Peter Williams

Derpy, Dinky and I left the fillies behind as we strolled through town. I held my clothes close, feeling the curious stares of the local populace at the bed sheet clothed human. After my... adventure... last night I was much more aware that some of those stares may have been less curious in nature. I was thankful to have my shoes back, though, my feet no longer stepping over every little rock and crag in the road. About halfway through town I became aware of a small group of fillies following us. I should have expected as much, after dropping the 'Intelligent Human' bomb on them like I did. They probably wanted to see how smart I really was. I waited for the opportune moment...

NOW!

I spun around, catching the fillies as they were transitioning from hiding behind a barrel to hiding behind a bale of hay. They looked dead at me, unsure of what to do. I only gave them a smirk and a wag of the finger before turning back to my hosts. They smiled softly at my little prank and continued on. I could tell the fillies were back at it after thirty seconds.

"I think you'll like Rarity." Derpy said, stirring up a conversation. "You both seem to have a real appreciation for nice things, though she can go overboard sometimes." Being mute and having terrible writing as I walked, I merely nodded along.

"She makes really pretty dresses and likes help ponies, but Sweetie Belle complains that she's really busy most of the time." It sounds like she runs this dress shop all on her own, so I can imagine she would be kept busy. Me and a good friend from high school tried forming a company after we graduated, but all the red tape, combined with my college, ended up costing too much to maintain it, and judging by how often the ponies I'd seen wore clothes I'm not sure how successful a seamstress could be in this town. Maybe she ships the clothing? Meh, whatever.

When we finally arrived I had to stifle a chuckle. I didn't know what I expected from a building called Carousel Boutique, but a building that was actually decorated like a carousel was not one of them. I don't know why not. We walked up and knocked on the door.

"Coooooming!!!" I heard a sing-song voice call from the other side. the door opened to a white unicorn with an absurdly curly purple mane and tail. "Welcome to Carousel Boutique, Where everything garment is chic, unique, and magnifique!" She opened her eyes after she recited her little opener. I could honestly say, as far as first impressions go, she had made the best of most of the ponies I had encountered so far. "Come in, Derpy, come in! You can leave your pet tied to the post by the door." Aaand there it goes. As always the pony race never ceases to amaze.

Rather than wait for me to respond, Derpy hastily interjected, "Actually, Rarity, what we need is some clothes for him." That gave the unicorn pause.

"Oh? you're buying clothes for your human? I didn't realize you were prepared to invest so much in one. Most ponies aren't willing to put so much into their humans." I suddenly had a mental image of a burly human in one of those brightly colored woolen sweaters and boots over bearing owners would put on their chihuahuas and dachshunds. I snerked.

"Well, Peter here is a little different." Derpy gestured for me to enter after her, which I did and stood straight in the high-roofed building. "He's already used to wearing clothes a lot, and doesn't like to go naked."

"I see." Rarity replied. "I was wondering about the bed sheet. He look like he walked right out of Pegaopolis a few thousand years ago." She smiled pleasantly. I wasn't sure weather that was supposed to be an insult or a complement. Regardless, I dropped my damaged clothes on the floor, folded neatly for Rarity to examine.

"It's just temporary." Derpy said. "He already has some clothes that he's comfortable with, but they're damaged. We were hoping you could fix them or make some new sets." Rarity nodded and began using her magic to lift and examine the articles. I gave some specific scrutiny to the translucent aura that surrounded the clothes. Despite my curiosity, Rarity continued to examine the shirt, pants, and jacket of my suit.

"Well, despite the damage, I can honestly say I've never seen human clothes quite this well made." She said, looking deeper at my clothes. "Such detailed stitching, so exact, as if made by a machine. And what is this material? The shirt is cotton, but the pants? I just don't know. What is this lining in the vest? Its sheen is like silk, but the fabric itself is something completely different." She finally looked up at Derpy and I. "Just where did you get these, Derpy?"

Derpy shyly blushed at the sudden attention and mumbled just loud enough to be heard, "Well, he sort of just... came with them. He was wearing them when he showed up." I flinched when Rarity's attention suddenly snapped to me. Her gaze lingered on my form before going back to Derpy.

"Well can you tell me anything else? It's not like he's going to tell me." Rarity asked.

"Actually, he just might." Derpy said, looking to me briefly. "He might be, kinda-sort of an alien from another planet." Rarity looked at her as if she had just said the sky was made of pumpernickel. I suppose that may have been a reasonable reaction to such a revelation. I gave a rough cough to get her attention before pulling out my handy-dandy notebook. I could almost feel her eyes widen as I wrote.

