>Your nose is wet.
>You feel a cold coating of... something across your skin.
>Sweat? Dew?
>The floor smells like leaves.
>And soil.
>A nerve twitch reverberates through your body as you test your body.
>Turns out it's really, really uncomfortable.
>Back hurts, can't feel your arm.
>You think you slept on it.
>Oh yeah, and something just poked your back.
>That kinda woke you up.
>You feel too weak to even groan, but whatever it was that poked your back did it again.
>Trying to wake up with your face down on a forest floor isn't very pleasant.
>Regardless, you shake your head, rolling on your side and finally letting out a groan.
>You hear the shuffling of hooves on leaves, undoubtedly a pony.
>An observer.
>A guard, perhaps?
>Groaning again, you shake your head and slowly open your eyes.
>The tall forest canopy greets you, pale blue light shining through the leaves.
>It's early morning.
>Seems like the sun hasn't even risen, yet.
>Looking to your side, you see the sharp end of a spear pointed at you, inches from your face.
>Well, you've been caught.
>Oh well.
"Couldn't give me five more minutes?" you croak out, your vision blurry.
>A subtle snort from the pony reaches your eyes.
>"Wouldn't have been a comfortable five minutes," the mare responds, her voice soft but... creamy.
>Like coffee.
>The mare lowers the spear and your eyes focus on her.
>"I take it you're that... human?" she asks, blinking her slitted amber eyes under her dark iron guard helmet.
>A bat pony.
>Rarely see those.
>You let out a breath you've been holding, taking in a deep breath of fresh morning air afterwards.
>Sitting yourself up with one hand and rubbing your aching head with the other, you let out a snort of your own.
"The one and only."
>A smile creeps onto her grey-furred face.
>She shuffles the spear over the leather harness on her back.

>"It's not often we get visitors, here."
>Another sigh escapes your lips as you lower the arm rubbing your head.
"This wasn't exactly a visit."
>"A visitor's a visitor, intended or not."
"That some guard saying, or something?"
>She lets out a little chuckle.
>"Actually, yes," she answers, nodding her head towards a direction. "Can you walk?"
>No use running, now.
>Might as well as play along.
"Yeah," you croak, shifting a bit to test your leg muscles. "Taking me in?"
>"It's my job."
>Her smirk curls into a small frown.
>"They put out a big call to find you."
>Ugh.
>You don't want to think about it.
"Whatever, just... let's go."
>You groggily stand up, dusting your suit off.
>A leaf falls out from your hair.
>You reach upwards, giving out a loud yawn as you stretch.
>She regards you with a concerned expression.
>"Sensitive subject?"
"Maybe."
>"You're not gonna pull something, are you?"
>That makes you scoff.
"Distrustful of me, already?"
>"We just met."
>You laugh.
"I'm Anon."
>"Sergeant Echo, at your service."
>She does a little curtsy, earning some raised eyebrows from you.
"A sergeant. I guess I'm honoured?"
>She rolls her eyes.
>"Let's go, Mr. Anon. My checkpoint is that way," she directs, pointing towards an indistinguishable direction.
"Lead the way, sarge."
>With a nod in your direction, she turns to walk.
>You follow her, your feet crunching the leaves on the forest floor.
>The trees are really, really tall, here.
>"If you don't mind me asking, how'd you end up here?"
>You elect to shake your head, but she wouldn't see it anyways.
"Long story."
>Echo leaps over a large tree trunk blocking the path.
>You do the same.
>"I like long stories."
>You can't help but sigh.
"Look, ma'am, let's just get this over with."
>"Gee, sorry for trying to strike up a conversation," she grunts, shaking her head.

>She's giving you sass.
"Are you giving me sass?"
>You can't tell from behind, but you think she looks taken aback.
>"Mm... sorry, mister. We just don't get to talk to many ponies out here."
>A laugh escapes your lips.
"That's what you get for being a guard."
>She turns her head to glare at you.
>"I like being a guard, thank you very much."
"In the middle of... nowhere?"
>"Welcome to Hollow Shades," she snaps, snorting.
>Hollow Shades.
>How quaint.
"It's certainly... hollow."
>"Was that a pun?"
"There's nothing here but abnormally large trees."
>"We're on the outskirts."
"Aye-kay-aye, the middle of nowhere."
>"Hmm... point taken."

