Ponyville went on like a clock day by day. The inner machinery of the town was perfectly precise in the way that ponies completed their daily tasks. Everything had a routine, whether it was the time of day the mail was delivered or the exact moment Pinkie Pie welcomed the new residents and guests. The sun rose and set regularly, as did the moon. Stores opened and closed regularly, and ponies woke up and fell asleep everyday. In this routine lifestyle, there was fun and spontaneity of coarse, but even that was expected or scheduled. With such order, ponies noticed when their neighbors grew silent or were reclusive, and Starbright Glow was the king of all shut-ins.

In a town of ponies who spent all of their time together in a tight-knit community, he was the one stallion who never seemed to be at the event or party, and who never seemed to smile or be prejudiced towards anything in any way. Yes, on occasion they saw him with Twilight Sparkle, who had- by some magic- become his marefriend, but never did they see the couple kiss or touch. She seemed to say nothing of him as well, almost as if the stallion were not truly real.

When he did go outside, his stepping was brisk and he stayed alone, avoiding the large and crowded roads and sticking to the empty and narrow side streets where he'd go unbothered and unseen.

Every morning as the sun rose his lights would come on, the shades would be drawn back, and the windows might even be open, his electric green hooves exposed for a short moment. There was no noise, just that daily sign of life that brought his neighbors comfort. He had no mailbox, rather a slot in his door, so the stallion truly didn't need to go outside until the afternoon.

Starbright Glow was almost happy this way, he lived this life in Canterlot where hoping ever asked anything of him, not did anypony care, but things were different in Ponyville. The culture and community was contorted and majestic like a pretzel of friendliness that he couldn't avoid but wasn't willing to confront. He ate in silence, the warm much of his breakfast saying nothing to him and he nothing to it. A book kept him company, one he'd plucked from the shelf many nights previous, and was very nearly read through to the back cover. It was large and heavy, red in color, no pictures. He yawned for a moment,musing his magic to turn the page as he sipped a glass of water, his eyes scanning the page through brown oak rimmed glasses.

/

After about two hours of reading, Starbright Glow decided to stop. He dog-eared marked the page he was on, and set the book back on its proper shelf. Starbright walked out of his dwelling and down the street, then turned onto one of his back streets and head in the direction of the park. He loved walking through the park when it as empty, the soft silence of his lonesomeness soothing him as he digested the material he'd just read the and the food he'd just eaten. All that surrounded him were the gentle noises of nature: rustling leaves, the flowing grasses, the birds, and the breeze. He sighed, taking a deep breath in to smell the fresh air as he trotted either and further away from Ponyville down the narrow dirt trail. Her body curled up in the seat of the bench cutely. He smiled, relieved to see her. Starbright Glow made his way over a little faster than he had been walking. She looking up and smiling's the sight of him. "Hi Star!" She said excitedly, turning her head to kiss his cheek.

"What brings you out here… doll face?" He asked warily, she sat her book down and shrugging slightly.

"I'm just finishing up some of my reading." She paused, offering him a seat, he declines. "What brings you here?" She asked

"Oh, just my daily stroll. Fortunately I came across you, because I was hoping if you'd care to do something… this evening?" Twilight smiled

"I would, but I've got to work on my studies for Princess Celestia." Starbright was disappointed, but he didn't show it.

"Oh Okay, well then… what if I studied with you?" he asked hoping his she would agree, she blushed, nodding her head instantly.

"Sure..." She said softly, sliding closer to him in the bench. "I don't see why not. I'll see you tonight?" He nodded, standing up and hugging her.

"Absolutely, goodbye!" He cheered, trotting on down the path briskly. Just after Starbright Glow trotted away, down the path and out of sight, Twilight Sparkle heard the voice of a familiar two ponies whispering not too far away. She narrowed her eyes, sitting still and trying to listen to whet they were saying.

"Daisy?" She mouthed the name to herself, determining her as the mare Twilight was hearing. After having heard the name of her coltfriend, the remainder of the whisper were incoherent and vague at best. The lavender unciorn stood to investigate, stepping over to the edge of the path and looking beyond the bushes.

"Oh! Hello..." Said Daisy in an almost caught tone, the pink mare looking down and playing with her green mane. "We were just chatting, I hope we didn't bother you..." Added a very pale yellow mare with a moderate raspberry with light raspberry streaked mane, and a rose cutie mark.

"Oh!" Twilight Sparkle nodded in acceptance. "What were you two talking about?" She

asked, the two mares growing silent.

"Flowers(!)" Shouted Daisy cleverly, Rose nodding in false agreement. Twilight Sparkle narrows her eyes, not believing the two mares for a second.

"Seriously, what sere you two talking about? I heard you say Starbright's name." The two mares looked between each other, both settling on the truth after s few moments and voicing their minds.

"Is it true… that he's like..." Daisy stopped, embarrassed.

"A crazy scientist or something?" Finished Rose. Both mares leaned in, curious for the response. Twilight Sparkle felt slightly offended and slightly surprised by the two mares suspicions, unsure whet to say in response.

"Of course not! What gave you that idea?" she was trying to be friendly but replied sharply to such an rash implication. Daisy spoke

"Sorry Twilight. It's just… he seems so…" Rose took over.

"Off. I mean... He's just so secretive."

Twilight Sparkle shuffled nervously on her hooves, considering what Rose and Daisy had just said to her.

"He's just shy, that's all." said Twilight defensively.

