“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.