>A couple days have passed since the convenience store incidence.
>You couldn't look at Ray Beam or Grittle at work yesterday.
>But you're pretty content now, with 3 days off in a row.
>It would probably be a good day to hang out with Echo.
>She worked last night though. She'd be sleeping for quite a while longer.
>You lay in your bed for another couple hours in silent comfort.
>Getting out of bed, your legs feel cramped and arm muscles stretched out.
>Working another day would have been the end of life as you know it.
>It's 11am now.
>Funny how they use the same time system here.
>What the hell is with this world anyways?
>It's nearly the exact same as back home.
>Only no great inventions like the computer and is inhabited by various intelligent species instead of just humans.
>You decide to create some variety and make an omlette for breakfast.
>Well, guess taking it easy for a while is the best bet.
>You sit down on the couch and eat your breakfast fit for a king.
>Finishing up, you pick up the Equestrian news and begin to read aloud.
"The greatest party in Equestria!"
>Headline news huh.
"Inside news from the Canterlot Grand Galloping Gala."
>Canterlot.
>You've been there once before.
>When you arrived in Equestria, you were brought into a police station for questioning after trying to ask some ponies what was going on.
>Quickly they brought you to Canterlot, a rather small mountainside architectural marvel. It's the capital of Equestria for some odd reason.
>They took some simple tests using their unicorn magic. According to them you were not a newcommer, but an extreme rarity in their world. 
>Judging by your ability to understand and communicate, they recommended you to try and gain citizenship in Equestria.
>The test was easy, You were able to display competent communication skills, empathy, memory capacity, and learning ability.
>Assumed to not be a danger and able to live similar lives with ponies, you were awarded citizenship.

>Of course, gaining citizenship didn't do much good. Finding work took a long time.
>Education was not an option as no institution would allow you in with your word that you graduated from a high school that doesn't exist.
>So now you're here. 
>Here at a dead end with no reverse pedal.
>Sigh.
>You look at the front page picture.
>There's a bunch of extravagant looking ponies. The majority are unicorns.
>There's very few unicorns around here. Wouldn't their magic be able to do all of your work, and coworkers' work in a fraction of the time?
>What use do Earth ponies really serve?
>What use do you serve?
>Looking closely at the photo, you see an eccentric group of 6 ponies in the foreground.
>Lovely dresses. 
>Never seen a mane like that blue one's.
>You wish you and Echo could have been there.
>It would've been wonderful. So happy, nothing to worry about.
>But it could've never happened.
>You're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year. 
>While wanting to smile at your reference, you remember you can't listen to Earth's music anymore.
>Maybe you should invent the USB port. Or the computer. Or even the television god damn.
>Oh wait, you never bothered to learn how that shit works.
>Diverting your attention back to the article, you realize another large difference about Equestria compared to Earth.
>They never talk about the bad things.
>Back home, most news is about crime, accidents, serious politics, health worries, and world economics.
>All the papers here hardly ever report on those things.
>The most serious story you've read was either the griffin colony disappearing in the mountains, or the sugar factory in Fillydelphia blowing up.
>They never reported how many were injured or killed.
>It seems the monarchy-like government here wants to pretend that everything is always peachy.
>Would that really make the ponies here happier?

>No, most would probably like to know more than they're shown.
>You know that everypony is not all happy like an outside observer would think at first glance.
>After a long relaxing afternoon, you look at the clock.
"4pm." 
>Echo should have had a long enough sleep by now.
>You get up and stretch your muscles for a bit.
>Maybe you and Echo should go out somewhere for a change.
>You and her have really only relied on eachother's company for entertainment for most part.
>Wasting money would be annoying though.
>But would it be *wasting?*
>After all, it's for her, not you.
>Is she worth it though?
>Definitely. 
>You walk over to her apartment and knock on the door.
>No sound is heard from inside.
>You knock a few more times.
>A faint yawn is heard.
>Hoof steps
>Closer... closer.
>A squeaky creak and you spot her two intriguing, beautiful eyes past the door.
>"Oh, hi Anon." 
>She fidgets awkardly and rubs her eyes.
"Hey, what's up?"
>"As you can tell, I was sleeping."
>Rather stupid question you conclude.
"It's a bit past 4pm, want to do something tonight?" 
>"With you?"
>Obviously.
"Yeah. Is there any place in this city good for entertainment?"
>She looks at you with a deadpan expression.
>"This is Manehatten, there's like places to do stuff everywhere you idiot."
"I meant like within walking distance."
>Because there's no damn cars and public transit is rare around here.
>She grins.
>"You know Anon. I can get anywhere in this city pretty quickly. Wanna ride me?"
>You would've spat out milk if you were drinking any.
"Can you support me? I don't know if it's safe."
>She laughs.
>"It's nothing!" What do you weigh like 90 pounds? I can take it!"
"Double that."
>She falters her stance and looks awkwardly down for a second, then back up at you.
>"No problem!"
>Her boast sounds very doubtful.

