Rabbit Hole Carnival: The Runaway

“You ready to join my side.”     a male voice said, proud of himself. “Just give in.”

“And then I walk into a circle, before stepping out.” Lily said. “And then I wake up.”

“Quite the nightmare.” Renee said. “What’s your drink?”  she asked, as she walked behind the bar.

“I still don’t know.” Lily said.

Renee walked out, and planted a drink in front of her. “Fruit Roulette it is.”

“What is this now?” Nick walked in. “mmm… lights are on.. Oh right.” You’ve got this?”

“I agree to it, Daddy. Thought it was a lovely idea, and it pinged up as wanting me anyways.” Renee replied.

“It’s the 22nd? Nick asked

“As of two hours ago.” Renee replied. “And yes that is—”

“I remember.” Nick. “You got this and I trust you.”

Renee helped Nick up to his room, and then came back down. “Sorry about that, you need a refill?”
“Not quite yet, but soon.” Lily replied, finishing her drink as the bell rang.

“I’m so sorry.” a much younger Nick replied. “They just kept needing me.”

“Probably on purpose.” Renee replied, walking back behind the bar “Your drink was A Homesick!?”

'Too late to change it to a Shocking Apple?’ as Nickle took off his coat. “And Nickle is fine.”

“I… wait, okay what am I missing? Lily asked. “You hate that the nickname, and had the option to ask for—”

“To ask for Renee or Nick.” Renee finished. “Which isn’t hard when daddy is also a Nicholas”

“And thus the order for a very night round of drinks and discussion with Renee Shem, the runaway, was born. But you probably hate that nickname.” Nickle said

“I used to. And still don’t like going by it, if it’s not necessary. I expect we’ll get to that tonight though.” Renee replied.

“With a boyfriend who doesn’t want me to be a stay at home wife, and hate how his family treats me like one?” Lily asked.

“They… Lily, it is a mess

and you wouldn’t understand.” Nickle replied.

“Tested that, have you, Nickle? Renee asked. “I’ve heard a lot of very valid concerns during all that, or at the implication of some.”

“Why don’t we get him a drink first, and me a refill.” Lily blushes as Nickle was holding her close.

“Coming right up.” Renee said. “I’ll just assume it's okay to pick Nickle’s drinks.”

“My family does this with every girl I meet, okay?” Nickel sighed. “Girl after girl, whether it's just a close friend or something that could’ve been. They do everything in their power to drive them insane.”

“Renee was right.” Lily replied. “You really should’ve tested that sooner.”

“I didn't think you’d understand. I mean your family is so caring like they—” Nickle said.

“Like they love every little thing I’d bring home, including a certain failed science project.” Lily said. “I don’t know, or fully understand. But if I could ever say what you just said about my family, I would’ve come out a completely different person.”

“I wouldn't be so sure about that.” Renee said, serving both drinks. “I’m pretty sure you would still be choosing the tools you’re choosing to use.”

“She means I’d be like Renee the runaway, sweetie.” Lily giggled. “And the story behind the name?”

“I felt like an insult at first.” Renee said. “Renee Shem, the one who ran away. They all seemed to like it, and Daddy told me to let it go.”

“And you snapped.” Nickel replied. “Which I’m told was quite the show.”

“The girl who has been here for 6 months, could read the drink you needed at glace, and who never spilled a drop.” Renee chuckled. “Dropped a tray which broke 5 mugs, and just up and yelled stop to stop calling her a coward.”

“What did they do?” Lily asked.

“They let me brew in my room and gave me some time.” Renee replied. “And the Daddy knocked, and told me I really really needed to make a Shocking Apple. So I got up, and went downstairs to the very person I snapped at, wondering why they had been here for 6 hours. Turns out they wanted  to apologize, and they told me that they never meant it that way. Apparently, having known the whole Shem line longer than I’ve been alive. He was really grateful to see such a young person runaway from it.  ‘I was fond and proud of a title I felt reflected the action of a person who was braver than most. But if she doesn’t like it, then she won’t hear it again. You have my word.’ He still comes, and he is definitely a man of his word.