>Finally, after a few minutes of walking and overcoming obstacles, a wooden shack comes into view.
>A shack that's built high on one of the thick and tall tree trunks.
>Orange light pours out of the little windows.
>"There's my checkpoint," Echo points, gesturing to the structure.
"Looks comfy," you comment.
>"It is. We have food inside."
>Your stomach subconsciously grumbles.
"That seems to be a problem."
>She looks back to you.
>"What?"
"I can't fly," you answer, placing your hands on your hips.
>"Oh. We have a ladder."
>Looking up at the tall tree, you shake your head.
"Nope."
>Echo nods her head.
>"Good, I wasn't gonna take you up there," she snarks with a smile.
>You mock-roll your eyes.
"What a lovely host."
>"I do my best," she giggles, shaking her head. "Speaking of effort, someone's not doing their job."
>You take a step back, observing the shack.
>Doesn't look like there's any pony up there.
>Panning your head, you see nothing else around the area.
>Echo lets out a loud sigh, walking forwards a bit before taking in a deep breath.
>"Night Watch!" she barks up at the tree, her voice surprisingly loud.
>No response.
>"NIGHT WATCH!"
>You think you hear a thud from above.
>"DAMMIT NIGHT WATCH, STOP SLEEPING!"
>A loud crash with the sound of a few pots falling to a wooden floor alert you to a presence in the shack.
>Echo angrily sighs, tapping her right forehoof on the ground.
>She turns to you with an apologetic expression.
>"She's... like that."
"Okay."
>After a few more indiscernible noises, a helmted head finally pops out of the shack's open door.
>"What?!" the supposed Night Watch yells.
>"Get down here!" Echo yells back.
>"Why!" Her eyes focus on you, and you give a little wave. "Oh! Shit! Uuu-uh, h-hold on!"
>She retreats back into the building, causing more noises to happen.
>A few moments pass and she finally walks through the door in her entirity, leaping off of the wooden platform with her blue wings outstretched.

>Her leather-coated body touches down in front of Echo, who gives her a scrutinizing look.
>Ignoring her gaze, she walks past Echo, staring straight at you with her berry-magenta eyes.
>"What do we have here?" she says with a cat-like voice, her head slightly tilted.
>Bangs of ocean blue partially cover her eyes, held down by her leather helmet.
>She's kinda hot.
>You open your mouth to speak, but you're interrupted by Echo angrily shoving her aside.
>"Night Watch, you shouldn've been at your post! What were you doing?" she seethes through her teeth.
>"Relax, Echo," Night Watch dismisses, calmly pushing her aside to look at you again. "I was... sleeping."
>Echo regards her with a blank stare.
>"Ugh, you weren't doing... that, were you?"
>Night Watch snickers.
>"You didn't object that one time."
>That sends Echo into blushes and flusters.
>"ONE TIME! Night Watch!" she growls.
>You can't help but chuckle, earning a glare from Echo.
>You don't know what to say, but you like these mares already.
>Hot female guards doing things to each other in the middle of nowhere?
>Why not.
>"Gonna introduce me to your friend?" Night Watch asks, gesturing to you.
>"Ugh..." 
>Echo shakes her head, returning to a neutral expression. 
>"Night Watch, this is Anon. He's what happened to be what I thought I saw, earlier," she says, nudging Night Watch's side. "And Anon, this is Private Night Watch. My subordinate."
>A grin curls onto Night Watch's lips at that.
>"Pleasure to meet you, Anon," she greets, holding out a hoof.
"Nice to meet you too," you respond, shaking her hoof with your hand.
>"Ooh, his hand is warm," Night Watch whispers, glancing over to Echo.
>The blush on Echo's face hasn't subsided, causing Night Watch to laugh.
>Echo sighs.
>"Okay, formalities exchanged, you know how they sent a call out for a human a few days ago?" she says to Night Watch.
>"Yeah?"
>"Well, this is him."
>Night Watch's eyes brighten.
>"Waait, so, we found him?"
>"I found him."

