Chapter Text
Norton was a man who Orpheus just couldn't stand, no matter how much he tried to give him grace he couldn't help but hate him. The former miner annoyed him so much, his blood boiled just thinking about him, everything he did found a way to tick Orpheus off. The way he spoke, the way that he interacted with others, it was all just so exasperating. Things would've been better if he had just disappeared down in those mines.
So, why is he sat across the table from the man having dinner?
Usually Orpheus and Norton made it to dinner on time. Unfortunately tonight, they were an hour late. Norton’s last match had been prolonged and Orpheus stayed in late, working on his next book.
The room was uncannily quiet, the only sounds filling the room were the scraping of Norton’s utensils and the slight smack escaping his lips. The novelist’s eye twitched at the sound. “Absolutely no manners..” he had thought to himself. Despite his patience running thin by the minute, he continued to eat his meal.
Norton was busy shoveling food in his mouth, yet he felt the presence of eyes staring directly at him. He had looked up from his plate only to meet the novelist’s piercing gaze. Orpheus had quickly looked away mumbling something under his breath.
“What?” the man asked, mouth still full of food.
“Don’t worry about it.” Orpheus replied, turning his head.
Norton swallowed the food before speaking, “You were just staring daggers into me and mumbling. You expect me not to worry about it?”
The novelist was rendered silent. He was ready to push his chair in, deciding he didn’t have time to waste by interacting with the lower class man’s nonsense.
The man looked up before speaking again. “If there’s something you want to say to me go ahead, it couldn’t be anything I haven’t heard before.”
Orpheus had grabbed his plate getting ready to throw the scraps away. “As I said don’t worry about it, it’s nothing.”
Norton rolled his eyes before digging into his pocket until he found his lighter and a cigarette.
“What are you doing with that?”
Norton sighed “what does it look like I’m going to do? I’m going to 𝙨𝙢𝙤𝙠𝙚 it.” he awnsered in a sarcastic tone.
The novelist narrowed his eyes at the man and exhaled “I meant what are you doing with that inside the manor. You’re aware indoor smoking is against the rules, correct Mr. Campbell?”
“Do you think I give a damn?” Norton retorted before putting the cigarette to his mouth and lighting it.
“I’d put that out, especially knowing what the baron could do if they found out you broke the rules.” The higher class man sneered.
“Listen, I’ve had a rough day, I’m tired. Can you keep your nose in your own business just this once.” Norton then took a long drag.
The novelist was appalled at the tone of Norton’s reply. He grit his teeth as he turned his full body to the rule breaker.
“Pardon me?”
Norton puffed out the smoke “You heard me Orpheus. I can see you trying to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong. You rich folk always find a way to insert yourselves into things just for your own pleasure. It’s aggravating.”
Orpheus bit his tongue, not wanting to disturb the other residents by useless bickering. “I have no interest in arguing with you Mr. Campbell. Have a good n-“
“Oh cut the prissy bullshit Orpheus.” Norton interrupted, not wanting to listen to Orpheus’s false civility.
Orpheus had an indescribable amount of rage bubbling up inside of his body “It’s far too late to be arguing like this Campbell. Now if you’ll excuse me I’ll be on my way.”
Orpheus had stormed out of the dining hall, face flushed and fists clenched, leaving Norton alone at the dining table.
After he had finished his meal and cigarette, Norton had washed off his plate and headed to his room, absolutely exhausted.
The minute the prospector stepped foot in his room he crashed on his bed for the night, not caring enough to shower or even change his clothes. He had lied down and stared up at the ceiling, still quite bitter about the previous conversation he shared with the novelist.
Various thoughts clouded Norton’s head. “What makes 𝙝𝙞𝙢 so much better than me?”, “All he has is money and arrogance.”, “I bet he hasn’t had to work for something a day in his life, everything was handed to the spoiled bitch on a silver platter.” All these thoughts surrounded him, keeping him up.
Orpheus on the other hand had gotten to his room and took a self proclaimed 'well deserved' shower.
As he had bathed himself he kept thinking about the things Norton had blabbered about. “𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘬 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦.” Resounded in his brain. He began to think to himself 'Where does Norton get off saying this? He hasn’t seen half of my life, not even a quarter.' He was fuming, he considered barging into Norton’s room the next morning and giving him a peice of his mind but, decided against it.
Orpheus had stepped out of the shower drying himself off and slipping into his pajamas. He was so worn out he could barely keep his eyes open. Eventually after rustling with his covers he had drifted off into a peaceful sleep.