Flipping between Holly's Journal and the main story means sometimes I read the exact same thing twice but in different flavors. You'd think this would make me bored but surprisingly it doesn't
Anyway Inky Mystery Chapters 81-83
Not sitting here. On a cot. Have a male nurse wrapping bandages around his chest after spreading a burn cream over his side. No. This wasn’t his idea of a good time.
Sir
You got burned, get your mind outta the freaking gutter!!!
They went to find the Cupbros. Cup was having his eye examined. The hot bunny, sadly, wasn’t there.
Bendy you already tried with the hot bunny, the hot bunny is married, remember Bendy? Man someone needs to get this guy checked he has the WORST memory, and that's saying a lot coming from me
Cuphead narrow his one uncovered. “You can go jump off a plank, Bendy.” He frowned. Bendy laughed.
“Why so grumpy?” Bendy asked.
“She took Jackpot. Something about taking the little fella home.” Cup...Was he pouting!
It's okay Cup, you end up with a pet that's just as prickly as you are named Lil Monster who barely tolerates you. People say that's what having a cat is like! That's gotta count!
Also I just know he's grumpy bc Jackpot got yoinked AND because he had to go to a hospital again
“She really is scary,” Boris admitted.
“And hot.” Bendy smirked. Cup scowled at him.
AU where Bendy didn't fall in love with Alice and kept getting the side eye from Cup when Bendy said shit like this
Mugs frowned. “They numbed me up, but I told them that I still hadn’t felt any pain. They couldn’t find anything wrong.”
Cup stepped up to Mugs. “You think something’s wrong?”
“Something’s weird, but I don’t think it’s bad.” Mugs shrugged away and started for the exit. “I just feel off.”
Am I remembering correctly or is this a result of the Cog?
Bendy squirmed at the tension between the two. They needed to talk about that elephant in the room.
I got some bad news for you Bendy. Cup really hates talking about elephants. We've been waiting like a hundred chapters for Cup to address a very specific one in the future. Actually I think this particular elephant goes unaddressed completely. It's nearly been a year for you guys. That's how bad Cup is at that.
After they got back to Granny’s and took care of that cog, Bendy was going to shove those two into a room and force them to talk before letting them out again.
Aaaand that never happened
Boris nodded. “Yeah, you saved me from that mugger!”
Cup sighed and shook his head like that wasn’t enough. Bendy frowned. Oh, now he and Cup would also need a talk after this.
Good luck on that getting answers out of him is like pulling teeth
“Look doc. These fellas went to the mountains and saved our skins three times over. We wouldn’t have survived without them. You got a problem with that, we’ll leave,” Bendy said. Xedo seemed taken aback by the claim, as did Mugs and Cup. Boris didn’t. He knew that Bendy didn’t leave friends out in the cold...and Bendy had to admit that somehow they had become friends. This was him practically admitting it.
You've been friends with them for maybe like. 2 days. Also is the rest of the house not your friends? They seriously stuck their necks out for you when you were being chased by the cops. I'm glad you stand up for your friends but you realize that it's more complicated then that, right?
Cup frowned. “Do you know who?” Bendy glanced up at him.
She looked back at him and scowled a little. “The Sykes brothers.”
“Oh golly! Those guys are bad news!” Mugs blinked. Cup sighed and rubbed the side of his head like he was getting a headache.
Holly treating this like "YOU KNOW WHO" and Cup going "Ugh, greeaaaat. Those headaches."
Bendy felt a chill go down his spine. Gee, what the hell had they been doing besides chasing him and Boris around? Did he even want to know? That was cold as hell.
No, but Idk maybe you do since your standing up for some guys you befriended a few days ago
“Ugh,” Cup groaned. “Forget it! We’ll just go.” Cup went to turn. Bendy grabbed his sleeve.
“Not so fast man,” Bendy said. “We’re talking this out.”
“Why? They won’t listen,” Cup shot back.
Bendy turned his head. He knew that feeling. It was Sillyvision, the streets, the orphanage, his childhood all over again. He gave Cup a bitter smile. “If they aren’t going to give you a chance after being a thug, they won’t give me one for being a demon.” Boris' ears dropped, his eyes widened. “If you leave, I do too.”
Oh that's what that comment was about. Bendy was having flashbacks. Poor phrasing, dude
“Look, I don’t fully understand everything going on here. I might not have a right to speak up since I am so new to this situation, but I went on a quest with you four. I saw you all risk your lives for each other. Regardless of your pasts,” Felix looked at Mugs and Cups
Ahahahaha. This bites him in the ass
“So?” Bendy looked at Cup and Mugs. “Cuphead, Mugman, you are the ones that wanted to be friends, you’re not going to be able to shake us so easy now.”
I hope so. I really, really hope so
Holly continued to stare at Cups, but now there was a string of just barely inaudible muttering coming from her mouth. It sounded like...questions? Cup and Mugs seemed to share a knowing look.
Cup and Mugs: Oh great. Another one
“Oh yeah!” Bendy dropped a fist into his open palm. “That’s right! We thought we were in that swamp temple for a night, but then it turned out to be several days later!”
Wait if time moves slower at the temples, then how much time has actually passed for areas around the parts? Was Cala actually there for almost 10 years or was it more like Idk, 3? How much does time skew depending on how long your in there?
“Gee, you get one piece only to lose the other,” Cup muttered with a frown.
HAHA. AHA.
Snowball landed on Mugman’s lapel.
Ah. So I'd be right to add a button up to Mugs's design?
“I made it,” Holly grumbled. She scooted around the table, moving nervously towards Cuphead.
“Yeah?” Cup asked. He lifted a hand to the little dandehog. Snowball chittered cheerfully, nibbling softly at his fingers. He scratched her head softly.
Holly: Oh god oh god Snowball is running around on the head of a murderer
Cuphead: Omg what's this cutie?
Mugs raised his brows. “You’re not getting it out?”
“Why should I?” Cup asked.
