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?
no subject
Even his private room here in the Norrellite coven is like something of a small library. Nearly every wall carries books and artefacts, and the room is filled with magic -- seeming to seep out of every surface. He shuffles his papers, studying Simon a few seconds longer before dropping his eyes to his notes and beginning to write.
"I understand," he begins, as gently as he can -- which ends up being somewhat awkward, as delicate is not Norrell's forte. "That you have had a difficult start to your year."
no subject
"Yes."
Difficult is putting it mildly. Simon can't remember the last time he ate, much less slept. Every time he closes his eyes he sees the corpse of the man he killed.
A corpse that was currently sitting in the morgue waiting to be repatriated to the States while the news media on both sides of the Atlantic ran alarming stories wondering how an American attorney could disappear for days and then be discovered mauled by animals somewhere out in the country. It hit uncomfortably close to home, but the Night Council had done excellent work and not a single thread of suspicion hung over either Simon or his parents. Richardson's body hadn't even been found in London.
"I want to thank the Night Council for what it's done for myself and for my parents," Simon says eventually. "And I would like to repay the favor, if I can. I understand you need some work done?"
no subject
"It is their job," he says simply, "our job. Such a thing could not be left for the papers to pick over and gawp at, for gossip and idle chitchat. It risks endangering the statute of secrecy, of exposing us to the general public. No, it was not a favour to be repaid. However, you should consider what this means for you. Such actions, such behaviours, are why Daybreak means to spread its safe zone. Are why the Night Council keeps its laws."
no subject
"And how does the Night Counsel propose to deal with American hunters who come to London to kill their grandchildren?" There's no heat to it; Simon just looks tired.
no subject
"Family disputes are not the realm of the Night Council, as a rule... however, if the dispute itself risks breaking the Statute of Secrecy then the Night Council will intervene. Any act which risks revealing the supernatural realm is punishable by death, after all, and any negligence which risks it sanctions action."
He considers this, a moment, blinks his small, cold eyes at Simon before moving on.
"if you believe there to still be a threat you are entitled to protection."
no subject
Simon still dislikes the man, but he's begun to realize how pitiable Norrell really is. Anything which risks rocking his world is something to be feared and detested because it could send the whole thing crashing down.
How...sad.
After a moment, Simon changes the subject slightly. "Maybe...I could be my own protection." He swallows, mouth suddenly dry. "How...how would I go about becoming a Guardian?"
no subject
"How?" he echoes, and blinks rapidly for a moment. "Well, you are old enough... You will need to begin with a good standing in the community..."
He laces his fingers together, brow furrowing in thought.
"There will be recruitment beginning in a month or so. You could put yourself forward, then there will be an oath to be sworn. You would have to dedicate yourself to the Night Council and the law above everything else. Are you... sure this is what you want?"
Since Norrell may well be content and safe in his bubble, but he is not a fool. He still has a heart, and he knows what it means to be a Guardian -- and what it may do to someone so young.
no subject
His voice strengthens as he continues to speak.
"I thought I had everything planned out in my life, but then this happened and now I'm not so sure. I've always hated what I am, but...if I can help people..."
He shrugs. "I don't know."
no subject
Norrell tilts his head in thought, eyes glancing over his desk.
"You have some time before the recruitment process begins again. Perhaps it might be best if you spoke to our current guardians. Once you commit yourself, you must understand, you cannot simply quit again on a whim like a newspaper round. It is something you must become."
no subject
"I have skills that could be useful to the Night Council. I have some talent as a biologist, you know, and I've almost finished my degree."
He sighs.
"I'm not entirely useless, Mr. Norrell. Despite what you may think."
no subject
"It is your decision to apply or not," he says after a moment, "I have given you my advice. If it is what you wish to do you will be given the training you require. But," he adds, carefully, "be sure you know what a Guardian is and does."
Norrell sighs out, begins to tidy his papers again.
"We will be making a move on Croydon once more, you will be aware. Will you be lending your support? It may be advisable, if you wish apply yourself for the position of Guardian, to get in some good practice for the role."
no subject
In a weird way, he's actually looking forward to it.
"I'll be there."