Rainbow Dash flitted around the library nervously as Twilight Sparkle finished reading the scroll in front of her. “Well?” she asked, anxiously. “What do you think?”
“I’m... not sure,” admitted Twilight, chewing her lip awkwardly. “It’s... certainly, your spelling and grammar have improved a lot since your last story. I can’t fault your use of apostrophes either...”
Rainbow groaned. “Come on, Twilight! If I wanted to know about my spelling, I’d have given it to Cheerilee to grade. What do you think of the story?”
Twilight eyed the scroll again, thinking hard on her answer. “I... like it, I think? I do feel bad for Daring. I just don’t think I understand it. It’s like she said. She has everything going for her – friends, fame, her career. What possible reason would she have to be sad?”
“Maybe she doesn’t need a reason,” said Rainbow, starting to fly in circles around the library again. “Maybe ponies can just be sad sometimes, and that’s okay. She doesn’t owe it to anypony else to be happy all the time, does she?”
Twilight’s eyes widened in comprehension, and she started watching Rainbow intently, not interrupting her speech.
“Maybe it’s just something that happens to some ponies! Or maybe being Daring Do isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. What if she doesn’t want to be Daring Do all the time? Loyal, dependable, unstoppable, always saves the day, never leaves Ponyville hanging Daring Do?”
“I guess that might not be all that great after all,” admitted Twilight quietly. “Maybe she needs to take a holiday. A real holiday, without anypony else depending on her.”
“That... might be nice,” said Rainbow, hovering in front of Twilight. “But what about all of her responsibilities? She can’t just abandon her friends and her classes and stuff. And what if Ahuitzotl tries to take over the world again?”
“I think Daring’s friends can live without her for a few weeks, and saving the world from Ahuitzotl shouldn’t always be down to just her. Her friends can cover for her while she’s away.”
“I guess so,” Rainbow said hesitantly. “A holiday might do her some good. You know. In my next story.”
Twilight nodded. “I think that would be very good for her. Or maybe she could talk to one of her friends about how she feels?”
Rainbow just shook her head, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes.
“Alright, then, just a holiday,” Twilight said hurriedly. “I hope she enjoys it.”
“Yeah, me too,” said Rainbow Dash. “Hey, uh, I was thinking. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Little Strongheart and Braeburn. Maybe I could go hang out at Appleloosa for a few weeks. You know, catch up with them, see if there’s anything I can do for them. Not like I need a break or anything.”
“Of course not, Rainbow,” Twilight agreed, trying not to grin. “Have fun!”
“I will!” Rainbow called as she flitted out of Twilight’s window. “See you in a few weeks!”
Twilight waved, then turned her attention back to the story on her desk. She read the first few paragraphs again, before a rainbow blur shot through her window and wrapped its front legs tightly around her.
“Thank you,” Rainbow whispered, pressing her tear-streaked face to Twilight’s neck. “And please don’t tell the others.”
“I won't, Rainbow Dash. I promise. Now you go and have a good time in Appleloosa. I’ll see you when you get back.”
Once Twilight was sure that Rainbow Dash was well and truly gone, she finished reading the story again, then got out a fresh scroll. She chewed thoughtfully on the end of her quill, then began to write.
“Dear Princess Celestia,
I learnt a very important lesson about friendship today, but this letter isn’t about me. I know that I’m your student and you’re my teacher, but I wanted you to know that I’m here to listen to you if you ever need to talk. You do so much for me and for Equestria, and I’m just a little bit worried about you.
Your friend,
Twilight Sparkle”