"Well that may be so Twilight, but so is Fluttershy, and even she says hello to anypony who says it in passing." Twilight had nothing more to say she said goodbye, retrieved her book and trotted back home.

/

Twilight trotted home with her head low. Her mind was burdened with thought, weighing her down like overstuffed saddle bags might. A headache began to pound between her temples as she entered her home, closing the door behind her. The lavender unicorn was tired from overwork. She laid down in bed, rolling onto her side and rubbing her eyes. She felt so strange after her encounter with Rose and Daisy. She knew that Starbright Glow was a silent-type, a reserved and intelligent stallion, handsome as well, though more thoughts crept into her mind though. She couldn't recall a kiss they'd shared with other ponies around, she couldn't recall any publicly intimate moments that had occurred. Starbright Glow rarely socialized as well, from the beginning he found making friends too tedious a task for him to enjoy or feel rewarded in doing. Every step with him was forced and tense. Twilight Sparkle had unlocked his inner charm, but this charm was not shared. Twilight Sparkle tried to imagine her coltfriend talking to other ponies around Ponyville, but he didn't fit in with them. She tried to imagine him talking to mares, but this simply made her feel falsely jealous. Starbright Glow was truly hers and only hers. When they were alone, the two unicorns had a magical openness with one another, but that is where his openness ended. With his friends he did well for himself, although Starbright Glow was no best of show when it came down to being open and social.

/

Twilight had spent a very long time in her haze of anxiety, feeling confused, something the learned mare rarely experienced. She recalled the date he had established with her that night, and after a short peak out the window of her home she saw that the sky was nearly dark. "He'll be here soon..." She whispered, biting her lip nervously. "Maybe I should talk to him..." She questioned, brushing her mane and inspecting herself in a mirror, preparing for his arrival as she always did. Just as she descended the stairs, the door opened and her electric green coltfriend stepped in.

"Twilight?" He asked, looking around for her. The stallion stepped in, closing the door behind him. "I'm here!" He called, seeing her on the stairs and smiling as she trotted over to him.

"Hello Star." She said softly, her voice quiet and dry sounding. He nuzzled her, taking the mare into a surprisingly passionate kiss. She giggled, blushing. "What was that for?" Twilight Sparkle looked him over playfully, a devious smile across her face out of enjoyment and curiosity. Star shrugged.

"I felt like you deserved it." He smiled back at her, for a moment his eyes looking inside of her and seeing the fear she was concealing.

"Is there a problem?" He asked fearfully, pushing his glasses back up his nose.

"Star..." Twilight asked quietly, fearing how he might react to the ever-sensitive topic. He squinted, looking her over with care.

"What's going on?" He said, uneasily tapping his left hoof.

"Do you... are you okay?" He tilted his head, looking at her more curiously. "Today I really got to wondering about how you... interact, with others." He bit his lip, thinking.

"I don't understand." He said softly, fully aware of her motives. "I don't require adjustments." He said quietly in a near-whisper, looking her straight in the eye. "I know I differ from the masses, but that doesn't mean anything's wrong." He pecked her again, watching her reaction. "Don't you like me? Don't you like me for the fact I'm unique?"

"Of coarse!" Her voice cracked passionately as she yelped her response. "Than why does it matter what they think." With that, he kissed her cheek and hugged her. Twilight couldn't figure anything else to tell him, they sat together and cuddled affectionately as he sorted through a book and read it to her, the mare's mind was far from feelings of his assumed discontent. She smiled as he read to her, hugging to his side. He paused to look down at her, smiling merrily as he continued.

An hour or two later Starbright Glow left and Twilight retired for the night.

/

The next morning Twilight got up wearily from her bed. She walked down to the kitchen and had a bowl of honey-oat cereal. Then Spike walked down,rubbing his eye tiredly."Good morning Spike." Twilight Sparkle hummed, smiling happily and sitting back in her chair. Spike raising his eyebrow curiously, smirking.

"Somepony's in a good mood." He paused. "I wonder why..." He said with quiet playful intrigue, before he sat down across from her at the table.

"What do you mean?" Asked Twilight Sparkle cooly, but sitting straight up in her chair. Spike chuckled. "Oh, you know..." She shrugged, pretending not to know as she spooned her breakfast. Spike jumped up, puffing his chest for his chant.

"Twilight and Starbright, sittin' in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! Haha! Yeah, I saw you two all cuddled up last night! So cute!" Twilight Sparkle blushed fiercely, giggling.

"Now Spike, I told you to stay upstairs." he chuckled again, snorting out of his nose and covering his mouth.

"I couldn't resist but to check in on you!" Twilight Sparkle nudged him with her hoof, her blush holding firm.

"So…Whatcha two talk about?" asked Spike nosily.

The mare sat back, smiling. "Oh, Star thinks he wants to be a clown now." She nodded, giggling in suppressed fashion. Spike rolled his eyes in response.

"Seriously Twi."she shook her head.

"Oh of coarse not. We just studied a little." She finished, choosing to leave out their small argument over his social skills.

Spike scratched the back of his head ambiguously. "Twilight I have something you may want to know."

"What Spike" she replied unassumingly putting her now empty bowl in the sink.

"I heard something around Ponyville, about Starbright." She sighed, running her hoof through her mane.

"I know, me too. Apparently everypony thinks he's some kind of crazy scientist, a recluse." She murmured, looking down shamefully. Spike looked almost surprised.