“Because you bit my head off when I had that squirrel in my head as a joke!” Mugs frowned.
“That was a filthy wild animal! This is a pet! That’s different!” Cup snapped. Said pet peeked her head over the rim of Cup’s hairline and gave Mugs a little white grin. Mugs frowned, seeming to disagree.
Favoritism
“So what? You’re saying it’s here?” Bendy frowned. The little critter tilted her like that was exactly what she was implying.
Cup and Mugs stood up. “Alright then, better start looking.”
“B-but how would it get here?” Xedo asked. “That doesn’t seem to make much sense.”
How unphased the Cbros are to these kinds of things will never stop being hilarious to me "Sure that makes plenty of sense to me. Alright"
Holly frowned. “Okay?” She opened her hands and the immediately the flying hedgehog leapt for Cups. This time she landed on his nose.
“Meep!” she greeted happily. Cup didn’t look pleased but also didn’t stop the fluffball. Snowball hopped up on his head and quickly dove into his hair again.
Cup don't act like you don't love Snowball, I know you do. You'd keep her if you could
Cup casually walked up the stairs. The dandehog squeaked, little paws up over the left side of Cup’s rim. Cup headed down that hall. Mugs followed like this was normal.
Probably is for them honestly. I mean asides having a small dandehog in his head
The last time Cup had gotten so many glares with pointed, individual reasons he had been a kid collecting contracts.
The last time you properly interacted with someone was-
Okay it wasn't while you were collecting contracts. I think
“Think someone will try something during the night?” Mugs asked, eyeing the door.
“I wouldn’t put it past them,” Cup grumbled.
Ya, Holly :D
She tries to follow you <3
“You’re still angry with me,” Mugs stated. Cup half turned to see Mugs sitting cross-legged on the other bed.
“What did you expect? You didn’t tell me you were hurt,” Cup said.
Mugs scowled. “Because I didn’t want to hold anyone back! And--” He cut himself off.
“And what?” Cup demanded coldly as he sat up.
“And I didn’t want you to blame yourself,” Mugman said, looking down.
OH HEY! THEY DO TALK ABOUT IT! Well yk not the blackout thing but that's something!
“You better cussing not! I won’t bring you with me if ya do!” Cup threatened. Mugs head came up, and his eyes widened. “I’m serious. I will leave you in town, and the questers and I will go finish up with the items. Don’t think I won’t!” Even if the thought left an empty pit in his stomach.
There has to be some kinda irony for how this kinda foreshadows Cuphead's stance on Boris coming with them to the Labyrinth
“They failed to blow up those female detectives,” Cup said. “And they burned down that fox’s apartment.”
Mugs whistled. “Awful.”
“Yep,” Cup agreed. The boss didn’t mind flashy things once in a while. Stars, he even preferred it sometimes, but not during a coverup. It only turned the pile of stardust into a cussing pile of moon rocks. Cup wouldn’t be surprised if the boss just ordered him and Mugs to finish them. This screw up was almost boarding legendary...But, it wasn’t like it was Pompeii or that library of Alex-something-or-other that Cup had heard rumors the boss had destroyed to cover his tracks. No, he wasn’t going to burn down Toon Town...yet. Cup hoped not, at least. He had a bad feeling that his and Mugs’ mission was one of the few reasons the boss hadn’t tried to. They were all on thin ice.
I HAVE HORRIFYINGLY FORGOTTEN THAT THE DEVIL HAS DONE THAT. WOW.
Cup lifted a hand and caught the little creature. The fluffball struggled a little, reaching for his hair. Cup huffed and brushed its odd, plant-like fluff to calm it down. Cup looked around. If this critter was here, that girl should be around too, right?
Why is Snowball so crazy about Cup? Is it cause his hair is magic?
He tickled Snowball’s belly, and the critter let a squeal of...glee? What was this distracting thing? Cup was tempted to simply walk away with it and see what other cute noises it would make. Sure, Mugs would be confused and try to remind him that the little fluff wasn’t his...but part of him really didn’t care.
Holly gave Snowball an incredulous look. She put a hand over her face and sighed.
“You weren’t trying to follow us by any chance, were you?” Cup asked with a smirk. He had to focus! Dangerous stuff this night! Life or death fight. Head in the game!
You wanna succumb to the dandehogs soooooo bad
She flinched, eyes going wide. He smiled at her. She was about as excited and bubbly as her pet underneath that reserve, wasn’t she?
You think she's sooooo cute [no he doesn't. Not at this point of the story. Or maybe he does, what do I know, I missed all the Runestraw signs up until it was spelled out for me]
“Uuuuh.” Mugs looked up at Holly with conflict. He looked like he wanted to be amused but was worried he would get in trouble.
The little demon in my head is whispering "what did Mugs aspects think of this" and I need them to hush. There are so. So many questions in Tap's askbox already
However I do think it's funny he was like "Should I laugh or like- What do I do here"
That wasn’t what bothered Cup. This was the world he was used to, after all. No, what disturbed him was the worry...and the anticipation. He was looking forward to getting back. Back to that house full of people that hated him. Back to those two annoying idiots who had treated them like friends. There was somewhere he wanted to get back to, soon. And that was...a little scary.
"A little scary" says the guy afraid of forming connections bc he thinks he'll make their lives worse
"A little scary" says the guy who spiralled about how attached he was and sat there like "Okay so maybe I should kill myself"
"A little scary" says the guy who crashed out about imagining a future with a girl he likes
Sure.
“Then we learned the commissioner was trying to pull a fast one on us,” Robert jumped in. “He was planning to nab us and make himself look like a real hero.”
Bill laughed. “He’s visiting the fishes now with his spiffy new shoes.”
Oh okay so the commissioner is gone. Good to know
“I’ll have to disappear for a while,” Ratigan said. “Basil, curse him to hell, has caught scent of me, and knowing that mouse, he won’t stop until he finds me. Once I have managed him, I’ll be back.”
Bill hummed. “That’s too bad. You were doing a fantastic job at that house.”
