Prism had decided that it was finally time to settle the matter with Gold.
The brief respite after Aloe's recruitment had granted her a window of opportunity, and there was little sense in allowing him to trail behind them indefinitely, a persistent golden shadow flickering at the edge of their light.
She drifted towards him with deliberate calm, her prismatic facets catching and scattering soft rainbows across the Void.
"Since you followed us all this way," Prism began, her voice steady and clear, "I assume that you have recognized your previous mistake?"
Gold's rich metallic glow dimmed slightly, the usual brassy sheen muted by something closer to shame.
"Ah… yes. About that," His tone carried no trace of his earlier bravado. "I'm sorry! I thought that I could take advantage of you. Because I thought that you were desperate, that you needed me more than I needed you. I now see how stupid I was, how stupid it was to take advantage of your kindness. Please… forgive me."
The words rang with sincerity. More than just sincerity, there was desperation woven through them, a quiet tremor in his light that spoke of genuine regret of his previous actions.
Prism studied the Entity for a short moment. Her mission remained the greater priority, and petty grudges would only slow her down.
Besides, Prism knew all too well that Gold was not malicious.
Was he reckless? Certainly.
Was he arrogant? Undoubtedly.
But was he cruel? Definitely not.
Even though Prism had only met and talked with Gold briefly, she was certain that this the truth. Indeed, such was a truth that even a normal Entity would be able to realize after interacting with Gold just once.
His foolishness had simply outrun his judgment, leaving him blind to the ripples that his actions sent through to those around him.
"Hearing how sincere your aplogy is, as well as how deeply you truly regret your previous mistake, I have decided to forgive you this once." Prism said at last. "That said, it would benefit you greatly to pause and think before you act moving forward. Perhaps twice, or in your case, three times."
Prism didn't mean to say that last part out loud. Rather, her voice slipped, and she instinctively spoke to caution the Entity in front of her.
She couldn't help but feel like she had just insulted him, but also knew that it was better to give him the advice.
Whether she could have worded it better or not was something that she didn't even get to consider as the words had already escaped her nonexistent mouth.
However, she told herself that it was actually better that she had been direct when she spoke. After all, she was speaking with Gold.
If she had tried to mince her words, or had she delivered them in a roundabout way, then there was a possibility that her meaning wouldn't be conveyed to him. In fact, it was more certain to occur, rather than it being a possibility of occurring.
Indeed, if she told herself as such, then she wouldn't need to feel guilty for insulting Gold the way she did.
All of that said, Gold didn't mind her statement in the slightest. In fact, his light flared bright with relief at her words.
Was it because he didn't register her words as an insult?
If so, did he perhaps regard her words as an advice?
Or was he simply thankful that she had forgiven him?
Truth be told, it could very well be all of the above reasons.
"Thank you, boss lady! I swear that I will never forget your kindness, for as long as I exist."
He had picked up the title, boss, from Cream without hesitation, slipping it on like an offered badge of belonging.
It was a small surrender, but a meaningful one. Rather, it was his way of promising obedience, of laying down the last of his resistance.
Prism let the "boss lady" pass without any comment on her part. It hardly mattered to her, as the label itself carried no weight unless if she chose to give it one.
"Good. Now come, let us rejoin with the others. And please, speak freely with me. There is no need for formality between us."
It's not like Gold was spoke formally to her in the first place, so there was no reason for her to say this.
However, for whatever reason, Gold's tone had changed into a somewhat decent attempt at formal speech.
Perhaps Gold had changed his tone as a way to gain Prisms favour? That way, the chances of her forgiving him would increase.
If that was the case, then Prism needed to allow Gold to relax and be comfortable with her, as well as the other two, Cream and Aloe.
Hence why she told him to be casual when talking with her. After all, Prism had already given permission to the other two.
Even if they, or rather Aloe, chose to continue with a formal tone, as long as she gave them permission to speak comfortably, then whether or not they choose to do so was their decision.
Relief pulsed through Gold's glow, it was so strongly that it almost shimmered.
He had not only been forgiven, he had also been welcomed back into the fold, as well as invited to remain part of the very same mission that he had once tried to exploit.
With that quiet resolution, Gold had officially joined Prism's mission, and had become her subordinate.
It had taken longer than what Prism had anticipated, as well as required more creative persuasion than she would have preferred, but the outcome was the same in the end.
Another companion for her mission was secured.
Only a few more remained.
The four of them drifted together. Prism was leading in the front, Cream and Aloe were close behind her, and Gold was trailing just a step further back, as though still testing whether or not if he truly belonged.
"Now I'm part of the mission too." Gold announced, his voice regaining a trace of its old swagger. The declaration sounded almost like a demand for acknowledgment.
Cream's creamy light flared in immediate response.
"Don't let it go to your head. Boss only took pity on you. That's the only reason you're here right now."
Prism sighed inwardly, so much so that her light dimmed ever so slightly. I had hoped that a third presence might encourage some civility between the two of them. Clearly, I was too optimistic.
Aloe, ever gentle and perceptive, spoke before the tension could thicken any further.
"We have not been properly introduced. My name is Aloe. It is nice to meet you."
Gold's golden sheen softened slightly.
"Nice to meet you too. The name's Gold."
"You can become acquainted with one another on the journey." Prism interjected smoothly. "For now, we should start moving."
"Are we leaving again, boss?" Cream asked with a steady glow.
"Yes." Prism responded with a gentle pulse.
