Constantin was talking to Sophia, surrounded by the glow of hanging lights and the enveloping scents of hoisin sauce and garlic. The weather was gradually turning, with a breeze beginning to pick up from the sea. Yet, it seemed the two of them were oblivious to it.
Libby was making an effort not to draw unnecessary attention to herself in Sophia’s presence.
There were already plenty of guides around, curiously glancing at them. The appearance of the Ephor always sparked discussions, and a wave of speculation was beginning to engulf the Community. Information among the Guides and Ephors had long lost its confidentiality. In a modern world where gossip and snitching were valued, harmful habits had not spared the guides (or were they the very founders of this detrimental phenomenon?).
The incident in the studio and Constantin's painting quickly became the news of the day in the Upper World. Every passing guide cast a glance at Elizabeth. Some looked on with sympathy, others with judgment, and some with outright hatred.
The lower-ranking Guides feared her. They were afraid that one person's mistakes would impact everyone's work, that a chain of failures was contagious, like chickenpox. The older guides used Elizabeth as a bad example among their ranks, saying, "There's always a white crow in the family, and she is their leader."
She had to adapt to the new reality. A reality in which she had become an outcast in just a couple of weeks.
She could only wonder why the Archon hadn’t demoted her yet or removed her from her assignment. Each day, she looked at Constantin in fear that it might be her last. She had been trained not to get attached to her charges, to show empathy while maintaining a clear view of the situation. Now, however, Libby wanted to be visible. She longed to share with Constantin, as she would with a brother, all the burdens she had endured while being near him. While he painted the fiery sunsets and the green seaweed on the sandy beach day and night, Kallidus sat like a faithful dog in a lotus pose by the painting, fearing each new stroke of watercolor.
"Why so slow?" she asked the guide, who was carelessly finishing her meal.
Sophia looked up and glanced at Libby, who stood with her arms crossed behind her, watching her charge.
Constantin naturally noticed this and assumed that Sophia was distracted by a couple enjoying ice cream.
Libby, in turn, looked around and focused on the guides of the couple. The girl had a guide named Nomadum. He was a dark-skinned man with snake-like skin and yellow eyes, who kept nudging his charge to be more sociable and friendly with her boyfriend. The sleeves of his wine-colored shirt were rebelliously rolled up, and the shirt itself was wrinkled and worn in places, as if he had hurriedly dashed out after his charge.
The guy, on the other hand, had a guide named Lombask. He was a man in a business suit with perfectly styled hair slicked back. He constantly glanced at his notebook, jotting something down with a pretentious expression, tapping his sharp claw against the pages. He was probably making a list of the girl’s flaws to ensure the date wouldn’t last longer than one night.
In the world of guides Lombasks were the most driven and businesslike. They were the careerists among the unseen guides, always presenting a flawless appearance and executing their work with equal perfection. Deep down, Libby envied them. In the history of Guides, there had never been a Lombask who failed in their mission. Even now, when the girl laughed at another joke from her companion, Lombask momentarily glanced up from his notebook before returning to his notes with an emotionless demeanor.
Libby turned away from the guides and focused on Sophia again. She wanted to scream at them, to vent all her pent-up emotions. But she couldn’t do that. In the hierarchy of beings, Guides and Ephors never shouted at each other. They either didn’t interact at all or worked together for the benefit of the charge and the Community. That was exactly what Libby planned to do.
“That was a great time. I didn’t even notice how quickly the time flew by,” said Ephor, dabbing the corners of her mouth with a napkin.
“I was worried it would rain and ruin all our plans. But it seems like the weather is holding up. I didn’t even realize how long we’ve been here. I thought we’d only been sitting for a couple of hours, but it’s already been four—” Constantin replied, surprised. “Maybe we could continue our conversation somewhere new?”
“I would love to, but I still have some plans for today,” the girl sighed.
“Plans? Are you serious?” Libby finally raised her voice. The Guides in the area turned their attention to them, staring. “Constantin, your only plan is to stay here until everything works out.”
“That’s too bad. But I hope our meeting isn’t the last. There are still many restaurants worth visiting,” Constantin said easily, as he was oblivious to the guide’s remarks and the drama unfolding around him.
