Ars Paulina

[Apollymi]

That tiny bit of nervousness in Ai's soul could likely be counted as excitement. She was being encouraged by Solomon to do what she wanted, and he claimed he wouldn't judge her negatively for her attempt. He only asked in return that she be herself, which was interesting. She was herself around her friends now, but to start off that way was a bit out of the ordinary for her. Of course, she'd started off that way a bit more than normal given that she was currently sitting around, having dinner... in her underwear. "Oh? I am used to being a bit more flexible with the kind of person I am... but I do like the idea of being myself," she mused. She hadn't been a bit dishonest this day, she figured it'd be disingenuous to start being that way now.

Beyond this, there was apparently nothing to be done about sexual contact with a greater order creature. The only thing she could do would be to have sex with one. It was apparently a life changing thing. She could see that as a potential. She imagined her friend Kaguya finally having a good time, considering the negatives associated with her first human world experience. Given how impulsive her friend was, Ai imagined she threw herself in without many reservations. Ai was also hailed as having more composure than most humans as apparently the same kind of kiss from Solomon would have ended in them naked and offering themselves to the man. "Hm, I will take that as a victory I guess. And feel less awkward about sitting around in my underwear then," she said knowing full well that she was just as bad. In fact. After her eyes had travelled across his face they'd settled on his mouth and she was still staring at it now. She watched his lips move as he questioned something and heard the sound of his voice which was so very calming against her ears. She heard every word he spoke but her processing speed was rather slow. "Huh?" she said first only to snap herself to attention as the rest of his words caught up with her. "I... uh... I don't really know," she explained of herself. "I am hearing everything you're saying but I am so distracted," she mumbled, though her eyes still hadn't moved. "I assume that is kind of normal," she explained. "Mentally, I find myself thinking back on the earlier part of our meeting and wanting to continue and I assume that is also aligned with my soul..." she said carefully. "But I wouldn't want to rush a date either." she concluded. Yes, complete honesty. Not wanting to miss out on any aspects of her date while also wanting to progress... it was a strange thing.

[Bloodedge]

"Flexibility is not to be underrated. I understand completely that you are capable of shifting about as necessary, but for your own sake, keep things natural. You don't want to accidentally create a character you don't like controlling, right?" asked Solomon. Keeping things in terms of a game, he meant only to express the chance of her first Avatar becoming something undesirable. One deserved comfort in their own skin, after all. Transition to a new form in a new world could be jarring for many ─ especially if poorly executed by one who had such variety in their potential.

In receiving Solomon's truth about her own capacity, Ai expressed a state of calm. It was good that she felt less awkward about her state of dress currently. Solomon, for one, would have taken no issue if she had no clothes at all. "If I remember, I assume it would only be more strange if I put myself in a similar state of dress?" he questioned. Though he knew the answer was, in truth, one that changed from one person to another. Perhaps 'yes' was the likeliest response, but the main difference between Ai and Solomon was their upbringing and world outlook. Regardless, it was still true that she'd yet to make a request for additional clothing.

It was also true that Ai lost herself staring and falling to the tone of his voice for a moment. That was also normal for humans. "You needn't worry about that. You are correct; it is the desire of your soul that produces such effects. Though... that isn't to say your natural personality-based preferences can't be at all to blame. The only one who could say for sure whether that is the case, is you. I am open to whatever you desire. What is it you'd like to do? If it is your wish to have a more normal 'date' experience, to learn by any other means, or even to abandon all of that in favor of something else, your wish is my command~"

[Apollymi]

Solomon had some nice advice for Ai as she sat with him and discussed her new life at a nice pace. He claimed flexibility was good but that she could be more natural to avoid creating for herself a character she might not like being, "Sou ka, I suppose that is a consideration. I wouldn't be happy if I ended up uncomfortable... I am glad I chose to go about it this way over other potential ones..." she murmured. She'd continue on in her more relaxed state seemingly pleased to not be offending or anything like that.

