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)
undergrounds2016-01-05 06:49 pm
hurtfew) wrote in undergrounds2016-01-05 06:49 pm
Entry tags:
The Slippery Slope [ Active / Open ]
i) Norrellite Coven, Open Door Session
It's a new year, and Gilbert Norrell is still excessively pleased with himself. Not only has he gained a coveted place upon the Night Council as Witch Representative, but he has persuaded the Night Council to enact a law to limit and punish the use of Dark Magic.
Finally, things are coming together! Finally all is as he hoped!
Of course, the idea that Sylvia may wish to send him away to visit other covens so soon after his appointment is a concern. Yet for now it is one he is not thinking too deeply on. Norrell's desire to stamp out all the mystical traditional nonsense from magic and make it modern and respectable does lend to spreading his word. Perhaps, he thinks, it will be a good thing to gain support outside London too. It is only that he dislikes travelling so extensively...
Norrell's study itself is a curious thing, impossible to find without escort. The way feels excessively winding, as if an impossible number of turns must be taken -- turns that are oddly difficult to remember afterward. There is the dizzying sense of magic about it, but then again perhaps such things are to be expected from Gilbert Norrell -- a man who is not without paranoia.
Childermass is in attendance as always during his open door session. Norrell himself sits behind his desk with excessively small glasses balanced on his nose, his sharp eyes glancing up as people enter. As High Priest of Daybreak alongside his role as coven leader Norrell must listen to all Daybreak witches and address their concerns. It is only that he wishes their concerns were not so plentiful and tiresome.
Of course, he is also happy to take on the role of teacher for those who wish it. Norrell greatly enjoys talking about magical history, theory and practice. While he dislikes purely theoretical magicians -- well, reading is an important part of learning and Norrell will cite any number of great authors and books to help a person find and fashion a spell for what they need. After all, his is the most extensive magical library in England.
If he will give you the book itself to read is another matter entirely.
"Well?" He prompts, removing his glass to hang on their chain and setting aside his pen -- lacing his hands together on his desk. Norrell's gaze is equal parts expectant and mildly impatient. He does have work to be doing.
ii) Night Council, Westminster
His new position means Norrell is back and forth from Westminster even more than previously. Before he had been trying to gain audiences with the Night Council, delivering messages, pleas, petitions, letters expression his opinions on matters and suggestions.
Now it is others who seek audiences with him. What a great thrill it is, to be so recognised at last! Only now, where he had been the irritation of others (even if he had not regarded himself so) -- now others irritate Norrell. They wait outside Westminster to catch him going in and out, trying to rapidly ask questions or pass messages. To shout and protest, to plead and push messages toward him. Norrell's car always draws as close as it can, and Childermass is always on hand to push people away, but he feels harried.
Some protest the law, some applaud him and ask what more he will do. Some call for peace, and some ask what Norrell will do about Croydon -- when will he secure Daybreak's grip upon it once more?
It is a certain level of chaos associated with celebrity, and while it is flattering for a short while Norrell quickly grows to dislike it very much.
Mister Norrell! A woman screams as he slips from his car, tries to hurry up the steps. Bodyguards restrain her, and Norrell dare not risk a glance back until he is near the top of the steps. Mister Norrell! You will answer for what you do!
He pales and hurries the rest of the way up the steps and into the security of the building, lips thinned unhappily. So distracted is he that he doesn't notice his company at first, and it is only the slight catch of movement that alerts and startles him into taking a step back.
iii) The Purge Begins
Once the purge begins in full force the Night Council and its Guardians are busier than ever. Fielding findings from searches, charges to be filed, complaints, reports from well meaning folk ranging from valid to 'well they wear a lot of black and eyeliner and looked at me suspiciously'.
Gilbert Norrell, of course, takes it upon himself to handle a lot of this personally. Not only does this stop Sylvia having to deal with it (something she, of course, is glad for -- this way the fault lies with him not her if it all goes south) but Norrell himself is glad for it. Denouncing witches his disapproves of and making their lives difficult is, after all, something Norrell excels at and enjoys greatly. Childermass himself has been employed many a time to investigate purely theoretical witches who cannot cast a spell to save their life, to force them to admit they are not true witches and then (of course) to gain any good books or tools they own and bring them to Norrell himself.
