CROYDON 2: CROYDON HARDER

[falsify]

January 7th-14th: Once the purge really gets going, it's pretty obvious that Croydon's being targeted disproportionately. It's less of a surprise than some might like; the area's a source of numerous bruised egos - Eames' included - but more than that, every side involved clearly wants to put this to bed. Daybreak, unfortunately, has a lot more backing and more official channels to go through to get the upper hand. Numerous people are taken in by the Night Council on whatever charges of using dark magic can be used against them, and it leaves a not insignificant dent in their power. Clever, one might suppose, reduce the numbers before Daybreak - Norrell, let's all be honest here - send the bodies in to take the area. Eames has the fae on his side and the people in his employ do what they can to undermine this though. Moving people out of the area quickly and under the noses of the Council guardians sweeping the area, goods hidden, the odd person stored away safely in Faery. More than anything, it's a move of solidarity with those living here. A gentle suggestion that those witches, fae, metas, etc. in the area can trust him and his to look after them. January 15th: This is a losing fight, and Eames makes it clear no one is obligated to join in before things start. There's too many extenuating circumstances to have a hope of keeping their hands on Croydon. Still. Eames is too frustrated with the current state of affairs to let it go easily, and he amasses a small militia of the like-minded. They may not be able to keep Croydon, but they can make it difficult as hell to take. The plan is simple: In the early hours of the morning, before the sun has risen, they'll attack. The intent was to avoid bloodshed last time, but this time the intent is clearly to kill as many as possible. By the evening they'll have withdrawn, and Norrell can have fun explaining to the families of the deceased that they died for a shithole like Croydon.

Comments

9th

[occultdisciple]

There are so many different games at play, and that gives Coward no small thrill of pleasure. There's just something about the complexity of politics that will never fail to delight him. Which is why he's perfectly content to visit Norrell at his coven's headquarters.

"Some rather fine tea came into my possession," he said by way of greeting. "I thought you might like some."

While they talked business, of course.

[hurtfew]

Norrell is sat quietly at his desk reading when Lord Coward is invited in, making careful notes on a spell he is researching the history of. So many variations of it involve distasteful practice and Norrell is doing his best to see if he can work a cleaner, more modern iteration for the modern witch.

The offer of tea comes as something of a surprise (a surprise, in truth, based largely on Norrell's silent internal bias -- he hadn't particularly thought about a vampire having a taste for tea, but he supposes Coward was once a witch) and gives him an odd sort of feeling. The idea of Coward giving him a gift throws him somewhat, because it strikes him as a kinder sort of gesture than he'd expected. Almost friendly. He has little idea how to respond to it.

"Oh," he says simply at first, than ah as he seems to come to his senses and ring for attention. Someone slips their head around the door and Norrell gives them an awkward sort of smile as he asks for hot water for some tea, at as he settles seems rather ridiculously pleased by even such a simple gift.

"It was very kind of you to think of me," Norrell says finally, "I must confess I do enjoy a good cup of tea, although a great deal of it lately is so cheap and poor tasting. I suppose you must find the same."

[occultdisciple]

"It used to take nearly a year to bring this tea to England," Coward said conversationally as he set the bag of tea on one of the tables and used a scoop inside to fill two ceramic straining pods. "Of course, the precise ingredients have been changed over the course of the years, but it's nearly the same as it was in my day."

He approaches Norrell's desk with the pods and takes a seat to wait.

"An associate of mine brought home a wife from India-- a native and powerful witch. This was the only kind of tea she'd drink."

[hurtfew]

The assistant fusses in and out to make sure they have everything for their tea, leaving a small plate of plain biscuits and hovering a moment until Norrell flaps at them to leave impatiently.

"From India?" he prompts curiously. "I have heard a great deal about India, but I must confess I do not think it would suit me to visit. It is so very hot and dusty, and the facilities..."

He winces, shakes his head a little.

[occultdisciple]

"I never had much desire to go. I heard stories, of course. There was one hunter -- tigers, you know -- who used to tell stories at a club I attended. But it was for the adventurers, not the politicians."

He had always been quite happy to stay in London, in the centre of everything that was happening, rather than in a more wild place. By the time he'd gone to the Caribbean, after all, it was far more than it had been when he'd been Home Secretary.

[hurtfew]

He nods along approvingly -- in this sense, at least, Lord Coward is entirely his sort of person. A strategist, but one who is a politician and not an adventurer. It is almost easy to forget he is a vampire, to simply remember him as the man who was once a Daybreak witch himself.

"Oh! I very much understand. London, in fact, is something I have had to grow used to. It is so expensive, the houses so small --! When I bought my house in Mayfair I was astounded by the prices! It is all so very noisy, and there is hardly space enough for a good library! My own place in Yorkshire has so much more space! Ah, but London is where greatest minds are. And it is so good to be among them now!"

[occultdisciple]

"I was born and raised in London. When, of course, it was the season to be in the city." Like others, his family had a country home and owned extensive other properties, most of which were rented out. Had he so chosen, he wouldn't have had to work a day in his life. If his father had had his way, he might not have. But his mother had raised him for something else. Had raised him to understand magic and how it could impact the world. "So I never had cause to be surprised by the prices."

He passed a cup of tea to Norrell once it was brewed to what he considered sufficient. Then, for himself, he applied a cube of sugar and a small splash of milk. He stirred it carefully then sipped.

"Still very much like it used to taste."

[hurtfew]

Norrell draws the cup toward himself and stirs carefully, a small smile upon his face as he does so.

"You and I are quite different, sir. Quite different. I have a scholars love of solitude, the bustle and volume of London does not suit me. Yet, making way in London requires... certain connections that leave me often at a disadvantage. I have a great to share, and the greatest wish to further the cause of modern magic -- there are many ways I believe I may be of service here. I heartily wish this duty had fallen to another witch, but it seems I am the one to shoulder. You, sir. I envy you -- you are so very at home here!"

[occultdisciple]

"And I envy you," Coward murmured quietly. "Magic still at your fingertips..."

He chose to become a vampire. His mortality was not taken from him. But it was a choice made under extreme duress. It allows him to serve his Shepherd still, yes, and he doesn't regret it. But he's allowed to somewhat mourn the loss of the power he loved and the politics he knew. In the vampire society, he is still young, scraping for every bit of influence he can achieve.

"And a seat on the Night Council. A way to affect real change."

[hurtfew]

Ah, yes. Norrell's smile flicks up again at that, pleased at the recognition.

"I had hoped I would be recognised one day. It is an honour to be offered a seat, of course -- and, as you say, the chance to make a difference. It is a chance to finally make another push against the fae threat, against Midnight and the scourge of dark magic."

Which, perhaps, are more Norrell's opinions than the opinions of witches as a whole. Yet they are important opinions!