Ratigan shook his head. “It got too dangerous after we took that sample. Basil lives right next door, after all.”
Ahhh that's what happened with Ratigan. And the sample. So it wasn't the Reliqui
“Now, go if you want to live. And don’t ever look back.” Mr. Winky straightened and nodded before turning on his heel.
Rip Winky. He lived for like. A few more months
They walked away in silence for a few moments. A pair of cars passed them by. Cup noted their black color and tinted windows.
Trouble?
Hey if Winky is working for Darius, and JUST left does that mean that this is the Cercatori tailing them?
Then, there was a glimmer of joy that appeared before him. There, in the small tree he had left her, was Holly. She seemed to have fallen asleep. Her arms were folded, head hanging down, and the Puff was sleeping on her hair.
Cup couldn’t help but snicker.
Cup is a damn menace and shipping aside this is still one of my favorite moments. Again, sorry Holly, but this was funny
Cup felt a small twinge of regret but quickly smothered it. If she had seen anything from this night she would be in way more trouble than some numb legs and sore shoulders.
AND THEN YOU DID IT AGAIN LATER! MENACE!!!
She blinked owlishly. “Okay, that’s it. I’m getting down. You two are nuts.” She struggled. Mugs huffed and restrained her.
“Sorry, couldn’t hear you,” Mugs said, looking off to the side. Cup smirked. Mugs caught his look and tried to hide his only smile. Stars, they were so tired.
She threw her hands up in the air. “Well, I’m going to have to walk eventually! What do you think you’re going to do, carry me in through the back window?”
“Hey, there’s an idea,” Cup mocked. She glared at him. Mugs rolled his eyes and hid another smile.
I miss the Cupbros messing with Holly. Actually they still kinda do that. Win for me
“Is one of them a nice, sleek-looking black one?” Holly suddenly asked with an intense gaze. What the cuss?
Cup gave her a curious look. Who was she thinking of? “Black, yes. Sleek? I’ve seen better.” Did she know shady people? This marshmallow?
That marshmallow would've been dead bc of what she knew if you didn't come back with Bendy
Actually does Cup know how much she did with the mob before he showed up? That would explain A LOT if he doesn't. I'm now keeping an eye out for that conversation. I'm going to assume if I don't see it before the Circus that he does not
WAIT WAIT WAIT. I JUST REALIZED THIS MEANS THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT CARS. I have remembered and known about this part for so long and yet I'm only NOW realizing Cup saying "sleek? I've seen better" is them implying it's a different group. I thought this whole time that Cup was just being snarky
“No.” Mugs looked over his shoulder to give Cup an unamused glare. “She admitted that she had been spying on the mob.” Mugs looked at him meaningfully. Cup raised a brow. “She might have been the one to call in the Sykes.”
“Why? What makes you think she has any tie to that casino?” Cup narrowed his eye.
Okay so they suspect it at least. Man I never realized how much Holly tells people things. Thankfully, she. Hopefully didn't say anything to the wrong people, but still
They were so dead. If they were this attached now, how bad would it be after gathering the rest? Could Cup distance himself?
Could you do it? Maybe. Assuming you find a way to get Holly and Bendy to leave you alone. Not even mentioning how this would impact you verrrry badly
Bendy woke up and stretched. It seemed to be a cloudy day. Boris was already up and ready to go, of course. They went downstairs to chaos...again, of course. Any place that served food to the Warners was chaos. Add in their guardian, Dr. Scratchensniff, Finley and Sammy, their pals from Warnerburg, Dr. Boo, Granny who was finally up and about, Dr. Oddswell, Xedo and Wiston, that freaky bird-deer-thing that was sitting on his shoulder, Cuphead, Felix, Holly, and a couple of people Bendy didn’t know and the large place was finally starting to feel crowded.
I feel weirdly nostalgic about the house at this point of the story til Cat's Can't Dance. Idk.
Bendy looked over to see that the fennec fox was right. Cup was nursing a cup of joe like it was his firstborn. He had bags under his eyes, and his shoulders were hunched like he couldn’t bother to hold them up anymore. Snowball stuck her snout out of his hair with a gleeful ‘meep!’ Cup lifted a bit of toast, and the little animal snagged it and disappeared again.
... I kinda wanna draw that. Sigggh. I'll add it to the list.
Bendy sighed. That was fair. He had to remember that everyone here was their friends and only wanted what was best for them.
NO SHIT! Be nice to the house! I love the Cbros but you've only known those guys for like, 3 days!
Then, Bendy noticed someone else was missing. “Where’s Red?” he asked.
He noticed Granny’s smile and a number of others disappear. “She went on a little vacation,” Granny told him. “She needed some time to herself.” Granny shot a glance at Cup.
REASONABLE HONESTLY. Actually I kinda hope we get more of Red and Cup interacting if only bc I want more of? A resolution? Ig? Between those two, after what Cuphead pulled
“I’m sorry, you don’t have to say anything if you don’t wish to, but it was a statement I found didn’t sit well with me yesterday,” Xedo said and adjusted his glasses. That was all swell and good, but the expectant look from the others at the table didn’t seem to agree with silent treatment.
Bendy sighed. “Well...it’s a bit hard to explain.”
Boris was suddenly beside him. “It wasn’t a bad thing! He was protecting us.”
OMG GUYS THEY'RE ASKING WHY BENDY RANDOMLY ACCUSED THEM OF BEING RACIST!!! THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT BENDY BEING A DEMON!
Man. They don't even realize how kinda fucked it was to randomly throw that in people's faces 😭😭
“So what? It was the Illness, right?” Finley shrugged.
“I haven’t ever heard of the Ink Illness doing that to someone,” Dr. Oddswell disagreed.
Honestly Cup hit the nail on the head when he saw it, it was demon stuff
“Huh, interesting,” Dr. Oddswell said, steepling his padded fingers together.
