Pieces on a chessboard

[brightwitch]

1) For Kyle Sutton – Redbright Institute, 17th March
It's St. Patrick's Day and some enterprising student has given Sylvia a shamrock brooch to pin to her blouse. They're also handing out party invitation flyers in the dining hall, though thankfully the party is taking place off-site. She can't condone a night of drinking at the school, after all.

Sylvia takes a look at the flyer on her way out and lifts an amused eyebrow. "Of course, you're still planning to come to school tomorrow."

The student grins back. "Oh, absolutely. One hundred percent."

She's about to reply when another student interrupts them. "Ms Redbright? There's someone here who wants to talk to you..."

Sylvia hands back the flyer with an apologetic smile. "Excuse me." Her smile becomes a frown as she turns around to see who wants to speak to her. She doesn't recognize him, but he might be a new student. "Do we have an appointment?"


2) For Abigail Widdowson – Redbright Institute, 18th March
Abigail Widdowson has been a thorn in Sylvia's side ever since the girl emerged from that derelict mansion of hers and declared herself the leader of a new Midnight coven, but she never thought it would come to this. A Midnight witch, the Maiden representing all witches. Oh, they've tried to discredit her. To search for a loophole, some excuse to deny Abigail's claim and begin the search for a new Maiden all over again. Thus far, they haven't succeeded, and Sylvia knows when to give up. If she can't oust the girl, she'll have to bring her into the fold instead.

So she invites her to afternoon tea. It takes place on the outdoor pavilion in the school grounds, with an unobtrusive spell surrounding them to keep out the wind and maintain the temperature. A couple of young witches serve them tea, finger sandwiches, cakes and scones. Sylvia dismisses them with a brief thank you, leaving the two of them alone.

She rearranges the cushions on her wicker chair before giving Abigail a warm smile. "So how are you feeling about it all? You must be rather overwhelmed."

She's being friendly, for now. As the Mother of Witches, Abigail is in some sense her protégé.


3) For Eames, Finnick and Illya – Redbright Institute, 23rd March
It isn't often that one is asked to meet with a lord of both the Seelie and Unseelie Court, even for the President of the Night Council. Sylvia has to wonder, after their failure in Lambeth and the vampire attack in Bromley, whether the fae are ready to wave a metaphorical white flag and withdraw from the human world altogether.

Of course, that's probably too much to hope for.

They must want something. The fae always do, even if they pretend to offer a gift or favour. She will hear them out today, even if she dislikes striking bargains with fae, because if there's a chance to ensure that they don't disrupt the upcoming election, she ought to take it. The evidence so far is that crushing the fae has proven near impossible. Making some sort of peace could be the next best option.

She meets them in her office at the Redbright Institute rather than the Night Council headquarters, because fae are barred from entering Night Council territory. The school on the other hand welcomes all supernatural types and so should appear more welcoming. It isn't really, of course, because this is still Sylvia's domain and she makes sure that her visitors know it.

There's a salt circle around her desk. It has been spelled to keep out anything originating from the Other Realm, so her visitors will not be able to cross it. They can enter the office, but they can't reach her. As a further deterrent, Sylvia is wearing a silver locket around her neck. And finally, standing quietly in one corner, out of the circle, is Illya Kuryakin, werewolf, Guardian and today Sylvia's personal bodyguard. Tonight is a full moon, which means he's at his peak strength. She has no doubt that he'll use it if necessary.

Sylvia stands up behind her desk when her visitors are shown in. She offers a smile. "You must be the fae. Please, come in."

Trust nothing when it comes to the fae, she knows that. Something Sylvia will bear in mind for the entirety of this meeting.


4) For Faolan – Night Council HQ, 24th March
It would be fair to say that Sylvia isn't happy when she learns of Faolan's involvement in the Bromley dispute. Not only did he choose to ally with the fae, he also encouraged other members of Hillingdon to do the same. Why, she can't fathom. Perhaps the hunters among them hate vampires so much that they see fae as the lesser of two evils, but Sylvia can't agree with that. More importantly, his actions raise questions about his loyalty to the Night Council, and to her. There's an election coming up. The last thing Sylvia wants is to have anyone questioning her or the loyalty of her Guardians.

So she calls him into her office, early in the morning when there are fewer people around to notice that he's there. When he enters, she taps her pen against her fingers, regarding him for a second or two before speaking.