Speaking of things that weren't offensive, the idea of Solomon stripping down to a similar level of undress wasn't at all unappealing. In fact, the young girl's eyes sparkled and her mind immediately began to wander. 'I thought I was already distracted. I haven't even considered what he looks like underneath those clothes. I kind of want to know... and it would be fair considering I am already in my panties just sitting around~' she thought rapidly. She chuckled once more nervously. "Ehe..." she gave herself a moment to gather her thoughts. While shfting her eyes over him again, in a more complete manner. "I want to say it would be fair if you did. That equality as a point of greeting would be a good thing," she mused. "But I'd also be lying if I said I didn't just become very interested in the idea just because you mentioned it. And I am now super curious while also being certain that it will completely break my concentration... this soul desire thing is really weird to manage with my people brain," she expressed her current understanding of herself as a person. "So I guess what I'm saying is... undress to a level of fairness and I'll try my best not to become a wordless mess~" she said with just a tiny bit of sass.

Beyond this point it seemed that Solomon was content to do whatever it was that Ai wished to do. He claimed that her natural inclinations could be to blame for her level of distraction but it could also be her soul. He was willing to conform to whatever her desires were in this moment as far as her 'date' scenario was concerned. "I should say I am not against the physical contact with an understanding of how it works. After talking to you for a while, and while knowing my friends are also here... I could easily agree to this new life," she explained of herself. "As for the date, in the spirit of romance novels, I am willing to be completely wooed and smitten in all ways that is possible~" she said having come to a pretty firm decision. One didn't get over tall dark and handsome godly men taking a liking to them. And she was enough of a pragmatist to want to find out the depths of everything he had to offer. So she decided to live a little more freely with herself and be herself and as irresponsible as she wanted to be as it was her life to live.

[Bloodedge]

"As am I. I've seen many who became entirely different to their original selves in this world, and they suffer for it to this day. The phrase 'absolute power corrupts absolutely' is not quite accurate in truth, but the spirit of it remains in a sense. I'm sure you can rationalize the how and why of that," he stated. At long last, it was time for Solomon to rise from the dining table. He'd soon be responding to Ai's desire, either altering his own state of dress, or leaving it be. The girl seemed to be in thought over this for a moment. When the silence ended, that nervous giggle reared its head again. A few assumptions could be made about her answer then.

Fairness was the solution. Though Ai hadn't been considering such a thing until Solomon himself spoke of it, she concluded that a bit of disrobing on his part would be best... though she admitted to likely becoming distracted. Oh well; Ai also swore to make an effort, as if to avoid such distraction. However she managed, Solomon found firm logic in his undressing regardless. "I believe it would be for the best overall. Even if you are affected strongly, it may be better for adjustment over time. So..." Without further ado, Solomon peeled away the bulk of his robes. Armor segments and cloth alike were discarded against the chair he recently abandoned. By the end of it all, he sported only an ornate loincloth, jewelry including those strange rings around his neck, and... what almost looked like a permanent, natural film of oil on every inch of visible flesh.

There was one more thing to be done. Ai decided to delve into this new form of life, accepting the idea of being wooed in whatever ways possible ─ all ways, even. Upon hearing that claim, Solomon brought about another shift in the realm. Gone would be the dining hall they sat in, replaced by a place of learning instead. They seemed to be within a large library with full shelves aplenty, yet empty tables and an empty desk. In place of lights, there remained those same quasi-spirits lit more brightly than they were previously. "This does remain a meeting of learning, so forgive me if I've made things strange by making it a library. It's my understanding that this is also some sort of fantasy for humans who attend school. Is that still the case? We could easily make it something else if you'd like. Perhaps you're more the traditional sort, and would prefer a bed?"

[Apollymi]

Solomon was apparently pleased that Ai hadn't gone in a more negative way. He claimed that there were many who were corrupted by their changes and power structure. "Sou ka, I suppose that makes sense. There are lots of people who wouldn't know what to do without the challenges their original live presented. And many more who would become abusers after being abused and things like that..." she rationalized seeming to find it to be a perfectly human way of having something work out.

