Rabbit Hole Carnival: Getting Even.

“Renee, You told me to close for the day, because we’re low on ingredients.” Nick said, as he walked in. “What are you doing serving drinks?”

“Test tasting…” Renee replied, shyly. “I thought you’d say no, and I really wanted to so—”

Nick closed, and came back in seconds later with several bags of ingredients. “I know I’ve shown you better than that. You ladies keep at it, and I catch up with whatever this is.”

“See?” Cel asked. “You totally could have just told him.”

“I will point out that it used to be the case that you would refuse to show up when she pulled stuff like this.” Susie replied. “Though I do agree with Cel. Don’t see what the big deal is.”

“You. shush.” Renee said. “And try this one, and Daddy has been making such a big deal about me taking so much of the menu in such a short amount of time. I… didn’t think he liked it, if he said I wanted to even out the menu.”

“Renee, do you even actually process how much you do?” Susie asked.

“Should be ready right about now.” Renee walked behind the bar, and served Susie up something. “What do you mean?”

“Okay, I yield.” Cel said. “What is this flavor? Cause you’re right whenever you perfect I will absolutely love it, and probably have a regular drink.”

“You… umm… it's a tangy-spicy, I guess.” Renee replied. “More of a spicy-tangy, I suppose. The more subtle thing usually comes first. You’ve always been a fan of everything, and especially opposite, so I spent a while figuring out how to mix the pepper for the spicier drinks, and the stuff Memento is made of together. Maybe a bit more yams?”

“Where in the records of the lost city of Alchano did you think you could?” Cel signed. “This is exactly what Susie means. Why is it so important to you to—”

“Actually this makes a lot more sense now.” Susie replied, and dug through her personal belongings. “Get what you need out of this, and then burn it, okay?”

Renee looked it over. “Keep it.” She ran back behind the bar.

“No wonder our families always liked her.” Susie said. “Despite our little feud at first.”

“It’s like the tea thing?” Cel chuckled. “Sorry again for… well all that.”

“Hey, I was just as bad as you. And Renee didn’t need two more pulls towards something in her life” Susie replied, drinking more of her drink. “And that’s exactly why it matters so much to her.”

“I see.” Nick replied. “In all the time she once mentioned the Occultic five she talked wondering why you all followed her so much when you all seem to know just what you were, and needed to do.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Cel replied. “I came from a lot of mental health experts. Cody and his family have always found pride in the last name, Bronze. They’re in the background, but you would never turn to anyone else for an honest opinion. Jojo lost his way for a bit, but his entire support group left him. Renee still found some way to carry on… despite never really being sure how…”

“Renee ‘Penmanship’ Shem.” Susie said. “Maker of anything she wishes. Always ready with something. As creative as they come, if you give her the space for it. She’s not jealous, or some random competition. Unless it is with herself, I suppose.”

“It's still not a competition!” Renee said, dropping two new glasses in front of both.

“Renee, stop!” Cel replied, as she set the drink down. “What are you calling it?”

Renee turned around. “White Owl. Yin and Yang in a drink. The wisdom of.. Well the wisdom of life.”

“I… how did you even?” Susie took another chug. “Explain yourself!”

“Well I saw how crushing the tea leaves helped the flow and flavor, and figure there was no reason not to try that since you were already saying that Floating Leaf tasted like tea, maybe that would be enough. And Cel had some herbs in it that she wasn’t quite tasting, so I tried something similar.”

“I expect to be taught how to make those.” Nick replied. “That’s 6 to 6 after all, no? 8 to 8, if you count the two we made together.”

“I… Just felt like it was about time I made up for lost time.” Renee replied. “But yes I can teach you now. I think… I’m not how much we have left right now…”

“If we run out we’ll just have to use what I just brought home.” Nick said. “Provide that you, at least try, to make this the last time you feel the need to hide yourself.”

“Deal.” Renee replied.