>"Damn, do we get gold or something?"
"They put a bounty for me?" you edge in.
>"No," Echo snaps. "But we have to take him in."
>Night Watch looks at you with a raised eyebrow.
>"And he's not running, or anything?"
>"No."
"I'm right here."
>"I guess you want me to take him in?" Night Watch asks, ignoring you and looking back to Echo.
>"No. Actually, I'm going to take him in," Echo responds, stepping forward and standing beside you. "I just came here to let you know. I'll send another pony back to accompany you. They'll probably keep me."
>"Huh. Okay, then."
>"Okay. You can head back to your post. And don't... slack off," Echo orders, trying to keep her composure.
>"Yes, ma'am," Night Watch says, looking to you. "Good luck on... whatever it is they want with you."
"Thanks, I guess." 
>She giggles, unfolding her wings and taking off the ground.
>"Hey, Echo? See if you can send that new recruit--Flare?--here," Night Watch requests as she flies back to the shack.
>Echo groans.
>"Tch. Not after what you did to the last one."
>As Night Watch enters the structure, Echo turns to you.
>"Okay... shall we move? Hollow Shades isn't that far."
>Sighing, you shrug.
"Yeah, lead the way."

>The two of you resume your trek, walking past the tree-shack.
>Looking up at the canopy, you see that the sky has brightened considerably.
>"So... you won't say anything about yourself," Echo speaks up through the sound of crunching leaves.
"I never said that," you respond, trailing behind her.
>"Well, do you have anything to share?"
>Your heart sinks.
>You don't really like her prodding.
"I don't really want to talk about me."
>She carefully nods, understanding.
>"That's fair, I suppose."
>After a few minutes of walking, small yellow dots catch your attention, hanging up high in the tree canopy.
>A sweet smell fills your nostrils.
>Must be some sort of fruit.
>Visibly, Echo seems to relax in her posture.
>No doubt she enjoys the smell.
>"I'm sorry," she suddenly pipes up.
>You give her a curious glance.
"What for?"
>"For being too nosy," she says guiltily.
"You're hardly the first," you chuckle.
>"I just don't normally meet humans."
"Neither does the rest of Equestria."
>"Yeah... I guess so. You must meet a lot of curious ponies, then."
"I do. Likewise, I don't normally meet a lot of bat ponies."
>She giggles.
>"Am I your first?"
"You are. I've seen a few of you in Luna's guards, but only from a distance."
>"Heh, that's what I want to be," Echo comments almost to herself. "I'm still surprised that you somehow ended up in our forest."
>The smell of sweet fruit--mangoes?--seems to become more concentrated the further you walk.
>Echo seems to be almost skipping, now.
>The canopy is notably thicker, the sunlight having more trouble getting through.
"Where are we going, exactly?" you ask, scanning the distant forest as you walk.
>You think you can see a bunch of structures in the distance, shrouded by the even darker canopy above.
>Blue and orange lights blink at you from within.
>"The town of Hollow Shades, of course," she responds, her voice chipper.
"I know, but where? You said you're taking me in."

>She tilts her head back in realization.
>"Oh, the guard station. You'll meet my superiors there, and they'll know what to do with you."
>You feel like you should feel intimidated, but your curiosity keeps you walking.
>The town is close enough for you have a good look at it.
>Dark wooden buildings line the ground, and even more are built high in the trees.
>Wooden platforms are everywhere, connected in a complex matrix of stairs and bridges.
>The canopy is the thickest here, enough that it almost looks like it's night time.
>Beautiful and bright fluorescent blue crystals sit on sticks against trees and railings, giving the town a blue glow.
>Orange lights emit from inside houses and buildings, possibly from torches or candles.
"Very nice town," you whistle, coming to a stop on the path before the buildings start.
>"Heh, thanks. Allow me to be the first to formally welcome you to Hollow Shades," she says, gesturing to the town. "Unfortunately, the guard station is on the other side of town..."
>You give her a reassuring smile.
"I don't think I'd mind taking a stroll through this."
>She shrugs.
>"Suit yourself."
>You note that the town seems vacant, none of the residents out and about.
>Echo seems to notice your questioning glance.
>"It's morning. Most bat ponies sleep during the day--they should all be retiring to their homes now if they haven't, already," she explains.
>You nod your head in understanding.
>As you walk through the town, she leads you up a fairly wide set of stairs that take you to a very large wooden platform.
>Each side of the platform is flanked by buildings, seemingly commercial.
>Most of them are dark inside, having closed for the day.
>One building remains lit, being seemingly a tavern.
>You're taken to the opposite edge of the platform where another thinner set of stairs await.
>You can't help but eye one of the bluey-glowy crystals on the railing.
>Echo notices your fascination, but doesn't interrupt.