"I don't know Echo. How about we just go somewhere nearby."
>Her expression changes to anger
>"No! You're mounting me and we're going to have some fun!"
>Oh boy.
"Heh. Alright fine. You know a good place to go?"
>She furrows her brow and thinks for a bit.
>"Do you dance?"
>Hell no.
"Not particularily, I have done it a few times. But I'm pretty terrible at it.
>"Kekee." She giggles.
>"Well I'm pretty damn good, let's go to this club I've heard about."
>A club? You've only been to one once. You were like the feel guy with his feet hurting at a party.
"Alright. Now?"
>"I don't know if they're open yet."
"That's fine. I just don't want to be stuck in this damn building any longer. If they're not open let's just take a walk around."
>She smiles, bearing her fangs.
>You leave the building together. She's trotting along right beside you, brushing against your legs occasionally.
>"Alright anon!"
>You've never seen her with such a determined face.
>"Get on."
>You oblige, awkwardly putting your legs around her taunt frame.
>You sit down on her, planting your hands on her upper back.
>"See you're nothing, I got this!"
"I haven't put my weight on you yet."
>Echo stammers, then quickly retorts.
>"Well then hurry up!"
>In one motion you lift your feet off the ground, putting all your weight on the dark grey bat pony below you.
>Immediately she tenses up.
>Her breathing increases pace and her legs start to tremble.
>"Alright Anon, r-ready for the ride of y-your life?"
>This is not going to work. But you know she'll get angry if you get off her.
"Yep, sure am."
>She lowers her body and does a swift takeoff towards the night sky.
>Suddenly you are falling back down.
>"Ahh!" 
>In a second you take your legs off her and put yourself into a spooning position with her, while flipping so your back faces the ground.
>*Thud*

"Fuck!"
>That hurt.
>"OmygodshitAnonareyouokay?"
>Echo get's off you and stares you down with frightened eyes.
>Your lower back is in agony.
>Holding back tears, you try to stand up.
>"Anon should I get someone? How bad is it?"
>While it's painful, at least it doesn't seem like you broke anything.
>Wheels are grinding against the pavement.
>You manage to get up to a standing position.
"It's alright. My back just hurts a bit."
>"I'm so sorry. You want to go lay down?"
>The wheels are closer.
>Looking at Echo, you see she's staring somewhere else.
>Oh, it's a carousel, a few pegasi pulling it with ease.
>The front one calls over
>"You alright there partners? We saw you take a clumsy fall."
>Echo looks back at you, wondering what to say.
"We're alright. I just hurt my back a bit is all."
>The ponies look at eachother.
>"I don't think I've ever seen someone of your stature. What were you two doing anyways?"
>Echo starts to fidget.
>Guess there's no point in lying.
"She was going to give me a ride to a place."
>The pegasi share confused glances at eachother.
>"Well that's the dumbest thing I've heard today. You're like twice her size."
>Echo quickly retorts 
>"Yeah? And that carousel is like twice your guys' size put together.
>The pegasi stare at Echo, then start chuckling.
>"We're pulling it, not putting it on our backs. If we did that we wouldn't be able to fly either."
>"Plus we're a lot stronger. Been doing this for years."
>Echo fumes.
"Shh" you whisper to her.
"Let it go."
>She looks at you with an evil glare, then sighs.
>The pegasi call over again.
>"We can give you two a ride over to wherever in Manehatten you want."
>This is going to be costly.
>"If you let us have a round with you sweetie."
>Echo freezes and blushes uncontrollably.
>Now it's your turn to fume
"I think she'll pass" you snarl.
>The pegasi start laughing.