"Good morning, Faolan. I appreciate you coming here at short notice. There's something important that I'd like to discuss." There's a pause, then she launches right into what she wants to say: "What were you doing in Bromley?"

She makes it sound like she's merely curious, but the intensity of her gaze says otherwise.


5) For Lancelot – Night Council HQ, 29th March
By the end of March, the fae will be free to pass through Night Council territories. Sylvia is staring at a document that will authorize this. It's one page, printed on their best paper, and carries a faint scent of magic. She sighs and puts down the paper for a moment, rubbing her eyes.

There's a knock on the door and she calls her visitor in. "Lancelot, thank you for coming. I trust the fae will no longer be bothering us in Lambeth?"

Perching on her desk, she offers Lancelot a smile. At least here is a Guardian she can trust.


[ooc: Would you like a thread with Sylvia? Plot with me here!]

Comments

[acrookedchild]

"Yes." It's a simple statement, and Abigail punctuates it with a sip of her tea. That gesture gives her a few moments to think, to prepare what she needs to say. "Though the Widdowson curse isn't from dealing with fae."

It's an important distinction, one she has asked Unthank about again and again in different terms, making sure he isn't lying to her.

"They used other dark magic first. Blood, human sacrifices, kidnapping. The legacy was steeped in death and violence long before the fae were brought into it. When they were cursed by a witch before she died from their rituals, then they turned to the fae and deals with them to keep that curse at bay."

[brightwitch]

"You are in a unique position," she says softly. "And yet you would take that risk regardless. Why?"

Even if her curse didn't directly come from the fae, she's still saying that she would risk something like it happening to her and every other Midnight witch.

[acrookedchild]

"Because I think having the opportunity matters. Whether you make a mistake or not. Without that opportunity..."

Abigail shakes her head. It's dangerous, yes, but so are a great many things. Especially with magic.

"Without that freedom, desperation can grow. Desperate people get careless. I would rather train a witch, as I was trained, how to negotiate with a fae. Than risk her doing it alone and afraid."

[brightwitch]

Sylvia's tone is calm, but it's clear that she believes in what she's saying. "A witch should never become that desperate. She should always have the help and support of her coven. I don't want to see any witch resort to bargaining with fae. That is my task over the next decade, and one that I'd hope you would support me with."

She may as well lay it out. No point in being dishonest with each other.

[acrookedchild]

"I will not condone the punishing of dealing with fae," Abigail replies with a soft sigh. In a way, she's disappointed she has to stand at this. They've been... almost understanding on another. "Without such a deal, I won't live ten years."

Which she's sure Sylvia wouldn't mind, but she won't make that accusation.

[brightwitch]

So it comes back to Abigail's personal circumstances. The girl is blinded by her own experiences.

Sylvia shakes her head. "There's always another way. I don't believe you are doomed to rely on a deal with a fae for the rest of your inevitably short life. The fae won't save you, Abigail. But other witches might."

If she joins Circle Daybreak.

[acrookedchild]

"I'm sure," Abigail murmured calmly, "you'd be pleased to help me yourself."

She paused briefly and took another sip of her tea. She was willing to say it.

"As long as I am what you want me to be."

[brightwitch]

She shrugs. "The offer is always there. You only have to be willing to take it."

After all, she can't force Abigail to change her mind. Well, she could, but that would be going against her own principles as a Daybreak witch.

She leans forward to pick up a chocolate brownie, deciding to change the subject. "Mmm, try one of these, they're delicious." She takes another bite, pausing while she fixes Abigail with a curious look. "How do you intend to give Circle Midnight a voice?"

[acrookedchild]

Abigail is equally willing to let the subject change, and she takes a vote of what was suggested. It's almost too sweet, but that's not a bad thing, especially for a treat. She givesaid a murmur of appreciation.

Then braces herself.

But Sylvia has been honest with her. Abigail will offer the same consideration. "I'd like to see Midnight sit side by side with Daybreak on the Night Council, ultimately with the Werewolves having a seat, too. I don't think it fair to anyone that one representative be asked to look after the interests of both Circles, as we are different."

[brightwitch]

Oh, my. Her ambitions are, as ever, far too big for such a young woman.

"No one on the Night Council would support that," she says, which isn't entirely true but she isn't about to reveal any weakness to the girl who would undo everything she has worked for over the past few decades. "You would be entering a snake pit trying to make that argument, believe me. Daybreak would never support Circle Midnight having a seat while you still openly encourage the practice of dark magic. I suggest you get your own house in order before trying to change anyone else's."

