Holy Templar Sanctum (Aincrad)

[Apollymi]

According to Charles, humanity wasn't as far behind the curve as Angelica surmised. He seemed to understand enough of his own development to acknowledge a few of his own skills which had managed to evolve over the course of his current existence. That was good as far as Angelica understood it, she personally thought it was a bit weird that humans had to go through so much to get new skills or develop magical abilities, but hard work wasn't something to shy away from either. "I get it I guess," she said carefully. "There is a certain sense of accomplishment that comes with learning to do something overtime and putting effort into attaining things. That much I understand..." she said seeming to remember her own happiness at the accomplishments surrounding her creations to be something similar. "Still it could be smaller changes that would fly under your watchful gaze~" she said seeming to find that thought a bit funny.

What else was funny? Well, Angelica found herself being poked even more readily, this time in her abdomen. Muscled though she was, perfect was her figure still she was, ticklish. She laughed continuously having to take deep breaths between happy squeals as she continued to poke at the face and chest of Charles. "Listen here Chuck...hahaha!" she laughed hysterically, "A gentle pat on the face is nothing compared to this....hahehehehahaha!" she laughed more. "Torture! hahahahahahahahah~" she couldn't help it. She was continuously laughing at that was all his fault too. Her face was turning red, her eyes were sparkling, she hadn't even given up on poking him completely but now felt the need to try and defend her abdomen with one hand lest she laugh herself to death.

[Bloodedge]

Angelica was right about a sense of accomplishment accompanying skill acquisition and the like. Charlemagne had been much more satisfied overall with the abilities he sculpted for himself than he'd been with the random upgrades, though... there were some caveats to that. When his actions caused the upgrade to a Skill he'd developed, he knew the ultimate joy of growth. As for these apparent 'smaller changes' that may have escaped his notice, he hadn't a clue what they could be. Angelica seemed privy to some knowledge he didn't have... though she also seemed privy to something else.

To be ticklish was, in this case, to be vulnerable. As Charlemagne poked at her abdomen, Angelica laughed. Suddenly, there was a sharpness to his eyes, a gleam and a temporary air of seriousness and great intent. He could see a path to victory and infinite prestige! Even his voice was affected by this revelation, sounding deeper and more certain when he next spoke. "Hoho~? Ticklish, Angelica Edelfelt? Your fate is sealed!" he announced. With that, Charlemagne entered a state of focus that belonged in extreme combat. This focus proved useful in bypassing defenses, which was precisely what he used it for as Angelica aimed to guard her abdomen from his assault.

[Apollymi]

There were many things going on with Charles that weren't really clear but Angelica was sure none of his developments were bad, even if they were currently unexplained. Of course, all of this was put aside as they discussed the nature of accomplishment. She was sure he could understand the goodness of that and beyond that she felt it was unlikely he'd receive anything he didn't deserve and couldn't use, he simply had the wrong thoughts about himself. Even so, she believed in him, so eventually she'd convince him to believe in himself a bit more...

But that would be later, when she remembered. Right now, she was panicking, or rather laughing. Of course those things were synonymous given the fact she was being tickled in a manner she couldn't even begin to understand. So thorough and complete was this tickling that it came with even more concentration and a deeper voice and use of most of her name. Charles' face was so serious in a moment like this, eyes sharpened in concentration as he claimed her fate was sealed... oh no. That made her feel strangely inside, but it wasn't bad so it was almost immediately overridden by the extra bit of fear which was involved when someone was being tickled. She tried to mount her defense but found single arm being surpassed by use of Charles hands. She was still laughing hysterically having to abandon her poking to try and defend herself more completely. "Wait...hahaha...please....heheheh.... I can't....ahahahahahaha!~" she couldn't stop laughing and even when trying to protect herself she found herself backing away just a bit. Maybe a bit of space between them would allow her a moment or two of reprieve? Why not, it wasn't like he could chase her right just now.

[Bloodedge]

Would space allow her reprieve? Absolutely not! Charlemagne had the path to victory just ahead of him, and he was going to tread it by any means necessary! Angelica could only retreat so much before she had to vacate the tent. Before such a time came, she would know true torment by method of his extended fingers. Sadly, only one of them realized why Charlemagne couldn't give chase. Which of them was it? Well... it wasn't Charlemagne.

