It was a beautiful, peaceful day in Ponyville. Just outside the town, Starlight Glimmer was joining Fluttershy and her animal friends for a picnic.
"I'm so glad you could join us, Starlight." Fluttershy smiled, as she set down a bowl of vegetables for the animals.
"Me too." Starlight nodded. "It's so nice and peaceful out here, really helps to me relax. Besides, I kinda owed you after dropping out of the last picnic."
"Um, that's okay." Fluttershy told her. "There are always more picnics, after all..."
Starlight suddenly felt something warm and fuzzy rubbing against her leg. She looked down, and saw Angel nuzzling her.
"Hi, Angel." She smiled, scratching him behind the ears. "Did you miss me?"
Angel squeaked happily.
"Wow." Fluttershy beamed. "Angel doesn't usually take to new ponies that quickly, but he really seems to have taken a shine to you."
"And I've taken a shine to him." Starlight rubbed Angel's tummy.
"Would you like to feed him a carrot?" Fluttershy offered.
"Sure." Starlight nodded. Using her magic, she pulled a carrot over to Angel. "There you go, little guy. Enjoy."
Angel leapt upon the carrot, and gleefully began munching on it.
"Whoa, he's a hungry little fella, isn't he?" Starlight chuckled.
"He does love his carrots." Fluttershy smiled.
"I'm pretty hungry myself." Starlight admitted. "Let's dig in!"
"You don't have to tell me twice." Fluttershy giggled.
The two ponies and their animal friends enjoyed all the food on offer, Starlight and Fluttershy making small talk as they did. All too soon, the food was gone, and the picnic over.
"This was really fun, Fluttershy." Starlight declared, as they cleaned everything up. "I've been really busy with my studies lately, and I needed a nice, relaxing break like this."
"I'm just glad we could spend some time together." Fluttershy smiled. "And it looks like I'm not the only one..."
Angel was once again nuzzling against Starlight's leg.
"I'll see you soon, you little cutie." Starlight patted the top of Angel's head. "And next time, I'll bring some food, too."
"Oh, that would be so nice." Fluttershy grinned. "Now I'm really looking forward to our next picnic."
"Me too." Starlight beamed.
Starlight trotted back to Ponyville soon after. As she neared the town, a rainbow streak heading in the opposite direction suddenly passed by overhead, bringing with it a powerful gust of wind that blew at Starlight's mane, the tip getting into her mouth.
"Peh, peh!" Starlight spat out the curled tress. "Never had this problem with the old style..."
"Hey, Starlight!" The rainbow streak, better known as Rainbow Dash, landed beside her. "Sorry about that. Didn't see you there."
"No problem." Starlight shrugged. "The only damage was to my pride."
"So, what's happening?" Rainbow asked.
"Just coming back from a picnic with Fluttershy." Starlight declared. "Twilight and Spike had to go to Canterlot on royal business, so I needed something to keep me occupied."
"Yeah, well, no offense to Fluttershy's picnic-throwing skills, but there are more exciting ways to spend your day." Rainbow smirked.
"I'm sure there are." Starlight admitted. "But I'm looking to just kick back and relax right now."
"But you can do that and get some excitement." Rainbow declared.
"Really? How?" Starlight asked.
"Oh, just by reading a little something called Daring Do!" Rainbow grinned.
"What's... Daring Do?" Starlight asked hesitantly, recalling how Rainbow had reacted the last time she'd admitted ignorance of something the Pegasus was interested in.
"Only the best adventure book series ever!" Rainbow proclaimed.
"Books, huh?" Starlight noted. "No offense, but I didn't think you were the type."
"I didn't use to be." Rainbow shrugged. "Truth is, I used to think reading was just for eggheads. But then Twilight introduced me to the first Daring Do book, and I was hooked! I've read the entire series. And let me tell you, they are the most awesome stories I've ever read!"
"That good, huh?" Starlight mused.
"Hey, maybe I can lend you the first book in the series: Daring Do and the Sapphire Statue." Rainbow declared. "It'd be nice to have another Daring Do lover around. Between you, me, and Twilight, we could form our own little club! Whattaya say? You up for it?"
"Sure, why not?" Starlight smiled.
"Sweet." Rainbow grinned. "Wait right here. Back in a flash!"
Rainbow took off like a rocket in the direction of her cloud home. She returned moments later, clasping the book with one hoof.
"Here you go." She passed Starlight the book. "Enjoy!"
"Thanks, Rainbow." Starlight beamed.
"No problem." Rainbow smirked. "Let me know when you're done, so we can talk about how awesome it is!"
"Will do." Starlight nodded. "And I'll take good care of your book, too."
"I know you will." Rainbow nodded. "Gotta fly. Catch ya later!"
Rainbow zipped off into the sky. Starlight returned to the castle, making her way to the study (having finally mastered finding around her around recently). She sat in her favorite chair, and started reading.
As Luna's night fell, Twilight and Spike returned to the castle.