"Mad scientist? I heard an alien from another world." Twilight Sparkle shook her head with a half smile. She knew they what they were talking about was no joke, yet the ridiculousness of the rumors made her smile.

"It's not true though, right?" She smiled.

"It isn't Spike... and yet the same time it is."She walked into the library reading room.

"Star is just very, very…ascetic"

"What?" little dragon asked, slightly confused.

"Reclusive. He doesn't seem to want to talk to other ponies, except me of course, and his six friends." Twilight huffed angrily, falling to the ground, pulling on her mane and frowning. "This is so conflicting." She moaned. Spike tapped his claws leaning on the bookshelf, looking over to Twilight and considering possible solutions to the problem.

"Hey!" He chanted, coming up with an idea. "Maybe he just needs a little... training. You know, an education in friend-making!" Twilight Sparkle lit up with excitement at her assistant's suggestion, hugging the small purple dragon tightly.

"Oh Spike! That's perfect!" She cheered, bouncing excitedly. "I need a plan though..." She added in a whisper, thinking.

/

It was later in the day, a little afternoon, and a certain sea foam green maned pony was carrying out his daily routine of home reading and writing.

*knock, knock, knock*

A knock at the door…

Starbright Glow looked straight-faced around outside at the sight of a small group of his friends. It was Twilight Sparkle, along with Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Diamond Groomer. Twilight stepped in first, nuzzling his side. "Hello to you too..." He said quietly to his marefriend, watching as Pinkie Pie ushered in the others, closing the door behind them and barricading them all in. "It's nice to see you all, but…May I ask why you are here?" Starbright stepped back as if he'd been intruded looked between them, seeing no trace of an explanation on any of their faces. He then targeted Diamond Groomer, knowing his friend was weak and would crack in one swift moment. "Diamond, what's going on?" Asked Starbright Glow wryly, stepping forward to seem taller and more serious. Diamond Groomer shrugged.

"I, I, uh.." He looked around, pausing. "I'm not really quite sure why I'm here." Starbright Glow looked behind him to the lavender unicorn,clocking her over curiously.

"Twilight, why are you here? What's going on?"

"Starbright, this is an intervention. We came here help you." This explanation only seem to confuse him more, as he fiddled with his glasses.

"We want to get you to act more friendly." Twilight said with dour

"I don't really know what you mean, I find that I'm quite nice." Star rebutted, Pinkie spoke

"Oh come on Star. Your the sternest pony I've ever met, a real Sterny McSternface."

"She's, she's kind of right Star." mumbled Diamond Groomer. Starbright looked to the ground, a frown visible. The smallest and shyest mare stepped forward, trying to capture his attention by her mere presence. "I, um... I'm sorry if we upset you." Diamond Groomer stepped over, apologizing and beginning to leave with Fluttershy by his side. Twilight stepped in front of the door, stopping the two pegasai in their tracks.

"Oh no! You two are staying!" She practically growled at them, both stepping back fearfully. Starbright Glow looked to his marefriend woefully

"I thought you said that you liked me, for me?" Twilight went over and kissed his cheek reassuringly.

"I do Starbright. I just want other ponies to know you, the way I know you the way, the way your friends know you." Twilight gesturing to the others. He looked over to them hesitantly, all three of the ponies nodding. Starbright Glow sighed sadly, nodding his head, accepting of his wrongness.

"Okay, what do you want to do?" He asked with a petit smirk on his face, slightly excited. Twilight Sparkle jumped up happily, Pinkie Pie doing the same.

"This is gonna be awesome!" The party pony announced.

/

The ponies stepped outside as Twilight Sparkle ordered them to do, she taking on a whole new demeanor as they began their first exercise. "We began with passing etiquette. Now, when Starbright Glow normally walks, what do you see?" Pinkie was first to rapid fire an answer.

"Ooh! Hedoesn'tsmile, hedoesn'tsay 'Hi.' toanyponywhentheydo, and…"

"That's enough! Pinkie." yelped Twilight silencing the over-talkative mare.

"So step one, is saying hello." Clarified the intelligent mare, looking to the stallion who laughed falsely in response.

"Hello?" He asked, half-expecting her to be lying. She nodded. He turned to his friend Diamond Groomer, his eyes wide in mimicked excitement. "Hello!" Starbright Glow said in a fake-cheery voice, turning back to Twilight Sparkle and shrugging.

"See, I can do it!" She shook her head, her temples throbbing.

"No, no you can't." Star huffed frustratedly

"The way any typical pony acts is fake anyway, why does what I did not work?"Twilight Sparkle out her hoof on hi shoulder, shaking her head.

"Star, not everypony is faking." He stood in silent awe for a moment, considering what she had told him.

"He's got a long way to go." sighed Pinkie with a giggle, breaking the silence with her shrill and eccentric voice. Twilight sighed shaking, her head, and moaning irritably.

"Now Star repeat this exactly as I say. Hello." Twilight smiled, cheery-toned.

"Hello." Starbright replied stolidly, inexpressive, and flat-toned.

"No Star, like this." Twilight repeated "Hello." as before, Starbright Glow tried again.

"Hello."in this he emoted, not really noticable, but it was progress.

"He's got a long way to go." sighed Pinkie with a giggle, breaking the silence with her shrill and eccentric voice. Twilight sighed shaking, her head, and moaning irritably.

"Now Star repeat this exactly as I say. Hello." Twilight smiled, cheery-toned.

"Hello." Starbright replied stolidly, inexpressive, and flat-toned.

