The last thing Cordelia had expected after leaving Joey Drew Studios was that people would want to interview her about it. Sure, with all the controversy surrounding the studio, she'd expected people would have questions about what it was like to work there. But she hadn't expected reporters would want to hear her story. She'd just been a secretary, after all. Any funny business there might have been, and she did know there had been some, had happened behind closed doors.
Away from her.
But that didn't stop the occasional reporter from dropping by to ask her about the most outrageous rumors surrounding the studio. Most of the rumors surrounded Joey's supposed devil worship, which she supposed made sense given the subject matter of the cartoons and Joey's... questionable decisions.
That didn't make it any less frustrating, though.
"Ma'am, can you tell us if there's any truth to the rumors that Joey Drew summoned an actual demon into the studio?"
Cordelia resisted the urge to roll her eyes and slam the door in the latest reporter's face. Ever since the acquisition of the rights to Bendy by Archgate, the visits by reporters had become far more frequent as interest in Joey Drew had been reignited. And they all wanted to know the alleged demon that had been kept in the depths of the studio.
She forced a smile, hoping the reporter wouldn't notice the way she was gripping the door frame. "As I've said before, I wasn't privy to many of the things Mr. Drew did behind closed doors, but I'm quite sure that rumor is nothing but a hoax."
"You're sure you never saw anything like that at the studio?" The reporter asked with a frown.
"I hardly ever left the Music Department," Cordelia replied. "If Joey did summon a demon, I certainly wouldn't have had a chance to see it."
The reporter's frown deepened and he tucked away his notebook in his pocket. "Well... Thank you for your time, ma'am."
"You're very welcome. I'm so sorry I couldn't be of more help." Hopefully, he couldn't tell she was saying this through gritted teeth.
She closed the door as soon as he began walking away, letting her smile drop.
"Another reporter?" Roy asked from the kitchen.
"Another reporter," Cordelia confirmed, heading into the kitchen herself. "I still don't know why they expect me to know anything."
"You're one of the last major players left and the only one who'll tolerate their dumb questions," Roy said. He was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking some tea while he read the newspaper, as he often did in the mornings.
"Maybe I should just start yelling at them," Cordelia sighed, sitting down opposite them. "Although... They're just doing their jobs."
"They could do their jobs without being invasive nuisances writing up sensationalist drivel," Roy muttered darkly. "They could write an article about how bad the working conditions were or how badly Drew treated you all, but no. It's always about the devil worship." He paused, folding up his paper. "You know, I could just lie to them," he said with a mischievous smile. "Tell them some outrageous story to get them to stop asking."
"If you did that, then there would just be more people coming to ask about your lie," Cordelia replied, reaching over the table to gently swat his shoulder. "So no, we're not doing that." Still, she was smiling at his joke.
Roy let out a little chuckle, putting his hands up. "Alright, fair enough. Still, though." His smile dropped. "Why don't you ever talk about how badly he treated all of you? He was an awful boss."
Cordelia's own smile dropped and she leaned back in her chair. "It doesn't feel worth it," she said quietly.
"So you'd rather they ask you about ridiculous demon hoaxes instead of the real damage he did?" Roy raised an eyebrow.
Cordelia nodded, staring at her lap. "The truth isn't as entertaining as the hoaxes. And besides..." She laughed weakly. "I'd probably get sued out of existence for tarnishing Joey's legacy."
"Ugh... You're right..." Roy groaned, leaning back in his chair as well. "Still doesn't seem fair, though."
"Nothing involving Joey is ever fair," Cordelia said. She paused for a moment, then sighed. "...Let's talk about something else, okay?"
"Sounds good to me." Roy allowed himself a little. "What do you want to talk about?"
Cordelia smiled slightly, the tension lifting from her shoulders as she began to talk about the plans she had for the coming week. For the moment, the shadow of Joey Drew's legacy had been dispelled once more. But it would be back eventually. It always was.
