The days of your youth.

Ah Canterlot. The capitol of Equestria. Flutter thought. As bustling as it usually was, the tan Unicorn was kind of happy she returned. She was asked to help train a young pony in archery, but really didn't want to move to Canterlot again. So, she would train the mare Four times a month. Today being the first day.

(Is this open?)

((yeah))

Foals...Intel really didn't do foals. Such were neither interested or capable of understanding the Advanced Theoretical Magic that he usually meddled in. Still, he was under strict instruction from his doctors that taxing his mind too much after his...accident would be high inadvisable.

So here he was, escorting one of his cousins on his mother's side to a scheduled archery lesson. Despite his general unfamiliarity with the young ones, Armori Rainshine was a pleasant filly to talk to, despite her complete ignorance in the more complex details of magic.

No, Armori was far more interested in being a 'proper Canterlot lady'. Such were expected to have proficiency in a number of things, such as composition, art, at least one musical instrument, at least one sport, and at least one weapon, usually a rapier or bow (spears used to be the fashion, but nowadays considered to be a 'lower class' tool). Guns were right out.

So, Intel's mission was to escort Armori to her instructor, one 'Flutter Shot', and supervise. There, in the private training grounds reserved for those with both the bits and pedigree, they chatted and waited for the instructor.

Flutter arrived at the grounds in awe. How could anypony own this! She saw her "apprentice" and trotted over. "You must be Armori Rainshine, correct?" she said, pulling the remains of her Canterlot speech out.

(Apologies for slowness, I needed to come up with Amori's actual personality.)

(Oh, and I wanted to try something. An experiment, if you will.)

Sports. Competitions of physical prowess akin to the power plays of old when the strong took what they wanted from the week. They were certainly better than the barbarism from the old times, even verging on what you might call civilization, but such things were not really my style.

Still as part of the 'nobility should hold themselves to higher standards than everypony else' initiative, sport was an integral part to show physical superiority.

Foalish, really. We were in Canterlot, and even though she was undoubtedly the most magnificent city in existence, she didn't get that way through brute force or athleticism, but by creativity and intellect. Unicorns had to be, as magic demanded more thought than mere flight or strength.

Which is why I chose chess as my particular sport.

Armori has her own brand of cleverness, though, I must admit. Having to do both a weapon and a sport, she combined both in the art of archery. She was even motivated enough to search for a tutor, which turned out to be some-

Ah. I suppose she must be the Flutter Shot we were waiting for.

I nodded to Armori, who after returning a nod of her own, curtsied to her supposed teacher.

"Indeed, I am called by that name." she said, with a tone that I knew very well. Armori had always admired Ellie, so it was no surprise that she would copy her way of speaking.

Armori is now looking at me. My cue.

I hold out a hoof at the young instructor. Younger than me, at any rate. "I'm her cousin. Intelligent Design. Intelligent by name, maybe not by nature." I smile. "You may call me Intel, if you wish. You must be Ms. Flutter Shot, am I correct?"

"Yes sir. I shall try to keep the Canterlot speech out, but I have lived in Ponyville for long enough to slack a bit in proper speech befitting the upper-class-ponies. Terribly sorry if it slips out." she explained. "Now then, you may use my sister's bow, should you not have your own, Ms. Armori. I am terribly sorry, my manners slip time to time, natural for me. What would you like me to call you, dear." she asked Armori.

"It's a Compound bow. It is the best for combat, though easy use for training too." she said, handing the mare the dark blue bow.

(((ok, time for a better way of lit RPing for me.)))

"Now, you need to notch the arrow." I explained, levitating the arrow to her. She was smiling, but becoming a lady required this. I just loved archery, because of my parents. And because I always grew up with bows and arrows in the house... But that isn't important. I notched my arrow, at my natural pace, then looked back to Armori. "Ready, Armori?" I asked.

I face-hoofed. She wasn't a unicorn, like me or Blue! "Here, Armori. Watch me." I unnotched my bow by magic then slowly showed her how to notch it with hooves and mouth. It was hard, even for me, but still. "Think you've got it?" I asked, hoping to save my head from a migraine of face-hooves.

I giggled. "You know, if you fly and preform archery, it's much easier. Or so I was told." I admitted.

(This is still open, right?)

((yes, Lou it is))

I smiled. Armori started to fly and held the bow and the arrow in her hooves. "Better?" I asked her, hoping she could shoot like this. I can't fly, so I never shoot with hooves.