~*{Chapter Fourteen}*~
The rest of the day went relatively quiet after Applejack and Apple Bloom left the library. Sweetie Belle seemed less stressed and upset than the day before, though she was still unsure if she wanted to go to school tomorrow or not. Starbloom spent the day doing research quietly on forensics and investigation.
While Starbloom did her research, Sweetie kept to herself either watching, or reading books herself. Starbloom did check on her from time to time to make sure she was doing alright. But every time she did Sweetie said she was fine and not to worry.
Around five in the afternoon there was a knock on the door. Starbloom go up from where she was sitting and went to answer the door. “Hello?” she asked as she opened the door, she saw Aplejack standing at the entrance to the library smiling.
“Howdy sugar cube, I just came by to drop off some dinner for you and Sweetie Belle if that ain't a problem.” Applejack said smiling at her turning to the basket on her back.
“Thank you Applejack, that sounds great I wasn’t sure what to make for dinner today.” Starbloom said moving so Applejack could come inside.
“Your welcome sugar, happy to help out.” Applejack said as she came into the library and headed to the kitchen to set out dinner for Starbloom and Sweetie Belle.
“Are you staying for dinner?” Sweetie Belle asked getting out plates and cups placing them on the table.
“I would sugar cube, but Big Mac is expecting me back at the farm soon.” Applejack said looking over at Sweetie Belle. She saw the look on Sweetie’s face when she said she couldn’t stay and considered for a moment. “But I’m sure I can stay if you want me to.”
Sweetie Belle smiled at Applejack and nodded softly. “If, it won't be a problem if you stay.” Sweetie said softly. She looked at the dish Applejack got out of the basket breathing in the scent. “What’s that?” She asked.
“It’s a sweet potato praline casserole.” Applejack said smiling at her. “One of ma’s old recipes I found in her cookbook.”
“It smells very good, thank you Applejack.” Starbloom said looking the dish over, there was also salad and sliced apples.
Applejack smiled dishing out a serving for them, as well as a serving of salad and divided the apple slices onto separate plates. “Yer welcome Starbloom, ever since telling Apple Bloom about her parents, I felt like a weights been lifted off my back and I can put it behind me.”
“I’m glad to hear that Applejack, I know it couldn’t of been easy.” Starbloom said taking a seat at the table, Sweetie sitting next to her nodding softly in agreement.
Applejack smiled as she joined them at the table. “Guess I been holding it in for so long, about our parents, and everything. Apple Bloom has been asking all kinds of questions about them as well.”
“I can see that, I can imagine she wants to know what they were like.” Starbloom said smiling softly, Sweetie sat quietly next to her and ate as she listened.
“That she does, she’s always been a curious filly. I finally just ended up giving her one of ma’s old journals she kept while growing up and a picture.” Applejack said smiling before starting to eat herself.
Starbloom smiled and nodded as she started to eat as well. The flavor of the casserole was different then she expected, but she did enjoy it. “This is very good Applejack, thank you for bringing it.”
“Yer welcome Starbloom, glad yer enjoying it.” Applejack said smiling looking over at Sweetie Belle. “What about yerself Sweetie do you like it?”
Sweetie looked up from her plate and smiled nodding at Applejack. “Yes I do Applejack, thank you. It’s different but it’s good.”
Applejack nodded and smiled at them, “I guess it is different then what ya can get around here, it’s a traditional settler pony dish.”
Sweetie Belle nodded at Applejack smiling. “Yea, Rarity likes to make more Canterlot dishes.”
Applejack smiled and chuckled softly. “Sounds like Rarity.”
Starbloom nodded faintly smiling, “Mom likes simple and quick, though she does have a taste for Canterlot food, but I guess that’s because she grew up in Canterlot. If it wasn’t for me and Spike though, I doubt the oven would get used here most of the time.”
Applejack chuckled again softly and nodded. “I can see that, sometimes I think she has her head in the clouds more than Rainbow Dash, figuratively speaking of course.”
Starbloom smiled softly nodding at Applejack. “I have to agree with you on that, she does spend a lot of her time thinking and doing research. Me and Spike have to remind her to take breaks and eat. Not as much lately though, since she became princess.”
Applejack smiled, “Ya, guess she ain't under as much stress to study now.”
Starbloom nodded smiling, “Yea, she isn’t though she still spends most of her time researching. She said just because some pony has achieved their goal, doesn’t mean they should stop learning and bettering themselves.”
Applejack nodded at Starbloom smiling, “Wise words, but can’t expect anything less from Twilight.”
Starbloom smiled and nodded at Applejack, they spent the rest of dinner quietly talking about various other subjects. Once dinner was finished the three got the kitchen cleaned up and Applejack packed up the dishes in her basket before leaving the two alone in the library heading back to Sweet Apple Acres.
It was getting late and Sweetie Belle was getting tired. She and Starbloom headed up he stairs to Starbloom’s room. Starbloom started to gather her blankets and pillows before Sweetie Belle stopped her. “You don’t have to sleep on the floor Starbloom, I’ll just end up joining you.”
Starbloom stopped and looked over at Sweetie Belle, “I suppose your right Sweetie,” Starbloom said putting the blankets and pillows back where she got them from. “I have been waking up to find you snuggled up next to me.”
Sweetie blushed faintly and shifted. “I, hope that isn’t a problem… I just, since my mom and dad passed away I don’t like sleeping alone. Guess it’s kind of silly isn’t it?”
“Not at all Sweetie, I understand.” Starbloom said getting into the bed with Sweetie Belle. “You can’t expect to get over something like that quickly.”
“Do you, think Rarity will let me see with her for a little while when I go back home?” Sweetie asked rolling over to face her.
“I’m sure she will, Rarity is probably going through the same emotions and feelings you are.” Starbloom said watching Sweetie quietly. Sweetie yawned softly snuggling under the covers. Starbloom used her magic to turn the lights out smiling.
“I hope so, I really don’t feel like being alone when I go home.” Sweetie said tiredly her eyes drifting shut.
Starbloom smiled again watching her for a moment before snuggling down under the covers herself closing her eyes. It wasn’t long before she drifted off to sleep herself. Before she did she could feel Sweetie Belle snuggle herself in close against her.