Upon arriving back home after leaving Twilight’s, I trot into the kitchen, and levitate Connor over to a chair at the table. I watch him as he folds his hands in his lap, and I trot over to him for a little bit. I reach a hoof up to gently rub at his back.
I give him a warm smile as he looks up at me “Connor darling, are you hungry?”
He gives me a light nod “Yes Ma’am.” I gently rub at his back, and lean my head down to plant a tender kiss on his forehead. A look mixed with surprise, and shock creeps across my face as soon as I lift my head up. I look down to see Connor with a surprised look of his own, and I turn to trot over to prepare his lunch.
I bite my lower lip nervously now Rarity, why would you go on and do something like that for? You are going to get the poor child attached to you, and then what? What about your business? I hate to agree the voice of my mind, but it does speak some truth.
I know, I know, but… I turn to look at him sitting quietly in his chair, and his head looking down at his lap how could I just abandon such a sweet, and innocent child like him? Especially after he already has been abandoned once? I turn my head away so I can get started fixing him something to eat.
I decide to fix the little colt a salad, along with a salad for Sweetie Belle, who should be here in just a few minutes. I open the refrigerator to gather some lettuce leaves, a tomato, and some orange slices. While I am placing the ingredients into a bowl, I can’t help but allow a stray tear to trickle down my cheek.
“Ms. Rarity, are you okay?” The concern in the little colt’s voice melts my heart.
I softly close my eyes to subdue any more tears, and turn my head toward him “Of course darling, I am okay. Thank you Connor, that is very nice of you to ask,” I give him a soft smile as I turn back to fixing his salad.
Suddenly I hear the bell above the door ring “Rarity I’m home.” I hear Sweetie Belle entering as I just finish the salads. I levitate the bowls over to the table, setting one in front of Connor, and the other bowl opposite of him. I levitate two forks over to put in the bowls, and watch as Sweetie Belle enters the kitchen.
“What did you make for… oh who’s that?” I see her beam with excitement, causing a spark of her horn.
I let out a soft giggle, and turn to Connor, but he doing like he did when I first met him. He sits in his chair with his legs up to his chest, and he is hugging them close with his arms. I frown at him, and look at Sweetie Belle who has a look of confusion on her face as she looks at me.
I carefully sit down on my haunches close to the chair, and reach up with a hoof to gently hands “Connor sweetheart, you don’t have to be afraid. This is just my little sister Sweetie Belle,” I gesture toward her with a hoof, and he slowly lifts his head.
She waves a hoof at the small child “Well hello there little guy. Please don’t be afraid. I’m not going to hurt you.” She carefully trots over to us, and sits on her haunches, reaching up a hoof to gently stroke at Connor’s side. He slowly unwrap his arms around his legs, and gives Sweetie a light smile. “See there Connor, I’m not a mean pony.” She gives him a big smile.
“Hi Sweetie Belle,” I smile warmly at the two of them, but I can sense a bit of concern on Sweetie Belle’s face as Connor goes back to eating at his salad.
I place a hoof on Sweetie’s shoulder “I fixed you salad for lunch Sweetie Belle along with Connor. Come and sit down,” she nods at me and trots over to the chair across from Connor, and sits down.
“Mm… thanks sis,” I give her a soft nod, and I go over to fix some tea for me.
While I prepare the tea I look over my sister “How was school today Sweetie Belle?” I give her a quirked eyebrow, and pursed my lips curiously.
I hear her let out a content sigh “For once, class was exciting today. Ms. Cheerilee taught us the history of the Everfree Forest.” I see her beam once again, and I let out a light giggle.
I finish fixing my tea, and levitate it with me over to the kitchen table “Well, that sounds interesting indeed Sweetie, but I hope you don’t plan on going in the Everfree with your friends. It is just too dangerous,” I let out a deep sigh, and sip at my tea.
“But sis… me and the girls could get our cutie marks as explorers,” she gave me a hopeful smile, but I shook my head.
“No buts Sweetie Belle. I said it is too dangerous, and I won’t want anything bad to happen to my little sister, “I give her a warm smile.
She let out a disgruntled sigh “Alright Rarity, we won’t go into the Everfree Forest.” She returned to eat at her salad.
I look over at the little colt, and see that he has his gaze frozen at his bowl as he finishes up his salad. The poor child, I wonder if he ever attended school on Earth. I take another sip at my tea as I give him a light smile “Connor sweetheart, how about you go on upstairs, and get your pajamas for the sleepover tonight? I want to talk to Sweetie Belle for just a little bit, okay precious?”
He lifts his head up to look at me, and gives me a light smile in return “Yes Ma’am.” He carefully climbs off the chair, and exits the kitchen to walk upstairs. I keep an eye on him to make sure he gets up to the top safely.
I turn to see Sweetie with a sad smile on her face “Is something wrong Rarity?” I sigh deeply as I use my magic to open my saddlebags over at my lounge, and I levitate Connor’s letter over to me. I trot over to Sweetie Belle, and sit down next to her, giving her the letter.
“I think you should read this Sweetie Belle,” I give her a sad smile, and I unfold the piece of paper.
I watch her as she reads it, and then she turns to me with a look of confusion etched on her face. “But Rarity, you already have a mommy, daddy, and me as your little sister.” She let out a little giggle.
I solemnly shake my head, and let out a sigh of content. “No Sweetie, I didn’t write this note. Connor did,” I rub at her shoulder with a hoof.
A few seconds pass until Sweetie looks at me with tears in her eyes, threatening to escape. “You mean the little guy… doesn’t have a mommy or daddy?” I give her a sad nod. “Oh the poor sweetie,” she looks at me with wonder “What are you going to do Rarity?”
I shake my head lightly “Honestly Sweetie, I don’t know. That is why tonight, we are going to go over to Twilight’s for a sleepover. Scootaloo, Applebloom, and the others are going to be there, and I can let them meet Connor.” I let out another deep sigh. “Twilight will write a letter to Princess Celestia, and we will go from there.”
She gives me a bright smile “That sounds like a great idea Rarity! I know that Scootaloo and Applebloom like to meet him.”
I give her a warm smile “I know they will too Sweetie Belle, but I don’t want you to say anything to your friends. Not until he feels like he is ready to tell us. Do you understand me? I give her a soft, yet stern look, and she nods.
She looks at me with a curious look “Rarity, where did you find Connor at?”
I sigh deeply, and look at her with a sad smile “I found him sleeping in one of the alley ways in town. He was sleeping under a copy of the Ponyville Newspaper, and was in poor condition. So I brought him here, got him cleaned up, and fixed him something to eat. He’s been here since last night.”
Sweetie Belle frowned at me, and was about to speak when we heard a soft small voice “Ms. Rarity, Sweetie Belle, I’m ready.” We trot into the den, and look up to see Connor with his pajamas folded in his arms. We smile warmly at him as I levitate him downstairs, and onto my back.
I turn my head to him “Okay darling. When we get to Twilight’s, I am going to introduce you to my other friends. I promise you that you will like them,” I give him a light smile, and he gives me a light nod.
I look to Sweetie Belle “Are you ready Sweetie Belle?” She nods vigorously, and we exit the boutique to head toward the library.
I hope Princess Celestia would know what to do about the poor little dear.