"You said you wanted to be in Luna's guard," you ask, climbing up the stairs behind her.
>"I did," she responds, her voice barely above a whisper.
>This town makes you feel sleepy.
>"I'm trying to get into Canterlot. My entire team has already passed advanced, so we actually expect to get into vanguard, soon."
>You quirk an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I own a book store."
>She blinks and then giggles.
>"Oh. Yeah, vanguard training. It's after advanced, which is after basic."
>You recall your limited knowledge on military stuffs and nod.
"Sounds fun."
>"It was, actually. Hard, but fun. Vanguard's gonna be a whole new level," she explains. "After that, we get full status as night guard."
>The stair climbing starts to get tiring.
>Thankfully, it levels out to a platform.
>Echo leads you down a fairly wide bridge that seems to go on for the length of the town.
>Tall blue crystal lamps line the sides above the wooden railings.
"Aren't you technically night guards, now?"
>"Yeah, but we don't get the actual status until then. Right now, we're just town guards. My Lieutenant--Lieutenant Jasmine, you're going to meet her--has full status."
"She must be tough."
>Echo giggles.
>"No, you'll find that she's pretty relaxed. I love being under her command."
"I take it she's passed Vanguard, then?"
>A fairly large building with two floors looms into view, connected near the end of the bridge.
>Echo leads you down a smaller bridge that leads straight to it.

>"Mhmm. And command. But she was also selected to be an elite, which is really hard to get."
"This is getting confusing."
>She laughs, shaking her head as she approaches the large double doors at the front of the structure.
>Two stoic guards wearing similar apparel to Echo flank them, regarding you with statueque stares.
"That what you're going for?"
>"Mm. I've got a long ways to go, though, and only if I get lucky. It's supposed to be really hushy-hushy."
"Interesting."
>"It is. Aand, we're here," she says, pushing open the doors.

>You are met with a face full of orange light, the inside of the building bathed in an amber glow.
>Echo walks in and you follow, taking yourself to a lobby of sorts.
>The room is large, the ceiling spanning up to the second floor.
>A wide set of wooden stairs in the middle of the room lead up to the second floor, splitting off into two directions on either side.
>Hanging from the ceiling is a large chandelier, each of its some eight arms holding an orange glowing crystal.
>Echo walks off to the right where a long receptionist's desk is.
>"Hey, Springy," she greets a mare behind it, walking up to the desk.
>"Echo! You're early," the grey-maned mare exclaims before casting a glance your way. "I... see you've been busy."
>Echo nods her head in your direction.
>"You can say that. This is Anon," she says, gesturing to you with a hoof.
"Hi."
>You throw a small wave.
>"Huh. Hi there," the mare says, blinking twice. "My name's Springy."
"Pleasure to meet you."
>"Hmm... and to you, too."
>She turns to Echo.
>"I suppose you want to speak to Jasmine?"
>Echo nods in response.
>"Well, alright. She should still be in her office; she's out in an hour from now."
>"Thanks, Springy." Echo waves before turning back to you. "Come on, let's go."
>Giving one last wave to Springy, you walk off, Echo taking you to the left of the reception desk.
>She leads you down a wooden hallway, the walls lined with orange crystals that seem to flicker like candle lights.
>Several unmarked doors pass you by until you get to the end of the hall.
>There, a closed door displays a nametag labeled "Lt. Jasmine".
>Gingerly, Echo clears her voice and knocks.
>After the sound of shuffling from inside, you hear a voice.
>"Come in!" the feminine voice responds, allowing Echo to open the door.
>When it's open wide enough, you're met with a fairly large office, a rather large wooden desk sitting right in the middle.
>Two sofa chairs sit in front, facing the desk.

