"We are here." Prism announced.
The [Hover] settled with a low hum, its edges refracting light into faint spectral shards. One by one, the entities disembarked, their geometric bodies shifting subtly as they adjusted to the new atmosphere. Before them stood the next possible candidate.
"Next time, I get to sit next to Boss Lady on the [Hover]." Gold declared, his metallic facets gleaming with stubborn resolve.
"Nice try, but I don't think so." Cream replied smoothly. "Only I get to sit next to Boss. No one else."
"That's unfair. We all want to sit next to Boss Lady, right, Aloe?" Gold shot back, unwilling to concede.
Aloe replied. "I don't mind. If Cream wants to be the only one who sits next to Boss, then I'm fine with that."
"See? Even Aloe agrees with me." Cream said with a satisfied tilt.
"C'mon, Aloe. Don't you want to sit next to Boss Lady even once?" Gold pressed.
Aloe hesitated. "Well…"
Gold's edges brightened triumphantly. "You see? Aloe also wants to sit next to Boss Lady."
Once again, the two of them dissolved into argument, their crystalline voices overlapping as if the environment around them did not exist.
At this point, I should be used to it. Prism thought.
Her prismatic form pulsed once in quiet resignation. She had long since realized how futile it was to intervene too early.
Perhaps their rivalry sharpens them. Maybe this friction would polish them into something stronger.
Still, there was a time and place.
"Enough." Prism commanded.
The word reverberated through the air like a struck prism refracting sound itself.
"Sorry, Boss."
"Sorry, Boss Lady."
Cream and Gold spoke in unison, immediately stilling.
"We'll rotate seats." Prism said calmly. "That way, each of you will sit next to me."
"Yes! Thank you, Boss Lady!" Gold nearly vibrated with excitement.
"Thank you, Boss." Aloe added softly, though her glow brightened in quiet delight.
Prism turned to Cream. "Is that acceptable?"
Cream's edges sharpened in reluctant thought. "Fine."
"Then it's settled."
The matter ended there. Prism had intended to remain uninvolved, but she understood that without guidance, the dispute would escalate endlessly.
Gold's glow shifted as he peered ahead. "By the way, Boss Lady… is that who I think it is?"
"Yes," Prism replied. "That is the next candidate."
The entity before them stood motionless, a three-dimensional form of deep crimson and smoldering orange. Her surfaces seemed to emit heat without flame, her silhouette sharp and precise. She radiated a presence that pressed faintly against the senses.
"I thought so," Cream muttered. "She feels… different somehow. Like she's not even the same kind of being as the rest of us. Kind of like you, Boss."
"Right? I may not be the smartest–"
"That's putting it mildly," Cream cut in.
"Shut up. Anyway, even I can tell she's above us. My instincts are screaming not to mess with her."
"Agreed," Cream said. "We should be cautious."
Prism's facets flickered in surprise. "Did those two just agree on something?"
"I believe so." Aloe confirmed. It's a mutual understanding. The being before us… she may even be comparable to you, Boss.
"I see." Prism drifted forward, her colors flowing seamlessly across her geometric surface. "Then let's begin."
The pressure emanating from the crimson entity intensified as they approached. Even Cream and Gold, who rarely admitted inferiority, felt the weight of it.
"Greetings," Prism said evenly. "My name is Prism. It's a pleasure to meet you."
The crimson entity inclined slightly. "You may call me Ember. The pleasure is mine."
[She's arrogant. I don't like her.]
[Calm down, Cream. Don't let her provoke you.]
[She's not provoking me. It's just–]
[Let me handle this.]
[…Fine.]
Ember's edges shifted subtly. Something's off with that one. I'm not sure but, the way the other one is pulsing. It's as if she's... "Are you finished?" she asked coolly.
"Forgive us." Prism replied smoothly. She noticed the telepathy. Even the others struggle to detect our telepathic exchanges. Impressive.
"Let's not waste time." Ember said. "You're here to recruit me, aren't you?"
