Holly/History

General

**History**

Relationships

Quotes

Gallery

Alt Gallery

## History

### Early Life

Holly grew up on a farm in Aesop's Falls, an island populated primarily with zanies. Her mother, Canola May, was a local seamstress who was later appointed as the mayor of the town while her father, Aspen May, seemed to have spent much of his time studying magic and fishing. Holly seems to have spent her early years learning from her father's books, helping/spending time with her family, and working on the farm (Ch 204). She also spent a lot of time in the woods testing out runes, riding her horse and visiting the Micco ruins there with her father (Ch 297). Sometimes, Holly and her father would go to the ruins, set up a blanket and go 'rune gazing' together. They would lie on the ground and try to figure out what the various runes meant or how they were connected to one another (Ch 298).

Holly enjoyed the zany nature of her hometown along with its various eccentric residents and attributes but that didn't stop her from trying to make sense of it. For instance, when she was younger she spent years investigating the source of the "background music" that constantly played throughout the town. This involved knocking on walls, climbing onto the roof of a giant clock and travelling to the borders of Aesop's Falls to try to see if there was any difference in sound depending on where she was. While she never discovered the source of the sound Holly did figure out many key aspects of how the music functioned in town.

At some point during her childhood, her father died. The death caused a lot of stress for both her and her mother. Wanting to get away from Aesop's Falls, Holly had to argue with her mother in order to come to Toon Town for schooling (Inky Extra's Ch 106). Things got so bad between her and her mother that when Holly did eventually leave for university Canola told her not to come back (Ch 158). Holly evidently listened to her as when she left Aesop's Falls four years prior to the start of IM she had no plans to ever return to her hometown again (Ch 297).

When Holly did arrive in Toon Town she became a student at Yen Sid University where she majored in ancient civilizations and languages. During this time she also did an extensive amount of research on Micco runes (Ch 61).

### Book One

Holly appears near the end of Book One as a desk administrator at Yen Sid University, near the Runes of Peace. She explains to Bendy and Boris what the Runes of Peace are and how they effect a person (Ch 21). She goes on to tell the boys about how Dr. Oddswell got fired, and gives them his address despite the fact that she really isn't supposed to (Ch 22).

### Book Two

Holly only appears in the first chapter of Book Two when the Cupbros visit Yen Sid University. Holly explains what the Runes of Peace are to the Cupbros before Cuphead begins to interrogate her about any interaction she may have had with the B-Bros. Perhaps because of witnessing the Cupbros reaction to the Runes of Peace, Holly lies and claims she hasn't seen the B-Bros. The tension between her and Cup is then cut into by Mugman, who starts to ask her some more questions about the Runes of Peace. Despite her clear distrust of the Cupbros, Holly continues to answer their questions. When Mugman asks if the cold feeling he got from the mural means he's a bad person Holly reassures him that it's not necessarily that cut and dry. She even tells the upset Mugman that she's sure there will be a day where he is able to step into the light of the mural without issue. She even answers another of Cuphead's questions about the mural with a less accusatory attitude then she had at the beginning of the conversation. When the Cupbros leave she tells them her name with a small smile and waves goodbye as they leave.

### Book Three

Holly is first mentioned in Chapter 48, when Xedo informs the B-Bros that she lost her job and had to leave the university after it was discovered she gave the B-Bros Dr.Oddswell's address. After discovering this the B-Bros decide to track Holly down later to apologize to her.

Surprisingly, it's actually Holly who tracks down the B-Bros first. Holly arrives on Xedo's doorstep and announces she's there to see the B-Bros, which sends everyone into a panic as the B-Bros are still in hiding. Despite the Tiptail's protests Holly strides right in and catches the B-Bros in the kitchen. While Bendy is panicking about whether to run or not Holly asks if they have evidence that Wilson was innocent and whether everything Xedo wrote about is true. Realizing that she's not there to turn them in the whole group sits down with her to talk. Holly asks once again for an explanation and refuses to back down even when she's warned that the knowledge comes with a fair deal of danger. When she brings up how she already lost her job because of this mess Bendy feels guilty for having unintentionally dragging her into it before she reassures him that she doesn't blame either of the B-Bros. They begin to explain to her about Ink Illness, the B-bros involvement, the Ink Machine, the quest for the Parts and The Map they received from the Angel. The group even shows Holly, The Map and the journal page. Holly mentions how rare it is to get a favour from an Angel, especially for a Demon of all people. She also identifies the odd symbols on Wilson's journal page as being written in ancient Micco. Holly goes on to explain a bit about the Micco before saying she can translate the journal page for them since she has more experience with the Micco than they do. Boris also asks her if she can update The Map so it's easier to use since there are also Micco Runes on The Map which Holly mentioned she was studying. Since The Map is invisible to her Bendy has to write out all the runes so she can see them. Once she sees them she is able to identify and explain about all except one of them, which she has never seen before. Holly says that while she thinks she'll be able to figure out something to update The Map, it's going to take a while as she experiments with adding runes to The Map's sequence of runes. The group thanks her for the help she's offering and the B-Bros ask her to focus on fixing The Map first since they'll need it to find the next machine piece. At the mention of the Parts, Holly asks some questions about the piece they do have, such as whether it has noticeable runes on it, but doesn't receive many answers about it seeing as they don't fully trust her yet. Holly is understanding about the secrecy and, after getting thanked again while she promises to get to work on The Map and journal translation, Holly leaves the apartment (Ch 51).

