Leonardo stood abruptly as the questions piled up, heading toward the counter. He'd originally wanted a job to earn draws—learning how to make coffee was just a curious detour. That goal had already been derailed by the two girls.
He'd only taken a few steps when Anna stopped him.
"We aren't done yet, are we?" she asked, her tone laced with unfinished thoughts.
He sighed, clearly annoyed, and returned to the couch. Dropping into the seat, he faced Anna and Elara, who sat across from him, eyes wide and expectant.
"Uh, go ahead," Leonardo muttered, picking up on their energy.
"Ahem." Anna cleared her throat. "How exactly," she leaned in, "is a sixteen-year-old a tour guide?"
"Tour Guide Practical Officer," Leonardo corrected automatically.
"Yeah, whatever that is. You really need to stop throwing that title around—it draws attention. And not the kind with just two eyes," she said with a sigh. "That title doesn't even exist. Tour guides are supposed to be legendary. Guardians of the Eras. Only the dead are said to have seen them."
More than one tour guide? Leonardo wondered, already weaving a lie in his mind.
"How would you know?" he asked, voice tinged with sarcasm.
"We're from the Stem. We have libraries," Elara said, gazing out the window.
"I guess this is where you tell me why you hired me?"
Anna's tone shifted. "We need someone to guide us through the Seventeen Wonders. Places even the sages can't reach."
_He isn't strong. We'll probably change course before the real quest. Find someone else. This is just temporary,_ she decided silently.
"Seventeen? That's... a lot. He won't like that," Leonardo muttered to himself, then added aloud, "You want me to escort you through places even gods avoid?" He chuckled.
"Who's _he_?" Elara asked.
"We might not go," Anna replied, avoiding his gaze. "The sages haven't officially given us the quest yet. That's just what people are assuming."
"Tour guide," Leonardo said flatly.
He paused.
Wait... doesn't this mean I'm working for the Tour Guide?
> [You can join them, for now.]
"Never mind. I'll join you—for now," he said slowly, raising an eyebrow at the strange message only he could see. _Is that the Tour Guide? Even if not, it's the right move. They're a free source of info—and money.
"That was quick. I was planning to just force you," Anna said, rubbing her thigh.
_Was I really? I'm more afraid of Father's fists than the sages' words...
"Yeah..." Leonardo replied, completely confused by her sudden change in tone.
Moonlight spilled through the windows, bathing the room in soft silver. For a moment, Leonardo almost looked like he cared.
It seemed like stardust shimmered on Elara's face as she continued staring outside.
The moon hung low—pale, distant.
"There's only one moon?" he asked in awe.
"Yeah? Why would there be more?" Anna responded, puzzled.
"Oh. Where I'm from, there are two. And they're much bigger," he said, still staring out the window.
His throat tightened. The twin moons back home had lit the night like watchful lanterns. Here, only a dim coin floated in the sky.
"Why," Anna began, rising as if preparing another interrogation, "are you here? Tour guide in training?" Her smug grin returned.
"Someone dragged me here against my will," he said coldly, his aura daring them to press.
"Anyway, I need to learn how to make this," he added abruptly, rising again and heading to the counter.
"Hey, miss, think you could teach me how to make that coffee from earlier?"
Speaking directly to her now, he noticed translated text next to her name—[Kol-Nic]—but her accent clung to the words.
"Ah, sorry, I can't," she replied, glancing at a vintage wall clock.
_Why did I even care?_ Leonardo scoffed inwardly. Useless curiosity. Gotta stop acting like a freak.
His jaw tightened. A flicker of frustration passed across his face.
"Oh. Okay," Elara said softly, sensing the barista's disinterest. Anna stormed out, and Elara followed, casting a sympathetic look back.
The door clicked shut behind them, sealing in the café's warmth.
Leonardo shivered. The night air cut through his vest. Ahead, the road twisted toward a massive tower—The Stem—its spires clawing at the upper district.
Anna marched ahead, her voice sharp. "Let's get this over with."
Leonardo glanced at the café sign.
7:00–12:00.
"What does that mean?"
> [Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline.]
"Wait... so they close at Matins?" he asked, squinting at the unfamiliar words.
"Let's head to the Stem first," Anna replied, her tone flat but purposeful.
"Now that we have a guide, it's good... but it could be better." She hesitated. "Marquis found someone from another district. Nexus."
A flash of jealousy crossed her face. She placed a hand on her chest, taking a breath to center herself.
Leonardo studied her carefully. Then he turned toward Elara, who had a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Not just places—the Seventeen Wonders of this realm," Elara clarified.
"And why those specifically?" Leonardo asked.
"The Stem," Elara began, pausing. "The sages love fun."
Leonardo ran a hand through his hair.
"How long will this take?"
"No idea!" Elara chirped.