#cyanide au

[biginkyboyo]

Sammy Lawrence

"..I was just another sheep, awaiting my slaughter. But he decided I was worth something....and I became his prophet."

Background:

Sammy was invited to work in Joey Drew Studios by Henry, as the two were very close friends from their shared time in college. Most would agree, though, that Sammy should have been a big time musician, with how refined and beautiful his songs were, and the passion he exuded at all times for his work. Sammy on the other hand adored his role, no complaints! He would often stay up late into the night to work on his sheets, and filled in for anyone who couldn't make it in the band. Even as more people began to leave, Sammy stayed, all the way til the cartoon was cancelled.

Like most of those who worked at Joey Drew Studios, Sammy was coaxed back to the building. He would end up dying, and being reborn through the ink. Sammy was eventually found and caught by a group of people, a cult known as "the Herd", and was forcefully indoctrinated into the group. He was infected with corrupted ink, as is the ritual for the members, and slowly began to lose himself to the corruption consuming him, until he was cured by their Lord, the little devil. Sammy was favored by the child, and deemed to be the Lord's chosen prophet. This, though, would earn the hatred of the cults leader, Mother Mora, who could not understand how he earned the child's love and respect, and she did not.

Sammy's worst enemy in the studio is a man by the name of Gabriel, a follower of the Heavenly Gospel, people who worship the corrupted Angel. The two have been in a seemingly endless back and forth battle to the death. Sammy doesn't hate the guy, but he wishes he could live in peace without worrying about getting his head caved in.

Along Henry's journey, he would meet with Sammy, and the two would finally reunite after years apart. Together, along with the little devil, Drew, they would continue deeper into the studio.

Personality:

Sammy has always been a bit of an oddball. Though he can easily put himself into "work mode" and get lost in his music, Sammy is most natural being completely and unapologetically himself. Some would label him an eccentric artist, others would say he's flat out crazy, but his friends would say he's just Sammy. At his best, he's an optimistic buddy, always doing his best to lift others spirits and keep people moving. A playful, high spirited individual. At his worst, Sammy is scattered, quickly falling into anxiety and paranoia, ignoring personal issues in favor of lifting those around him, those he deems "more important" than himself. The corruption he suffered did irreparable damage to his psyche, and while he's still sane, he's no longer the same man he used to be, and likely never will be.

Associated music:

The Mind Electric by Miracle Musical (shortened version)

Centipede Legs by LuLuYam

Uncanny by Ghost and Pals

My Eternity by Vane Lily

Ramalama (Bang Bang) by Roisin Murphy

New God by Moon Walker

Next up: The Rebel

[biginkyboyo]

Henry Stein

"You aren't given peace just because you want it, you have to fight for it. You can take the easy way...but it won't last. Happiness has to be fought for."

Background:

Henry grew up alongside Joey Drew as close childhood friends, together the both of them would open Joey Drew Studios and begin working on the Bendy cartoon. Though Henry didn't see himself in the animation industry forever, he happily went along with Joey's dream, knowing how important it is to him. While the studio was named after Joey Drew, Henry was the one who really helped shape it. He invited Sammy Lawrence to be the resident music director, advocated for giving anyone willing to work a good job, making sure episodes came out on time, and of course being head of the animation department. Most of the characters in the show were created by Henry, with very few exceptions, but he adored each and every one of them like his own children.

But, as the studio grew more stable without his constant work, Henry would eventually leave animation behind to follow in his fathers footsteps, taking up detective work in the hopes of helping others less fortunate then himself. Though he did love his job, helping those in need, he would eventually grow tired and leave behind the dream he always wanted. He held up odd jobs to get by, keeping in contact with his old pals from his time in the studio, but would slowly drift away as the years dragged on. 30 years later, he would receive a letter from Joey Drew, asking him to come back to the studio so they could finally close it down for good. Henry went, only to feed his curiosity. After all, Joey Drew went missing almost 15 years ago.

His story in Cyanide takes him through the familiar studio he helped create, his second home, and how it's been twisted into something near unrecognizable. He's pushed to go deeper into this inky hell in search of answers, and his old friends. The most important person he will meet in his journey is the little devil child, a nameless entity who is the centerpiece of a Cult known as "the Herd". Henry would meet the small child, and name him "Drew", and grow particularly fond of the little one.

