Soarin was nervous. His belongings were all packed and currently resting alongside Blueblood’s in his work storage. All he had with him was a travel pack with some toiletries and essentials.
“I’m gonna miss this place.” He sighed, closing the door of the house for the last time.
The time had finally come for Blueblood to move in with Rarity. Soarin and Blue had discussed this already and had made plans. Since the market in Ponyville wasn’t going amazing well at the moment, the two stallions had put the house up for sale immediately to get the process going, intending to deal with their living arrangements along the way.
However, they had not taken into account the popularity of owning a house that used to belong to two Guardians of Harmony-slash-element bearers, and the stallions found their two story home immediately purchased by a young couple moving to Ponyville from Trottingham.
This left the two in a pickle. While Blueblood could store their belongings and furniture in his warehouse, the two now needed sleeping arrangements.
While her boutique wasn’t large enough for both Blueblood and Rarity to live permanently, it was large enough for temporary accommodation for Blueblood, as he made plans with his beloved for more long-term housing.
Soarin however was left with temporary accommodation at 'The Nesting Pegasus' Inn while he searched for a place for himself. The Nesting Pegasus didn’t see a great deal of activity, as Ponyville wasn’t exactly a tourist goldmine, but it would certainly suit Soarin’s needs until he could get himself a place.
Picking up his travel bag and slinging it over his shoulder, the light-blue pegasus gave one last nostalgic sigh at the home that he and Blueblood had shared as they began their lives in Ponyville with the great friends they had made back at that Grand Galloping Gala months ago. Then he turned and began a nice even trot into town. Along the way he had to raise his eyebrow as he noticed a string of injured or disabled ponies all grouped together and heading to the outskirts of the town near Sweet Apple Acres. It was odd, as almost every pony there was from out of town and not a Ponyville resident.
“I wonder what’s going on?” he questioned to himself as the group, who all seemed surprisingly chipper despite having several injuries that would make movement rather difficult or even painful, trotted on by.
He watched them for a moment before resuming his walk to the inn, mumbling to himself, “I should probably check in with the gang once I get checked in and see if they have any ideas what that was all about.”
It was only a short walk, as the Nesting Pegasus had been strategically placed nearby to the train station so that guests could easily find it. Like the rest of Ponyvville, it kept a rustic aesthetic, with a thatched roof and stone walls, but it was far long and taller than the average cottage.
Soarin gave a smile as he approached. It certainly looked like a nice place to stay until he could get more long term accommodation sorted. As he entered into the reception area, a little bell dingled over his head. It summoned a middle aged pegasus couple who ran the hotel. With a polite smile, Soarin approached them as they stood behind the reception desk.
“Hi there, you must be Mr. and Mrs. Comfort. I heard about you from some of my friends. My name is Soarin, and I was hoping I could book a room for an extended stay. I’m looking for some more long term housing right now, but this market is not very good, so I need a place to stay while I search.”
While his declaration was polite and friendly, it brought a worried and saddened look to the couple behind the desk.
As the smile dropped from his muzzle, Mr. Comfort cleared his throat. “I’m very sorry to tell you this, Mr. Soarin, but for the next few days, we are completely booked. Some salesponies just came to town peddling some 'miracle tonic', and following them were dozens of ill and injured ponies all looking for accommodation. Right now we are booked solid, and have no rooms available. Likely not for several days either.”
His wife stepped around the counter, also giving Soarin a sad look. “There are a few other places around town that might be available to stay at. Berry Punch might have a few rooms at her bar, and there was a bed and breakfast over on the other side of town that might have a space for you. You’d best hurry though, as I think a saw the last batch of injured ponies carrying tents and sleeping supplies. There might not be anywhere left.”
Remembering the massive crowd of ponies he saw earlier, Soarin’s eyes shrunk to dots and he immediately gave a yelp and burst outside, his wings stretched pumping him into the air.
He had to be quick, or he’d have nowhere to stay!
Over at Carousel Boutique, Blueblood had just settled himself and was about to discuss his and Rarity’s arrangement of moving in together further. For the moment however, Rarity had insisted Blueblood settle in the boutique with her as a temporary situation until they came to an agreement. Blueblood had moved into Sweetie Belle’s room (after Sweetie Belle had assured Blueblood that he could stay there until things were worked out while she would go back to her and Rarity’s parents’ house on the other side of town), and after making a few adjustments, Blueblood looked at the room to be certain it was comfortable.
He’d brought a trunk filled with some of his favorite garments, mostly casual but a few more formal, and had set it at the foot of the bed. Sweetie Belle’s vanity had been cleared, and Blueblood had consented to set up his own grooming utensils and mane/coat care products, and he’d set up a desk with a lamp where he could work on paperwork for his company or draw out schematics or blueprints for his projects.
