Rabbit Hole Carnival: Sweet and Spicy

“They’re at it again?” Nicholas asked, as he walked in from behind the counter.

“They always need like 5 minutes, Daddy.” Renee replied as she waved him away. “I got this.”

“You see? We’re a mess together?” the girl replied.

“Well, I’m a mess away from you?!” the boy replied.

The girl blinked as Renee served up the drinks. “He’s right ya know.” Renee said. “Before you he’d be in here every day and just ordered up a Citrus Earth. Will, right? And this one is Nikki?”

“Wait a Citrus Earth?” Nikki replied. “What changed?”

“Now, that’s a good question. What did change?... William?” Renee asked as she turned to him.

“You never actually gave him a Fruit Pyro, right?” Nick asked. “He’d hate that thing.”

“Daddy!” Renee replied, as she stomped her left boot. “Obviously, I never gave him a Fruit Pyro. I’ve been giving him a Fruit Roulette, so he can act a little shocked each time.”

“Wait, what?!” Both Will and Nikki replied.

“You heard me.” Renee replied as Nicholas walked back behind the bar. “Really Will, you can’t tell me you haven’t noticed?”

“I never had spicy before… not since like a dozen years ago” Will Replied.

“Will… Why have you been lying to me?” Nikki asked. “And why have you been helping him lie?”

“Honey, please.” Renee replied with a slight hair flip. “Like you have not been dyeing that hair. I know what a redhead looks like.”

Will looked over as Nikki blushed. “Yeah, okay fair point”

“Nikki… then what is your hair color?” Will asked.

“Blonde, right?” Renee replied with a bit of a giggle. “And you’ve been growing your hair out a bit… Nicholle.”

“You knew, huh?” Nikki replied.

“Of course.” Renee replied, as Nick walked back out.

“A good bartender notices the differences. A great one always sees them.” Nick said.

“Any guesses on who taught me that?” Renee asked.

“So where does that leave us?” Will asked.

“Somewhere I guess…” Nikki replied.

“Somewhere where you're both being idiots” Renee Replied. “Daddy, is that what I think it is?”

“What is it?” Will replied.

And what do you mean?” Nikki asked.

“You two have been in here as a couple for like a year, and you always have the same damn argument.” Nick replied. “And then just end up ordering your regulars.

“Yet you're clearly madly in love with each other.” Renee said. “It’s not like you need to like everything that each of you likes. You just need to support each other when you don’t. I would never have come here, if that didn’t work.”

“You just… always liked spicy flavored.” Will replied.'

“And you always wanted a redhead with long hair.” Nikki said. “But it’s not the end of the world if I don’t have some cute boy’s favorite hair color.”

“And it’s not so bad if  I don’t like spicy as a flavor” Will replied. “Right?”

“Will, Taste this a second” Renee said, handing the drink Nick made to him.

Will did as asked and coughed up a storm, and Renee simply handed him some milk a few minutes later while Nikki giggled.

“What was that?” Nikki asked.

“A Fruit Pyro” Nick replied, while Renee made sure Will was okay.

“Daddy and I don’t like it either. It’s on the menu because others like the taste.” Renee replied. “I don’t like the Planted Beanstock, and daddy doesn’t like the Shocking Apple. But we are here and together. Sometimes that is all you need."

About a month later some couple walked into the bar. A long hair blonde and a man who had been working out a little bit. “Welcome Back to the Rabbit Hole Carnival!” Renee replied. “What drink will be your festival?”