"No Star, like this." Twilight repeated "Hello." as before, Starbright Glow tried again.

"Hello."this time he emoted, not really noticable, but it was progress, and was still straight-faced.

"Okay, but more like this. Hello." Pointing to her face, Starbright Glow vexedly blew from his mouth, shaking his head to the ground.

"Hello." There was barely any audible pleasantness, and Twilight could make out a very dim crack of a smile. He was almost there, but still lacking, Twilight Sparkle bit her lip in thought, an idea striking her.

"Star! You're s good kisser, right?" He blushed, shrugging, the other three of his friends chuckling noticeable, as he drew circles on the ground with his hoof.

"I suppose I am." She smiled.

"Then say hello like you kiss, put your feelings into it."

"My feelings?"

"Yes!" Starbright Glow blew out a lungful exhale, wiping his left hoof over his face He shuffled on his hooves, closing his eyes and preparing himself within his mind. He smiled, opening his eyes.

"Hi, I'm Starbright Glow." He said confidently, the slightest twinge of charm in his voice. "You are?" He asked, taking half a step closer to Twilight Sparkle. She gulped, blushing with a smile across her face.

"Wow..." She said softly, her insides churning magically at his awakening. Starbright chewed the inside of his cheeks

"I-I don't know? That didn't feel right too me."She giggled, hugging him.

"It was perfect! Though I'm gonna need to hang onto you a little tighter now, all the mares will want to talk with you now." He smirked a little at the idea of such attention, flattered by the idea and and a little put off.

"There's only one mare I care to talk too." Twilight Sparkle blushed, kissing his cheek. "You're doing excellently Star." Twilight Sparkle allowed her coltfriend to take a slight break from their exercises. He kissed her cheek before departing to his rooftop terrace to breath in some fresh air and relax. He leaned against the railing, looking up at the blue sky. He took off his glasses, seeing the natural blur his green eyes provided him. "I cannot believe I'm doing this." He said quietly, wiping his forehead with a free hoof. He hung his head low, frowning.

/

Starbright Glow departed with a shake of his head, trotting through Ponyville. Usually he'd avoid the main roads for the back streets, but he decided that a trot down through the center of town would do him no harm. He set coarse for Sugarcube Corner, making his way there uneventfully. He looked over his shoulder, seeing a mare or two looking his way and seeming to be whispering. He sighed, opening the door with his magic and entering the shop. "Pinkie Pie?" He called out, looking for her. She popped up from behind the counter.

"Hi Star." She chimed.

"Hello Pinkie Pie." They went upstairs to her loft, above the bakery where she worked. Pinkie walked over to her wardrobe, and started searching through it. "I'm so excited to teach you things! Um, what am I teaching you?" She asked, he chuckling and removing her hooves from his shoulders and explaining.

"I was told conversation topics."

"Of coarse! Now Starbright, I gotta be blunt and say…" turns around wearing teacher's glasses, Star discreetly rolling his eyes "Your small talk is bo-ring"

"What do you mean? My conversation subjects are very interesting."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk." clicked her tongue Pinkie shaking her head

"Then what, if I may ask, is a good conversation topic?" Said the stallion indignantly.

"Well, something that anypony can talk about Star."

"I don't understand."

"How's the weather outside?" Star nickers in confusion

"Huh?"

"How's the weather outside?" Starbright adjusted his glasses still confused, pursing his lips and looking up at the ceiling, he was growing greatly annoyed with her.

"Pinkie Pie, what are you talking…"

"How's the weather outside?" He grunted angrily, stepping away for a moment and ly ing down. He leaned his head into his hooves, frowning and removing his glasses.

"I can't do it. This is just... no."

"The weather is fine! It's nice weather." the pink party mare smiled.

"Good. Now why is it nice weather?" Starbright's looked around the room frantically.

"I, I, I guess because of the clear sky, the temperature is amicable. I-I don't know?"

After not very long, Starbright Glow's mind was illuminated with thoughts he's never even considered before. Pinkie Pie nodded her head supportively, taking him under her hoof and explaining everything else she had to offer him.

"Now, go and see Fluttershy and Diamond Groomer, they'll teach you some other stuff." She shoved him to the door, stopping and rushing back in. "Here!" She forced a small bag upon him, the stallion levitating it with his magic. "Take some cookies for the road!" He smiled, nodding.

"Thank you Pinkie Pie, for everything."

/

Star soon arrived a the bone-picket fenced lot of Diamond Groomer. The store bell jingled as he walked in, Diamond at the counter.

"Hello Starbright." He murmured.

"Diamond. You and uh Fluttershy have a lesson for me?" The pegasus nodded, lifting the hinged countertop.

"C-come with me to the yard, please." They walked back, dogs barking, paws pouncing on their cages, Diamond opened the side door showing him out. "Fluttershy is waiting in the yard already. She'll explain the lesson while while I finish up."Starbright Glow allowed his friend to depart and tend to the pet shop. He encountered Fluttershy, who was calmly awaiting his arrival not too far away.

"Good afternoon Fluttershy." He said quietly, feeling slightly tense and a little awkward; it had been a while since he was such a simple student.

"It's nice to see you Starbright Glow. I, uh... I can't wait to help you." He smiled nervously, waiting in silence. Diamond Groomer walked back outside, he was carrying a paper bag and spray bottle on back.

"Now Starbright. Since I've known you, on the occasion you do talk to other ponies, you um, tend to uh…" Diamond looks away nervously "You shut ponies out, when you feel they have nothing to say of any importance to you." Star drew circles in the grass.

