The two of them, Prism and Cream, finally reached the Entity that they had come to meet, and unsurprisingly, their persistent tail remained close behind them.
As Prism and Cream came to a gentle halt at their destination, Gold stopped a short distance away.
His warm golden glow pulsed with visible hesitation. He was clearly wrestling with how best to approach them, as well as seek forgiveness for his earlier arrogance.
Prism noticed that Gold didn't bother to conceal his presence. Not skulking in shadows or dimming his light to blend into the background. That small but telling shift, had convinced her that Gold had abandoned any further petty tricks.
Gold lacked insight in certain crucial areas. To put it simply, he wasn't an Entity that could be regarded as smart. This isn't to say that he was dumb. Rather, his intellect was just below average at best.
All that said, Gold does have a remarkable ability to adapt. He was recognize defeat as soon as it arrived, and started to plan around it. In a sense, this was Gold's strength.
Most Entities, that are as stubbornly proud as he was, would deny their loss until the last flicker of light. That said, Gold appeares to not only accept it, but he is already preparing to atone for his mistake. It is, in its own way, quite admirable. Prism reflected silently, her opinion of him raised slightly.
And so, Prism resolved to handle Gold once her conversation with the Entity, that she and Cream had sought, was completed
The two, Prism and Cream, drifted close to the only other Entity that was currently present within the vicinity.
"Greetings," Prism began, her triangular form radiating calm, prismatic light. "My name is Prism, and this is Cream."
"Hello," Cream added, her soft creamy glow steady and polite.
"It is a pleasure to meet you."
Their words, or rather greeting, flowed together like a practiced harmony.
"Greetings to you as well," came the reply in a quiet and gentle tone. "My name is Aloe. The pleasure is mine."
Aloe's pale green light shimmered timidly, subdued yet warm.
Shy, perhaps?
Or simply reserved by nature?
Perhaps both. Either way, such was how one would describe Aloe at first glance. That was the first impression that Aloe gave off.
"I would appreciate a moment of your time, if you are willing of course." Prism continued, keeping her tone soft and inviting.
"It is perfectly alright with me." Aloe replied.
Cream remained silent. She was simply content to just observe the exchange, her glow steady as she watched the two.
Just as she had done with Cream, as well as Gold, Prism explained the mission to Aloe.
Where Gold had struggled and Cream had required clarifications, Aloe grasped the details with striking clarity and speed. Aloe listened intently, absorbing every word while Prism continued her explanation.
Aloe's pale green radiance brightened noticeably with interest, almost eager even.
Unfortunately, Prism could not reveal every aspect of the mission, not yet anyways.
A faint, dimming in Aloe's light betrayed the disappointment Aloe felt. Even though that was the case, Aloe voiced no complaint, nor did Aloe show any signs of resentment.
Rather, Aloe simply accepted what was given and that was the end of it.
When Prism finished, Aloe responded without hesitation.
"I understand. In response to what you said, please allow me to join you in this mission. I am certain that I can be of use you, as well as your mission, somehow."
Aloe accepted readily, not out of grand ambition or a sense of duty, but for a quieter, deeper reason.
What was the reason?
Aloe had long yearned simply to be among Entities who felt mutual, those who shared some thread of connection. The reason for the company mattered far less than the actual company itself.
And that was because of the fact that Aloe had never minded the specifics, since expectations rarely aligned with reality, at least for Aloe anyway.
I hope that I can fit in with them, Aloe thought privately with a slight dim of light. unlike with the previous Entities.
The spheres clustered with those who glowed in kindred shades or carried similar resonances in their names as well as personalities. It was an instinctual, almost inevitable action.
Yet Aloe's reserved nature, as well as lack of driving ambition, had made belonging into one specific group elusive.
In short, there was not a single group that quite fit well for Aloe.
Aloe would join one group, observe them and what they do quietly, and then, when the mismatch became clear, withdraw without any fuss or drama.
The departure was always gentle, and never bitter. In that way, Aloe could return to the group in need be.
Why would Aloe need to return to a group that Aloe lacked any synergy with?
In truth, not even Aloe knew the question to such a question. That said, Aloe felt that having such a backup plan would be better than not having it.
If, for whatever reason, Aloe felt the need to return to a particular group, then Aloe simply would do so. Aloe hoped that they would accept Aloe back, since their relationship isn't bitter.
And if Aloe ends up not returning back to a group of Entities, then that was still perfectly fine. Rather, Aloe hoped that if such a scenario occurred, it would mean that Aloe would have already found a group of Entities to stay with permanently.
So, for Aloe, the backup plan was one that provided nothing but benefits for Aloe. As such, there was no reason not to do it.
All of that said, this encounter, with Prism, represented yet another chance for Aloe to find a potential group of Entities to permanently stay with. Perhaps, at last, Aloe might finally find a place among Entities with shared purpose.
"Indeed, I was hoping to recruit you just as I did with Cream. Since you have request to join my mission yourself, then I will gladly accept you." Prism said warmly.
"Thank you, Prism." Aloe said with a sincere pulse of light.
Cream interjected brightly. "You can call her boss." Her tone wasn't antagonistic, but gentle instead. The reason for this was because Cream had mentally prepared herself to make sure that she came off that way.
Aloe adjusted immediately, taking the suggestion into Aloe's nonexistent heart. "I understand. Then, thank you, boss."
Cream's glow flared with a clear approval. "Aloe is wonderfully obedient, and has good manners as well."
"Thank you for your praise, Cream." Aloe expressed with a warm glow.
"Please, you don't need to thank me for something like that." Cream dismissed with a her lights flaring.
"Alright, I understand." Aloe mused with a steady glow.
