Ever Growing Friendship

Chapter One: The Slinky Seduction

Trace firmly rubbed his temples, in an attempt to keep the information he was trying to learn from exploding out of his skull. He likened the process to closing an overfilled suitcase. For ever since his arrival in Equestria, Twilight Sparkle and her friends have made it their job to help him fit in, as well as make it easier to perhaps start a new life, in the chance he could not return to his own world. Of course to Twilight, personal student to Princess Celestia, this is best accomplished by having the student read every historical and sociological based text that she could acquire. He felt as though he had maybe a third of it all in his now throbbing head.

"So, who were the leaders of the three pony races before Celestia and Luna came into power?" Twilight quizzed.

His face filled with horror at the question. He couldn't recall anything about the Succession of the Princesses in any of books he read today. Trace swallowed hard in defeat, but then remembered a book that he had actually willingly read about the holidays of Equestria, mainly that of Hearth's Warming Eve. "Princess Platinum, Commander Hurricane... and Chancellor Puddinghead?" he answered hesitantly.

"Very good Trace!" she praised with a smile, "and here I thought you weren't absorbing anything from your lessons!"

Frowning, Trace massaged his poor wrists, attempting to remove the stiffness that settled in from holding up books for so long. He sighed tiredly, "Is it really necessary to read this many books every day?"

"My friends and I promised the Princess that since you were stuck in our world for the moment, we would prepare you to live in Equestria."

Trace sighed as he ran his fingers through his light brown hair. He cringed as his fingers caught in a knot halfway down his shoulder length hair, "No offence Twi, but all we have focused on so far is history. I haven't learned anything on pony mannerisms, or even the worth of bits and how to know if I'm getting a good deal in the market." He said as regret filled his face, "And that poor earth pony. I'm still not entirely positive, but I'm pretty sure I insulted him in some way."

She smiled knowingly at his concern, her magic elevating the books back to their respectful spots on the shelves, "That was just him Trace. He is a germaphobe, and having a human touching his merchandise just got to him." Twilight placed a couple books into a saddle bag and levitated it over to Trace.

"Are we done for today?" he asked.

"Yeah, we will continue on the day after tomorrow." Twilight said before handing her quills and parchments to Spike.

Trace grinned, rolling his eyes sarcastically, "What's happening tomorrow for you to give me a 'day' off?"

"I noticed that I have been deviating away from my own studies. I'm taking tomorrow to get back on track. I can't believe I have let my studies slip, but never again! I will get back on track and then YOU, mister, are hitting the books again." Twilight giggled pointing a hoof at Trace's chest.

Trace rubbed his chest as if it hurt before replying, "You are just jealous Rarity has been teaching me more about public etiquette than you."

Twilight seemed not to take the joke as she huffed up, "I may not focus much on the 'social' aspect of Equestria, but history is JUST as important!"

Trace laughed, making Twilight's face soften as she realized he had been teasing her, once again, "Trace, you should be nice to me. I'm the one that, in the end, talked the Princess in letting you have that abandoned house on the edge of town."

Trace snickered as he retorted, "Even though it was busted up and falling apart?"

"But... we fixed it up for you... don't tell me it's still drafty in there?" Twilight frowned with hurt in her voice.

"Oh Twi, the house is perfect, it really is. I just love seeing your expression when I pick on you!"

Twilight smiled, a giggle escaping her lips, "You had better watch out, picking on me like that! Somepony might think you have a crush!"

"Ha, better not let that happen!" he retorted.

As soon as Trace said that, the room fell quiet, and neither could look at the other. Spike put up Twilight's parchment and turned to see why it was so quiet all of a sudden. He looked between Trace and Twilight as he muttered, "Weird..." and turned for the kitchen.

"You... better go..." Twilight gave a fake cough, before using her magic to open the door to the library.

"Yeah... I'm starting work today." he stated nervously, "probably shouldn't be late."

At that, Twilight's ears perked up, and she halted before the door opened all the way, "Oh? Where are you working?"

He replied, "Well, I was walking home one night and I noticed an Earth pony trying to replace a window. He seemed to be having trouble because every time he would lift it up, it would tilt toward him, and I walked by just in time to catch it. I helped him put it in, and he asked if I would do a couple of other things around his house. Apparently, word spread, and now I have a bunch of ponies asking if I would do fix'em up jobs around town. I even took a test for a license at the mayor's office. It was actually pretty easy to get."

Twilight grinned as she opened the door the rest of the way, "If I had known, I would have charged you for my lessons!" Twilight said in a teasing manner.

"Oh, you enjoy teaching me, and you know it!" He smiled coyly.