If you must know, I purchased my suit at a local upper dressing outlet in my home town,
along with a hat to go with it.
At the moment I need a patch job on the jacket and pants and a replacement shirt. Can you do it?

Rarity's eye twitched strongly until she spoke again, "Well, Derpy my dear, as amusing this little charade is, we must move on. Now I can do the job, but I will be limited to the materials I already have. Give me a day to study the designs and put a plan together and I'll have a decent estimate on the price." I accepted her ignoring my intelligence. Ponies, like all people, don't like to have their world view shattered, and some would avoid it to the point of outright denial. I pitied the mare for how stressful that shattering would be when it happened to her.

Derpy and I were about to leave when a crash from the other side of the studio drew our attention. Sweetie Belle's head popped out of a large pile of cloth.

"Sweetie Belle!? What in Equestria do you think you're doing!?" Rarity demanded as she stormed across the room.

Sweetie Belle stood as her sister drew closer, "Sorry sis. I was just trying to spy on the intelligent human!" She cried, her voice cracking a bit from some for of pony puberty. Rarity rolled her eyes.

"Oh please. Don't tell me you're in on this silly little game Derpy has going. Humans are not intelligent, no more than dear Opalescence." She stated gesturing to a white, fluffy cat who had wandered into the room. Sweetie eyed the cat warily.

"I don't know, Rarity. Opal is pretty smart." I wasn't sure who to glare at hardest, Rarity, Sweetie, or the cat. Ultimatly I gave up and took it as a compliment.

"Sweetie I'm afraid I don't have time for this silliness. I have much more work to do, so-"

"But it's true!" Sweetie interjected, "Dinky told us everything. About how he's an alien, and can do all kinds of smart human things, and even whistle!"

"Sweetie! Really! If you're going to just make up silly stories, at least make them believable! Next you'll tell me he can swim across the lake!" Rarity scorned. I decided that was enough for an intervention. I stepped up, getting Rarity's attention. I stood tall and whistled a few chords of the Star Spangled Banner. Her eyes widened. I whistled off a few more tunes as I wrote on the notebook.

And I'll have you know I'm a fairly decent swimmer. Can backstroke like no one's business.

Rarity stared at the note, mouth agape, for a while. A long while. Long enough I began to get concerned. I could almost see the clockwork getting clogged in her head. I bent over a snapped my fingers in front of her. This did bring her out of her semi-vegetative state, but I believe I would have preferred if she had not.

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" She backpedaled away from me, across the boutique. Her frantic scream finally ended when she took refuge behind a mannequin of a pony with swaths of fabric pinned to it. "ALIEN!"

Derpy and I looked at each other after we regained the ability to hear and I shrugged. I supposed it was inevitable we would eventually find a pony who didn't take my intelligence in as much stride as Derpy or the good doctor. I only wished it wasn't the one who I was now dependent on to repair my pants. Derpy stepped forward, speaking in a calm voice, "Rarity, please calm down. He just wants his clothes fi-"

"HE WANTS TO EAT US! RUN SWEETIE BELLE!" Sweetie, bless her, faced the torrent of piercing screeches and approached her sister.

"Sis, I don't think he's here to eat us. Dinky said he has a lot of problems eating things that can talk."

"What!? Then he must be here for... for..." Rarity suddenly clenched her legs together, emitting a small squeak. "OH FOR ALL UNDER THE SUN! GO SWEETIE BELLE! I'LL HOLD HIM OFF FOR AS LONG AS I CAN!" Really!? First the vet and now the tailor? What was it with ponies and sex!? Everything was quiet for a few moments as Sweetie's friends came in to watch the unicorn's antics. Finally Rarity opened her eyes to see everyone staring at her, including me with a raised eyebrow. "Well?!" She said, "What are you waiting for!? Run!"

Derpy sighed and walked up to the prone unicorn. "Peter isn't going to do... whatever it is you're thinking, Rarity. He's a nice person. He protected me and Sea Breeze yesterday and just wants to be treated like any other pony."

Rarity looked cautiously, "But... he's not a pony. He's a human." Thanks, Ms. Obvious. Is your coat white as well?

"I know. Look, he wants to set up a meeting with Princess Twilight, but he insists he needs his clothes fixed or replaced before he does so. That's why we came to you." Derpy explained.

At the mention of Princess Twilight Rarity perked up. "Oh... yes... Twilight. She'll defiantly know what to do. But he'll hardly need any of my help. Twilight is very relaxed on customs and courtesies. What he's wearing right now should be more than enough." I looked down at my toga-sheet. While it would be more or less indecent to come before royalty on earth in such attire, I suppose in a land where the majority of the population is naked most of the time it wouldn't be a big deal.

