WOOOO WE GOT THIS MONTH'S CHAPTER!!!! Inky Mystery Chapter 422 reaction, spoilers ahead
Chapter 422: A Hero's Luck
AW YA BABY I WAS HOPING WE COULD JOIN THIS GROUP
Oz leaned over the maps on display but was actually watching Felix and Bendy. The pair were entertaining, going back and forth over the maps and whether there were treasures worth hunting down. It was kind of . . . cute. The demon was excited, his eyes gleaming as he enthusiastically asked Felix about how his adventures start. The cat, part bashful, part proud, was telling Bendy about dating the maps accurately and having some general knowledge of the locations and time periods being presented.
Nerds.
Wait that's adorable. I'm loving the father-son bonding between those two
Also oh hi Ozzy POV, ironically I've been thinking of him lately been trying to figure out what clothes I wanna stick him in
Hopefully, they’ll take more after their mother and Mickey and less after him. He didn’t know what he’d do if a dozen or so of them threatened to run away. ‘Run and what? Join the circus? I have bad news.’ Oz shook away the silly thought.
The idea of a small group of Ozzy's kids wanting to run away on adventures once they hit their teens is so funny to me. A little rebellion, I also feel like it's inevitable
He was still tempted to do that. How long until they noticed something was up? They had to be suspicious, right? He was glad they trusted him, but they needed to look into it more!
Cup so far is the only one I'm aware of whose suspicious. But only vaguely I think. You can always rely on him to be suspicious
“Really,” Oswald nodded, “I can see you two climbing mountains and uncovering dinosaur bones.” The rabbit paused. “Have you ever done that, Feels? Normal archaeology stuff? It’s usually dusting off old bones, isn’t it?”
Felix looked taken aback. “Are you saying I’m not normal!”
Oz tilted his head. Had he gone too far? Why? Interesting. “A little? Not many archeologists have successful adventure books, do they?”
Felix raised a finger to argue and came up short. Bendy whistled. “I think he’s got you there.”
Oooh I love when characters unintentionally stick their foots in their mouths. Another point for Felix being reminded going on crazy adventures is not very "normal" or stable
They're teasing but I just KNOW that was a sore spot for Felix. For a handful of reasons
“Oz, we gotta stick together—Whoa. What is all this?” Bendy asked. He looked around with huge eyes as he caught up with Oswald.
“No clue,” Oswald admitted.
“It’s buzzing with magic,” Bendy muttered. He glanced at the dark corners of the room.
“Dangerous?” Oz whispered.
“No idea,” Bendy admitted.
I mean it's the Black Market but also uh. Be careful? Already I feel like shenanigans are coming
“WELCOME, WELCOME to Madam Pompel’s Shop of Wonders!” A woman, roughly in her fifties, came crashing out of the back. A rack of hats and coats tipped over at her quick entrance. Bendy and Oswald winced at the loud crashing.
Lemme just look up and see if that's a reference, you never know with IM-
I don't think I found anything. Completely unrelated to the name, I did, for some reason, discover a goth boutique
“Oh, we were just browsing,” Felix said, near apologetic.
“But if you have any lucky charms, I’d love to have a look,” Oswald jumped in. Felix gave him a look.
“You were serious about that,” Felix stated, not questioned.
Oz nodded sagely.
Oh it was obvious he was serious. ALSO YESSSS LUCKY CHARMS TIME YESSSSS THIS IS WHAT I WANTED!!!!!!
Oswald had met and been in too many hero situations not to take it seriously. He’d seen heroes’ trials and moments of despair, but whatever was going on with Bendy, it was smelling of tragedy. Oswald didn’t know how to explain fate and the ways of heroes without sounding insane or ranting for a day and a half. Whether he meant to or not, his quest became a hero’s journey, and he was the hero; but his luck was not doing him any kindness. They weren’t at the end of this stardust, but he and his friends were already so cussing beaten down that Oz worried they wouldn’t make it.