"Well I guess…"uncomfortably fiddling his glasses "That would be a problem. "

"Yeeeesss..." Fluttershy cut in, trying to comfort the unicorn who was clearly upset with his behavior. It was a painful business; visiting all of his friends only so that they would tell him how poorly his social skills were and attempt pitifully to aid him.

"Listening is an easy thing to do... it is." She said softly, smiling at him warmly in a way that was particularly comforting. Starbright Glow half-smiled in return, agreeing with the mare's positive demeanor as Diamond Groomer stood back in supportive silence.

"What's the first step?" He asked with confidence, suddenly willing to lean something, willing to listen. Starbright Glow was curious.

"Well, if you're gonna listen to somepony, odds are you care about them... a little maybe." He paused.

"So you should be curious about them."

"To do this we're gonna use a method that may work." Diamond reached back with his mouth taking the spritzer and paper bag off his back, setting then on the ground.

"What method do you plan to use that requires a: spray bottle, filled with water, and a bag filled with…" noses through the bag, then his eyes widened with hidden glee. "Cheesy Bits?… Cheesy Bits? Diamond Groomer the method you're about to employ maybe successful to mind of canis familiaris, but for my advanced intelligence I find that to be…" Diamond Groomer had sprayed Starbright with his bottle. "What did I…" Diamond shushed him.

"Now that is a thing ponies would uh see as arrogant, and what you did, was shut down what I found to be a very good training device. That is what causes ponies to not talk to you." Star shook his head dry snorted slighty annoyed.

"Okay." He said sarcastically.

"Now Star. You are going to talk to Fluttershy, and give her your undivided attention, you will not, walk away, or nit pick anything that she may or may not be right. Okay." The unicorn nodded his head, taking an step back from Diamond Groomer and looking to Fluttershy. "In this exercise you'll be talking to Fluttershy as if you don't know her."

"Okay. So, what do you have to say to me?" He sat down on the grass, she doing the same across from him. The mare ruffled her wings and crossed her hooves; clearing her throat sweetly before she spoke.

"S-so to start off I'm Fluttershy and I look after a lot of animals"

"Nice to know." he forced a smile on himself

"Would you like to know a few of my favorites?" Fluttershy smiles meekly as Starbright Glow sighed sharply "Suuuure…"

"Well, I have a pet bunny named Angel. Even though he is rude sometimes, I know deep down he loves me."

"Uh-huh." Starbright was trying not to hold a friendly demeanor, but started to walk away.

*KWIIIISSSH!* Diamond had sprayed him.

"No, Bad Star! Say sorry and ask to continue." Star shook dry and did as asked. He sat back down, crossing his hooves and sighing.

"I'm sorry, please... keep going." Fluttershy smiled back at him, looking to Diamond Groomer who reassured her.

"Go on sweetheart." He replied, Fluttershy then trying to remember where she'd left off.

"There are lots the butterflies and chickens that live near my house. I always see them in the morning outside of my window"

"Interesting." Diamond cut in.

"You can talk Star. Tell her something about yourself.

"Y-Your home sounds lovely." Star jumpily said. Diamond Groomer nodded his head, Star thinking of something better to add and recover himself.

"Do you like these... animals?"

"Oh of coarse, I love them all." She beamed, and she was off telling him about every critter she had and how she cares for them. Starbright Glow attempted to settle into a level of comfort.

/

Listening to Fluttershy was of no particular difficulty, he was simply disinterested in what she had to say and therefore felt obligated to drift away. Still, he attempted to hold firm for his own good. "… and um, that's every animal I've taken care of." Fluttershy looked to Diamond Groomer.

"I think he gets it now." Diamond smiled, and he tossed one of the treat rewards towards Starbright. The unicorn pulled back and let the treat hit the ground, rolling his eyes at the his pegasus friends. Diamond chuckled quietly, walking the bag over to him "Here you go." Star levitated the paper sack, popping one of the snacks in his mouth.

"Thanks." Starbright Glow stood up on his hooves, wiping himself off and awkwardly hugging the two pegasai. "Thank you both, very much, for helping me. I should be going, it's getting late and I'm tired after a day of uh... learning." He said with a chuckle, the two ponies in front of him bid the unicorn farewell.

/

Back at home, not ten seconds after Star walk inside, somepony was knocking on the door. He got up, rubbing his eyes and slowly making his way to see who had come to see him. "Hello?" He said questioningly, opening the door and smiling at a familiar- beautiful- face.

"Hey Twi." He said excitedly, stepping out of the way as the lavender mare entered his home m with reddened cheeks.

"So..." She kissed him, stepping back with curious eyes. "Did you learn anything today?" He chuckled at the memories. "Tons."

"Good, because you're going to tested on what you learned at the party."

"Party, what party?"

"Pinkie's hosting a birthday party, and we're going to see how well you can apply your lessons." Starbright Glow looked down ambiguously. He didn't feel comfortable just jumping into it, but didn't want to disappoint Twilight.

"I will do it." She smiled victoriously, he seeing her smirk and deciding to toy with her. "Although..." She tensed, unsure what Starbright Glow could possibly add as a clause. "I might need a little encouragement." He winked at her, Twilight scoffing and shoved him playfully.

"Oh sure you do." She looked him over carefully, seeing no fault in his clever game. "Fine." She pecked his cheek, the stallion laughing.

