LumiWonder

While the busyness of every day life in the underworld constantly kept Pluto, or really, Norton preoccupied, he usually didn’t mind it too much. It could be repetitive for sure and quite annoying if he had to deal with the same dead denizens who complained and bothered him over the same trivial stuff. But ultimately, he was a workaholic who couldn’t help but feel a touch of superiority of ruling over his own realm and people even if they were deceased souls. 

Though admittedly, it had been growing to be such a mind-numbing job that he had slowly started to wonder if this was truly what he wanted. Something had been missing and Norton realized with a shock that ruling the underworld was not the end he had yearned for. But he had endured and did what he had to as a ruler until he met Alice. 

Now, he forced his busy schedule to have enough free time to constantly meet up with Alice who was still known as Eurydice by practically everyone else but them. For some reason, knowing that he was the only one who knew her real name made him feel a bit smug. And warm. And special. 

And even now, as they walked next to each other by the Phlegethon River which had ironically become their usual meet up spot, Norton was already starting to feel that familiar ache whenever he was around Alice except now it had evolved to include a flutter in his chest, like butterflies gently tickling his chest with their wings. He hated feeling this vulnerable around her and yet, he couldn’t help but indulge in this new feeling.

“Norton?” Her voice suddenly speaking up made his flames rise a bit.

“Yes?” He simply answered back.

Alice stopped walking and turned to him before asking, “I’ve always wondered but your scar…does it…hurt?”

This wasn’t a question he was expecting. Though she had asked about the hole in his chest before, which he had brushed off as something that didn't needed talking about much to Alice's upset.

As for his scar however, Norton truthfully couldn’t remember when he received it though he assumed he had inherited it from his previous life as a human on earth. Why such a mortal blemish had come with him, he had know idea but he didn’t really think much of it. Indeed, if he had to have an opinion on his scar, he’d probably say he didn’t care much for it either way but he guessed it gave him a more intimidating appearance (which admittedly made him a little maliciously gleeful).

But did it hurt…well…

“No, not really,” he lied. While it didn’t hurt him per se, and while it was a bit less sensitive than the rest of his flesh, it sometimes felt heavy like it was reminding him of a long forgotten sin that remained a mark, no, a burden on his body. On the other hand, he felt virtually no feeling when it came to the rocky parts of his body. He was so used to that, he had long forgotten the sensation of warmth felt like. Even his infernal flames couldn’t quite breach the cold stone nature of his body. 

Alice frowned upon hearing this and gently asked Norton to come closer which he obliged. She then proceeded to carefully take off his mask covering his scar. Then she did the unthinkable. 

She cupped her hand on his cheek with the care of someone who has been physically mishandled before. Her touch being as gentle as a mist on a foggy day as she leaned in and cautiously pressed her lips against the left side of his forehead—right over his scar.

Then without warning, Alice had to jump back in alarm as a blazing inferno engulfed Norton. Fearing she had done something wrong, she took a step back but just as quickly as the fire had appeared, it died down again to show he had transformed into his human form looking flustered and pink—very pink. Even his flames had a pinkish glow to them now.

Norton was speechless but seemed unharmed, at least physically (mentally was another story). He had inadvertently changed from his rock god form to being a mere mortal man again. That vulnerable feeling was back along with the fact that those butterflies in his chest had now moved up to his scar. It tingled and was abuzz with the phantom touch of Alice’s kiss.

He could only stare at her, his mind a blank until she moved forward and took his hand gently.

“You liar. I can tell it hurts you by the way you fidget with your mask sometimes,” Alice explained gently. “But I hope I helped you feel better, even for a moment.”

Norton could only rapidly blink, his heated mixed emotions converged and threatened to boil over. His godhood forgotten as he felt like a mortal man again. Was being human always this embarrassing? 

He was still too stunned to speak so Alice spoke up instead, clearly amused at the effect she was having on him. “Ever since you were struck with Eros’ bow, I knew.” 

That got something out of him as Norton grimaced remembering what had occurred back then. After he had realized his growing feelings for Alice, he decided it would be better to cut them off before they grew too quickly. Thus, he had recruited Eros, sometimes known as Cupid, to use his lead arrow to make him at least feel apathy, if not hatred, towards Alice. That had been a stupid idea. Simply because he couldn’t imagine wanting to hate her now but also because he should’ve known that bloody fool would mess it up somehow.

