The King's Remorse

Stretch

Cotton Candy floats out from behind a tree.

"Who are you?" Dove demands, reaching out a hand to push me partway behind him.

"Cotton Candy." They're looking directly at my brother despite the purple bandana covering their eyes.

"What are you doing?"

"I was sent to track you down."

"By who?"

"He said that he wants both you."

"Who is 'he'?"

"He?"

"Who is the 'he' you keep referring to."

"Oh."

"Who is he?" Dove snarls.

"He's very powerful."

"Is he King Garonda XIV?"

"Huh?" Cotton Candy's legs go invisible for a few moments as parts of their body disappear before reappearing, sort of like a cloud. No. That wasn't a very good metaphor. Whatever. "Is the person who who wants both of us King Garonda XIV?"

"He holds a lot of power."

"Oh, my god." Dove exhales loudly, his fingers curling into fists.

"Who's your god?" Cotton Candy tilts their head.

"I was expressing my frustration with you," Dove growls.

"Why are you frustrated with me?"

"Because you're not answering my questions!"

"Yes, I am answering them."

"No, you're not really. You never answered who the 'he' was that you kept referring to."

"I answered that one. I said he was very powerful."

"What's his name?"

"His name is the King of Ragdon." It's a different voice.

"Is this one of your friends? Answer my question clearly." Dove glares at Cotton Candy.

"No."

"Now, now, Cotton Candy. That wasn't very nice, now was it?" The voice purrs.

"He said to answer his question clearly, so I did. The clearest answer is either yes or no, with no extra words."

"You said I wasn't your friend, and I thought we were."

"I didn't realize we were." Cotton Candy shrugs their shoulders.

"But we've known each other for a very long time. I could've sworn we were friends."

"That doesn't mean we're friends, Elastica. For the last time, knowing someone for a long time doesn't automatically make them friends!"

"Now, now. Why'd you tell them our names?"

"What's the harm in them knowing your name?" Cotton Candy appears to furrow their eyebrows. The so-called Elastica makes her way from behind a tree, and she is about the weirdest creature I have ever seen.

Her eyes are like pieces of the brightest emerald. She seems to be a cross between a worm and a cat. Elastica has the head of a cat that attaches to a long neck and then to her body, but she only has two forelegs, if that's what you'd call them since there aren't any paws. Her body is devoid of fur, and is instead covered in smooth skin that's mottled with browns, tans, and slight hints of pink. Broken shackles are fastened tightly on the ends of her... Tentacles, I guess, and the chains dangle towards the ground. A mane of brown hair waves behind her, blown by invisible wind. Just like Cotton Candy, she's floating a few feet off of the ground.