Mirelly

First, some small things about them that contribute to the Nortpheus I see:

Norton is familiar with Orpheus' work, and enjoys it. I know I read this somewhere, please god somebody tell me where this is from, I need to cite my sources!!!

Orpheus has written an entire novel about Norton and the mining incident ("The Thirteenth Gift... Inspired by Norton Campbell and the Golden Cave disaster" as stated on the wiki on the "Oprheus' Novels" page, and then referenced again on the "Orfeo's Game/Side Chapter 1" page, which says "It tells the story of a miner who relied on schemes and ambition to become a mining tycoon until he met an untimely death". Keep in mind, the second quote is from the universe where Norton is the Mining Director, and Orpheus is Orfeo, so the novel in the original universe likely tells a different story.) I know Norton is not the only one Orpheus' work has been inspired by, it's just a fact I think about when I have Nortpheus thoughts.

The Mining Director and Orfeo got along quite well! While Norton from the original universe is different from the Mining Director (a lot more gloomy, considering his position miles away from the wealth he seeks), this doesn't mean Norton and Orpheus' relationship would be too far off if put in the right position. They likely had an amicable relationship before their game (where Norton was killed by Orpheus who was under the influence of hallucinatory drugs).

(Identity V | Orfeo (Full Version) MV, Youtube)

Norton thoughts:

Norton feels very simple to me, I think I understand him well. Honestly, most of the way I imagine his cadence and the types of things he would say comes from the 2023 Valentine's event, not Ashes of Memory. I know we get voice lines and animation and everything, but his lines from the Valentine's event stuck with me more. He said so many things, and they were all so important to his character.

I think Norton is a chronic debby downer, just a damn complainer. I don't think he even realizes how miserable he is, because (in the Valentine's event) he went from insulting your shop to saying "yes, please" all politely when asking for a piece of bread. I don't think he's the type to be a little oblivious to how terrible he can be, or just be so used to being terrible that it doesn't matter much to him - a little uncaring. A lot of his quotes on the wiki (and twitter character replies) are things that reflect how confused he'd be to be chosen by someone, possibly because he's aware of how unlikable he is. I keep that in mind during lots of my Nortpheus thoughts.

I also think he's pretty umm idk how to explain this, kind of thin. He's whipped cream type light. Like, there isn't much to say, and his character isn't as confusing or shrouded in mystery as Orpheus'. Norton has lived like a rat his whole life. He's worked hard and still been wronged by others, and he's got a lot of built up resentment because of that. His ideal life is that of a rich man. That's it. What he wants is simple, and his reasoning for wanting it is undeniably simple as well.

And also, I think his character has transformed to be more gruff over the years. So my view of Norton in the Valentine's event, and now in Ashes of Memory, is different. Perhaps because the Valentine's event is more lighthearted, and detached from the main story. I can see why he'd be more gloomy in the main story.

Anyway, Norton is the type to say things so cynical out of nowhere that it makes your head spin, and in the same breath say something so light and breezy that you're like damn where did the darkness go. I liked that he mentioned he didn't want to die the same way his father did in the Valentine's event, and I also recall one of his Valentines quotes being, "I spent money on stamps just for you! Fine, you've been treating me well. Happy Valentine's Day." This says a couple things to me. In the event, he called the holiday wretched, but when he had a person to be sharing it with he suddenly didn't seem to mind participating very much. All it really seems to take for him is a bit of goodwill.

Orpheus thoughts:

I think I know less about Orpheus so this section is probably more speculative and... lost 😭

Orpheus is kind of a sweetheart in my opinion. I think maybe the deep sorrow he expressed in COA8 after he watched Alice die stuck with me. He always makes such sad expressions, and it makes me feel like he's quite soft inside. I don't think he's the type to outright argue back and forth, but rather bleed a bit of passive aggression into his statements. I think his words would cut deep, but I think he's so good at that because he himself is just one gaping wound.

His whole thing is escapism. He mentions how, when he writes, he sometimes is "unable to differentiate if [he] is in reality or one of the stories [he is] working on" (Valentine's Day 2023 Card). It seems he often disconnects from the real world while writing, and this may even be why he writes in the first place, to get away. He says "Words are like parachutes - they help you when you're falling", in his 2025 Deduction Star quotes. Maybe he feels like he's perpetually falling, and writing is what helps him land safely.