Moving on, that nervous giggle and her explanation of her current desire was heeded. Solomon stood, making the claim that even if she was easily distracted by a closer to nude form, it would do much better for acclimating her over time. She supposed, she'd actually do her best not to become a bumbling mess. Even so, she couldn't take her eyes off the man as he stripped himself of clothing. He exposed perfectly bronzed and seemingly well oiled skin down to just a loincloth and some rings. 'He's so hot!' her mind was doing her a great injustice by only coming up with words like that. She stood and got a better look at the man the entire time, nearly tripping over herself to stare rather brazenly. "Definitely for the best..." she nearly whispered as she continued to stare, with a blush on her face as her mind wandered. 'Am I really going to get to have sex with this man? Like seriously?' she seemed to almost question her luck in this case. She almost didn't notice the change in venue around them but Solomon would bring attention to it.

"Oh? Right learning..." she murmured. Her eyes moved from Solomon immediately to the rest of the room, it was still breathtaking to see, but she couldn't help but have her eyes land back on Solomon. What was he saying, about libraries being part of fantasy. Well, they always made for a top-tier setting in school romances. and she... well, if she didn't already think they were excellent potnetial places for romance, she was definitely liking them now, "Libraries are always good settings. Usually don't get a half-naked, super attractive teacher in them, but I'm sure that's only making it a better place," she mentioned, not seeming to realize how many of her subconscious thoughts leaked into that particular sentence. "I like beds too... probably more than I should, but we can always move on to that when suits us, yes?" she asked but it wasn't really a question. All through her mind, multiple scene potentials were playing out where she was learning in this library through Solomon and various sorts of foreplay only to be placed into a luxurious bed for the main event whenever that became the thing to do. Yes, that all sounded just fine. In fact, her knees were a little weak considering it. Perhaps she should take a step or two, examine some bookcases, finally draw her eyes away from Solomon?

[Bloodedge]

Much to the girl's credit, she didn't immediately become a wordless mess ─ at least it wasn't so bad as she made it seem. There was only a temporary silence after he disrobed, and though her first few phrases didn't seem completely 'there' as it were, she didn't seem too bad off. Still feeling quite nostalgic, Solomon decided to joke around a bit. "Oh? If that's for the best, what's keeping us both from getting rid of everything?" he asked with a chortle. Now that he thought about full nudity, though, there was another thing he'd yet to bring up. That was rather important. "I should tell you ahead of time that acceptance is key in this world. Being physically capable of doing some things is a matter of your desire to do so," he babbled.

What was his warning for? Well, Ai would find out soon enough if she didn't have reason to realize his meaning already. Her mind was wandering, but perhaps her eyes hadn't considered doing the same ─ unlike his. Oh well; they'd cross that bridge when they came to it. For now, Solomon wondered if producing a library was truly the best idea. According to Ai, it was fine... and so was the idea of a bed if they wished to progress to that. "Ideally, you will be in this realm for a very long time ─ long enough to explore any and everything you like. I could even put a bed here in the library if you want. Though this location is an entire school building; I suppose the nurse's office already has beds," he stated. For the time being, Solomon summoned a book from its shelf to his hand. Ai would soon find that these books worked a bit differently. Much like the food, all was made with his mana. Merely opening the book in front of her caused wisp to move toward her head, both exposing her to his aura directly and filling her mind with an understanding of the Territory Creation Skill. "As you can see, lessons may happen at any pace you like as well. As I intend to offer teachings through any and every action possible, what would you like to learn about first?" he asked while gradually stepping closer to the lass.

[Apollymi]

Ai couldn't help but be distracted by the mostly naked man beside her. She would have been lying to say that she didn't immediately think of what he might look like naked. Of course, she wouldn't have mentioned that aloud, but his teasing nature didn't make it so she had to. No, Solomon would take that upon himself. What was stopping both of them from getting completely naked? "Asking me questions like that is... surprisingly shocking," she murmured. "I don't know, why we're not both naked, but it is definitely started to sound like a good idea..." she added. If they got naked she'd get to see him naked which was good. Of course, she may not be able to think aobut anything but the hot naked godly guy beside her which also didn't seem that bad as an idea. Moving on from that point, apparently acceptance was key. This was related to the nudity issue than she was probably in for some sort of surprise. "Is this a mind over matter thing? Is that what you're telling me... I just have to not think about it too much?" she asked for the sake of clarity.