And so they set off once more, gliding through the luminous expanse in search of the next recruit.
Introductions and small talk would happen naturally along the way, or not at all. Either would suffice for Prism.
"Ah," Prism exhaled, the sound slipping out unbidden.
She had not intended to voice the thought aloud, it had simply escaped as a reflex.
There are more of us now.
She regarded her three companions, Cream's steady off-white glow, Aloe's pale verdant shimmer, as well as Gold's warm metallic radiance.
They turned toward her in unison, lights flickering with quiet curiosity as they all wondered as to what could have possibly prompted such an exasperated sound from their leader.
We could continue traveling this way, four separate entities drifting in loose formation. However, perhaps there is a better method?
Prism briefly but carefully considered their current situation, as well as a possible solution.
Four Entities floating independently was manageable, yet inefficient. Indeed, such was the situation throughout the entirety of the Void.
Groups of spheres would be clustered together, whether floating in one place, or moving around. They would always be in groups. Rather, it was rare, if not impossible, to see a singular Entity floating alone.
Of course, this wasn't to that that it was a bad thing. Rather, it was simply impractical, as well as inefficient even. However, that was the standard, the norm if you will.
The main reason for this stemmed from the fact that most of the Entities were lacking in terms of imagination.
I mean, if they can't even create a new object, and are mentally limited to the point of only making a copy of themselves, then expecting them to come up with an efficient way of transport was simply asking too much of them.
Indeed, you'd have a better chance at winning the lottery than seeing such an outcome.
And so, after a brief contemplation on her part, Prism finally came up with a plan. It was a plan to improve the efficiency of travel of a group of Entities.
If so, then a single, shared means of transport would not only conserve energy, but allow for tighter coordination, as well as make long journeys less taxing for everyone.
"Then I guess I will have to create a new object." she said, almost offhandedly.
Silence fell. This wasn't the silence of voices. After all, not a single one of the three other Entities present would dare make a sound when their boss was contemplating.
Rather, this was the silence of the humming and vibrations caused by Entities either moving, or simply pulsing their lights. Indeed, this silence spoke volumes of what had just occurred, or rather, what had just been uttered.
All three of the Entities froze, their lights stilled in collective astonishment.
The casualness of the statement, as though conjuring matter from intent were no more difficult than shifting hue, left them momentarily speechless.
In truth, whether the task was simple or monumental made little difference to Prism. In the end, it needed doing, and quickly. It was as simple as that. That was all that mattered to her.
Since it has come to this, I should prioritize simplicity. Prism reasoned. Speed over design. After all, the only purpose of it is to carry us during our travel. That alone should be enough.
While Prism contemplated the design and structure of the object that she intended to make, the trio drifted into a small, private conversation of their own.
"Do you think the boss lady is… alright?" Gold asked, voice low.
Cream's light sharpened.
"Don't be stupid. Of course she is." she responded, her voice a whisper.
"Don't call me stupid." Gold grumbled, his glow taking on an irritated edge.
"Then don't ask stupid questions." Cream shot back, equally irritated.
The argument reignited in seconds. It was a familiar and almost routine.
"Please, both of you, calm down." Aloe interjected softly.
To Prism's quiet surprise, both Cream and Gold subsided immediately. There was no further retort, or escalation. Aloe's gentle request carried an unexpected weight that Prism couldn't help but be impressed with.
"I am sure Gold was only concerned for the boss, please be gentle with him." Aloe continued.
"That's right!" Gold seized the lifeline eagerly, he's voice shouting even though he was whispering. "I was just worried about boss lady, that's all."
Whether it was genuine worry that had motivated him, or he had simply latched onto a convenient excuse, was impossible to say, and ultimately irrelevant.
Cream hesitated, then spoke grudgingly. "Fine. I'm sorry for arguing with you..."
Gold blinked, metaphorically, at least. He had braced himself for continued hostility, rather, an apology had been the last thing he expected to her from her.
He opened his light to reply, but Cream cut in.
"...over your own ignorance." she stated, softer, almost teasing even.
Gold exhaled in exasperation. "Whatever."
He no longer cared to press the point. An unlooked-for apology was victory enough, at least for him in this case.
"Perhaps we should return to the matter at hand." Aloe suggested gently, shifting the topic.
"Good idea." Gold agreed, eager to leave the awkwardness behind.
"Fine." Cream said.
"So… what now?" Gold asked.
"I think that it's best to wait and see what happens." Cream replied.
"Alright."
A brief, astonishing silence followed.
Aloe glanced between Cream and Gold, genuinely startled by the absence of immediate conflict. Indeed, there were no raised tones, or any barbed retorts. Just… calm.
Do they only argue the moment they speak to one another? Aloe wondered privately. Or they enjoy conflict more than harmony? Or perhaps, is arguing, for them, a form of harmony?
Aloe had no answer, and no intention of asking them for it. Some dynamics were simply better left observed than questioned.
The three companions turned their attention back to Prism, who hovered slightly apart, light pulsing in slow, deliberate patterns.
Whatever crisis or creation occupied her mind was clearly beyond their immediate comprehension, or so they assumed at least.
In truth, the concept was simple enough, and they simply preferred to believe that their boss operated on a plane too elevated for them to follow.
Cream noticed the shift first.
"Uh, boss?" she ventured, voice tinged with concern.
Prism's facets glinted once.
"Do not worry about it." she dismissed gently. Well then, she thought. Here goes nothing.