“Indeed.” Dr. Boo’s glasses flashed in the morning light. Mugs gulped and sunk into his scarf. Cup put a hand on his shoulder in a rather comforting way.
THE CBROS MEDICAL TRAUMA IS SHOWING 😭😭😭 Yk I never thought too hard of Mugman's side of that, asides him being uh. More protective of Cup at certain points, but not his own experiences of what that would've been
Bendy shrugged. “No clue man. Honestly, I thought it was a demon thing. But hey, maybe it’s a gear thing. What do I know? I don’t remember anything.”
Eyyy, Bendy got it right
Cuphead 🤝 Bendy
"Must've been a demon thing"
Felix crossed his arms. “We’ll have to do research. See what the gear's affects really are, and if there is a way to stop them.”
“I’m all for it, except let’s not make anyone a giant monster, deal?” Bendy asked.
I mean. Holly wasn't a giant monster. That's true
Finley grinned and shrugged. He leaned his chair back and folded his arms behind his head. The perfect image of relaxation. Uh-huh. Bendy shared a look with Cup. The guy was glancing at the fox with a flat deadpan that proved how much he believed that.
Lmao, I love how ppl see some dumb facade other ppl are doing and then usually look at Cuphead in response, who, almost always catches it
Felix got Cup, Mugs, and surprisingly Sammy to come with him to the university library and Sheba’s store to go find anything they could on the gear, the doll, Ink Illness, the Ink Machine or the Micco.
I think it's more surprising Felix got Cuphead to cooperate with any of that
“From the quest, I’m fine.” Bendy brushed it off.
“I’m starting to wonder ‘bout that,” Fin muttered. Tsk, like Bendy was going to explain it all over again.
Mean to Finley. Although tbf Finley has been kinda rude throughout this chapter
“Gee doc, what about patient confidentiality?” Fin muttered.
“You’re a subject, not a patient. You volunteered,” Dr. Oddswell countered.
“How long!” Bendy demanded.
“Only a couple weeks.” Finley frowned. “I’ve only had two attacks.”
“Does Sammy know?” Boris asked with wide puppy eyes.
Somehow forgot that Finley was keeping this a secret from everyone
“He is in the first stage, Wakko in the second and Bendy…” Dr. Oddswell turned to him with narrowed eyes. Bendy fought off the dread that threatened to twist his stomach. He’d come that far along? He didn’t even know the doc had stages assigned! Then again, he might have said something about it, but that had been months ago. He couldn’t remember. Anyway, to be at a point where the doc could give him a look like that. Maybe he did have a reason to have been worried on the mountain after that first one.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, we get the picture,” Bendy said quickly. “And this junk is going to help.” No reason to think about that junk.
And here we watch Bendy actively repress his emotions
“I appreciate your concern,” Bendy said slowly. “But Dr. Oddswell asked me for a reason. Things might be different between the stages, and I’m probably the toughest person he’s got. If I can give the others more time, or even just a little comfort, it’s worth the risk.”
She sighed and nodded, moving away.
“Bendy,” Boris whispered.
Au where Bendy kicked it here
Letting out a deep breath, she stepped back as she finished with him. “As we’ve said before, we’re not entirely sure what’s going to happen. So, please lay back and try to relax as much as possible.”
“Alright sweetie.” Fin smiled and laid back like he was king of the world. Bendy smirked and laid back.
“Do I get a kiss after, nurse?” Wakko winked.
Holly blinked but then shrugged. “Sure, if you want, Wakko.”
“What!” Finley barked.
Bendy snickered. “Now, hold on, I already asked her on a date, Wakko.”
LMAO. HOLLY. Having someone point out to be that Holly is a flirt has really opened my eyes bc ya she kinda is
“Alright, thank you Shakespeare.” Bendy rolled his eyes and laughed.
Finley grinned. “What? I’m a man of the theater. I have class.”
“I think you were putting it on a bit thick,” Bendy said.
Holly raised a brow at both of them. “I’m glad you both have a sense of humor,” she said wryly. “But if we could get back to the present?” She put a hand on her hip.
“Oh wait, I have one.” Wakko sat up. He cleared his throat.
“Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no; it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests, and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.”
Holly stared at him. She blinked several times. Then she pointed at Wakko. “That one wins.”
No notes this is just funny, Wakko's hilarious for that
Holly smiled but then shook her head at them. “It’s not like it would stay. Need only gives the illusion of what the possessor’s greatest necessity is.”
Thinking about that time Holly used the Need rune waaay later. One of my favorite Runestraw moments tbh
“No way, what you need is a starfallen vacation.” Finley pointed at him. “And a massage.”
“I’ve actually never had one of those,” Bendy admitted.
“Oh man, you have missed out in life!” Finley said. “We have to do something about that.”
“What’s a massage?” Boris asked meekly. His ears perked.
“Heaven Boris. All those tense muscles relax. You feel like a new person!” Finley told him. Boris tilted his head.
I hope the Bbros get a massage at some point
“And the Joy rune during your attack?” Oddswell asked.
Finley blinked and sipped a bit more water. “Hard to say. It wasn’t like it made the pain any less just…” He shook his head. “More bearable? I guess?”
Going into the theory I have that ink illness is triggered and worsened by intense emotions, what if the Joy rune was like giving someone something else to focus on? Like grounding yourself during a panic attack
Wakko blinked. “Sorry, I was going over my will again. What did you say?” Wakko grinned with his tongue out.
“Shush you.” Bendy frowned.
Wakko chuckled. “I’m not Yu, I’m Wakko, Yu is--”
“Don’t you even try that with me!” Bendy cut him off, which only caused him to laugh harder. Bendy glared. He was not going to ride that carousel of confusion ever again.
I love the Warners Little Shit energy
Holly nodded and activated the next one. Bendy didn’t really feel much. Maybe a little heavier, but that was about it. He glanced over at the doctor and nearly jumped. There were two of him. One trailed the other as he moved from one bed to the other.
“What do you feel?” The first asked.
