Black mary

“...Kris.”

“Have you ever wished you could just… restart?”

“That there was some kind of cheat code to life where you could wake up a blank slate?”

“...”

“I've wanted that for a long time now, you know?”

“I can tell… I can tell you feel that way too.”

“But…”

“...”

“It's also kind of scary, isn't it?”

“To forget who you used to be, to have all your good memories gone in an instant like you were nothing but code.”

“But to get the chance to be someone else…”

“It's a hard choice.”

…

“Do you know what's so scary about that thought, Kris?”

“...ever since what happened,”

“the more I spent time with you…”

“The more I feel like I'm doing just that.”

“Every single atom in my body. All of it tells me I should get as far away from you as I possibly can.”

“That you'll just end up completely fundamentally changing me as a person.”

“That you'll erase who I really am.”

“...”

“But I want that.”

“For a long time, I've been trying to live my life the way it was intended for me.”

“Being top of my class, studying hard, staying in line…”

“Being someone I'm not.”

“It felt like my life was a game being played by someone else… but I'm still just a side character in my own world.”

“That's why I want to break free.”

“I want to be myself.”

“...”

“But I hate myself. I hate the real Berdly.”

“I have to just… keep doing Berdly things.”

“Just like Kris has to do Kris things.”

“But- no…”

“Kris, you changed.”

“You ACTUALLY changed! You found a way to stop being Kris!”

“But nobody else noticed it but me! Because everyone else is just too dumb to notice!”

“That's how it was always supposed to be, right!? Having me be smarter, to figure things out before others do!”

“They don't want to face the new you, they don't want to see just how incredible you are now!”

“All of them just want to stick to one path without thinking about where it could lead!!”

“I knew there was more to you, I just knew it! I've always known…”

“Because you… you made me feel special, Kris! Nobody has ever made me feel that way!”

“And now… being around you is starting to change me too.”

“...”

“I've always been a coward, haven't I, Kris?”

“But… Kris.”

“When I used Brainstorm…”

“I don't think I've ever felt so… so brave. So strong. Alive.”

“But that's awful, and I know it is! I just- I can't help it! But I know it's such a horrible thing for me to even think of!”

“...But if you're the one telling me to, Kris. I know that I can do anything.”

“So let's do it.”

“Let's break free.”

“Tell me, and I'll be brave enough to just fly us out of here.”

“Somewhere nobody has ever been before.”

“Just beyond this cliff… beyond that lake…”

“You remember, don't you? Sneaking here that day as kids… watching the stars…”

“You wanted to know if I could fly, but… I was too scared. I chickened out.”

“But now… I know I can do it.”

“Let's go there. You'll tell me, right Kris?”

“If you do… I can do anything. I can finally fly.”

Berdly guides Kris over the fence.

“So say it… say the words I've been waiting to hear.”

*proceed.

*proceed.

“Heh… the wind is nice up here, isn't it Kris?”

*proceed.

*proceed.

“Don't hesitate.”

*proceed.

*proceed.

“Haha… the wind is stronger than I thought.”

*proceed

*proceed

“Promise me something, Kris. Once we get there, hold me and don't let go.”

“Just… keep walking.”

*proceed

“Kris, keep walking.”

*proceed

“Kris…”

*proceed

“...haha… I'm so scared, Kris….”

*proceed

“...”

You both fall.

*proceed

*proceed

*proceed

“Kris… You can still hear me, right-!?”

*proceed

*proceed

*proceed

“Kris… Keep saying it-!”

*proceed

*proceed

“KRIS-!!”

*proceed

*proceed

*proceed

*proceed

“SAY IT!!!!”

*proceed

*proceed

*proceed

“KRIS!!!!!!!”

*proceed

*proceed

*proceed

“KRIS!!!!!!!!!!!”

*proceed

*proceed

*proceed

[Splash]

Insert Chapter 7

“...Kris.”

“Have you ever wished you could just… restart?”

“That there was some kind of cheat code to life where you could wake up a blank slate?”

“...”

“I've wanted that for a long time now, you know?”

“I can tell… I can tell you feel that way too.”

“But…”

“...”

“It's also kind of scary, isn't it?”

“To forget who you used to be, to have all your good memories gone in an instant like you were nothing but code.”

“But to get the chance to be someone else…”

“It's a hard choice.”

…

“Do you know what's so scary about that thought, Kris?”

“...ever since what happened,”

“the more I spent time with you…”

“The more I feel like I'm doing just that.”

“Every single atom in my body. All of it tells me I should get as far away from you as I possibly can.”

“That you'll just end up completely fundamentally changing me as a person.”

“That you'll erase who I really am.”

“...”

“But I want that.”

“For a long time, I've been trying to live my life the way it was intended for me.”

“Being top of my class, studying hard, staying in line…”

“Being someone I'm not.”

“It felt like my life was a game being played by someone else… but I'm still just a side character in my own world.”

“That's why I want to break free.”

