"Welp, with that, your apprenticeship is officially over! Congrats!" From the head of the roundtable, a young man clad in a distinguished black spoke - the color of royalty in aiAI's castles.

"It's been a pleasure," Our apprentice, highlighted by maroon, replied - the hue of knights in training and the temporary badge they bear.

"Likewise," My partner in an outfit of striking pink accents added - the symbol of the refined womanly warriors of aiAI.

"So, we get incentives for taking him under our wing, right?" And finally, me, donning the signature blue streaks, chipping in with a question.

The three looked at me with mixed feelings though they all shared an expectantly unperturbed reaction.

"What? It's an honest questi-"

"Anyway!" Our top brass in action cut me off, "Let's give a small round of applause to our very own Keith Kirby!" And as he announced his decree, echoing acclamation filled the small monochromatic room - only barely illuminated by the setting sun's rays through the large window which revealed the evening backdrop.

So no bread?

Monetary innuendos aside, the few bits of fanfare were more than well warranted as the four of us gathered in an office after-hours to celebrate the departure of our third member. While it wasn't exactly a formal event considering the circumstances of his entrance into our ranks, it did carry the vibe of semesterly card day I experienced back in school - unofficial and yet having this sense of significance.

It also had the secondary purpose of giving your parents new people to compare you to.

To add to this ceremony's unceremonious air was the time. The building was practically a hollow hive at this hour, the few drones off to return to their homes after a hard day's work of servitude, nary a hustle nor bustle in the many chambers within aiAI's walls.

Excuse the strange comparison, but it almost felt like I was living in the credits section of a film. Harsh and artificial fluorescence joined heavenly starlight to illuminate the outside, while the inside of the dimly lit room was a mix of abstract art and dollar-store snacks.

The air was as still as a statue yet simultaneously rippled with my companions' words like water. And while time almost felt at a standstill, the horizon was cut in twain by an invisible line - leaving two skies of ruby and sapphire awe which showed the never-ending motion of our world.

To translate my pretentious ramblings in Layman's terms - I thought we'd do this at a restaurant or a bar, but here we were.

"Still," Alexandre began, taking a plastic cup of carbonated sweetness, "I'm positively impressed you guys got off without a hitch." He added before taking a hearty sip of the cola.

"Why? Were the execs really betting that much against us?" I asked jokingly, though his slight flinch at my quip indicated something else.

"...It was seven to three in favor of a blunder..."

"Just great."

"Quite the confidence boost."

"I'm kind of glad I'm getting to leave so soon..." One after the other, each of us shared our piece - brief but more than enough to summarize our disappointment.

"Aww! Don't be like that!" Our leader, whose credibility continued to decline, defended, "I betted for your success! Promise!"

"Really?" I gave him a warm look of camaraderie, "Then where's the money? These racehorses don't work for free." And as quickly as that expression appeared, one of accusation manifested soon after.

"Eh?- Well, I don't have it on me right now, so-"

"So, in the end, you didn't actually have enough faith in us to risk any money." Myla immediately shot the moment she found a crack in his armor.

"Wait, guys, it was just a friendly game. There was no actual money on the table-" But his woeful pleas did little to appease us.

"Guys, go easy on him. We've still got all night." Our apprentice was far more convincing, his ceasefire granted as he smiled at the three of us with worry in his eyes.

"Fine...But only if you 'fess up about why you went through all this in the first place." I asked though this question was one all of us wanted an answer to.

"Ah, in that case, go wild." He returned with a beaming smile across his face that felt like a second sun of the night sky.

I sighed, though less disappointed and more contented with acceptance.

"Well, it was worth one last shot," Alexandre added, pouring some soda into the rest of the cups and handing them to us.

"Don't think we've let you off the hook just yet." But Myla's keen eyes weren't just for clients - catching fleeing criminals was also one of its purposes.

"Still, I'm sure gonna miss having someone else to carry the burden," I told Keith as I placed an arm around him, speaking with bittersweetness on my tongue.