Yes, Eros had used his usual love making arrow on Norton which caused the god of the underworld to become a puppy in love for Alice. No, really. After that embarrassing display when he wouldn’t have her leave his embrace, she finally convinced him to let go, only for him to insist on staying by her side the whole day. Despite work they both had to do, Norton chose to ignore his work, for once, and stayed by Alice’s side as she went back to her job running the newfound Hades Weekly, a magazine and news source for all your underworld needs. 

Of course, while Alice was used to Norton’s presence, most of the underworld was not. Thus, she had found it hard to interview anyone that day as they were too fearful to stick around too long with him around. It didn’t help that he was oddly possessive under the affects of the arrow and had even taken off his crown to place on Alice’s head in order to show those of the underworld that she was his. 

Granted, the ruler of the underworld even taking off his crown was huge but to place it on Alice was even bigger. The rumors they were together as a couple were all but confirmed with that action…until it was clarified that Pluto was under the effects of Cupid’s arrow. The resident gossipers of the Underworld were in complete shambles.

Norton cringed at remembering such a time but Alice was happily reminiscing about it which somehow made him feel a little better. But that wasn’t what was truly bothering him lately when it came to Alice. Now that he’s recovered from her…her kiss…

…okay, maybe he wasn’t that recovered.

But, he forcefully pushed that aside and interrupted Alice in the middle of her talking about how pink his flames were that day. “Alice…”

“Yes?” she turned to him, sensing the urgency in his voice.

“You…” he started to say, but then shook his head to get his jumbled up thoughts in order. “Does this mean you want to stay…? Here, in the underworld I mean…”

Souls who successfully arrive by Charon’s boat usually resided in only a handful of places in Hades: Tartarus (for those who have sinned greatly), Asphodel Meadows (where most souls resided), and Elysium which also held the Isles of the Blessed (only the exceptional and pure souls went there). While Alice could’ve been placed in Elysium especially with Pluto’s blessing, she had found herself most comfortable amongst the more ordinary folk in the Meadows. Yet, he knew those in the underworld never wanted to stay too long if they had to especially if they weren’t in Elysium. 

While it was irrational to think this as she had expressed no discontent being in the underworld for so long, Norton was convinced Alice was starting to tire of being here. Maybe he was projecting his own feelings about this place on here, but someone like her truly didn't feel like she belonged here. And what’s worse, was that she could easily leave if she wanted. 

“Stay? Here?” Alice mirrored back his words in confusion. “What makes you ask such a question?”

Norton remained quiet. Not because he didn’t want to answer, though it was kind of embarrassing to admit why, but because he couldn’t formulate his thoughts quickly enough to form a good answer without sounding weak and foolish.

So, Alice went on, holding his hand a bit more firmly than before. “Of course I want to stay, but there’s something I need to tell you first…”

Unfortunately, the rest of her words were lost to the darkness as a sudden wave of dizziness washed over Norton who emerged to a blinding red light that assaulted his eyes. What was going on? And more importantly, what was Alice going to say?

⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆.˚ ☾⭒.˚

Note: Music is always key to inspiration. As for this fic, I listened a lot to jomm's music but especially "Play Pretend" was a partial inspiration for this (there's even a few easter eggs from the song's lyrics that I put into the full version of this fic)...okay I lied, it was a rather big inspiration as the lyrics are basically Norton's perspective.

1. He is malnourished

Look at how proud he is, the big guy beating up the little one smh. Just awful...

I remember first seeing this being talked about by a certain Norton fan on Twitter (it’s always Twitter lol) who mentioned they never hear talk about how malnourished Norton is. This is true. I always thought it interesting how small Norton looked for apparently being a miner who has worked all his life in the mines. Where’s the muscle?

Right here, of course! Right~?

And no, his washing board doesn’t count in cosmetics like his summer fit and…the recent “Fool’s Gold” fit (I still can’t believe they’ve done this…lol). 

