Soarin gave a shout as he impacted the lake at the speed of sound, only to find that he was, in fact, lying safely in a soft bed. Panting, he gave a start as the door opened and an icy blue mare with a pink mane entered and flipped on the overhead light. Rushing up to him, she put a hoof on his head and gently laid him down. She grabbed the glass of water that was sitting on the nightstand and gave him a sip. One he was settled in, she turned to leave before stopping and gesturing at the bookcase, giving Soarin and inquisitive look. He gave her a blank stare for a second before realizing her question and responding,
“Oh, uh, yes please.”
Nodding, she inspected the bookcase before selecting a small book and depositing it in front of him. Before he could thank her, she turned on his lamp and exited the room, turning off the overhead light on her way out. Giving a couple of stunned blinks, Soarin shook his head and looked at the book in his hooves. He was greeted with a hoof written inscription of, “Notes On The Trees Surrounding My Home”. Curious, he turned the book about, looking for a title. The small green book provided no such information, nor, for that matter, any information at all. With no other option, he carefully opened the book to the first page. On it, he found a detailed pencil drawing of a Pine Tree. Many notes were scribbled all about, including a scribble indicating this as a Tsuga, canadensis. The next page offered a detailed cross section of a needle and a detailed description of the tree and the function of its needles. Each page contained Drawings, facts, descriptions, and notes on every tree imaginable. Flipping through, Soarin noticed that the subject of photosynthesis was brought up and examined again, and again. Each section provided more insight the further into the book he went. Near the end, he found that bits of poetry were scribbled in the margins. Lines describing the movement of leaves, and the filtering of sun through the branches, were plentiful. One line in particular, though, stuck out to him.
“On wings of sky, he flies on by. But me, he’ll never know.”
Soarin couldn’t place it, but something about the line felt important. Reading it again shed no light on the line. Sighing he closed the book and placed it on his nightstand. The clock indicated that it would be a couple of hours before the sun would rise, so he did his best to settle back in and go to sleep.
---
The light from the morning sun served as Soarin’s next wake-up call. The window seemed to make the room glow and he found himself unable to go back to sleep. Stretching out as best he could, he looked at the clock and took note of the time. Only 6:43? I guess I have a bit of time before anyone else is up. I might as well keep reading that book. His hoof came up empty, however, and a look at the nightstand beside him revealed that the book was no longer there. What the? Did I dream that? Any further contemplation was cut short by a knock at the door.
“Hello in there, are you awake?”
“Yeah.”
“Good, may I come in?”
“I guess so.”
The door opened and Photo Finish walked in followed by a brown pony with a straight yellow mane carrying a tray of assorted breakfast items. Photo Finish pulled the chair up to the bed and the other pony set the tray on Soarin’s lap before departing without a word.
“Forgive the intrusion, but I don’t often get to play hostess and I didn’t want to leave you up here by yourself.”
“It’s no problem, really. I’m happy to have the company.”
Silence descended as the two ponies began to partake in the offerings before them. Soarin was at a loss for what to say, but he could tell Photo Finish had something on her mind. She remained silent for another minute before finally speaking.
“I must apologize that we only now got you food. I came up earlier but you were sleeping so soundly that I didn’t want to wake you.”
“It’s no problem, really. I haven’t been working nearly as hard as usual so my appetite is really not all that big.”
He paused for a moment.
“Something is bothering you. Do you mind telling me what it is?”
Photo Finish bit her lip and looked down at the bed. She opened her mouth, and closed it again. Soarin saw her look away and slump her shoulders.
“Miss Finish?”
“Photon”
“Excuse me?”
“My name is Photon Storm. The name Photo Finish is as fake as your surfer stallion accent.”
“My accent? What make you think my accent is fake?”
She gave him a disbelieving look before replying,
“Do you really think I could convince the world using a fake accent without being able to spot one used by someone else?”
“Well I couldn’t spot yours.”
“Mine is better.”
Soarin gave a sigh before replying,
“Alright, fine. I’m from Whoofsconsin. I didn’t want anybody to figure out where I was from so I acted like I was from Coltifornia so they wouldn’t go digging into my past.”
“Don’t worry, you’re secret is safe with me. I am in no hurry to alienate you.”
“Thanks. I wasn’t planning to, but you have my word anyway that I won’t tell anyone about you.”
“Fair enough, but as long as you’re staying here I want you to call me Photon and not speak in that accent. I think we both need a bit more truth in our lives.”
“Deal.”
The rest of the meal passed in silence as the two ponies hurried to finish before their food got cold. At the summation of the meal, the brown mare returned and cleared the dishes away, leaving the two ponies alone once more. Photon glanced at clock and bit her lip. She looked at the door, then back at Soarin.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes, but... Oh I’m afraid I have to go. I have an appointment in an hour and I need to get into character. I hate to leave you alone, but I’m afraid I have to pay the bills somehow.”
“Go ahead. I’m staying at your house uninvited, so I’m happy just to see you this much.”
Photon’s face reddened slightly and she gave a quick nod before retrieving her glasses and running out the door. Poking her head back in, she said,
“If you need anything, just call. Somepony will come to tend to you.”
With that, she left him alone in the room. Whoulda’ thought so much of what I know about her is wrong? At least I know one thing, she’s clever. No one has ever called me out on my accent before. Soarin looked around the room. So much to learn, yet all I can see is these four walls. I guess I’ll just have to ask her when she comes around next. Laying back, he gazed at the ceiling.
“Photon, huh? Cute name.”