??? Is Ozzy part zany? He's showing a lot of awareness about literary devices even if he doesn't have a full understanding that's what he's talking about
I think he is, based off some of his stories and shenanigans and I'm pretty sure it's mentioned all of the Circus is a little zany
Is that how Ozzy knows this? Or is that knowledge what makes him partly zany? Once again thinking of the cosmic horror elements that ties into zaniness. Although I guess it's less horror and more humor? Just has the similar themes
Was the ink illness a different beast? Was that why it was always like this? Like the idea of fighting it drained the life and energy of everyone around it.
Hey the rabbit is onto some things over here. If it spreads through knowledge, and based off of Bendy finding The Void that one chapter, ontop of having to BREAK REALITY to cure it, maybe the Ink Illness is almost like it's own literal monster
I think it's mentioned based off Holly's experiments with Need runes that it has it's own thoughts or feelings
Maybe it has some power like Chaos or Mercy, what if instead of it being an illness like we thought, it's a parasite? It feeds and grows based off the emotions and drive of others and reproduces via knowledge, the Need being it needs to spread in order to survive
“Or this necklace here helped a young lady find her long-lost relatives after ten years. Oh! Or this playing chip! This was said to win a man his freedom from a tricky game of cards with a dangerous demon—”
“Ah! Well, we’re looking for more protective magic. Defying destiny, the Devil’s luck type stuff,”
Pardon. Playing chip to win a man his freedom from a demon and then referencing the Devil right after. I see you. I see what you did
“You’re joking, right?” Bendy eyed the thing. The head of a gorgon glared up at them from the metal. Snake hair twisted around her screaming face. In her eyes were two strange polished veiny stones. Her open mouth revealed a forked tongue and sharp fangs. “A gorgon? How is this lucky?”
“Gorgons scare away many things. The red coral is said to be solidified gorgon’s blood. Maybe from the great Medusa herself when her blood dripped into the oceans,” the woman said proudly. “They have a reputation for being terrifying dark monsters, but the thing about dark creatures is that they make excellent guards. You’d know all about that young demon, of course. Silly me talking like you don’t.”
This seems to imply dark creatures are usually very lucky. WAIT is bad luck those spirits that Elba was mentioning demons used to defend against? Or is that part of it? Like their ill will is more likely to cause you to have bad luck?
Now that I think about it Tap mentioned that Dishes are huge about lucky charms and luck in their culture because spirits really wanna get at them. HOLD ON
Pompel giggled. It didn’t sound completely sane to Oz. “Oh my! Aren’t you funny. Go on and try it on, noble shadow.”
Okay why am I a little endeared by the "noble shadow" nickname? I think I just like nicknames
Anyway I like this crazy lady
“Oh nooooo! No, no! Not at all.” Madam Pompel waved an arm, knocking a couple of books off a shelf before they fluttered themselves back up. “I am but a humble witch. I only know the most general information. Looked into it when I was considering different magic contracts. Settled on a forest nymph instead. She’s more my speed. Worried a demon would outsmart me. I’m too easily distracted, you see. No offense to you, noble shadow. I know plenty of people very happy with their partnerships with demons,” she prattled. Her hands started to fidget with other items about her shop.
I love her actually. She's a delight. And offers lore. I love when characters give me lore
“Well, of course not!” Madam Pompel crowed. “You’re not in any danger here, love. Nothin’ to worry about here in my fine walls! Still, it’s a promising piece. Whatever evil eyes are on you won’t be able to do a fraction of the trouble they have so far.”
“What do you mean by that?” Bendy asked suspiciously, his eyes narrowed.
“Boy, you are far from the first touched by the gods that have entered my little shop. I know trouble when I see it, and you reek of it! I don’t know what beings’ attention you’ve gotten, but you sure have it. That is one of my best protection charms. It’ll help, but don’t lean on it completely! It can’t save you from everything,” she said ominously.
They all looked at Bendy and the charm. Bendy looked away . . . embarrassed? He didn’t deny it. He didn’t deny it? Stars above, was Oz going to learn more than he ever wanted to know?
Again I like this lady. Also this is funny as hell for it to be in Ozzy's pov. Bro has no context as to even half of the shit Bendy gets into
But she said that as if the gods aren't good? Which I'm curious of, or maybe the specific gods Bendy is in contact with. Then again I guess being around Chaos isn't a good thing, exactly
“Wonderful! Now what would you like to trade?” Madam Pompel was suddenly in Bendy’s face. The demon flinched away, his tail stiffening, before he took a step back and relaxed with an annoyed look on his face.