"Actually, I think it may be more of a personal pride thing than looking good for the princess." Derpy said. I nodded in agreement. Besides, my hat only goes with the suit. Otherwise it'd just look weird.

"Yes, well, t-this is a bit to take in, but I suppose I could do it. I'd just need to get his measurements and I will see what I can do." She shakily walked into a backroom and I followed, leaving Derpy and the kids to wait out in the parlor.

Rarity

Nothing to worry about Rarity. You're just taking measurements. Of human. An intelligent human. From another world. An alien world. That probably wants to conquer us. And enslave us. And breed us. And-

I shook my head to clear away such thoughts. Miss. Hooves already vouched for him, and that was no way to think of a new customer. He just wanted some of my fabulous designs to wear, not wage war. He didn't look like a prime specimen either. While not a fancier like some ponies, I could give appropriate admiration of the human form, and this... Peter was nowhere near the largest or most muscular human I'd ever seen. AppleJack still held that particular human on the farm for breeding stock and I think she uses him for farm work. I've never seen a human actually buck an apple tree, but AppleJack assures me he is a master at it. Peter was nowhere near that human's level of strength and muscularity, though, and if push came to shove I was confident I could take him.

Until he took off his bed sheet robe and revealed the bandages that covered his torso. I admit, the image did strike me. Derpy mentioned he was injured protecting her, but to see the damage in the flesh was a bit different. I quickly released myself from my stupor and began the measurements. It was a simple process, if a bit awkward. While I had made a few designs for noble pony's humans before, my experience was limited, as most ponies, noble or no, didn't much care for what their human was wearing. Here, though, was a human that had sought me out specifically for high quality clothes. Even in their damaged state, I could tell the samples he had brought in were well designed. While there was a lingering shred of doubt and fear at the prospects of an intelligent alien human before me, I could appreciate that he had enough culture and class to seek good attire. I completed the measurements, making sure to write them down for reference. Peter put back on his sheet quickly, almost embarrassed to have been in such a state.

Once clothed, he sat in a chair admittedly to small for him. He shifted awkwardly and I couldn't help but have a small giggle at his troubles. His surprisingly expressive face was contorted in consternation that looked so out of place on a human, but so appropriate for anyone so large in such a small world. I managed to stifle my amusement when he shot me an irate glare, then settled for sitting on the floor, tucking his legs beneath him in a very dignified fashion. I watched as he scrawled another message onto his little notepad.

So what do you think?

After reading the note and taking a moment to collect my thoughts, I answered, "Well, it's not a design I'm familiar with. It has many more details than a pony would normally want in a garment for their human. Even a front pocket! Though I suppose a pon-person such as yourself might make use of such things." I smiled as pleasantly as I could manage, given the circumstances. Peter nodded thoughtfully before writing a response.

I understand. I doubt most of your local humans wouldn't know what to do with pockets.
I hesitate to think of what they would do with zippers.

I couldn't keep back a small giggle at the thought. A human sitting there with a zipper, unattached to anything, pulling it up and down. Peter let out a small, if raspy, chuckle as well. A lull of silence passed between us before I spoke again.

"So... another world, huh?" He rubbed the back of his head bashfully and nodded. "How wonderfully exciting it must be. Foreign lands, new, interesting cultures. Almost like something out of one of those Daring Doo novels Rainbow Dash is always going on about." Peter rolled his eyes and wrote.

How romantic. You make it sound as if I were some grand explorer, searching the cosmos for intelligent life.

The more we... 'conversed' the more I could feel my curiosity rise. Here was a being clearly out of place in the world, like a pony trapped in the body of a human. "So how was it that you came to be with us then, dear?" I asked. Peter gave a bit of a puff and moved to a new position where his legs crossed in front of him, indicating that he wanted a more comfortable configuration for a long tale. Before he could begin writing, however, Derpy poked her head in the room.

"Are you guys done yet?" She asked politely, "I mean, it's alright if you need more time, but Dinky's been invited to a sleepover at Applebloom's and I need to get ready for work in the morning, so I just wanted to know."

"Of course, dear, of course." I gently waved at her. "Although, if you wouldn't mind to terribly much, I am hoping you might let Peter here stay for a bit longer. I am ever so curious as to what sorts of fashion an alien from another world could teach me." The fact I wanted to hear more of his story contributed as well.

"Oh, uh, well, I suppose. You'd have to bring him home though. After the fight yesterday Officer Far Sight told me about the department's new policy on stray humans. Peter will need to be accompanied at all times, or he'll be taken to the shelter." Peter's eyes widened at this. Apparently this was news to him as well.