Satisfied, he went downstairs to Rarity’s living room, where she was waiting for him and sat with her on her sofa while Sweetie Belle sat on Rarity’s fainting couch, petting Opalescence. Splendor, Blueblood's pet peacock, was outside, preferring the open yard rather then the enclosed indoors.
“Now then, ladies,” Blueblood cleared his throat, “I think we can discuss this arrangement to a more decisive degree… Sweetie Belle? Would you be a dear, pop into the kitchen and prepare us some tea?”
“I’d be happy to, Blueblood!” Sweetie Belle gently set Opal aside and hurried off to the kitchen, to Rarity’s discomfort.
“Please be mindful of the stove, Sweetie Belle!” she called after the filly, Blueblood chuckling.
“Relax, my muse,” Blueblood assured her, “I’ve actually shown Sweetie Belle some new tea-brewing techniques, and she passed my expectations! I’d wager my left hind hoof she returns with a delectable brew.”
“Well, if you’re certain, Blueblood, dear,” Rarity caved before taking a deep breath. “Now then, to business - I have to agree that the boutique just isn’t large enough to accommodate us to our mutual satisfaction, but you’ve already sold the house you and Soarin were living in!
“Speaking of the dear, where is Soarin going to live?”
“He absolutely assured me that he’d be fine,” Blueblood sighed, remembering that conversation. “His past occupation as a Wonderbolt allowed him to accumulate enough savings he deemed would help him get by until he found a residence. Even so, I insisted he take the lion’s share of the money we made off the house since I hardly needed it. Which brings me to my proposal that I buy a new house for us, Rarity.”
“A new house?!” Rarity was almost aghast.
“Exactly. I’ve been planning this for a while now, actually,” Blueblood explained as he levitated up a folder, “and after speaking with the Mayor, I have found just the residence that I feel will be perfect for us!”
Blueblood set the folder on the coffee table before them, and opened it to reveal a few pages of paperwork along with a large photograph, which he levitated up for Rarity to see.
“This manor has stood in Ponyville for decades, practically since its founding. It actually used to belong to the Rich Family at one point, but after Stinkin’ Rich passed away from old age, they moved into a newer house and this one fell somewhat into disrepair due to neglect in maintenance.
“But in recent years, Town Hall has taken an interest in this manor and had it spruced up and modernized with plumbing, electricity, and last year it went on the market, and…”
Blueblood didn’t realize it but he was now talking to himself, Rarity having stopped listening around the time Blueblood opened the folder to show her the picture of this house.
He wants to buy a house for us?! Oh my word… This- This is too much! I… I understand he means well an’ all but… Buying a house and moving in together?! We’re not even engaged yet, not to mention I would feel awful for him to go to such lengths-
“I’m back!”
Sweetie Belle’s voice snapped Rarity out of her inner monologue as she and Blueblood looked to see Sweetie Belle levitating a silver tray with three cups, a plate of sugar cookies, and a teapot, along with cream and sugar. It was a little shaky as she concentrated on balancing the tray and holding the pot still but it was harder to extend her aura to the rest of the servings. She sighed a little in relief as she slowly set the tray down and her aura ceased, Sweetie Belle ‘phew’ing and saying, “I hope you like it, Rarity! Bluebood showed me how to make this tea. He said his mother taught him.”
Rarity was taken back a little bit as she looked to Blueblood who shrugged and smiled as he poured the tea, asking Rarity, “Cream and sugar?”
“Oh, thank you…” Rarity accepted the cup and took a cautious sip, prepared for the worse… only for her eyes to widen at how delicious it was!
“Why… this… this is… delightful! And Sweetie Belle, you did this all by yourself?”
“Well, Blueblood taught me how, of course,” Sweetie Belle reminded her, “and he didn’t let me give up until we got it right.”
“Together,” Blueblood nodded to the filly with a warm smile, much to Sweetie Belle’s glee.
The tender moment between her beau and her sister made Rarity smile but she remembered the discussion at hoof.
“Well, ahem, Blueblood, dear… I appreciate the intentions, but… I’m not so certain a new house is…”
“Rarity, I understand,” Blueblood said with sincere empathy. “You don’t want to feel as though you’re taking advantage of our relationship.”
“It’s not just that, Blueblood,” Rarity brought up, “moving in together is one thing, but moving into a new house? I love you, Blueblood, truly, and while we’ve been together for quite some time… Well, this seems like rushing towards a commitment when we… well, when we’re not…”
“Engaged?” Blueblood answered for her with a light chuckle, Rarity nodding. “I see your point, Rarity, and I appreciate the thoughts behind it.”
“Rarity, if you don’t want to get the house Blueblood is talking about,“ Sweetie Belle spoke up as she kindly offered, “I can give up the room you gave me to Blueblood and stay with Mom and Dad.”