But on a more serious note, we can see in his character trailer how he compares to the other miners and well, they certainly looked better physique-wise. For Norton, it’s highly probable that going to the shelter to look after Benny is one reason he is the way he is.

It’s said in his recent birthday letter that he would bring fresh bread for Benny to eat but would eat moldy biscuits instead. Norton also mentions to Alice in the affection system about having to eat stale bread in this quote: “Understand me? You ever eaten stale bread, stuck in your pocket for three days, covered in dirt and grime?”

He kinda looks the same size as Benny here, ngl. Well, that is...certainly something...

Considering his black lung disease, which only debilitates him further, one can only guess that how physically weak he must actually be. It just may appear that he is okay because he has had to be in survival mode for most of his life and both his mind and body don’t know any other way to live. You know how you hear those stories of people somehow surviving or doing incredible feats of strength due to an adrenaline rush? That’s basically Norton but that rush is every day of his life.

You guys ever see what a black lung actually looks like? God, no wonder Norton really does sound like he is hacking up his lungs when you play as him in game...

His body is a wreck, mates. And it’s a wonder he is somehow holding it together especially when you also take into account that he has been traveling here, there, and God knows where in search of the treasure from Benny’s list of 13 mines. All to end up with nothing but a magnet that only just barely improves his situation in life. 

What’s even worse is that even at the manor, he could partake in better and more nutritional food but it appears he doesn’t. His favorite foods to eat are milk, bread, and tea…which isn’t a lot but that’s all he could afford for most of his life. Even if he did eat something else, like…say, foie gras, then how would his body react?

I can’t remember which one of you guys mentioned this but someone did say that since his body is too used to consuming the usual poor meal of bread and milk that eating anything else could upset it. The body needs time to acclimate to other types of food which sounds kinda messed up but it’s true.

Anyways, this point was a bit longer than I thought it would be so onto the next.

2. He’s lonely

The affection system really was a treasure trove of lore.

I feel like this is rather a more obvious one as the whole affection system is testament to this fact. Like this dude acts like he really really REALLY wished Alice would leave him the freak alone and even says as much in the beginning at low affection. Yet, as he grows more familiar with Alice (rather begrudgingly I may add), he slowly but surely opens up. 

I mean, at full affection he becomes a yapper and answers her questions without too much fuss. He even seems to carry the conversation sometimes though he does have his limits and even tells her that they’ve talked long enough and to go do something else (which again just implies that they’ve been talking for a while…wowee, what progress from him simply saying “…”)

“Tomorrow’s another day. More work. More tiredness. More loneliness. Same old grind.” 

Norton is, uh…very relatable if you’ve worked…pretty much any job in our current society. Yet, of course, in his case, it's 10 times worse and he has been stuck doing it since he was a child. Let that sink in, especially those of you who work at rather lackluster jobs you wish you could escape from.

But it’s interesting that he does admit not just being tired but lonely as well. And that makes sense. The only person we know of that was even the remotest bit close to Norton was Benny who was a close friend of Norton's father and by extension was a family friend to Norton.

Yet, while that old man did seem to hold some good intentions in the beginning (see Norton's 2023 birthday letter), it’s possible there were some ulterior motives at play for both parties. Which seems clear when we know Norton absconded with Benny’s list without the man knowing until it was too late.

Speaking of, I feel as if when I’m talking about this aspect of Norton, many of you are envisioning Prospector Norton, yes? But may I remind you that “Fool’s Gold” is Norton too.

When I was editing my video last night, I accidentally paused on this shot and golly, no wonder Alice just bolted cause that smile is devilish.

It’s kind of hard to envision this big somewhat monstrous rock creature with such a malcious smile is any bit lonely but let’s take a bit of a more closer eye to it, yes?

For instance, take a look at his deduction notes. I always found it interesting that Prospector’s Deduction notes are all labelled with words of positive connotations: Kindness, Diligence, Efficiency, Persistence, Patience, Courage, Alert, Share, Wisdom, Lucky. 

Best quality I can probably get on Tumblr (sigh)

And then you read the notes underneath each one and it’s…kind of sad to read. I won’t list all but here are some in order as you go down the list:

Kindness: “Is that an Olive Branch you just threw, or…” (First deduction quest)

Diligence: “The more effort, the more rewards?”