“Trade? Can’t I pay for it with money?” Bendy asked.
Madam Pompel laughed. “Pay? Maybe for the smaller trinkets. But that? No, no, no. I don’t have need for large sums of money! No, a trade is far more valuable here. Come now! Don’t be shy. What do you have to offer?”
I can feel the Cupbros and Alice having a stroke in the background
Also ooooh is Bendy about to get into more magic deals? I'm. Hoping he does better in this one then all of the other ones he's done honestly
“Um, I’m a demon. What would you want from me?” Bendy asked. “I mean, every hair is magical, isn’t it?” The woman raised an intrigued brow. “I think I’m pretty strong for a demon, too. I’m also good at fixing things. Maybe I can fix something for you or offer something for a potion or whatever.”
“Bendy,” Felix warned. “Careful what you offer, lad.”
“Fix? Fix? You can fix?” the woman asked curiously. Bendy nodded. “Ah. Wait there.” She spun on her heels and disappeared into the back.
Felix turned on Bendy. “Bendy! You can’t just offer yourself like that! Blood, hair, magic; it all can be used against you! Curses or bindings or sealings! You could end up locked up or cursed into servitude or any manner of things as a demon! That’s very dangerous.”
Nevermind, Magic Dads got it. They'll have the stroke instead
Also she seemed really interested in the idea of Bendy fixing something which I'm now really curious of??? I guess we're lucky she wanted that instead of any of his hair or anything
Oh look the pendant is already working
“Here in the back,” Madam Pompel said. The three followed her. Her backroom was less glamorous but just as cluttered. Tools, trash, kitchen dishes, and what looked like potion bottles crowded most surfaces. Bendy sat at an old stool at the only clear table. The woman set the music box reverently in front of him. Bendy eyed the tools and then turned the box this way and that.
“Can I offer any of you some refreshments? Tea? Biscuits?” Madam Pompel offered. Her voice had gone from the bright showroom act to a quieter tone. Normal even. The mask was off, Oz supposed.
Ohhhhhh she seems so interesting. I wonder what the big deal of the music box is
The woman fumbled with a box of mixed odds and ends. Nails, screws, gears, a piston for some reason, and several other things crammed in. Bendy waved a hand and his shadows dove in and lifted out a number of things. Madam Pompel gasped. “Thanks.” The shadows placed the bits with the others. Oswald tilted his head. Normally, he’d get bored, but watching Bendy work was fascinating. He was quick, and it was fun to see springs and gears come together to turn into a working clockwork. He would pause to turn one thing or twist another to see if the other parts followed the motion. Bit by bit, the box came back together until Bendy had put in the last screw. “There. That should do it.”
Pompel pursed her lips and opened the lid. Nothing happened. Bendy frowned. “Hold on.” He lifted a hand. A thin, tiny shadow darted into the box. There was a small click, and suddenly the box whirled to life.
HE'S USING HIS SHADOWS! OMG.OMG OMG HE'S USING HIS SHADOWS! AFTER IT WAS ALLUDED TO IN THE TRIAL WE FINALLY GET TO SEE HIM FIXING THINGS WITH HIS SHADOWS!!!!!
“You fixed it! You actually fixed it! How? Where?” Madam Pompel started to weep. “I never thought it’d be fixed.”
“Well, it wasn’t easy. This thing doesn’t allow for any margin of error. If one thing fails, it all locks up. I tried to give it a little more breathing room, but I couldn’t give it much.” Bendy sounded apologetic. “You should be good for a few years. If it gets stiff or locks up again, I’d take it to a pocketwatch shop. As long as the problem isn’t magic, they should have the parts you’ll need to get it working again.”
“Oh, thank you. This is more than enough. Please take the pendant and my blessing. Thank you, noble one.” Madam Pompel bowed.