Twilight giggled as she shooed him out the door, "See you the day after tomorrow then!"

Trace waved goodbye as the door was gently closed with a lavender aura. Trace brought out his list before heading over to Rarity's boutique. She had said she would be closed today. Thanks to a mishap with Sweetie Belle, a window was broken, and every time Rarity would start on a job, some kind of noise would distract her. So as to say thanks for the custom clothes she had made him, he had offered to fix the window for free. Trace also planned to talk Rarity into teaching him the value of bits so he wouldn't get cheated when getting paid for his jobs, as well as when he went to the market.

Ponies seemed to be drastically different in the shopping aspect. Prices weren't set like most human markets were. You could accept the asking prices, or negotiate if you were unsatisfied with the price. So far, everything he bought was drastically overpriced, at least according to AppleJack, who was the only one that ever gave him a fair price in the first place. Of course, being the Element of Honesty, this made perfect sense to him.

The door to the boutique was surprisingly unlocked, and a bell chimed as he stepped inside.

"Trace is that you?" a refined voice said.

It surprised Trace, because every other time he visited Rarity at her boutique she would always open with her shops phrase. Trace smiled as he noticed his tools were in the same spot he left them when he asked Rarity if he could the other day, "Yes, Lady Rarity!"

She giggled, "Please, just Rarity is fine."

"Lead the way Rarity." He said.

Rarity nodded to him, and as Trace bent down to pick up his tool box, it was hastily snagged away with her magic.

"I could have carried that, Rarity." Trace said with concern.

"No darling, it's fine. You are graciously fixing my window for free, I can at least carry your tools."

"You really are the Element of Generosity!" Trace teased sticking out his tongue, "Besides, it's not technically free. You did make me all those clothes!"

"Let's just agree to get that darn window fixed! I'm late on my dresses as it is.", Rarity said with a knowing grin before heading off upstairs.

Trace followed suit, and once they were in Rarity's main work room, the tools were placed next to the window.

"Not to be rude, but how soon do you think it'll be finished?" Rarity asked looking Trace in the eyes.

Trace grabbed a tool from his box and started removing inch long staples from the window's framing, "It's just shattered glass, it shouldn't take much more than removing the brackets and replacing it. So, about an hour, I suppose?"

"Very good!" She replied enthusiastically, "Then, I can get back to working without the dreadful distraction of all the ponies outside!"

Trace carefully removed the staples one by one as to not damage the wood. Trace glanced over to notice Rarity staring at him, "Rarity, you're just going to watch the entire time? Seems awful boring, if you ask me?"

Trace could hear in her reply that she was smiling, "I'm just fascinated at how you can complete tasks with those fingers of yours, and without magic!"

"If you are gonna watch, ya mind if I ask you something?" Trace grunted as he caught himself briefly on a staple, but noticed no damage was done and continued.

"Anything darling!" she replied.

Timidly, he said, "Well, I'm having trouble with the market and the value of bits. I keep getting cheated, and as a fixer upper, I set my own prices. I need help knowing what to charge."

"Um..." Rarity fell silent, thinking hard about the question, "Usually, we grow up around the prices, and I suppose we just know them..."

Trace sighed and frowned as he removed the first side of the window, "That still leaves me in the same hole though..."

"Why don't you ask Twilight? I bet she could find a book or something of the like?" Rarity smiled hoping it would help.

"Yeah, but every time I ask her, she says 'That's not in our lessons for another three weeks!' and then shoves three more history books my way." Trace frowned as he managed to pull a third bracket from the window. He managed to pull away the broken window without removing the fourth.

"MMMmm... I bet we should go to the market then! You can try buying things, and I will intervene when something is unfairly priced. How does that sound?" Rarity offered, with a hopeful tone.

Trace struggled to get the new window in, and after a couple curse words inside his head, it snapped into place. "I would like that, but I would hate to make you late on your dresses."

"I'm actually ahead of schedule, I just don't like being on schedule, for fear of 'being' late." Rarity exclaimed with a hoof against the floor, "That is if you don't have any other jobs today?"

Trace laughed as he began stapling the brackets back, "I make my own hours. So as long as I haven't set up the job already, I don't 'have' to be there."

"So, no jobs today?"

"Nope, I was planning on getting more done, but nothing seems to be that dire. I'll just fill them in tomorrow."

"Then it's settled, we will go after you are done here!" stated Rarity in a sing song manner.

Trace swallowed hard. Many ponies, as they usually do, were giving him nasty glares. Ever since coming here, ponies would always have one of three reactions. One, they would glare at him like they were trying to make him explode. Two, they would advert their gaze and/or run away in fear. Or three, they would be welcoming, happy, and overall curious about the weird bipedal creature. Trace certainly preferred the third set of ponies, even though they seemed rather rare among all the populace.