"Nice." He stepped away, swishing his short tail against her chin as he went.

"Twilight can I tell you something."

"What?"

"Twilight, if you were words on a page, you'd be what they call FINE PRINT." Twilight blushed, chuckling, waving her hoof at him. He lightly grabbed her hoof and pulling her towards him. Twilight said nothing, letting him guide her over to a love seat where he laid down, taking her beneath him as he kissed her cheek. She settled down beside him.

"I like this. You're all cuddly and warm..." She whispered, giggling as he blushed.

"Well you're so cute you make my zygomaticus muscles contract." Twilight Sparkle raised an eyebrow at him, not sure if he had complimented or insulted her. The stallion smiles cutely, kissing the tip of her nose. "To smile-" he explained, "-you give me reason to smile." She blushed, hugging to him.

"Thanks Star, that's really cute."

"I know, I've been reading up on how to flirt."Twilight smiled, hugging him.

"I'm sure you have." They sat in silence for a while, the stallion inspecting her hooves carefully as she sat and breathed in his scent.

/

It was a little later the sun was starting to go down, and the party for Starbright's test would be starting soon. Twilight got off the love seat, stretching a little from the two hour cuddle session. Starbright had drifted off to sleep. She nudged him with her nose, "C'mon, rise n' shine." She said to him softly, the spring green unicorn rolling over and rubbing his eyes.

"Yeah?" He asked tiredly, rubbing his eyes and yawning, stretching out his legs and standing slowly. "Wow, that was nice." He said, pecking her cheek and going to get some water. Twilight Sparkle followed him.

"We need to leave soon..."

"Okay." He knocked back his water, brushing his mane forward with his hoof.

"How do I look."

"Fine Star. Now let's get going."As they trotted along the dusk-darkened streets, an idea came to Starbright Glow's mind. "Hey Twi?" She looked to him, listening. "If I flirt, will you get jealous?" She gasped, punching his shoulder.

"Don't get overconfident there!"

/

They arrived at the party, music and voice radiating through the windows. The two unicorns looked in, seeing that every pony was already having a great time. Twilight knocked, Bonbon opening the door with a smile. "Hey Twilight." She then looked over to Star curiously surprised.

"Hi." She said to him, standing aside and letting them enter. "Thanks for coming to Lyra's party, I'm sure she'll be happy to see you both." They walked through the party crowd, Twilight searching for the birthday mare.

"Lyra!" Twilight had spotted her. The unicorn looked up when her name was called, the guest of honor trotting her way over on small hooves and stopping in front of her two newest guests.

"Hi Twilight! It's so good to see you!" Her voice was soft, Starbright Glow watching from a distance as his marefriend said hello.

"It's good to see you too, Lyra." The mares released one another, the birthday mare looking surprisedly over to a certain pony who she didn't expect to make an appearance for her.

"Hello Lyra." Star uttered, a little shaken at first. He was nervous, not wanting to disappoint Twilight who had worked very hard with their other friends to help him. Starbright Glow hugged her, Lyra giggling a little in shock.

"Oh! It's... um, good to see you too." She replied, a blush on her cheeks for a short moment, as a panicked thought raced quickly through Starbright's mind

'Oh my gravity! This is going to be impossible for me I just know it, But I'm going to try if my girlfriend anyway.' Takes calming breath"Nice party, oh I know I'm gonna have fun… lots of fun." He pushed himself to a smile.

'A perfect smile' thought his lavender examiner.

"C'mon, I'll show you around!" Lyra turned, then stopping herself. "If you want..." Starbright Glow nodded, following her. When passing by Pinkie Pie, she looked dourly at the silent Starbright…"So uh… The weather has been very nice hasn't it?" He spouted

"Oh yeah. The pegasus ponies have really been on top of it." Lyra replied

Star nodded, thinking of something else. "Do you know any good tricks Lyra? I'd like to show you one or two, since it's your birthday. I'm pretty good with magic..."

"Sure. Starbright." Star looked around then went to the snack table, and came back levitating two (half full) cups of punch.

"Watch." He lifted one of the cups, pouring some of the punch into the other one, then a little more, then a little more. The cup was almost full but there was still more punch in the other cup.

"You know if any of that spills you're going to have to clean it up right?

"Just watch Lyra." He forced chuckled, the dumped the last bit in, Lyra jumped startled but amazed that not a single drop spilled.

"Wow! How'd you do that?" Star smiled, but was thinking...

'For pony's sake each glass was half full. It's simple fluid dynamics!' and instead said…

"Oh parlor trick you know. Now here's some real magic." He poured, now full, cup into the other one, only for the punch to disappear just inside the cup's rim.

"Oh wow Star! You gotta show me how to do that!" Cheered Lyra, inspecting the cups with amazement as a few ponies that had been watching tamped their hooves happily.

"Thank you, thank you very much. Um… would you tell me where the bathroom is?"

"First door, on the right, down that hallway."pointed Lyra. Starbright hustled through the crowd with his smile fading away to a more pained expression. He locked the door, looking into the mirror. Starbright Glow shakily groaned in pain, pressing and rubbing his temples, enduring a splitting headache. He stood and ran the faucets, splashing cool water on his face and sighing. "No excuses." He whispered to himself, standing up straight and looking into his eyes' reflection in the mirror. "For Twilight." He said proudly, worried on the inside but trying to hold his outward confidence with what little strength he had. "You've done it before Star..." He said to himself gritting his teeth, opening the door and reemerging back to the party scene.