Persistence: “People won’t be unlucky forever, right?”

Patience: “Next time…”

Alert: “You need to be more cautious…”

Lucky: "That's only because the rest are just unlucky." (Last deduction quest)

As you can see from the ones I selected, it feels as if Norton slowly over time loses his goodwill and morals as he became more jaded with the world and the fate that was handed to him. No matter how much he worked or strived to better his life, nothing worked and he continued to be looked down on and mocked by those who technically SHOULD have been more empathetic since they were in the same position as him. 

Yet, “What else can the son of a miner be but a miner?” 

A quote that has been said by Norton a handful of times but have you ever stopped to wonder if it originated from him? It’s seems plausible that those who saw his efforts and ambitions would say such a thing to him because in the society they lived in, the poor would always remain poor and the rich would continue to fill their pockets with the hard earned efforts of those working in the slums.

That quote was probably hammered into Norton’s head from a young age to the point a part of him started to believe it. He says in the video that he "once thought the same" implying that his view of being stuck as a miner's son changed. Unfortunately, it probably coincided with the sharp sour feeling that the whole world truly was against him. So naturally, his jadedness and disappointment turned into bitter anger and resentment towards the apathetic and mocking world he grew up in. 

But he’s still a human being at the end of the day even as a hunter.

Y'know...looking at these images is making me wonder if I'm wrong here. Maybe I should rethink this...

Well, anyways! Let’s take a look at “Fool’s Gold’s” Deduction quests: Shrewd, Lonely, Sophisticated, Willful, Gloomy, Greedy, Arrogant, Hypocrite, Ruthless, Numb.

Well, they’re certainly more negative in connotation this time, eh? But what I really find interesting is the fact that it’s his Hunter identity that have words like “Lonely” and “Gloomy.” “Numb” also stands out. The rest are what one typically thinks of when they think of “Fool’s Gold.” He is seen as the more violent and ruthless side of Norton who mercilessly regards others as just stepping stones to his greater success. This isn’t wrong, but it’s also not the full picture of who he is. 

Alright, hands up, how many of y'all are into this crazed psycho man, hm? Cause I've seen the likes on that FG abs post. I know what y'all are.

And understandably, he feels less sympathetic than Prospector because of how he is presented. They even mention his dehumanization as “Fool’s Gold” in his concept video. In this instance, it's both in body and mind. He is supposed to feel less human and more the physical embodiment of all those negative ideas from above in this rock creature that he has become.

Yet, that also includes the more “colder” words that seem unlike the bloodthirsty violent pickaxe wielder we’ve come to love and hate (for me at least, the trauma…the trauma I get from FG players know no bounds!! Ahem…)

Lonely: “The loneliness of separation must be endured on the climb up.”

I’ll also include the note for this one: “A coin: Stained by ash, footprints, tears, and dirt from the slums.”

Sophisticated: “Wear a mask for the sake of survival”

Note: “A note on the back: What a detestable person! Wagging his tail like a dog in front of the overseer!”

Gloomy: “The other side of kindness and affability.”

Greedy: “Merely retaking what the heavens owe.”

Numb: “Forget them and stay away from the dark underground.” Note: “Maybe it can keep me away from misfortune and darkness.” (Last deduction quest)

I think after reading this, it’s pretty clear that the petrification of Norton Campbell isn’t just a physical thing we see with him being made of mostly rocks as “Fool’s Gold,” but also the hardening of his emotions and heart. I mentioned this before in a recent post but in order to survive and attempt to thrive in a world full of pain, coal dust, and mockery, he had to become the very monster that suppressed him for so long with little regard to treating him like an actual human being. 

I even mentioned how as a hunter, it’s interesting Norton uses his pickaxe to create “unstable ground” where each time he uses his pickaxe it mimics almost what one would think a mine crumbling and ultimately collapsing would feel and sound like. He subjects the survivors to the same pain and trauma that haunted him day in and day out in those mines, every day thinking it could be his last. (I say this as someone who actually has been jumpscared by the sound of his pickaxe and the walls exploding like a mini earthquake around me.)

"Unstable Ground" is the title of his base trait and the trait that makes him who he is. He inflicts it on others, just as he felt it back in those mines.

