Duncan grinned.  “Either you’re joking or you haven’t been talking to folks on the farm.  I am being accused of spoiling him.  And for the record, I am not so sure Buckey like me, so much as what I have in my pockets.”  He turned his attention to the far stall from the rest of the horses.
 
“Yo Patches.  How yawl doin’ in there?”  Duncan own southern accent slipped.  His was definitely not faked either.  Most of the time he had a very general accent.  But certain words - yawl and aint - were well embedded into his speech patterns.  Patches was already waiting and staring at his human as if to say Where’s my damned snack? Duncan chuckled as he walked up and placed his forehead against that of Patches.  For a brief moment he was serious.  He clearly missed the horse.  But Patches broke the monotony and nuzzled the bag the human carried.  
 
“Oh this?  Yeah, I brought something for you.  You want to say Hi to Jonna?  And maybe not bite her hand off?”  He leaned in and whispered.  “Be cooool.  Horses are supposed to be chick magnets.  If you are really nice, maybe she’ll introduce you to a lady.  You could do that Lady and the Tramp thing and share a snack.”
 
Duncan backed off a little and pulled out an apple and a small tupperware container that held about ¼ cup of brown sugar.  Then he pulled out a small pocket knife and sliced the apple in half.  The rest was obvious.  Patches WAS being spoiled rotten.  He handed half the brown sugar and the other half of the apple.  Then pulled out another apple while feeding Patches’ half to him.  The reason for pulling the second apple so fast became obvious fast.  Patches started to react poorly to seeing HIS apple being offered to another horse.
 
“Hey, hey,” Duncan spoke calmly.  “I brought enough to share.  You know, all the other horses see me being nice to you.  It is only nice to do something for them once in awhile.  Hmm?”  Patches had practically inhaled his half of an apple and snorted at the second.  “Oh huh.  I definitely need to work on your manners.”  Duncan sliced the second apple up, pulled out a second thing of brown sugar and made a second snack.  Again he made Patches share.  “Sulk all you like, buddy.  He started to take Patches’ second half of apple to Buckey, eyed his horse, then walked back over.  “Get the point?”
 
Duncan turned his attention back to Jonna, then changed his mind for a moment and spoke to the mare.  “Sorry about his manners.  He’s a bit of a fixer upper.”  Patches snorted behind him.  Back to Jonna he smiled.  “So … flying superdude is for real?  I mean, if so, that’s pretty … amazing.  Just the technical aspects of what I saw defy current technology.  And I’m THE expert.  From what I have heard, he defies gravity.  He can resist massive amounts of momentum.  I’m surprised you didn’t try to interview him.  Or did he just not stick around?  Yeah … I suppose he had more pressing matters.  Then again, that would fit with the whole superhero gig.  He doesn’t do what he does for the fame and glory.  He’s out to help people.  Next thing we know, he’ll be fighting for Truth, Justice and the American way.
 
“Seriously though, I’d love to get my hands on the raw footage of anything you get on this guy in action.  I might be able to analyze at least some of what he does.”