Rabbit Hole Carnival: Equal

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask to leave.” Renee said as she walked up to a particular table.

“I know you were eyeing her up!” a woman shouted at the man across from her. “And I don’t even wanna know—”

“Just you, miss.” Renee replied.

“What?!” She turned to Renee. “Who even are you? You don’t have the right to kick me out.”

“I assure you that I have every right to kick you out. But if you would rather I get Daddy to, that can very easily be arranged.” Renee stepped back as the woman stood up next to her.

“Whatever he said is a bunch of lies. He is a good flirt and that’s about it.” The woman replied. “Now if kindly butt out, and let me—”

“Something I could perhaps help with?” Nick replied. “All this shouting is making it rather hard to count inventory, and Renee usually goes out for the supplies tomorrow.”

“She was just told to leave, Daddy.” Renee replied. “She’s making quite a scene, and our other customers were getting uncomfortable with how she was talking to her date.”

“And you, Renee?” Nick asked. “How were you feeling when you saw the behavior?”

“Kind of reminded of Mike’s calm days… or mom’s angrier ones.” Renee said.

“That quite enough rebuttal miss. If my niece is saying it, you definitely need to leave.” Nick dragged the female out while she was still throwing a tantrum.

“And you?” Renee asked, sitting down across from the boy. “Whatever you get out of that relationship is not at all worth it.”

 “You don’t know that.” The man across from her replied. “She… nevermind.”

“What’s your name, and what’s your order?” Renee asked. “I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“Marco.” Macro replied. “And um… What's the difference with the Festival drink?”

 “Weirdly enough it depends. Some people say it brings out all the fruit more, and others say it tastes like one soft omnifruit.” Renee replied.

“That sounds kind of cool.” Macro said. “And I guess she’s not here anymore… alright I'll take a double mixed one.”

“Alright then.” Renee got up, and came back a few minutes later with two drinks. “This mine, that one's yours.”

 “Aren’t you working?” Macro asked. “Should you really be drinking on the job?”

Renee responded by taking a massive swig first. “It takes a lot more than this to get to me. I’m hoping it goes well with a rather cute boy anyways, so might be taking a half-day.”

“Please don’t do that, she'll never forgive me.” Macro said.

“She’ll never forgive you for a girl deciding she wants to flirt a bit with you?” Renee asked. “You really wanna be tied to that kind of stress?”

“Of course, not.” Macro said. “But she’s my dad’s boss' daughter, and be really good for his job. And she’s… been making some threats.”

“Does your dad know about any of that?” Renee asked.

Marco chugged a solid third of the drink. “No, he's always working, and never gets the chance to bring me. It’s just stuff my mom says.”

“Wait, how did you meet his boss’ daughter, if he never brings you to work?” Renee asked.

“Mom said she visited, and came home with her.” Macro said. “Why?”

“Does she happen to bring home random girls often?” Renee continued.

“I, uh, guess. Only twice a month or so unless I stick with a girl for a bit. I think she freaked out after I mentioned I wasn’t super interested in one yet. We had kind of a big fight about it.”

Renee planted her head on the table. “Call your dad. Right now.”
---
“Welcome to the Rabbit Hole Carnival. What drinks will be your festival?” Renee asked as the door opened the next day.

“The same as last time.” Marco replied, grumpy.

“I’ll take a Citrus Earth.” The older man replied. “I think I’ll need it for talking with my wife tonight.”

Macro stared at Renee for a bit, and Renee tilted her head. “Hey um… so my dad, here, his boss doesn’t have a daughter. So I’ve not been to a really fun arcane for a few months, and maybe you’d wanna come with?”

“I’d love to.” Renee replied.