the unsolicited advice meme

[currysseur]

1. Post your character!
2. Other characters come tell them what they think they are doing wrong with their lives.
3. And, in return, go do the same to them. Turnabout is fair play, right?

Comments

[inemeraldfaith]

How are you doing at adapting? I always give you advice you don't want, but you know I'm only doing it because I care about you.

[luciing]

[ As coldly as before: ]

You are kind, Healer, but you needn’t concern yourself any longer.

[inemeraldfaith]

You know there's not a time limit on that, right? That's not really how things work. I don't just wake up one day and decide that my quota for caring about you has been met. Nobody works like that.

[luciing]

This is your “advice”.

[inemeraldfaith]

My advice is actually that maybe...
Maybe!

Don't be afraid to rely on me sometimes. Or at least someone you trust.

[luciing]

Your healing abilities are indeed reliable.

[inemeraldfaith]

That's not what I'm getting at. It's cute that you're trying to be clever, but you know what I mean, Somnus.

[luciing]

[ He raises a hand, as if to say enough. ]

Your advice has been heard.

[inemeraldfaith]

[She frowns for just a moment. She should stop, but...]

Hrm...
Welllll. I guess I have been pushing you a bit, haven't I? I didn't mean anything by it. I'll ease up.

[luciing]

No doubt there are others who may wish to hear your advice.

[inemeraldfaith]

You don't have to go to such lengths to get rid of me, you know.

[luciing]

[ He appears willfully indifferent. ]

Do I not speak the truth?

[inemeraldfaith]

I don't know about that. I honestly don't normally give advice. I... actually try to avoid that, if I can. If I gave the wrong advice and someone took it, say there were poor consequences for it. It'd be my fault. I don't want to steer anyone wrong.

I guess that's why I just try to remind people that my input is only because I care. The truth is that I don't know any of you better than you know yourselves. I can't be putting my standards or my expectations on the rest of you.

No one should be asking for my advice and I shouldn't be giving it.

[luciing]

[ He looks at her plainly. ]

You are allowed to speak your thoughts.

They are allowed to take whatever they deem fit.

[inemeraldfaith]

Speaking my thoughts is a bit different than trying to guide someone. With both of these, I can be a little harder than I'd like to be. I'm not always as gentle as I should be. You're a good example of that, actually. I can be pretty hard on you and that's not really fair of me.

[luciing]

[ His head shakes once, abrupt and curt. ] You have been fair.

[inemeraldfaith]

[Aerith eyes him thoughtfully. She obviously doesn't agree, but it seems wiser not to push it.]

Well, I'll have to try to continue being fair. Or at least as fair as I can be. I'll do my best.

[luciing]

[ His turn to give unsolicited advice, if it can be called that, as he turns a half-step away. ]

Heed me, Healer: the time in this world is finite. Liberties, with it. Do as you wish.

[inemeraldfaith]

[...Why is it that it feels like so many people are calling her out? Does everyone know her secrets now or something?

Her expression is almost crestfallen when she's met with that.]

I have no idea what makes you think I'm not trying to live my life to the fullest.

[luciing]

[ His expression doesn’t change even as hers shifts, and he waves a hand again as if dismiss her interpretation. ]

Nay. I have said to you before, do as you wish.

[inemeraldfaith]

You have, but I'm trying to figure out what you're really saying here. Is there something about me that implies I'm not doing this? I know you can't possibly understand why that might be important to me, but I'm curious. So—humour me.

[luciing]

[ Again, a subtle, single shake of his head. It has nothing to do with her. Rather, it’s all about— ]

Consider this the unsolicited advice of an elder to another generation.

[inemeraldfaith]

[...Oh.
Oh. An elder? He doesn't—]

You don't look too much older than me, honestly. Are you really that old?

[This was totally not the point that he was making.]

[luciing]

[ Better question: ]

Have you never heard the idiom before? Or a rendition of it?

[inemeraldfaith]

Well, I have, but I wondered if you were being literal or not. Everyone here is different, so it wouldn't be impossible for you to be a lot older than you looked. And I've never asked you how old you were before, I don't think.