“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Star,” Beacon Fire said as she and her fillyhood friend trotted through the halls of Canterlot Castle.

“Anything for a friend!” Starshot Glitz said with a grin. “And anything photography is my business, after all.” She adjusted her star-shaped shades proudly. A matching cutie mark of a grand, shooting star adorned her flank.

“How have things been out in Applewood?” Beacon led them down a different corridor, heading for the guard barracks.

Star sighed. “Off and on, sort of an off spell right now. Photo Finish has been quite the competition, but we haven’t been slacking off either,” she said. “Where she does fashion, we do film stars.”

“Well, at least you’re getting work,” Beacon said encouragingly.

“And you! Captain of the guard. At least one of us had our fillyhood dreams come true.” Star sighed. “But enough about me, Bea. What did you need my help with?” She raised an eyebrow at the captain.

“Well, the guard is getting photographed. It’s for both the records and public statement, show who’s in the guard and all that,” Beacon explained. “And one of my co-workers—and friends—is being more than a little camera shy.”

“Ah. Nervous?” Star smirked.

“Not sure. She’s very aggressive about not being photographed, but she won’t tell me why.” Beacon sighed. “She hasn’t been this closeted about something before. I was wondering if you… help her, with whatever’s wrong. Seeing as you know more about the photography business than me.”

“Happy to help, Bea. Lead the way,” Star said.

Beacon walked up to the door of the female guard barracks and knocked on the door. “Frost? You in there?” she called.

“Go away, Bea. I’m not getting a picture,” came the muffled reply from within.

“I’ve got someone with me who might be able to help you,” Beacon said. She sighed. “Don’t make me pull rank, Frost.”

“Fine, come in,” growled Frost Glide from within.

Beacon pushed the door open and trotted inside, followed by Star. The lights in the barracks were dim, and on the far side, seated on the edge of a bunk, was Frost Glide. The two trotted over to her and Beacon hopped on the bed beside her and set a hoof on her shoulder.

“Hey there,” Star said, lifting her shades and setting them on top of her brow. She extended a hoof to Frost. “Name’s Starshot Glitz, and old friend of Beacon’s. She says you didn’t want a photo?”

“No, I don’t,” Frost growled. The batpony grit her teeth, baring her fangs.

“But why? It’s mandatory for the guard,” Beacon said. “I don’t want to have to report you for insubordination.”

“It’s stupid.” Frost’s ears drooped.

“No it’s not,” Star said. “If it’s got you this upset.”

Frost huffed, gaze falling to the floor. “When I was a little filly in school, we had a picture day. I was excited to get my picture taken, but once I sat down, the camera flashed me and I just… went berserk.” She hugged her shoulders. “It was so scary, not being able to see anything that I freaked out. And it lasted so long. So I never got another photo since.”

“Your sensitivity to bright lights,” Beacon realized with a nod. “Of course.”

Star patted a hoof on her other shoulder sympathetically and smiled. “Well, what if I did your photo for the guard?” She looked to Beacon. “Would that be against protocol?”

“Well, no, but we’d have to mark it down in the funding report,” Beacon said, rubbing the back of her head.

“No, no charge for it,” Star said.

“I said I don’t want a photo!” Frost growled.

“Easy, easy,” Star said, taking Frost’s hoof in hers. “I won’t use a flash for it. It might look a little different from the others’ photos, but it’d work. I promise—no bright lights.”

“No flash?” Frost asked quietly.

Star nodded. “No flash.”

“I suppose so,” the batpony muttered, sliding off the bed.

“Thank you, Star,” Beacon said, sliding off with her.

“No problem.” Star beamed. “I’m just glad I brought some of my equipment with me.”

Author's Note

Fun fact: Starshot originally wanted to join the Royal Guard with Beacon and Verdant, but found her talent in photography. Now she runs a photography business out in Applewood.