"Yes, we are." Prism answered without hesitation.
Her rapid thought processing had already formed conclusions. If Ember knew their purpose, then information had circulated.
"What?" Cream blurted.
"How does she know?" Gold demanded.
The others were all in confusion.
"I heard rumors," Ember clarified. "So I waited for you to come."
"Rumors?" Cream repeated.
Aloe remained silent.
"Aloe." Prism called.
"Yes, Boss?"
"Was that your doing?"
Aloe replied soflty. "Yes. I spread word that I was searching for individuals with specific qualities. I omitted your involvement and the mission itself. I apologize if I overstepped."
Aloe was perceptive–keenly aware of atmosphere and intent. Aloe often acted before being asked, anticipating needs others failed to notice.
Prism regarded this carefully. She had suspected as much. "There's no need to apologize. You did well. I'm proud of you."
Aloe's glow brightened with restrained pride. "Thank you, Boss."
"I'd like praise too." Gold muttered.
"Then earn it." Cream shot back, though her tone betrayed her own envy.
Gold huffed.
Cream paused, then added. "How about we both try harder?"
Gold's mood lifted instantly. "Deal."
Their rivalry softened into mutual resolve.
Prism returned her attention to Ember. "As stated, we are here to recruit you."
"And why," Ember asked. "are you gathering specific individuals?"
Prism explained the mission–carefully, deliberately, revealing only what was necessary, just as she had with the others.
Ember listened, her surface flickering faintly. "I understand your explanation. But I doubt that's all."
As expected, Prism thought. "Further information will be disclosed if you choose to join."
The others remained silent, observing. Beneath their composure lingered unease.
"And if I refuse?" Ember asked, her tone edged with challenge.
"Then we look elsewhere," Prism replied evenly. "Though, I do hope you join us."
Ember studied her. "Then you're fortunate as I've decided to join."
"Glad to have–"
"Under one condition."
Prism paused. Not flustered, but curious.
"I wanted to see what kind of entity collects others like this." Ember continued. "I'm a little disappointed."
"How dare you!" Cream and Gold surged forward simultaneously.
"Not only did you interrupt–"
"–you insult our leader."
They're finishing each other's sentences. Prism thought, amazed.
"This doesn't concern you." Ember said sharply. "Know your place."
A crushing pressure burst outward. Cream and Gold froze, their forms trembling under the weight.
"I also believe," Aloe said firmly, stepping forward, "that you were rude to our Boss and my friends."
"Stay out of this," Ember snapped, directing her pressure toward Aloe.
"Don't talk to Aloe like that!" Both Cream and Gold expressed, their lights flickering with anger.
Now I know a method to stop both of them from arguing. Prism noted
Even when they had acknowledged their own inferiority against Ember, they simply wouldn't allow another entity to trample on Aloe's kindness like that.
This made Aloe feel appreciated for once, more that ever before. That said, Aloe didn't want the two of them to get into trouble, so intervention was needed.
Aloe chimed in. "You may address me however you wish. But please respect our leader."
For the first time, Aloe refused to yield. It was confidence Aloe received from witnessing Cream and Gold stood up against Ember to protect Aloe.
"Enough," Prism interjected. "You mentioned a condition. State it."
She recognized that neither side would relent.
Ember's crimson edges flared. "I will join your mission, if you make me the leader instead."
"Like hell we would!" Cream shouted.
"No way!" Gold echoed.
"With all due respect, that's blasphemous." Aloe added.
Their voices overlapped in unified outrage.
"I know," Ember continued arrogantly, "that I would be a better leader than her."
Cream's glow darkened. "Once wasn't enough. You had to insult our leader twice."
"Let's leave, Boss Lady." Gold urged. "We don't need her."
"I agree." Aloe said quietly.
[No. We do need her.]
[But Boss–]
[I told you, I'd handle this.]
[…Understood. I trust you boss.]
[Thank you.]
Prism stepped forward, her prismatic surface shimmering more intensely than before.