The three walked down the magical street. A flock of letters fluttered by, ribbons and paper rustling in the wind as they darted from windows. A broom and dustpan worked on the stoop of an old wand shop. The street curved, and the trio found Mugman and Boris eating caramel apples. They waved excitedly at the three of them. Mugman had a bag on his arm. Seemed they had a few magical things to bring home. A spark caught Oswald’s attention and he looked down. The ring was glowing. Again. It had gone back and forth between white and purple a couple of different times since yesterday. The rabbit looked around warily. Was it Darius? Elba? Someone else from their little group of kidnap-happy loons? Oswald pulled out the ring to see it shining white. Not affiliated. That didn’t give him a lot of comfort.
“There you cussers are,” Cup sighed. Oswald jumped so high that Felix flinched. “Stars, I would have been worried if I hadn’t known Bendy was havin’ fun. What the hell took so long?” Cup had a few bags of his own. A stack of books was in one. Holly smiled warmly next to him.
1. Wth does purple mean again? That makes me a little nervous honestly and 2. HOLLY MICCO HINT??? HOLLY MICCO HINT??? SCRAPS!!! SCRAPS FOR ME!!!! *runs away with this in my mouth*
“I found a book on spatial magic!” Holly said with excitement. “And Cup found an old book on dish fairytales.”
Mugs perked up. “Dish fareeehales?”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full of caramel." Cup rolled his eyes. Mugs waved for Cup to show him. “Not with that in your hand! Stars! It ain’t gonna disappear! Calm down.”
Mugs reached into the bag of books Cup held to pull out the dish book and paused when he noticed a poetry book underneath it.
“Don’t make it weird. It ain’t for you,” Cup huffed. Mugs’ eyes got comically big. “No! I’m not—Hold on!” Mugs threw his arms around Cup in a big hug. “Oi! Oi! Don’t get that junk on my coat! Mugs! Mugman!” Cup flailed the one arm that wasn’t pinned by his brother. The others laughed.
Grinning ear to ear rn. This is so adorable
Oz glanced at the crowd surrounding their group again, looking for anything suspicious, like a toon trying to hide horns or claws they shouldn’t have, leaves for hair, or some other odd addition to their anatomy. For any sign of Darius’ fellow micco conspirators.
Nothing. Not a single strange feature to be seen. There were a few creatures, a goblin here or a fae person there, but nothing that felt like the group Oswald escaped. Everyone looked disgustingly normal. . . Well, as normal as one would expect in the black market.
Hey. Hey Ozzy. So if it glows colors depending on which star their bonded to and if they're unaffiliated to any star, and you need to bond to a star to have micco traits, I don't think you're gonna find anything
Or at least I'm pretty sure that's how it works
Also I'm still in the belief it's Holly
There was a printing press Oz could see through a door, but that was the least interesting thing in the shop. The walls were lined with different inkwells. Many of them shimmered in different enchanted colors. Pens of every kind drifted above them like dandelion fluff. Drifting from one shelf to another like lazy birds slowly circling the room. They bobbed up and down as they drifted overhead. In a glass case that served as a countertop, books sat open with neat lines written and diagrams drawn with the colored inks. Oz felt drawn to them. There were stacks of empty journals waiting for their chance to be used. Filled with ideas made beautiful by the fantastic ink.
A hand closed around Oswald’s wrist. Oswald blinked and realized he had been reaching for one of the pens. He looked over at Felix. “The charms here are strong. They really want you to buy from them here.” Oz blinked. It took a moment for Felix’s words to sink in. Charms? They were trying to spell people into buying their stardust?
Noted. Ozzy is susceptible to magic?
“Well, this is the place.” Cup rang the bell. Oswald glared at the man who stepped out to greet them.
“Welcome, how can I help you today?” He smiled warmly. His voice was soft and smooth. He was of medium height and a little heavyset. Ink stained his fingers. Oswald instantly thought of an oil slick. He didn’t like this man.
“We’re here for some documents,” Cup said. Mugs pulled out several of the fake ID cards. “We think you’re the expert behind these. We got some questions for you.”
The man smiled down at the cards. “I see.” He whistled, and all hell broke loose.
AW MAN. CLIFFHANGER!!! Also that sounds like an intense reaction for a series of questions even if we don't know what. Immediately sus.
