Can't Sleep

The call lasted for two hours. Aranea had her phone on loudspeaker a while ago so as to not plug anything like earphones with the thought of them plugging objects on Leonel's body.

The two had explained to them the whole thing that had happened, making most of them surprised to have heard that Aranea had magic after all--a Summoner having the ability to summon the elemental deities like the fabled goddess.

Aurelia was surprised, yes, but at the same time, she was overjoyed to know that her daughter Aranea had powers!

Although, she had also warned her specifically, that people now might be intimidated by her because of how rare her magic is. She also warned her that she might get bullied more even though she was no longer believed to be powerless.

Before they knew it, it was already late at night, making the twins end the call so that the people in the orphanage could rest, and so that the two could rest, too.

With the incessant information coming at them one over the other, the two realized how physically and mentally drained they are, making them want to end the day.

Aranea sighed as she wore her form-fitting nightgown that's pristine white. It pooled around her like liquid silk as it flowed down her body, accentuating her curves and breasts.

The silk caressed her skin like a cool autumn breeze. She untied her half-tied red hair, then she fell on the bed and pulled the thick, plush comforter to her chin.

The moment her head hit her pillow, Aranea blinked her eyes a few times as she saw Elenea narrowing her eyes at her, making her wonder why she was being eyed at during this time of night.

"What's wrong?" Aranea asked as Elenea continued to narrow her eyes at her, her head on the pillow as well.

"Did you have to dress slowly in front of me?" she complained, making Aranea slightly giggle as she now understood why she said that. "You know that you are more endowed on the body than I am," she mumbled, a grin appearing on her face.

"But compared to me, Elenea, you're smarter. Your demure aura is what makes me jealous, you know," she complimented her, making her twin sister Elenea smile at her statement.

"Thank you. I guess this is why we are twins," she said, her eyes widening as she stared at Aranea. "You have what I don't, and I have what you don't. We're a complement to each other and we are who we are," she added, Aranea nodding as she agreed to her statement.

"You're right." She sighed, then she turned her body to face the ceiling. "Good night, Elenea."

"Good night, Aranea."

***

Aranea tossed and turned, but she just couldn't find the right position for her to get some sleep.

A lingering haze of sleep sat somewhere at the back of her mind but was too far away to reach, floating in the pool of her memories of what had happened in just a day.

Icy discomfort blossomed in her chest and made it difficult for her to breathe. Trying to make herself fall into slumber, she took as deep breaths as she could, but many just caught in her throat, like an icy wind had blown down there and managed to freeze the air solid.

At that moment, she knew that this was going to be a long night.

Aranea slowly sat up as she looked at her twin sister sleeping peacefully on the bed, slightly jealous of how she easily slept with all the information thrown at them.

Aranea sighed as she stood up, walking out of the room with a shawl drawn to her shoulders to wrap her body.

She made her way to the hallway. At the end of the hallway, however, was a veranda, making Aranea go in that direction to enjoy the evening as she decided to look at the stars and the moon in the sky until she felt the urge to sleep.

Aranea thought she was going to enjoy the evening alone but she stopped in her tracks when from a meter away, she noticed Leonel who was also looking at the night sky, the breeze making his hair fly along as the wind blew.

They had decided that since they only used the phone when they needed to, he could use his human form if he wanted to unless Aranea needed the smartphone.

"Leonel?"

The water elemental deity was slightly startled to have heard his name being called. But still, he turned his back to look at Aranea, giving her a small smile as he locked eyes with hers.

"Oh, Aranea," he said her name, the girl standing by his side as she marveled at the sky with a smile on her face. "What brings you here?"

"Same with you, I guess," she answered, laughing slightly as she held on to her shawl tight as the wind kissed her skin, sending chills throughout her body. "I can't sleep."

"I would understand," Leonel related as the two watched the night sky. "With the things happening to us, especially with you learning all the new information at once, you wouldn't be able to sleep," he added, Aranea nodding in agreement.

"I envy Elenea... she slept in an instant like a baby," she commented, making Leonel chuckle as he leaned on the veranda's stone pillar.

"Lucky her," he replied, silence now shrouding them.

It was quiet... but it did not make them feel awkward. The silence was comfortable--as if they have met for a long time already.

Leonel watched her from the corner of his eye as Aranea looked up to appreciate the moon, a sweet smile on her face. Her green eyes reflected the stars in the sky, making her look more beautiful than what she already is.

Looking at the Summoner beside him, Leonel felt his heart racing as he felt elated.

He realized again that he was finally summoned by a Summoner after waiting to be beckoned for such a long time.

Noticing that she was being stared at, Aranea shyly smiled and spoke, shaking Leonel out of his thoughts.

"What's wrong? Is my hair messy due to the wind?"

"Oh! No, no..." Leonel embarrassingly scratched the back of his head, "It's just that I feel happy that I am finally serving a Summoner," he added, making Aranea blink her eyes a few times.

"I see!"

Her lips turned into a tight line then she spoke after a few seconds of silence.

"I hope I meet your expectations, though. To be honest, I am not sure if I am going to be a good Summoner," she almost mumbled, making Leonel nod as he comfortingly patted her head to comfort her.

"Don't worry about it much, Aranea," he said, "As I told you, we are both new to this, so we will find things out together." He turned to face her, giving her an encouraging smile. "Okay?"

With his words easing the worry in her heart, the Summoner nodded as she reciprocated his smile, her courage mustering to match his.

"Okay. We learn this thing... together."