With the group steadily growing, and destined to grow larger still, Prism had resolved herself to craft a more practical means of travel rather than four separate Entities drifting in loose formation.
Individual travel had sufficed for a while, but efficiency mattered now.
And so, she began.
Prism started by focusing her mind, allowing herself to see the ambient energy all around her.
The energy was immense, flooding her from all directions. Such was the energy that saturated the Void.
That said, the energy itself wasn't overwhelming to her at all. In truth, it felt more inviting than oppressive, not just to her, but to all Entities as well.
To put it simply, it was like the clear air found in nature, begging to be breathed in. One didn't need to fight against it, but rather instinctively allowed it within themselves.
The energy within the Void would naturally allow itself to be absorbed by any Entity, regardless of their efficiency or control over it.
With that, Prism took the energy and surrounded herself with it. The energy coalesced all around her in a perfect spherical form, with her at its center.
Then, in a slow and steady manner, she absorbed that energy within herself, directing it through her channels until it reached her core.
In truth, she didn't need to do this step, as it wasn't necessary for someone as proficient as she was. That said, she remembered the fact that she had an audience watching her, and considered that they weren't as proficient as her.
Thus, she decided that this was a perfect opportunity to let them visually learn the process of making an object from another perspective, something each of them might use to grow.
And all three of them did just that.
They noted the subtle shift in the surrounding energy, how it gathered around Prism, and how she absorbed it all within herself.
She was precise, meticulous, and efficient in everything she did. Indeed, she displayed no ounce of wasted movement at all.
Each time she pulsed, each time the energy responded to her will, it became a lecture they engraved deep within their cores.
Cream, Aloe, and Gold all watched with awe as their boss displayed a level of superiority the likes of which they had never seen before.
Compared to her and her efficiency, they all felt mediocre.
Indeed, they had created an object that was new and distinct.
Indeed, they were among the very few Entities who had accomplished such a feat.
But if asked whether their feat was something worth bragging about, or if they thought themselves superior?
Then all three of them, in this moment, would disagree without hesitation.
The difference in their skill, in their control of energy, and in the execution of making an object, was simply worlds apart.
However, instead of letting that fact weigh them down or letting Prism's superiority diminish them, they chose to learn from her, to seek her guidance, and to improve themselves beyond their current level.
If they did that, then surely even they could reach that level of energy control, that precise and flawless execution, that level of superiority.
It was the kind of superiority that would allow them to treat making an object as nothing more than a simple chore, rather than something that required every ounce of effort they could muster.
That is what they sought. That is what they needed.
And so, with pulses of awe, all three of them continued to watch Prism, learning from their boss about what exactly they needed to do, as well as how they needed to do it, in order to be worthy of being her servants.
As for Prism, she continued with her task, ignoring the quietly pulsing, awe-inspired Entities as she focused solely on the work at hand.
She slowly released the energy within her core, allowing it to surround her once more. Unlike before, the energy now sparkled with a prismatic hue, contrasting its earlier darkness.
Using the energy, she focused on molding it into a specific shape before hardening and solidifying it.
Steadily, she shaped a long, rectangular vessel of multicolored material, its surfaces faintly refracting her own prismatic light.
The top panel parted smoothly like an eyelid, revealing a spacious hollow interior lined with the same softly glowing substance.
"Good, it's finished." She mused, not a hint of exhaustion present in her tone. "As for its name, I'll simply name it [Hover]."
Of course, her lack of exhaustion was because she had used the remaining energy to relieve herself of fatigue.
"Alright then, you can all get in." she prompted, snapping the three Entities back into reality.
Rather than questioning Prism about the fact that she had just created an object in front of them, the three of them chose to remain quiet.
Perhaps they had their own reasons for doing so. Because of that, Prism chose not to probe the matter and left it at that.
Once everyone entered, the lid sealed soundlessly. Propulsion came from an internal lattice of Prism's own refracted energy as the craft began to move.
It moved several times faster than even the swiftest Entity could glide unaided, trailing a delicate comet-tail of rainbow light in its wake.
Some floating Entities saw the object in motion and were left speechless and confused, not knowing what was happening or why.
That said, most of them only saw the trail and not the object itself. This was because the object moved so fast that by the time the Entities heard the sound it made, it had already passed them.
Inside, the four companions settled into the cushioned glow. The vessel hummed faintly, a low harmonic that felt almost comforting.
[It's kind of nice now that there are more of us.] Cream thought toward Prism.
[You say that, but you keep fighting with Gold.]
[That's just how we are.]
[Don't you ever feel bad arguing with him all the time?]
[It's… more complicated than that.]
Telepathic exchanges between Prism and Cream had become a routine. There was no secrecy intended behind it.
Rather, Cream simply delighted in the private channel that she had learned from her boss. The intimacy of thought-to-thought speech felt special, a quiet proof of their bond.
"If you say so." Prism replied aloud, her tone carrying the faintest trace of amusement.
"Yes, I do." Cream answered cheekily, her creamy light pulsing with satisfaction.
For the time being, Prism had restricted telepathy to Cream alone, at Cream's own insistence. "It shows that I'm your first subordinate." Cream had explained. "It also shows that I hold a position above the others."
Neither Aloe nor Gold objected to the arrangement, so Prism allowed it to stand.
From now on, both reported to Cream first, unless if Prism directed otherwise. It was a small hierarchy, but one that gave Cream visible pride.
"What are you two talking about?" Gold asked, his golden glow tilting curiously.
The question landed like dry tinder on embers.
"Mind your own business." Cream snapped.
And just like that, the familiar rhythm began.
Here it comes. Aloe thought with a deep sigh.
"I just wanted to be part of the conversation too." Gold protested.
