A/N: *2001: A Space Odyssey music starts playing as I make my dramatic entrance* Hello, readers! Yes, it is I, Shadowfang14, coming back with a brand new fanfiction a good...(looks back at Under Gravity: The Skeletwins' Story) ten months after what I said would be my last.
Yeah, here's the thing-I've gotten started on my original webcomic, Myth City, but honestly? I haven't actually written anything for the LONGEST time. I did a lot of writing for the actual story itself, and once I'd gotten twelve chapters done, that was when I finally decided to start work on the comic itself. But yeah, like I said, I'm only now getting started on the comic, and to be honest, not doing any actual writing for so long has kind of been making me a little stir crazy :/ So I figured, what the hey, I'll write a fanfic with my rarepair OTP from my current favorite video game, see if I can't get back into the swing of things.
But just a heads-up for everyone who knew me since my 'Poor Little Souls' days-I don't plan to make THIS story a whole big thing like I did with PLS; for starters it's going to be a lot shorter-between a threeshot-fiveshot. This is kind of just a mini-project in-between my original story. Also, as mentioned, I haven't done this in ten months, so I might be a little out of practice. So yeah, sorry in advance if the story is lame and/or underwhelming. But hey, this A/N has gone on long enough already. On to the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own Bendy and the Ink Machine, it belongs to the living hand puppet known as TheMeatly.
"I'm the cutest little angel sent from above, and I know just how to sing!
I got a bright little halo, and I'm filled with love!
I'm Alice Angel!
I'm the hit of the party, I'm the belle of the ball, I'm the toast of every town!
Just one little dance, and I'll own your heart!
I'm Alice Angel!
I ain't no flapper, I'm a classy dish, and boy can this girl sing!
This gal can grant your every wish!
I'm Alice Angel!"
Alison Pendle finished off her song with a slight turn and bow, and Joey nodded in approval.
"Cut! Beautiful work as always, Miss Pendle; well done!" Alison just gave him a slight smile, just to acknowledge that she'd heard the compliment.
"Mr. Drew?" Sammy Lawrence called, peeking into the studio. "Henry wanted to talk to you." The faintest traces of a frown crossed Joey's features.
"Well, suppose I'd better go see what he wants—suppose you'll be heading out now, Alison?" The raven-haired woman nodded.
"My apartment is all the way on the other side of town, you know how it is."
"Well, you be careful out there." Joey's usual smile came back into place as he stepped out the door. "See you tomorrow!" With that, he disappeared, Sammy following behind him. Alison stepped from behind the recording booth, making sure everything was turned off before walking out and turning down the right hall, the opposite direction Joey had taken. She could see and hear other people around her packing up for the night, getting ready to head home.
Alison's eyes then went to a cartoon poster of Bendy, Boris, and Alice. The poster showed poor, confused Boris looking between the other two, who were acting as his literal shoulder devil and angel. She couldn't suppress a chuckle.
Hard to believe that it had been two months already since Alison had started working at Sillyvision Studios. It couldn't have come at a better time too—things were getting tight. Her old waitress job simply wasn't paying enough; she could barely afford to pay rent. She was just lucky that the special man in her life had connections, and recommended her to Joey Drew as an up-and-coming talent.
Speaking of the guy, he walked out of a room next to her, his ever-trusty projector hoisted over his shoulder.
Alison snorted, putting her hands on her hips.
"You carry that thing around so much, one of these days you're going to have film reels growing out of your head!"
Norman Polk let out a derisive snort of his own.
"You want to talk about reels, there're still a couple in there. If you felt like helping me move 'em, that'd be real swell."
"Gotcha." Alison went to fetch said reels, humming Alice's song to herself as she followed Norman to the recording room.
"You know, there's a new diner that opened up not far from us." Alison put out. "I hear they've got great coffee!" The last word she said in a sing-song type of voice, and Norman just bit his lip.
"Never really been one for coffee. Keeps me up all night."
"Well, maybe just a sandwich or something, then?" Alison asked. She looked over at Norman, sky blue eyes full of longing, and the man let out a sigh.
"Ali, it's not that I don't want to go out, but you know how people are…"
"Don't worry, the owner was a friend of my mom." Alison assured him. "I know he won't rat us out!" A confident smile crossed her face, and Norman allowed a small smile of his own, finally won over.
Neither Norman nor Alison was quite sure of when their relationship had actually started. They'd met when they were in their late teens, when Alison had defended him from a couple men who were harassing him for being colored. Norman had been suspicious of her at first—a white woman standing up for a black man? However, Alison gained his trust soon enough after they started spending more time together, and learned that they actually had a lot in common.
Both of them enjoyed their solitude, liked reading…and hated how stupid and bigoted a lot of people were. Soon enough they became friends; and maybe a year, two years afterward, discovered that they liked each other as more than just friends. Of course, they'd had to keep it secret. Most people already turned up their noses in disgust at the thought of their friendship, if word got out that they were actually in love…well, it wouldn't be good for anyone. So they'd had to thread very carefully when they were in public.
"You know what?" Norman asked, putting away the last of the reels. "What the heck? Beats just stayin' in." Alison beamed happily. Looking around carefully to make sure there was no one else around, she walked over and put her arms around Norman's neck, planting a kiss on him.
Norman chuckled a little.
"Anyone ever tell you you taste like cinnamon?"
"Shut up." Alison mumbled, her face flushing slightly, much to Norman's delight. As antisocial and misanthropic as he was around most other people, Norman really did enjoy his time with his lady; especially when he got to tease her like this.
"Let's just get out of here." Alison led the way out of the room, and walked down the hall.
"Did Mr. Drew tell you about this crazy idea he's cooked up?" Norman asked, and Alison raised an eyebrow, some of her long black hair falling into her face as she turned to look at him.
"That machine of his?"
"Not sure." Norman admitted, brown eyes thoughtful as he looked straight ahead, shoving his hands inside his pockets. "I just remember him saying something about 'wanting to appease the gods'. I figure he's got a few screws loose up in there." He pulled out one hand to point to the top of his head, and Alison nodded thoughtfully.
"I'll admit—I've got my suspicions about the guy too. But hey, he DID give us our jobs." She then looked off to the side. "Even if that Campbell girl had to get fired for me to get mine…" A feeling of guilt washed over her, and Norman put his hand on her shoulder.
"That's not on you. Besides, Susie's doin' fine. She still does bit parts in the cartoons, you know." Alison started to protest, but Norman cut her off. "Anyway, let's not think 'bout that. Come on."
The two of them finally reached the exit and left the studio, unaware that they were being watched.
Alison and Norman, huh? Interesting…I'll have to keep my eye on those two…
A/N: Well, there's your introduction. Honestly, I'm not even sure HOW I started shipping Norman/Alison-I've been doing some private BATIM RPs with a friend, then this just kind of...happened. TBH I'm probably the only person in the world who ships them :P
Yes, I headcanon Norman as black, due to the way his voice sounds in the audio recordings in Chapters 2 and 3 of the game. And the 1930s being what it was; yeah-an interracial couple just wouldn't fly in the public eye. Really sad, but yeah.
Anyways, that's enough of that. Not a lot going on in the first chapter, but I'd still love to hear you guys' thoughts on the first chapter! Leave me some reviews, if you want.