undergrounds | VOTE NORRELL [ Active / Open ]

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.

Threaded | Flat

Normally Ringer would avoid the Coven. It was about the risk though. The risk of the Night Council offices versus the risk of the Norrellite Coven, the risk of meeting a man whom she disliked through reputation versus the risk of not steering his support in the directions that she desired. This entire election was risk and Ringer was uncomfortable being a part of it in any way.

Yet here she was, knocking at his office door, having called ahead to make an appointment if necessary. No reason not to observe decorum, particularly when she was asking for an accord.

"Sir? It's Ringer."

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.

It is Sofia Hughes who waits patiently for the witch representative to have time to see her. Who gingerly follows the man who leads her back to him with all the grace of a dancer. And who smiles at the man she's brought before.

"Good afternoon," she says. "Thank you for taking the time to see me, Mister Norrell. I'll try not to take up too much of your time, sir. I'm here as a... spokeswoman, I suppose, for the East End pack."

Well... there was a very social element to all of this, wasn't there? Henry had always been a fast learner, but he didn't think this brand of politics took a particularly apt mind. So many years studying the ancient Greeks and Romans, and he knew a house of power when he saw one-- and also the scare-monger tactics it would use, when the foundations of it began to rot. Change was in the air, and historically, politicians had always been allergic to change.

No matter. Henry wouldn't be worth his weight in salt if he couldn't fit in seamlessly among these types; hadn't he been raised among wolves, the elite?; and doing so would help him to understand the lay of the land... and how the topography was about to shift.

Going to introduce himself to the man of the hour, then, with a hand out to shake.

"You gave an impassioned speech, Mr. Norrell. Very... impressive."

As far as diction went, anyway.

i

no subject

i)

iii