"Don't be like that." He began, "You and Myla already make a great team. You'll be fine." Our apprentice reassured, making me raise my lowered head.

"I meant dealing with Myla, but thanks for the validation."

"A great team, huh?" My dear partner commented with a sigh as she tuned into our exchange.

"Now, now," Our executive spoke, trying to ease the tension, "Before you two go at it, I almost forgot to give you this." He continued, giving our apprentice a tiny envelope with an intricate red seal.

"Usually, you'd receive your pay directly into your bank account, but I thought this would be more fun."

"It's like a parting gift," Keith remarked before opening it with care, being mindful of the present's delicate packaging, "...That's a lot more than I expected."

"Told ya." I expressed with a smirk, well aware of the generous compensation aiAI provides for our services.

"If what I recall from the previous apprenticeship program is still true, that's actually on the lower end of salaries here," Myla added, arms crossed. But I could tell she was taking the chance to give aiAI some admittedly deserved praise.

"Starting to reconsider leaving so soon?" And even Alexandre chimed in upon seeing our ex-apprentice's hesitance.

"...Almost." He replied with a genuinely reluctant tone - seeming to still be in the process of weighing and considering his career options.

The three of us couldn't help but share some laughs and smiles at his reaction, and even Keith himself was more than amused at the situation. It was, frankly, a lot of fun.

Call me sappy, but I have a soft spot for goodbyes. And seeing him with his chin up again as if a weight was gone from his shoulders and he could finally walk again assured me that Amanda was in good hands.

Sure, it's not like we weren't going to see him anymore, but I'll miss the sight of him in our office, earlier than I or Myla and hard at work with the day's itinerary. I'll admit, it was hard not to get sentimental, and if it weren't for the veil of darkness, I'd even confidently say Myla looked saddened by his departure.

Almost. Though I doubt either of us will ever shed tears in this partnership. Maybe of joy once one of us resigns, but oh well.

Speaking of Myla, "It should go without saying but try to make use of what you learned as a surveyor in your relationship." She stated, taking a sip of the aspartame-laced drink as I continued to mull over my thoughts.

"I already planned to, but thanks for the reminder."

"Look at you trying to teach him before he leaves. What a good mentor." Alexandre chipped in, not above making jokes at his old partner's expense.

"Exactly," She began with closed eyes and a displeased expression, "And you haven't said anything remotely useful despite being the highest-ranked member here." Alexandre jerked from the remark, doing little in the way of a counter-attack.

Go on, insult her back.

"Come on now, is that any way to treat your old partner, let alone your superior?"

"If anything you've disclosed to us regarding the tact of the executives is anything to go by, it's more than warranted, is it not?" The two exchanged, almost like an alternate mirror to my day-to-day.

I thought what we had was special! Then again, I think I'm feeling pity, not jealousy.

"I actually forgot the two of you used to be partners," Keith spoke, his entertained smile still visible in the ever-darkening office.

"Well, now the three of us get to share in that honor," Alexandre stated - wistfully smiling as he looked at the two of us.

"Or in that curse."

"That's what makes your medal the heaviest of the three," Myla added to my disguised cry for help, rousing a laugh from the other two as she did.

The veil of comedy once again masks tragedy.

That aside, I couldn't help but sit back and enjoy the vibe of the small event.

It was clandestine and yet also so full of laughs and jokes. It reminded me of the late-night parties I'd go to back in college if you consider eight o'clock late for my age.

And while I was engaging in the conversations and throwing in a few occasional quips, I was more than happy to relish in the quaint pleasantries from afar as I took the time to organize my thoughts.

"...I'm gonna go out for some air real quick," I said, taking one of the Tetra pack drinks as I stood up.

"Oh? Sure." One of them said though I couldn't tell as I was more focused on getting out of the room.

It wasn't that I was nervous or didn't enjoy their company - I just wanted to look over things without bothering the rest of my companions.

I know I make it sound as if it was a selfless act driven by consideration, but I was also definitely prompted by the desire to just be alone with my thoughts.