“I'll step away for a moment to the restroom, if you don't mind,” the girl said, glancing at Libby.
“Of course,” he nodded.
Elizabeth followed silently behind Sophie, hoping there would be no one else in the bathroom. Once inside the stall, Sophia glared at the Guide. The detached expression on her face was gone.
“Are you deliberately driving me crazy?” she asked.
“No, I just don't understand why you’re stalling,” Libby pouted. Conflicts were unhelpful, and now alone with the Ephor, she felt uneasy.
“I’m acting strictly according to protocol,” she retorted. “First, I need to establish myself in his thoughts, gain his trust. If I buzz around Constantin too insistently, he’ll lose interest in me in a couple of days. Is that what we want?”
“Your protocols,” the Guide muttered. “Feelings aren’t governed by logic.”
“Everything is governed by logic,” Sophia said dryly. “And you would do well to start thinking with your head. So stop rushing me. I know it’s not easy. But if everything were simple, this situation wouldn’t have arisen at all. I’m searching day and night in the sources for similar situations and ways to resolve them.”
“Is it really that bad?” Only now did Libby notice the dark shadows under the girl’s eyes, even though Ephors didn’t need sleep.
“A person can't accurately recall their past life or anyone from it. And they definitely can't see guides and describe them in detail. There's something more here than just a small 'gap' in the subconscious,” the Ephor said thoughtfully. “Does he still have panic attacks?”
“There was one, after he met you on the embankment.”
“I'm sure I'll find the reason for all this mess. Right now, I need time and as much as it takes.”
“What if he doesn’t have that time?” Libby asked, frightened.
“There is always time. Be patient. And yes, Elizabeth, stop waiting for approval from other Guides.”
“What?” she exclaimed, taken aback.
“I saw how you were glancing at the other Guides while performing. Trust me, it’s not worth your worries. Fear only hinders you from focusing on your own goals.”
“I understand. But this is my first mistake, and it’s already such a serious one. I’ve thought a lot about what I did wrong. My task was to inspire Constantin, encourage him to take bold actions, fall in love with girls and his creativity. Instead, he became gloomy and obsessed with his desires.”
“We all make mistakes. The only difference is whether you are willing to correct them,” Sophia dismissed.
The Ephor approached the sink to wash her hands when suddenly a woman in her forties emerged from the neighboring stall and looked around in confusion.
“Who are you talking to?” she asked Sophia.
Sophia tapped her index finger on the earpiece in her right ear, which Libby hadn’t noticed under her hair.
“I have a theatrical production coming up. We’re constantly rehearsing.”
“Well, I wish you good luck,” the woman said with a smile as she headed for the exit.
Guide Kanis, following her charge, rolled his eyes and shook his head at them.
Libby wanted to drown herself in that tiny bathroom sink.
Returning to Constantin, she gazed thoughtfully at Sophia.
“There’s always time… How strange.”
Guides never loved time, unlike the Ephors. For them, time passed just as quickly as it did for people. They had to work diligently every second, because every moment their charge made choices that shifted the direction of their life.
The kaleidoscope of events spun relentlessly, even at night. While people slept, guides implanted thoughts and perceptions that they would wake up to. This was why sleep specialists had struggled for years to understand why the structure and routine of sleep often changed. If a guide was anxious and couldn’t separate their feelings from those of their charge, the person suffered from insomnia. This was destructive for both the guide and the charge.
At night, people’s thoughts became clearer, free from external distractions. They had space to contemplate the bigger picture and engage in philosophy. But this also created a risk of existential crises and a reevaluation of personal values.
Time became an eternal shepherd, always pushing forward. And while for the Ephors, time flowed steadily and clearly, for both people and guides, it was chaotic and unpredictable.
Libby recalled how Constantin’s watch had fallen off his wrist. The treacherous strap had lost its strength, just like his patience. But in that moment, it was so clear that he didn’t need to glance at his wrist, searching for an excuse to relax artificially or to find that precious free hour. After all, people who move toward their goals at a leisurely pace are always beautiful; it’s all about dignity.
“Looking at the clock is just a pleasant way to kill time,” wrote a famous author.
And it’s no wonder. His guide was also Kallidus, who infused him with inspiration but couldn’t keep up with the frantic pace of time.