No matter the answer to her inquiries she would be keeping in mind all the things that Solomon said. In fact, she probably couldn't have forgotten them based on the smoothness of his voice alone. Apparently, he could add a bed to this room, or they could enjoy this school. "School as a fantasy setting. Definitely a good choice~" she mused. If there was one thing she found herself liking it was school buildings as settings for romances, not that she fully understood why that was a thing. Moving on, she finally had a book in her hand but it wasn't a normal sort of situation. Opening it, gave her information in the form of an aura which passed directly into her relaying 'Territory Creation' as a skill to her consciousness. Solomon inquired about what she might want to learn about and she gave it a minor bit of consideration, "Uh, how does memory work and creation? I think given the kind of person I am I will want to understand those things better..." she asserted. when she'd said the word creation her eyes had dipped back to Solomon's form, he really was a distracting man.

[Bloodedge]

Ai alleged that he managed to shock her with such a question. Even so, there was logic behind it. Humans were born into this world without clothes, and nudity was only the natural state of being. When presenting and offering oneself to another, he found it sensible to do so while baring all assets. Alas, even Alaya had long since lost those sorts of sensibilities. It wasn't really an issue either way. "Once upon a time, it would have been the basis of our introduction. That isn't the case in either world now. Either way, that is a decision I leave in your hands. You can do away with mine, or your own, if you so wish it."

Solomon had nothing more to say on the matter of acceptance. When Ai needed to understand, he believed she would. More important at present was any curiosity she had. One question was asked, but it seemed intended to be two. What a strange little hiccup that was. "I assume you mean how does one recall things long-term? In that case, the soul has its own memory. You may consider it like having a hard drive which can be organized in whatever way you are comfortable visualizing it. If you have the ability, any memory experienced while using a specific Spiritual Core can be recalled by accessing the core itself," he explained with ease. "Creation... depends. If using magic, it is a simple matter of envisioning something and applying mana to it. The Mystic Code is constructed in accordance with your vision once you understand the process. Through magecraft, however, things are simply inverted. Codes are determined beforehand, and putting them together allows creation in a much more limited manner." As he offered this explanation, Solomon continued moving forward. He was soon within striking distance of Ai, pausing there only to observe her more directly. As it seemed, she was doing much the same.

[Apollymi]

Solomon spoke of prior times, where nudity would have been a precursor to the rest of their meeting. She supposed she could understand that, seeing the package before you received it... even so, it was still rather interesting that she was told she could render either or both of them naked at her own accord. "You are going to leave your nudity in my hands? Is that a good idea?" she asked almost as if she wasn't apart of this conversation. In truth, they could both end up naked simply because her mind was wandering towards that as an option.

How as she supposed to pay attention or articulate any thought she had when the thought of this caramel colored man beside her made her knees go weak and her mind fuzzy? Even now, he was speaking and she barely pieced together her actual question, so much so that Solomon himself had to clear it up before answering it. "Yeah, that is what I meant. Gomen," she murmured, having the grace to look a little embarrassed. She needed a cold shower. "Still that is good to know... I can work with that explanation," she mentioned. His last statements about creation and how it applied between two different forms of magecraft or magic made perfect sense to her as well. She'd developed applications for phones and done some some minor coding. She could understand his words and know how either method could be used, and how pieces of both methods beyond that could be used in tandem to get ones desired results. Ai was processing Solomon's words while looking at the man himself, he really was something. Did he know he was distracting visually? Well he had to... did he know how easily her mind wandered along to other things? She should have been more annoyed by how much she just wanted to press her lips against his and learn through experience. Wow, that was a little aggressive, even for an internal monologue. She bit her bottom lip just a little while having her eyes scan Solomon's form, yeah, magical world biology was probably doing a number on her. It didn't help that he was also just attractive it was like a deadly combination. 'It really isn't fair...' she thought while her fingers flickered gently at the buttons which held her top together.

