Gilbert Norrell (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
hurtfew) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
undergrounds2015-11-14 09:00 pm
hurtfew) wrote in undergrounds2015-11-14 09:00 pm
Entry tags:
The Actions of a Great Magician [ OPEN ! ]
A) An Audience with Norrell
Gilbert Norrell describes himself as having a scholar's love of silence. There are few things he dislikes so much as crowds, as people gossiping about nothing. Norrell's love is for his books, and for writing.
So it is that most days Norrell secludes himself in his offices, planning and reading and writing letters of discontent -- although it could be said that perhaps the letters of discontent take up most of his time, followed by the reading, followed last by the planning.
The rising of his rank is a thing that pleases Norrell, but he is wary of it all the same. There is another person he must work with, a woman, and he is at a loss for how to handle her. The women of Daybreak, on the whole, are stronger in temperament than he is used to. It gives him something of a headache.
Still, as both a High Priest of Daybreak and Coven Leader he has been forced to make an effort to be more accommodating. So it is that he ensures he has a few days set aside in each month to speak to anyone who wishes a moment of his time. It is begrudging, a thing that involves him pursing his lips a great deal and perhaps not being the most tactful of souls, but the grand building that is the Norrellite Coven -- all respectable yet elegant black and white frontage -- is allowing in people to speak with the High Priest himself for short appointments.
Of course, they are asked to identify themselves first, and Norrell does not meet them alone. He is more than aware that people may be jealous of his new position and wish his downfall! So it is that guards flank the room his heavy desk occupies, and Norell himself awaits those who wish to speak to him with palpable impatience.
B) A Visit to Westminster
Norrell's greatest wish, aside from of course to generally be recognised for the great man he is, is to be recognised by the Night Council. The Night Council, to him, is the best place a man can be to ensure the restoration of English magic to greatness! They have the power to make the laws, and so through them -- well! Through them so much could be done! The Fae driven back entirely, Midnight put a stop to, magic made respectable once more and London made a safe place!
So it is that regularly Norrell can be found in Westminster, trying to get an audience with the Night Council or a message to them. It is unfortunate that he has yet to be given a place on it, but Childermass has assured him these things never happen quickly. That soon they will see him for his greatness, it may just take time. Until then, he should of course associate with all the right people and make his voice heard.
This is made difficult when it is so obvious to him that Sylvia Redbright is entirely envious of his success and sees him as a threat. She, he is sure, is the reason why he cannot get an audience nor be heard!
He sits in the waiting area a while, lips pursed in discontent, before finally deciding he cannot wait any longer and rising to leave. Busy indeed! How could they be too busy to see him, High Priest of Daybreak? The man who made peace in Lambeth? It will not do! His time is precious, and cannot be wasted waiting at the Night Council's convenience! So flustered is he that he nearly barges into a person on his way out. Immediately his demeanour changes from one of silent fury to unease and nerves.
"Oh!" he manages in surprise, and lifts his hands up a little as if in defence.
C) Book Store
Most of the time Gilbert Norrell will either request delivery of a book or send a person to pick it up for him.
This time, however, his impatience has gotten the better of him. Childermass is busy, Lucas has time off and he simply cannot wait. Someone might attempt to steal the book away, they might sell it to another if he waits too long to pick it up, all sorts of problems might arise!
That, and it's the only copy he's found so far. Norrell is eager to see what condition it is in and begin reading it and making a copy.
He paces impatiently in the book store, waiting for his order to be fetched. The books around him are, largely, regarded with disdain for they are fiction. Norrell has little interest in fiction, almost as little interest as he has in continuing to be in this book store! He has so much work to be getting done, and yet they insist on keeping him waiting!
Any other patrons he spots are regarded with looks of disinterest, dislike or irritation simply because they are there. He only hopes they do not try and strike up idle conversation with him.
Gilbert Norrell describes himself as having a scholar's love of silence. There are few things he dislikes so much as crowds, as people gossiping about nothing. Norrell's love is for his books, and for writing.
So it is that most days Norrell secludes himself in his offices, planning and reading and writing letters of discontent -- although it could be said that perhaps the letters of discontent take up most of his time, followed by the reading, followed last by the planning.
The rising of his rank is a thing that pleases Norrell, but he is wary of it all the same. There is another person he must work with, a woman, and he is at a loss for how to handle her. The women of Daybreak, on the whole, are stronger in temperament than he is used to. It gives him something of a headache.
Still, as both a High Priest of Daybreak and Coven Leader he has been forced to make an effort to be more accommodating. So it is that he ensures he has a few days set aside in each month to speak to anyone who wishes a moment of his time. It is begrudging, a thing that involves him pursing his lips a great deal and perhaps not being the most tactful of souls, but the grand building that is the Norrellite Coven -- all respectable yet elegant black and white frontage -- is allowing in people to speak with the High Priest himself for short appointments.