Libby realized this when Constantin picked up his wristwatch from the floor. The tear in the strap mirrored his internal struggle. For a moment, harmony was restored. Even in his workshop, the clock on the wall began to tick chaotically. It had every right to do so.
Right now, Elizabeth had as much time as the rationality of her charge allowed. And every minute was priceless.
She stood nearby, just far enough to avoid hearing their conversation, but close enough to feel the vibrations from her charge. She had been trained to quickly make contact with Ephors, but they hadn’t taught her delicacy. This made things difficult for Kallidus. She constantly felt the urge to eavesdrop, to understand why her charge's aura began to glow every time he saw Sophia.
Although Libby already knew the answer, it was one that disheartened her. It was jealousy, like a sister’s toward a brother, as if she were visible – and Constantin could “trade” her away. Silly.
Trying to keep herself together, Libby turned away from the couple. The feeling of being the third wheel wouldn’t leave her. But that was the job of a Guide: You can look, but you can’t touch. Like being in a zoo.
Her attention shifted to the couple with ice cream. More specifically, to their Guides. It was always amusing to observe how complete energetic opposites were forced to interact for the common good, nurturing certain skills in their charges.
Her gaze involuntarily drifted to Lombask. Throughout their time here, he had never once relaxed his posture. While Nomadum constantly lounged, throwing his legs on the table and sprawling in the chair next to his charge, Lombask stood behind his "pet" like a bodyguard.
As if hearing Elizabeth's thoughts, Lombask turned his head in her direction.
Libby’s breath caught in her throat, and heat rushed through her body.
“If you want to ask something, please don’t hesitate,” Lombask said in a tone of complete indifference. “Otherwise, it’s inappropriate.”
“Oh, colleague!” Nomadum beamed, shaking his long dreadlocks. “Come join us.”
“Hello, my name is Elizabeth,” the guide said, stepping closer. Time was pressing – Sophia and Constantin were about to leave.
“I’m Alan,” Nomadum exclaimed warmly.
“Kiraz,” Lombask replied tersely, not looking up from his notebook.
“How long have you two been a duo?” Libby asked with a smirk, trying not to stare too intensely at Kiraz.
“Just made a comment too,” she thought.
“A couple of months-s,” Alan replied. “My stony friend and I are trying to combine the incompatible. To grant his charge a sens-se of sensuality that he lacks.”
“To give him communication skills with dreamy girls, to be precise. That’s far from sensuality, but it’s a good lesson in how not to lose your cool,” Lombask noted something in his notebook and snapped it shut.
“S-sorry, Mr. Stiff,” Nomadum laughed. “It doesn’t take much effort for your charge to lose his cool. Jus-st one unnoticed success at work, and suddenly papers are flying off the des-sk.”
“Apparently, the guy is more sensitive than you might think,” Libby laughed, addressing Alan, but she stopped when Kiraz shot her a reproachful look.
“Shouldn’t you be attending to your charge?” he asked in a parental tone.
“Of course. I just came over to say hello,” Elizabeth nodded.
“You shouldn’t leave him unattended for too long, even if he has an Ephor with him.”
“Aha, s-so that’s where I’ve s-seen that lady,” Alan chuckled. “Now it makes s-sense! You’re the Guide whose oddball started remembering everyt-thing?”
Libby felt uneasy at his words. Her cheeks betrayed her, turning a deep crimson.
“There’s a possibility,” she muttered.
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Kiraz said, and even Alan opened his mouth in shock, sticking out his long tongue. “The Community cannot guarantee a hundred percent result. There are always unforeseen circumstances. Ultimately, our job is to solve problems as they arise.”
He looked at his charge, and Libby thought she saw him clench his teeth.
Maybe Lombasks aren’t as impenetrable as she thought.
“Well, it was nice to meet you. Maybe we’ll see each other again,” the Guide nodded kindly.
“That would be nice, Elizabeth,” Alan waved, once again propping his feet up on the table.
“The probability is extremely low,” Kiraz stated.
Libby took one last look at his perfect, textured face and made her way back to Constantin, swaying her hips. All she could do was hope that Lombask would appreciate her sensual, bare-footed walk.