- >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.

