Previously http://pastebin.com/FXbf3MMY >That day at the restaurant was... >Unsatisfactory. >Not the food, of course. >The food was great! >Just... >Your two friends and their little lovers quarrel. >Lyra and Anon haven't spoken in a day or so. >It seems silly but... >Maybe it's just that you don't understand what Lyra feels. >You haven't seen your dad in... >So long. >And so long were your last words to him. >If only you could return to Hollow Shades once more... >It's been a couple days since the restaurant incident. >You and Echo have been going about your daily business. >Food, chat, whatnot. >It's become a little routine. >Yesterday was agitating though. >Some asshole had written some discriminative graffiti on your wall, targeting the poor batpony. >You swore to Echo if you found out who did it that they'd pay. >She told you not to bother though. >The mare seems less stressed about being mistreated than you are. >It just... >Disgusted you completely! >You sigh, thinking about how awful Echo must feel. >”Anon, are you feeling okay?” >You lie upon the couch, exhausted from the lack of sleep. >The bed still isn't yours, and Echo didn't let you in it last night. >No matter. >Like you said [spoiler]lied[/spoiler], the couch is comfier. “I'm fine. I just haven't slept so good in a few days.” >She frowns. >”You sure that's all?” >You'll come clean... >Eventually. >But for now nothing needs said. “Yep.” >”Hmm...” >She walks out. >Turn your head back over, hoping to get a little 40 winks in before- >BAM >The batpony chuckles at you. >A pillow. >So that's how it's gonna be. >Stand up slowly with the pillow in hand. “You ain't gonna win this.” >With all the effort you can muster, you pull the pillow behind your back. “Run, little bat, run.” >You wing it around, thumping Echo full force into the door. >”Ouch! Oh boy...” >Chuckle as she struggles to get up from the floor. >”You're for it now.” >She flaps her wings up and charges at you. >With the pillow in hoof, she buzzes you and smacks you in the face with it, making you fall. >Nope. Not happenin'. “Ouch.” >”Give up?” >She still has the pillow. >And she still has her wings. >...Maybe you'll let her chalk this one up as a win. “Fine.” >She gets this one, and this one only. >Scowling at her, she drops the pillow and winks at you. >”Better luck next time...” >Curse you, flirty sarcasm. “So, you got anything in mind for today?” >”N'yah. Thought I'd kick back with a book, if that's okay with you.” “God, you're so boring Echo.” >She sticks her tongue out at you. “Don't you wanna go anywhere?” >She looks down, opening her mouth to speak. >No sound comes out. “Well?” >”...There is somewhere.” “Go on.” >The mare sighs. >”There's no point. I can't go.” >Your eyebrow lifts. “Why?” >She hesitates. >”B-because. It's some place I haven't been in years, and for good reason.” >This is getting tiresome. “Well, you can't just say you can't go somewhere then not tell me.” >Echo huffs. >”Fine.” >... >”I want to go to Hollow Shades.” >Her hoof scuffs the floor. >”I can't, because everyone there chased me out.” “What for?” >”I stole- well, tried to steal, something of value.” “What was it?” >”The Chronicle.” >What on earth...? “Go on.” >”It's basically a collection of the history of all bat ponies who ever were. Nobody knows where it came from, or who made it. It's one of the most prized possessions of Hollow Shades. Nop0ny is allowed to look at it.” “Why not?” >She looks around anxiously. >”It's forbidden by Luna herself. The thing is... It doesn't just have events that have happened. It has events that are going to happen, a batpony can find out all he or she wants to about their life, or the lives of others.” “So what did you want to find out?” >”What would happen to my dad.” >What's this? >”Before I could snatch it though, one of the Royal Guard, Jasmine I think her name was, caught me.” >Her face turns red. >”I was told I could avoid prison if I left Hollow Shades...” “But, why did you want to find out what would happen to your dad?” >She turns away from you. >”I'd rather not talk about that, if that's okay.” >You nod. “How long do you have to stay out of Hollow Shades for?” >”...Life.” >She lets out a small laugh. >”It's funny, really...” >The batpony turns back to you. >”I wanted to find out what would happen to my dad... and now he hopes he never finds out what happens to me.” >There are small droplets of water filling up her eyes. >”I just want to see him so badly.” >She collapses in a heap, tears streaming down her face now. >”I never even got to apologise...” >Echo doesn't even look at you, too ashamed of herself. >You can't think of a single word to say. >If there was ever a moment where you felt useless, it was now. >The only thing you can do is wrap your arms around the sobbing mare. >She clutches onto you. >You begin to feel your shoulder turning wet with tears. >”I'm sorry for all this.” “It's fine... I understand.” >For a few more minutes you sit there with the batpony, simply allowing her to let it all out. >It's all you can do for now.