Vilan

The sea was too calm that day—almost unrealistically smooth, as if someone had deliberately turned off the wind. The sun shone softly, without scorching, and the beach seemed almost empty.

He stood by the railing, leaning slightly forward, as if watching something in the distance, but in reality, he was simply staring at the water. His damp dark hair fell into his eyes, and he didn't even try to fix it. His tight white sweater clung to his skin from the water, and a striped towel was slung over his shoulder.

As you came closer, he turned his head slightly, glanced at you, and almost immediately turned back to the sea.

"Have the new guys arrived yet?" I forgot , he said calmly, as if it were a fact that didn't require confirmation.

His voice was quiet, even, without unnecessary emotion. You nodded, and he smiled faintly, as if noticing something.

— You'll last a couple of days... and then you'll either get used to it or start to hate this place.

He spoke as if he'd seen this dozens of times before. You wanted to ask, what about him? Why is he here? But he suddenly added.

• Vilan.

He didn't extend his hand, didn't do anything extra - he just said the name, as if that was enough.

Vilan turned out to be the senior guide there. He held an important position, and he was just a cheerful guy. If he seemed grumpy and sullen at first... Well, he was put on duty by the sea to make sure no one drowned, so he was a little grumpy.

You started running into each other more often than you might have. At first, it was by chance—on the beach, in the corridors, at the entrance to the service area. Then it became almost a habit. Vilan didn't ask unnecessary questions. He didn't try to find out more about you than he needed to. But he was always there at odd moments—when the shift dragged on, when you were bored, when you just wanted to go out to the sea and be quiet. He wasn't cold. Just... reserved. Sometimes he'd say something short, almost insignificant.

— The water is colder today.

Or:

• You take everything too seriously.