The fact he says this to Alice in the affection system both backs up my argument but also feels a bit saddening in a way.

Because did he necessarily want to become that way? Of course not, but he was forced to in order to survive because at the end of the day, Norton Campbell simply wants to. Live. A. Better. Life. 

Which seems impossible to achieve.

Let me say here that it's not like Norton just decided one day to throw away his morals and kinder nature, he did mentally struggle a lot. I mean, he was struggling so badly against himself that it went from a mental struggle to a physical struggle, holding his head and clawing at his face (which is not caught in the GIF above but you will see it when watching the video).

It means, he is fully aware of why going to the darkside is a bad idea but succumbs anyway because it became too much, the constant struggle to survive, the failed ventures with the 13 mines, the constant ridicule, forcing himself to suck up to his superiors, etc. etc.

“He tired easily, and his lung disease worsened, but this physical pain was nothing compared to the “infection” spreading from those finer wounds. Whenever the infection began, he felt a fear of falling into an endless void. This fear was more pronounced in dark environments as if he had been placed in the bottomless mine where he had spent his life trying to escape” -from his character introduction.

While I know “Fool’s Gold” isn’t traditionally seen as being someone you’d look at and think “Aww, how lonely he must be” or “I wonder if that senseless smile of his also masks some of his pain” (it probably doesn’t but who knows?), but in this section I also wanted to point out how this identity of Norton tends not to be casted in too many different lights outside of the violent, almost senseless murderer people like to cast him in.

*Nortalice Shipping Alert* Just wanted to warn that I’m about to step into shipping territory. Ye have been warned.

But since I’ve lately been itching to explain some thoughts behind my writing process (thanks to @tempestimes), I wanted to say this is why I sometimes write “Fool’s Gold” the way I do. 

Probably the best instance I can think of is in my very first nortalice fanfic, “Sun-kissed Snow” (aww memories…as if it wasn’t like 2 months ago lol). It would be better to just show you guys what I mean:

My whole thought process was (if I can recall correctly), was that due to the constant harassment of the others, Enchantress’ curse was the final straw that showed him the hell that he had try to escape from all his life. I’m not sure exactly what Patricia’s curse does to hunters but they way they react to it, it must not be good. 

Also, have you heard how Norton sounds like when he gets shot? He sounds like a creature (lol I say this with love I swear), but he definitely be growling in displeasure. Also, if you're wondering I did nothing to deserve that...we were even having a rough match as you can see (sadge)

But naturally, with Alice’s help, her comfort, and warmth matched the sun he had always been striving to reach, to see…and well, that’s why he comes out of his dark spell and recovers. 

Speaking of Alice, I’ve thought before how much I make the two rather touchy feely which I understand is out of character when you really think about it canonically. I think @nightwonder7 put it real nicely in a recent post of theirs:

Hope they don't mind me putting their post here. It just really liked it.

So I suppose my own life experiences and my love language is spilling into the words I write, apologies to those that are brought out of the flow of my story when I do that.

But, I do want to say in my defense that not only do I feel as if “Fool’s Gold” would be more touchy feely, not just because he is all about unrestrained and wild emotions, but because of how…how should I put this…? Possessive he would be.

Okay, listen, before the fanfic troupe police pull up to my door at how cliche and overused the whole possessive jealousy trope is ESPECIALLY in fanfiction…I…I got a reason for saying that, alright?

If you look back at his deduction quest, specifically “Greedy” it aligns with the fact that a lot of things in Norton’s life has been taken from him. Despite working hard and striving to do his best with the hand given to him, life still stole so much from him whether that be his health, his happiness, his childhood, his will to see another day (which I’ll get to a bit later), but you name it, and it’s more or less been taken from Norton…or there never was anything to take because this man has virtually not even received too many opportunities to better his life.

Oddly, I do think the recent essence can be an example of this. His greed to find the treasure of this galaxy ended up causing him suffering with the fact he even ended up in a black hole for a bit while also losing his "friends." Yet, he still forcibly mastered the black hole and became the abyss itself and in turn ended up being the one to become a black hole sucking anything that got to close in despite still suffering it's effects...