Holly is also in Xedo's apartment when the B-Bros are caught by Featherworth and Ringtail. Holly is upset when she sees the B-Bros getting arrested and makes the argument that neither of the boys will be safe in jail due to the mob that's after them. Holly then reveals that the police commissioner is the one sending the hitmen after the doctor because he's getting bribed by the mob to do so and that Xedo's old colleague, Fairfax, is also in on the plot. She's even seen the mayor receiving bribes from Fairfax. When questioned how she knows all this Holly reveals that she has been following Fairfax for the past month and a half after he wrote an article about her and that she's also caught the Sykes brothers being involved in this scheme. This is all new information to the rest of the group, though it does explain some of the mysterious difficulties the detectives have been dealing with. Holly even offers to testify as a witness against the commissioner and find more evidence for the detectives but it's not enough to prevent the boys from being arrested. As she watched the B-Bros arrest Holly has a conflicted yet determined look in her eyes (Ch 53).

Holly next appears during Chapter 55, although it isn't until 56 that she is identified, when she walks straight into the middle of Alice and Avery's chase. After Alice rushes past her she sprays Avery in the eyes with pepper spray, causing him to cry out in pain. Holly then "apologizes" to Avery, claiming she thought she saw a bee and telling him he shouldn't be running down the street. It's this intervention by Holly that allows Alice to successfully escape from Avery.

Holly is also the one who smuggles the basket containing The Doll from Granny up into Xedo's apartment before her and Xedo head out to start searching for Alice. After spending hours searching Holly comes back to the apartment when Wiston says that Alice is on her way there, although she falls asleep on the couch fairly quickly. It's not until after Alice arrives that Holly awakens and it's only after some reassurance that Alice is ok that she calms down enough to make some puns. After some questions about the machine piece get cut off by Xedo's arrival Holly moves on to saying that she has been tailed by a black car much like Alice had been earlier. As they begin to talk more about the situation at hand Holly not only explains what she knows of the corrupt official but also explains some term Alice doesn't know for the confused Angel. Holly and Alice then decide to head to talk to the detectives together, Holly's reasoning being that she needs to inform them about the very likely meeting of the corrupt officials behind the plot that is happening that very night. On the cab ride to the precinct the girls discuss why they may be being followed and by who. Holly also tells Alice she'll explain anything Alice needs her too, assuming that Alice is just an uninformed country girl new to the big city. At the precinct the women behind the desk tries to stop the girls from speaking to the detectives, causing Holly to threaten to inform the chief about how the last time she was there the women was slacking on the job. After finally getting to the detectives and explaining what they're there to do the whole group goes to start driving to the jail as they talk, however Holly immediately freezes up when they are intercepted by the corrupt commissioner. Despite her trying to remain unnoticed the commissioner still asks her name and even comments how it sounds familiar before sending the whole group back to the detectives office (Ch 56).

Back in the detectives office Featherworth writes a note to inform the girls that the room is bugged, so Holly writes notes explaining about the meeting while she gives her "statement" about her interactions with the B-Bros out loud to the cops. Against Featherworth's wishes, Holly decides that she'll go spy on the meeting that night, handing off her journal to the detectives in case anything happens to her. Realizing that Holly can't be stopped the detectives warn her to be safe and give her Featherworth's car keys. With everything settled Holly and Alice head out of the precinct. Once outside Holly quietly admits that she was really hoping she could just leave everything to the police. After some slight worrying about Bendy Alice says they should get going to the warehouse where the meeting is happening, which surprises Holly since she wasn't sure if Alice would want to come with her. With their destination decided the two girls drive off to the warehouse (Ch 57).

Once at the warehouses Alice tells Holly that she'll make sure nothing happens to her, too which Holly replies that she doesn't need to be taken care of and she refuses to be a victim. When Alice first goes to make a jump for the warehouse window Holly tries to stop her but when Alice actually manages to make the humongous leap Holly becomes slightly suspicious of the other girl, questioning where exactly Alice came from. Holly and Alice then hide to listen in on the meeting, although the sight of King Dice sends Holly into a spiral of questions until she is shushed by Alice. Holly is briefly discussed during the criminal meeting itself, though it is quickly decided that Fairfax will be in charge of taking care of her. After the meeting is complete Holly questions Alice with a look about whether they should follow one of the Sykes brothers into another room in the warehouse but complies with Alice's decision to leave the warehouse altogether instead. While Alice is enraged at what they heard Holly takes a more logical perspective on the matter, pointing out that they're career criminals and that at least now they know some of their plans ahead of time. Holly suggests they try to be a bit more offensive now that they have this strategic advantage but Alice isn't sure about it. Putting the issue aside the girls head to the jail in order to visit with Bendy as Alice promised she would. At the prison Holly reassures Alice that's she doing good and makes jokes with the Angel and Richard, the guard. However, when she hears Alice is Bendy's "girlfriend" she's surprise, although she doesn't let it show much (Ch 57).

