>Hanging out with Eri can be difficult sometimes.
>”Why are we out here again Anon?”
>Case in point, this is the third time she has asked that.
“I already told you, it’s to help you get used to being outside more.”
>You finally managed to get her out of the house and are both sitting under a tree in the park, in an attempt to help her. It’s slow going, but it’s a bit of progress none the less.
>”We could’ve just sat on the porch you know? It’s bright out here and it’s hurting my eyes.”
“Sitting on the porch for five minutes doesn’t count, and that’s because you don’t go outside often.”
>You’re starting to feel like a parent talking to their child.
>”I do go out.” She reply's defensively. “I go out when I need to get food or supplies.”
“Yeah and you told me you often went weeks without going outside.”
>”That’s because it makes me miserable out here. Why would I want to be out in public and around other ponies? Especially if I don’t have to. It all flares my anxiety up, you know that.”
>You’re starting to feel a headache coming on.
>Rubbing your temples a little to hopefully prevent it.
>This little mare can be very difficult at times, but you have to push to help her break through this struggle of hers.
“I know they do, and that’s why I had us sit under the tree near the edge of the park. So that way we can still be in the park, but at a good distance from the other ponies. It’s a small step in the long run of helping you out. So let’s not argue about this, we are sitting here now, and nothing will change that.”
>”Doesn’t mean I have to like this.” She huffs a little and looks down at the grass.
>Thankfully, you did plan this out in advance.
“Well I did bring a couple of notebooks with us, you could find some inspiration out here and write about it to distract yourself.”
>She shakes her head.
>”That’s not how it works, I write terrible poetry about the trauma I go through or the bleakness of my life. It’s not like I get inspired by anything else.” She says looking down. “Especially not anything good.” 
>Her poetry really isn’t that bad, but she never listens when you try to tell her.
“You never know. You could find beauty in something out here.” You shrug. “Take a look around you. What do you see?”
>She looks across the park for a moment.
>”Some ponies are out walking, others are talking, some foals are playing.”
>This is going to be more difficult than you thought.
“I don’t just mean the ponies, I mean your surroundings in general.”
>She tilts her head a little in confusion. God that’s cute.
“I know you ponies are surrounded by it, but do you ever take the time to just really admire nature? Back home, you had to go out to the wilderness or be lucky enough to live in a small town to experience it like this.” You emphasize by waving your arm around.
>She attempts to see what you mean again by looking around before looking back at you.
>”Trees, a pond, and some rocks? I don’t get how this is supposed to inspire me other than, well, you know.” Her eyes dart away from you.
>You know exactly what she meant, but you wish she didn’t have her mind fall to such dark places.
>Going there will do her no good, so you have to change the focus of her mind.
>After a bit of silence and some thinking, a possible solution pops into your mind, hopefully this will help.
“Ever try a different medium?”
>She raises an eyebrow and looks at you.
>”What? Medium? I don’t believe in psychics.”
>You laugh a little and shake your head.
“No, when I say medium I mean an art form, other than writing. Like how about drawing?”
>”Oh, well not in a long time no, not since I was a little filly.”
“Well how about you give it a shot? Should help distract you from all this. That usually works with me.”
>”I don’t think I’ll be any good at it, it’s not my talent, and it’s been literal years.”
“You don’t have to have a talent in it, anyone can draw. I know I suck at it, but I still draw from time to time.”
>She sighs before replying.
>”Alright, if you think this will help.”
>Handing over a note book and pencil, you watch her as she stares at the blank page.
>”So what should I draw?” Asking as she looks back to you.
“Whatever you feel like, it’s your drawing after all. How about something around here?”
>”Okay, well don’t expect it to be something amazing.”
“I’m no art critic, and I won’t judge you.” You reply while looking at the scenery.
>She lets out a sigh.
>”Alright, fine, here goes.”
>You lean back against the tree while she starts drawing.
>Your glance back over to her for a moment.
>It’s cute how she draws with her mouth, though you would never say that out loud. Especially since she gets frustrated when you find something cute about her.
>Looking back towards the park, you take a moment to admire the ongoing events taking place.
>Some birds fly over head and the wind blows gently on your face.
>You can see a couple on the bench nearby talking and some foals playing with a ball.
>A few ducks have entered the pond and have started to swim about.
>It really takes you back to when you were younger and more naive, to your old life.
>A small pang hits your heart, old memories can be painful. You need a distraction.
>You can hear her drawing with the pencil still and stopping occasionally to erase something. Looking over to her briefly, you notice her eyes dart to you every now and then.
>Well now you’re a bit curious.
>So you attempt to peer at her drawing when she quickly moves the book away.
>”Hey! No peeking.” She says scooting away from you and with her back now turned.
“Alright, alright.” Raising your hands in defeat and let out a chuckle.
>At least she is getting into it. So that’s good.
>Turning back to the park you’re a little bored, so you pick up the other notebook, and think about what you could draw.
>A few crude ideas cross your mind, but you feel that wouldn’t be alright at this moment.
>Taking a look around leaves little to decide. You were never one for perspective, so things in the distance are out of the question.
>You look back to Eri and decide to sketch her.
>Hopefully she won’t mind it.