"We're back!" Spike called.
"Hey, guys." Starlight smiled. "How did the royal business go?"
"Pretty well." Twilight declared. "Hey, is that a Daring Do book?"
"Yeah." Starlight nodded. "Rainbow lent it to me."
"You should be honored." Twilight grinned. "She doesn't lend her books out to just anypony."
Spike suddenly yawned.
"Well, Spike and I have had a long day." Twilight declared, looking tired herself. "We'll be heading off to bed soon."
"Okay." Starlight replied. "I think I'll just read a little more."
"Don't stay up too late, though." Twilight chuckled. "Can't have my student getting all exhausted on me."
"Anything you say, teacher." Starlight grinned.
"Goodnight, Starlight." Twilight smiled.
"'Night." Spike yawned again.
"Goodnight." Starlight replied, before returning to her book.
A couple of days later, Rainbow zipped into the castle. Starlight was in the study with Twilight, helping organise her scrolls.
"Hey, Starlight." She smiled. "Have you finished the book yet?"
"Just finished it this morning, actually." Starlight nodded.
"So, what did ya think?" Rainbow asked. "It was awesome, right?"
"It was... okay." Starlight shrugged.
"Okay?" Rainbow's giddy grin faded into a frown. "Just 'okay'?"
"It was a good story." Starlight admitted. "But it didn't really seem like everything you made it out to be."
"You're kidding, right?" Rainbow frowned. "How could you not love it?"
"Rainbow, Starlight is entitled to her opinion." Twilight frowned.
"But the Daring Do books are the greatest literary work ever!" Rainbow protested.
"Well, that was the impression I got when you lent it to me." Starlight declared. "But the book was just... not that great to me."
"'Not that great'?" Rainbow repeated. "'Not that great'? Are you nuts?!"
"Rainbow!" Twilight scolded her.
"Why are you taking this so seriously?" Starlight frowned. "It's just a silly book!"
Rainbow gasped loudly.
"Just a silly book, huh?" She scowled. "What was I thinking, lending out my favorite story to somepony who can't appreciate it?"
"Oh, so just because I don't share your opinion on something, that automatically makes me wrong?" Starlight growled. "Look Rainbow, I appreciate you lending me the book, but I can't help how I feel about it."
"Then I should take it back then!" Rainbow swooped over and snatched up the book from its perch on a nearby table. "After all, it's 'just a silly book, right?"
"Go ahead." Starlight snarled. "If I'd known you were going to be like this, maybe I shouldn't have agreed to read it in the first place!"
"Yeah, maybe you shouldn't!" Rainbow yelled, before flying out of the room, book in hoof.
"Can you believe her?" Starlight rounded on Twilight.
"Rainbow can be... very passionate about her interests." Twilight admitted. "But I'm sure she'll cool off soon enough."
"Can I step out for a while?" Starlight asked Twilight. "I need some air."
"Of course." Twilight nodded sympathetically. "Take all the time you need."
"Thanks, Twilight." Starlight smiled.
Starlight walked to the outskirts of Ponyville. As she walked, her anger started to subside, replaced by regret. In her mind's eye, Starlight recalled the hurt look on Rainbow's face when she told her what she'd thought of the book. Despite their argument, Starlight felt guilty over hurting her feelings like that.
'Great job, Starlight.' She told herself. 'I don't need a friendship lesson to know you shouldn't insult another pony's favorite book. Rainbow probably hates me now. But what can I do about it?'
Desperate to find a way to make things right, Starlight found a nice spot in the middle of a field, and laid down on it.
'I just need a moment to think.' She thought. 'Need some peace and quiet...'
Suddenly, a loud banging sound ripped through the air.
"Ahh!" Starlight sat up in shock. "What the-?"
As she looked around, Starlight spotted Applejack, bucking trees nearby.
"Howdy, Starlight!" Applejack called. "Didn't mean ta scare ya."
"It's okay." Starlight sighed. "Maybe I should have been more picky with where to think..."
"Sumthin' wrong, sugarcube?" Applejack asked. "Ya look a little... outta sorts."
"That's one way of putting it." Starlight frowned.
"So what's up?" Applejack asked.
"Oh... I don't want to interrupt your applebucking." Starlight shook her head.
"It ain't like them apples are goin' anywhere." Applejack grinned. "C'mon. You'll feel better once you let it out."
"Okay..." Starlight declared. "Well, it all started a couple of days ago..."
A few minutes later, Starlight finished telling Applejack the whole story.
"...And now I'm worried I've just ruined my friendship with Rainbow." Starlight sighed.
"That's quite a pickle." Applejack noted.
"Maybe I should've just lied and told her I loved the book." Starlight mused.
"But then you'd just be pretending." Applejack frowned. "More often than not, ya gotta be honest with yer opinions, even if the truth sorta stings."
