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 By the evening they'll have withdrawn, and Norrell can have fun explaining to the families of the deceased that they died for a shithole like Croydon.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

Eames | OTA

[falsify]

7th-14th;

For whatever reason, Eames has found himself in charge of defending a borough he never supported taking in the first place. 'Annoyed' is a gentle way to describe his mood. Between this and the attention he's been getting from the courts for dealing with this shit, he is not best pleased.

But he's here dealing with it now, and this week is for co-ordination. Eames makes sure to be as available as possible, occasionally flanked by 'security' of sorts if he's dealing with something a little more sensitive, but he does his best to be easy to find. He flits about, managing concerns as best he can. By the Saturday, he seems to always have a coffee to hand too. It's exhausting work, and by Monday he's decided to stop hiding the way his eyes glaze over when someone new comes to him with some other problem. Why are mortals always so difficult?

15th;

This is what Eames has been waiting for honestly, and he leaps into the fray with little concern or hesitation. Barely even thinks to use his magic - why bother, when guns, knives, and fists kill and wound so quickly and efficiently?

Sometimes he withdraws back into the Other Realm, to take a breather or dragging the significantly wounded with him, but for the most part he's there. Punching the shit out of everything. He's among the last to leave too. Clothes ruined, mood not at all lifted by the day's events, and in dire need of a shower.

Finnick / OTA

[thelittlemerman]

PRIOR

In the days leading up to the fae's last stand so to speak, Finnick spends a lot of time in Croydon. He specifically reaches out to any fae that need help getting out, staying under Daybreak's radar for the most part and only helping Midnight witches if they seek him out. He's putting on a charming face for the witches, trying to convince them he's on their side. He is, technically, but he'll never trust them properly. They have their own people to help them get out, make sure they're safe, and Eames seems to helping with the effort too. In any case, he's visible enough, unless you're Daybreak, in which case he's doing his best to keep his distance.

THE FIGHT

Finnick's intent is along the same lines as Eames'. He wants to make sure that Daybreak feels this loss, that they pay in blood for what they've been doing the past couple weeks, the past couple months - this whole crusade against the fae. Any witch who casts a spell in his direction sees the sharp end of his trident. Some escape, more are wounded, fatally or not. Finnick is an honorable fae of the Seelie court, so he doesn't need to play tricks, and he takes no pleasure from this, but it's only right that they feel some of the pain they've already caused.

By the end of the night there is blood on his jacket, almost invisible but splattered across the black leather. He's tired and has a paranoid look on his eyes as he stalks back alleys, waiting for some signal that the fight is officially over but still looking for Daybreak witches out on their own just the same. It's sickening, being around all this misused magic, all these foolish mortals not knowing how to use it. He sees groups of witches pass by, finishing their purge of Croydon with this one last stand against the fae, hating them every minute of it.

Arthur / OTA

[specifiercity]

JANUARY 15

Like all fights, Arthur's keeping his distance. He's not properly equipped or trained to deal with witches or fae up close, so he tries to keep a healthy distance and hopes that his Witches' Amulet doesn't ping on anyone's radar. The bullets in his gun are just the regular kind tonight, and he goes for non-fatal shots and only if they're actively engaged in a fight. He gets into a few scraps himself, but nothing he can't get out of. He mostly wants to try and help the fae put up a good fight, if only to cripple Daybreak's forces for future conflicts.

When the fighting starts to die down, he continues trying to stay out of sight, traveling through the borough and assessing the damage more out of mild curiousity than anything else. However, the gun in his holster is ready just in case he needs it for self-defense or a tactical opportunity presents itself.

THE GREATEST WITCH OF THE AGE (Norrell) | OTA!

[hurtfew]

7~14th:

Norrell is not a man who likes to duel with magic. He is too slow in his reactions, and few of his favoured spells are quick to cast or deal in damaging another witch. No, Norrell much prefers to use remote spells -- to cast from a distance and to watch in mirrors. To plan, carefully, to write and manipulate and work at a thing like a puzzle until it all comes together. He would never put himself in harms way, never shed his own blood, but the blood of others? Well, that is a sacrifice he is willing to make.

This time, the plan is working. This time, with the backing of the Night Council, the purge of dark magic means that Croydon can be slowly whittled away at before Daybreak moves in to claim it.

It's working, and once more it's working well. It is a joy to see it come together, something that fires pride in Norrell. For now they will see! Now, surely, his place on the Night Council will be safe. His position as High Priest will be proven. Norrell will cleanse London of dark magic, and he will be lauded for it!

Norrell is, variously, splitting his time between Westminster and the Norrellite coven. He can be found at either during the early stages, carefully adjusting his plans and keeping an eye on the proceedings.


Post Claim:

Croydon is largely free of both dark magic and the fae.

Norrell finally graces it with his presence at this point, patrolling through and taking notes -- approaching Daybreak members who live their to assure them they will be safe now. That the territory has been reclaimed and there will be no more disturbance to their homes. Listening to any qualms people might have. Largely, though, he is here to help perform the sealing ritual. It requires a coven of witches, and is what will keep fae from opening new doors in their territory. Such a thing is important, so of course he would make a personal appearance at this point to contribute.

He does his best not to walk anywhere alone, of course, travelling with Childermass at the very least by his side and often a guardian or two.

That does not mean, of course, they he cannot be challenged -- or at least questioned in his movements.

The Ritual:

By the time Norrell makes it to the site of the ritual he is... dishevelled to say the least. He looks as if he's had quite the fright, in fact --

In fact, surprisingly for Gilbert Norrell, he looks as if he has been in a fight.

His demeanour is changed to match: entirely snappish and irate while equally jumpy and paranoid. He'd been tempted to leave entirely, but his pride will not allow it. No; Gilbert Norrell will not evacuate and abandon his duties for one fae -- however rude it might be. He has his books with him, straightens himself as much as he can and waits for the other witches to arrive. This was begun by him, and he will be there to end it too. To make sure Croydon stays the territory of Daybreak this time, and that no further trouble occurs to stop the proceedings.

January 15th

[occultdisciple]

The trouble, of course, with bloodshed before the sun has risen... is that the vampires are still awake. Coward has, honestly, been trying to keep the casualties low. After all, he'll have to answer for everything that happens here to the Night Council if he wants to stay in good favour across the board. But when the killing starts...

Well.

Even if he'd wanted to keep the others under control, it would have been difficult. But he has no desire to do that. Someone has decided to start killing his allies, so Coward responds with the full force of the vampires who follow him.

Even he joins in on the chaos. The fae want deaths? He will oblige. There's nothing quite like fae blood, and the sensation of it runs through him as he drops the lifeless body of the girl who crossed him, two drops of blood sliding down his chin.