>What seems like hours to fly by and before you know it, you have what you would consider an decent portrait of Eri. Mostly from memory considering she has her back to you.
>You notice she has stopped drawing as well and appears to just be staring at the book in a daze.
“How about we show each other our drawings?”
>Knocking her out of her stupor, she quickly closes the book before turning back to you with a look of surprise.
>”You drew as well?”
“Yeah, better than watching the grass grow.”
>”I can’t imagine that’s fun, but my drawing is pretty bad”.
“I told you I’m not going to judge your drawing. Besides, it’s probably better than mine.” You say attempting to coax her.
>She sighs before nodding.
>”Yeah okay, just don’t be surprised when it looks like hot garbage.”
>Picking up the notebook, she slowly opens it.
>Pic related.
>To say you are stunned is an understatement.
>Talk about a coincidence.
>As you sit there in silence she starts to get worried.
>”Is it really that bad?” Her eyes slowly sadden.
“No, sorry, was caught off guard. Just give me a moment.”
>She nods and waits for you.
>Slowly you gather your words as she watches you expectantly.
“Well, I just didn’t expect you to draw me.”
>”You told me to draw something around here.” She smiles a little. “So I drew someone, you.”
>You smile back, feeling touched.
>Your eyes go over the drawing again. Admiring the tree and the fact she got your clothes right.
>It’s pretty good, considering she drew it with her mouth.
>”So what do you think? Is it trash?” She says awaiting your response.
“Yeah it looks great even though you haven’t drawn in a while, and you said it wouldn’t be.”
>”You’re just saying that, I still don’t think so.” She blushes a little.
“I’m serious. It’s not bad at all. I really like how managed to get me sitting right.”
>”It was difficult, but I managed somehow. Even with you trying to peek at me and trying to throw me off.”
“In my defense, I was bored. Also, you didn’t say I couldn’t look.”
>She smirks.
>”Sure you were, but I couldn’t have you watch me like that as it would spoil the surprise.”
“Fair enough.”
 >”Alright, now I showed you my drawing, now show me yours.”
“Okay then, prepare yourself.” You state.
>She nods, and looks eagerly at you as you reach for the notebook.
>Picking up your notebook, you open it to her.
>Pic related.
>She is just staring in silence.
>She hasn’t moved or said anything in five minutes, did you break her?
“Eri? Are you still with me?”
>”Yeah sure.” Her eyes are teared up a little. “I can’t believe it, you drew me as well.” She says shaking her head and wipes away the tears.
”I’d say it’s a happy coincidence.”
>You both share a laugh.
>”Yeah, I guess it is.”
“I only drew a portrait of your head though, you drew me sitting against the tree. I’d say yours was better.”
>”I don’t know how you could say that. I think that portrait is awesome, I could never draw myself. Can I have it?” She looks at you with a spark of hope in her eyes.
“Yeah sure, of course you can Eri.” You tear out the page and hand it over as her eyes light up wonderfully. She looks at it and holds it close to her.
“See? You can find beauty in things Eri, even if it’s just drawing.”
>She reaches out and hugs you, so you return the gesture.
>”Thank you Anon. I know I can be stubborn at times, but I appreciate you helping me out throughout all of this.”
>Pulling back with a large smile on her face, you smile back.
>Got to make that a habit with her.
“It’s okay Eri, I understand it’s a challenge. I know that I can be pushy, but I really want to help you out. That’s why we are friends, right?”
>”Of course we are. You’re the first real friend I have had in a very long time.”
>It’s hard to believe those words with this world of techno colored magical equines. They all seem to make friends easily, and appear to be happy at all times. It almost feels like a paradox with her, but after living here for some time, you understand.
>They don’t have a grasp on depression or the other problems it brings like earth did. With no way to treat it and no support. It’s shame that she was left to suffer for so long. Thankfully you two became friends a while ago, it’s slow progress, but you hope in time, you can heal her fully.
>Lost in your thoughts again you don’t notice her trying to get your attention.
>”Anon? Is everything alright?”
“Yeah sure, just stray thoughts.”
>”Oh, okay. Thought I might’ve done something wrong.”
“What? No, you did nothing wrong, never think that please.”
>She looks away briefly before continuing.
>”I was saying it is getting late, so maybe we should go too?”
>You look around and notice it is getting closer to evening, most of the ponies have started to head home.
“Yeah, you’re right, we should get going.”
>You both stand up and stretch a little before picking up your bag that you brought everything in.
>”So what should we do next?”
“Well I was thinking-”
>A loud stomach grumble interrupts you.
>She blushes and quickly looks away.
>You give a little smile.
“I think we know the answer now, how about I treat you to a meal?”
>”Sorry about that, but sure.” She says looking back at you now.
“It’s okay, can’t help when that happens. So what do you want to eat?”
>Thinking for a moment, she closes her eyes before reopening them.
>”Maybe something home cooked? I know you say you’re not a great chef, but I still think your food is great.”
>Chuckling a little, you start to walk with her out of the park.
“Yeah I can, how about pasta? I’ll even add the spices you like.”
>”Really Anon? You spoil me too much.”
“Maybe I do, but it’s worth it Eri.”
>You would say today was a success as you two strolled back to your home.
>In the long run, it will all be worth it to see her happy.