“I feel really cussing confused.” Finley blinked. And blinked.
“What do you feel?” the second Oddswell stepped into the first and asked the same question. Bendy blinked.
Pov me when the edible hits in
I'm assuming if it delays then first Oddswell is the correct Oddswell??? Rather then second Oddswell. Idk why I thought at first second Oddswell would've been the correct Oddswell
“Reminds me of the fourth wall but with addition instead of multiplication.” Wakko shrugged.
“The what?” Dr. Oddswell said.
Wakko smirked. “My talent before it stopped. It was kinda like that.”
Pardon. What does that even mean? Addition instead of multiplication? Wakko what?
But this time, there was an awareness, not an out of body experience, but more of a clarity of mind. Even though he was screaming and writhing and suffering, he knew he was. He wasn’t lost in it like every other time. He was alive. There was terror and horror and pain, but it was also an attack. He had his brother here, and the doctor, Holly, Finley, and Wakko. He knew it. He could get through this. He would survive. That’s what he focused on. Through the gushes of ink, the pain and fear, he clung to the clarity that this was an attack, and he would get through it. That people that cared were around him.
Ya it looks like the Joy rune is kinda grounding them emotionally, which is what makes it easier
Dr. Oddswell frowned and looked at his clipboard. “I don’t think using the Courage rune is a good idea, Miss May. The side effects are very serious for the subjects. Exhaustion is a dangerous thing for them.”
Bendy's always exhausted
Finley sighed. “Fine. This is my last sacrifice for science...At least, for today.” The fox took the other beaker and threw it back like it was a shot. “Oh, wow. Okay.” He put it down and ran his tongue over his teeth. “Not bad,” Finley said.
“What do you feel?” Dr. Oddswell asked.
“Energized. Not like that spell, just like I had some good sleep.” Finley shrugged and smiled. “This one has my approval.” Bendy was finally able to sit up. “Hey pal, you should try this. I bet it would help.” Finley offered him the last beaker.
Guys he's a demon. Oddswell Idk if it's a good idea to give a demon something that rejuvenated an angel 😭
The doctor moved quickly. He was gone one moment and back a second later. He pressed something against his lips and tilted his head back. “Drink this, Bendy.”
Something bittered washed down his mouth. He nearly gagged before swallowing. “Holly, get that trash can.”
The next moment the can was shoved below his face. His stomach emptied almost instantly. He gagged on the horrible mix of sweet and bitter that invaded his mouth. Ugh. His poor breakfast. When he was done, the can disappeared. He was left shaken, just focusing on breathing. “Wh-what the cu-cuss was in that?” he sadly whimpered. Boris wrapped him in a tight hug. His spiked tail twisted around the both of them.
“Can he have some water?” Boris asked.
“I’m sorry, Bendy,” Oddswell said. “It was my miscalculation. I didn’t consider you being a demon as a factor.”
VERY BAD MISCALCULATION THERE
Oh well, Bendy lived, Ig. Honestly, no wonder Cup never interacts with Oddswell, all of that has to be offputting to the guy
Anyways I rewatched the Atlantis movie to see if there would be any extra lore and context relating to stars I could find and the answer is maybe? They're actually pretty vague about it in the movies, and ngl I actually wasn't focused on that aspect as much as I should've been bc the whole time while they were in Atlantis I was thinking "Oh they are going to have to pry Felix and Holly away from this city with a cussing crowbar." Like. Good luck guys but the moment you set them loose I don't think you're going to end up seeing them for the next solid 48 hours, at least. Also I now have an intense need to see Felix and Milo geeking out about languages desperately. Please please please have them actually genuinely go to Atlantis Felix and Holly deserve a treat they've been dealing with such a criminal lack of information about everything basically they deserve to frolic about in the remains of possibly the last working Micco city. Just, make sure you have some sort of way to track them-
I gotta ask again Cranium Cups if you and only you were in control of the ‘body’ for one day (24 hours)
What would you do?
Jared: Baseball game!!!
Gilead: Who would have thought?
Armstead: Just let’s each take a turn so we ACTUALLY answer the question.
Zed: So NOW we can answer.
Armstead: So that’s what Zed would do.
Zed: Oi!! HOLD ON! Cuss you! Fine! Fine! I would go to an animal shelter and volunteer for the day. Maybe a dance club into the evening and clean up the street in the night.
Red: Such a cussin’ goodie two-shoes.
Armstead: Red then.
Red: The cussin’ shooting range idiot. At least until they kick me out for breakin’ their weak walls. Then some work if we have any and if not maybe an alley boxin’ fight or cage match.
Zed: That’s illegal gamblin’.
Red: And? And when it’s late, I’ll go look for trouble and show them what real trouble looks like.
Armstead: Good stars above. Well, while you morons go off wastin’ time I’ll track down leads to Darius and Elba, reinforce our home base, investigate Alison’s background until I know what kind of cake she ate on her damn fifth birthday, and dig up every cussin’ scrap of information I can on starfallen SOUL BONDS!
Gilead: Ugh.
Armstead: Go on Gil.
Gilead: What’s there to ask? I’d gamble and drink the whole stupid thing away. It’s not like I can do anything worthwhile in a day. Hell, I’d probably just make it worse.
Jared: Awww, don’t be sad Gilead. There’s a ton of good you do. So, uh, should we ask Eldred?
All of them:….No.
Jared: Then I guess I’ll go.
Armtsead: You did.
Jared: I just named one thing! I got more! So a baseball game first. Playing one and watching a pro one. I’d spend a day with my friends having fun and goofing off with Mugs and the guys. And then when the sun goes down…I take Holly on a date.
For the Mind Mugs- can we hear each of your thoughts about the lovely Cala Maria? :3c
Roman: You were made for me, I was made for you,
Our souls entwined, a love destined to ensue.
In the cosmic design, our paths aligned,
Together we stand, a bond divine.
In the tapestry of fate, our threads are woven,
A love so profound, forever unbroken.