In many of his quotes, he talks about the difference between stories and reality, and much of it is the fact that you can transform or erase the sorrow in a fictional world, but it's impossible to do so in real life. Or at least, that's how he sees things. This actually tells you so much about how he views his own life. For him to say that true nightmares are inescapable, that must be how he feels about his situation. No matter how much inspiration he gathers, no matter how many stories he writes, no matter how well his novels do, he can't rewrite his own sorrow into joy. He's searching for something he already feels like he cannot possibly find.

But he still seems to be a romantic, and his quotes sometimes still feel so hopeful. Love still means something to him, and to be so caught up in the idea of nightmares, dreams must mean something to him as well. Quotes like "This is the perfect day to write about love, and may your life be full of romantic and touching love" (Valentine's Day 2023 Card) make you feel a kind of warmth from him, so much like the love he displays for Alice in so many different drawings and videos. He is a very loving person, and combine that with being a writer? Oh maaan he's gotta have the most sparkly, rose-tinted hopes and dreams haha.

I feel like that's what he's like at his core, but this sense of helplessness that lingers over him kind of stamps that down. I feel like a totally happy Orpheus would be bright, warm, and very caring. While he does seem like the type to act all put together, I don't think any part of his façade would be harsh, or extremely cold just under normal circumstances. And if he were to get very angry with someone, or hate their guts, his first reaction would likely be to give them that cold and refined dislike, but as he can be subject to bursts of emotion, he might become more expressive. He's still not the yelling shouting kind of guy, though.

And Orpheus' life is just the craziest drug trip known to man so that makes it hard to have a definitive opinion on nortpheus without concrete info.

I also find this quote pretty interesting, "Writers can save the characters they penned from danger, but they can't relieve themselves of their own" (Deduction Star 2023 Quote). He has multiple quotes where he mentions saving characters in stories or changing endings, and it makes me think about how he writes about disasters and stuff. He doesn't seem to write stories with particularly happy endings, though, so perhaps the writing he does in his free time takes a different tone? I'm just not sure! I love him a lot though ahaha.

Okay let me stop with the Orpheus section now or I never will.

SO! How would these characters work together?

Well, they're both kind of a mess, right? Norton definitely isn't Señor Save A Hoe, but we already know Orpheus wrote a novel inspired by the "accident" Norton was involved in, which proves he is at least a little interested in him and his situation. He might even find solace in immersing himself in Norton's story and suffering rather than his own. Along the way, I do believe they'd grow quite close in a distant, tentative way. They'd likely spend time together, but stay away from all of the deeper, more intimate milestones like sharing their worries, or talking in depth about their pasts. Norton isn't much of a talking guy anyway ("You like me? Actions speak louder than words" (Nymph Awards 2022).

I guess maybe in time they'd have that kind of moment, though, where they kind of let things slip out. I'm a sucker for friends to lovers, and I truly feel there'd be something comfortable between them. They'd be drinking buddies!!! If they had the chance, maybe they'd become more.

They're both quite lonely, even if Norton is much farther from accepting that feeling. I think Orpheus kind of acknowledges and dwells in his negative emotions, all of them, meanwhile Norton stews in emotions like rage while denying emotions like fear and loneliness. It would take a while, but I think Orpheus could manage to slowly tiptoe his way past Norton's defenses. Definitely wouldn't break them down, but he'd be spared the suspicion.

Norton would probably be reluctant and disbelieving at first in typical Norton fashion, but I think he might be easy to cave when it comes to romance.

You asked for all that I have to say about them, but to be truthful it's all just scattered feelings. I just feel that they'd make a good pair ahaha.

Umm skin pairings: Mr. Mole + High Roller, Bird of Prey + Sherlock Holmes, someone on tiktok opened my eyes to Jar Head + Evil Thoughts, Orphan of Goetia + Hollow, and, obviously, Mining Director + Orfeo.

I also like to imagine Folk Writer and Sparrow being the most platonic of friends, as Sparrow is a child. I think there could be a very cute friendship dynamic there, and I even started a little mini comic about that but I didn't finish it.