Once they arrive at Bendy's cell the Demon is surprised to see Holly there with Alice, although she easily explains the fact that it's because she drove Alice there. The girls reprimand Bendy a little for his fight with the other prisoner before they start telling Bendy about the information they learned by eavesdropping on the criminal's meeting. They warn Bendy about the dirty lawyer, Mr. Winky, whose set to prosecute him and about the plans for the Cupbros to assassinate both him and Boris. While the news about Mr. Winky is new Bendy tells the girls that he has a history with the Cupbros and that they aren't people they need to be worried about anymore. Once the subject of the Cupbros comes up it's not long before Holly is lost in another bout of questions about the Dish brothers. When Holly comes back to the conversation she tells Bendy that she found the right rune combination to fix The Map. Bendy tells her that the detectives have The Map and, after both girls promise to be at the trial tomorrow, Richard informs the girls it's time to go. When Holly see's Alice kiss Bendy's cheek before they leave she's initially surprised before turning thoughtful once more. Once back in the car the girls start to drive back to the precinct and Holly asks Alice about her "relationship" with Bendy, which sends Alice into a panic when she realizes that she just kissed a Demon. Holly just laughs and reveals that she already knows Alice is faking being Bendy's girlfriend and she asks Alice what she really thinks of Bendy. She then listens as Alice explains her thoughts and history with Bendy until they arrive back at the precinct. Before heading into the station Holly writes a list of all those targeted by the mob and a summary of what they saw at the meeting, which she leaves in the detective's car before exiting. The girls head straight into the detective's office and, once again by using notes to communicate, the group decides to head to Ringtail's apartment so they can talk without being worried about bugs (Ch 58).

Once the girls and the detectives are back into Featherworth's car the detectives give Holly back her journal, stating that they read it all while the girls were gone and now they are caught up not only about the mob business but also about the existence of the Ink Machine and its parts. The detectives even agree to help the group as much as they legally can with their quest and agree to give The Map to the girls so Holly can fix it with her runes. On the way to the apartment the group discusses magic, with Holly specifically explaining the difference between rune magic and witches. Once there Ringtail grabs The Map, which she had hidden there, and hands it off to Holly. Once she has The Map, Holly remembers she can't actually see the runes and thus she can't alter them without the boys there. Since she can't change the runes Holly spends the rest of her time at Ringtail's apartment discussing what happened at the meeting until it's time for Featherworth to give the two girls a ride home. When it becomes clear that Holly doesn't have a place to stay Alice offers to let Holly stay in her extra room (Ch 58). Once at Alice's apartment the two girls have dinner and talk about runes until they're interrupted by a phone call from Dr. Flug to Alice. When Holly notices Alice's nervous behavior after the phone call she tries to ask what's happening but is instead suddenly offered Alice's job at Betty's shop. When Alice won't answer Holly's question about what's going on she instead begins asking about how Alice was able to make a twelve-foot jump out to the window back at the warehouse but eventually backs off when she realizes she might be putting Alice in an awkward situation. After Alice tells her that she'll hopefully be able to explain everything soon Holly says her goodnight's to the other girl. The next morning Alice sneaks out of the apartment and leaves a letter giving the apartment over to Holly (Ch 58).

While Holly does attend the B-Bros trial her next actual appearance occurs when Mr. Winky calls her as a witness during trial. Everyone, including Holly, is confused about the prosecution calling her out of all the potential witnesses but none the less she takes the stand. Mr. Winky begins by asking Holly about her interactions with the B-Bros on the university campus, which soon moves into questions about her researching both the B-Bros and Dr. Oddswell following her losing her place at the university. Mr. Winky then goes into talking about how Holly was harassed on campus for her interaction with the B-Bros and using magic to the point where she became homeless. Now that her work with magic runes has been brought up Mr. Winky then moves into questioning whether runes could cause illness or at least the appearance of illness. Realizing what Mr. Winky is trying to do Holly admits that yes, while runes could mimic the symptoms each victim would have they would have to have a rune written on them to work. Mr. Winky tries to claim that Bendy could use his Demonic powers to cover some of the rune's shortcomings but this just angers Holly as she begins to explain the difference between rune magic and the magic found in inherently magical species like Demons. Holly is in fact so knowledgeable on the subject that Bendy even internally admits she knows more about his magic than he does. Holly then states that, despite how Mr. Winky claims the only known cases have happened in Toon Town, that she has found evidence of the disease worldwide. After a slight interruption caused by Boris tearfully yelling about Mr. Winky's callous remarks regarding Ink Illness victims Holly once again brings the attention of the room back to her by stating that Mr. Winky's opinion of Ink Illness is irrelevant and that she could list everyone she knew with Ink Illness if necessary. Surprisingly, Mr. Winky says this isn't necessary and ends his questioning of Holly and, since White Rabbit has no questions for her, she is allowed to leave the witness stand (Ch 61).