>"Mr. White Knight huh? Tell you what, we'll take you wherever you want for half price. 40 bits for the both of you."
>You don't even care. Just as you're about to tell them you'll pass, Echo taps your legs and whispers to you.
>"Let's take it Anon. Cmon, don't you want to go out for the night at least one time?"
>She's staring at you with her stunning cat-like eyes.
"Deal."
>The pegasi cheer
>"Well then come on and hop in. Where we taking you?"
>You tap Echo with your foot.
>"Oh!" she pipes up. "Black Glitter's Nighttime Entertainment."
>"Lot's of ponies been going there," a pegasus grumbles.
>You and Echo get in the Carousel and sit down beside eachother on the lush seating.
>"The ride will be about 10 minutes!" you hear one of the pegasi call.
>Suddenly you're moving.
>Echo lays her head into you.
>You're off the ground.
>There's something serene about flying.
>It takes away the pain in your back.
>"Anon are you okay?"
>You look down at a worried Echo.
"Perfectly fine. There's just a bit of pain. It will go away by the end of tonight."
>And then come back to bit you tomorrow morning.
>She looks like she doesn't trust your word, but accepts defeat anyways.
>"That's good. Sorry about doing that. I guess I'm not as strong as I thought I was."
"Nah you're strong, I'm just heavy."
>She looks at you with a smile. With her left front hoof she starts rubbing your chest.
>Why does she have feelings towards you?
>You're a human. A completely different species.
>Not only that, but you're not very interesting or successful.
>Why do you have feelings towards her then?
>You've been pondering how you feel about Echo.
>She's definitely cute. And she's pretty kind, at least to you.
>Admittingly, you do like her. 
>But it feels just off. Is it really worth trying to pursue a relationship with her?
>You've known her for little time.

>What if it doesn't work out?
>What if you go back to having zero friends?
>The thought of a human-pony relationship still disuades you.
>it just seems wrong.
>What if her parents find out she's with another species? A non-pony species at that?
>So many what ifs.
>You decide to just continue hanging around with her, but not make anything official.
>If she asks, you will comply though.
>Her body is warm against your side.
>You move your right hand to her stomach.
>God damn that's soft.
>What is it with these pony's coats?
>You rub your hand along her tummy.
>"kekekee" she giggles.
>The warmth of her coat radiates onto your hand.
>Your hand feels like its melting into her fur.
>Your left hand rises to her ear and you start scratching.
>"Eeeee." she squeals.
>"It's sensitive." she pleads.
>You continue scratching her ear while rubbing her stomach.
>Her ear twitches, shaking around the tuft of fur on top.
>"Ah, A-anon."
>Her back legs clench together and she starts grinding on the seat slowly.
>Is she seriously getting horny?
>*Bump*
>The Carousel has hit the ground?!?
>You remove your hands from Echo
>She sighs deeply in frustration.
>The Carousel comes to a halt. 
>"We're here! Come on out!" one of the pegasi calls.
>You and Echo get out of the Carousel.
>Woah
>Neon lights everywhere, flashy signs and posters are plastered everywhere.
>There's lot's of ponies walking around. You even spot a minotaur and a couple griffins.
>"That'll be 40 bits."
>You sigh and dig into your pockets.
>Rummaging through, you manage to accumulate 40 bits.
>The pegasi cheer 
>"Thanks dude. You need to be picked up later?"
>You look at Echo. 
>She's looking around at all the ponies herself, not paying attention to your commotion.
>Probably for the best, even if you don't like these guys.

