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 By the evening they'll have withdrawn, and Norrell can have fun explaining to the families of the deceased that they died for a shithole like Croydon.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

[hurtfew]

For a moment Norrell does not answer. He continues searching -- quartering his bowl of water and checking each area. Nothing, nothing in each corner he checks.

The silence draws out a minute longer before Norrell sits back, staring down the bowl of water then flicking his eyes up to Childermass.

"It is done," he confirms. "We have won."

And despite it all, Norrell sounds faintly surprised himself.

[knowstheworld]

Childermass moves forward, his last few steps faster as he moves beside the other man, glancing down into the bowl of water before him, then sideways at Norrell himself. It is not so much that he did not expect such an outcome, but simply that after the effort they had put forth last time only to come out at a draw, he half expected equal as much trouble now. But... Norrell says it is so, and from what he can spy in the bowl itself, it's true.

"Congratulations, sir," he says, inclining his head towards the other man slightly. "It would seem that we have."

[hurtfew]

The strange thing of it is that Norrell now feels at a loss. He had planned so carefully the first time and not succeeded. Planned further the next time, taken his place on the Night Council and now --

Now his lips twitch into a bewildered, pleased sort of smile and yet Norrell does not quite know what to do with himself. His goals are being achieved, and so used is he to resistance that the completing of them is an alien sort of feeling.

"We should begin arranging things," he says after a moment, seeming to collect himself. "The territory must be sealed as quickly as possible. It will require a coven present."

[knowstheworld]

Childermass nods, standing back to regard the other man for a moment before stepping forward to stand at his side. "This whole enterprise has been your creation. Your accomplishment, sir. It would only be apt that you should be the one to seal it as well, would it not?"

He inclines his head towards the other man. "Tell me what you need, sir, and I will see that it is done."

[hurtfew]

The prompt seems to focus him and Norrell nods, reaches for a pen and paper and begins to write.

"We need need to summon the coven to a meeting point, make sure the Guardians are there to ensure our safety -- perhaps some other escorts too. We will need supplies, too, and quickly. To pick a place that is easy to guard and already clear...."

[knowstheworld]

Childermass nods, glancing down at the paper Norrell is writing on and wondering how much of this will be done by Norrell himself versus how much will be delegated out to him. He's got a feeling the balance will hardly be even, although it wouldn't be the first time.

"I know of a place that I think would do very well," Childermass says. "How quickly?"

[hurtfew]

"It must be done as soon as possible!" Norrell declares, seeming a touch incensed that Childermass did not intuit this for himself. "The longer we wait the more chance we give the fae to muster and begin anew! No no, we cannot wait!"

To Norrell, it is already a great stroke of luck that this plan has gone so well! He may publicly say it was his own careful planning and tactics that of course ensured such a thing, but privately he is ever paranoid about his own ability and sure failure and disaster looms always nearby.

[knowstheworld]

Childermass swallows back any retort he might have had for the other man's temper and gives Mr Norrell a look instead. It would not do to be too hurried, especially for sealing off the territory like this. But if he is so worried that someone might sneak up and snatch it from him at the last moment, as he seems to be...

"It will be done when we are ready," Childermass drawls in return, "and no sooner than that. These supplies you need. Do we have them here, or should I send for them?"

[hurtfew]

"Some must be fetched," he confirms, and rips off the piece of paper to wave at Childermass. "Some we have already. See it done. I will begin sending word to the rest of the coven for the ritual. Tonight would be best, tomorrow I could tolerate. Where is this place? You said you had somewhere in mind. Where?"

He looks up finally, frowns impatiently. Somewhere not too public, somewhere in the better part of Croydon he hopes -- not that there is much in it to a man like Norrell.

[knowstheworld]

"I will send you the location," Childermass replies, inclining his head at the other man, as if to dare him to question his decision before he looks down at the piece of paper. It is not too far in the day that he cannot assemble everything if he should hurry, he thinks. The rest will depend on how swift of a response they receive.

"You work on assembling the people, and I will get to these materials. Let me know whether we should need to push it out. I will make sure that we have everything we need for tonight."

[hurtfew]

"Yes, yes," Norrell says, waving a hand at Childermass to signal that he has the idea -- he will not tell him now, he has to check it he presumes. "Only be quick about it! There is no time for us to waste! The fae could turn back on us at any moment!"

A thing which would most definitely be intolerable! It may, perhaps, feel easier now that the fae do not have Midnight to support them but paranoia is a thing Norrell is ever full of. What if they return with a great fae army! What if they are only waiting for the right moment to turn and strike, even trap them! No, they must work quickly so they may secure themselves!

[knowstheworld]

From what Childermass had seen out on the streets, somehow he doubts that. Whatever support they had had the previous endeavor, they do not have with them now. And no matter how determined a few individuals may be, they cannot stand up against the power that Daybreak has brought on their own. They have secured this win, and so he will do what he can to ensure that it is so.

"You do not have anything to fear on that front, sir," Childermass reassures. "For now at least, you have had your victory." He inclines his head. "I will see to it that the arrangements are made. Is there anything else?" He knows better than to just leave without asking.

[hurtfew]

"No, no," Norrell says, and makes a dismissive gesture quickly before pulling out another piece of paper and beginning to write quickly. "You can take these letters out when you get back. Why are you still here? Go on!"