Dialogue Between Monarchs

O: "What do you do when you're missing someone's presence? Like, at least shit wouldn't be so weird if they were around."

M: "Then you just want someone around to ease whatever insecurity/anxiety you feel within yourself. Maybe you shouldn't think of relying on someone to make you feel at ease in the first place. Either way, you should chill. Most of the things you get worked up about don't mean shit once you're dead."

O: "I don't feel much meaning to anything. I feel like a swirling bubble of societal pressure. I don't feel ownership to my choices any more than apples have a substance called "sweetness." Maybe that's a bad analogy. I just see an arbitrary world with flaky moral consequences."

M: "That's why you should work on building your character. That's why you need to stop letting other people make who you are. Societal pressure ain't gonna stop with years. It's only gonna get worse. You gotta be stronger than that."

O: "You Asians, and your character grinding..."

M: "Whatever suits you. You asked for my opinion. Do what you want."

O: "Hey, chill. I know that, or I wouldn't be asking. I get enough people telling me exactly what to say. Your advice is appreciated."

M: "You get enough people telling you exactly what to say? Aren't you asking people for what to say and do?"

O: "No, I'm asking about how people feel so I can relate it to myself. Most people don't know what that means, and assume I'm in need of a copilot. If I thought even one person were idol worthy, I'd take some cues instead of asking. But since people are people, I take their advice as a secondary pair of eyes. I said a lot of shit to you when I was emotional and depressed, but that doesn't require you to assume I'm in constant crisis, or totally helpless, or even capable of feeling comfortable acting out those feelings again. Sorry, You've seemed condescending to me, and that's a reoccurring facet of people I open up to. Not that your constructive criticisms aren't welcome. But you don't have to respond, if I'm asking something that riles you."

M: "No. You want me to listen, I offer my opinion, and when the response I get is belittling "asians and your character building," frankly all I want to say is "Why are you even talking to me?" I'm sure you just want someone to humor you and give you comfort, but I can't fill that role when you frankly offend me. So with your approval, I'd like to refrain from expressing any further thoughts if I may, as I obviously am not saying what you would like to hear. Bye."

O: "I'm sorry? I didn't realize you were generalizing me and assuming my thought processes by a couple things I have in common with your ex. You have more things in common with that psychopath. I don't think of you as some asian, or some woman; you do. I assure you I cared about you, and still do. But if our friendship seems onesided, consider your own policy of solitude and feigned empathy. I can't read your heart or mind. Goodnight, I didn't mean whatever you pictured me snickering about."

O: "I won't come to you anymore. I'm not mad about your opinions, I just think it's shitty to ignore me so easily, given how often I hear you cry about people doing it to you. I'm sorry I was not the perfect, angelic, kitten-person you wouldn't have appreciated to begin with. Thanks for letting me vent, I guess. I thought we were better than this."

M: "Ignore you? ...What are you talking about?"

O: "Oh... Idk. I'll listen to my itunes. Take care of yourself."

M: "Haha, you too."

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