Norrell is the Greatest Witch of the Age (title unofficial ), The High Priest of Daybreak and Witch Representative of the Night Council. He speaks for witches, and it is his good intention to see witches respected appropriately (and himself in the process).
Of course, this means he is greatly busy with all the work he has made for himself. He is constantly poring over reports and signing documents, reading through descriptions and examining items -- giving instruction and snapping at Childermass that he has no time.
That, and there are the charges and complaints to address too.
Some come to complain of the way they have been searched, of the behaviour of guardians who have done the search, of the right of the Night Council to even do such a thing or even to question the new law itself.
Some are brought before him to face charges.
They are accompanied, of course, and the questionable items delivered for inspection along with reports -- and Norrell examines everything with a critical eye and an air of distaste.
iv) The Croydon Debacle Pt. ii
The fae are moving.
Norrell knew it would happen, and this time he is prepared. This time he has extra resources at his fingertips, and why should he not use them?
It is not cheating, to Norrell, merely acting for the greater good with all his strength. Making sure that he is making it more respectable to be a witch and that that dark, evil magic is being denounced in favour of modern magic.
So what issue is there with him ensuring that Croydon will be purged as one of the first territories? What issue is there with him planning for Daybreak to move on it shortly after?
It would have to be purged eventually. That is the new law, after all! If it perhaps works in his favour it is neither here nor there. Any accusations of favouritism are scowled down, for the fae are an enemy to all and the territory was Daybreak's originally. It is right that it should be returned to them, as any territory taken by the fae menace should be returned to its owners.
Norrell begins to make plans. He calls upon all his previous allies, contacts, spreads word to Hillingdon once more and offers his usual rewards. Money, scholarships, teaching.
This time, however, this time he has greater reach. This time he asks not just as a High Priest of Daybreak, but as someone with inside knowledge of the Night Council.
His letters are sent, his requests for assistance, offers -- now all he can do is wait.
Surely this time...
Surely this time he can truly drive out the fae, and then he will have proven he deserves this?
It's a new year, and Gilbert Norrell is still excessively pleased with himself. Not only has he gained a coveted place upon the Night Council as Witch Representative, but he has persuaded the Night Council to enact a law to limit and punish the use of Dark Magic.
Finally, things are coming together! Finally all is as he hoped!
Of course, the idea that Sylvia may wish to send him away to visit other covens so soon after his appointment is a concern. Yet for now it is one he is not thinking too deeply on. Norrell's desire to stamp out all the mystical traditional nonsense from magic and make it modern and respectable does lend to spreading his word. Perhaps, he thinks, it will be a good thing to gain support outside London too. It is only that he dislikes travelling so extensively...
Norrell's study itself is a curious thing, impossible to find without escort. The way feels excessively winding, as if an impossible number of turns must be taken -- turns that are oddly difficult to remember afterward. There is the dizzying sense of magic about it, but then again perhaps such things are to be expected from Gilbert Norrell -- a man who is not without paranoia.
Childermass is in attendance as always during his open door session. Norrell himself sits behind his desk with excessively small glasses balanced on his nose, his sharp eyes glancing up as people enter. As High Priest of Daybreak alongside his role as coven leader Norrell must listen to all Daybreak witches and address their concerns. It is only that he wishes their concerns were not so plentiful and tiresome.
Of course, he is also happy to take on the role of teacher for those who wish it. Norrell greatly enjoys talking about magical history, theory and practice. While he dislikes purely theoretical magicians -- well, reading is an important part of learning and Norrell will cite any number of great authors and books to help a person find and fashion a spell for what they need. After all, his is the most extensive magical library in England.
If he will give you the book itself to read is another matter entirely.
"Well?" He prompts, removing his glass to hang on their chain and setting aside his pen -- lacing his hands together on his desk. Norrell's gaze is equal parts expectant and mildly impatient. He does have work to be doing.
ii) Night Council, Westminster
His new position means Norrell is back and forth from Westminster even more than previously. Before he had been trying to gain audiences with the Night Council, delivering messages, pleas, petitions, letters expression his opinions on matters and suggestions.
