Rabbit Hole Carnival: Full Circle

“ Oh good, How did you do it?” Joshua asked.

“Do what?” Susie asked. “Come back from being lost too?”

“Alchemy!” Cel replied.

“What? It’s true!” Susie said.

“Not what he needs right now.” Renee said back. “He came here, okay? And seeing as he would never have done that even a year ago, let’s maybe reward some good behavior over chastising it.”

“Didn’t work with you.” Cody grumbled.

“That’s enough!” Cel said as she slammed a fist onto the bar table. “And yes it did, or do you wanna make her feel more guilty?! For a crime she never committed?!”

“I did run.” Renee replied. “From a thing I created of all things.”

“Run away, I’ll agree with.” Nick replied. “But you didn’t run from this, that was more of a side effect.”

“No, let him finish.” Cel said. “I think you all need to hear this.”

“Could I finish it instead, Daddy?” Renee asked. “I feel like I already know what you’re going to say.”

“And what is it I'm going to say, Renee?” Nick replied.

“It did work with me, Cody.” Renee said. “You were a shield, and were the thing that blocked every other idea that kept me from pounding on this bar’s door. And you welcome me back with open arms, so why doesn’t he get a second chance? He wants to change doesn’t he?”

“You didn’t want to change.” Susie said. “You were forced and had your reasons.”

If you believe that then we never should’ve been the Occultic Five!” Renee replied.

“Or did you forget who made us that in the first place?” Cel asked. “Our core. Up and left, and it took us years to find her again.”

“And she could’ve told us that,” Cody said. “He could’ve at least said you were here.”

“Cody, why did I first call us the occultic five?” Renee asked. “Do you remember?”

“Well… No, no I don’t.” Cody answered. “I remember why I was called the Shield.”

“Let’s start there.” Cel said. “You’re number 3, the Shield, and here you are yielding to number 4, Pen?”

“Pen is stronger than me, and the moment you agree? You have a plan of attack stronger then I could defend against.” Cody replied.

“Nothing that I deserve.” Joshua said. “Renee had her reasons for leaving.”

“She never left, and neither did you.” Cel replied.

“Daddy, would you get us 2 Gobbles, one Shocking Apple, one Homesick, and one Beanstock.” Renee said, and watched as Nick simply behind the bar.

“Homesick?” Cel asked.

“The 3rd drink I made.” Renee replied. “It’s sour. Which I remember a certain sweet class clown had a taste for.”

“You always could set a scene.” Susie replied.

“What we’re all trying to say.” Cel replied. “Is Jojo brought himself back, and we couldn’t be happier.”

“Don’t make my mistake, Jojo.” Renee said. “Don’t just up and leave us, and then go thinking that rag tag group of black sheep don’t want you back.”

“Who is getting what?” Susie asked.

“Well Homesick is sour.” Cel replied. “So that one is Jojo’s. Shocking Apple is Renee’s first, so that’s hers.”

“Beanstocks is Cody’s” Renee said. “So that’s where the two gobbles are going.”