VOTE NORRELL [ Active / Open ]

[hurtfew]

i ) THE CAMPAIGN BEGINS

The Norrellite Coven is in full campaign mode, merrily printing fliers, helping hand them out and producing entirely bias leaflets and adverts. The curious thing about the Norrellite Coven itself, after all, is how its popularity rose rather quickly once Norrell himself made it onto the Night Council.

Many of its members rather enjoy being able to have even a fleeting association (or an exaggerated one) to a member of the Night Council, something they can claim means they have his ear or heard various rumours -- it gives them an inflated sense of importance they enjoy.

Which means it is in their interests to make sure he keeps that seat.

Norrell himself is busy approving and disapproving of things -- the latest of which is an article being written on Norrell's behalf. One of Norrell's more loyal coven members has, rather patiently, translated the man's rantings and ravings about dark magic, fae magic, fae and everything else he doesn't like into as close a coherent form as possible. Anyone who has questions about his campaign will be happily lead in and have leaflets foisted upon them, but this is a Daybreak Coven -- so of course it is in Daybreak territory. There are certain restrictions on who is welcome, and the witches are on alert here for any sign of sabotage or competition.


ii ) THE ALLIANCES ARE SET



Norrell, of course, knows well enough he cannot simply win an election campaign alone. He is not an entirely foolish man, and knows that the support of others will help him get where he needs to be.

So support is what he seeks -- yet of course, the support of others is not the only way to succeed. Norrell easily expresses his support of Vrinak, his belief that he has done well as Vice President and will continue to do well, his belief that Sylvia has done good as President and her track record shows she is a good source of stability. Yet equally -- equally he is sure to voice his displeasure. Nora, for example, Nora has been nominated by Dee -- a member of the Night Council thrown out for suspicious affiliations with Dark Magic Covens! Nora herself, even, both of them support Circle Midnight! A Circle who consistently try to assert that dealing with fae should be legal, who previously tried to make a deal with the fae to take Croydon! Which was previously Daybreak territory, yet they tried to trade it like people's homes and livelihoods were not at stake! Outrage is something that he works with, drums up -- how could these people be allowed to do this? How! After all, Daybreak votes are what he is buying -- and Daybreak is what he is appealing to.

Faolan, as well, Faolan is an outrage. Faolan has protected the fae! Stood in the way of them being ousted from a territory! Faolan, who has done this despite being employed by the Night Council! Oh, yes, that's right. By rights he should have lost his position but Sylvia is merciful, of course, she believes in second chances. Faolan has been brought into line, yet now? Now he is standing for election! No, no not after that! Not while Norrell is in charge! It cannot be allowed! Norrell intends to make London a safe place for witches, and that means any fae or anyone who supports the fae needs to be dealt with.

His office at the Night Council headquarters is always open for anyone who wishes to negotiate, of course, or anyone who wishes to ask for support (or show it!). Less so for those he has heaped slander upon, but he might at least hear them out.


iii ) THE RALLIES ARE STARTING

The Norrellite rallies gain a surprising amount of momentum, purely because outrage sells. Are your children safe while fae are allowed to roam and kidnap? Have you heard how, just the other day, while others were busy preventing fae being outed from one place they attacked Daybreak territory and took children! Of course, the good work of the Night Council ensured them returned safely, but this! This is further proof that fae cannot be trusted!

The sessions are an echo chamber of Norrell's opinions, people sitting around loudly agreeing with each other and denouncing all those who disagree. Dee? A traitor, a good thing she was ousted, cannot believe she is trying to work her way back in! Nora? Ridiculous, cannot believe her stances on things, clearly a plant by Dee! Vrinak, on the other hand? What a great guy, hope he gets Vice President again!

Drinks are circulated, and money is clearly changing hands -- the Norrellite campaign is already well funded by the man himself, but clearly outside funding is finding its way in too.

Perhaps you are there to see how his campaign is going? Perhaps you want to try and find out where is extra funding is coming from? Perhaps you are supporting him, appearing there in an official capacity? Or perhaps you simply want to disrupt the meeting, try to start (or fuel) discontent and suspicion, to question the mud-slinging that has gone around or sling mud back? Norrell himself is here, and slightly more out in the open than he is in the safety of his Night Council and Daybreak headquarters. He's sipping an expensive glass of champagne while, for what may feel like the 50th time, a Norrellite supporter details his many successes to a new group of young voters who nod along.

Comments

[brightwitch]

Night Council business must go on as usual, of course, and they make sure to avoid discussing the election campaign during meetings. Sylvia is always interested to take the temperature of other campaigns, though, and so she catches Norrell at the end of one such meeting, falling into step with him as they head back to their offices.

"So, how goes the campaign? First time, it is a lot to take on."

She's still trying to decide whether his frequent scowling is just Norrell being Norrell, or if he is finding the whole thing quite challenging.

[hurtfew]

It is, in fact, Norrell being Norrell. His face may as well be stuck that way. On cue, he scowls.

"Some of the other candidates this year -- I cannot believe they have been allowed to stand! They make a mockery of us. Of the Night Council."

Of English magic, of course, but he manages not to voice that particular pet concern this time. Simply shows distaste in his expression.

"I do not see how you can stand it."

Imagine if some of them were voted in! Oh, the horror.

[brightwitch]

"Unfortunately we have to stand a lot of things. Ridicule being one of them." People will always mock politicians. Sylvia doesn't like it, but she has taught herself to ignore it. She shakes her head. "I hope you have a thick skin. You'll need it."