>Behind the desk sits a bat pony mare with a mane of black, clad in purple-embroidered armour.
>Her emerald eyes are sharp, but they regard you with a relaxed stare.
>"Echo!" Jasmine says, twisting her body in her chair to face you completely. "What a surprise to see you here so late."
>"Hey, Lietenant. I've got a visitor," she responds, walking into the room proper.
>You follow, closing the door behind you.
>Jasmine brings her eyes to you, curiously.
>"I see that you have. You wouldn't happen to be Anonymous, would you?" she asks, bringing her forehooves to rest on the desk in front of her.
>She lightly pushes a sizable stack of papers aside.
>Echo takes a seat on one of the sofa chairs.
"I would. And I take it that you're Lietenant Jasmine?" you ask, taking a seat on one the other chair.
>"Interesting," Jasmine mutters, leaning forward. "And that, I am."
"A pleasure to meet you. Echo here holds you in high regard."
>Jasmine's eyes brighten and her lips curl into a grin.
>"Does she?" she asks with mock surprise.
>Echo shakes her head, her cheeks flushing a slight blush.
>"Well, I do treat all of my guards with care," she explains with a calm voice.
>"Lieutenant!" Echo seeths with a strained whisper.
>Jasmine lets out a sing-songy bout of laughter.
>"Forgive me, you know me, Echo," she says through her laughs, taking a moment to calm down.
>She looks back to you, her eyes full of reassurance, putting you at ease.
>"So, all of Equestria was looking for you," she explains, leaning back into her chair.
"I'm surprised I'm that wanted," you respond, giving her a small smile.
>"Come on. An ambassador gone missing? The Princess was going nuts."
"Huh."
>"And of all places, you ended up in the Hollow Shades?"
>You take in a deep breath.
"I wasn't thinking straight."
>"When do any of us think straight?"
>She lets out a small chuckle, looking down at her desk while prodding a quill with her hoof.

>The moment falls to an air of silence, save to a low hum reverberating throughout the building.
>As neat of a mare that Jasmine looked like, her desk was a mess.
>A dried out ink well sits beside a half-full one, a pile of quills resting beyond that.
>An empty mug of what seemed to have held coffee a long time ago sits at the edge of the desk, threatening to fall off.
>Echo sifts uncomfortably, no doubt waiting on orders for what needed to be done.
"Lieutenant?" you ask, piercing through the silence.
>Jasmine takes a moment to budge, no doubt exhausted from what seemed like a day of tedious paperwork.
>"Please, Anonymous, there is no need for formalities here," she speaks with a low voice.
>You nod.
"Okay... Jasmine. What's to be done?"
>She looks back up to you.
>"Well, what do you want to be done?"
>You get taken aback, her question catching you off guard.
"Am I not gonna be detained?"
>She smirks, her baggy eyes scrunching up.
>"Why would you be detained? You were merely lost, and now you've been found. I just have to alert the Princesses that the ambassador has been found."
"Ah, I don't know. I just... like I said, I wasn't thinking straight."
>"Okay."
>Jasmine takes in a deep breath before letting out a drawn-out sigh.
>"As you're an ambassador, you're entitled to lodging in the Hollow Shades while you're here. The issue is that... we don't really have any place to keep you."
>She stares at you emptily, and you can't help but stare back.
"That's... fine. I can just head back to Manehattan."
>"Problem with that is that the last caravan left the town yesterday. We only export once a week."
>You open your mouth for a response, but you don't have any.
>"Lieutenant, if I may?" Echo pipes up. 
>Her soft voice catches your attention and you turn to her.
>"Please, Echo. You don't need to be so formal around me, either," Jasmine says, her voice starting to sound strained.

>"Sorry, Lieu--Jasmine," Echo apologizes, her brows furrowing. "If it's okay with you--the guard, I could house Anon."
>You turn back to Jasmine, who seems to have smiled at that.
>Her posture is relaxed, again.
>"Echo... if you're sure--"
>"Positive."
>Jasmine looks between you two.
>"Is that alright with you, Anonymous?"
>You shrug.
"I'm okay with it if you guys, are."
>You'll be missing a week of your life...
>Well, not really.
>You don't think you'll be missing Manehattan.
>"Then it's settled," Jasmine says with renewed vigor. "Anonymous is to stay with Sergeant Echo, and I will alert Canterlot of this."
>She opens a drawer on her side of the desk, pulling out a sheet of paper and placing it on the desk.
>"Echo, for the duration of this week, you will ensure that his stay is pleasant."
>You turn to look at Echo, who seems to have a goofy grin on her face.
>She looks at you and gives you a toothy smile, shrugging.
>"Expenses will be covered by the municipality," Jasmine explains, picking through the pile of quills before giving you a playful glance. "Though, try not to spend too much, Anonymous."
>You can't help but smile, letting out a small chuckle.

