View source for BronyCon 2017

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{{quote|[[Magi-Chan]] was my escort and bodyguard the whole weekend. Even though, to most, it appeared I was dancing a duet solo, I was literally dancing with Magi-Chan, my guardian angel.|Chris on interacting with one of his [[imaginary friends]].<ref name=magi>[[:File:MergeComic6.jpg]]</ref>}}

[[File:Bc2 mlp1 (see summary for hi-res link).jpg|thumb|right|250px|Totes Lez.]]
'''BronyCon 2017''' was the ninth iteration of the annual convention for fans of [[My Little Pony|''My Little Pony'']]. The 2017 convention ran from 11 August to 13 [[August 2017]] at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

This was Chris' first BronyCon, and it would prove a major influence on the direction of his ''[[Sonichu (comic)|Sonichu]]'' comic – the notable outcome being his ''Pony'' fanfiction, [[Sonichu 12-9|''Sonichu'' #12-9]]. The trip also marks a point in Chris's rejection of [[reality]] – during the convention, he believed his imaginary friend [[Magi-Chan]] was present with him, even dancing with thin air under the belief that Magi-Chan was his dance partner. 

==Background==
Chris drove all the way to Baltimore to visit the convention, staying for the full three days, spending the money he had taken from [[Patreon]] instead of on bills (causing a two-week delay in shipping his August books to patrons).<ref>[[August 2017 Patreon posts#Blew patron funds on BronyCon, can't ship books]]</ref> While he was there, Chris took many pictures with some of the show's staff, as well as other fans. He also made several new drawings over the course of the event; some of these were signed by voice actresses from the show.

Several fellow bronies from [[4chan]]'s /mlp/ board,<ref name=mlp>http://archive.is/lHRYe</ref> Twitter, and [[Kiwi Farms]] provided photos and reports on their sightings of Chris.

Unlike his [[March 2012 Facebook Posts#Mythbusters|last out-of-state trip]] five years before, he left [[Barbara Chandler|Barb]] behind, however she did make him call her twice a day to check up on her.<ref name=clare></ref> One of his friends implied that she was helping Chris by promising to be on call for Barb if she needed help during the weekend.<ref>https://kiwifarms.net/threads/twitter-8-11-2017-chris-spotted-at-bronycon.33187/page-19#post-2507095 "a friend asked me to be on call for her mom while she is out of town."</ref> 

Overall, Chris's trip to BronyCon went abnormally well and seemingly without incident. He even described feeling "the MOST Love I have ever felt in my life" after returning home.

It is likely that BronyCon 2017 was the place where [[Bella]] first saw Chris, although she claims that she did not know who he was at the time and did not talk to him.<ref>[[Chess Group 15#Fiona enters chess group #15]]</ref> This would have been the only time she ever saw him in person.

==Day 1==

Chris met Cathy Weseluck, a voice actress for MLP, talked to her about Sonichu and CWCville,<ref name=clare>[[Clare Porter]]</ref> and got an autograph and a photo with her. He also met [[Clare Porter]], a fan of his. Chris can be seen toting three large bags throughout the convention which apparently contained "the original copies of Sonichu",<ref name=clare></ref> snacks, and toys.

===Gallery===
<center><gallery>
File:Bc1 1.jpg|A wild clopper has been spotted!
File:Clopper_Spotting.JPG
File:Clopper Spotting2.png
File:Bc1 2.png
File:Bc1 3.jpg|In line for a panel.
File:cwc bronycon 2017 1.jpg|Donning his brand new [[unicorn cosplay]].
File:Cwc bronycon 2017 3.jpg
File:Bc1 with RarifriendHN.jpg
File:cwc bronycon 2017 2.jpg|With Cathy Weseluck, a voice actress.
File:Spike-sonichu.jpg ‎|"Spike loves Sonichu too.  :)"
File:cwc bronycon 2017 4.jpg|"Also, Fluffle licking Vinyl. LOL"
File:Flufflepuff cwc glasses.jpg|"Fluffle Puff looks smart with my glasses; [[Ego|she Knows a Lot. 😋]]"
File:Bc1 - chris card.png|Miiverse card, which he handed out. Note the lazy correction of Christian to Christine.
File:Chris and scared girl.jpg|
File:Bc2017fan.jpg
</gallery></center>

==Day 2==

[[File:Bc2 mlp-soul-min.jpg|thumb|150px]]
An /mlp/ user got Chris's autograph.