The wedding of Mister Henry stein and Miss Charlotte Walters (henry x Charlotte) Part two! cordelia and roy bell Belong to my freind, @queenofcats17 It was time for the photos. The photographer walked up to the altar to photograph the newlyweds. Henry and Charlotte moved closer to each other and Charlotte hooked her arm around Henry’s arm. The photographer held the camera. Henry and Charlotte smiled as the photographer took the photo. Everyone cheered as Henry lifted Charlotte off her feet and started to carry her bridal style down the altar. Charlotte giggled as she wrapped her arms around Henry and kissed him on the cheek, Henry blushed and laughed, kissing her on the cheek back. Henry carried his bride down the aisle hallway down the aisle, Henry put Charlotte down and they walked down the aisle holding hands. A few minutes after the photography of Henry and Charlotte’s family, it was time for the wedding reception. It's at Henry’s grandmother's Victorian shingle house that his grandmother moved in in 1907 when he was a baby and his family immigrated from El Salvador to America. As Henry and Charlotte walked out of the chapel Their friends and relatives threw confetti at them and cheered. Henry and Charlotte laughed as they made their way to Henry’s automobile, Henry got in the driver's seat and Charlotte got in the passenger seat. Henry turned to Charlotte with a loving look. “ ready darling?” Henry asked. “ Oh, I almost forgot, “ Charlotte said as she threw the bouquet in the air, the bridesmaids squealed and threw their hands up but Cordelia bell caught it. Cordelia looked at Anthony Carter, who blushed when he saw her holding the bouquet in her hands. Cordelia blushed and buried her face in the flowers. Henry and Charlotte laughed and smiled lovingly before driving off to their wedding reception party, everyone got there before Henry, Charlotte, the bridesmaids, the groomsmen and the maid of honor and the best man, Allison Pendle and Thomas connor could get their first. Anthony Carter was the person who is now announcing the arrival of the bride and groom and their relatives and the maid of honor and best man Allison pendle and Thomas Connor,he then spoke again. “ And now everyone stand up and give it up for the bride and groom! Mister Henry and misses Charlotte stein!” Anthony announced out loud as Henry and Charlotte walked into the Victorian house for their wedding reception with smiles on their faces. During dinner everyone was talking, eating, drinking, and laughing. Henry and Charlotte took a sip of wine from their wine glasses and they both looked at each other lovingly. Henry took Charlotte's Hands and nuzzled against Charlotte's cheek lovingly as she nuzzled back lovingly and smiled giving His hands a loving squeeze. Cordelia bell smiled “ they both look so sweet with each other, “ Cordelia said quietly. “ no kidding.” Roy bell replied as he took a sip of his wine glass, Henry then stood up and clinked his fork against his wine glass. “ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, may I ask you to rise and join us for our speeches,” Henry said as he sat back down and turned to look at Charlotte lovingly with a warm smile on his face, Charlotte gave the same loving expression, Henry and Charlotte cried tears of joy after hearing everyone's speeches, after that , Henry began to say his speech in Praise of His new angelic wife. After Henry’s speech it was time to cut the cake. Henry whispered something in Anthony’s ear and Anthony walked up to the microphone stand to announce the cutting of the cake . “ ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, now comes the time of cutting into this extravagant cake that was purchased from Antonio and Maria's baked goods, So You’ll all like to see Mister Henry and Misses Charlotte stein walk around to the front of this fancy table to perform their first duty as husband and wife,” anthony announced out loud, gesturing his hand to the right. Henry and Charlotte smiled as the Newlyweds walked over to a table with a maroon tablecloth with a white cake
with blue and white floral designs, and the wedding topper was a small white vase with blue and white salvia flowers inside, Charlotte smiled as she picked up the knife by the handle and Henry stood behind her and places his right hand on Charlotte’s right hand that held the knife's handle.
Charlotte and Henry slowly and carefully cut into cake until a slice was made.
The cake flavour was vanilla, Henry picks up the server and slowly wiggles the piece out while Charlotte slowly guides the piece onto the plate. Charlotte and Henry picked up the plate and their forks. They scooped tiny pieces with their forks. They fed each other cake at the same time, it was delicious, Charlotte giggled and smiled,
“ My darling this cake is as sweet as you,” Henry said lovingly, gazing into Charlotte’s amber yellow eyes. Charlotte blushed and giggled
“ awwwww!~ Henry you’re such a sweetheart” Charlotte exclaimed happily.