>Thirty minutes and a few paper signings later, you find yourself almost out of breath.
>Damn, you don't know when you last climbed that many stairs and ramps.
>"It's just after this bend, Anon!" Echo exclaims, urging you to follow her.
>The end of the bridge curves around a large tree, leading to a steady, spiraling ramp up the trunk.
>Thankfully, it wasn't too steep, and the apparent destination wasn't too far.
"Damn, you better have a nice couch or something," you say through your breaths.
>At least the bat ponies were nice enough to make everything accessible to those who can't fly.
>"Actually, I do. It's my favourite couch," she says, floating alongside you with steady flaps of her violet wings.
>She rotates her neck to face you, her two-toned blue mane flicking.
>"Phew, it's always nice to be out of that armour. It gets so stuffy."
>For some reason, she has a really different demeanor when out of her armour.
>You can see her cutiemark; a moon covered by clouds, highlighted with what you think are sound waves.
>An Echo.
"How long are your shifts?"
>"Seven hours."
"Must get boring."
>"We find ways to make it interesting."
>You almost stop there for a moment.
>For some reason, you briefly think about Night Watch.
>Thankfully, your thoughts are interrupted as you suddenly find yourself on a small bridge.
>It leads to a modestly-sized house, partially hidden inside some leaves.
>No idea how the leaves here survive, being covered by the thick canopy all day.
>Orange light, much like the one you saw at the guard building, pours out of the windows.
>"And that's my home. Looks like my roomie's in already," Echo explains.
>She didn't mention a roommate.
>Echo seems to notice your expression.
>"Don't worry, she's harmless. Mostly."
>You approach the two story house, admiring how solid the place looks for being made out of wood.
>Seems like it was carved out of a large piece of wood as opposed to being built by wooden pieces.

>You step onto the porch of the house, minding to not look down at the awfully high drop.
>Echo moves towards the door, giving you one more glance before pushing herself inside.
>Steeling yourself, you follow.
>The lobby of her house looks pretty comfortable.
>A soft looking rug lays on the floor, covering most of it.
>On top of it is a coffee table, and against the wall is a rather large and comfy-looking couch.
>Two orange crystals light up the room in a warm glow, one on each side of the room's ceiling.
>It takes a second glance, but you notice a cello on a stand in the corner of the room.
>"Welcome to my abode," Echo says, turning to you and smiling.
>The door shuts itself behind you and you give her a nod of acceptance.
"You have a very cozy home, Echo."
>She lets out a light chuckle before turning around, eying the couch.
>"Okay... I don't normally have guests over. Kind of."
>Gesturing towards you, she points towards the couch. "Have a seat. Um, do you want anything to drink?"
>Speaking of, you're pretty damn thirsty.
>You don't think you've had anything to injest or drink since you woke up in the forest.
>Also, you have no idea how long you were running last night.
"A glass of water would be nice, actually."
>She gives you a nod.
>"Sure thing, Ambassador Anonymous."
>You roll your eyes at that.
"It's just a title. Last of my species and all," you chuckle.
>She flies into another room, presumably her kitchen.
>Several clinks of glass later, she returns with a glass of water between her hooves.
"Thank you," you say, taking the glass from her.
>You haven't realized how thirsty you were until you finally put the glass to your lips, downing the entire drink at once.
>Echo eyes you with wide eyes but decides not to comment.
>"So, I normally make my guests sleep on the couch, but since this is a special case... you can have the bedroom."
>You lean forward, placing the glass of water on the coffee table.
"Nonsense, I'm fine here. It's a pretty comfy couch you've got."

>"Mm, I know. I usually spend my off time reading or napping here. But, I insist."
"I don't want to impose."
>She huffs.
>"Come on, Anon. I'm trying, here."
>You frown.
"...Alright, fine. If it'll make you happy."
>That makes her nod happily.
>"Thank you. Um... make yourself at home, I'm gonna go upstairs."
>Before she can turn to leave, another set of hooves on wood alerts you to a new presence.
>Stepping down the stairs to your right is a mare with spiky green hair.
>"Echo? Ya brought a guest--oh!"
>Her leafy green eyes settle on you, her blue wings flaring out.
>"Eh... hi?"
>Echo moves towards the mare, giving her a calming nod.
>"Salty, yes. I brought a guest."
>"Ah?"
>Echo gestures towards you on the couch.
>"Salty, meet Anon. He's going to be staying with us for a week."
>You give a meek wave and a toothy smile.
"Hi."
>At your voice, her wings fold back against her sides and a grin creeps on her face.
>She has a four leaf clover as a cutie mark.
>"A biter, ya got?"
>You blink.
>As does Echo.
>"Um, Anon, meet Salty, my roomie. And second cousin," Echo says, nodding her head towards the mare in question.
>Salty approaches you with a cat-like grin.
>"Well, well. Echo, ya got yerself a bird already?"
>Echo blushes, walking up beside her and giving her a light push.
>"Salty! He's an ambassador!"
>The green mare blinks.
>"Dear?" She looks at Echo with a pout. "Don'tcha think there'd be better gaff to put him in?"
>"Jasmine tasked me--"
>Ignoring Echo, Salty turns to you.
>"Hi there. I work in the bogger."
>Once again, you consciously blink.
>Your eyes shoot to Echo very briefly, but you look back to Salty.
>She lets out a very hearty laugh.
>"Hah! I like this one, Echo! Where'd ya find him?"
>"Salty..."
>"Phew, how'd ya get up here? Must be knackered!"
>You clear your throat.
"I walked."
>"Right? Can't remember the last time I legged it."
"I have to say, you guys have one hell of a town."
>"Heh, I'll take that compliment. Yer stayin' for a week, yeah?"

