Sōl et Luna

quārtus

Sōl et Luna: Me ad lunam volant

     It’s been a long, long week for Apollo. Coming with the Icenxiel Twins on their adventures is on a different level of commitment and energy. It’s fun and amazing at the same time but there were days when he felt like he couldn’t keep up with them. It’s like they’re killing off evil creatures day and night when all Apollo could think of were sleep, blood, and wine.

     Now that the Icenxiel Twins are finally resting, Apollo was able to leave the motel they’ve been staying at. They all have their own motel room and next to Apollo’s is Iev’s. He made sure that both of the twins are already asleep before he left.

     Apollo went to his penthouse in the city. He played his favorite record, took a nice hot bath, and enjoyed a good wine he’s been craving for days. He was wearing his bathrobe while skimming through his records, looking for the next song to play, when he saw a person’s figure outside his balcony that surprised the hell out of him because he didn’t sense it coming.

     “Iev?” naniningkit na mga matang tawag ni Apollo dahil hindi niya mamukhaan ang tao sa labas ngunit sigurado siyang kabisado niya maski na anino ni Iev. Isa pa’y Icenxiel Twins lang naman ang may kakayahang magtago sa mga mata niya. He’s the vampire king, no one can hide from him—except for the moon children, of course.

     Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok nga sa loob si Iev kaya nakahinga na nang maluwag si Apollo.

     “I thought you were already asleep,” ani Apollo. Sigurado siyang tulog na ang kambal nang umalis siya kaya hindi niya talaga inaasahang sinundan pala siya ni Iev.

     “Your senses have already failed you, vampire. Sa katandaan na siguro ‘yan,” mapang-asar na wika ni Iev sa bampira kaya natatawang napailing na lang ito.

     “And did you really think that you could sneak out from us?” natatawang tanong ni Iev. Her slight laugh suggests that what Apollo did was ridiculous.

     “I didn’t sneak out.”

     “You made sure that we were fast asleep before you left, didn’t you?”

     “Yes...” ani Apollo habang nag-iisip ng palusot, “but I just didn’t want to disturb you. That’s all.”

     “You know that you can leave any time you want, right? We’re not holding you hostage,” pabirong pagpapaalala ni Iev sa lalaki kaya bahagya itong natawa.

     “I know, I know. I’m planning to go back to the motel, I just really missed this,” hawak ni Apollo sa malambot niyang kama saka lumakad papunta sa lagayan ng mga records niya. “And these.” Kinuha niya ang baso niyang may wine at pinakita ito sa dalaga, “and this.”

     Nagpakawala ng hininga si Iev. “Vampires,” pailing-iling niyang sabi.

     Vampires are so dramatic. Sa sariling salita pa nga ni Iev—maarte. Malalaki ang bahay ng mga bampira na tila sarili na nila itong kastilyo at pati mga kasuotan ng mga nilalang na ito ay parang palaging may handaan at sayawang pupuntahan. Natural namang mayaman ang mga bampira dahil bago pa man sila nagsimulang kumimkim ng mga lupa’t ari-arian ng ibang mga nilalang ay marami na silang sarili nilang yaman dahil sa tagal na nilang nabubuhay sa mundo.

     “Do you own this place?” tanong ni Iev habang pinagmamasdan ang paligid. Sinusundan naman siya ng tingin ni Apollo.

     “Y-Yes, of course. I bought it myself,” agad na sagot ni Apollo dahil kinakabahan siyang baka iniisip ni Iev na pinatay niya ang taong nagmamay-ari ng lugar na ito.