Dark magic is illegal according to Night Council law, in case she needs reminding. If they could catch Abigail in the act of practising dark magic, Sylvia would happily have her locked away for the ten or so years it would take her to die. Now there's a thought.

[acrookedchild]

"We are one house," she replies calmly, "simply different wings."

After all, are they not the Maiden and Mother of all witches? She feels like she has ground enough to offer that rebuttal. Even if she knows the Night Council wouldn't stand for her appointment. But it's something she can try to have, something she can work for. Because if she gives up, it won't happen.

"At least the way I see it, I suppose."

[brightwitch]

Now Abigail is lecturing her on the nature of their own titles? The sheer bloody cheek. Sylvia has to take another sip of her tea in order to resist the urge to slap her. She puts down the cup, settles her hands in her lap, and offers a thin smile.

"That is how we see it on the Night Council too. It's why we have one Witch Representative, not two."

[acrookedchild]

"Then perhaps a secretary specifically from the other Circle," she murmurs calmly, offering a small smile herself. Not one that reaches her eyes, though. "Foster cooperation rather than division."

[brightwitch]

A secretary? She has visions of Abigail fetching files and making tea. But no, even a token role would allow Abigail inside their organization and that is something she must not be allowed to do.

"There is another way to foster co-operation," she says, tapping the rim of her cup. "You have ambition, but your Circle is holding you back. Renounce dark magic and join Circle Daybreak, and you'll find that political doors will open for you. And you would do more to unite our people in that one act than years of fighting for Circle Midnight."

Two Circles divide them. If Abigail chose to join Daybreak, she could be the final push they need to get rid of Circle Midnight for good.

[acrookedchild]

"I'm afraid I can't do that. Not unless, of course, Circle Daybreak were to change what they define as dark magic."

Something that won't happen, nor is she asking for that consideration. It is merely a line in the sand. So long as the thing she needs to survive -- and that others may yet need as well -- is considered to be forbidden magic, she cannot renounce what Circle Midnight stands for. They may have much to do within, but she won't abandon them.

Especially not without far better reason.

"They have stood by me, even when I have been wrong. I will not abandon those in my Circle."

[brightwitch]

"I wouldn't ask you to abandon them. I'd ask you to take them with you." She shrugs. "But I can see you won't consider that. It's a shame. You could make a real difference if only you put their needs before your own."

She can understand why Abigail would want to change the definition of dark magic, given her own personal circumstances. It's a pity that Abigail has chosen to implicate so many others by refusing to compromise.

[acrookedchild]

"All of them have their own reasons for choosing Circle Midnight," Abigail says quietly, taking a sip of her tea. It's a delicate position, but she isn't going to let the implication stand that she is keeping them there. "Any of them could renounce dark magic at any time they chose. I imagine a few have, with Mister Norrell's actions against it. Those who stay? Do because of their own personal reasons."

She offers a smile. Thin and cool. "I don't force them to stay, they do so by choice. So, I can't abandon them."

[brightwitch]

"And how many stay because of you? You could do far more than I could to persuade them to leave. You're a role model now, Abigail. Witches around the country will look up to you. You must be impeachable."

Because witches will look up to her, maybe even emulate her. And because if she gets caught using dark magic, Sylvia will set her Guardians on her so fast the girl won't know what hit her.

[acrookedchild]

"I cannot abandon them. Lead them to something I can't be sure suits them. They have chosen their path, just as I chose it."

It will keep her at odds with Sylvia, but she knew, really, not to hope for anything like that.

[brightwitch]

She's repeating herself now. Clearly, this conversation is going nowhere. Sylvia sighs, shaking her head.

"I can see we've reached a stalemate. Let's leave this for now. Have you finished your tea?"

Her points still stand, but she's not about to start going around in circles. If Abigail won't listen, she can leave.

[acrookedchild]

"Thank you for your time." She sounds, actually, like she means it.

Without another word, she takes a final sip of her tea and sets it down before standing. She offers her hand and a slight, strained smile.

"Perhaps we'll have tea another time."

[brightwitch]

"Perhaps," Sylvia agrees, standing up too. She shakes Abigail's hand and her smile is less strained, perhaps because she's had more practice at it. Or maybe she's glad that the girl is leaving.

They haven't come to an agreement, but that could hardly be expected. For now, they'll just have to work together as best they can.