#vesper rambles

Some time ago I dropped a word vomit general headcanon post

im back

with more headcanons in another ridiculously probably going to be long post

except they’re rizz/social (this is platonic as well) themed… from someone who doesn’t even write romance (a lot). (she doesn’t even go here ahh vibes)

this is about Norton and Alice my idv favs

NORTON “FOOLISH GOLD” CAMPBELL

(social hcs but I started off with a hint of romance)

I think a fair bit of the lovely Norton lover community would agree that Norton as a lover can be a bit of a greedy possessive guy

but your honor!!! I think he would be extremely o put off by romance in general:

he hears Eli talking about how much his fiancée for the millionth time and zones the freak out

he hears rumors from the French about Michiko and miles and awkwardly sits there with his face scrunched up trying to eat his bread

dont get me wrong he loves his friends namely Naib and Eli but he’s not about to kiss marry kill any of them— that’s not what friends are for in his eyes

he finds their company nice, but he’s also the kind of guy to switch up what he does depending on who he’s with

ex: he is NOT whipping out the Golden Cave game with most of the survivors for funsies because of that one time Mike Morton himself ate the geodes and genuinely fooled Norton into thinking Kreacher stole them

it’s his main source of bonding with Alice tho just because— and after that they don’t really talk with each other unless it’s in private

he can yap but most of the time he knows when to shut up (unless it’s alice); he’s more of a listener to the smarty pantsies of the manor, he’d listen to Luchino go on “stupid” chemistry yaps about rocks and find it interesting

if Norton didn’t hate orpheus’ posh personality he’d like to listen to the goofy ahh read alouds he does sometimes (especially for the little girl— that’s the only time Orpheus acts like a real human and tbh it makes Norton kinda happy)

Norton’s a pretty chill guy around some of the other quiet folks like Ithaqua but he just doesn’t feel like he fits in

(norton rizzbell time; gen hcs)

IF IF IF this guy somehow fell in love with somebody at the manor he’d think himself cooked because

a) he recognizes infatuation quickly— he’s surprisingly apt at recognizing his emotions so if this was a simple ‘ah hot lady’ moment he’d know… right?

but this is not

and it’s scaring him

b) he’d believe there’s ZERO chance of this love ever going somewhere. why would someone like him??? much less love him??? much less marry him???

(he’d probably like the sound of marriageBUT HE DOESNT HAVE TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT OK?? ‘i cant even afford a wedding’ type beat)

c) it’s killing him. he literally has to this live with this doo doo crush and it throws him off in matches when this crush gets downed or decides with him or… or or whatever

he tries his best to hide but he just gets too flustered man

flustered in front of the crush. he can hide it adequately from everybody else.

but the gossipers are onto him…

(but what if he WASSSS in a relationship?)

the kind of romance the man likes is surprisingly very gentle and sweet, which is why it is ultimately unfathomable and unbearable for him

when he fantasizes (not in a creepy way trust— he’d get hot diggity darn embarassed and disgusted if he started thinking doodoo smutty thoughts) it’s more of what he does for the loved one than what the loved one does for him

he imagines how happy they’d be with him if he… oh, he doesn’t know (he totally knows)… gifted them their favorite food or something. held their hand. did something they liked. gave them a rock. like, a golden one. like, a really pretty rock like the crush.

he wouldn’t really think of what he would want which is why he thinks being in love makes him more of a fool than gold— because when has life not been about survival mode?!?!

he thinks of the classic ‘I’d better improve myself’ to make the other person happy— he’s surprisingly a bit of a people pleaser in this regard, and IF he really did LOVE somebody then he’d be pretty darn susceptible to their sweetness and what they say about him… CIRCA THE AFFECTION SYSTEM

which is why is probably much more likely for him to have more of a friends to lovers dynamic in my view than like a meet cute or something. this may also be because I am a rather biased slow burn fan.

even if he did fall in love, it certainly wouldn’t be easy that even happen in the first place.