[Bloodedge]

Was it a good idea to leave his nudity in Ai's hands? Of course. If Solomon himself had a choice in the matter, it couldn't really be considered an option. "I think it's the best idea. If I were to decide for myself, there would be no clothing already. The chance of that making you uncomfortable, however, is not worth the risk. By leaving it up to you, I further enforce the notion that I am comfortable in either situation, and that you are free to feel comfortable if nudity happens to be preferred," he answered. Solomon was one who considered all things from multiple angles. He had very few firm opinions, and the few exceptions had a great deal of fact enforcing them. In fact, there was an entire story dedicated to one of those examples from him... but that was neither here nor there.

Whatever the case, his explanation was a functional one. Solomon figured things would be easily understood by Ai if he spoke in technical terms. Her slight lapse in articulation aside, their lesson was progressing quite smoothly. "You'll do amazingly with this information. If you ask me, those are the perfect starting questions. In essence, you will be the Queen of Magecraft ─ capable of using magic and advancing magecraft. Knowledge from Gaia will serve you well, as I'm sure you realize by now," he said confidently. Just then, Solomon noticed a strange development. Ai's mental musings had apparently resulted in the casual biting of her lip during some extensive staring. At the same time, Solomon's attention was drawn to that mobile hand. Ah, perhaps she was making a decision after all. Should that be the case, he'd happily leave her to it... and keep up observations all the while.

[Apollymi]

Solomon was a logical being. He was leaving the decision about his nudity in the hands of Ai for several firm reasons. He was giving her the option to engage or not, he was allowing her the maximum comfort he could in this new world situation without potentially risking upsetting her, and he was confirming the idea that he found her choices acceptable. This was almost too enabling. In truth, Ai could feel herself slipping further and further away from a standard human consciousness. She was just a girl after all. A girl who spent all her spare time, reading and writing smutty romance novels. She was already naturally leaning towards the more fantasy option. "Well, when you say it like that it makes perfect sense... but when I think about it, I get the weird urge to push the limits," she mused almost rhetorically.

What was more, though she'd gone very quiet in the last few moments, she'd not gone brain dead. No, instead she'd chosen the perfect path of starting for her information gathering about this new world and her apparent steps towards being the Queen of Magecraft. She understood the technical terms, she understood how to build things that worked whether with pieces or just with her imagination. But what she didn't quite understand, was the feelings which had her biting her lips and fiddling with her own meagerly dressed form as she stared at Solomon. "Starting with out of world knowledge where magic is well-sourced and popular is like starting off life with a database to pull ideas from," she murmured. "To be honest, I am surprised I'm making any sense here..." she said once again her eyes were transfixed resting on the lips of the half-nude man before her. "I feel like there is something I need to do..." she mentioned. She leaned towards Solomon gesturing him towards herself and if he acquiesced she'd press her lips against his. She wanted to, rather needed to complete such an action... she felt it at the depths of her person and so she'd take her first steps towards a life in which she followed the whims apparent in her soul. Why not? In a library with a hot teacher talking and being encouraging to you... your heart was supposed to skip that little beat and lead you into a compromising position, there was no reason not to live the fantasy.

[Bloodedge]

When Ai spoke of wanting to push the limits, Solomon chuckled once more. That simple description of things perfectly encompassed all that he'd been meaning to portray earlier. Having easily come to understand it in her own way, Ai was priming herself for a smooth, yet eventful magical life. "That is the Call of Creation in a nutshell. Once the soul realizes its desire, there will always be a push toward achieving it. You could call it an itch to make every necessary step toward creation, even to the point of foolish behavior in some immature cases."