{{quoteboxred|I don't know anything about this year's CWC drama, but I'm glad to have my own little souvenir from the Con. After the panel Chris was showing a little girl a binder of Sonichu stuff with a Sonic Rainboom in it, so I took my opportunity.<ref name=mlp></ref>}}

The same user provided an audio clip, apparently of Chris.

<s>http://vocaroo.com/i/s0TkJ0kRIb17</s> As of July 2020, file no longer exists.

[[File:Chris at the Grand Galloping Gala.jpg|thumb|200px|Another, less shitty shot of Chris at the Gala.]]
Another user reported playing against Chris at poker and accidentally misgendering him, and answered a few questions:

{{quoteboxred|Okay. So who's this Christine? I played poker against her in the tournament and she got really, really fucking mad when I accidentally called her - him.
I never care to call someone by their shitty preferred gender, but fuck you got to give me some time to figure out what you fucking want to be called.

I met her again at the gala and shes been glaring at me. Lol.

I didn't realize she was a meme until I saw pictures. Who is she?}}

{{quoteboxyellow|How did he smell like? Did he joined you at poker? Did you beat him?}}

{{quoteboxred|Bad.

It was a paired tournament so we didn't have be a choice who we played.

And she can't play worth a shit. But she did manage to build off of idiots. She lost it all chasing though.}}

{{quoteboxyellow|Did he say anything else at all? Talked about his comic? Was he alone?}}

{{quoteboxred|Nah. Just a lot of shit about people needing to respect correct genders.}}

[[File:Bc2 mlp3.jpg|thumb|200px]]

A fan complimented Chris on the Sonichu merch he had brought with him:

{{quoteboxred|I found Chris-Chan at a panel and gained his trust.

I asked him if his Sonichu Medallion was authentic, and he said "I am the she that used to be that he that.." and then quickly showed me the first edition of Sonichu.

He wanted to take a selfie with me, and here it is after cropping myself out.

Then he shook my hand for some reason.}}

A 4chan user claimed that Chris was "told off" by convention officials for "going up to guests and saying he's horny," apparently in reference to his plastic unicorn horn. However, there is no solid evidence backing up this claim, and at this point it should be taken with a grain of salt.

Chris appears in voice actor Claire Corlett's vlog for Day 2. Chris is seen briefly at 4:32 in the background, above the Brony wearing the rainbow wig.
{{Infobox/Fanvideo
| name           = BRONYCON DAY 2!   Claire Margaret Corlett
| ytid           = _uKk-2dRpSI
| Stardate       = 12 August 2017
| Maker          = Claire Margaret Corlett
| Subject        = 
| Video Type     = 
| Other Info     = 
}}

===Awkwardly attempting to socialize at the Gala===

{{Infobox/Fanvideo
| name           = Grand Galloping Gala BronyCon2017
| video          = {{#ev:youtube|DxRXjw4H7Zc}}
| Stardate       = 12 August 2017
| Maker          = 
| Subject        = 
| Video Type     = 
| Other Info     = 
}}

===Dancing with Magi-Chan===
Takes place directly after above video. Chris dances with imaginary friend [[Magi-Chan]]<ref name=magi></ref> at the ''Grand Galloping Gala'':

{{Infobox/Fanvideo
| name           = Grand Galloping Gala BronyCon2017
| video          = {{#ev:youtube|XStjxI2grpA}}
| Stardate       = 12 August 2017
| Maker          = 
| Subject        = 
| Video Type     = 
| Other Info     = 
}}

During the early morning hours, Chris was spotted walking away from a parking garage which had closed for the night, leaving him unable to access his car.<ref name=mlp></ref> He took an Uber back to his hotel. Chris would later recap this event in a tweet the following year:
{{quotebox|I was feeling really tired from the shock of the Parking Garage I had my car in CLOSED at Midnight while I was at the Grand Galloping Gala, Immune to Adagio’s manipulations, and dancing with my then future husband, Magi-Chan Sonichu. YAY!<ref>[[July 2018 social media posts#BronyCon thoughts]]</ref>}}

