//------------------------------//
// A Rare Visit 
// Story: The Return of Mare Do Well 
// by L_Wolf 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 28


After Starbloom decided she wanted to stay in Ponyville, she and Sweetie found a small house in Ponyville near Rarity's boutique, the floor space was about the same as the apartment in Manehattan but the lay out was better. The bedroom was bigger on the second story, the open air design of the first floor made it easier for Starbloom to move around, and the basement was perfect for Sweetie's studio.

Starbloom herself got fitted for a shoulder harness and leg brace to take a lot of the pressure off her shoulder when she was standing and walking. It wasn't an idea she enjoyed, but it the alternative she liked even less which involved corrective surgery to try and repair the damaged muscle and tendons.

Instead of heading back to Manehattan Sweetie hired a company to pack up their stuff from the Manehattan apartment and bring it back for them. Starbloom sent Golden Shield a letter along with the bits to mail her the Mare Do Well costume back.

She also sent a letter to Dr. Westluck thanking him for his help, when she requested her medical records to be transferred to Ponyville General. The response she got from them was both a mix of disappointment and encouragement, wishing her the best of luck with her new life.

Despite everything, Starbloom ended up getting a career as a private investigator. It was what her special talent was based on so it's what she ended up getting back into in the end. Plus she couldn't shake this uneasy filling since returning to Ponyville.


~*{Two Weeks After Returning to Ponyville}*~


Starbloom was sitting at the bar counter, she had one installed since she preferred it to the table. She watched as Sweetie move around inside the kitchen fixing lunch for them and her sister who was coming to visit them. "Are you sure I can't help with something Sweetie?" Starbloom asked, and was meet with a glare that caused her to shrink back abit.

"Step one hoof in this kitchen, and I'll kick your flank. We're not having a repeat of last time." Sweetie said before going back going back to work on lunch. If there was one thing Sweetie took just as seriously as her singing, it was cooking.

"O.. okay I'll stay out." She said using her magic to float a bottle of fruit juice from the fridge. "When is Rarity suppose to be here?" She asked before she took a drink from her bottle looking at the clock hanging on the wall.

"She said she'll be here at one." Sweetie said as she relaxed a little after everything was for the most part ready and the bread was in the oven. She went over and kissed Starbloom's cheek. "Sorry I snapped, just don't want another salt, sugar mix up again." She said sitting next to her.

Starbloom smiled and hugged her softly with her good foreleg. "I understand, those cookies did come out pretty bad." She said offering Sweetie a drink from the apple juice bottle. "By the way... how did your producer take the news to you deciding to leave Manehattan for good?"

"He nearly had a heart attack, and begged me to stay." She said taking a drink from offered bottle of juice. "He doesn't understand why I had to leave. I did my best to explain it to him, with out going into detail. But even if I did go into detail I don't think he would understand. Something's  are more important to a pony then fame and bits."

Starbloom looked over at Sweetie, smiling at her. "We could always move to Canterlot, the music scene is always pretty good there for an up and coming singer like yourself." Starbloom said but Sweetie shook her head no.

"It's fine Starbloom, I can work on my music here in the studio. Making demos and sending them to record labels to be produced and sold." Sweetie said smiling at her. "I wont make as much as I did when going on tour, but I'm still doing what I love, plus I can do concerts here in Ponyville for my friends and family."

Starbloom was about to say something when there was a knock on the door. Sweetie got up and went to answer it. "Rarity, how nice to see you again sis. Come in." Sweetie said moving to let Rarity come in.

Rarity came in smiling at Sweetie Belle then smiled over at Starbloom removing her hat and hanging it on a hook near the door. "Sweetie Belle darling, how lovely to see you again, and Starbloom dear, it's been ages. I've hardly had a chance to see you these past two weeks." Rarity said smiling over at her.

The past thirteen years had done little to change Rarity in appearance or how she acted. She did become the fashion designer she had always wanted to be, despite that she remained in Ponyville instead of moving to Canterlot. It did bring a lot of big names to the small town from time to time.

Starbloom smiled over at Rarity while Sweetie closed the door. "Nice to see you again Rarity," Starbloom said moving to her hooves moving over giving her a hug with her good leg. The brace giving her limited movement in the hurt shoulder. "How have you been?"

Sweetie smiled and went to check on lunch while Starbloom and Rarity got caught up. "I've been good dear, but what happen to your leg? Sweetie Belle refused to speak to much about what was going on with you." Rarity said with her genuine look of concern. Both taking a seat in the living room.

Starbloom looked at her leg and the brace sighing softly before looking up at Rarity smiling softly. "I got sloppy, and ended up stabbed in the shoulder. You know me, never one to listen to good advice, I kept putting stress on it and now it's permanently damaged." Starbloom said, trying to keep the mood light.

Rarity nodded as she listen, she could tell she was trying to keep the mood light. "I see, well darling if you want I can try to design something more.... aesthetically pleasing... for you. That really isn't your color you know." Rarity said looking at the brace, it was a mix of black fabric straps and tan colored metal beams.

Starbloom smiled Rarity nodding at her. "I'd like that, thank you Rarity." She said before hearing Sweetie call them for lunch.

Both Rarity and Starbloom got up and went to the small dining area near the kitchen. Both offered to help but Sweetie wouldn't hear of it so they took a seat while Sweetie got the table set and everything laid out. "Sweetie darling, have you always been this, independent?" Rarity asked watching her smiling.

Sweetie tilted her head at the question Rarity asked then smiled. "Yea I have, I picked it up from you, you've always been strong and independent." Sweetie said and Rarity blushed faintly smiling.

"I guess that's true Sweetie dear, but don't forget to ask for help if you need it. Same goes for you Starbloom," Rarity said looking over at Starbloom. "While I might not fully understand this relationship you two have, if your going to be partners in life, don't forget to rely on each other for help."

Starbloom and Sweetie looked at Rarity blinking abit then smiled nodding. "Alright Rarity, we understand." Sweetie said smiling, and Starbloom nodded. "Thank you, we will." It was subtle but they understood Rarity was giving them her blessing. 

"But let's enjoy this nice meal you made Sweetie, it looks and smells wonderful," Rarity said smiling at the two, her horn lighting up to start preparing her plate. Sweetie's horn also light up as well as Starbloom's crystals as the three started to settle in for a nice lunch.

Nearby, a figured dressed in black was watching the small house Sweetie and Starbloom lived in from the roof top of a nearby house, the figures eyes narrow dangerously as it stared watching before dropping off the roof and disappearing into an ally out of sight.