Rabbit Hole Carnival: Festival

‘“Oh hey, Daddy.” Renee replied, as Nick walked down.

“Why?” Nick asked.

“I… I turned the hallway light off… right?” Renee replied.

“Renee, the last time this bar had the lights with a purpose was when you came stumbling in.” Nick said. “Crying, and running from a house.”

“I wasn’t crying.” Renee replied. “I was sniffling. Still can’t believe someone was awake enough to call the cops.”

“Well, I'm still glad they did, and glad you came.” Nick said. “So what’s this new idea of yours?”

“Nowhere near ready.” Renee replied. “I keep overfeeding the sweetness.”

“You know he didn’t mean anything by that comment.” Nick replied. “Everything in our stock has that aftertaste.”

“Yeah… whatever…” Rene replied.

“You can find it.” Nick said. ‘I know you can.”

“Maybe some kind of cider.” Renee thought out loud. “We always get our drinks compared to ciders despite never actually having one.”

“You know, I've noticed that as well.” Nick replied. “You think they’d be used to the place by now.”

“Right?’ Hmm… strawberry and pineapple maybe” Renee said.

“That could work,” Nick replied.

---The Next Day--
“Hey!” Cel replied as she walked in. “I hear she’s working on a new drink?”

“Yeah. some kind of cider” Nick replied. “Some customers complained about the aftertaste.”

“Pffft.” Cel said. “That’s so like her”

“I'm proud of this one I’ll have you know.” Renee replied.

“Also like you.” Cel said. “So what's this one called?”

“I figured I’d call it Festival.” Renee replied. “About time we had a drink that shared the name.”

“Yeah.” Cel said. “I like the idea at the very least.””well maybe you’ll like the drink too.” Renee said as she planted the mug in front of Cel.

Cel took a swig, and had her eyes go wide. “I love it. It definitely has a cider taste.”

“It should. Given how much of our Fruit Roulette stock is gone.” Renee replied, rubbing the back of her head.

“May I?” Nick asked.

“Of course, Daddy.” Renee handed him his mug. “I made this one for you.”

“Hmm.” Nick replied as he took two swigs. “There’s the pineapple, and some watermelon. Lemon and line seem to be in here as well, but I don’t taste any strawberry.”

“That’s two.” Renee said, bobbing up and down. “You said tasting always counted.”

“And it does,” Nick said, holding the mug up to eye level. “I’m just trying to figure out why you went with grapes instead of… ah put a little salt for the layering? Grapes would probably end up sweeter.”

“Yeah, that's all six.” Renee replied with a sigh. “Didn’t really matter how I mixed it since it layers out anyways. I did find letting it layer once, mixing back up, and letting it relayer change the taste a bit though. Though I did like the taste of that one as much.”

“Hmm… interesting, some might prefer that version, so no harm in letting them pick for now.” Nick said

 “I’m sorry.’ Cel replied. “You just guessed a completely new and unknown recipe in 2 slips and a glance.”

“He can always do it in 3 tries.” Renee said. “But I shall be victorious one day!”