Nightlight and Starlyre both have Asperger’s Syndrome. As part of their autism, they have their special phobias. Their common phobia is sensory overload. When they have to go to a big city — when they have to face lots of lights and sound — when they have to face big crowds — they can get terrified.

For her great friendship project, Nightlight has been assigned to live in Friendsville. Her small plain home in a small town is a far cry from her mansion in the Royal Village. Starlyre, a rich boy himself, has been assigned to the same project (with his own small house). White Night is Nightlight’s big brother, and Starlyre is White Night’s best friend and special student. Starlyre acts as Nightlight’s big brother while she is far away from White Night. Since he is only two years older, he also feels like a peer.

Starlyre envisions himself as a knight in shining armor. It is especially embarrassing for him to admit having fears that most ponies would find laughable. Nightlight may not be as embarrassed to admit her phobias — partially because she doesn’t face certain social pressures associated with boys.

When it comes to sensory overload, Starlyre has a specially hard time feeling like a mentor for Nightlight. Whatever causes her sensory overload may cause the same to him. Sometimes he actually suffers worse. Nightlight is fine with some mess and disorganization, but Starlyre may freak out when things are messy or disorganized. In addition to autism, Starlyre displays OCD.

Sometimes Starlyre isn’t sure he is a worthy mentor for Nightlight. Too many times, he’s had his own lessons to learn even as he tries to teach his student. Nightlight, on the other hand, is not looking for another parental figure. She enjoys having him as just another peer.

Later, Starlyre starts to realize that he had the wrong goal. He did not need to be the one teaching Nightlight everything. On the contrary, he needs to take a more humble position. When he holds hooves with Nightlight — and sees her as just another friend — he finds the two of them are much stronger. This result might not have been what White Night envisioned out of Starlyre — but it is the true lesson Starlyre needs to learn.

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Starponys: Friends with Unicorn Syndrome / Crowns of Friendship © and ™ of M. Wayne Howell ([email protected]), along with all characters therein.

Drawings by Parcly Taxel.