>You look to Echo, who nods.
"I guess I am. I don't really have a choice."
>Salty shrugs.
>"Hum, mouldy. Tell ya what, visit me down in the pub sometime and your first jar's on me, eh?"
"You work at a pub?"
>She laughs.
>"'Course I do! Ya seen me hooley over there?"
>She points to the cello in the corner of the room.
"You perform at the pub?"
>"Sometimes. I'm no class, but ya'd be surprised at who can't play it."
"Can't say I disrespect that. I quite like the cello."
>She waggles her eyebrows.
>"Heh, deadly, this one," she says sharply, looking over to Echo. "I'm headin' back to the bogger. Forgot me old flower."
>Echo nods.
>"Okay, Salty. I'm gonna get Anon settled in--he's gonna be taking my room for the week."
>"Right. Try not to bite him too much, Echo," Salty giggles.
>Echo shoots her a glare, blushing.
>"Nice to meet ya, 'non. Lookin' forward to this week, I guess."
"Call me crazy, but so am I."
>"Right!"
>With a final nod, she walks towards the front door, leaving the building.
>A sigh escapes from Echo.
>"Phew... sorry about that. Once she's back, she'll probably turn in for the day. I probably will, too."
>You glance over to a clock hanging on the wall, noting that it's only 9am.
"Right, you guys are nocturnal."
>"Yup. Um, tomorrow, I could show you around the town?"
"That sounds great, actually."
>"I guess you don't want to sleep now?"
"Actually, after sleeping on the forest floor all night and then walking up endless sets of stairs, I could use a rest."
>"Mm. You do look tired."
>You get up from your seat, doing a long-needed stretch.
>"I can show you to my... your room?"
"You're the host."
>She tilts her head at that with a smirk, turning around and walking up the stairs.
>You follow her until the stairs level out to a short hallway, two doors on each side.
>Echo leads you to the far right one, opening it and letting the both of you in.
>A surprisingly large bed sits in the middle of the room, the head propped up against the far wall.

>You weren't sure what you were expecting, but it was an otherwise plain room.
>A small desk rested on the wall adjacent to the bed with a small chair tucked in.
>Two table stands were on each side of the bed, one sporting a lamp with a yellow glowing crystal.
>"Well, you can sleep here for the week."
"Thank you, Echo."
>"Bathroom's connected to this room." 
>She eyes your suit.
>"Um... I'll go see if there's any clothes that can fit you somewhere in town."
>You sub consciously look down at your suit too, remembering that you don't really have anything on your person.
>Looking up, you give her a kind smile.
"I will pay you back for all this, someday."
>She closes her eyes and smiles back.
>"Please, it's the least I could do."
"From my own mistakes."
>Her eyes open and her smile falters.
>You let out a pained sigh.
"I'm sorry, Echo. Go get some sleep, don't let me keep you."
>She nods, backing out of the room.
>"You too, Anon. I'll see you in the morning."
>After a last nod in her direction, she closes the door, leaving you in silence.
>Her hoofsteps fade as she moves down the hall and the stairs.
>You take off your blazer, hanging it on the desk chair.
>You undo your belt, but keep your pants on.
>Don't want to make bad first impressions.
>Your body gives out underneath you as you collapse onto the bed, neglecting to turn off the lamp.
>That doesn't bother you, as you quickly find yourself drifting off to sleep.