“I want to be myself.”

“...”

“But I hate myself. I hate the real Berdly.”

“I have to just… keep doing Berdly things.”

“Just like Kris has to do Kris things.”

“But- no…”

“Kris, you changed.”

“You ACTUALLY changed! You found a way to stop being Kris!”

“But nobody else noticed it but me! Because everyone else is just too dumb to notice!”

“That's how it was always supposed to be, right!? Having me be smarter, to figure things out before others do!”

“They don't want to face the new you, they don't want to see just how incredible you are now!”

“All of them just want to stick to one path without thinking about where it could lead!!”

“I knew there was more to you, I just knew it! I've always known…”

“Because you… you made me feel special, Kris! Nobody has ever made me feel that way!”

“And now… being around you is starting to change me too.”

“...”

“I've always been a coward, haven't I, Kris?”

“But… Kris.”

“When I used Brainstorm…”

“I don't think I've ever felt so… so brave. So strong. Alive.”

“But that's awful, and I know it is! I just- I can't help it! But I know it's such a horrible thing for me to even think of!”

“...But if you're the one telling me to, Kris. I know that I can do anything.”

“So let's do it.”

“Let's break free.”

“Tell me, and I'll be brave enough to just fly us out of here.”

“Somewhere nobody has ever been before.”

“Just beyond this cliff… beyond that lake…”

“You remember, don't you? Sneaking here that day as kids… watching the stars…”

“You wanted to know if I could fly, but… I was too scared. I chickened out.”

“But now… I know I can do it.”

“Let's go there. You'll tell me, right Kris?”

“If you do… I can do anything. I can finally fly.”

Berdly guides Kris over the fence.

“So say it… say the words I've been waiting to hear.”

*proceed.

*proceed.

“Heh… the wind is nice up here, isn't it Kris?”

*proceed.

*proceed.

“Don't hesitate.”

*proceed.

*proceed.

“Haha… the wind is stronger than I thought.”

*proceed

*proceed

“Promise me something, Kris. Once we get there, hold me and don't let go.”

“Just… keep walking.”

*proceed

“Kris, keep walking.”

*proceed

“Kris…”

*proceed

“...haha… I'm so scared, Kris….”

*proceed

“...”

You both fall.

*proceed

*proceed

*proceed

“Kris… You can still hear me, right-!?”

*proceed

*proceed

*proceed

“Kris… Keep saying it-!”

*proceed

*proceed

“KRIS-!!”

*proceed

*proceed

*proceed

*proceed

“SAY IT!!!!”

*proceed

*proceed

*proceed

“KRIS!!!!!!!”

*proceed

*proceed

*proceed

“KRIS!!!!!!!!!!!”

*proceed

*proceed

*proceed

[Splash]

Insert Chapter 7

Ava (Gangle):

- former band kid, played the flute/piccolo

- That one really nice section leader that always had extra lyre’s on hand during marching season (and water bottles)

- She feels maternal towards Gangle and will sometimes refer to her as “my poor baby” etc.

- Her actual mask/face (not the tragedy prop) can crack under IMMENSE emotional pressure. This has only happened once.

- Heals like a normal wound after a while.

- She got into acting after watching many musicals growing up.

- One of her favorites was The Greatest Showman, which she now finds funny being in a circus-themed series.

- She has a cat, a Siamese named Sir Biscuits, which she will call any name except his actual name.

- Ava can control the density of her ribbons (useful when it’s very windy)

- Very confident in her abilities as an actress.

- Writes fanfics of their characters on an anonymous account.

- *ahem* TOONS DON’T HAVE TO WEAR CLOTHING, SOME JUST PREFER TO DO SO OVER OTHERS!!!

Christine (Pomni):

- She’s a really good baker, but put her in front of a stovetop- actually just don’t do that. Ever. Please.

- Grew up in a struggling family that scraped together everything they had to send her to college for her dream in acting. She now sends them back enough money to live comfortably as a thank you.

- Her “toony quirk” is the ability to sharpen her teeth at will. All the times it happened on screen? She’s able to control it.

- She hates acting in movies that require her to be a damsel in distress.

- Her favorite color combo is navy blue and orangish-gold.

- Tried dying her own hair once. Didn’t again.

- Can handle her alcohol.

- An avid night owl.

Alex (Zooble):

- Was hired on sight after coming in to the interview due to their features.

- The director had been holding off on filming until they found the perfect role for Zooble.

- Very new to acting.

- They’re a naturally anxious person, that especially applies with new scenarios and people.

- Their guilty pleasure is watching extremely corny rom-com movies unironically.

- They prefer to use limbs that at least have matching versatility. Aka: opposable thumbs, easy to balance, working wing pieces, able to bend and rotate.

- Has multiple sets of parts that match certain aesthetics they’ve gone through.

- Their wing parts actually are functional if matched together (ex. Two bat wings, two small/medium/large feathered wings)

- Has a human arm they can attach. Rumor is that it’s real.