"Darling... Darling?" Rarity said walking next to Trace, apparently trying to get his attention.

Trace swallowed again as he gave her his attention, "Sorry, wasn't fully here for a minute."

"Does the crowd make you nervous?" questioned Rarity with a worried look upon her face.

"Sort of, yeah. I just feel out of place. None of them seem to accept me yet..."

"Don't worry darling, it's only been two months. Give them time!"

Rarity smiled as she approached Applejack's stand, "Why, hello fair Apple-Jack!"

"Howdy Rarity, Trace!" Applejack gave them her signature friendly smile, "Looking to buy anythin'?"

"In a way, Applejack. I am teaching Trace here, the value of bits." Rarity stated proudly.

Applejack raised an eyebrow, "Why ah never. Is that why you never barter?"

Trace blushed lightly as he nodded.

"First off Trace, out of any stall, Applejack's is always priced only slightly higher than her cost. Which is perfectly fair; However, some ponies will drastically overcharge, out of greed or out of the fun of negotiating. That is when you need to either leave, or negotiate!"

Trace picked up an apple and said: "So I wouldn't need to barter with Applejack?"

"No, but if Applejack would be such a dear, you could practice on her?" Rarity stated more to Applejack than to Trace.

"It'd be a pleasure!" Applejack smiled as she looked up at Trace.

Trace looked to the board that said one bit an apple, or ten bits for a dozen, "So, what do I do to start?"

"Try offering nine bits for a baker's dozen." the white unicorn whispered in Trace's ear.

"How about... nine bits... for thirteen apples?" Trace rubbed his neck nervously.

Trace could tell by Applejack's smile that she was apparently going to be nice about this, even if he ended up cheating her. Applejack, upon many times visiting the market, had even went into great detail about her costs to show him her prices were plenty fair. Since it was Applejack, he knew that she at least needed one bit per two apples. So she could technically go down to six bits for twelve apples and break even. Trace didn't understand how she managed to figure her cost since she GREW the apples, and didn't purchase them herself. She probably figured in what it took to keep the orchard running, and how many apples a day she sold.

"Sounds pretty fair, but what about nine bits for twelve apples?" Normally Applejack would've accepted, but thought it better for Trace's sake to keep it going. Even Rarity smiled when Applejack did, knowing she had accepted the same deal with her several times before. Rarity turned to whisper in Trace's ear, "You can either accept, or refuse and demand she give you the thirteen apples for nine bits."

"Well... I accept." Trace said nervously. He had never done anything like this before, and he really wasn't sure what else he could do.

Everypony smiled, but had hoped to keep it going a little longer. Applejack laughed as she said: "Very good, did you really want the apples, or was it just practice?"

"If it wouldn't upset you too much AppleJack, let's just say it was practice." stated the grinning Rarity, "We are bound to be carrying a lot of other things before the day is through."

"It was nice seeing ya both, good luck with yer bit training!" said a smiling Applejack as the two friends waved goodbye.

On a park bench:

The sky was growing dark. Trace could imagine Princess Luna raising the moon. He had only seen it once out of curiosity, and had talked Twilight into taking him to Canterlot. The sky was purple up above, and between the light over the horizon and the darkness of night, was a faint mixture of orange and pink. Trace glanced over to Rarity and for the first time since he had first met her, she had a worrisome look on her face, "Rarity, what's wrong. You seem worried, is it about your dresses? I'm sorry if I kept you from them..."

Rarity sighed before smiling, "No no... It's not that... I was just... thinking..."

"About what?" wondered Trace, willing to drop it if necessary, but wanted to help if he could.

"Your predicament here in Equestria." Rarity said keeping her eyes glued to the horizon, "You are the only human. You should know that almost nopony looks down on inter-species relationships anymore. You should be open to finding a nice herd... that is... if you even like ponies."

Trace paused, so many questions instantly springing from his brain. Trace sighed, as he decided to say, "Rarity... is that why you have been so nice? Pitying me since I'm all alone?"

Trace could tell she was taken aback by his remark, "No! No darling... heavens no! I've grown rather fond of you, as well has Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy. Even Rainbow Dash, who doesn't often show her feelings, admits she likes having you as a friend. I know out of experience, even if you don't 'want' any companionship, loneliness always creeps up on you... You will get lonely sooner or later..."

Trace rubbed his tired eyes and sat back on the park bench. Not replying, but just gazing out to the horizon. Trace knew if he stayed silent too long, awkwardness would set in, "Are... you lonely Rarity?"

