Chapter 4
"Do be a dear and stop squirming"
Chris jumped with each measurement. Rarity was precise in her work, but certainly not gentle. He sighed as he sank to the ground. He had been standing completely still for what seemed like an eternity. He raised his head and watched rarity work.
She chewed lightly on her pen as she worked. Chris took every opportunity he could to learn about the habits and customs of pony folk. He found it amusing that some of their tools and utensils had grooves shaped like teeth in them. Almost like finger grips in my world, he thought as he chuckled lightly. Rarity shot him a look. "I didn't realize fashion was humorous," she sighed. "I'm sorry dear, I'm just a little stressed. I've never made this many outfits in such a short amount of time."
"It's not a problem, I appreciate your generosity. This really is the nicest thing any pony has done for me in this town." She blushed and turned back to her work. She wanted to brush it off as an order from the princess, but that wash the real reason she had helped the human so much lately. Since he showed up almost three weeks ago, she helped him adjust to his new home. Rarity couldn't explain why, but she felt an attraction to Chris. The princess explained to them that they were all elements, so that meant they were connected in some ways, even though Chris was a foreign being. She snapped back to attention as she heard her door open.
"I'm home!" Sweetie belle yelled from the doorway. "Hey Chris! I'm glad you're here, the cutie mark crusaders are about to embark on their next adventure, and we could use your help!" She ran up to her room, no doubt to gather supplies and meet up with her friends elsewhere. Sweetie belle didn't quite understand why Chris was lacking a cutie mark, so in order to help rarity and apple jack with the young ones, he pretended that he was waiting to find his special talent. He didn't mind playing with them, it helped relieve him of the worries he faced with adjusting, and helped him remember his own family.
He had left a brother and sister behind, and he expressed to twilight once how much he missed them. Rarity nodded towards Chris to signal she was done for now, and he went off to assist the cmc with their latest adventure. Rarity quickly became saddened. She couldn't bear to be away from her sister and friends for too long, and she couldn't imagine what it would be like to leave behind her home as well.
-----------------------------------------
Chris buttoned his shirt and looked in the mirror. "These fit wonderfully," he said, smiling at rarity. "Oh darling I'm so glad you like them. No one has ever said they didn't want any gems on anything, so it was hard for me to design anything I was happy with." Chris bowed towards his friend. "Thank you m'lady, I am forever in your debt." She blushed, and turned to hide her embarrassment. Chris had quickly figured out that the mares loved it when he spoke to them as proper and regal as possible, especially rarity. She cleared her throat.
"If you need anything else, do be a dear and let me know." Chris took the hint, realizing he wasn't the only customer today. He bowed once more and exited the room. Sweetie bell would be mad he didn't say good bye to her, but she had been asleep for hours, so he thought it best to let her rest.
As he ventured out into the cool night air, he saw a familiar multi-colored mane on a blue Pegasus coming over to him. "Hey pal, get a new outfit? Looks snazzy," rainbow said with a grin. She landed next to Chris and walked alongside him. "Where ya headed to tonight?"
"Well," he said has he sighed. "Pinkie pie and the cakes offered to keep me the last few nights until my home is finished." Chris and big Macintosh had been working on building a cottage for him when they weren't needed on the farm. Luckily for them, it was off season so they had a little more time than they usually would.
"Sounds good, but you don't seem too happy about it," dash said as she snickered to herself. "Let's just say, pinkie pie is great and I love spending time with her, but sometimes she just doesn't have an off switch."
"Ya got that right. So are you coming out pranking with us tomorrow then? Pinkie and I got some great gags lined up, it will be sweet!" Chris hesitated. "I love a good pranking, but unfortunately I've got to much stuff to do. Maybe next time?" He added that last part on as he turned to see rainbow frown. He felt bad, but he had too much to do. And who knows, if a prank went wrong, he didn't want to get into trouble with anyone. She looked up at him and smiled. "Alright then, next time. Don't forget!" She shouted as she flew off. Chris was confused why she left, until he realized he was at sugar cube corner.
He paused on the doorstep and took a deep breath. He raised his hand to knock, and the door flung wide open, knocking him off of his feet.
"SUPRISEEEE!!!" Pinkie and dozens of other ponies shouted at the top of their lungs. Chris jumped up, his face aflame with joy and wonder. "Is this for me?" He asked pinkie pie as he looked over the room.
Every pony he had met was there, and there were streamers and balloons everywhere. A banner hung up in the back had the words 'welcome to ponyville!' sprawled across in big Green letters, followed by a pinkie pie smiley face. "We are so glad you are here Chris, we just had to celebrate the newest member to the ponyville family!" Pinkie exclaimed as she hugged him as tight as she could. It seemed it was Chris's turn to blush. He hadn't been hugged in a long time, so even though it wasn't another person it felt nice to him.
She slapped a party hat on his head as soon as she lets go. “Now, let’s party!!!!” The room erupted in cheer. Chris smiled. ‘I guess they really do like me,’ he thought as he began to make his way around the room.
-------------------------------------------
Chris walked into his room and fell on his bed, exhausted from several long hours of partying. ‘These ponies really know how to celebrate’ he thought to himself. Pinkie Pie came to his door. “I hope you enjoyed yourself Chris, I’m really glad you are here… I mean, we all are.” She smiled as she entered his room. “Even though you have only been here for a few weeks, I feel like I – I mean we – couldn’t bear to lose you.” Chris felt his heart flutter a bit. No one back home cared for him like that. He was the guy that bent over backwards to please everyone, and never got any recognition in return. He hugged Pinkie pie again. “Thank you for your hospitality. You have treated me far better than most people back home did. I hope that whatever happens, you and the others will always be my friends.”
Pinkie laughed. “Of course silly, what did you think the party was for?” She turned and walked out the room. “Good night Chris. Sweet dreams!” He could hear pinkie hop back down the stairs. He laid back down on his bed, and quickly fell asleep.