(ok op but what about him being greedy ;)))

tbh im more biased towards wholesome sweet romances…

but you know what? he is quite jealousy prone. this is his crush. and even though they’re not even dating yet, sure— maybe he does get a little antsy seeing them get a lot of attention. and more than just a little bit.

he also knows it’s stupid to think like that. when was anything ever really his in this world?

the possessiveness could get really bad if it’s not addressed in a relationship— his ill feelings would melt away in a second with the crush but when the crush is gone?

he’s bitter. it screws with his head. especially if bro is taking Orpheus meds. yucky Orpheus meds

another relationship flaw is that Norton doesn’t really want the crush to know about his weak spots. what, is the relationship a therapy session?! he loves the crush and he WILL be a good partner for them— that’s what matters. not his goofy ahh backstory.

even if he does end up revealing them anyway because he’s a yapper at heart.

ALICE DERIZZLER (social then romantic)

Boundaries boundaries boundaries.

alice has been through so much and respectfully she is NOT taking anybody’s fools gold as far she’s aware of it.

obviously sometimes people like Orpheus try to one up her by their scary basement drugging schemes but ORPHEUS IS COOKED when she finds out

like really, really, really cooked.

she’s legit a master at communication— being a journalist and all it makes sense, but after all of that crazy childhood stuff she WILL make it clear whether a friendship or a relationship if someone is stepping over her boundaries!!!

unless… she’s investigating. wouldn’t be the first time she’s hidden her true thoughts on a little investigation trip. but in a normal social situation she’s very assertive with her thoughts and knows how to watch her tone, making sure she’s heard respectfully— and then some, if needed

very perceptive as well. easy for her to tell when something’s off with one of the survivors, even a hunter. good at diffusing tension between quarreling groups— as long as they’re arguing over something not stupid — all of this given she’s not on Orpheus meds. freakijg Orpheus meds.

honestly a good friend, role model, etc. she probably has seen a therapist (and has been told she’s crazy.)

gets complimented a lot around the manor, well-rounded person.

but, kind of like Norton, she will not delve into the pain of her past.

growing up with Vilhelm lamb was a terrible experience

she’s not one to obviously avoid it, per se, but her answers will turn from their being detailed and charming and insightful stuff to a little too concise and general; if she does say anything about her childhood it’s mostly what she can remember from when she was a happy little gal as Alice DeRoss rather than Eurydice Lamb

and while I head canon her code name in the manor being Eurydice Lamb i also head canon she doesn’t feel the best about it

some days she’s fine with it, other times she thinks about how much she hates that name and finds it funny that she chose it

but not in a humorous way, more like a morbidly amusing way

but also that’s not really social hcs… Alice just my one of my faves

anyway she can mask her emotions pretty well unless she’s in a situation where she’s straight up helpless

it’s not that she immediately becomes fearful, certainly not, but she becomes easy to read if you’re someone smart like Orpheus and readable enough if you’re someone helping Orpheus like Norton Campbell

it’s kind of like a new side of her— in a morbidly interesting way. use Orpheus meds and she uses some of her filter

she doesn’t have a potty mouth but she gets a little more antsy and impatient

but it’s rare to see her cry

living with Vilhelm and being an ex faro lady has taught her to shut up her emotions— not just negative ones, either

she deals with her thoughts alone. she will ask for help if she needs if for… a project. Writing. Tips. but when it comes to her own self development/thought coping, she’s on her own.

it was the truth with lamb, why wouldn’t it be in her own old home now with a bunch of other questionable residents? OK BUT WHAT IF SHE FELL IN LOOOOOOVE?

like Norton this wouldn’t happen easily. she can form connections on the fly. letting them grow and get deep enough to be intimate and even romantic?

uhhh, would be a bit of an undeveloped of experience for Alice, that’s for sure.

because again for most of her life what living person did she have to turn to? her parents only live on her mind. orphy has ears but he can’t hear. she’s learned to talk to herself like she’s the therapist and the patient.