"I think the truth did more than just sting Rainbow..." Starlight muttered. "She really loves these books, and I just told her one of them wasn't all that great. Even called it silly. I wouldn't be surprised if she never spoke to me again..."
"Now, don't go that far, sugarcube." Applejack chuckled. "Rainbow may be one stubborn pony, but she's alsothe most loyal mare Ah've ever known. She ain't gonna hold this against ya."
"Easy for you to say." Starlight frowned. "You didn't see the look on her face."
"Yeah, Rainbow can be a real hot-head." Applejack admitted. "But she simmers down, jest like every other pony. She's probably already cooled off by now. In fact, why donchya go an' talk ta her? Straighten this whole mess out."
"I don't know..." Starlight said worriedly. "What if she's still mad at me?"
"Maybe she is, maybe she ain't." Applejack shrugged. "But ya don't want her ta stay mad, do ya?"
"No, I don't..." Starlight admitted.
"Then go talk things out." Applejack urged. "Settle this feud right now."
"What if she doesn't want to listen?" Starlight frowned.
"Don't sell RD short." Applejack told her. "She can be pretty reasonable when ya give her the chance. Ya jest might be surprised. Anyway, ya shouldn't let that kinda fear stop ya from makin' up with a friend. Sumtimes, ya gotta face those fears if ya wanna keep a friend."
"I guess it's worth a shot..." Starlight mused.
"Darn tootin'." Applejack grinned.
"Okay, I'll do it. Thanks, AJ." Starlight smiled.
"Mah pleasure, Starlight." Applejack tipped her hat.
Starlight made her way to Rainbow's cloud house. Using her self-levitation spell, she lifted herself upwards, and spotted Rainbow lying on her back on a cloud, eyes closed.
"...Rainbow?" Starlight asked tentatively.
Rainbow opened one eye, glancing at Starlight.
"Starlight." She said flatly.
"Look, I'm... I'm sorry about before." Starlight sighed. "I shouldn't have called your book 'silly'. That was just the anger talking. And I'm sorry I didn't like it the way you thought I would."
For a moment, Rainbow lay still, giving no indication that she had even been listening. Then she sighed heavily.
"It's not your fault." She opened both eyes, looking at Starlight.
"It's not?" Starlight asked.
"Nah." Rainbow sighed again. "It's mine. I was so jazzed about introducing somepony else to Daring Do, the way Twilight did for me. Guess it never crossed my mind that you wouldn't like it."
"I never said I didn't like it." Starlight informed her. "I do. It is well-written, with some good characters. I just... didn't think it was as 'awesome' as you said it was. Maybe I should have mentioned that first part before."
"How could you, with me going off the way I did?" Rainbow shrugged. "I guess I kinda overreacted to the whole thing..."
"As perhaps Equestria's leading authority on overreacting, I can safely say that it wasn't that bad." Starlight joked.
"I just wanted to share one of my favorite things with my newest pal." Rainbow admitted. "And totally lost it when things didn't turn out the way I wanted..."
"Well, 'losing it' is something else I have experience in." Starlight pointed out. "But like I said, I may not have thought the book was great, but I didn't think it was bad, either. Reading it is definitely a good way to spend my downtime. Still, I guess I'm not quite as passionate about this sort of thing as you are."
"Yeah, guess so." Rainbow smiled.
"But maybe I could be." Starlight smiled back. "Maybe if I read the next book in the series, I could start to appreciate it more."
"Really?" Rainbow lit up. "Because, y'know, you don't have to if you don't want to..."
"But I do want to." Starlight smiled. "Just don't ask me for a review next time."
"Message received." Rainbow chuckled. "But you oughta know, the second book's even better than the first."
"I look forward to reading it, then." Starlight grinned.
Rainbow rushed into her room, and brought out the next book in the series, Daring Do and the Griffon's Goblet.
"Here ya go." Rainbow smiled. "Enjoy."
"I will." Starlight nodded.
"And... sorry about before." Rainbow pouted. "Won't happen again, I promise."
"I know it won't." Starlight declared. "And who knows? Maybe we could still have that 'book club' after all."
"Here's hopin'." Rainbow grinned.
Starlight returned to the castle study.
"There you are, Starlight." Twilight noted. She spotted the book Starlight was carrying with her magic. "Am I to assume you and Rainbow patched things up?"
"Yep." Starlight nodded. "Of course, I needed a little encouragement from Applejack before that could happen."
"No shame in getting help." Twilight declared. "I would have stepped in to help myself, but I thought you could both use some time to cool off."
"Good call." Starlight replied.
"I'm glad you managed to resolve things with Rainbow, though." Twilight declared. "Even with a little nudge. Your friendship studies are really coming along."
"Thanks, Twilight." Starlight beamed. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a little reading to do..."
"Go right ahead." Twilight grinned.
Starlight sat in her favorite chair, and started reading. While she would never be quite the fan of the books Rainbow was, she could still enjoy reading him, an enjoyment that was increased by knowing that she shared it with a friend.