There are people who loathe her on principle, who loathe Norrell on principle. It doesn't matter what she says or how reasonable she is, those people will never agree with her. Something else Sylvia has learned to live with over the years.

[hurtfew]

He sneers slightly again.

"I am used to such things," he lets slip, without really thinking about it. "Sniggering and disapproval. They do not understand what is at stake. They think it is a game. Some of them -- the guardian!" Norrell says suddenly, and shoots Sylvia a sharp look. "Why has he been allowed to stand? I thought him a human. He should not be able to stand for the position. Not to mention the rest of it!"

How was a Guardian now in conflict with those he guarded, how he had protected the fae!

[brightwitch]

"He has a minor ability," Sylvia answers, "which would make him a meta human. We always check the nomination credentials. He was eligible to stand. He made a poor decision in doing so, but he is eligible."

There's disapproval in her voice too, perhaps a touch more subtle than Norrell's. She had told Faolan that it would be best for him to keep his head down during the election campaign. He's doing the exact opposite.

[hurtfew]

A minor ability! The way Norrell presses his lips together says he is definitely not pleased about this.

"A Guardian should not be allowed to run," he says finally. "Surely that is a conflict of interest! How can he be trusted to protect the Night Council when he runs against them? Even worse, when he has already proven his politics to conflict with those of many on the council itself!"

[brightwitch]

Sylvia can spin with the best of them, but sometimes she is truly astonished at Norrell's ability to twist the reality of a situation for his own ends. She raises an eyebrow.

"He's running for a place on the Night Council. It is... atypical for a Guardian to run for office and we do discourage it, but it's more of an unwritten rule than actual law. That is something we could change, if you wished to put a motion forward, Gilbert. But we couldn't enforce it for this election."

Not when the process has already started. The truth is that it wasn't something she had anticipated might happen, and so she hadn't planned for it. Faolan has taken them by surprise.

[hurtfew]

It is a talent Norrell has worked on for quite some time.

He scowls.

"It would not be so difficult if not for his behaviour," Norrell says. A guardian who fell in line properly standing for a position might well be a good thing -- someone loyal already and easily controlled? Perfect. Faolan? Disaster.

[brightwitch]

"I know," she says quietly. His loyalties had always been ambivalent, but she had thought the Guardian oath would keep him in line. Now he's the leader of the Hillingdon Clan and far from being a useful spy, he's actively making life difficult for them.

They reach her office and she pauses outside, wondering whether it's even wise to admit this...

"It's Millicent I'm worried about." She keeps her tone low, aware that there could be ears listening at any moment. "We're all so occupied with the campaign and if she decides to take matters into her own hands..."

Well, Millicent's hands tend to be violent. Her temper when roused can be fatal.

[hurtfew]

In truth, so occupied had Norrell been with his own distaste and irritation that he had no even considered the other side of it. Millicent. It had been Islington Nest he had been acting against, Daybreak had only been assisting.

The sharp look he gives her says he is considering it now.

"Perhaps," he begins slowly, "we could extract a promise from him? To allay her fears."

[brightwitch]

It might be best to discuss this in private. Sylvia steps inside her office, gesturing for Norrell to follow her. When he does, she shuts the door behind her and sighs.

"I assured Millicent that I would deal with it, and I spoke to Faolan myself. Of course that was before I learned that he was running for office. You and I know how provocative that is; I'm not sure that he does. What sort of promise are you thinking?"

It would be difficult, she thinks, to pressure Faolan into making any kind of promise that would pacify the Islington Nest. He's far too principled.

[hurtfew]

Norrell follows her in with a frown, one that stays put even as she speaks.

"Not to attack her directly?" he offers, "surely that is what she will fear, that he will have Hillingdon move against her again. Perhaps not to interfere with Islington in any way?" He hesitates, uneasy, then shakes his head. "Surely Faolan will not win, regardless. He is not established enough, he has no political expertise! He will be toppled by Yasmine the moment he missteps, whihc his sure to be soon."

[brightwitch]

"He doesn't have to win to act against the Islington Nest," she points out. "All he's done is prove his ambition." She sighs. "Whatever happens, I doubt he would agree to a promise like that. I imagine he has enough on his plate for now."

What with Norrell's smear campaign. Yes, she's seen it.

[hurtfew]

He'd admit to it easily. Lancelot doesn't like Faolan for this and he doesn't care who knows it.

Still, neither would he wish Millicent's temper on anyone.

"Well," Norrell says finally, letting out a heavy sigh. "If he will insist on interfering in Nest matters then he cannot be protected for long. Perhaps it may be a harsh lesson, but it may well remind Hillingdon why they stay out of politics."

[brightwitch]

Sylvia grimaces. She can see the sense in Norrell's words, but they are harsh. This isn't just a political argument. People could die.

"I hope he doesn't have to learn the hard way." She shakes her head. "We'll see how things stand after the election. Thank you for listening, Gilbert, I do appreciate it."

If they need to formulate a plan, they will. For now, there isn't much more to be done.

[hurtfew]

Norrell considers this a moment, ready to let it go, then turns a little more.

"Does he have a witch's amulet? Have him sent one, or something else silver. Don't let them know it was from you."

The last thing Sylvia needs is to be seen to be protecting Faolan if Millicent develops a grudge.

[brightwitch]

One might almost think Norrell is concerned for Faolan's well-being.

"I'll look into it. Thank you."

She gives him a brief nod, then waits for him to leave before returning to her desk. It ought to be an easy choice, she thinks, protecting one of her own employees. But is Faolan really loyal to the Night Council? His feelings on that seem ambiguous at best. She'll have to think about it.