Prism decided it was 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 toward 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 you have recognized your 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 I could take advantage of you, of all of you. Because I assumed you were desperate, that you needed me more than I needed you. I see now how foolish that was. Please… forgive me."
The words rang with sincerity. More than sincerity, there was desperation woven through them, a quiet tremor in his light that spoke of genuine regret.
Prism studied him for a short moment. Her mission remained the greater priority, petty grudges would only slow her down.
Besides, Gold was not malicious. Reckless, certainly. Arrogant, undoubtedly. But not cruel. His foolishness had simply outrun his judgment, leaving him blind to the ripples his actions sent through those around him.
"I will forgive you this once," she said at last. "But it would benefit you greatly to pause and think before you act. Perhaps twice. Or, in your case, three times."
Gold's light flared bright with relief.
"Thank you, boss lady. I swear I'll never forget this for as long as I exist."
He had picked up the title from Cream without hesitation, slipping it on like an offered badge of belonging. A small surrender, but a meaningful one. It was his way of promising obedience, of laying down the last of his resistance.
Prism let the "boss lady" pass without comment. It hardly mattered to her, the label carried no weight unless she chose to give it one.
"Good. Now come. Let us rejoin the others. And please, speak freely with me. There is no need for formality between us."
Relief pulsed through Gold's glow so strongly it almost shimmered. He had not only been forgiven, he had been welcomed back into the fold, invited to remain part of the mission he had once tried to exploit.
With that quiet resolution, Gold officially joined them.
It had taken longer than Prism anticipated, and required more creative persuasion than she preferred, yet the outcome was the same. Another companion was secured.
Only a few more remained.
The four of them drifted together—Prism leading, Cream and Aloe close behind, Gold trailing just a step further back as though still testing whether 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."
Prism sighed inwardly. I had hoped a third presence might encourage civility. Clearly I was optimistic.
Aloe, ever gentle, spoke before the tension could thicken further.
"We have not been properly introduced. My name is Aloe. It is nice to meet you."
Gold's golden sheen softened slightly.
"Back at you. The name's Gold."
"You can become acquainted on the journey," Prism interjected smoothly. "We should move."
"Are we leaving again, boss?" Cream asked.
"Yes."
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.
"Ahh," 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, Gold's warm metallic radiance.
They turned toward her in unison, lights flickering with quiet curiosity, wondering what could have prompted such an exasperated sound from their leader.
We could continue traveling this way, four separate entities drifting in loose formation. But perhaps there is a better method.
Prism considered the practicalities. Four entities floating independently was manageable, yet inefficient. A single, shared means of transport would conserve energy, allow tighter coordination, and make long journeys less taxing for everyone.
"Guess I will create a new object," she said, almost offhandedly.
Silence fell.
All three companions 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.
Then again, whether the task was simple or monumental made little difference. It needed doing, and quickly. That was all that mattered.
I should prioritize simplicity, Prism reasoned. Speed over design. The sole purpose is to carry us during travel. That alone should be enough.
While Prism contemplated design and structure, 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."
"Don't call me stupid," Gold grumbled, his glow taking on an irritated edge.
"Then don't ask stupid questions."
The argument reignited in seconds, familiar and almost routine.
"Please, both of you, calm down," Aloe interjected softly.
To Prism's quiet surprise, both Cream and Gold subsided immediately. No further retort. No escalation. Aloe's gentle request carried an unexpected weight.
"I am sure Gold was only concerned for the boss," Aloe continued.
"That's right!" Gold seized the lifeline eagerly. "I was just worried, that's all."
Whether genuine worry 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. Sorry for arguing with you..."
Gold blinked, metaphorically, at least. He had braced for continued hostility, an apology had been the last thing he expected.
He opened his light to reply, but Cream cut in.
"Over your own ignorance," she stated, softer, almost teasing.
Gold exhaled in exasperation.
"Whatever."
He no longer cared to press the point. An unlooked-for apology was victory enough.
"Perhaps we should return to the matter at hand," Aloe suggested gently.
"Good idea," Gold agreed, eager to leave the awkwardness behind.
"Fine," Cream said.
"So… what now?" Gold asked.
"I think it is best to wait and see," Cream replied.
"Alright."
A brief, astonishing silence followed.
Aloe glanced between Cream and Gold, genuinely startled by the absence of immediate conflict. No raised tones, no barbed retorts. Just… calm.
Do they only argue the moment they speak to one another? Aloe wondered privately. Do they enjoy conflict more than harmony? Or is arguing, for them, a form of harmony?
Aloe had no answer, and no intention of asking. Some dynamics were 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. In truth, the concept was simple enough, they simply preferred to believe their boss operated on a plane too elevated for them to follow.
Cream noticed the shift first.
"Uhh, boss?" she ventured, voice tinged with concern.
Prism's facets glinted once.
"Do not worry about it."
Well then, she thought. Here goes nothing.