"Well, that would be troubling, wouldn't it?" I sighed. Ponyville didn't used to have these strict rules, but with the rising population of ponies and humans more safety laws were needed. Humans were large, potentially dangerous creatures. Outside of their usual docile natures they could fit in with the creatures of the Everfree Forest. Only trained ponies like AppleJack could handle many of them at one time. I briefly imagined Peter at the hooves of the ponies in charge of the shelter, locked behind the cold bars with no one but his brutish, less intelligent cousins for company. The officers would probably strip him of his clothing as well. I gave a small shiver. "Not to worry, dear" I assured, "I will escort him back to your home personally." Derpy looked unsure until she looked to Peter, who gave her a nod. Derpy hesitantly left us in peace after that. Poor mare works herself to the bone for her little Dinky. Having Peter around could only be a boost for her, even with the increased food costs.

Peter and I sat in my home for a few hours more, pleasantly discussing all manor of things about our worlds. I was very surprised at the idea that humans from 'Earth' wore clothes all day everyday. Peter, likewise was surprised that a boutique such as mine could survive, much less profit in a land where the vast majority of the population were, as he put it, 'nudists'. He showed me his shoes, made from a material he called 'pleather', which gave me some inspiration on breaking in to some Griffon markets. From there the conversation went on about business, politics, nobles, and more. His input was limited by the size of his notepad, but he did manage to contribute much. He was a philosopher and carried himself like a true gentlecolt, even making some tea for us to share as we talked. At some point our conversation came to the subject of family.

"...Oh sweetie is just the greatest little sister one could ask for. She can be a bit fussy sometimes, and has a nasty habit of destruction, especially since she and her friends formed their 'Cutie Mark Crusaders' club, but really she is just a darling!"

So does she live with you, or do your parents live nearby somewhere?

"My parents live in a town down the road, but are within walking distance. Sweetie used to live with them, but when Mother and Father began traveling again she had to move in with me. Father's new job required him to move a lot, and they wanted Sweetie to have a more rooted upbringing."

I understand. Life for children in mobile families can be quite rough, having to make new friends wherever they go,
and never getting to fully enjoy the ones the have before it's time to leave again.

I nodded, "Yes, exactly why they sent her here to me. While I wasn't expecting for a young filly to drop into my lap so early in life, I was making enough to support her and she is family, so I didn't have much of a choice. It's hard running a business and making sure Sweetie grows up alright, but I manage." I took a sip of my tea. It was a tad strong for my taste, but Peter seemed to enjoy it. "What about you, dear? Do you have any family waiting for you back home?" Peter nodded and began writing.

Family I do have, but none are waiting for me. I moved out of my parent's home during my junior year of college, and they probably won't realize I'm missing until after a month of no calls. I was set to move away from my hometown not very long after graduation, so they'll probably only be disappointed I didn't call before I left. I have a brother and two sisters, but they have all taken their own paths. We keep in touch, but there won't be much surprise if I suddenly stop writing for a while.

Peter thought for a moment before adding more.

Besides, it's not like I'll be here forever.

"Oh?"I asked, "You plan on returning soon?"

As soon as I am able. There's not much use for a human with my skill set here.

"That's a shame, darling. You're such a pleasant conversationalist, even if it's not much of a conversation." Peter shot me a rougish grin that looked oddly appropriate, despite his human features.

I try.

The clock chimed several times to notify us of the late hour, at which point I, as a mare of my word, walked Peter home. There were few ponies out in the dark night, so Peter and I enjoyed a quiet stroll. I shared some more of my knowledge of Ponyville, pointing out important landmarks and the like, before we managed to reach 12 Druery Lane. We said our goodbyes in the light of the streetlamp, and I promised to get at least a prototype of his desired clothes done by the end of the next day, if anything for the stimulating conversation. He gave me a small, polite bow before entering the house.

As I returned home I let my thoughts about my night wander. I never had met an individual quite like Peter before. Cultured, intelligent, polite, and a snappy dresser? Oh, if only he were a stallion everything would be right. Sure he might be a bit rough around the edges, but certainly worth a few extra glances if he weren't in a human form. I sighed as I reached the door of my boutique. "Why do all the good ones have to be just out of reach?"

Author's Note

Wow, this chapter was hard. Rarity is easy to write dialogue for, but her internal monologue is really difficult. I also had a bit of trouble deciding what her reaction to Peter was going to be, but I think I managed a funny, over-dramatic reaction, followed by her normal calm poise. I probably won't be writing for Rarity's POV again anytime soon, but constructive criticism is appreciated.
No, Rarity will not be a love interest. A mild infatuation, maybe, for some laughs, but Peter's romantic pursuits will lie elsewhere.