it’s strange because she’s not necessarily a stranger to opening up. she’s really not. but romance seems a little…

impossible for her.

i mean, with everyone in Oletus? Oletus isn’t a dating sim, it’s an investigating sim.

yet it’d be the place where she could really start thinking about love. sentimentality. actually… having friends.

and then she falls in love. OOOHHHH LA LA

it begins with her interrogating herself.

why are you in love with this person? when did this begin? what’s so special about him? (she’s the skeptic dad AND the swooning child at the same time!)

she finds she can answer them all with almost full certainty— aside from where the friendship/relationship (again slow burn) became true love

she tries her hardest to maintain professional relations with the crush. they still have matches to do. this crush is a unique person who deserves time alone and to not have to see her talking at every moment.

but she can’t deny the heightened excitement or joy she has when she sees the crush in a match with her. she feels a twinge of pride as they finish a cipher or hold down their kite and makes sure to compliment them about it later.

depending on which lucky guy has caught her eye she might compliment them more. smile at them more. try to spend more time with them enjoying their company.

but she doesn’t know if she’d be ready for a relationship. (relationship rizz)

to alice, relationship is a huge commitment. if it ever came to a confession, she’d gently make it clear she’s not sure if she could do it.

maybe after the manor. (maybe when she finally addresses those problems in the back of her mind.)

shes rather wary of the crush’s intentions, as well, especially if this was like an engagement or something. do they want her money, as much as she loves them? do they want her or just something *of* her?

this she wouldn’t admit. but if she felt it was the right time and if she thought their intentions were pure so to speak, then perhaps a relationship would like this:

she’d be unashamed to constantly encourage her s/o. she’d compliment them a lot. give them lots more smiles— essentially, her during rizzing to the max.

um but they dont do pda in front of the others. thaaats one of the exceptions.

she would probably flirt, too— she’d enjoy teasing the s/o. she thinks it’s funny to see them flustered

as one can see she has a lot about words. but would see like physical affection like Norton would???

probably not. being manhandled or having pickaxes thrown at her or being drugged while being tied to a chair would all make her extremely discontent if not ready to throw hands back. discontent is not the strongest word for her in this situation either.

again she’d keep her boundaries. and she’d make sure to keep the s/o’s boundaries too— she has a lot of respect to go around.

but what about the low parts of the relationship?

Well first and foremost, Alice deross is not Eurydice lamb

somehow the s/o would find out— and that would be a rough spot

then Alice would have to explain almost everything.

and even then, it would take a lot for her to talk about the darker parts of her childhood. she knows how they’ve affected her, she knows why she does what she does— but she looks at these things and can’t bear to go further.

talking it out would help. not being called crazy or a liar would help for sure.

but it would hurt. alice is fully aware she isn’t perfect. she knows rhetoric like ‘I don’t want to be a burden’ isn’t helpful for her and not for the s/o either.

But she’s been ignoring her needs sometimes. it feels a little annoying to have her s/o remind her she can open up. maybe it does get her a little more antsy and on edge than she’d like.

But she’s honest about it. And she will continue to be, because to her love isn’t all about the feeling of ecstasy

it’s about finally being able to trust someone else

And I’m wondering if I should rewrite the fic I’ve been working on (that takes place a few weeks after episode 7) because I’ve been operating on the assumption that this might be the one thing he’s done that everyone will have some level of sympathy for (he so clearly did it in a moment of pure panic — it wasn’t him being his usual chaotic-chaotic self) even if they are going to demand answers.

I really think it’s more likely that they stay furious with Caine.

The shitshow that was 2019 is finally over. We can only hope that the 2020s will treat us more mercifully. I can only hope that I'm able to move out of this chaos and in with my found siblings. I can only hope that I don't come crawling back into the storm.

Saying "hope" may sound like I am fearful of the future and what it holds, which I most definitely am, but I am genuinely hopeful.