ＣＥＬＬＵＬＯＩＤ

          he had to be honest: doing something on this large of a scale had definitely made him a bit nervous . a big time showing like this ? he wasn’t used to it . there was usually a script to follow, multiple takes to be had if the first one didn’t work out . but, he had practiced, && practiced hard, to get it just right . && from the looks of things, it seemed that choux was enjoying herself ! bendy’s smile widened, giving him another boost of energy to continue his song — good timing too, since the next bit was comin’ right up !

                                                           ❝ some folks think i’m trouble ~ ! ❞                                                             ❝ &&, y’know, that ain’t a lie ! ❞                                    ❝ but when the preachers come, with their ❝ will undones ❞ — ❞                                                               ❝ i just can’t help but sigh ~ ! ❞

                                                                  ❝ i’m just a little devil ! ❞                                                                ❝ snazzy && full of charm ~ ! ❞                                        ❝ && when ya think so strong, about what’s right && wrong … ❞ ❝ a lil’ mischief won’t do no harm ! ❞   a pause, in the music && the vocals, just long enough to let out a chuckle .

                                                                                          —— && back to the chorus !

     ❝ oh, i’m a demon ~ ! ❞   snap !           ❝ yeah, i’m a demon ~ ! ❞   snap !                   ❝ i’m the best demon, here from hell ! ❞       ❝ so join me for a while, we’re goin’ out with style, on this crazy carousel ~ ! ❞

             with that last word, he struck the ground with the butt of his cane, suddenly turning the stage itself a midnight black in an instant . seems like someone had hidden some ink beneath the floorboards . && said ink had started to rise, elevating bendy with what seemed to be a pillar with a spiral staircase circling it . the pitch of the song had shifted a bit higher as well, making that grin of his grow bigger than it’s ever been . now, this — this was the life !

      ❝ i’m a demon ~ ! ❞   twirl that cane !             ❝ i’m a demon ~ ! ❞   spotlight’s on you !                     ❝ i’m that demon from down below ! ❞        ❝ i’ll say it again, come on, my friend — ❞   here comes the big moment !

                                    ❝ wellllllll - cooooome . to the deeeeeviiiiil’s, shooooow ~ ! ❞    descending notes follow right after, before ending with a bow && a triumphant brass note to finish it all off .

          The performance had gone off without a hitch - a spectacular little show that she certainly felt privileged to be able to see! Hell, he’d put it on just for her, so it was no surprise that she gave him a standing ovation, a genuine and warm and elated laugh accompanying the sound of clapping.

          “Hahah-- Ben’, yer a crazy sonovagun!”  She’d wait until he descended from his place on the stage, stooping down to sweep him up in her arms and spin.  “A regular showman! It ain’t the twennies anymore an’ you’d STILL knock ‘em dead, in the aisles!”

          Before she could even realize how giddy that excitement had made her, black lips pressed right between his eyes, leaving a mark on his forehead. And...then she just sort of...perched him on one of the chairs, patting his head.

What if? || Accepting !

          oh, that swingin’ beat ! oh, how he missed this ! in the moment, in the spotlight, he was the star ! && he’d give a hell of a show ! twirling that cane of his, he waited on the drumbeat, that jazzy tune, before hopping back into the song .

                   ❝ ♪ well, schemes && pranks, that’s just for me ! of which the likes, you’ll never see ! ♪ ❞                    ❝ ♪ entertained you’ll surely be ! welcome to the devil’s show ! ♪ ❞   brass, flute, join on in !

                          ❝ ♪ who needs heaven, anyways ? right down here, i’ve got my praise ! ♪ ❞          ❝ ♪ && your ol’ pal bendy’s gotta say: welcome to the devil’s show ! ♪ ❞   from the intro, into the next bit !

  ❝ ♪ oh, surely i’ve got some misdeeds under my belt ! ♪ ❞   a shrug accompanied that mischievous smile of his .   ❝ ♪ i mean, have ya even seen these pointy things ? ♪ ❞   a wink, && a gesture at his horns, before continuing .                                   ❝ ♪ so just remember when the cards have been all dealt — ♪ ❞                              ❝ ♪ that i’m the one that pullin’ all the strings ~ ! ♪ ❞   chorus time !

       ❝ ♪ i’m a demon — ! ♪ ❞   snap !                   ❝ ♪ i’m a demon — ! ♪ ❞   snap !                             ❝ ♪ i’m the best demon you’ve ever seen ! ♪ ❞        ❝ ♪ && ain’t nothin’ holdin’ back, no, nothin’ holdin’ back from bein’ better than i’ve ever been ~ ! ♪ ❞

       ❝ ♪ i’m a demon — ! ♪ ❞   snap !                    ❝ ♪ i’m a demon — ! ♪ ❞   snap !                               ❝ ♪ the best demon you’ll ever know ! ♪ ❞        ❝ ♪ so let me introduce ya, let me introduce ya, to the devil’s greatest show ~ ! ♪ ❞

           throwing up his cane in the air, the instruments came back once more to the forefront, following the melody of the chorus once more to let bendy do what he did best: dance for the audience ! catching his show cane with one hand, he let his body work it’s magic . what a bliss, to perform once again !

          He was a performer, alright. Choux would have to admit that he was likely one of the most talented that had ever been drawn up! Why, she hadn’t seen something like THIS since--...oh.

          It was too nostalgic to deny. Something about the music, the lights, her black and white companion - it made her feel like she was home. Something twisted up inside of her, made her feel as though this was all so familiar. But...for once, she didn’t hate it. It didn’t feel depressing. No, it made her heart practically thrum, against her ribcage. Seeing him on stage like that drew a monochrome blush to her cheeks...and the tiniest little heart, popping over her head.