"Yeah sure. What time is it now?"
>"5:24pm."
"Okay, pick us up at 11pm."
>"11?" they snicker. "The club goes on until like 3am man."
"I highly doubt you guys are still working at 3am."
>They share a short chuckle.
>"That's true. We get off around midnight. So 11pm? We'll see you and Ms. sweet cheeks then."
>They're looking over at Echo.
>Her back is turned to you and the Pegasi.
>Ugh.
"Get out of here."
>They laugh, then turn and take off.
>You walk over to Echo and tap her head.
>"Oh. We going in now?"
"Yeah, let's go. By the way we're leaving at 11, the same pegasi will pick us up then."
>She smirks
>"Then I don't have to carry you I guess."
"I hope not."
>You arrive and enter the large club.
>Bright, flashing lights and neon flooring everywhere.
>You can hear constant rabbling between ponies, and heavy thudding music coming from the door at the end of the hallway.
>Echo looks delighted, but a bit overwhelmed.
>You admit you are too.
>Some ponies are having a good look at you, curiously trying to guess what you are.
>Passing into the main room, the music becomes loud. 
>Similar to the EDM back home.
>You walk over to an empty table against a wall and sit down.
>Echo sits in the chair beside you.
>You don't feel like jumping in yet, gotta test the waters, observe what's happening.
>There's ponies dancing on the club floor in the center, many ponies either conversing or watching them from the tables situated around the floor.
>A ginormous bar is situated in the corner, and a stage is opposite to the entry way.
>There's no one on the stage right now, the music is being played by some pony in an overlooking glass box.
>"So what's your flare?"
>Your turn to Echo, she's eyeing you with interest.
"My flare?"
>"Yeah, like what makes you feel like you're alive. You seem so uninterested in things, there must be something that makes you feel like you can take on the world."

>You ponder this for a moment. Well, music made you happy. So did getting into shit with your friends.
>But there was never any passion.
>No spirit, no flare. 
"I have yet to find one."
>Echo looks at you with disappointment.
>"Lighten up! Cmon let's party for a change."
>You smile at her enthusiasm.
>"Wanna go hit the dance floor?"
>Hell no.
"Sure."
>She hops out of her seat and drags you down to the center of the club.
>You briefly wonder what her "flare" is, if she has one.
>But there's more important things now.
>How the fuck do you dance again?
>Oh shit oh shit
>Echo stops dragging you. 
>"Cmon Anon, let's do it!"
>She starts some sort of hop skip irish dance thing what the fuck is she doing.
>You try to follow along, but are failing miserably.
>Looking around, the other dancing ponies are doing far different dancing than Echo.
>Not bothering to look outwards to the tables at fear of all the ponies staring at you, you go back to watching Echo's odd dance moves.
>Improvising a bit now, you're doing some fast paced kicking around, looking awfully stupid.
>Echo starts laughing.
>"Anon! What are you doing? kekeke"
>You don't care, keep moving those legs Anon. Never stop the jam.
>It feels as if time has stopped, you keep moving and spinning.
>Each moment feels an eternity.
>Looking over at Echo, she's got a giant smile on her face. Her hooves are so dexterious, but at the same time her dance is just weird. Nothing you've ever seen before.
>You continue to watch her as you slow down a bit.
>Her hips are shaking around, her neck swerving down and up.
>She's in her own world now, a world without past or future.
>All that matters is now. 
>That's all you wish did matter.
>Out of the corner of your eye you spot a minotaur breakdancing.
>Well at least you're not the only bipedal here.

