there's cute things! If anything can melt Tear's cold heart, it's something cute. Although she tries hard to repress her feminine side, Tear can't help but be captivated by anything remotely cute. When the group is casually discussing which ship they prefer:

Anise: How about you, Tear? The Princess Natalia, right?
Luke: The Tartarus, of course!
Tear: I...I kind of like Tokunaga...
All: ...
Tear: ...N-never mind.

Tear even gets a copy of the maid's uniform she became enamoured with during her first stay in Baticul Castle.

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personality