"Did you make this?"
"What do you mean by this?" Cavina took another bite into her cotton candy, which she created and was as big as a 5-year-old boy.
"I mean if you create cotton candy out of thin air and ride the waves on your own will how hard could it be for you to build this theme park?" Slinx peeled off a big stash of cotton candy and stuffed his mouth full.
"You can't build Rome in a day, Slinx. Even in Dreamland." Cavina paused to swallow.
"Well I mean, technically you could. But there are consequences."
"Like what?"
" You'd think since this is a dream I'd be able to make this cotton candy as big as I could imagine right?"
Cavina licked her lips and stared at the ceiling, Atlas land was at least twenty stories high and the size of twenty national stadiums. The ceiling was decorated with brightly colored patterns and symbols. The gigantic wonderland was a maverick wonder that could only exist in one's mind.
" I mean, if I could, why not just make this whole place turn into cotton candy?" Cavina apparently found that thought to be amusing and revealed a set of intact white teeth stained with cotton candy.
"Because you don't control this place?" baffled and not knowing what else to say, Slinx asked.
"No one really does, the degree of things you can change or create depends on this thingy." Cavina raised her right hand up to her chest, showing Slinx she was wearing a near identical ring with the one Slinx was wearing.
"Walder said something about how the ring allows the bearer to alter dreamland with their own will power. Apparently the stronger your will power the bigger the creations you make." Cavina said.
"Okay… So is there like an actual size limit to what you can make? like a maximum file size?...How do you know if you've reached the limit?" Slinx said.
"That's where you get the consequences." Cavina switched into a serious tune, she finished her bite and sternly looked Slinx in the eye.
"Once you attempt to create something beyond your capabilities, you agree to a deal."
"A deal where you trade in some part of yourself to make up for the amount of willpower you lack."
Hearing such a sentence come out of Cavina's mouth terrified Slinx, the thought of having to sacrifice a limb just to make something in Dreamland gave him the willies.
"A part of yourself… like… losing your arm?...In real life?"
"Oh no no no… I didn't mean physically losing a part of yourself. I mean you lose your memories."
"Ohh… well that's still pretty bad I guess?"
"I guess!? How could you say that Slinx? Doesn't the thought of forgetting about your family scare you?" Cavina's eyes popped, further magnifying her big blue eyes.
"No no no! I mean losing your memories also seems super horrifying! That would be so so bad!" Slinx made it clear that he was on Cavina's side, and that there was absolutely nothing to argue about.
"It better be horrifying! So don't go trying to create moon rabbits or alternate dimensions on your own, I know you want to but as your best friend here in Dreamland I ain't gonna let you put yourself in danger." Cavina poked a finger at Slinx's chest, and with that she put on her usual charming smile. The lecture is over.
"Sorry! But I had to put that out of the way before taking you around all these wonderful places. I won't lecture you again I promise!!"
"It's okay. You know I can't stay mad at you." Slinx's lips bent slightly upwards. Cavina smiled back, her eyes making two thin lines.
"It's been a long night, Slinx. Thanks, for being here with me" Cavina made an effort to smile, but couldn't hide the reluctance knowing it had to end.
"Can't you stay longer? We still haven't tried the skydiving unicorn."
"No, we can do that tomorrow." Cavina sounded like she was in a hurry and was quick to decline Slinx's suggestion.
Cavina's ring started to shine, she handed over the remaining cotton candy to Slinx.
"See you tomorrow Slinx."
Cavina smiled weakly and waved, Slinx mimicked the gesture.
"Goodbye." Slinx said.
A beam of light formed around Cavina, disintegrating her body as it disappeared into the light. And as the ray of light quickly vanished, Slinx was left there in a crowded theme park. Standing there holding a stick of cotton candy.