Henry smiled and gently held Charlotte's chin up with his hand and thumb and gazed lovingly into her eyes.
“ our future will be perfect my angel, I'll make sure of it, no one will ever keep us apart “
Henry said lovingly to Charlotte.
Charlotte smiled at Henry and wrapped her arms around Henry and kissed him tenderly on lips, Henry kissed back pulling her in close by wrapping his arms around his waist, everyone in the room awed at the sight of Henry and Charlotte kissing.They pulled away and smiled at each other then Charlotte picked up the plate with their pwife of cake and reached for Henry’s hand. Henry took Charlotte’s hand and gave it a loving squeeze as he led Charlotte back to their table. The bakery owner who is one of Henry's friends, was there at the wedding reception to cut the cake for the guests.
“ all right everyone as Mario is cutting the cake, Sammy Lawrence and the musicians will play us some music until the cake is fully cut.” Anthony said through the microphone. Cordelia walked up to Anthony.
“ excuse me Anthony. Could you dance with me?” Cordelia asked. Anthony and smiled.
“ of course a radio host must have a little fun, right?” Anthony said as he hooked arms with cordelia. Cordelia blushed and quietly squealed as Anthony took her to the dance hall that was in a separate room. After everyone had a slice of cake, another dance was in the dance hall but this time it had Henry and Charlotte as the main attraction, the two spun and twirled, laughing and giggling and giving each other loving looks. After receiving gifts from friend’s from the studio and relatives, Henry looked at Charlotte lovingly and pulled out a small white box tied with an indigo from his suit pocket and handed it to charlotte. “ Charlotte took the box and she removed the ribbon and inside was a locket with A photo of Henry and Charlotte when they were children
“ oh Henry, this is lovely. thank you so much, I love it. But I love you more.” Charlotte said lovingly, kissing Henry on the cheek. Henry blushed and smiled.
Charlotte then pulled out a black box tied with a
white ribbon and handed it to Henry, Henry took the box from Charlotte and carefully opened it, inside were fountain pens.
“ oh Charlotte thank you so much i needed new pens and you got me my favorite kind.” Henry exclaimed happily, leaning in to kiss Charlotte on the cheek. Charlotte giggled. After the wedding reception everyone bid Charlotte and Henry farewells as they packed their luggage in Henry’s automobile, they were heading off to New Orleans for their three day honeymoon.
“ i love you so much darling,” Charlotte said lovingly as she got in.
“ I love you too angel face.” Henry replied lovingly,
I was watching a lot of Sun And Moon Show clips and was struck with the desire to draw the Bell siblings as the Daycare Boys
As for backstory...
I think Roy was the original Daycare Attendant. He played both the Sun and Moon roles, switching personas based on the job he needed to do. Bright and bouncy and energetic for normal daycare activities and more subdued and gentle for naptime.
He did fine for a while, but over time it became clear that he was struggling to handle all his responsibilities on his own. One wouldn't have thought a robot would get fatigued, but Roy seemed to be getting exhausted. So, Cordelia was brought in to take over naptime activities to take some of the pressure off of Roy.
The two of them quickly grew close and adopted each other as siblings. And, once again, things were fine for a while. They developed an incredibly effective system, splitting responsibilities and picking up slack in the areas where the other was lacking.
Then there was an accident. One that left Roy incredibly damaged. A play structure that hadn't been properly maintained fell, and Roy was crushed while pushing a child out of the way of the danger. The company was just going to scrap him, but Cordelia threw an enormous fit and refused to continue working if her "brother" was decommissioned. No amount of controlled shocks or attempted reprogramming would deter her. The company ended up deciding it was cheaper to just fix Roy rather than scrapping both of them.
So, Roy was fixed. However, his personality had completely changed as a result of the accident and the terror he'd experienced when it had seemed he was going to be decommissioned. Which meant he was transitioned into being the Naptime attendant, while Cordelia took over the Sun role. Roy still took care of the more logistical side of the daycare, planning activities and ordering supplies, but Cordelia took over caring for the children far more.