Through trials and triumphs, we find our way,
Destiny's stars, dancing in love's grand ballet.
For in the depths of time, it was foreseen,
Our hearts entangled, forever serene.
You were made for me, I was made for you,
A love story written, destined to be true.
~ Gregory Astara
Hartman: Well recited.
Reman: She really likes that one.
Hartman: Who wants to go next?
Norman: She’s a good fighter and dependable. I don’t have to go out of my way worrying about her.
Hartman: You still do though and we all want to protect her.
Norman: Of course but I trust her to protect herself too. She’s an equal if not better than me.
Hartman: Humble as always.
Norman: And you?
Hartman: Well she’s clever and subtle and can keep a secret. Her surprises are fun and brighten my day.
Reman: She just lights up when she sees us and it brings a warmth we rarely know. Protective, kind, thoughtful. She has the self assurance of royalty.
Aerman: And she’s silly! She always asks about the funniest things and is just amazed by new stuff. I love watching her sing and dance. She can be so carefree.
Roman: She is the sun and we are the moon only able to reflect a fraction of the light she sends us. I love you Cala Maria, my heart and soul is yours!
CHAPTER 411 JUST CAME OUT [at the time of reading this, it's prob like an hour later for the rest of you]
The room went quiet. Cup counted three breaths before Mugs spoke; his tone was extremely cautious. “That’s not possible.”
Cup laughed. “I know.” Holy cuss he sounded insane.
“You only have one soul.” Mugs stared at him like he had after Hat cussed him over with demon blood. Part fear and part worry, blended perfectly with wide eyes. An art piece of silent pain.
“I know.” Cup sighed. The pressure was at his throat, choking—strangling.
They are both going to have a panic attack, maybe Bendy SHOULD'VE been awake for this. Actually no he shouldn't, he doesn't know anything about them being debtors which is a whole other bag of worms
He sat up. He curled his fingers in front of himself like he could grab this feeling and stop it. “I know! I know I’m cussed! I know it doesn’t make any sunblazin’ sense! I know that I can’t be indebted and tied at the same time if they really are the same thing! Okay? Cussin’ okay! I know that if the boss found out, he’d prolly kill Bendy and me if he didn’t cussin’ dissect us first! I know that if Bendy found out, he’d be cussin’ devastated, and I won’t even be able to get into it all because that damn Eye warned us not to! I know how sunblazin’ close I am to our cussin’ secrets with this cuss up! Alright? I damn. Well. Get it!” Cup was barely stopping himself from yelling. Mugs looked shocked. Cup was trembling, even rattling a little.
Rattling is the most devastating thing to be introduced to this story if only bc it's whenever we see them actually freaked out
Anyway uh, here's the breakdown I was waiting to happen now I just need the Holly one
Cup pulled back and stood. Cuss. He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t cussing do this! He started pacing. “And I am so damn aware that all Bendy did was save my pathetic life, and now I might cuss him over with me for a whole damn situation he doesn’t even cussin’ know about, and I can’t tell him! Stars, I am such a scumbag!” Cup brought his hands to the sides of his head and clutched at his rim. His head was ringing. “And get this, Mugsy. She said we should make the bond permanent! That I am good for that stupid little pipsqueak! Can you cussin’ believe it? Me?” Cup laughed derisively. “I mean, how many sunblazin’ times have I almost gotten him killed? And me? I did die! What the cuss good am I?” He cackled.
Ow. Cuphead :( I mean we all knew he felt like this but man
“And hey, that’s something, right? That means this thing ain’t permanent, yeah? Maybe you can break it, or it’ll just fade on its own. Nothin’ ta worry about! Everything goes back ta normal, and we keep goin’ with the plan.”
Cup gave Mugs a look. Go back? What the cuss even was normal? Cup hadn’t cared about this thing before, but now it was different. Terribly different
I KNEW IT! This is just the chapter I feel like a lot of analysis/theories on what was up with Cup during all of this was confirmed, don't mind me
“I can’t break it. What if it triggers an ink attack? A bad one? Breakin’ it might stress his soul since this is a soul bond.” Cup took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. Hell, his own soul wasn’t in great condition either if he thought about it. Might just finally shatter. Hat had cussing warned them. Had that cusser known? Damn that slimy cussing hellspawn.
Iiiii didn't think of that. Eugh boy
“I didn’t cussin’ mind so much before I knew this damn thing was like a contract! I figured it was a bit annoyin’ but it was just a little weird magic. We’re used ta feelin’ weird magic. Hell! We are weird magic! It wasn’t supposed ta be big! A couple of feelin’s, a good alarm if somethin’ was goin’ wrong, and that was it! I was fine with that. Hell, it helped me keep an eye on the little cusser. I didn’t mind! I . . . I trusted him.” Cup’s shoulders fell.
Eating popcorn rn. Sorry Cup, I've been wanting to see you flip about this for a LOOOOONG time
“But it’s Bendy,” Mugs protested with a sad, confused look. “You know he wouldn’t. Never.”
“He already has.” Cup snapped back. “If that damn cat demon is right, he has some kinda hold on me!” Cup snarled.
I think this is an equal standing kinda thing bud, I don't think Bendy would be so heavily impacted by you if he just had a hold on you
His little brother wilted, shaking his head. “He won’t. It’s Bendy. He’d never force you ta do anythin’ you don’t want to.” Mugs assured gently. “Maybe you should talk ta him.”
I agree with this statement. I think this something you could still clarify to Bendy without telling him you sold your soul to the Devil
“You said you didn’t mind it until that cat woman compared it ta a contract, right? It can’t be that bad if ya didn’t really mind it until now, yeah? Is there any good that comes with it?” Mugs asked. “‘Cause let’s be honest, that doesn’t sound like a debt contract, and I wanna know. Is it really so horrible?”
Cuphead dropped his chin and thought. The good? What good? It was hard to think of anything as cussing good right now.
