Rabbit Hole Carnible: Self-Worth

Cel knocked before opening the door to Renee’s bedroom “Hey.”

“Hi.” Renee replied, hugging Inky while still in bed. “I suppose Nick sent you in?”

“No ‘daddy’ this time?” Cel asked.

“He’s an uncle.” Renee said.

“That’s never stopped you before.” Cel replied. “Certainly hasn’t stopped my mom for calling you my sister when you’re not around.”
 
“She does?” Renee asked.

“Well yeah, can you blame her?” Cel said. “We’ve done nearly everything since we were like 16, and having finally found you again after all these years it’s been like finding my sister all over again.”

“And what if I leave again?” Renee replied.

“Then I'll be reevaluating my views on Nick, because apparently he is not the man I think he is.”


There was a small pause as Renee looked at Cel. “That’s it?”

“I mean I’d be worried about you too, if that's what you're asking?” Cel asked

“Stop that.” Renee said, and turned away. “I’m not in the mood.”

“In the moods for what?” Cel said, and caught Inky as he was thrown at her.

“That!” Renee said. “You did this exact same thing when we first met too! And you know it gets riled up, or should by now!”

“You know, Renee.” Cel replied, and handed Inky back. “Yeah. Yes, I do know it gets you frustrated. It gets you upset, but you are wrong about at least one thing. Because I don’t do for everyone, I do it for you, very specifically.”

“Well stop doing it.” Renee said, taking Inky  back.

“No.” Cel replied. “Because you can hate it me all you want, but seeing one the two best alchemist I’ve ever known be her is better then knowing the Parasite I have call to Mike drag her down!”

“That’s why?” Renee asked.

“That’s why.” Cel said. “I don’t Mike did to you, or at least I know significantly less I did, even with you letting me use you as a case study that one time. Oh, that paper got an A+ plus by the way, but I do know that whenever you're sad there is something left by Mike ruining every single part of you. And every time you’re angry the Renee I know, and love as my friend comes out.”

“You know… when Mike used to anger me, it was always just to punish me. Daddy just never tries to anger me, and now you're here telling me you anger me out of love?” Renee asked.

“My grandmother has a slang she always says.” Cel replied. “Every flower blooms in a different way, and at a different time. And only when you really listen, we'll see the worth there hiding within.”

“Ladies?” Nick asked, knocking on the door, and opening it. “Far be from me to interrupt a Twilightshield’s work, but there was some shouting up here.”

“I’ll be down in 5 minutes, Daddy.” Renee said.

“Wonderful.” Nick said. “Excuse me! We’ll have some Shocking ready in about 15 minutes!”
Renee giggled, as she heard some voices. “The Raven family again?”

“With or without a Renee, is still the only bar that knows it’s worth.” Nick said. “Their words, not mine.”

“And will you be having a White Owl before you leave?” Renee asked.

“Oh, but I’m the one wasting time.” Cel replied, as she followed Renee downstairs.