In his current state of having the upper hand, it was only natural that Charlemagne continue moving forward to 'attack' so to speak. Of course, he would soon realize why retreat was a good idea on Angelica's part. When he released his swim trunks earlier, they'd fallen around his ankles. Stepping forward even once resulted his forward foot being caught in said trunks. His poke assault reached its abrupt end by fault of a trip which sent him falling forward. Oh. This was going to become awkward again, wasn't it?

[Apollymi]

Ah, and the laughter and hijinks continued for a little while longer. Though Angelica thought the lad wouldn't give chase given the fact that his shorts were down around his ankles, she miscalculated. How could she not? How could she know that a human male who was winning at something like tickling wouldn't be kept from the prized squeals of his prey? Well she found that out here and now as she tried to back out of his grasp and he tripped forward over his shorts. This would lead to an interesting situation.

A still giggling Angelica would fall but it was nothing note worthy. Instead what was note worthy would be the fact that Charles had landed atop her. She was still giggling just a tad and trying to get her breathing under control still she couldn't help but comment, "You were really serious about that, huh Chuck? No foresight?" she asked seeming to find the whole thing amusing. That being said, she also had no problem with what would be extended physical contact between their forms. In truth she was nothing but comfortable with his body against her own and given what she was like she didn't feel embarrassed about it. As such the only awkwardness applied to the situation would be Charles doing.

[Bloodedge]

Foresight? If he had even a speck of that, Charlemagne would never have landed himself in the current situation. What situation? Well, it seemed he was face-first in the princess' bosom. Previously dealing with fingers to the cheek on both ends of their epic battle, Charlemagne was now forced to deal with oversized marshmallows smothering him from either side. This was the perfect time to start freaking out. This was the penultimate sin or something, right? People always said the worst things felt best. . .

If he had the foresight, he would have stopped this. He would never have taken that damning step forward. In hindsight, he was glad no such clairvoyance existed in his Saint Graph. If, for some reason, this would be the event which damned him, there was no point backing out of it. It could be a simple pitstop to the heavens before falling into the pit of Hell. Apart from the potentials, it wasn't as if he could remove himself anyway. He was dazed, but far from confused. There was no place for wondering why, how, or what to do. HIs body wouldn't move, and he couldn't question its decision. Maybe he'd be smothered to death? That would be alright.

[Apollymi]

There was no foresight in Charles and apparently also no desire to move once he'd fallen. Angelica lie, still giggling with the lad on top of her his face buried between her breasts as he was mostly completely still. Strange, she expected that he would have scrambled to get up super quickly. Perhaps he was worried about more going wrong than right in such a situation. Perhaps he'd simply resigned himself to this particular form of embrace. Just the same her right hand met the back of his head carefully giving it a gentle rub. "It seems like you didn't think it through there, Chuck...." she mused seeming to find something quite amusing even while she wasn't being tickled to death. "Don't worry about it, I'll take care of us..." she said.

Even though she said it, she actually didn't mind the way he was, but his not moving was a bit worrying. It'd be pretty awkward for her if he managed to smother himself to death while denying even his normal inclination to move away from her. Ah, so what would she do instead of moving him off her or anything like that. The grip over the back of his head became another arm also wrapped around his body her left leg entwining with his as she used the leverage of her right to flip them, both. Another obvious wrestling move their positions were effectively switched and she was now atop him pushing up to give him air. "Chuck you shouldn't be trying to smother yourself like that, it seems a bit dangerous for you..." she mentioned. Though she'd put no real space between them her bosom was still over his face just not so much that he couldn't breathe. That little flip had put strange thoughts in her head again. He had such a firm body and it was so warm pressed against hers for that brief moment. "Are you alright?" she asked.

[Bloodedge]

Charlemagne had no need of something basic and foolish like movement anymore. In a single and accidental moment, he'd discovered a path to nirvana. Oddly enough, he truly believed that was the case, deep within his own consciousness. He wasn't even aware of the hand on his head. He wasn't sure what Angelica was saying. He was occupied, mentally falling into an abyss from which he could never return. He was surrounded by the darkness found in Angelica's cleavage, but there was only light in his eyes.