/

Starbright Glow merged seamlessly with the rabble of the other guests. Bring that he rarely made appearances, and had almost never spoken to anypony, many were curious to speak with him and see why he had chosen Lyra's birthday party to make his premiere. The stallion luckily thrived in (thanks to Diamond Groomer) conversation, acting as nice as he could without acting sarcastic or disinterested. Twilight was exceedingly proud of him and he was proud of himself, enduring each migraine in stride. Starbright Glow was the talk of the party with his surprisingly friendly demeanor and such kind nature. The time came to cut the cake and everyone ,even Starbright, sang along to the birthday song.

"What day is today?

It's Lyra's birthday.

What a day for a birthday.

Let's all have some cake." Everypony cheered as the very light mint mare blew the candles out with one puff.

"Alright everypony it's time for presents!" Cheered Pinkie Pie. As Starbright Glow stood and mingled, Twilight Sparkle looked for him across the room. The stallion had forced himself into a brief concerns with a grey pegasus made with crossed golden eyes.

"Yeah, I know you Derpy. You deliver my mail." She nodded in reply, her sweet demeanor bringing him some comfort despite the general tingly feeling of regret which occasionally bothered him, and his migraines weren't helping.

"Star?"Twilight called from behind, the stallion bidding his conversational counterpart farewell before addressing his marefriend.

"Yes Twi? Is it time to go already?" He asked, swallowing hard in hopes of this being his moment to leave. She giggled in response, his heart dropping.

"No silly, I just forgot Lyra's present at the library. I'm gonna go and get it now. Make sure you behave." She said sweetly, kissing his cheek and trotting away and out of sight. Starbright Glow began to sweat; he was alone.

/

Once Twilight had vanished and left the party to retrieve Lyra's present, Starbright decided that s cup of cool water would be good for him. He turned around, jumping slightly at the sight of four mares boxing him in. His glasses fell off his face, the stallion sighing and reaching for them as magic held his cup level. "I'll get them!" said Lyra, grabbing his glasses and putting them back on his face sweetly. She stepped back, smiling. "Um, my friends wanted to see one of your tricks. Could you... maybe show them one? For me? Please?" Lyra smiled widely, her three friends nodding in agreement. The unicorn nodded his head confidently, sipping his water once. "Uhhh...Sure, I-I'd be happy too... I've got a good one this time!" He said excitedly, thinking of a good bit of magic to impress them. Just as he begun, he looked to their faces in expectance of awe, only seeing slight disgust and fear. "What?" He asked, stopping his trick and looking between them curiously. He looked down, seeing that a red droplet was in his cup. He suddenly realized that his upper lip felt hot. He touched it, drawing back and seeing a crimson smear on his hoof.

"Oh my stars and quasars..." He muttered, his mind growing numb, his legs trembling and his heart racing. "Q-quick somepony get me a tissue!" With a magic-like speed Pinkie Pie had grabbed several for him, he held them all up to his snout, them quickly getting soaked red. Then the mother of all migraines hit him like a load of bricks.

"SWEET CELESTIA, THE PAIN!" he cried out, he levitated the napkins, now saturated with his blood to his snout and pressed hard, with right hoof, to his head. Suddenly Star collapsed! The party's roar died to a quiet murmur as ponies circled around the fallen heap of a unicorn, seeing the dry blood beneath his nostrils and his back contorted, his hooves mixed in strange positions.

"Is-Is he okay?" Asked Lyra, Pinkie Pie building a perimeter around him.

"Give him a little room here!" She announced, Lyra and her guests exchanging worried glances as they backed up. At that moment Twilight came back, the house eerily quiet, and all the guest had there eyes fixed on one point in the room. Twilight Sparkle closed the door behind her, craning her head upward to see above the ponies also attending the party. She moved forward, idly curious about what everypony was looking at. She scanned for the mane and horn of her coltfriend, but she didn't see him.

"Do you think he's okay?" Whispered one mare, Twilight felt a surge of worry shoot up her spine. The whispers fell silent when the lavender unicorn made her appearance, Twilight's throat closing as she pushed closer and closer to the scene. "Star?" She called out, seeing one of his hooves and then bursting into a full out rush toward him. She stopped, covering her mouth as she looked at his crippled form on the floor. "What happened?!" She screamed, crouching down near his head and stroking his mane gingerly, listening for his breath. Nopony spoke. "He's breathing!" Cheered Twilight "Though he still needs a doctor…"

/

Starbright Glow stirred, feeling a soft bed beneath his back. He opened one eye, his left side smothered in starchy blankets and a pillow. He looked around a little, grunting slightly. He felt stuffy and tired, his head heavy with worry and confusion. But was greeted by the relieved smiled of his marefriend, who kissed him immediately.

"Please never scare me like that again."

"What, oh, ugh, that thing again."Twilight Sparkle took a step back, rubbing her forehead as she combed her mane with her hoof.

"Again?" She asked, trying to figure out what he meant.

"The reason you brought me here." the mare nickered in further confusion.

"Yeah, you fainted!" She stopped herself, realizing something. "Had this happened before?" He nodded."Yes it has. You see when I was a little colt, I, big shocker, was even less social than I am now. I always had my face in a book, never bothering to talk to anypony else..." Twilight frowned, looking down at the floor as memories of herself when she was a filly passed through her mind. She had very few friends, and she saw the same things in him.