>The music picks up an even faster pace. Bass is thumping into your skull.
>Everyone on the floor is trying to keep up.
>Echo has just resorted to stomping her hooves randomly.
>The Minotaur is now the star of the show.
>Ponies are all cheering him on and making a circle around him.
>Suddenly the music cuts out.
>Everyone stops dancing and looks up towards the stage.
>"Mares and Gentlecoats, please show your love for Black Glitter!"
>The ponies start cheering.
>From the back stage comes out various exotic looking ponies with clothes that look like they weigh as much as they do.
>One sports a hat that towers above you even.
>Looking over at Echo, she's panting and watching the stage with interest.
>All the spotlights in the club move to the right side of the stage entrance.
>The ponies start cheering louder.
>Dressed in all black in a rather suggestive leather outfit with all sorts of devil attire and jewelry comes the one known as Black Glitter.
>She trots seductively to the center stage and bats her eyelashes around at the crowds.
>"Hello my lovely little toys. Enjoying the night?"
>The crowds shout "yeaaahs."
>"That's wonderful. Now I'm sorry to inform you, but the night hasn't even begun!"
>Everyone starts cheering, even Echo.
>Wait a minute
>She has fangs, and her pupils are slits.
>Black Glitter is a bat pony?
>The music starts.
>All the ponies on stage start a synchronized performance.
>You watch Black Glitter intently.
>Her ears have that tuft of fur still. Devil horns cap her head.
>dark purple hair with glittery blue beeds and sparkly dark green highlights don't contrast well her her plain grey coat.
>She's got black leather hiding her wings, but there's a bump on each side where they should show.
>Most ponies are watching the performance.
>She must be well respected here, even if she's a bat pony.
>Echo is dancing again. 
>Deciding to join her, you come up beside her.
>She smiles at you.
>Your heart can't take it.

>The music is slower so its easier to dance with her this time.
>While you may still be awful, you don't look as silly anymore.
>Time passes much faster this time.
>Eventually both you and Echo are tired.
>Your back still aches, but your legs are more fatigued.
>The same table is still empty.
"Let's sit."
>Echo and you sit down together.
>Beads of sweat drip down from her forehead. Her breathing is frantic.
>"That - was fun - Anon."
>You smile at her and she smiles back.
"You were pretty damn good, I'm impressed."
>"I used - to dance back with my parents often."
"Well they taught you well."
>You put your arm around her.
>Her breathing has regulated a bit by now.
>She looks up at you with half closed eyes.
>Staring for a bit into her unique and lovingly seductive eyes, you lean in.
>Your lips connect without sound.
>Nothing else matters right now.
>The present is everything.
>Your heart races as you kiss her.
>Her lips feel locked in yours.
>Pulling away, she starts giggling.
>"Thank you for tonight Anon."
>You both watch Black Glitter and co's performance for a while.
>"She's sure hot isn't she?" Echo comments.
"She's definitely a pretty pony. The second bat pony I've seen. Not as pretty as the first."
>Echo laughs at your cheesiness.
>You sit around with Echo, grabbing drinks and talking about nonsense for a while.
"It's 10:55, let's head out."
>You leave the club together, Echo rubbing against your leg as you walk.
>Tonight has been a good night.
>No, most would probably like to know more than they're shown.
>You know that everypony is not all happy like an outside observer would think at first glance.
>After a long relaxing afternoon, you look at the clock.
"4pm." 
>Echo should have had a long enough sleep by now.
>You get up and stretch your muscles for a bit.
>Maybe you and Echo should go out somewhere for a change.
>You and her have really only relied on eachother's company for entertainment for most part.
>Wasting money would be annoying though.
>But would it be *wasting?*
>After all, it's for her, not you.
>Is she worth it though?
>Definitely. 
>You walk over to her apartment and knock on the door.
>No sound is heard from inside.
>You knock a few more times.
>A faint yawn is heard.
>Hoof steps
>Closer... closer.
>A squeaky creak and you spot her two intriguing, beautiful eyes past the door.
>"Oh, hi Anon." 
>She fidgets awkardly and rubs her eyes.
"Hey, what's up?"
>"As you can tell, I was sleeping."
>Rather stupid question you conclude.
"It's a bit past 4pm, want to do something tonight?" 
>"With you?"
>Obviously.
"Yeah. Is there any place in this city good for entertainment?"
>She looks at you with a deadpan expression.
>"This is Manehatten, there's like places to do stuff everywhere you idiot."
"I meant like within walking distance."
>Because there's no damn cars and public transit is rare around here.
>She grins.
>"You know Anon. I can get anywhere in this city pretty quickly. Wanna ride me?"
>You would've spat out milk if you were drinking any.
"Can you support me? I don't know if it's safe."
>She laughs.
>"It's nothing!" What do you weigh like 90 pounds? I can take it!"
"Double that."
>She falters her stance and looks awkwardly down for a second, then back up at you.
>"No problem!"
>Her boast sounds very doubtful.