//------------------------------//
// Intermission- Firefly gets Surprised 
// Story: Family Relics: Adventures of the Past and Present 
// by Paradise Oasis 
//------------------------------//

Intermission- Firefly gets Surprised

For a break in the story's tension, I here present the mini story of Firefly's failed attempt to read Daring Do novel... with 'Surprising' results!

"Are you sure I'm gonna enjoy this book, Paradise?" Firefly asked, looking down at the copy of Daring Do and the Sapphire Stone. "I mean, reading's not exactly my thing, ya know!"

"Oh, I'm sure of it, Fly!" The white Pegasus with the palm tree cutie mark declared, pointing to all the books on the shelves of her library. "As much as you love adventures and all, I'm sure you'll love Daring Do's heroic exploits!"

"I dunno, most of the books I look usually got pictures in em'. Particularly pictures of stallions." Firefly told the Dram Castle librarian with a grin. "But since you're friends with Twilight and all, I'll take you're word for it!" 

"Let me know how you enjoyed it!"  Paradise replied, as the pink mare flapped her way out of the library. "See you later. Fly!"

Holding the book in her hooves, Firefly thought about wither she would really enjoy this story. She did like the adventure  movies Megan always brought for them to watch, so maybe reading a story wouldn't be so bad?

"Heya Firefly!" A voice came out of nowhere, as a mass of white feathers and fur flapped right into her face. "Whatcha dooooin?"

"Eyah!" The mare shrieked, dropping the book in shock. Looking up, she saw the pony in front of her. "Blast it Surprise! You scared me half ta death!"

"Haha! You shoulda seen ya jump!" The Pegasus giggled and snorted. "The look on yer face... priceless!" 

"Look, I really don't have time for yer craziness, ya lunatic!" The adventurous pony declared, zipping into her room. "I got this book I wanna read, and-"

"Wait, you mean to tell me Dream Valley's living mattress for stallions has taken up reading?" Surprise said in mock-Surprise. "This is the best joke you've ever told, Fly!"

"Look, just leave me alone, wilya?!"  The mare snorted, slamming the door in her face.  

"So, you wanna be mean about it, huh?" The crazy Pegasus thought to herself, narrowing her eyes. "Well then, time for a dose of good ol' Surprise randomness!"

"Now, let's see what's in this book...." Sitting down on the bed, Firefly learned back and made herself comfortable. Cracking the book open, the mare was just about to start reading, when a knock came at the door.

"Grrrr, this had better be good." Firefly snarled, throwing the door open. "Alright, what is it?"

"Firefly, you know stuff about human earth music, right?" Surprise asked, standing outside the room while holding an old record. "Who put the bop in the bop shoo bop shoo bop?"

"What?!? You interrupted me to ask about that?!"  She slammed the door in her face again. "Why don't you go find a belfry to hang out with the other bats in?"

Trotting back over to the book, she opened the cover and started to read again. It was at that point the mare heard a hoof pounding on her window, and saw a familiar white Pegasus flapping around outside the window.

"Urgh, not you again!" She stormed over to the window. "What the flank do want Surprise?!? I'm kinda trying to read here!"

"Umm, sorry to bug you again, but I kinda need your help." Surprise held up a screwdriver in her hoof. "See, a couple of bolts in my room needs tightening, and a whole buncha stallions in the castle told me you're really good at-"

"WOULD YOU PLEASE GET THE FLANK OUT OF HERE!?" Firefly yelled, slamming the window shut. "I'd like to do some reading, if you please!"

Storming back to the bed, the mare once again picked up the book, and tried one final time to read from it's pages. It was then she heard a loud *poof*, and suddenly the object of her annoyance was standing in front of her. 

"Ahhhhh!" Firefly shrieked, nearly falling off her bed. "Surprise! How the flank did you get in here?!?"

"I had a unicorn teleport me in!" The crazy mare replied with a grin. "Say, did you want to-"

"All right, that does it, I've had it!" She chucked the book against the wall, and collapsed on the bed in frustration. "I give up! Surprise, would you do me a favor, and take this book back to Paradise! I don't think I'll ever get to read it in peace?"

The mare stared at Firefly for a moment, before shaking her head.

"I just wanted to ask if you’d like to read together." Surprise replied with a sigh. "I’ve heard a book is always better with a friend."

The other Pegasus looked at her in disbelief, before breaking out in a smile. 

"Well, why didn't you say so?" She picked up the book with her wings, as Surprise sat down beside him. "We should take turns reading the chapters!"

And as the two ponies dove into the adventure, one new Daring Do fan was born.

And as I understand it, Surprise has been an avid reader ever since.