Just a short chapter of the deep past, also getting a look at some other characters I need to use a little more of in this AU/series... Side note I still have no ideas on what this AU should be called... Oh well Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Henry was walking through the halls to the break room to get a fresh cup of coffee as well as take a well deserved break after working for hours to get his shots done for the newest Bendy short they were working on. As the animator approached the room the smell of smoke alerted him that a coworker was already in there.
"Well look at that, one of the resident vampires sees the light of day," the voice of Norman laughed as soon as Henry entered the room. The man was sitting at one of the tables near the window and had a cigarette hanging in between his fingers as he tapped it lightly to get some of the burnt end off. "In all honesty though how's it going Henry?"
"Well I'm not burning up yet so that's a plus," Henry chuckled as he went to the counter in the room and began to prepare his coffee. The animator turned to the projectionist as he waited for it to heat up first. "How's the other resident vampire?"
"Ah, you know the same old, same old. He's been calling some of the old band idiots when they mess up and having to make sure the little devil darling himself doesn't mess with the instruments again," Norman laughed while Henry just smirked a little.
"While hearing that Sammy's doing alright, I meant you Norman."
"Eh can't complain too much, aside from one of my projectors breaking down the other day and repairs aren't going as smooth as they should." Norman took a drag of his cigarette.
"Joey skipped out on paying for the needed parts again?" Henry questioned with a sigh as he got the mug ready.
"Yup," Norman sighed, as he snuffed the cigarette out in the ashtray on the table.
"Let me guess… Joey did something idiotic again and we're all complaining?" The voice of Sammy Lawrence caused both men to turn their attention to the doorway where the Music Director was just walking in with a cigarette of his own just being lit.
"Well look what the little devil himself dragged up from the music department," Norman commented, getting an annoyed huff from the Music Director. "Ya got something to complain about with Mr. Drew as well?"
"You do remember who you're talking to right Norman?" Henry chuckled, pouring the finished coffee into his mug and ignoring the glare that Sammy shot to him.
"IF you must know… Joey came right into my office wondering where the new musical score was when I just got the order to work on it YESTERDAY. Musical process takes time after all and it's not easy picking the perfect keys," Sammy ranted, causing Norman and Henry to share a glance between each other for a moment before something else was mentioned. "And when I passed Joey's office I could practically smell all those damn candles in there. Is he trying to burn the studio down?"
"... Candles?" Henry asked.
"Why would Mr. Drew need that many lit anyways? Lights work just fine…" Norman pointed out and looked to Henry for answers.
"I'll… go check it out," Henry responded and left the break room to check on Joey, leaving the Projectionist and Music Director alone in the room.
"Personally I think Joey's finally lost his mind," Sammy scoffed after exhaling the smoke he took up.
"Well aside from having a bunch of candles lit when the electricity works just fine…" Norman trailed off only for Sammy to wave him off.
"That's not it. He was chanting something when I passed by the room." Norman looked confused at those words before standing up to leave the room himself. Both from the fact his break was technically over… but also because he was curious on what his boss was doing at the moment.
"I'm gonna check it out… See ya in the recording room Sammy," Norman waved off the Music Director who did the same as he continued to try and relax on his smoke break.
As soon as the Projectionist got to Joey's office he was surprised to see Henry practically bolt from the room as if the dogs of hell were on his tail. Norman was both confused and concerned… after all Henry never got that freaked out before.
"Hey Joey, what's-" Whatever Norman was going to say died on his tongue as he took in the scene before him. His boss, Joey Drew, stood before an intricately drawn pentagram that was lined with the lit candles and littered with many, many empty ink bottles scattered around… but what really had him surprised was what his boss was petting on the head and smiling at.
"Welcome to the world, my little Devil Darling."
Norman backed up with widened eyes, he wasn't able to completely comprehend what just happened… or rather what was happening. After all… Cartoon characters shouldn't be alive and moving… or even looking right at him with a curious gaze like the toon demon was right now.