Soon, he was no longer in the same position. His limp body felt no sensations as it was flipped by unknown means to a place beneath Angelica. She was on top of him now in a very suggestive way, considering his lack of clothes and presence of erection. That didn't matter either, as now her breasts were weighing down on either side of his face instead of his face being pressed into them. Oh. He could register something being said now... sort of. Should he not have been trying to smother himself? He wasn't even trying. He was, however, willing to accept whatever fate presented itself. "I've reached the end. I give up," he said, truly feeling in the moment as if his soul and body were separating. One such as Charlemagne would assume that feeling was in his head, but no, there was some merit to it. Sadly, few humans would ever recognize the sensation of their own soul literally expanding due to contact with a divine being. Maybe Charlemagne himself would understand the feeling one day.

[Apollymi]

There was a lot of physical contact taking place here and Angelica took the liberty of moving herself about, now atop Charles in a way to avoid giving him any unnecessary injuries. Her entire body hovered over his abdomen and she'd aligned herself to be in front of his erection which was erect against her bottom from this angle. She was still leaned against his face but she'd drawn her chest up a bit and was propped up on either side of his head. The words Charles shared were a bit worrying as such she backed off just a bit so she could look him in his face.

"Easy there, Chuck..." she mused while looking down at his face. Hm, she might have liked looking at him from this angle for reasons she was not yet ready to explain. Still, she leaned down and pressed her lips against his forehead. "I'd tell you to calm down but you don't seem to be overly worried. But that is kind of more worrying than a freak out..." she stated honestly. "In other news though... your mana feels different right now... like it's getting bigger?" she expressed her understanding of this moment. Did contact with her do this to him? It didn't feel like anything was wrong he just felt a little bit different. Actually the difference in the feeling was something she was made curious about, something she wanted to inspect in a more direct manner, was there a way to do that? There had to be, right? Angelica looked down at Charles face seeming to give that a bit more thought than she likely should.

[Bloodedge]

And so, Angelica was talking again. Why? There was no reason to take anything easy. He could officially call this the end, whether of life or simply of life as he knew it. The end was not near; the end was here. He could embrace it fully and know true peace in these final moments. Luckily for him, Angelica wasn't telling him to calm down or think rationally. Obviously, that ability was officially long gone. She could worry all she wanted. There was peace in the universe; nothing could go awry ever again.

Ah, something was said about his mana. It was getting... bigger? Was mana some sort of euphemism in this case? If so, it would make more sense to him. Something was certainly becoming notably bigger, as Charlemagne noted the first thing he felt as being soft flesh against his manhood. Ah, right, he didn't have trousers on. Oh well. That didn't matter anymore either. "Yep. Bigger. That's normal," he said. Charlemagne had entered the most serene state of being he'd ever known, for reasons he couldn't fathom. "You know, I thought being Holy Emperor wouldn't be so bad. That's selfish. It'd be pretty cool overall, though. Everything's cool. . ." he rambled.

[Apollymi]

Charles was experiencing something strange, of this Angelica was certain. What was more he happened to be completely out of it. He was eerily quiet and calm. He seemed to have reached a state of peace mentally, his body wasn't quite on the same wavelength. Well, that wasn't exactly true, he was pinned beneath Angelica mostly unmoving aside from the growth of his manhood behind the softness of her rear. That was an interesting contrast of sensation. Angelica's own 'instincts' as they existed made her shift against him just a little as if settling into a point of greater contact. "I feel like you took that a way I didn't mean it. I do understand the basics Chuck..." she said seeming to find something rather strange about the entire situation. "I meant your actual mana feels bigger, though I am pretty sure I can feel it through..." she gave it some thought but didn't mention it though her body did shift once more. Why was she doing this? It wasn't really in her nature to tease or anything like that.

She remained staring into the lad's face as he began to ramble. What was he talking about in a moment like this... well his general acceptance of becoming the Holy Emperor. He claimed it wouldn't be so bad, that it was somehow selfish of him but it would be cool. Everything was apparently cool. "You aren't being selfish... I am," she explained of the moment. True enough, she'd basically chosen him to be her husband because he was the person she liked, accepting that in anyway wasn't selfish of him. The choice itself was selfish of her, made without any regard for anything else he might have had going on, or any other person who might have liked or loved him. "Are you really alright with it? It's still a job and has responsibilities, and you'll have to marry me..." she mused. She was fine with marrying Charles, and he seemed fine with marrying her in moments like this but it would be bad for him to become discontent at some point. She didn't want that for him but given their time together already she was certain she'd like him long term.