Now it is others who seek audiences with him. What a great thrill it is, to be so recognised at last! Only now, where he had been the irritation of others (even if he had not regarded himself so) -- now others irritate Norrell. They wait outside Westminster to catch him going in and out, trying to rapidly ask questions or pass messages. To shout and protest, to plead and push messages toward him. Norrell's car always draws as close as it can, and Childermass is always on hand to push people away, but he feels harried.
Some protest the law, some applaud him and ask what more he will do. Some call for peace, and some ask what Norrell will do about Croydon -- when will he secure Daybreak's grip upon it once more?
It is a certain level of chaos associated with celebrity, and while it is flattering for a short while Norrell quickly grows to dislike it very much.
Mister Norrell! A woman screams as he slips from his car, tries to hurry up the steps. Bodyguards restrain her, and Norrell dare not risk a glance back until he is near the top of the steps. Mister Norrell! You will answer for what you do!
He pales and hurries the rest of the way up the steps and into the security of the building, lips thinned unhappily. So distracted is he that he doesn't notice his company at first, and it is only the slight catch of movement that alerts and startles him into taking a step back.
iii) The Purge Begins
Once the purge begins in full force the Night Council and its Guardians are busier than ever. Fielding findings from searches, charges to be filed, complaints, reports from well meaning folk ranging from valid to 'well they wear a lot of black and eyeliner and looked at me suspiciously'.
Gilbert Norrell, of course, takes it upon himself to handle a lot of this personally. Not only does this stop Sylvia having to deal with it (something she, of course, is glad for -- this way the fault lies with him not her if it all goes south) but Norrell himself is glad for it. Denouncing witches his disapproves of and making their lives difficult is, after all, something Norrell excels at and enjoys greatly. Childermass himself has been employed many a time to investigate purely theoretical witches who cannot cast a spell to save their life, to force them to admit they are not true witches and then (of course) to gain any good books or tools they own and bring them to Norrell himself.
Norrell is the Greatest Witch of the Age (title unofficial ), The High Priest of Daybreak and Witch Representative of the Night Council. He speaks for witches, and it is his good intention to see witches respected appropriately (and himself in the process).
Of course, this means he is greatly busy with all the work he has made for himself. He is constantly poring over reports and signing documents, reading through descriptions and examining items -- giving instruction and snapping at Childermass that he has no time.
That, and there are the charges and complaints to address too.
Some come to complain of the way they have been searched, of the behaviour of guardians who have done the search, of the right of the Night Council to even do such a thing or even to question the new law itself.
Some are brought before him to face charges.
They are accompanied, of course, and the questionable items delivered for inspection along with reports -- and Norrell examines everything with a critical eye and an air of distaste.
iv) The Croydon Debacle Pt. ii
The fae are moving.
Norrell knew it would happen, and this time he is prepared. This time he has extra resources at his fingertips, and why should he not use them?
It is not cheating, to Norrell, merely acting for the greater good with all his strength. Making sure that he is making it more respectable to be a witch and that that dark, evil magic is being denounced in favour of modern magic.
So what issue is there with him ensuring that Croydon will be purged as one of the first territories? What issue is there with him planning for Daybreak to move on it shortly after?
It would have to be purged eventually. That is the new law, after all! If it perhaps works in his favour it is neither here nor there. Any accusations of favouritism are scowled down, for the fae are an enemy to all and the territory was Daybreak's originally. It is right that it should be returned to them, as any territory taken by the fae menace should be returned to its owners.
Norrell begins to make plans. He calls upon all his previous allies, contacts, spreads word to Hillingdon once more and offers his usual rewards. Money, scholarships, teaching.
This time, however, this time he has greater reach. This time he asks not just as a High Priest of Daybreak, but as someone with inside knowledge of the Night Council.
His letters are sent, his requests for assistance, offers -- now all he can do is wait.
Surely this time...
Surely this time he can truly drive out the fae, and then he will have proven he deserves this?