//------------------------------//
// Acorns's Lesson 
// Story: Natureshy: RotE Episode 11 
// by Dream Volt 
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	Acorn's first lesson was odd.  We were just supposed to go sight seeing and not touch anything, keeping all four hooves on the ground as much as possible.  We could use magic as much as we liked but I tired not to even do that.  All the deer stared when my butterflies appeared.  On the other hoof I noticed the deer almost never did anything with their hooves.  It always seemed that way, but they never really had an occasion to.  Cutting cloth, blowing glass, baking, smelting metal, jewelry making, all of it with magic alone and very little of it even using any additional tools.

"It's a waste of energy." Said Rarity

"Possibly, but that's beside the point." Acorn smiled  "Why did I ask you to do it?"

Rarity blinked.  We were in a lovely restaurant that took the stone coins imprinted with an image of a tree on one side and Wynn on the other.  They were heavily infused with magic, but Rarity still complained about it being strange even if they couldn’t be duplicated.  The restaurant awnings were made of nothing but oddly curving tree branches, and a canopy of green leaves and white lilies to make the stripes.  The tables were well carved stone.  The plates on the other hoof were fairly standard, but very well made.  Acorn's head barely reached the high table, but since she never touched anything it wasn't a problem.

"I, don't know.  It's a little strange not doing anything by hoof, and somewhat tiring I suppose, but surprisingly doable.  It's just a waste and I was always taught to avoid it as it's like showing off."

"You mean around earth ponies and pegasi?"

"But I'm a pegasus." I added

"Not really.  The point…"

I went wide eyed and let out a little squeak.

"Now listen here Acorn.  While I admit calling her a normal pegasus at this point might be stretching things Fluttershy…"

"Oh, physically, yes, maybe.  I suppose in that sense she's quite close if not truly still one, but her aura is very, very different.  Can't you see that?"

"It's a little odd yes, but so what?  It's not like she's the only pegasus I've ever seen with an odd aura.  Not to mention Pinkie Pie."

Acorn smiled.  "Yes, her aura is very strange."  Then she blinked.  "But it isn't?  Are you sure?  Because it seems to me that…"

Rarity sighed.  "However I must admit I'm not that great at the art.  In truth while it's considered by many to be a vital skill it isn't strictly required for spellcasting."

"Oh, well that's both helpful and not.  It's one of the goals of this exercise to remind you of that.  The main point is something that every yearling deer knows but most other magic users seem to miss."

"Uh, does it have something to do with not using tools?" I asked  "They were so quick it looked like it might have taken less magic."

She nodded.  "Exactly.  Though there is more to it than that.  Telekinesis comes so naturally to most horned species they don’t give it a second thought."

Rarity gasped.  "And they should.  It's really important somehow."

"It is always the very first thing learned for a reason.  It is the foundation of magic.  Mage sight can be useful but it is like a pair of glasses.  Useful for clarity, but telekenesis is the hammer and chisel that lets you shape the rock that is magic."

"It can help to see it, but if you do it right a blind pony could sculpt." I said

Rarity gasped  "And magic is the same."

Rarity just stared forward unblinking.  Twilight and Rarity tired so hard to help me, but it felt like something was missing.  So far this made total sense to me.  I didn't understand how it related to me exactly either, but both of them still said focus through your horn every so often.  I never reminded them of course.  It was clear they were trying so hard not to say things like that but they did anyway.

"I think Twilight said nature and arcane are opposites, right?" I asked

"In a way, but they're also joined, even more so than the way all magic is.  Fire is energy and the source of magic, but it's nature and arcane that are its core.  Chaos and order entwined, forever bound."

"What?" Rarity and I echoed.

"Oh yes, Discord.  I don't understand what he's like exactly, but despite what he says his goal is never pure chaos to begin with, or he would cause random good as well as bad."

"Yes."  Rarity laughed, then sighed.  "We've recently been treated to what pure chaos is like and it's not the same, but I still would prefer a little less of it in my life."

"The crusaders really don't mean to cause any trouble." I added

Acorn blinked.  "I think I will have to ask uncle about some more details.  But never mind that.  The point is nature is a storm of chaos guided by a strong sense of order to create the proper way of the world."

Rarity gasped again.  "But that means Arcane leads to chaos?"

"Yes."  Acorn then laughed.  "It is what most ponies think of when they hear magic.  It is subverting the laws of the world at their most basic level.  It is altering location by simply convincing the universe you are elsewhere, making up down, and vice versa, making objects float though the air without laying a hoof on them."  Acorn then smiled

"Wait."  Rarity then raised an eyebrow.  "But the way you were talking…"

"And many deer might actually believe the absolute superiority of nature even as they use arcane magic to stir their tea."  She laughed  "Uncle chose me for many reasons, but the main one being he knows me well and knows I will teach you right just as he taught me."

"This is all material for foals, isn't it?" Rarity's ears drooped slightly  "The simplest of the simple."

Acorn nodded.  "Foals is not the right word, but yes.  Yet the simple can be the most important, and the most ignored."

"If Arcane is opposite, does that mean it's order guided by chaos to create something entirely different?" I asked

"Very good.  Yes, that is exactly it.  And something different is sometimes just what the world needs.  Nature can be harsh, petty, and at times even seems cruel, even though it cannot be.  Arcane is how our ancestors became the dominant species on this planet even though the predators were stronger and faster.  It's amazing, just as nature is in its way."

I just stared.  The other deer had remained so calm, just as all the stories always painted them, but Acorn was looking at us with an intense look in her eyes.  Was that really the only thing that made her immature in the eyes of other deer?  Acorn then got up.  I guess we were done but I wasn't sure if she really planned to just leave so suddenly.

"Come on already.  I've got to start re-teaching you how to do everything.  Uncle only gave me a week and I'd rather not waste time.  This will be so much fun."     

Then she giggled loudly.  I noticed some of the other deer look in her direction, then roll their eyes, or in one case outright glare for a moment, then go back to whatever they were doing before.