But back to his current actual reality, considering Norton has had very little agency in his own life especially acting as the quiet, diligent miner who worked hard to please his bosses, it’s no wonder he flipped the switch and forced himself to wear a mask, numb the least important emotions, and ditch being the mining poster boy and greedily take what he felt was owed to him from the actual blood, sweat, and tears, he’s had to pour into his daily life in order to survive.

A bit too lazy to put the images and edit it but I'm sure you guys can figure out who is who.

It’s a meme but it’s truly embodies what his two identities are like with each other.

So if one good person comes along and makes him feel human again, and taps into that small part of him that reminds him that life isn’t so bad, then why not stay around that person? The jealousy and possessiveness that could come out of such a relationship stems not from just been greedy and taking what he feels is owed him, but also because he would be afraid to be alone again.

And so I guess that’s another reason I use physical touch a lot in these stories because a lot of the time when people are seeking something or someone in moments of desperation or reassurance, they want to feel that thing or person to makes sure that this real? Are you real? Is this what it’s like to feel the touch of another person? The warmth of another person? It almost feels to good to be true but this physical distance where they can feel each other isn’t a lie. 

And the added bonus that the other person actually reciprocates their touch meaning they're not disgusted or turned off by them. It's a sign they like them since touch is such an intimate sense that it feels almost sacred when it happens with someone like him and someone like her. Simply put, it's a physical sign of acceptance of the other, flaws, shortcomings, and all.

And in a life where one is constantly belittled, ridiculed, and taught to feel lesser of themselves just because society tells them so, well...feeling like someone accepts you is almost to incredible to believe but that small part of you clings to that hope because it's human nature to do so. And this can apply to any of us.

I lowkey hate the fact that a part of my stupid trolling brain is out here thinking Norton's probably like with that little grin of his: "Oh, she definitely wants me." LOL

Someone call 911 cause I need an MRI, please.

Okay, …did not think this would be so freaking long—holy. How did I have this many thoughts? Well, I’ll finish this point here, but I do have one more point that I warn again, it’s a bit of a sensitive topic as it pertains to the loss of one’s life.

3. The will to live was at least at one time, non-existent

This point may be a bit controversial but I saw a tweet last night talk about how the Golden Cave incident wasn’t just Norton trying to blow up his fellow miners, but it was also a possibility that he was also trying to end his own life.

And it’s not the first time I’ve seen this brought up. I think it’s understandable to read the incident that way if you comb through his lore and get a feeling for his character and story through a little careful analysis. I think it’s also helpful if you yourself can relate to Norton in any way and have felt…well, such ideations. Thus, it could be seen a bit as projecting but considering the dark nature of IDV and the nuances the painstakingly put into the lore, it’s unfortunately not a far-fetched conjecture. 

Considering he already had to come to terms with the fact that every day he ventured into those mines to work, it could be his last, I think it’s more so he was ready to die because he’s faced death practically every day. While you can learn to cope with that, how much of a mental toll that takes and how that can affect you as a person is something that can’t be understated.

Anyways, due to the nature of this topic, I don’t want to ramble too much into it especially as it can be triggering.

Credit to feimao_salmon (Just reminds me of his affection system emote...)

Though I will say that one of the reasons I admired his character was due to the fact that he still clung onto some hope to change his future and still managed to keep a rather healthy view of himself…I mean, he does of a lack of self worth (as seen through the affection system) but he always felt like he deserved more despite his conditions, despite being a poor miner. A lot of people would simply sit there and accept their lot in life (which is basically his fellow miners). 

So, let’s give him some credit for that. I also want to say that if he had any ideations, I don’t believe they exist now at the manor at least. So there’s good news at least.

Right so, that’s it for this post. It got uncharacteristically heavy at the end there and I’m not sure how to end this in a more light-hearted way. 

I suppose I can leave this here to give you all a good laugh perhaps?

I really hope this crossover comes back because this is one of Norton's cutest fits in my opinion.

It's the bunny ears that's doing it for me.

And for the nortalice fans.

Proper credit to all the artists and original owners in each tweet! I don't claim any part of the art or videos above! I just wanted to share them to those on tumblr who don't want to venture into the godforsaken pit known as Twitter.

A good day/night to you all!