[ yeah, he... definitely catches on that hypocrisy. he doesn't want to be rude, but with the way things seem to be going, these girls are going to be miserable. ]
You asked me here because you wanted my advice. I intend to be honest with you - is that what you want?
[ because he can also give her what she wants to hear, but that just seems counterproductive. ]
[ he pauses for a moment, thinking about what he's going to say. it isn't that his opinion changed while she was talking, but it's the choice of words that's more important. ]
I think that before you proceed any further, you're going to have to do some self-reflection. You said that you weren't sure how all of this made you feel... if you're uncertain of the situation yourself, you aren't going to be satisfied, no matter what the outcome.
[ his words are confident. he's speaking from experience. ]
Once you've come to terms with your own emotions, you can start thinking about what to do next.
[ When Jaune asked her if she was going to date someone again, Weiss said yes, but she doesn't want anything serious. What... exactly is being serious? When you date someone, you still put some effort into it, even before the "I love yous". Maybe it's just the attention that she likes, because she certainly received a lot of it from Jean.
She looks heavily conflicted with her own emotions regarding all this, and it shows by how the air around them begins to cool. ]
... Steven, [ She finally looks up and at him in the eye. ] have you ever felt like you've spent so much time and effort with a person, only for your efforts to be wasted because they went away?
I've had my fair share of friendships cut short due to their departures.
[ a significant number of them were from his world, at that. though he hasn't felt heartache in the way that a romantic interest's disappearance would incite (though he feels a twinge of pain in his chest at the very thought of ignis disappearing permanently), he can at least begin to understand the sentiment.
he recalls weiss' date from hellisium, along with the fact that she hasn't spoken of him since. he can put two and two together from that much; it certainly explains her apprehension towards all of this. he returns her gaze, light blue eyes meeting one another. ]
However, I wouldn't consider them "wasted efforts".
[ The way Weiss thinks is immature, if anything else. It's like a kid playing with a toy, only for it to be taken away from her, and she can't hate the person who takes it away. Instead, she hates the toy instead, pushing it away and saying she doesn't like it anymore.
Her hands are still on her lap, but they grip onto the edge of her dress, looking for something to do. She can't keep looking at Steven, either, eyes filled with shame and sadness. And for a moment, it seems like she's going to cry, but she doesn't. Instead, she shakes her head, waking herself up from this spell of weakness. She's not supposed to let go like this. Not to anyone, especially not in public. ]
I liked it? I mean— I think Yang is... She's really great. She's such a good big sister, and she cares so much for her friends. I'm not worried that things could get weird between us if... her kissing me actually meant nothing to her. I think our bond is stronger than that.
But... [ She sighs, resigning herself to the main problem here. ] I just don't want her to leave.
[ he'll wait until she does - he's patient, and he won't stand for not having her full attention. this has to be faced head-on, but he also wants her to know that he isn't judging her in the slightest. his tone is reflective of that - it's am imperative rather than a question, but said softly. ]
You and I both know that this world can be cruel, especially when it comes to who stays and who leaves. It's a harsh reality that we have no choice but to accept.
[ he seems a bit cold as he utters those words - he has to be. still, he isn't finished: ]
That being said, it shouldn't be used as an excuse to live in fear of creating bonds. The nature of our time here is to live in the moment, rather than dwelling on the past or anticipating the future... as difficult as that can be to learn, I've found that taking every opportunity that I can to forge something new has left me with the least amount of regrets.
[ he pauses. ]
Do you regret any of the relationships you've forged here, be they past or present?
[ It's still so strange to have a friend speak to her this way. To speak to her honestly, without letting her hear what she wants to hear. It's strange in a jarring way because she was once surrounded by people whom she thought were her friends. They only fed her ego, and in the end, it did nothing good.
The honesty hurts, but she's learned this the hard way. Being told by a professor that she wasn't leader material and that she was a brat was. . . a wake up call. This is kind of like that conversation, except this time, she asked for it. She asked for help from Steven.
She shakes her head slowly, feeling a bit bad for herself. Being told she's wrong is still unpleasant, but it's good thing someone is telling her to be more open minded, because she'll continue shutting people away if no one did. ]
No, I don't.
