Rabbit Hole Carnival: Luck be a Lady

“Hosting tonight is the Rabbit Hole Carnival, what drink will be… your… festival?” Renee started before the young boy slumped in, and face planted on the table.

“I just wanted somewhere to wallow in peace, and the last place my family would check for me is here.” he replied.

Renee planted a Fruit Roulette down. “Not a big fan of the couples either, huh?”

“Renee!” Cel marched in, and closed the door behind her.

“I have two in the fridge for ya, Cel.” Renee replied. “Which one do you want?”

“How confident are you in the new experiment?” Cel asked.

“Taste meh, likely to get anyone on ship drunk.” Renee Said.

“That one.” Cel said, and Renee walked behind the counter.

“Travis, and that’s A friend of yours then?” Travis asked.

“Cellius or Cel, the younger sister, and this is Renee.” Cel replied. “Only friend on this boat, and probably the only reason I'm still sane right now.”

“You weren’t kidding about your sister.” Renee said, placing the new drink down. “Came in here already plastered not that long ago.”

“Unsurprising,” Cel replied, taking a sip. “What is this call?”

“Was thinking Lady Luck, but not sure yet.” Renee replied. “Honestly, I just got bored, and a bunch of gamblers came in ordering a ton. You’re future brother in law friends I assume. Very insistent that a girl couldn’t make a proper drink.”

Cel burst out laughing. “Sorry mom invited you.”

“Don’t be. Kind of nice to wear a dress every once and a while.” Renee replied. “And I saw the list your sister was picking from.”

“Don’t remind me.” Travis groaned. “Only reason I was told to go with Rabbit Hole is because it was the only place that actually sounded like a decent host bar.”

“Hopefully we haven’t disappointed?” Renee asked.

“Not at all.” Travis replied. “I think I’d like to try this Lady luck of yours. Cel seems to like it.”

“Coming right up.” Renee replied, before bringing two more out since Cel had finished her.

“So you meant both of them, then.” Travis asked. “You think this one will last?”

“Honestly. I think they’re perfect for each other, and that worries me.” Renee said.

“What do you mean?” Cel asked. “Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Not if they’re both hunters.” Travis replied, and got up. “What was the name of your place?”

“Rabbit Hole Carnival.” Renee replied. “We’re a pretty small place though, and only have the one place in—”

“I know, but one of my more reasonable family members might be interested.” Travis replied, before walking out.

“Not if they’re both hunters…” Cel replied. “What does that mean?”

“You don’t know?” Renee replied. “I would have thought you’d gotten sick of the story.”

“Now I'm just more confused.” Cel replied. “I did hear some jokes about being the hunted, but they stopped pretty shortly after I didn’t get it. Is that related?”

“There was once a girl who fished in the shallow waters. Grabbing up whatever fish she could, and slowly taking everything from one river until there was little to nothing left, Levi was annoyed, but just kept sending in smaller, lesser needed fish into that river. And a boy who took only the lowest hanging fruit. And Mother Nature found his greed tiring, but simply let him pick the rotting fruit.” Renee said.

“Okay, that sounds like them, but what harm are they doing then?” Cel asked.

“Alone? Little, but once they got together they needed more and more and more. Anything to keep each other together. The land they traveled to grow desolate whenever they were near. And the world turned to a star they had never turned to before.” Renee replied.

“The Cellius Luminescent.” Cel said. “The dividing light.”

“To this day that star charts the balance, and watches over us all.” Renee said. “But maybe she is a little tired that we keep doing this to her?”

“No,” Cel replied. “I don’t think she is.”