"But one day during recess at school I looked around at all the other fillies and colts. They all seemed to be much… happier than I was, always enjoying a laugh amongst themselves, reviling each other's company, playing tag or hopscotch, double-dutch. So I said 'That's it' and decided to become the most social pony in the school, and it worked! I had more friends than I could keep up with. I was being invited over for play dates, ponies knew my name." Starbright chuckles "Then the headaches started. I shook them off at first, but they got worse. Then one day my nose just started bleeding uncontrollably, and I was hit by the first and worst migraine I ever had then passed out." Twilight gasped "Needless to say, my parents were terrified in that ER room. When the doctor came in, he had no diagnosis. Not a good enough answer for my mom and dad. They made them do all sorts of tests, all were negative, so I was just discharged, left in the dark about what happened. I went back to school to try and pick up where I left off, the headaches came back. It was then where I decided that I'd diagnose myself, I went home that day to prepare. I had ruled out: diet, hours of sleep, even quality of air, I was still left in the dark. The headaches gradually got worse, again, and I started to have chronic nose bleeds, teasing occurred and gradually I lost my 'So called' friends. Then I noticed something... They stopped. The migraines went away and my nose stopped bleeding frequently. Whenever I was at home or alone the symptoms went away, but when ever I'd go back to school and get into any social situation, the symptoms would come back. I ruled out that school was causing them, because I had gone before with no problem, so it had to because of me being friendly and social."

"What do you mean?"

"Weeeell... I have very little patience for idle thought. When a pony talks to me it's hard for me to get truly invested in what they're saying. I think logically, everything has to make sense, have proof, or matter to the greater world, if it doesn't then my mind see's it as useless information, and it causes me stress. I bottled it all up when I started to be friendly and the stress from that caused the headaches and the nosebleeds, and the major migraine, if I got to it, and I did, four times now, causes me to pass out." This further confused the lavender

"Then how did you manage to get the friends you have now? Firestorm, Diamond Groomer, Chase… How did you manage to open up to me?

"I realized, like slowly introducing a poison to the body, that if I did it in small enough amounts than I can bear some social interaction, but not a lot." Twilight leaned down and pressed her cheek to his chest, pinching her eyes closed and sighing.

"Star, why didn't you tell me?" She asked quietly, he stroking her mane softly with a half smile on his face.

"I didn't want to disappoint you." She looked up at him, a frown dawning her face once more. He caressed her cheek once, still smiling.

"You're very special to me." She smiled with a short giggle, leaning up and kissing him once in a soft connection that lasted for a long time.

"Thanks Star." She said afterwards, then kissing his forehead.

"Next time though, just tell me." He chuckled, nodding his head.

"Okay." They both turned sharply to see the door opening, a mare entering who was wearing white coat.

"Hello." She said enthusiastically, closing the door behind her. Twilight Sparkle sat up straighter, curious what the doctor mare had to say. "So, what happened to him?" She asked, Starbright Glow listening intently as well. The doctor stopped at the side of the bed, setting a chart down on the nightstand.

"Honestly, we're not sure. The best thing for him would be to decrease his stress levels at this point. We'd like to keep you for another night Mr. Glow, just to make sure you're all there." He nodded, the doctor telling them that she wouldn't be far away if they had any questions to ask later. "Hey there lazy bones!" Called a familiar strawberry chocolate soft served ice cream maned stallion as he poked his head into the room. Star sat up in bed, to see all of his friends pile into the small hospital room and circle him worriedly.

"So, are ya gonna live?" Asked Firestorm with a chuckle, the pegasus hovering toward the back of the room.

"Fluttershy picked you flowers, to brighten the place up." Said Diamond Groomer softly, placing the petit bouquet on the nightstand beside Starbright Glow's hospital bed.

"It's good to see you all." The patient looked around, happy to have their presence.

"Oh darling, what ever happened to you."Starbright shrugged to Rarity's question, letting go of Twilight's hoof and fidgeting with his flowers. "Nothing serious. I was just a tad lightheaded and tired." The group of the room nodded in understanding, Twilight saying nothing of the truth; her coltfriend's personal matters were his business, and he had the right to share them or not.

"But what about your nose?" Asked Pinkie Pie

"I've had semi periodical nose bleeding since I was a colt, trust me I'm fine."

"C'mon you guys." Twilight said, standing up from the corner of his bed and approaching her friends. "We should go, Star needs to rest." The guests nodded, Starbright Glow thanking hem as they departed. Just before Twilight Sparkle closer the door behind her, she blew the colt a kiss. He smiled, catching it as the door clicked shut.

/

Ponyville went on like a clock day by day. The inner machinery of the town was perfectly precise in the way that ponies completed their daily tasks. Everything had a routine, whether it was the time of day the mail was delivered or the exact moment Pinkie Pie welcomed the new residents and guests. The sun rose and set regularly, as did the moon. Stores opened and closed regularly, and ponies woke up and fell asleep everyday. In this routine lifestyle, there was fun and spontaneity of coarse, but even that was expected or scheduled. With such order, ponies noticed when their neighbors grew silent or were reclusive, but Starbright Glow, the king of shut ins, had done something unexpected. The stallion managed to say hello and wave to the ponies around him like an average pony might. He'd made two sentence conversation and relate to ponies; to listen to them intently and to smile every now and again.

Sadly, not all ponies are supposed to be so friendly and social. Starbright learned something he already knew: all ponies come out of their shells at a pace comfortable to them. He had done all he could in an attempt to woo his marefriend, but his limits were clear.