David Starlyre is an autistic pony. To help him connect with others, Princess Skysparkle has given him a great friendship project. She has sent him to Friendsville — far away from his life as a rich boy. His assignment is to make friends with as many villagers as he can.

In addition to Nightlight, Starlyre is one of Skysparkle's special students. He is being trained to be a leader in the royal administration. To be effective with people, he must overcome his shyness around strangers.

Fortunately, he's not alone. He is already best friends with another of Skysparkle's special students: White Night, the big brother of Nightlight. Back in the Royal Village, he has several good friends. When Starlyre feels comfortable and safe in his environment, he can be quite outgoing. In the Royal Village, he is especially popular with girls. In the Royal Village, you might never guess how shy and scared he can be in a new place.

When Starlyre first walked into Friendsville, he was too nervous to greet anyone. He was too shy and reserved to return anyone's greetings. Feeling isolated and alone, he sat on a park bench. There, he watched the other ponies pass around him.

He started distracting himself by looking around at the scenery. But then to his surprise, one pony caught his eye. It was a pegasus with rainbow-colored hair — and a tail colored like the sunset. She looked so beautiful — Starlyre couldn't help but stare.

The rainbow mare noticed the handsome stallion, sitting and looking shy. She looked toward him, extending her wings to greet him. Starlyre could have sworn that he saw a rainbow appear over her — painted by her wings.

Starlyre started to blush. So did the rainbow pegasus. As he stared into her eyes, she stared into his. If he didn't greet her now, he feared he might never see her again. The thought was enough to make him feel like crying.

Starlyre gave one of the most nervous greetings — almost as if he were afraid of the beautiful girl. The pegasus gave a small laugh. Star thought he might have been rejected. But something about the laugh sounded affectionate — as if this girl understood him.

Starlyre is a handsome stallion — one whom many mares might get attracted to at first sight. To see him acting so nervous — in contrast to his cool-looking appearance — the irony almost seemed to make him look cuter.

The pegasus asked Starlyre if she might share the bench with him. In short order, Starlyre started to feel much safer in this new village. Something about this mare stood out to him. He had dated a number of pretty faces before. But this girl seemed to have something much deeper inside.

The mare introduced herself: Her name is Flying Colors Skypainter Waterson. But sometimes she's called "Rainbowbarf". Slowly, Starlyre introduced himself: His full name is David Starlyre Heartsong.

Within an hour, Starlyre felt he had made a new best friend. Flying Colors seemed to feel the same way!

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Art by Parcly Taxel.

Starponys: The Spectrum of Friendship © and ™ of M. Wayne Howell ([email protected]), along with all characters therein.