===Gallery===
<center><gallery>
File:Bc2 mlp2 (reduced size, see comment).png|Viewing "Keeping Friendship Magic: The Odd Pony Out" panel.
File:Bc2 with Kelly Sheridan.jpg|"Me and Kelly [Sheridan], Times Two!"
File:Chris at Bronypalooza.jpg| Spotted again at Bronypalooza, a BronyCon concert.
File:Blurry Chris spotting.jpg| Chris at the Grand Galloping Gala.
File:Bc2 with imaginary friend.jpg|[https://kiwifarms.net/threads/twitter-8-11-2017-chris-spotted-at-bronycon.33187/page-22#post-2507908%7C|"He's sitting here talking to himself and holding his hand out in front himself."]
File:Bc2 mlp4.jpg|Cropped selfie with a fan.
File:Chris with @PopPunkAlto.jpg| Shut-in minds think alike.
File:Bc2 with @BookFag.jpg 
File:Chris with @flutterplushies.jpg| Chris in his Gala dress.
File:Chris and @KrazyKariana.jpg| With a gal-pal/potential [[Love Quest|sweetheart]].
File:Chris Posing BC D2.jpg| Chris posing for a photo, legging holes on full display.
File:Bronycon d2 posing with mascots.jpg| With two other unicorns.
File:Chris' belongings at Bronycon.jpg|Chris's belongings.
File:Bc2 mlp5.jpg|Locked out of the parking garage.
File:Bc2 with Tetsuotherobot.jpg |"Just helped out @CWCSonichu with an uber. Worth it."
File:Bronycon2017stall.jpg|Browsing a vendor table.
</gallery></center>

==Day 3==
Chris spent his final day at BronyCon attending a panel, taking pictures with cosplayers and other fans, and no doubt buying more crap he doesn't need with his [[Patreon]] and [[Monthly tugboat|tugboat]] money. He wore a [[Chris and fashion|multicolored poncho]] as a top, somehow managing to look even worse than he did for the previous two days.

{{quoteboxred|He's in the Fan Project panel now. He's spent three minutes complaining about his [[trolls]] and how autistic he is, and he turned away the microphone so no one can hear what he's saying.}}

Another anon elaborated:

[[File:Bronycon2017-mlpdash.jpg|left|150px]]
{{quoteboxred|'''Sat near Chris-chan at Bronycon today.'''
It was at the fan project panel, and he even asked a question and rambled on about how he had comics and a fandom (though never explicitly stating it was Sonichu). He even said the "high functioning autistic" line. He also mentioned being trolled, not having many friends, and all that, and I honestly felt kinda bad for him. Though most of the shit he's gotten over the years was his own self inflicted stupidity, so can't feel too bad for him.

But yeah, that's been the weirdest thing at this convention by a loooong shot. Like, at most like 5-10% percent of the thousands people I've seen and heard were weird or cringy, but nearly everyone here is either normal or just standard nerds.

But seeing and hearing Chris-chan, dear God that was hard to deal with...<ref><s>https://yuki.la/mlp/30721666</s></ref>}}

{{clear}}

Day 3 pictures of Chris confirm that he wore the same ripped pair of [[Chris and fashion|leggings]] for three consecutive days. Based on his lack of basic hygiene habits, it can be assumed that they were not washed for the entire weekend. 

After the con, Chris drove back to Virginia, car-pooling with Magi-Chan.<ref>[[August 2017 tweets#Back from BronyCon, carpooling with Magi-Chan]]</ref>

{{quotebox|On our way back home; Son-Chu, Magi-Chan and I. #BronyCon2017 was Awesome! See y'all next year (or sooner). 😉 ⚡️💖💖💖⚡️ }}

===Videos===
Chris was recorded asking a [[Chris and oration|difficult-to-understand]] question about ad-libbing at the aforementioned panel, but not before greeting them in a jarringly high-pitched voice. He later shared the video on [[Facebook]], with the caption "So cute! :)". {{Infobox/Fanvideo
| name           = CWC at Bronycon 2017
| video          = {{#ev:youtube|YbJcaesnQ30}}
| Stardate       = 13 August 2017
| Maker          = BB Rocket
| Subject        = 
| Video Type     = 
| Other Info     = 
}}
<font color="#0033FF">'''Chris:'''</font> [''extremely high pitched voice''] Hi again!

<font color="#fc03a9">'''Panel:'''</font> Hello. Hello.

<font color="#0033FF">'''Chris:'''</font> [''creepy laugh''] Ohhhh. But in the ad-libbing talk, ya'll did answer one of my questions, starting with: Y'know, "I like kites," from that episode of ''My Little Pony''.<ref>Editor's note: This is presumably a reference to [https://youtu.be/0JK-Xims7F0 this clip from the show], which also suggests that Kelly Sheridan was in the panel.</ref>  I did see ad-lib and [unintelligible] so [mumbles]. Um, what ideal ad-lib would you like to contribute eventually in any show, including My Little Pony, and uh, which ones have you done so far are your personal favorite? Not counting "''I like kites''". [''laughs'']

<font color="#fc03a9">'''Panel:'''</font> Is that a question for all of us?