- Was once extremely self-conscious about their body, as it’s odd even by toon standards. Got into amateur acting and learned to accept themselves through those around them.

- *ahem x2* TOONS DON’T HAVE TO WEAR CLOTHING, SOME JUST PREFER TO DO SO OVER OTHERS!!!

Damien and Ruth (Kinger and Queenie):

- Ruth is/was a freelance script writer and met Damien on (a different) set.

- Damien was instantly captivated by her but she asked him out first, to which he took slight offense that he didn’t get to before she did.

- They got married later in life (think late 30s/early 40s)

- Both are very career-oriented people.

- Due to that ^ and fertility issues, they don’t have children and don’t plan on having any.

- They just adopted the cast members as their unofficial children.

- Damien is British who’s very popular in American media

- Damien is an established and seasoned A-list actor

- Ruth learned about his side of the industry over the years, which helped her act when she appeared in tadc.

- They had a private wedding and only announced it after the ceremony.

- It’s not uncommon for Damien to accidentally lose a hand in random places, Ruth is mindful of hers.

- Damien enjoys a good dad joke.

- Ruth only came on the tadc set because her husband absolutely refused to act with any other woman as his wife.

- Both their hands are detached and invisible, so the gloves they wear are necessary.

- Damien is considered a “silver-fox” among the toon media (which Ruth finds absolutely hilarious because he’s not even 50 yet)

Ryan (Caine):

- Oh boy.

- He can’t grow to the size shown in the show, just maybe twice his resting height.

- Morning person. Enjoys his early runs.

- Summoning multiple sets of arms (and changing size) takes a lot of energy to maintain.

- He has colored contacts that he’ll use to switch around the blue and green of his eyes. No one knows what his true eye color is.

- This has been an ongoing thing for years.

- Occasionally wears corsets to accentuate the waist in suits.

- He takes his eyes out to drink fizzy drinks when they’re particularly sensitive or early in the morning. Otherwise his eyes are calloused against the burn.

- Has no sense of fashion coordination. At all. Though he does like men’s dress shoes.

- A very flirty drunk. But, like- actually good at it.

- The mass consumption of caffeine is to a) help play such an energetic role and b) usually canceled out by the energy burned with summoning arms

- Also an established actor.

- Damien and Ryan have shared movies many times in the past and have built up a close bond.

- Fans and media portray them as “father and son” at times.

- Secretly loves compliments.

- He’s a biter

- He has a very severe fear of heights but has learned how to feed that fear into his acting to make Caine truly eccentric.

- Very much dislikes the fabric of his character’s suit.

- Uses teeth whitening strips as a face mask and toothpaste as face wash.

- Ryan dislikes eating in front of people.

- Probably a 3rd seat French horn player in high school band.

Jackson (Jax):

- Wears earbuds constantly when not actively filming to help cancel out loud/unexpected sounds as his ears are very sensitive.

- He also really enjoys listening to music.

- A scaredy cat when it comes to jump scares and, again, sudden loud noises.

- Enjoys the “weird” songs along with popular media.

- Theatre kid.

- Very observant.

- Can be highly dramatic when in a comfortable environment, in a funny way.

- Adores kids, loves when young fans recognize him. He has a whole room dedicated to drawings and random useless trinkets given to him by fans.

- Jack despises the paparazzi and fake fans. Especially people who try and exploit him.

- Likes to be scratched/pet between the ears but will go to his grave with that information.

- Directors took one look at him and went “Yep, that’s the one.”

- Not really interested in relationships beyond platonic love. (Ship who you want in this AU though, I really don’t mind)

- He has very dense fur that he takes pride in meticulously maintaining.

- He prefers to go barefoot as much as he can.

- Former track star (theatre kid AND star athlete? Whaaa???)

- Also British, something to bond over with Damien.

Magnolia (Ragatha):

- Clarinet player (look I had to make at least ONE a clarinet player, I would be betraying my people if I didn’t)

- Has a rocky relationship with her mother due to her mother’s former hostility towards Maggie’s career choice. It’s slowly being patched up.

- Her mother regrets being so venomous towards her daughter and is taking active steps to gain back trust by taking accountability.

- Maggie actually has a bad eye that was integrated into her character.

- She enjoys it being a feature rather than it being hidden like most roles she’s played.

- Motorcyclist.

- Her yarn hair and fabric skin need to be specially washed with products made specifically for toons like her.

- Likes frogs

- Changes out her eyepiece regularly with whimsical and cutesy things.

- Fans enjoy making new eyepieces for her that she wears.

- Her hair will never grow, so she’s never gotten a haircut, just rethreading.

- Former southern bell, really good at masking her accent.

- She has a twin sister who was treated far better by their mother due to her blind obedience.

- Maggie doesn’t blame her sister, they’re close now.

- She prefers to go by Maggie instead of Magnolia, it helps to separate herself from her past identity.