[ It's weak, but it answers his question. It's all she has, after all. With no family but her sister, and with no money and material objects, she has nothing else but the bonds she's made with the people here. The way she clings to it is a bit too much, and it's probably why her heart sinks every time a familiar name is written on the wall. ]
What lies in front of you is the potential to foster a new connection. Whether or not you take that opportunity is your decision, but you shouldn't rule it out completely due to fear of loss. If we followed that logic, we would all be isolating ourselves from one another.
[ and in a world run by emotions, where apathy can be equated to destruction and rot, that is definitely not a path that steven wants to see a dear friend take. ]
Of course, there are some who prefer to live in such a way... But I don't think you're that kind of person.
[ She closes her eyes and take a deep breath. She shouldn't rule things out completely due to fear of loss. These are words Weiss repeats in her head for a while as she lets silence linger between the two of them.
While she's not fully convinced that this is what she should do, it's definitely something she's considering now. It's a thought that she will likely continue thinking about until she speaks with Yang about all this. If she manages to do so, anyway.
(Weiss is going to want to talk to Yang the moment she gets back, but chicken out immediately upon seeing her and instead focus on Ruby's birthday!!) ]
No, I don't think I'm that kind of person, either.
[ She might be the type to push people away, but it's not mostly out of fear of loss. She's just been moulded to look like she's so well put-together that any sign of emotion is embarrassing for her. ]
[ as she reflects, steven remains silent. he's said his part, and there's no doubt in his mind that weiss will understand where he's coming from. it isn't his place to pry further into her personal life, but for the sake of her happiness... he hopes that everything with yang will work out for her as well as it has for him and ignis.
he offers her a genuine smile, hoping to ease the mood somewhat. ]
[ With everything all said and done and with the bill paid for, it's time to go their separate ways. Steven may offer to walk Weiss back home, but she tells him that she has to pass by the library to borrow a book or two. She's run out of things to read.
Today was eventful for Weiss. Incredibly emotional, but eventful. This isn't the first time that she's opened up to somebody, but it feels so great to do it, as if a huge weight off her chest has been relieved.
She lowers her head again, bowing slightly, to how her gratitude before turning to leave. But something doesn't feel right to her. She turns back again, hoping Steven hasn't started walking to his own place, and gives him a quick but tight hug. ]
... Sorry! [ she says it after letting go, hands immediately flying to her back. ] I'll see you around!
[ he most definitely does offer to walk her, but understands when she declines. he still has some preparations to make for his trip, so he'll be heading back to his apartment himself. if anything, weiss seems to be in better spirits than she did when they met up, so he'll at least consider that a success.
he doesn't quite expect her to double back to him for a hug, though. he had only just began to turn, making the angle a little bit awkward... not to mention that he doesn't have the opportunity to reciprocate, or even process it before she basically runs away. he looks puzzled for a moment, but it softens into a smile to himself. they'll work on it. ]
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no subject
You asked me here because you wanted my advice. I intend to be honest with you - is that what you want?
[ because he can also give her what she wants to hear, but that just seems counterproductive. ]
no subject
She fidgets in her seat, shifting a bit. ]
Yes. I'm sorry. [ She lowers her head again, bangs covering most of her face. ]
no subject
[ he pauses for a moment, thinking about what he's going to say. it isn't that his opinion changed while she was talking, but it's the choice of words that's more important. ]
I think that before you proceed any further, you're going to have to do some self-reflection. You said that you weren't sure how all of this made you feel... if you're uncertain of the situation yourself, you aren't going to be satisfied, no matter what the outcome.
[ his words are confident. he's speaking from experience. ]
Once you've come to terms with your own emotions, you can start thinking about what to do next.
no subject
[ When Jaune asked her if she was going to date someone again, Weiss said yes, but she doesn't want anything serious. What... exactly is being serious? When you date someone, you still put some effort into it, even before the "I love yous". Maybe it's just the attention that she likes, because she certainly received a lot of it from Jean.
