Cloud is a young man with a lean and toned build and spiky blond hair. Cloud has blue eyes, which glow due to him having been exposed to mako. He also has a silver earring in his left ear. An arrogant and proud swordsman at first, Cloud introduces himself to Avalanche as a former member of an elite warrior unit called SOLDIER who has turned mercenary and is uninterested in anything beyond his hired task at hand. Beneath his hardened outer persona is a softer, more caring individual who simply struggles to open up, but is striving to be a hero. Cloud later discovers more about his past and, with the help of his friends, learns that there is more to being a hero than possessing physical strength and fame. He develops compassion for the planet and the people he fights to protect from the Shinra Electric Power Company and his nemesis, Sephiroth. On the surface, Cloud Strife presents himself as a hardened warrior, cocky and headstrong, coldhearted, and disinterested in anything beyond completing the hired job at hand.Beneath the surface, Cloud is socially awkward, being well-intentioned, but unsure how to carry himself in conversations, having difficulties expressing himself. Many who are close to him begin to see through the cracks in his hardened persona, recognizing that he is softer deep down.[note 5] Through it all, Cloud is steadfastly loyal to his friends, harboring guilt if he feels he has let them down, and strives to be a hero. He is willing to go through any lengths,to keep them safe.Though most traits core to Cloud — battle-hardened attitude, awkwardness, loyalty to his friends, and striving for heroism — do not change, Cloud's surface-level presentation and warmth shifts drastically throughout his life, based on his own yearning for a true identity.Due both to Cloud's awkwardness and his tough presentation, Cloud struggles in forming interpersonal relationships.