"Clearly, this is a private conversation." Cream shot back.
"Then make it unprivate."
Silence.
All three lights stilled for a heartbeat, except Prism's, which remained steady. Though inwardly, she registered the sheer audacity of the phrasing.
"I… meant public?" Gold corrected, his glow dimming with both embarrassment and confusion.
I feel like he did that on purpose, Aloe mused. Or perhaps he didn't? I cannot properly tell when it comes to him.
Even the perceptive Aloe would hit bumps when it came to assessing Gold. That's just how unpredictable his lack of proper intelligence made him.
Was this a good thing?
Or a bad thing?
Such an answer remains to be seen.
"Do you even hear yourself when you speak?" Cream demanded. "If you actually thought before you say things, maybe we'd include you in conversations."
She said that, but she had no intentions of letting Gold, of all Entities, to be a part of her and Prism's private talks.
"Shut up! Of course I can think. That's why boss included me on her mission."
"I meant in the conversation." Cream said, exasperation coloring her tone.
"I knew that."
I am not so sure that you did, Aloe thought quietly.
Aloe remained silent, simply lost in observation. The pattern between the two, Cream and Gold, was unmistakable now, one sparked, and the other eagerly caught the flame.
The longer Aloe watched, the more convinced Aloe became that neither truly wanted the argument to end. In fact, Aloe even felt like the two of them seemed to relish it.
Their relationship most closely resembled siblings, a younder brother and an older sister. They were constantly bickering, yet unmistakably bound together. Beneath the barbs lay a strange, stubborn care, expressed in ways only they themselves understood.
Finally, having had enough of them, Aloe spoke.
"You two should stop fighting in front of the boss like this."
That statement maid it imply that they can fight, just as long as if it's not in front of Prism.
As for why Aloe said it like that?
That was because Aloe was convinced of thr fact that permanently stopping Cream and Gold from fighting was nothing more than a dream.
"You stay out of this, Aloe!" Gold flared reactively.
"Hey!" Cream's light surged protectively. "Don't ever talk to Aloe like that. Apologize now."
Gold's glow stuttered as regret pulsed through him visibly.
For a brief moment, silence enveloped the interior of the vessel.
Prism listened without reaction, content to just let events unfold.
"Well?" Cream prompted. "We're waiting."
Gold's light softened further.
"Sorry, Aloe." he said apologetically. "I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. You were only trying to stop Cream and me from arguing."
"Do not trouble yourself," Aloe replied gently. "I am okay."
Aloe was the sort of Entity that could be trodden upon without complaining. In fact, Aloe would even likely apologize even without being at fault. Forgiveness came to Aloe as naturally as glowing.
"Thanks, Aloe." Gold said, genuine gratitude warming his tone.
"Be grateful that Aloe is nice and forgives easily." Cream added pointedly.
"Why are you the one upset about this?" Gold muttered.
"It is alright, Cream." Aloe interjected calmly. "All is forgiven now."
Aloe spoke to forestall yet another round.
"If that's what you want, then I'll let it go." Cream conceded.
"Thanks a lot, Aloe." Gold expressed with a soft glow.
"There is no need to thank me." Aloe responded in kind.
The three of them reached a fragile truce. It was temporary, of course, everyone present understood that, but they all welcomed it nonetheless.
Hopefully, they'll stay calm for a while. Prism thought. Though, I wonder how long it will last, and what small spark will set them off next time.
Prism had no reason wondering such mischievous thoughts, but she simply couldn't help her own curiosity.
After the tension ebbed, Cream turned to Aloe in a gentler tone.
"By the way, Aloe…"
"Yes, what is it?"
"I've noticed that you still speak so formally, even to us."
"Now that you mention it, you're right." Gold added.
"Sorry about that, I... uh, I'm still adjusting?" Aloe voiced, slightly hesitant.
"I'm not saying it's bad, so you don't need to apologize." Cream hurried to clarify. "I just thought… that we were closer than that. You know, like friends."
"But we are friends," Aloe said quickly. "At least, I had hoped that we were."
"No–no! Yes, we are friends!" Cream's light brightened. "That's why I'm asking. How about you speak more casually with me? You know? Like how I talk to you."
"Me too!" Gold interjected.
"Shut up! This is a private talk between me and Aloe."
"There you go again with the private conversations. I'm Aloe's friend too, you know–"
"Okay," Aloe interrupted gently, foreseeing the collision. "I will try to speak more casually with you."
"Hey, what about me?" Gold asked.
"You too, Gold. You are also my friend, and I will speak more casually with you too."
"Thanks, Aloe."
A new layer of connection settled among the three them, or perhaps it had always existed and only now received its proper name.
It's good to see the three of them getting along like this. Prism reflected with quiet relief. Even if "getting along" is sometimes them just bickering.
Sure enough, only minutes later Cream and Gold found fresh fuel for a disagreement. The topic was something trivial, a comment about speed versus maneuverability, had ignited the next round.
Not this again. Aloe thought as the familiar cadence resumed.
Aloe attempted to mediate the fight while Prism simply listened, offering neither intervention nor judgment.
It's better to let them sort it out among themselves. Prism decided. There's no reason for me to step in every time. Maybe I've already accepted that this is simply their way. Having subordinates is far more complex than I imagined. I find myself second-guessing my responses, wondering how best to guide them without stifling them. Each exchange teaches me something new. I wonder… is this how Lord Cubix feels when he thinks about me?
The rectangular vessel glided at super sonic speed, cutting a graceful arc through the luminous Void. Behind it stretched a long, shimmering trail of prismatic light, like a comet born of refracted rainbows, marking their path toward the next destination.
Inside, three voices rose and fell in familiar discord, while two argued, one mediated, and a silent one steered them all forward.