The panel's response to Chris is as below:

{{Deletedvideo}}

{{Infobox/Fanvideo
| name           = Chris Chan at Bronycon 2017
| video          = {{#ev:youtube|dKDEI7CJ-2I}}
| Stardate       = 16 August 2017
| Maker          = The Last Tendie
| Subject        = 
| Video Type     = 
| Other Info     = 
}}

[''Continuation of Chris's question from previous video'']

<font color="#fc03a9">'''Panel:'''</font> Is that a question for all of us?

<font color="#0033FF">'''Chris:'''</font> Yes. 

<font color="#fc03a9">'''Panel:'''</font> Okay.

Ad libs? Well, the whole thing with ad libs is it's kind of hard to pre-plan an ad lib because that's the nature of it, is to just kind of make it up on the spot. Kind of as you're saying the lines. So, uh, I mean I guess I'd want to say one that was popular, maybe. I feel like an ad lib for Tho- I don't know if there's Thorax ad libs, but for Vinny I had a lot of ad libs in Littlest Pet Shops, uh, he did [''character voice''] "Uhhhhh, I don't know!" He had lots of weird ad libs.

Normally, we don't get- We're not allowed to ad lib. Whatever is written, uh, in the script is pretty much what we have to say, so, unless you're coughing or laughing or [unintelligible], it stays. It's really standard not to do that. But if I were to pick something I would say, I would love to ad lib more Spike in his sleep. Sleep talking.

===Gallery===
<center><gallery>
File:Chris at the Holiday Inn Express.jpg| Chris fueling up before the con at the Holiday Inn Express.
File:BronyCon-d3-r1.jpg
File:BronyCon-d3-r2.jpg
File:Chris on a bus.jpg| Chris, presumably carpooling to the con.
File:Bronycon 2017 Panel.jpg|The panel Chris visited his final day at Bronycon.
File:Chris' outfit Bronycon day 3.jpg| A head-to-toe view of Chris's Day 3 outfit.
File:Spike in a Pikachu costume.jpg| The second drawing of Spike in a Pikachu costume. This one's only nominally less [[Chris and art|disturbing]] than the first.
‎File:Fluffle Love.jpg| "Lots of Fluffle Love. :)"
File:Chris looking uncomfortable with unknown man.jpg| Looking uncomfortable with a fan.
File:Chris dabbing.jpg| Chris performing the dab to attract a potential sweetheart. Pictured with [[Clare Porter]].
File:CWCmobile.jpg|[[Son-Chu]] 3.0 crossing the Virginia state line, on its way back to the [[14 Branchland Court|hoard]].
File:MergeComic6.jpg|Chris's drawing of his dance with Magi-Chan ([[Sonichu 14|''Sonichu'' #14]])
</gallery></center>

==Souvenirs and autographs==

After the around three-hour drive back to [[14 Branchland Court]], Chris shared images on Facebook, showing pieces of merchandise he purchased along with some new drawings he made. Some of these were autographed by other visitors to the convention, notably several [[My Little Pony voice actresses]]:

{| class="wikitable collapsible" width="800"
|-
!'''Image'''
!'''Description'''
!'''Chris's commentary'''
|-
|[[File:Signed Sonichu.jpg|150px]]
|Chris had Cathy Weseluck, the voice actress for Spike the Dragon, autograph his "personal copy of Sonichu #0".
|Cathy Weseluck autographed my personal copy of Sonichu #0, she remembered my name, and me kindly when I greeted her again. She is super wise, and left such an inspirational impression on me! Thank You, Cathy. 
|-
|[[File:KSheridan Drawing.jpg|150px]]
|Kelly Sheridan, voice of Starlight Glimmer, signed one of Chris's drawings.
|Kelly Sheridan; I was looking forward to meet her so much. She even loved my Night Star bringing up Schultz's Kite-Eating Tree. She even related to me with how I was being trolled and bullied, with such a quote that will be in my memory forever. With that many trolls, and fans, "You have made it." As in how successful I have become. Thank You, Kelly. 
|-
|[[File:CMC Drawing.jpg|150px]]
|Claire Corlett, Michelle Creber, Madeleine Peters, and Brynna Drummond all "read" about Chris's "many talents" and signed his [[Chris and ego|ego-stroking]] drawing for him.
|Awesome Bonus, All of the CMC actresses were there, I was inspired to draw and write Night Star putting forward a question to really test the four of them on how to figure out the extensive meaning behind a single Cutie Mark that defines ALL of your multiple talents. They each loved and agreed on how I imagined their respective CMC responded. Not to mention more lasting impressions upon me and each of them. Thank You, Maddy! Thank You, Brynna! Thank You, Michelle! Thank You, Claire! To each of all of you, I want to say that You Are Awesome! 🌸🌸💖💖💖💖🌸 
|-
|[[File:Signed BC Picture.jpg|150px]]
|Daniel Ingram's autograph on a picture of two ponies.
|And let's Not forget the Music from the show and the movies and special shorts. In General, minus Heavy Metal, music moves me, and to me, there are certain ones that send a Shiver of Happiness, Literally, throughout my whole body! To name a few, Sonic CD's "Sonic Boom", "Watashitachi Ni Naritakute", the Sailor Stars Theme Song, and even a number of Daniel Ingram's songs make me feel that musical joy. Between the Cafeteria Song, Shine Like Rainbows, even the Rainboom's Half of the Battle Song between the Dazzlings and Rainbooms. And even just Now, in the New Episode of MLP I finally watched today, I related to this episode, in short: Matched My Surprise and initial inability to cope with suddenly being That Famous, and being harassed/trolled when not used to or ready for that. And, YES, even in my Sonichu Books, like the Leasons, I never said I was as Super Powerful Perfect, I had my flaws, and they were written and drawn in ink. I, too, was and still am a Work In Progress. Daniel, Thank You for producing the Most Tracks that can fill me with the Positivity I can feel to further empower myself emotionally and mentally. And, just to repeat, Let Vinyl Scratch Speak, Soon, Please! 🎵⚡️🌸🌸⚡️
|-
|[[File:Vinyl Scratch Figure.jpg|150px]]
|He wanted Nowacking to autograph his Vinyl Scratch figure, but didn't meet her. Nowacking would later block Chris on Twitter.
|Also, and I Wish I knew sooner, Nowacking, and Doctor Wolf; I am a huge fan of them both; they were there too! I would have loved to not only Selfies with them, and Nowacking autographing my Minis Vinyl Scratch's skirt, but also a little chat, to share a positive memory with them. An intelligent chat with Doctor Wolf, singing in an impression of her "All About That Bass". I would have visited their panels, if I knew with a better highlight of those respective ones from the schedule. Then, I take a deep breath, mindfully meditate, and remind myself that I can reach out to them online, and that there's always next year.
|-
|[[File:BC fb haul 1.JPG|150px]]
|Finally, FluffyMixer signed Chris's bag with mysterious brown stains.
|Oops, I forgot one. FluffleMixer, of the Fluffle Puff series on YouTube, singed the bag that came with my Fluffle Puff plush. Thank You! 😊
|}
</center>

==Aftermath==
Chris described his enjoyment of the event:

{{quotebox|And, once again, I had an Awesome Time throughout the weekend! What really made it for me was being able to actually shine as the actual kind and open-hearted person that I was, and still am, to a LOT of people, who already knew me, and those just getting acquainted, and those who now I would delight in further communications now and then or so. And all of the Kindness and Heartfelt, Honest Love I have found, enjoyed, and will always treasure in my heart forever; the MOST Love I have ever felt in my life.

And to All of You who found me and shared at least a joyful greeting, Thank You All! I Love You All! And I truly mean that from the bottom and fullness of my smiling heart and soul, and I Loved making Each and Every one of you Smile too.

🌈🎵⚡️🖍📝🌸💖😊💖🌸📝🖍⚡️🎵}}

Although not without some muscle soreness from hauling his Sonichu crap, souvenirs and fat gut everywhere.

{{quotebox|I will say the enduring price I had to pay for the weekend, and to match tie Grand Galloping Gala's Dress Code; pinched toes and hurt heels And my calves still hurt from the weight of carrying my Sonichu books; next year, a backpack on wheels, and try for a size 7 slipper. Everything Positive still worth all that endurance on my part. Earned my enjoyable weekend more ways than one. 😊 I'm alive and okay; I will recover quick like normal.}}

Chris would go on to attend [[BronyCon 2018|the following BronyCon]].

==References==
<references/>

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[[Category:Conventions]]