Trace could hear a sigh, and could tell she didn't want to answer that question, even though she had pretty much admitted it anyhow. Trace placed a hand on Rarity's shoulder and said, "Right now Rarity, I'm just getting my life in check. I love it here, to tell you the truth. I have more friends now than I ever had. I don't know if I could ever love anything other than a human, and honestly I was going to give it a try one day. All I know right now though, I love having you and the others as friends."

Trace looked over, and found himself looking at Rarity's eyes. She had a faint bewildered look on her face. He could tell a questions was quivering behind her lips, "But what if you're alone forever?"

Trace cringed at the question. He had hidden from the question himself many times over the two months he had been in Ponyville. Trace didn't want too, but withdrew his hand. Begging himself to have some kind of response to her question. All he said was, "At least... I have you six as friends."

It had been a week since that day with Rarity. Today was Friday and he was finished with a good ten jobs over the course of the week. He didn't speak to Rarity much, only out of the fear of having to face that question again. He knew if he stayed away too long though, Rarity would start to worry if she upset him. Since he had the weekend off, he was going to return to her boutique and have a friend's night out. Twilight had helped with Rarity's schedule since she was so good at making it as efficient as possible. Which gave Trace a chance to sneak a peek and know that Saturday was one of Rarity's only days off.

Today however, he would go over to see if she would want to hang out. They had yet to hang out, just the two of them. She was always busy with some order or with one of her other friends.

Trace left his house in a hurry, locking up the front door before darting from the porch. His house laid near the edge of Ponyville, secluded enough to make sure nopony got too scared of him. Once he got into town though, many jumped and ran from surprise of Trace's sudden run through town. Trace didn't give any of them any mind as he reached his destination. The door was locked and the sign turned to closed. He knocked briefly as he waited. Suddenly, hoofsteps could be heard nearing the door. Trace looked in confusion when the door opened, and he looked straight down at a little filly, "Sweetie Belle?"

"My sister is upstairs doing her hair, for the fifth time..." Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes as she stepped past Trace, before two other fillies joined her.

"Cutie Mark Crusad..." Trace didn't hear the rest as he closed the door behind him. Making his way up to Rarity's room, he paused at her door before knocking. All he could hear was a hair dryer being put down followed by hoofsteps. The door swung open, and the irritation from thinking it was Sweetie Belle bothering her again vanished, and her face melted into a blush.

Trace, refusing to let the awkwardness of the situation get to him, forced himself to speak, "I was hoping for us to go out tomorrow..."

Rarity's face froze in shock as Trace realized how it had sounded. He didn't get a chance to correct himself, before Rarity started, "What I said last week didn't mean I like you that way... I was just..."

Trace interrupted before she could finish, "No, I just wanted to spend time with you, Rarity. I spent time with Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Twilight alone, and thought it would be best to spend some time with you this time."

"What about Fluttershy?" Rarity asked with a sigh of relief.

"I'll get to her sooner or later. I just thought you would be next so we could put last week behind us..." Trace rubbed his neck hoping she would just let this awkwardness settle.

Rarity tapped the bottom of her chin for a moment, and said, almost in a whisper, "Well, there was this new place that just opened that I have been meaning to visit..."

Trace tilted his head in confusion as Rarity giggled. Trace smiled as her laugh instantly made the thick awkward air vanish as she explained, "Every week or so, I visit a bar and mingle, party and dance, the whole nine yards. There is this new bar and they are supposed to have the best drinks straight from Canterlot!"

"Sure! But what would we do there?" Trace said with a blush, knowing full and well everypony probably wouldn't like him around. That was why he avoided most public places.

It was horrible that he felt this way. He used to always go to parties and raves. He was even popular back home, mainly because of his dancing skills. Most of them weren't real friends, they just hung around the one they thought had the most money and popularity.

"I don't know if your world had singles bars but..." Rarity was cut off before she could continue.

"SINGLES BAR? Rarity... I don't know if I'm ready for that..." Trace had a serious crimson blush on his face.

"It'll be good for you darling." Rarity waved a hoof idly in front of him, "Besides, you don't have to flirt with anypony!"

"What if they flirt with me though?" he replied, apprehension etched on his face.

Rarity giggled, which confused him, and slightly hurt his feelings. "I tell you what, if they flirt, I'll shoo them off." Rarity said with a happy, innocent smile.

"I don't know..." he stated, feeling only slightly better about the situation.

"Pweeeaaaase?" Rarity whimpered, fluttering her eyelashes and her bottom lip quivering over the top one.

Trace swallowed as a bead of sweat rolled from his forehead, "Sure..."

"Then come on!" Rarity giggled pulling Trace's hand with her magic.