I make fun of Myla for being a bit introverted, but even I have to confess that I'm far from hyper-extroverted, and I find a lot of my enjoyment by myself. That or I'm getting old.

I exited the office, leaving behind only hearing murmurs and the closing of the heavy door. The narrow hallway led me to the sprawling yet lifeless common area of the executives - exuding extravagance and opulence but completely empty - the hive's royal chambers devoid of life.

And as much as the abstract decor or monochromatic stylings tried, there was no outcompeting the natural beauty of the scenery displayed through the massive window of the room - the lunar grandeur and star-studded sky in full bloom outside.

Well, the nearest bit of fresh air should be,

I thought about it, surveying the area, until my eyes landed on a lone door I had rarely used in my time at aiAI. Walking up to it and turning the hinge, the interior revealed itself as a vast stairwell barely alight by flickering luminescence.

Holding on to the handrail and making my way up, each step felt like it was just a drop in the ocean as the way up felt near-infinite. I began to miss the open space of the meeting lounge but trudged on until I saw the faintest bit of moonlight hitting a wall on the steps.

Seeing this as my light at the end of the tunnel, I continued, and lo and behold, the doors to the rooftop were before me.

"Surprised they don't lock this part up at night," I told myself before opening it to be greeted by the cold, eventide winds.

The rooftop was massive. It spanned the entirety of aiAI's castle, and as I walked to the edge, it almost felt like a journey just to get there. But it wasn't a lonesome trek. From the whistling breeze across my flowing coat, the ever-present celestial entities, and the tiptap of my footfalls, I was far from alone.

I eventually made it to the rooftop's edge, placing my arms over the near-frigid metal balusters and looking over the twilight plains, the usually bright greens now almost invisible as faraway cities mimicked the even farther stars - shining with an entrancing luminosity.

It was the kind of atmosphere that would've been perfect for a cigarette and reflection, but all I had with me was a juice box.

Still, if I did have to reflect on something, or more accurately, someone, it would be,

"Ah, there you are." I heard a young man's voice, followed by the sound of metal and interlocking parts.

Turning around, I saw a man of white and red walking up to me from the rooftop entrance - his brown hair gently placed atop his quaint lenses, which covered his hazel eyes.

"How'd you find little old me all the way out here?"

"Well, I noticed one of the doors was left open and decided to check it out." He answered with an innocent smile as he came closer.

"As nice as that is," I paused, waiting for him to come close enough and join me by the handrail, "That sounds like a great way to be the first to die in a horror movie, you know?"

"Thanks for the tip." And even after that quip, his blissful grin remained.

"Are Alexandre and Myla still in the office?" I asked, relinquishing the nighttime silence for some small talk with my ex-apprentice.

"They're in the process of cleaning up. It's getting late, after all." He answered, actually sitting down with his back against the metal bars.

"So, why'd you go out of your way to look for me?"

"Hmm?" He looked up at me with warm eyes in the cold air, "I wanted to talk to you."

"Oh? Quite the honor from the guest of honor," I answered with an equally amicable tone, "So, what's on your mind?" I asked, letting my own thoughts rest to listen to him.

"Nothing serious. I just wanted to share my thanks a bit more." Keith answered, turning his head back down.

"Well, consider your thanks received." I replied quickly and bluntly, "Instead, I'd much prefer to talk to you about your payment." I continued - getting the young man beside me to raise his head in surprise.

"Payment? I'm sure we can arrange something with Alexandre and this month's paycheck and-"

I cut him off before he got too into considering things, "I mean, you better make sure once things are back to normal, you treat Amanda ten times better before you began working here." I explained, narrowing my eyes and deepening my tone.

"Oh, of course." He recomposed himself, turning his shock into a relief, "I promise you I will."

"Good," I started, "And you better bring up any, and I do mean any problem, concerning the two of you with her from now on, capiche?" I continued, recalling the meeting we had with Amanda.

"Yes, sir." He answered, casual in tone, but I could tell it was his way of telling me it was already part of the path he chose, "And besides, it wasn't our problem. It was mine."