Personality:

Henry is justice oriented, ever the extroverted optimist, he does his best to keep everyones best interests at heart, a true believer in "no one left behind". Henry is charming, friendly, a good man who tries to see the best in a bad situation, it's just how he was raised. At his best, he's a kind fatherly figure to those around him, always supportive and wanting to help solve everyone's problems, though ignoring his own. At his worst, he can be stubborn and dismissive, ignoring the small things and letting them pile up until he's drowning in problems (i.e. focusing on the big inky abomination in front of him and not taking into account the growing number of smaller monsters coming to bite his ankles)

Associated music:

My Alcoholic Friends by The Dresden Dolls

Labyrinth by Miracle Musical

Underground by Tom Waits

Epoch by TLT

Turn off the lights by P!ATD

Like the Wind/Subways of your Mind by FEX

Next up: The Original Demon

[biginkyboyo]

(This'll be an extra long post, strap in folks)

Wally Franks

"I did everything I could to get outta this damn place! I took care of my ma, I had my siblings, I had a LIFE DAMMIT! And I still end up back in this shithole!"

Background:

Wally was hired at just 16 to be the studio janitor, and he hated it. Not because it was (admittedly quite well paying) manual labor, but because he had to take orders now. But, he always found ways to skimp on his work. The only thing Wally ever worked hard for was his mother. Ever the Mama's boy, she's the only reason Wally ever got a job, so he could help his family out of any financial pickle they'd find themselves in, and it was quite often. A single mom taking care of ten kids in the slums, they didn't have it good, but they had each other.

Wally didn't want to come back. Not for anything, but he was offered the money to hopefully cover his mom's ever growing hospital bills if he took up a simple job of cleaning up the ol studio before it was closed for good. He didn't understand Mr. Drew or his...stranger tendencies, but he couldn't waste the one chance he had to help his mom. He didn't last a day in the hellscape he walked into.

Reborn as a wolf, Wally was stripped of any resemblance to the human he used to be, mixed with his sharper sense of smell and hearing, he immediately assumed this must be hell. Regardless, he fought tooth and nail through the studio with nothing but a baseball bat and sheer will alone.

The only respite he got for a long time was in the company of the one and only Boris. The two never go anywhere without the other, Wally has taken to protecting the sheepish wolf like his own little brother, and will do anything to keep him and Boris safe from anything that may happen.

Personality:

Ask anyone around the studio and they'd tell you that Wally is a cocky, know-it-all brat, and he'll happily agree! A wise cracking kid from the Bronx, and a lover of all things baseball, he made sure everyone knew who he was and that he wasn't going anywhere. At his best, Wally is quick-witted, rebellious, always playing the underdog and fighting against anyone who sticks their nose in his, or any one else's, business. At his worst, though, he's an irritating, whiny kid who's stubborn as a mule. Granted, he grew out of his whining as an adult, but traded it out for an almost endless waterfall of sass. Catch him on a bad day and he'll run you outta here.

Associated music:

Hit the Road Jack by Ray Charles (Wolfgang Lohr remix personally)

Dumb Dumb by Mazie

Turn the Lights off by TallyHall

Die Anywhere Else (cover by Penny Parker)

The Faulty Feline Philosophy by Ferry

Two Times Martyred by Burn the Ballroom

Boris the Hellhound

"..."

Background:

The second cartoon character made for the show, and Henry's first creation, Boris was originally a less anthropomorphic wolf. His very first iteration was based on Henry's own family hound, a big lazy dog who didn't listen to anybody. Eventually, Henry would refine the idea, turn Boris into a Hellhound to fit with Bendy, and soon enough the loveable layabout was born! Being the only toon to lack a voice, Boris was animated primarily through body language and gestures, and very rarely made any noise outside of actual dog noises!

In the show, Boris was Bendy's best pal down in Hell. When Bendy went up to the surface to live life outside of his dad's control, Boris followed right by his side! He even met a lovely lady, Lily Lamb, just the sweetest sheep around! Life was perfect.

But cold reality sunk in when the machine was implemented, and Boris was brought to life. In a three dimensional space, with no idea where to go or what to do, the poor wolf wandered aimlessly, in search of Bendy, Lily, or anyone who could help him out. But he only found monsters. Not just the inky beasts that crawl their way through the studio, but the people who would tear him apart for whatever sick purpose they had. Every clone born, every iteration suffered, it was an endless cycle.

The only respite he ever got was when he was found by Wally, and taken in. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Boris felt like he could finally relax with Wally always right there beside him. Though he misses his cartoon friends dearly, he'll do whatever he can to help Wally now.

Personality:

Boris has always been a lazy, cowardly goofball! It's impossible to separate him from his silly nature, and that's what made him so entertaining on the screen. A good natured wolf at heart, he means well, even if his antics can cause a good deal of chaos! But anyone can tell you, when he buckles down, Boris can put a stop to just about anything! At his best he's kind, generous, a good dog! Loyal and loving, truly a Demon's best friend. But at his worst, Boris is impossible to work with. Cowardice turns to outright terror and he locks up, unable to do much else but cower in fear. He's got the skills to fight, but he's not a violent hellhound, and just the thought makes him shiver in fear! The poor dog needs a little help sometimes.