"Also, you don't have to be so formal. After all, we're both the boss's servants." Cream added, glowing bright once more.
"I... Uh... Understand." Aloe hesitated, shaking slighty as Aloe was unsure of how to respond to Cream.
I see. Cream's glowed dimmed slightly, but brighten up once more.
Aloe had clearly never spoken with anyone in a casual tone. This was evident by Aloe's response, in both verbal as well as reaction.
Seeing this, Cream chose to end the topic, for now. "It's okay." she started. "You don't have to force yourself if you don't want to. Still, I hope that we will get along together, Aloe."
Aloe started. "I und–" then hesitated, searching for the right words to speak.
Cream simply regarded Aloe, not wanting to interrupt whatever train of thoughr that was running inside Aloe's mind.
Wait, why does this feel familiar? Cream thought, glancing over at Prism.
Prism merely gave a short pulse in response, quietly amused by the situation of the two.
Cream turned her attention back to Aloe, who was finally about to speak.
"Alright. I hope to get along with you as well, Cream." Aloe pulsed gently.
"Good. Then we're glad to have you." Cream returned the gentle pulse.
And just like that, the two Entites clicked almost instantly.
This was mainly because Aloe's accommodating temperament made it effortless. After all, Cream's directness met no resistance. The two were practically compatible.
"Also," Prism finally spoke up. "it's fine if you want to use my name." Prism offered gently. She wanted Aloe to feel at ease, to settle quickly into this new dynamic.
"It is fine. Rather, I do not mind at all." Aloe responded sincerely.
Indeed, Aloe truly was agreeable to anything. Well, almost anything.
What was the exception?
That was something that Aloe had yet to display.
"See?" Cream said triumphantly. "She's perfectly fine with it." she glided closer to Aloe, completely leaving Prism's side.
Cream and Aloe seemed already well acquainted with each other. Or perhaps Cream was simply too assertive, while Aloe yielded gracefully to her whims. Either way, harmony had formed between the two in moments.
"And feel free to ask me to do anything. I will try my best to live up to your expectations." Aloe added softly.
"You hear that, boss?!" Cream called out. "Unlike somebody, Aloe here is respectful!"
The jab was unmistakably aimed at Gold. The intent was so clear that even Gold himself realized it. In fact, he even went as far as twitching slightly, upon said realization.
Prism noted it silently. Since we're essentially finished here, I might as well address him now. Before Cream's mood gets any worse.
This recruitment, of Aloe, had unfolded smoothly, without any friction or delay. Prism felt genuine gratitude at how quickly and cleanly Aloe had joined their mission.
Just as she was think that, someone approached her, shifting her attention away from her thoughts.
"Uhm… boss?"
"Yes, Aloe?"
"May I do something briefly? It will not take long." Aloe requested.
"Of course," Prism replied. "Go ahead. I also have some unfinished business that I need to handle myself."
"Thank you." Aloe pulsed once.
Aloe drifted a short distance away to attend to whatever task that required Aloe's attention.
Prism turned her attention towards Gold.
That left only Cream to decide, on whether to follow Prism, accompany Aloe, or just simply remain where she was now.
Now what do I do? Cream mused to herself. Either option works, I guess.
Not far off, Aloe hovered near a small, faintly glowing object, delicately manipulating it with pulses of light.
[If you find Entities like that, please notify me. I will make sure to check in and ask every now and then.]
The faint transmission ended abruptly.
"Hopefully, I can prove usefulness to boss this way." Aloe murmured with a small pulse.
Aloe returned, gliding back toward Cream, who was watching Prism's exchange from a respectful distance.
"Where is the boss?" Aloe asked.
"She's dealing with a nuisance." Cream replied, a trace of annoyance coloring her tone.
"A nuisance?" Aloe asked, slightly confused.
"Look over there."
Aloe followed Cream's indication and saw Prism's prismatic form conversing with another glowing sphere, whk was Gold, unmistakably.
Rather than interrupt the two of them, both Aloe and Cream settled into easy an conversation of their own.
"We are also recruiting him for the mission." Cream explained.
"I see."
"Well… we tried to recruit him." she amended with a small laugh.
Cream did not want to make any misunderstanding, though it hardly seemed to matter in this case.
"What happened?" Aloe asked. Perhaps out of curiosity, or to indulge Cream, who seemed to have something that she wanted to say.
"He tried to take advantage of the boss's kindness. So we taught him a lesson that he won't forget."
"What kind of lesson?" Aloe asked again, curiosity starting to build up.
"Nothing dramatic. We simply made him trail us the entire way here. I'm sure the boss is handling the rest now. Should we drift closer and listen in?" Cream suggested, her glow taking on a mischievous flicker.
Aloe hesitated. "Is that okay? The boss might be displeased at our actions."
"It's fine. The boss won't mind… probably."
"Probably?"
"It will be fine, I think."
Cream sounded only half-certain, yet her confidence in Prism's leniency toward minor mischief was clear.
That said, Aloe could help but feel a bit exasperated. Aloe couldn't remember the last time such an emotion ever invaded Aloe, or if such a feeling had ever done so at all.
Still, Aloe could tell that Cream had no no will. Rather, Aloe could tell that Cream was simply trying to build their relationship. With that in mind, Aloe made a decision.
Aloe sighed softly. "Alright. If you say so."
"Good. Also…"
"Also?"
"There is something I wanted to show you. Do you mind?"
"Not at all."
"Alright then. Here is how it works…"
They spoke quietly for a few moments longer, exchanging thoughts and small demonstrations of light. Then, together, they glided closer to where Prism and Gold were conversing.
Most importantly, in that brief span of time, a true friendship had taken root. It was effortless, natural, and already solid.