You literally had a good moment with it earlier that day. Don't lie to me
Mugs sighed. “You ever think the reason that cat demon said you’re good for him is ‘cause you and him have a lot in common? That maybe you are a good person for him to be around?”
“The hell you mean by that?” Cup crossed his arms.
“I mean that when he went off drinkin’ himself stupid, you hunted him down. When he’s about to jump inta somethin’ insane, you either talk him outta it or are right there with him.” Mugs tilted his head. “It’s not that Bendy pushes people away normally, but I think he’s so used to takin’ care of everythin’ himself that he doesn’t know when he needs ta open up to folks and ask for help. You’re not afraid to pry his troubles outta him.”
Cup didn’t respond to that. He thought about the conversations they’d had on the balconies when they were alone. The promise he made to Bendy if the worst happened. Stars above, he would do everything possible to prevent that.
Are we about to see Cup start to conceptualize he isn't just awful to everyone he's around? Because that's a huge step of character development
Mugs straightened, his expression troubled but curious. “You don’t actually think a bond with Bendy is as bad as a contract with the boss, do you? That’s stuff you said about your life bein’ pathetic . . . did you mean it?”
Cup dropped his head back with a sigh and looked up at the starless, cloudy night sky. “No. Not really. It’s the fact the boss will do somethin’ to us that’s cussin’ terrifyin’.” He didn’t really want to get into another fight with Mugs. His little brother, who wanted so much for their futures. He couldn’t muster the energy or will to fight that. He was already being enough of a pain.
Idk if Mugs wants to fight you on that I think he wants to know if his brother is suicidal or not and if he's okay, bud
“Well,” Mugs drew out the word, his voice reflecting uncertainty. He reached for a scarf he wasn’t wearing and dropped his hand to fiddle with his bandage instead. “If the bond can be broken, why not a contract?”
Cup narrowed his eyes. “What? And have collectors show up?”
Mugs shook his head. “Not like that. I mean, it’s just a thought, but like, if they really are similar, and you can break one, then why not the other? You only have one soul, right? You can’t sell it twice while under contract, but you have a bond. What if a permanent bond overrules the contract since that soul is tied to another demon? Not just owned but linked?” Mugs glanced up at him and back down again. “I mean, demons don’t cuss with other demons’ souls.”
Mugs is asking the real questions here, but hey Mugs what about you considering this would probably only break Cup's contract not yours. Hey buddy. Hey Mugs. Hey. Hey. Hey Mugs.
“But ya think it could work? That you might be able to break your contract with the bond? A loophole to the deal?” Mugs asked. He had that look in his eyes, the one where he wanted to test something. Figure out how it worked. It sent a shiver down Cuphead’s spine.
Oh, that's depressing. He's being triggered by his own brother
“Then we just gotta look into it.” Mugs smiled.
Cup glared at him. “You know you’re scary, right? I tell ya the worst news, and you’re cussin’ smilin’ at me.”
“If it works, I’m sure we can find a nice demon that would be willin’ ta help me out too.” Mugs tapped his chin.
Cup’s eyes grew huge. “Oi! Wait! Hold on! Don’t go all crazy on me! We ain’t bonding you to cuss all! No way!”
THAT IS A POOR SOLUTION TO MY QUESTION! MUGMAN!!! MUGSY! HEY BUDDY DON'T GO BONDING YOURSELF TO RANDOM DEMONS!
“I’d rather a bond than this contract, Cuppy.” Mugs nodded to himself like it was final.
“Mugs! You’re not listenin’ ta me!” Cup fumed. A wisp of steam even rose from his head.
“I think Imma hit the hay. It’s so late it’s early.” Mugs yawned and stretched his arms over his head. “You should think about it too.”
“You cusser!” Cup growled. He was doing this on purpose! He was pushing Cup out of his brooding with insane ideas, and worse, it was working!
Oh okay maybe false alarm. Hopefully false alarm. I forgot that Mugs just goes crazy whenever trying to cheer up Cup. Okay I didn't forget we just haven't seen it in a minute
He turned around to dress just in time to see Mugs clip the knight charm onto his handle. Cup raised a brow. Mugs caught the look. “I’m not gonna use it.”
“Hm-huh.” Cup hummed disbelievingly before going back to changing.
“Really!” Mugs protested. “It just looks good.”
Should. Should you be showing that off? Wasn't it established there's Knights around? And some randos suddenly have knight charms????
Despite the claim of little sleep, everyone seemed to be in brighter moods. Maybe it was the morning light on their faces, but no one was scowling, and no one was tense. That counted as a pretty good cussing morning for Cup. He sipped his coffee and hummed in appreciation.
He cares so much about them 🥺
I got sidetracked in the middle of reading bc my gf made breakfast during this section [ironically] and THEN Tap started revealing some things on her tumblr BUT I AM LOCKING IN. I WILL FINISH THIS. THIS CHAPTER IS GOOD.
“He was Cercatori? Part of the group chasing the professor? I had dinner with one of them and didn’t even know?” Felix looked up at Cup. The dish could only shrug.
Man. Felix prob isn't coping well with that information
“If I remember right, Wilson said they wanted the illness to spread, so it’d make sense that they won’t want the Machine repaired,” Bendy pointed out. “But maybe I’m misremembering. It feels like a lifetime ago afterall.” He shrugged and drank his coffee.
HOW DO YOU REMEMBER THAT BUT NOT THAT WILSON TOLD YOU HOW IMPORTANT YOUR TALENT IS TO THE MACHINE?
Also yes he did say that, bc this time I remember after my like. 3rd read over 😭😭😭
“Well,” Felix looked at Boris and away. “Supposedly, it’s a text recounting the journey of the author into the earth and his discovery of the lost city of Atlantis.”