Associated music:

Monkey Rag by Asylum Street Spankers

Freaking Out by Mystery Skulls

We All Have Fears by The Cog is Dead

Alone In The Darkness by SIAMES

Stuff is Way by They Might Be Giants

Laughtrack by Vane Lily

Next up: The Unwilling Angel

[biginkyboyo]

Time to vanish for a while to get character art finalized! Here's some sneaky peaks though...just for funsies :3

(honestly debated on posting the full images immediately, but I'd like to get a bulk done before that..not that I think people are waiting with baited breath lol)

[biginkyboyo]

"Run, run, run as fast as you can!"

Norman and Grant don't have the....best friendship anymore, let's say :]

[biginkyboyo]

Norman: I hate the guy. He comes barging in demanding I keep running the film so he can "write his music"! What a joke, the guy's just wasting BOTH our time! Sometimes I wonder what the hell's going through his head, damn weirdo.

Sammy: bro I'm cooking so fucking hard rn holy shit

[biginkyboyo]

Susie Campbell

“Look around. Do you think I like being here? I don't choose to work for a psychopath! Unlike some people, I don't get a choice!”

Background:

Susie applied for the role of voice actress at Joey Drew Studios, but narrowly missed being hired. To her luck, though, Henry advocated for her, and she was hired as the studio's first actress. Though she never cared much for the theatrical, her parents urged her into the acting world, what with her natural talent with her voice. Susie adored her job, regardless, especially voicing Alice Angel. She felt a connection to her character, and always slipped into the voice so seamlessly, as if she were born to be the lovely angel of the silver screen. But in a tragic twist, Susie would be demoted from her role and relegated to doing backup vocals for Allison Pendle, one of the newer actresses Joey hired. Not long after, she was fired altogether after confronting Mr. Drew on his clearly malicious actions. She quietly packed her things and left that same day, just as Henry did only a few years earlier.

Though she vowed to never return, she ultimately would after the studio's closing and was lost to the ink, and reborn. Terrified and delirious, she wandered the dilapidated floors of the old building for weeks before she was discovered by Grant Cohen during his so-called “field work”, and convinced her to come with him. He would introduce her to the Heavenly Gospel, a growing religious congregation that worships the fallen angel, aptly named Angel, a corrupted Alice Angel iteration. Angel grew immediately attached to Susie, delighted to meet the woman who brought Alice to life, and demanded she stay. Demanded she look like Alice, too.

Susie was subject to countless surgeries and experiments at Grant's hands, turning her into an “angel”. Sewed on wings made of cloth and ink, a halo that stuck out of her skull on stilts and two horns. Her body was changed, leaving Susie feeling like a stranger in her own skin, dreading to see what else Grant has done to her that she just hasn't discovered yet. Her only solace in the Heavenly Gospel is her “brother”, Gabriel. Another of Grant's experiments on a worshipper, a kind man who can be…volatile. He's the only person who Susie feels is genuine.

Personality:

Spunky, loud and competitive, Susie is very aware that she commands people's attention and she loves it. A good sense of humor and a charismatic personality, she keeps the conversation moving, and the spirits high, so long as she's able to keep it together herself. At her best, Susie’s ambitious, energetic, she lifts people's spirits with charming quips and an unmeasured level of confidence. At her worst, she's incredibly self conscious, unsure of herself and constantly questioning her actions and whether she could've made a better decision. Losing herself in her head over small things and freaking out at every little noise, feeling as worthless as she fears she is. She tends to seek other's help to ground herself, so she doesn't end up flying off the handle.

Associated music:

Feast Your Eyes by Kian

Deathbody by Ghost and Pals

Lone Digger by Caravan Palace

Goodbye Mr A by The Hoosiers

Miss Jackson by P!ATD

Q.U.E.E.N. by Janelle Monae

Next up: The Messenger

[biginkyboyo]

For my BATIM au, I wanted to do some light redesigns for the canon Cartoons, as well as the ocs I've made! I felt sharing these would be a good "sacrificial post" before getting into the long waterfall of characters in the main story. Also, because I just really wanted to post something for 414 lmao

Madame Zalla and Sir A. Phem are the devilish parents of the little devil darling Bendy, Lily Lamb is the shy and sugary sweet partner to Boris, and the Boolian Gals are the deadly trio who always butt heads with the dastardly Butcher Gang.