Rabbit Hole Carnival: Never Found

“You know.” Cel said. “I kind of missed the White owl taste… I know you’re low on the stuff.

“I can make it.” Renee “It'll be a few minutes.” Renee disappeared behind the bar.

“She really should take the day for herself.” Nick replied. “But she seems happy to push herself, so I’m not sure what to do.”

“Yeah I remember feeling the same when she got like this.” Cel Replied. “But I think it her way of—”

“You can hear back there you know?” Renee said, setting the drink down. “And you should be aware we weren’t even low, seeing as I did inventory grabbing yesterday!”

“You seem down that day too. I figured hounding you over one or mistakes would make it worse.” Nick replied. “And you always seem to account for feeling down when you do inventory anyways.”

“Is that obvious, huh?” Renee asked. 

“I still like it for whatever that's worth.” Cel replied. “It lets me know you’re still fighting, and that you’re still the stubborn girl I knew and loved.”

“But the breaks are fine around her, ya know?” Nick said. “You've been adding to this menu, and helping this bar more than enough. If you feel burnt out then just be a customer today.”

“I would but Imma make myself a Shocking Apple first.” Renee replied.

“Feel better?” Cel asked as Renee sat next to her  and took a swig.

“Yeah , a bit.” Renee replied. “Don’t call anyone, okay?”

“Yeah, I know.” Cel said. “When you're in this sort of state I’m usually the only one you wanna talk to.”
 “And you’re fine with that?” Renee asked.

“I would tackle it differently but I'm not you.” Cel replied. “And I haven’t gone through what you have, but I have seen this help you.”

“What? Buried myself in distraction?” Renee asked.

“Burying yourself in something you like doing.” Cel said. “Having fun is never a waste of time, even if it doesn’t help right now.”

“Doesn’t change the thoughts right now…” Renee replied, and took a chug. “Doesn’t change the fact that I’m nowhere close to where I wanted to be.”


“Aren’t you?” Cel asked. “You got a home now, and several more friends. You're a little famous, even if it's only around here.”

“Yeah, I got right where I wanted to be… and it changed nothing.” Renee said.

“Well that's just not true.” Nick replied, and Serve both to Latern’s Oaths. “I think this is the right ratio based on our notes. But it’s your idea, so you tell me.”

“You made this?” Cel asked, after both girls took a swig. 

“Sort of” Renee replied. “Daddy definitely helps, but yeah this pretty much what  I had in mind” She took another swig.

“Renee!” Cel said. “You need to stop selling your creativity short! You made this from a book?!”

“A book, an idea, and some help.” Nick replied. “You wanna help me tweak it a little?”

Renee took another swig. “No, exactly how it meant to be.”

 “Lilith?” Cel asked. “It tastes like her.”

“Lantern's Oath.” Renee replied. “Took a while to make, but I wanted something reflective of that sort of call.”

“Do you feel a bit better knowing that it is finally done?” Cel asked.

“Yeah” Renee replied.