I could do nothing but suspire, disgruntled by his insistence on unclear answers. But that didn't stop me from lecturing him when I could.

Obviously, I didn't want to be blinded by my promise again. If I wanted to fulfill my pledge to Amanda's happiness, that meant doing the same for this little troublemaker beside me, no matter how crazy his ideas got.

Though, as I said, I wasn't uncompromising on my ideals and above being hard on him every now and then.

"With how confident you seem to be, whatever you figured out better be good."

"Still not fully convinced, huh?" He asked, apologetic in his tone, "I'll tell you this at least. I feel a lot more at ease with the choices I want to make, so thank you." I groaned, accepting it as the closest thing we'd get to his reasoning.

"Whatever you say," I replied, taking another gulp of the quickly warming drink.

"I am serious, you know?" But it seemed he was far from done, "I knew you'd be less than pleased with my idea, but even through it all, you trusted me and gave so much of yourself to help." Keith affirmed with grateful conviction, admittedly swaying me a bit.

"It was a begrudging agreement, so let me repeat it for the hundredth time - It's alright as long you never pull anything like it ever again."

"And for the hundredth time, I'll apologize, so can we move on?" He asked, tilting his head at just the perfect angle to let his cedar locks flow along with his endearing smile - a combination that made it hard to refuse.

All I could do was sigh, "Fine." turning away from him and back into the faraway lights of earth and heaven.

"Thanks. For that and everything else."

"You've said that like ten times now-"

"Because nine times doesn't feel like enough." He cut me off, getting my attention as I turned back to him, "Working with you and, well, everyone has been such a great experience, so I can't help but keep thanking you for all the fun."

"...It's not like it wasn't fun for us either." I reluctantly acknowledged, looking back at the past weeks we had as a trio.

"See? And besides, I think it's only going to get more fun from now on," He continued, vague in his words.

"I'd ask what you mean by that, but that seems like an ineffective strategy if history is to be trusted."

"I swear I just have some inoffensive plans in mind."

"Inoffensive?" I asked, clearly not convinced by his wording.

All he did was laugh it off before clearing his throat and standing up, "But, if you wouldn't mind," He looked at me, now at eye level, as he spoke, "When the time comes, can I ask you to help me?"

"As a surveyor or as a friend?" I replied, meeting his brown orbs with my own grey gaze.

"And here I thought you'd hesitate," Keith began, his impressed visage turning more tender and contemplative, "I'd say both."

"That's nice and ambiguous, but shouldn't you have said this when we were all together in the office?"

"Well," Keith began walking away, his footsteps carrying him to the center of the rooftop, "Let's just say you're the best man for the job." And as he spoke with a smile as wide as an orbit, his eyes sparkled with the reflection of distant stars, becoming one with the rest of the astral concert behind him.

"Huh?" I tilted my head, not even needing to say anything to convey my confusion.

But even my explicit indication of puzzlement didn't stop Keith from happily making his way back to the exit, not giving me any further hints as to what he meant.

Or so I thought, "Oh, by the way," He stopped, turning around and adjusting his glasses, "I'm keeping the uniform." And with that, his words were followed by the very same sound that heralded his arrival, the sound of metal and interlocking parts amidst the twilight cacophony.

Fair enough, if it weren't for the badge, I'd wear the coat on outings too.

I turned back to the open scapes once Keith left, letting myself get lost in the mellow darkness of the fields.

The emptiness felt almost poetic. It was familiar and yet shrouded in darkness, unwilling to lend my senses any of its secrets. And yet, at the very end, there was still light. Distant yet ever-present remained a goal to reach, a place to find, and I would follow it no matter what.

Perhaps it comforted me that even if I didn't fully understand my path or my surroundings, even when I was lost in my own thoughts and the words of others, my mission always remained clear and within sight.

Or maybe I just have a habit of overthinking things late at night.

I chuckled, laughing at my introspections that bordered the lines of being pedantic, humorous, and profound. And as I finally left the cold embrace of the metal balusters - I looked back one last time at the faraway city, placing my empty juice box down and leaving to reach that destined promise.