>Maybe this bipedal creature is your way out of loneliness.
>He's certainly helping with all of your social... inadequacies.
>For want of a better word.
>And so did Lyra, after she offered her friendship.
>Such a strange thing, to think you were homeless less than a week ago.
>All thanks to Anonymous, the strange ape-looking creature.
>What a guy!
>...If only the rest of the world could be like him.
>Accept you.

>Day 6 of Housemate in Equestria.
>Ever since Lyra and her went to the theatre with you, Echo appears to be coming out of her shell.
>She doesn't seem to retract at every small thing that happens anymore.
>But a fair few p0nies in town still seem to balk at her presence.
>It's irritating but you can't do much about it, not when you don't speak to most of them.
>The most you can do is give a condescending look towards them.
>No use bothering with them.
>It's not fun to see Echo backing into herself though.
>Even though you've known her only for a few days, it's as if a small part of you dies each time she does that look.
>When she stares at the ground for a while, saying nothing, covering her face with a wing.
>It simply pains you to witness.
>Yesterday when you were buying foodstuffs in the market with her, one of the vendors flat-out refused to sell you products simply because you were with her.

>”Is... that, with you?”
>You stare in awe at the nerve of this p0ny.
>Looking him right in the eye, you say a single word.
“Yes.”
>His eyebrows lower in anger, and he brings up a sign.
>It says “No bats.”
>Echo almost speaks, but defeats herself internally.
>Before you go to give the vendor a piece of your mind, Echo puts a hoof to your arm.
>”It's not worth it.”
>You turn to the p0ny.
“I... Whatever. I hope you're happy with yourself.”
>On the walk home, Echo says absolutely nothing.
>Staring forward with an emotionless, dead face.
>It kills you.
“Echo... Are you okay?”
>”Let's not talk about it.”
>You sigh, and keep facing ahead.
>A small filly with a bow in her mane passes, turning and giving the pair of you a funny look.
>”That's a mighty funny lookin' pair.”
>Huh. Sounds familiar.
>Echo doesn't seem to hear it.
>Or if she did, she drowned it out.
>The pair of you come to your house and go inside, heads hanging low.

>Echo didn't say much for the rest of that day.
>But today is fresh anew, and she seems happier.
>She comes through to the kitchen and you've already made her breakfast.
>”Pancakes and pineapples?”
>Shrug.
“An odd combination. But hey, don't knock it til you try it, right?”
>She looks at it gingerly, unsure of it.
“Come on. If it sucks you can feed me something terrible.”
>She smirks.
>”Cool.”
>The batp0ny takes a bite.
>Her face contorts a little...
>Oh dear.
>”It's... not actually that bad.”
>Thank goodness.
>”I'm still making you eat something awful though.”
>Dammit.
“You're gonna be the death of me, you know.”
>She snickers quietly to herself.

>You've decided that you, Lyra and Echo will try a restaurant today.
>Echo said she wouldn't be disappointed if they denied her service.
>You'll just go somewhere else.
>The doorbell rings, and the minty pony has a bag in her mouth.
>You look at her funny.
“Why do you need that?”
>”Bmphcmph it gmth mph munh!”
>You take it out of her jaws.
>”Because it's got my money!”
“Oh.”
>You put a hand up to your face and laugh into it.
>”Are we going then?”
“Sure, Echo.”
>You set off for the restaurant.

>Inside, you patiently await your meals.
>Shame there's no good steak pies here. Even griffons didn't have them.
>A fruit salad is just as good though.
>...Who are you kidding? Salad sucks in comparison.
>But it's all there is on the menu that's edible.
>Grass burgers don't sound so appealing.
>”I hope the salad has bananas.”
>Oh, here we go.
“What is it with bananas?”
>”Well... They're just the best. Shaped best, taste best.”
>Uh.
>”Door handled shaped things are the best.”
>Raise a 'brow.
“Are you messing with me?”
>Lyra looks at the pair of you, and begins to laugh.
>Echo plays dumb.
>”What are you talking about?”
“You're- You just- You know what? I ain't falling for this.”
>”Your food, sir and madams.”
“Oh, thanks.”
>The waiter lays down the plates.
>The two stare at their food, eyes glinting in awe.
>”It looks AMAZING!”
>”Divine!”
“It looks alright.”
>Lyra turns.
>”What is WITH you?!”
>Somewhere left, a p0ny speaks.
>”That batp0ny.”
>The minty one turns her head sharply.
>”Excuse me?”
>You swivel your head around, to see an old frail p0ny in the corner.
“What's your deal?”
>”They ain't natural, them things. They shouldn't even be allowed in this here restaurant.”
>That's it.
“You know, I am sick and tired of people like you.”
>”Wha-?”
“Constantly putting these p0nies down simply for having SLIGHTLY different characteristics to you. It's as if you all forgot about Hearth's Warming Day. Hell, even I remember that, and I'm not from this land.”
>He frowns at you.
>”Now you listen here you little varmint, ain't no creature big or small gonna tell me what I can and can't do!”
>Other patrons turn to see all the fuss.
“No, I'm going to tell you what you can and can't do, old timer. You're GONNA treat my friend Echo with respect, and you're NOT gonna show your face around here again.”
>Some p0nies give a small cheer, while others boo.
>Echo and Lyra approach behind you 
>Echo taps you on the shoulder.
>”Anon, just leave it. Come back to the booth.”
“No, I'm disgusted by the nerve of this guy. Who does he think he is?”
>”It's no use, he's too old and stubborn to have his opinion changed.”
“Lyra, I can handle this.”
>She stammers a little.
>”No, I know he can't, Anon.”
>Sighing, she pauses for a second.
>”That's my dad.”
>Oh.
>Fuck.
“Oh, god, I'm sorry.”
>”*huff* It's fine. Can we just get out of here?”
“Yeah. I think that'd be best for all involved.”
>She looks angry.
>Damn.
>You turn to the waiter, and thank him.
“Echo, come on...”
>That could've gone a little better.