Of course, they are asked to identify themselves first, and Norrell does not meet them alone. He is more than aware that people may be jealous of his new position and wish his downfall! So it is that guards flank the room his heavy desk occupies, and Norell himself awaits those who wish to speak to him with palpable impatience.
B) A Visit to Westminster
Norrell's greatest wish, aside from of course to generally be recognised for the great man he is, is to be recognised by the Night Council. The Night Council, to him, is the best place a man can be to ensure the restoration of English magic to greatness! They have the power to make the laws, and so through them -- well! Through them so much could be done! The Fae driven back entirely, Midnight put a stop to, magic made respectable once more and London made a safe place!
So it is that regularly Norrell can be found in Westminster, trying to get an audience with the Night Council or a message to them. It is unfortunate that he has yet to be given a place on it, but Childermass has assured him these things never happen quickly. That soon they will see him for his greatness, it may just take time. Until then, he should of course associate with all the right people and make his voice heard.
This is made difficult when it is so obvious to him that Sylvia Redbright is entirely envious of his success and sees him as a threat. She, he is sure, is the reason why he cannot get an audience nor be heard!
He sits in the waiting area a while, lips pursed in discontent, before finally deciding he cannot wait any longer and rising to leave. Busy indeed! How could they be too busy to see him, High Priest of Daybreak? The man who made peace in Lambeth? It will not do! His time is precious, and cannot be wasted waiting at the Night Council's convenience! So flustered is he that he nearly barges into a person on his way out. Immediately his demeanour changes from one of silent fury to unease and nerves.
"Oh!" he manages in surprise, and lifts his hands up a little as if in defence.
C) Book Store
Most of the time Gilbert Norrell will either request delivery of a book or send a person to pick it up for him.
This time, however, his impatience has gotten the better of him. Childermass is busy, Lucas has time off and he simply cannot wait. Someone might attempt to steal the book away, they might sell it to another if he waits too long to pick it up, all sorts of problems might arise!
That, and it's the only copy he's found so far. Norrell is eager to see what condition it is in and begin reading it and making a copy.
He paces impatiently in the book store, waiting for his order to be fetched. The books around him are, largely, regarded with disdain for they are fiction. Norrell has little interest in fiction, almost as little interest as he has in continuing to be in this book store! He has so much work to be getting done, and yet they insist on keeping him waiting!
Any other patrons he spots are regarded with looks of disinterest, dislike or irritation simply because they are there. He only hopes they do not try and strike up idle conversation with him.
no subject
"Shades of grey," Childermass repeats, just to be sure that he has heard the other man right. A popular work of fiction, written by a James, titled that? He should have known. Childermass lets out a long breath and raises a hand to run over his face, in an attempt to hide the fact that he may or may not be quietly laughing at the other man from him as best he can.
"Mr Norrell," he says, his voice slightly choked and certainly muffled, as it stands. "Whatever that man has told you about that book, you do not want me to be picking it up for you, and you certainly do not want to be reading it. It does not contain any long-lost magic or forgotten spells, believe me, sir."
no subject
Already Norrell is quietly going through spells he knows that might fit such a thing, perhaps trying to think if Childermass would recognise any of them.
no subject
He crosses his arms across his chest. "I can procure you a copy if you would like, but you would not find anything, nor would you approve of its contents. The book is little more than smut."
no subject
The look Norrell gives Childermass is one of scandalised horror. His figure tenses, lip curling a little in distaste before he scowls finally and stands to step away from his chair, pacing to stand behind it and lean his weight onto it.
"They mean to make a fool of me," he says finally. "They mean to undermine me in this."
no subject
"Might you be able to pick him out in a crowd? Can you describe this man? This fae?" Childermass asks. Perhaps Childermass has encountered him before. Perhaps he is the dangerous personage that Norrell believes him to be. Perhaps he may not even be fae at all, though he will at least give Norrell the benefit of the doubt on that for now.
no subject
"Blue eyes, reddish-brown hair, lighter facial hair. Pale. Thin."
He begins writing, for of course now that Childermass has brought up this topic he means to have him find the fae. Investigate him, and if possible run him out of town.
no subject
"You wish for me to seek him out," he says, not phrasing it as a question. Anticipating Norrell's next move even before he should give the order.
no subject
"Find him," he confirms, "I want him gone." At the very least out of Daybreak territory, at best banished from London entirely. "I will not sit idly by while these creatures plot to bring me low."
no subject
"You will not need to worry about him again," he says to Norrell. Which is to say, he will deal with it, in his own way, in his own time, on his own terms, but it will be done. He must get a feel for who he is and what he wants first, though. Assess whether he is truly a threat or he is simply a fool, picking on Norrell as he has. Childermass will make his decisions from there.