She looks heavily conflicted with her own emotions regarding all this, and it shows by how the air around them begins to cool. ]
... Steven, [ She finally looks up and at him in the eye. ] have you ever felt like you've spent so much time and effort with a person, only for your efforts to be wasted because they went away?
no subject
[ a significant number of them were from his world, at that. though he hasn't felt heartache in the way that a romantic interest's disappearance would incite (though he feels a twinge of pain in his chest at the very thought of ignis disappearing permanently), he can at least begin to understand the sentiment.
he recalls weiss' date from hellisium, along with the fact that she hasn't spoken of him since. he can put two and two together from that much; it certainly explains her apprehension towards all of this. he returns her gaze, light blue eyes meeting one another. ]
However, I wouldn't consider them "wasted efforts".
no subject
Her hands are still on her lap, but they grip onto the edge of her dress, looking for something to do. She can't keep looking at Steven, either, eyes filled with shame and sadness. And for a moment, it seems like she's going to cry, but she doesn't. Instead, she shakes her head, waking herself up from this spell of weakness. She's not supposed to let go like this. Not to anyone, especially not in public. ]
I liked it? I mean— I think Yang is... She's really great. She's such a good big sister, and she cares so much for her friends. I'm not worried that things could get weird between us if... her kissing me actually meant nothing to her. I think our bond is stronger than that.
But... [ She sighs, resigning herself to the main problem here. ] I just don't want her to leave.
no subject
[ he'll wait until she does - he's patient, and he won't stand for not having her full attention. this has to be faced head-on, but he also wants her to know that he isn't judging her in the slightest. his tone is reflective of that - it's am imperative rather than a question, but said softly. ]
You and I both know that this world can be cruel, especially when it comes to who stays and who leaves. It's a harsh reality that we have no choice but to accept.
[ he seems a bit cold as he utters those words - he has to be. still, he isn't finished: ]
That being said, it shouldn't be used as an excuse to live in fear of creating bonds. The nature of our time here is to live in the moment, rather than dwelling on the past or anticipating the future... as difficult as that can be to learn, I've found that taking every opportunity that I can to forge something new has left me with the least amount of regrets.
[ he pauses. ]
Do you regret any of the relationships you've forged here, be they past or present?
no subject
The honesty hurts, but she's learned this the hard way. Being told by a professor that she wasn't leader material and that she was a brat was. . . a wake up call. This is kind of like that conversation, except this time, she asked for it. She asked for help from Steven.
She shakes her head slowly, feeling a bit bad for herself. Being told she's wrong is still unpleasant, but it's good thing someone is telling her to be more open minded, because she'll continue shutting people away if no one did. ]
No, I don't.
[ It's weak, but it answers his question. It's all she has, after all. With no family but her sister, and with no money and material objects, she has nothing else but the bonds she's made with the people here. The way she clings to it is a bit too much, and it's probably why her heart sinks every time a familiar name is written on the wall. ]
no subject
[ and in a world run by emotions, where apathy can be equated to destruction and rot, that is definitely not a path that steven wants to see a dear friend take. ]
Of course, there are some who prefer to live in such a way... But I don't think you're that kind of person.
no subject
While she's not fully convinced that this is what she should do, it's definitely something she's considering now. It's a thought that she will likely continue thinking about until she speaks with Yang about all this. If she manages to do so, anyway.
(Weiss is going to want to talk to Yang the moment she gets back, but chicken out immediately upon seeing her and instead focus on Ruby's birthday!!) ]
No, I don't think I'm that kind of person, either.
[ She might be the type to push people away, but it's not mostly out of fear of loss. She's just been moulded to look like she's so well put-together that any sign of emotion is embarrassing for her. ]
Thank you for your honesty.
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he offers her a genuine smile, hoping to ease the mood somewhat. ]
You're welcome. I hope I was able to help.
no subject
Today was eventful for Weiss. Incredibly emotional, but eventful. This isn't the first time that she's opened up to somebody, but it feels so great to do it, as if a huge weight off her chest has been relieved.
She lowers her head again, bowing slightly, to how her gratitude before turning to leave. But something doesn't feel right to her. She turns back again, hoping Steven hasn't started walking to his own place, and gives him a quick but tight hug. ]
... Sorry! [ she says it after letting go, hands immediately flying to her back. ] I'll see you around!
[ BYE ]
no subject
he doesn't quite expect her to double back to him for a hug, though. he had only just began to turn, making the angle a little bit awkward... not to mention that he doesn't have the opportunity to reciprocate, or even process it before she basically runs away. he looks puzzled for a moment, but it softens into a smile to himself. they'll work on it. ]