In this case, I think Cordelia would be the one infected with the virus. The company cut corners when fixing Roy, so he's more limited in what he can do. So, of the two, Cordelia is the better choice for a virus carrier.
As she was, combined with the power of the Reel and having taken the role of the big bad, the Prophetess was proving even more formidable than the Ink Demon.
She batted away every attack they threw at her, laughing maniacally as she threw their forces about like ragdolls. The Ink Demon himself was holding his own, but it was clear he was struggling due to deliberately trying not to hurt anyone.
“We can’t keep this up,” Henry said as he ducked behind one of the barricades they’d set up.
Sammy and Susie were behind this specific barricade as well, Susie trying to calm Sammy down from a panic attack.
“Yeah, no kidding,” Tom growled as he was backed up against another barricade by a Lost One. “We’re getting slaughtered.”
“If this keeps up, she might end up sending all of us back to the puddles,” Allison said, parrying an attack from another Lost One.
Susie looked up from comforting Sammy, fear painted plainly across her features. “What are we going to do?” She asked. Her voice sounded so small, so scared.
Henry chewed on his lip, glancing over the barricade at the battlefield. What were they going to do? They couldn’t beat her like this.
“Sammy, what might be able to calm her down?” He asked, turning his attention to Sammy.
“I...I don’t know,” Sammy mumbled, shaking his head. “Maybe her brother? B-But we can’t just get him here. Not like this.”
Henry was silent for a moment. “Maybe we could...” He said slowly, a smile tugging at his lips.
“Henry, what do you mean?” Susie, of course, was immediately concerned by this. “What are you talking about? What are you about to do?”
“I’m about to bring Cordelia’s brother here,” Henry announced before taking off toward the large Ink Machine.
“Henry! Get back here!” Susie yelled, jumping up. “You’re going to get yourself hurt!”
“I’ll be fine!” Henry called back. “Just keep fighting!”
Susie watched him weave through the fighting, darting past where the Prophetess and the Ink Demon were clashing and entering the Ink Machine.
“We need to trust him,” Sammy said, gently pulling her down behind the barricade again. “He can do this.” He gave her what he probably hoped what a comforting smile and squeezed her hand.
“I hope you’re right...” Susie squeezed his hand back.
It was a few minutes before anything happened, although those minutes dragged on for what felt like hours. Allison and Tom tried to push back the wave of Lost Ones loyal to Cordelia, while Sammy and Susie tried to provide support as best they could. Despite their ink-based bodies, they were all starting to feel fatigued. All of them except Cordelia.
Suddenly, the Ink Machine began to shake, the attention of the fighters immediately going to it. Steam came out of the vents, and ink poured out of the nozzle. Only, it wasn’t the usual black ink. It was gold. Golden glowing ink spread through the inky lake surrounding the machine.
Everyone close to the lake scrambled back, afraid of what might happen if they were touched by the golden ink. Everyone but Cordelia, who stood on top of her inky hand and watched the golden ink.
“So, this is your plan, is it, Henry?” She asked derisively. “You’re going to destroy me with this?”
“Not destroy,” Henry replied breathlessly, appearing from the entrance of the machine. “I’m bringing you someone I think you’ll be happy to see.”
A figure stepped out of the golden ink, shining and beautiful and oh so familiar.
Cordelia turned, face contorting in a snarl at the prospect of some half-hearted construct cooked up by Henry to sway her with sentiment. But when she saw who it was that had stepped forth, the snarl vanished, and for the first time in a long time, her eyes were uncovered, the whites no longer blackened.
“….Roy?”
The golden visage of Roy Bell, complete with his scar, his signature boater hat, and his cane, stared down at his sister, his expression so full of concern and disappointment that it hurt. “You need to stop, Dee.”
For a moment it seemed like Cordelia would stop, but her expression quickly darkened and she shook her head, looking away. “No! You’re not real!” She screamed.
“Yeah? And? Neither are you.” Roy folded his arms, expression shifting to one of slight irritation. “Neither is anything else in this studio. None of it’s real. It’s all just one big story.”