Speaking of that itch, Ai was showing all the symptoms of creation's call as time passed. In the middle of her progression, though, she brought up another interesting comparison to a more technological matter. "It's a bit jarring at times, I'm sure. Take it at your own pace; you'll do very well. I have seen both sides, so I'm sure you will always make sense to me," he assured. Before long, Ai expressed a desire or 'need' to do something. What could that have been? Well, it was quite obvious by the time she spoke the words. A bit of forward movement was paired with a gesture requesting his approach. As it was clearly fitting with his desire, Solomon did not hesitate to do exactly that. He leaned in, welcoming the second meeting of lips between them as instigated by Ai. His arm stretched out in the interim, eventually resulting in the press of his hand against the bookshelf behind Ai ─ all while his free hand ruffled the fabric against her side. This wasn't something he'd be shying away from, nor was it a moment he'd let slip between his fingers.

[Apollymi]

Apparently, this 'Call of Creation' was the sort of thing that inspired the feelings that Ai was currently struggling with. She was told of some going off the rails when confronted with those sorts of feelings and she could somewhat understand it. She felt out of control herself, but everything she'd been told before this point implied a level of safety which she couldn't ignore being given. Solomon had left how he gave her information, his nudity and even the desire for sex and information in her hands. By doing this, while actively stating that his interest in her wasn't just a soul related bond, or something like that made her believe she had something of an earnest chance at something honest which she hadn't considered before. "An itch, a nagging sensation in the back of the mind..." she murmured seeming to find those descriptors apt enough. "I don't feel like I am making bad decisions though... they might be a little selfish but I've never made that sort of decision before," she murmured. Her friend the one she worked for always told her to do something for herself. Perhaps this would count?

Speaking of taking for herself, the desire she had to kiss Solomon was acknowledged by the man himself. He leaned into her, using a bookshelf as support and putting a hand to her covered side. His mouth met hers and she felt infinitely more relaxed. She was a bit less fidgety, a bit more logical. Was it really so poignant a thought? She was beginning to believe this sort of thing leaked straight into her own personal desires. She found her hands once again against his chest but this time with a skin to skin contact. It was so nice beneath the skin of her hand, she found herself easily prodding h is mouth for openness. Right... she was beginning to put together more important pieces of information she'd left by the wayside as she aimed to slip her tongue into his mouth. Perhaps she'd address that eventually but for now there was dessert to be claimed in the form of apple butter for the recesses of his maw.

[Bloodedge]

Ai's assumption was right. She wasn't being irrational and making terrible decisions, or anything close to that, really. She received an open offer that her soul agreed with, and she was responding in kind to see it through. Such was the way things were meant to go. Being true to one's soul could never lead anyone astray. Some were viewed negatively for being so, but subjectivity was no matter of importance in these cases. Alas, Solomon would be incapable of verbalizing her rightness in approach, as they would be entangled once more within moments.

Without the shock of transference being so prevalent, Ai seemed a fair bit more forward. Her hands landed upon his chest with confidence, and her tongue begged entry to his mouth without hesitation. It was only right that he enable the former and permit the latter. Hers was the aggressive approach, as intended for this particular meeting. She'd find no resistance at all in entering his maw. No, the only thing awaiting her there was another entanglement of a physical nature. This time, however, Ai would find that there were no lessons being delivered through his tongue even as it swabbed at hers repeatedly. This had nothing to do with teaching, really. Ai presented this meeting of mouths as a point of desire, not of learning. As such, Solomon would only reciprocate according to his own natural urges.

[Apollymi]

Ai was finding herself being enabled at every turn. Perhaps she'd ask Solomon about this sort of thing when their mouths separated. But at present she'd find herself further entangled with him and strangely receiving no information. Oh? Was this because she'd not prefaced wanting any? Well, that would make sense perhaps... as her tongue moved about in his mouth, wrestling against his she found herself more capable of thought than she had been prior. Maybe she'd find her voice again after all of this?

Well, she was having a good time now, hands against his chest... her fingers would begin to trail ever so presently upward until her arms were resting against his shoulders. Her arms around his neck this felt infinitely comfortable and since her advances weren't being stopped she was having a pretty good time if she was being honest. Romancing Solomon was definitely the thing she wanted to do, she could spend some more time learning a bit later, for now her movements brought their bodies closer together and the blonde lass to ehr credit started to seek contact with his skin. It was very nice. Ai was certain she'd never written a scene so steamy and it was her hobby of choice.