Rarity was surprised by her sister’s generosity, especially after she’d set up that bedroom for Sweetie Belle to have a place with her at the boutique whenever their eccentric parents went out on their wild trips. It was also convenient for Sweetie Belle since their parents lived on the far side of Ponyville, and spending nights with Rarity made it easier for the filly to be closer to her friends and her school.
“That’s very generous of you, Sweetie Belle,” Blueblood spoke but gently shook his head no, “but I must decline.”
“Well, why not?” Sweetie Belle tilted her head, puzzled by Blueblood turning down her offer. “If Rarity doesn’t want the house, and since you two want to live together, it’d be easier if I just move out and stay with our parents full-time.”
Rarity was about to say something but Blueblood beat her to the punch, “Because your big sister set up that room for you, little filly! Depending on how this discussion turns out, I’ll only need your room for a little while, a week or two at most.
“Granted, buying a house for us may seem… overdoing it a little. But it’s making room for everyone involved to be comfortable and happy. Including you.”
“Me?!” Sweetie Belle’s soft green eyes widened.
“Her?” Rarity’s deep blue eyes expanded.
“Well yes, this manor has more than enough room,” Blueblood chuckled at their faces, finding it cute.
“The manor has six bedroom! We could live there, and have plenty of room for Sweetie Belle and your parents, if they liked! Not to mention it’s location, a nice short walk between the boutique and the warehouse.
“And Sweetie Belle? Finding your sister and her becoming my special somepony I feel is truly a blessing, but it became even more special after I met you!”
“Whattya mean?” Sweetie Belle asked.
Rarity understood, “Because you were an only child and when your parents passed away, you never got to have any little brothers or sisters.”
“That is it, exactly,” Blueblood said with a sigh, “and while Aunt Celestia is like a second mother to me, and Cadance was always more a big sister to me than a cousin, now I know what it’s like to be a big brother… because Sweetie Belle? I think of you as the little sister I never had!”
“Oh!” Sweetie Belle leapt up to Blueblood to give him a big hug, which he returned warmly.
The sight of her sister and stallion caused Rarity’s eyes to well up with tears as she smiled, happy that there was a special bond between them. She didn’t know where it came from, but it also made Rarity consider warmly.
How wonderful would he be as a father…?
“Let’s discuss it some more.”
Blueblood and Sweetie Belle looked to Rarity, who smiled more openly.
“Granted, I still have a few reservations, I believe now this may be the right solution.”
Sweetie Belle smiled at Rarity while Blueblood nodded, “Alright then, let’s go over this file and if you like, later on we can go check out the manor personally.”
“Ooh! Ooh! I want to see the manor right now!” Sweetie Belle hopped up and down before smiling dearly at her big sister.
“Can we go and see it, Rarity?! Can we, can we, please can we?”
“Well, it is a nice day out for a stroll,” Rarity considered before levitating over a gossamer scarf and sunhat, along with Blueblood’s favorite sunglasses.
“Let’s!”
“YAY!” Sweetie Belle hurried to the door.
Gathering up the file, Blueblood whispered to Rarity, “Are you sure?”
“Well, love, I appreciate the lengths you’re going, and the least I can do is give the house a look before I make up my own mind,” Rarity replied amicably.
Blueblood smiled appreciatively at his mare and pulled her into a loving tender kiss, which she returned just as lovingly.
“RARITY! BLUEBLOOD! What’s taking you?!”called Sweetie Belle.
“Hold your horses, Sweetie Belle, we’re coming!” Blueblood couldn’t help but laugh as did Rarity.
They joined her at the front door, Blueblood opening it with his magic and giving a teasing curtsy, “Madames?”
“Oh you flatterer,” Rarity teased back while Sweetie Belle giggled.
They stepped outside but then noticed several ponies who didn’t look to be in the best of shape. Despite their conditions, they were talking quite lively before they took a swig of some kind of liquid.
“Good day to you all,” Blueblood welcomed them as he and his ladies approached. “Pray tell, what has you in high spirits in your… conditions?”
“This new Flim Flam Miracle Tonic!” a tall and heavily-built unicorn stallion of pale blue with a grayish mane. He had some bandages wrapped snugly around his middle.
“We went to this showing those guys were doing and saw this guy who needed crutches to walk drink this stuff, and almost suddenly he;s dancing out the door!”
“Wait a minute, did you say ‘Flim Flam’?” Rarity asked, Blueblood equally curious.
“Yeah! Ugh, it’s… able to cure just abou- abou- abOU-CHOO!” sneezed a mare obviously suffering from hay fever. “Anything…”
Blueblood, Rarity, and even Sweetie Belle shared a look of skepticism.