“Then you’re some trick by Joey or Henry!” Inky hands rose from the puddles around her, shooting for Roy. But they disintegrated before they could even touch him, destroyed by the golden light.
“If Joey had made me, I’d be turning on the charm right about now, telling you to let him go. But I’m not going to do that.” Roy began to walk toward her, which only made Cordelia move away.
“Then what are you going to do?” She growled.
Roy stopped just short of her. “I’m going to tell you to stop this stupid fight. These people,” he gestured back to Henry’s group. “Are not your enemies. They want out just as much as you do.”
“He stuck his foot in his mouth,” Roy corrected. “Like he always does. And he should definitely apologize for it. But I doubt he was trying to hurt you. At least this time.”
Cordelia seemed to falter.
“Let them help you,” Roy continued. “You can all rewrite this story together.”
Cordelia was silent, turning her gaze away from him. As she hesitated, Roy reached out and took her face in his hands, rubbing his thumb over her cheek.
“You must be so tired, Dee,” he whispered. His expression was tired and tender. "You can stop fighting now."
Cordelia’s lip quivered, golden tears welling up in her eyes. She threw herself into her brother’s arms, starting to apologize through sobs that shook her whole body. Roy smiled softly, wrapping his arms around her and gently stroking her hair.
“That’s right,” he murmured. “Let it out. It’s okay.”
As he held her, her demonic features began to slough off of her, her body shedding more and more ink until she looked almost normal again. As normal as she could look while still being an ink creature.
Around the two of them, the fighting had stopped, all eyes now on the siblings. The Lost Ones had dropped their weapons. The Ink Demon stood with his arms drawn up to his chest, looking like a hopeful and expectant child.
“Is it...over?” Allison asked softly, tentatively lowering her sword.
Tom put an arm around her waist, pulling her close. “Yeah, I think it’s over.”
In Roy’s mind, his sister was the sort of person to be dependent on people, not the one who was depended on. That was what she’d been like when they’d been children and he’d spent the most time with her, and that was the version of her that crystalized in his mind. A scared, shy little girl who was constantly clinging to others.
However, he found that his perception of her was no longer accurate when he returned home after his accident.
Suddenly, his sister was taking care of him, helping with the cooking and cleaning, and running errands. She seemed so...independent. So much more confident than she’d been before.
“When did you become so independent?” He asked one day when Cordelia was in his room cleaning the windows.
Cordelia paused, considering the question. “I think it happened slowly,” she finally answered. “The more you pulled away from Mom and Dad, the more I stepped in to pick up the slack.”
“Oh.” Roy drew into himself, feeling guilt beginning to weigh on his heart. He’d known logically that he hadn’t been a good son the past few years, but being confronted with proof of all the responsibilities he’d cast aside still hurt a great deal.
“Hey. No.” Cordelia put down her cleaning supplies to gently slap Roy’s shoulder. “No self-pity. What’s done is done. No use dwelling on it.”
Roy couldn’t help but smile. “You sound like Mom.”
“She is starting to take after her mother,” their father’s voice came from the kitchen. “You should have heard her when the pharmacist tried to overcharge her for my medicine. She really gave him what for.”
“Dad! Don’t bring that up! It was so embarrassing!” Cordelia went bright red, running to the door.
George laughed. “Sorry, sweetheart. I just thought it was impressive.”
Cordelia grumbled a bit, turning back to Roy, who had the biggest grin on his face.
“Sooo. You told the pharmacist what for, huh?” He asked.
She rolled her eyes, gently shoving his shoulder. “Shut up, Roy.”
With this newly updated perception of her, Roy hadn’t been too surprised when he’d learned about what Cordelia did at Joey Drew Studios. She’d become the sort of person people relied on, after all. A dependable, responsible woman who would pick up whatever slack others left. He was so proud of her.
Years later, in the depths of the derelict studio in Joey’s storyboards, that dependency would be inverted once more as the Acolyte dutifully followed her Prophet.
But Roy never learned of this. Nor would he have wanted to.