[Bloodedge]

Maybe Charlemagne did take that last clause in a way Angelica hadn't intended. If that were the case though, what was that movement she felt? Surely body language and verbal language were to be taken together, right? What she spoke of and what she physically reacted to had to be one and the same. Ah, but there was more to be said. Angelica had actually been talking about his mana, which she could feel through... through what? Either that wasn't said, or Charlemagne missed it while mentally floating through the cosmos itself. Oh well. He was pretty sure whatever she said was cool. . .

His thoughts of becoming Holy Emperor were selfish, but not according to Angelica. In her opinion, the selfishness was hers to bear. Did that make sense? He wasn't sure. Charlemagne didn't have the presence of mind to judge, knowing what made it a selfish moment of acceptance for him. Yes, it was a job and had its own responsibilities, but so was everything he currently did. Yes, he'd 'have' to marry Angelica, but that was the main appeal that made his acceptance selfish. So then, what could be said about becoming Holy Emperor? Now that his brain was taking a backseat to his Saint Graph, Charlemagne could apply some real, functional logic stemming from the soul. "That sounds... cool. So damn cool. . ." he declared with a calm certainty.

[Apollymi]

Charles seemed to be totally accepting of their engagement at a moment like this. Angelica for her part, was fine with accepting it (it'd been her proposal after all), but was also worried on his behalf. Just the same there was a base instinct at play here which couldn't truly be ignored. Even those little twitches of her hips as she stared down at his face weren't things truly within her control. She felt a strange amount of desire in a moment like this to know what it was that had changed about Charles' mana and her natural inclinations gave her a strange way to find out.

So then, what would she do? She'd lean forward into Charles face those curls around her cascading around either side of him as she found her gaze pointed at his lips. "I still don't really understand cool... in this sense, but it sounds like a good thing," she mused. Well, if they were to be married she should at least get to know him on more than just their names and activities right? That seemed right. She inched her lips closer and closer towards his as her body came to relax against the firmness of his chest. She was so soft in a moment like this but that wouldn't stop her actions this time. "Going to do one of those brash things now, okay?" she asked, not quite as brash as she could have been but still she leaned into his face to place her lips against his. Why not? The idea of getting married said such a thing was likely to happen anyway, knowing about it ahead of time was a good thing in her own mind.

[Bloodedge]

Angelica didn't understand coolness, and that was fine. He knew. He couldn't expect her to fall into social norms when being socially nonexistent to the world. This was cool, that was cool, everything in creation right this moment was... cool. That was how Charlemagne currently saw reality. Something was missing, but he wasn't quite sure what. Oh well; that was fine too. "Cool is always good. It's... cool," he stated.

Everything was cool, but that was not limited to the things Charlemagne already knew of. On the horizon was an unforeseen turn of events, which all began with Angelica leaning against him more so than she'd been doing previously. She was going to do something brash, though she'd prefaced it with a question. Didn't that just remove any brashness to the act? Well, no. The question didn't even have time to receive an answer before Angelica acted, and oh what an act it was.

Earlier this very day, Charlemagne vowed to lead Angelica beyond the walls of Aincrad, that she might see the real stars. He never expected to be the one viewing them instead, but lo, the moment his lips were met by hers, his eyes widened and an entire galaxy flowed into his retinas. What an unrecognizable sensation it was. There was a spark of some sort, not simply from Angelica, but from within Charlemagne as well. His lips puckered from instinct of the body, but also instinct of the soul. Something within was swirling furiously; Charlemagne felt it deep within his torso and all through his groin. What was it? Whatever it was, it was pretty darn cool.

[Apollymi]

Cool was always good, apparently. Perhaps one day Angelica would understand the meaning of cool. Whenever that actually happened, she'd be sure to make her understanding known. Until then she was coming to a different sort of understanding. She'd announced her intention to behave brashly. She'd settled against the firmness of Charles' chest with the softness of her own, and she'd brought their lips together. In meeting in such a way she was given a newfound understanding.

She'd kissed him, which she knew to be a brash action, but it was also the one which felt most natural. She wasn't as caught up on socially normative behavior, so the action itself was one she committed to without any extra thought. And after their lips met, it seemed that Charles was at least receptive enough to have his own lips pucker to meet her. Ah, this was it wasn't it. In bringing their lips together in such a way she had a more complete understanding of him in the moment. She couldn't compare it to anything else. For her it was like watching a sprinkling of dust be sucked inwards and shot out as light. How interesting... Those little shifting motions of her hips became a bit more prominent in the moment but it was no conscious effort on the part of Angelica. No, she was simply doing what felt most natural to her in the position she currently occupied.