Speaking of skins, I want to add a little commentary on what their skins say about them. As their skins are literally just Them in different universes, I still consider them integral to piecing their characters together.

I think I tend to zero in on Orpheus' skin "Homesick". There's just this ever-present ache in Orpheus, and while it can't just be cured (he'll always mourn the life, the sister, he lost), it can be eased. I wouldn't call Norton a distraction necessarily, but more of a balm to soothe a stinging burn. You know what I mean? Everyone needs a little company, and at the very least, Norton could provide that for Orpheus.

For Norton, I mostly think about Ronald of Ness and his new skin, Dazzling Lone Wolf. I think it's interesting that he becomes such a famous public figure in this world, performing for everyone around to see. He's always dramatic in every universe, but he really puts his drama to use in this one. I just think it's still such a lonely life for him. He seems to enjoy praise ("Come on, drown in applause. I'll accept your encouragement and blessings completely and enjoy the honor of standing here!" (Nymph Awards 2024 Winner quote), but the type you get when you're famous is so empty. He says "Happiness may not come from money, but sorrow usually does" (Deduction Star 2021 quote). He strives to live comfortably, in a position where he doesn't have to live surrounded by dirt, beneath everyone else, but he doesn't act like this kind of life will suddenly bring him a fulfilling type of joy. Despite achieving the rich guy life he wanted, I don't think he'd be satisfied. There will always be a different kind of emptiness in Norton, that cannot be filled with boundless wealth. Still, he doesn't confront the fact that he wants more than just wealth. I think that's where Orpheus could help him realize, or rather, accept some things.

About nortpheus being toxic! I don't see that happening in many circumstances. Perhaps if Norton's anger (which he harbors lots of) got the best of him he could be pretty nasty, but Orpheus would likely see through most attempts at provocation. He's not really the calculated, manipulative guy the fandom paints him to be. At least, not in the way they portray him. Less dark, and much more human. If anything, I believe his manipulativeness is born from a desire to have control of his life.

If he were to be Freakeus at all, I don't think he'd do it in a way that would genuinely be harmful to Norton. Norton would likely be into it anyway idk he's weird too LMAO.

I guess I can go into headcanons now!

I kind of like making Orpheus marvel at Norton in anything I write about them (not much) or in my Nortpheus thoughts. I just think he'd find Norton interesting, that's all ^^ Maybe he'd see him as a kind of muse (he's always looking for inspiration!) or something like a delicate object to be handled carefully.

(I know calling Norton delicate sounds a little insane at first glance, but think about it. He can have some pretty strong reactions ("But his his personality became all the more extreme, at times gloomy and depressed, while at times explosively hot tempered and avaricious" (Famitsu Character Biography), and though he's been through so much, it's made him both stronger and weaker. The more he suffers, the more persistent he becomes, but he grows desperate too.)

A lot of my Nortpheus thoughts include Orpheus' very soft and calm cadence, and it's like. Very romantic I think. Ew!! I just think he'd speak to Norton quietly. I think that makes it way gayer too.

Orpheus is an inquisitive motherfucker! He asks Norton a lot of questions. He wants to know everything about him! Norton is not the type to give you a lot when it comes to talking about himself, but Orpheus is patient in the most sickening way... Norton's like God this guy really wants to know me. Ough.

In Nortpheus there's more coming from Orpheus' side than Norton's. Norton is the type to be pursued, not the type to do the pursuing. I think maybe he doesn't care about romance, or thinks it's not something he'll experience anyway. Like I said, he'd be pretty disbelieving of the fact Orpheus even likes him at all (miserable pos) but. Eventually there'd be movement. Eventually.

Though, there are some awkward ways Norton would try to reciprocate. Like I said, a real acts of service and gift-giving guy! He seems like the type to, if he were in love, be a little upset he didn't have more to give. I actually had this awful idea about writing a Nortpheus fic where Orpheus proposes and it makes Norton so upset because HE was going to do that, he just wasn't able to afford the ring yet... ow ow ow

Overall, Nortpheus feels very relaxed and warm to me. Since Norton is the type to kind of keep things to himself I'm sure that would cause some miscommunication, but they'd pull through... 💖

Ah I also had this thought that Orpheus would feel a little sick to his stomach after discovering that he'd killed Norton in such a brutal way. Do what you will with that!

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