Rabbit Hole Carnival: What Matters

Renee waited as Jen jolted awake. Seems it was her turn to have a nightmare this time. “Well I guess they put us together for a reason.” Renee said.

“Wish they had told me that” Rose replied, and yawned. “But I suppose I did say to put me with the weird lot.”

“Here, Jen.” Renee replied. “They let me have a mixing set to calm me down, but you need this more I think.” Renee handed a Clockwork. “Yes, it does have alcohol in it, so do be careful if you're a lightweight.”

“Yeah you mentioned running a bar with your uncle.” Jen took a swig, and then a deep breath. “You made this?”

“Nick made the recipe, if that's what you’re asking.” Renee said. “Tuaght me everything I know, but otherwise, yes I made it.”

“You got anymore in the kit of yours?” Rose asked.

“I’ll take my usual, if you can?” Cel said.

“Knowing daddy, he probably packed a bit more in here… Yep. here it is.” Renee brewed a White Owl, for Cel, a Black’s Sheep Gift for Rose, and Shocking Apple for herself. “We probably weren’t supposed to use it all on night 2.”

“Well I’ll see if I can get some more, but it's for a good cause either way” Cel replied.
“How did you?... I didn’t even ask.” Rose said.

“Oh she just does that.” Cel said. “Knows what drink you need before even you do.”

“You umm… Well you kind of like your family, or what parts of them you have.” Renee said. “And Black Sheep’s Gift is something me and Daddy made together, so I’d figure it was up your alley.”

“What made him make this one?” Jen asked.

“That is our newest one actually, and he made it after I snapped at a regular over what family means. Black Sheep’s Gift we made together.” White Owl I made specially for Cel.”

“And Shocking Apple?” Cel asked. “ How did you makes your anyways.?"

“Well I made it cause… I wanted to, I guess. I remember like apple juice, and Daddy was always important to me. For whatever reason I brew in that tavern of his. And it has just been mine ever since.” Renee said. “Which is probably why he refuses to learn how to make it.”

“What?” Jen asked. “Surely he just tasted it and figured it out?”

“And I could taste Five Hunters again too, and make it a heartbeat. But I'm not going too.” Renee replied. 

“Why not?” Jen asked. “Shouldn’t you both care enough to make each other drinks?”

“I used to wonder that myself.” Cel said. “And then my mom said something to me.”

“Which was?” Rose said, and took a swing herself.

“Don’t you think Renee has enough take for her? That has been through more than any of us will ever really know.” cel replied. “Nick see what Mike can’t, so if he says leave it alone. Leave it alone”

“Maybe one day I’ll tell him” Renee said. “But right now? I like having something that’s mine.”

“Wish my mom understood that sort of thing,” Jen replied mumbling.

‘Well seem to me.” Cell said, taking a swig herself. “That even if she doesn’t, you got 3 girls that will.”