Rabbit Hole Carnival: Scarred and Ready.

So I was doing some double checking and notice I posted a story part to this series twice. Once March 9th and was a few weeks before that. So here a 2nd post this week. To make up for that mistake.
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“So what’ll it be Cody?” Renee asked. “You’re usual or something different tonight?”

“Something that reminds me why I'm here.” Cody replied.

“Alright.” Renee said, and made him Gooble Bobble. “And for you as well, sir. Sorry about that wait.”

“Oh that's quite alright, lass.” The old man replied. “ Nice to meet a young one who knows her goals.”

“Renee?! You didn’t tell me you had a customer as well” Cody said.

“First off he is here for the full experience.” Renee replied. “We means he might getting serve last, and second off a bartender always serve based on need”

“Wise words,” The old man said. “Are they yours?”

“I wish.” Cody said. “ They are part of the Bronze family line though..”

“Matthew.” Matt replied. “Of the Iron Line

“Cody.” Cody replied.”of the bronze line”

“This must be Renee then.” Matt said. “The one who always knows.”

“I can neither confirm or deny that,” Renee said.

“What are you in for?” Matt asked.

“I… Failed to protect her.” Cody said

“No you didn’t” Matt said

“I agree.” Renee said. “ Never would've gotten here if you hadn't said to run.”

“I meant to us, Renee,” Cody said.

“Was that what you said?” Matt asked

“No.” Renee said. “The Shem line has always run though. I was just hoping I could be different.”

“We’re hoping I could be different?” Nick asked entering. “Matthew, how are you?”

“Nicholas, you old fool.” Matthew said. “You taught your daughter here a little too well.”

“Yes well you always said that was the point.” Nick replied.

“And it was.” Matthew replied. “So what is this one story?”

“Haven’t you been through enough?” Cody asked.

“Were you through enough?” Renee asked. “When you met me weren’t you tired? Weren’t you exhausted?”

“Renee, don’t remind me,” Cody said. “That group only wanted me for the muscle. Something that used me until they found a better thing.”

“Around round, Nick.” Matthew said. “For all of us.”

“You were, yes.” Renee replied. “But you still stood there. And stood up for me. The one weird little girl you nothing about”

 “That’s what a Bronze does.” Cody said. “Finds something they want to protect and then makes sure there for it.”

“And it here was breaking it up.” Renee said. “I’m so sorry Cody.”

“No.” Cody replied. “You went off and protected yourself first, and that too is what a Bronze line does. You may not have known why, but you were always our glue.”

“The glue is an important part.” Matthew said. “May not have been the leader. But if it goes, the rest follow.”