"WAIT... what... Now? I thought you meant tomorrow?" Trace said trying not to stutter as he was being pulled.

"Why wait for tomorrow when you can party today?" Rarity gave a playful yet sinister giggle as she pulled him along.

Trace gave in and shrugged his shoulders, still unsure if this was a good idea.

"The Slinky Seduction." Trace read aloud as Rarity paused to also read the name.

"What a weird name for a bar..." murmured Rarity briefly, before pulling Trace passed the body guard that eyed Rarity like she was candy.

Trace's stomach lurched in fear, if 'The Slinky Seduction' was anything like it sounded from any bar from his home world. He knew this was a place filled with rave music, dancing, drinking, flirting, and sex. Rarity however, didn't seem to be too scared. Rarity sat down at the bar, and Trace followed suit, sitting next to her. Trace was stunned, looking at the neon lights, and all the ponies dancing to the ear busting music. The music was so loud, he didn't even notice Rarity had ordered them a drink, until it was placed next to his hand on the counter. He turned to face Rarity, almost knocking the drink over and was caught by Rarity's magic and placed gently in his hand. Trace blinked a moment before sniffing the beverage, "What is this?"

Trace's words couldn't be heard, but Rarity managed to read his lips. Rarity only giggled as she took a sip of her own and winced at its strength. Trace took the message and downed his drink, cringing just as much as Rarity. Trace eyed Rarity surprised at how relaxed she was. He could only guess she loved going to places like this. Usually, she was always so regal, or worried about a new dress. Trace jerked his gaze over to Rarity's eyes when he noticed his hand was glowing and being pulled toward her. He could barely hear her yell, "Dance with me!"

He didn't get a chance to reply, before she forcefully pulled him to the dance floor. Some ponies gave him a 'what the hell' look before backing away and dancing somewhere else. Rarity started dancing, and Trace froze. She moved as elegantly as her name was. Everypony that had been looking at him, started watching her. Rarity tugged on Trace's shirt with her magic as she yelled, "DANCE!"

Trace obeyed, and started moving along with the music. As he matched Rarity's steps, the alcohol began slightly kicking in. The wub wub from the music vibrated through his blood, intensifying the booze. Usually, it took a lot more than one drink, but figured that ponies had more muscles; hence it took more alcohol to get them drunk. He made a mental note to watch how much he had before paying attention to his dance steps.

Suddenly a different song started that was much faster. Many ponies started dancing much faster and much more advanced moves. Trace jumped slightly as a hoof was pushed into his. Rarity was up on her hind legs, her face directly in front of his. Her hoof placed in the small of his back as she started dancing side to side, glancing into his eyes. Trace blushed, but matched her steps. Many were watching, they had never seen a pony dance on her hind legs like that, let alone with a human. Trace pushed them out of his mind for the moment, as Rarity pulled away for a few seconds, before making several steps on her hind legs in a circle and returning to the same spot she was moments before.

Trace could feel the eyes, and felt like all of them were angry that he was even in the same room. As Trace looked around the room, his worries were confirmed. They were all looking at them. Trace's dance steps slowed as shock hit him. Then it hit him; they weren't frowning anymore. Some had stopped dancing to clop their hooves against the floor as they watched Rarity and himself with wide grins on their faces. Suddenly, Trace's attention was grabbed back to Rarity as she used her fore-hoof to gently guide his chin back to her.

He knew that look, that knowing little smile. That smile said everything; She knew they were looking. The realization had hit him. She had this planned the whole time. It could be his paranoia, but he wouldn't be surprised if she planned this whole thing to get ponies to like him. She placed her left hoof in Trace's right hand, and used him as support as her hind legs made various tapping sounds; which sounded a little like tap dancing. Trace played along and matched her hooves.

Just about everypony by now was watching the two, but now Trace could care less. His attention was fully on matching Rarity's steps. By the beat of the music, they could tell the end was near. It was like a mental link to finish with a finale. He was about to tilt her back like he would with a human girl, but yelped as he was the one tilted back in Rarity's hooves. His left hand jerked up to hold on to Rarity for support. The only place he could look, was up into Rarity's eyes. His heart raced as the song ended, and she pulled him back up onto his feet. A grin from ear to ear was on her face as she led them back to the bar.

"LET'S SEE THEM DISLIKE YOU NOW!" Rarity yelled as loudly as she could.

"YOU REALLY DID HAVE THIS PLANNED, DIDN'T YOU?" He replied as best he could over the music.

Rarity only giggled as she ordered another drink for the two. Trace smiled and turned his gaze to the martini glass that was gently placed on the counter. This was a wonderful night.