Are they going to Atlantis? WAIT IS THAT WHERE THEY'RE GONNA MEET UP WITH CALA? CALA WOULD KNOW SOME LEGENDS OF ATLANTIS HOLD ON
Felix nodded, but he didn’t seem completely convinced. “Well, if the theory is to be believed, and it’s an if, then the city sank into the sea upon its attack from an angel city. Most would say that was Atlantis’ destruction, but a few claimed the micco city escaped under the waves and is still there to this day.” Felix shook his head and held his hands out in doubt. “But there’s no solid proof of that. Many have searched the deep for proof, and people have pointed out underwater ruins, but those have been debunked. As of now, it’s still missing.”
Are the Reliqui looking for Atlantis? How would Atlantis help with anything?
“And this old book is supposed to be a map?” Bendy asked skeptically.
“Almost sounds as crazy as an invisible map to a secret, long lost and covered up cure machine, huh?” Mugs teased. Bendy scowled and stole a strip of bacon from his plate with a shadow’s help. “Hey!” Mugs protested.
Bite him Mugs. Assert dominance. He's small you can take him
“But what if it is real?” Boris asked.
Cup sighed. “Pup. Really?”
Boris met Cup’s stare with his own black eyes. “I’m the one who saw how the micco worked. If anyone could hide a city under the sea, it’s them.”
Oh that had to be unnerving
Lil Monster escaped his pocket and went after the toast. Alison’s eyes widened as she caught sight of the little guy.
He's hungry <3
Just as Lil Monster was about to take a bite, Alison popped the bacon into her mouth and smirked at the angry puffball. The dandehog gave a squeak of indignation and took a jump at her.
CRUEL AND UNUSUAL! BULLYING MY LITTLE GUY!!!! GET HER LIL MONSTER!!!!
“We agreed the conference was a bad idea,” Cup pointed out.
“You said that,” Bendy shot back instantly.
NOOO!!! YOU AGREED YOU ALL WOULDN'T GO!!! BENDY!!! MAN!
“Lil Monster, leave the lady alone,” Mugs called after the rodent. “Look, there’s plenty.” Mugs pushed his own bacon to the edge of his plate. “And Ms. Alison, I’d be careful. That one knows how to hold grudges.”
“What are you talking about? He’s absolutely precious!” Alison laughed as she dodged another dive-bomb from Lil Monster.
NO MUGS! LIL MONSTER GET HER!!!! BITE HER FINGERS!!!!! Also the holds grudges thing sounds like might be important
Hi, sorry, I don’t wanna be like, pushy or anything and I don’t know if anyone has asked this already, I’m just wondering if you were still gonna do those Inky Mystery redraws? I’m not like asking you to do them or anything I just wanted to know if you were still working on em or not, and it’s fine if you aren’t!! Just wondering ya know?
C’mere you
Yes I am!! I’ve had to rework some stuff because it would’ve been a MASSIVE project to do the original way I planned, but I will be posting stuff about that soon!!
You can expect some character designs (the detectives, Warner trio, and a couple more), scene redraws (the car accident, the infamous cuphead scene) and some bonus little drawings 🖤🖤🖤
Hey question but. How do the Reliquli know of angels that have been claimed by the illness? Genuinely it didn't hit me until now but how would they know about that? I mean, I don't even think we've heard of any cases of Angels being afflicted by the illness lately? Ok, maybe this is mentioned/explained in the Murklin and Leila side stories, but in the main story at least I don't think we've heard of angels getting the illness asides from Angelo and Alice's close call. Are they fallen Angels? I mean, Oswald doesn't specifically say anything, and even then would he know how to recognize/tell the difference between a normal angel and a fallen one? Maybe if they are fallen ones then the statues they're carved as are of what they looked like as normal angels as a sign of respect. That would make sense ig bc otherwise, how would Reliquli know angels who are dying of the illness? I mean, I don't think there's been a particular wave of the illness affecting the Upper like it has Heela town, not that we've heard of in the main story at least. If it was then Elizabeth wouldn'tve been so surprised. Unless angels still are being afflicted by the illness and dying, but their deaths and the cause of death are being covered up to prevent the spread of knowledge? Which is a whole other can or words but that doesn't change the fact that, if that is what's happening, how the hell do the Reliquli know what angels are dying? And know their faces well enough to carve statues of them? Would that not imply they either have angels working with them as well or have some other way of knowing what is going on in the Upper? Do the Reliquli have some sort of method to just, track everyone who has the illness??? Or maybe there's just a group of angels that are on the Surface more often than not and work closely with the Reliquli and the angels are from them???? Stars this completely flew over my head the first few times I read this chapter but now that I'm thinking about this I'm like ????????? *Huh??????????*
Alibends? Alibends! And they dance tango in like a sec in the pic, trust me.
Imagine this pic is on the key on your computer and if pressed Alibends becomes real and you keep pressing it again and again in hopes they become a thing but the key got stuck!
...
This is how many people feel I think.
Btw bet Alice falls. And gets horns. I hc her recent falling out of feathers is the start.
Bendy: You're gonna fix my whole LIFE, you little piece of stardust! wraps himself in feathers violently
Poco: wait, what bird have the questers- OH!
Seren added: The infamous chicken nugget. Provides the opposite of mental health.
And that's what the quote was supposed to mean but me being me- XD I just couldn't help but imagine how Bendy, drowning in emotional damage, decides to take this literally and resorts to the other birdbrain in the group - Alice! That's supposedly her feathers that Bendy grabs
...tho old me was very scatterbrained and didn't indicate it in any way and also left out a bunch of words XDD
and then they actually do the thing (during Labyrinth arc) - wing brushing, pampering, just chilling together- ahh those NORMAL interactions (they feel forever ago now that Alice is barely existing outside hospital and Bendy's distancing himself away- again😞) it just warms my heart so much just looking at them both being all peacefull and what not?? yknow what I mean?? my stars, i literally drew this why it making me sad and my heart beat faster lol
P.S.↓
Alice's hand injured after beastly attack from her own sweetheart - caused by Bendy himself, adds extra spicy layer to this. Now it's he who's pampering her wings like he didn't just sunk his teeth into one a day ago. they can't be normal, man
theartofmadeline
gummygunk
