The Beginning of the End [ Active / Semi-Open ]

[hurtfew]

Since his surprising loss at the election Gilbert Norrell has gone deep into hiding. Whispers say he rarely leaves his house, and yet more say he has been demanding a recount and investigation! That much, at least, is certainly true. A recount was done in a few territories, and at least one uncovered some suspicious vote meddling, but not anything they could pin on anyone. Nothing significant enough to change the result. Gilbert Norrell has lost, and after how certain his victory seemed it is a hollow thing indeed.

Tapping On The Glass


Yet Gilbert Norrell is not the only one to be suspicious of this sudden turn of events.

Childermass knows how hard Norrell campaigned, how much support he raised, how loud and forward his supporters were. Certainly after all the chaos with fae in the build up things seemed sure to fall in his favour. So, when Norrell instructs him (as he is wont to do) to investigate it is perhaps no surprise that he was planning to look into it anyway. Perhaps no surprise that he even found something, although the hows and whys are of course likely a surprise to Norrell.

The man is jumpy, perhaps more so than usual. Even at his best Gilbert Norrell held a distinct air of paranoia about him. Why should he not? He has a reputation, and one people should very much like to besmirch! They are jealous, of course, and he expects treachery at every turn! Oh, they would very much like to destroy him he is sure! Very much like to overturn his good work and bring the country to ruin!

The longer it goes on, the more convinced he becomes. His house is warded with as many spells as he can cast, and Norrell keeps to his library -- in a state of constant vigilance for intruders and betrayers while he researches. The world outside spins on, yet he takes little notice.

The knock startles Norrell in the quiet, and he stares down the doorway before Childermass stumbles in.

It takes him only a few short seconds to ascertain that he is not in good shape.

"Childermass!" he exclaims, "where on earth have you been? What has happened to you?" He rings a bell impatiently for someone else to come, frowning at the man as he stands and moves around the desk -- not quite willing to come too close but hesitantly uncertain if he should be helping. "I sent you out to find information, not involve yourself in a brawl!"



A Whisper of Treachery


Even so much as he is concerned about attacks on himself, about the poor state of things now he is no longer on the Night Council, he still does have time for his coven. That, of course, includes Elizabeth DeWitt. She may be an American, yet he has grown rather fond of her. She at least appears to listen to him, and while she is somewhat strong willed he knows she does have talent. If only she would just apply herself more to books...!

It is therefore pleasant of her to visit him for her tutelage still, and he has invited her into his library -- where tea and sandwiches have been served to help things along.

"Of course," he is saying while pushing some tea toward her, "I was as much surprised as you were. I am still quite certain that foul play was involved -- oh, very certain indeed! Yet it has become difficult to do anything about such a thing. The Night Council would not want it public such a thing is even possible, you see! Oh, no, they must be seen to be correct in all things! I am sure that is why they refuse to help me. I have written to them many a time, yet nothing has come of it. Childermass is looking into it, though. You will see. Childermass is good at these things."

Taking a sandwich he offers her a slightly forced smile and holds out a plate of them for her. How good it is to have someone to talk to who understands!



A Meeting of Witches


It is late when the knock at the door comes, and the summer storm rains so heavy against the glass he thinks it only that at first. Then, between the rumbles of thunder, he hears it again. A strange thing, too, since not many tend to visit Gilbert Norrell now he has less influence -- especially not at this hour. Yet the knocking is insistent, and after a moment he leans back and takes off his glasses, lofts an eyebrow at Childermass that suggests he go see to it.

The house is much heavier in its warding than it used to be, thick with magic to keep away fae largely, but his offer to Nancy of help in a time of need is one that will still stand -- and there is nothing to prevent a fellow witch coming near.

Especially not one who is invited it, and lead through the labyrinthine magic.

Comments

[knowstheworld]

Childermass doesn't particularly approve of the implications that he doesn't believe her because of what she is. He grew up on the streets, he was raised by women just like her. But he doesn't feel particularly driven to correct her either. Let her think what she likes of him, it doesn't really matter to him one way or the other her opinion of him. So long as it doesn't interfere with their conversation.

As for Nancy's 'proof', Childermass doesn't know what to make of it. He knows what she does for a living. He knows that this is part of what she does, for that matter, offering herself to vampires. She is suggesting that she had never wanted it -- he can believe that. Why would anyone want to offer themselves thus. The question still remains --

"Why now?" he has to ask. Why is she here now? What has pushed her over the edge thus? There must be some reason she is here. Seeking out Norrell, of all people.

[hurtfew]

Norrell makes a fussy sort of flapping motion at Childermass, as if to silently communicate yes, yes, we'll get to that part.

"Can you not see the girl is distressed!" he declares, before moving on to the important (in his opinion) part. "Do you think they will come looking for you here? They cannot enter -- none of us would give them permission, of course! We do not allow their kind here!" Vampires, fae, all the distasteful sorts. "But it will be... difficult, if they linger."

Give a bad sort of impression to anyone who notices. Make it hard to leave if they haunt every doorway. His reputation may well suffer if his house is seen to be surrounded at all times by less than respectable folk!

Of course, it may suffer for harbouring a midnight witch too, but this has good reason! It is for a greater good!

[stauncherhearted]

Sorry, Childermass. You may have grown up in the gutters and the streets, but Nancy remained there, and likely would until her death. Death that she knew would come for her sooner rather than later. She wouldn't kid herself to think she'd live a long life. Such beliefs only helped her performance. She nearly rose to her feet however, to explain how obvious it should be as to why she was here. But she remained seating, pulling her towel closer around her like a shield.

Ignoring Childermass, she focused again on Norrell. "no- that's why I came here. They'll look for me with my friends. You're the last person they'd believe I'd come to." Let them believe she'd told no one of his offer.

"if anyone can help me, it's you, Mr. Norrell." She looks like a child, no makeup save that which runs down her cheeks as she looks up at the man who shall believe he is her savior.

[knowstheworld]

Childermass knows that he's being dismissed, ignored by Nancy, but he's having none of it. He wants to know the meaning of this because as far as he's concerned it's more than a little suspicious.

"So what would you have of him?" he asks Nancy, before turning to Norrell as well. "You know of her allegiances. If she says that these people are after her... Simply having her here is a threat in and of itself, sir." He knows he is stating the obvious, but he hopes he is stating it in such a way that will get across the point of the matter. Do you really want to be involving yourself in other people's problems like this? Especially at such threat to your person? It's certainly not Norrell's usual style, all things considered.

[hurtfew]

It's true, everything Childermass says is true and Norrell knows it. He is, in truth, horrified by the sight of Nancy -- it makes his delicate sensibilities twitch and curl inwards. Yet Norrell is not without heart, and perhaps if he helps her quickly he might get rid of her quickly too.

"Fetch her some hot water!" he snaps, and waves quickly at Childermass. If they argue much longer he will get a headache. Perhaps if he removes Childermass a moment they will both calm down. Nancy is just a girl, after all, what could she do? "And a cloth! Let her clean herself up a little before you question her."

[stauncherhearted]

It's odd- usually she's in Childermass' position. People barking at her to do something, be of more help. She always did all she could, willingly and often without being told, but sometimes it wasn't enough. Sometimes, you just wanted your voice to be heard.

But both she and Norrell were hearing Childermass loud and clear.

"I don't know what I want," she admits. "I know how this looks, and I'm sorry. I'm so bloody sorry." She closes her eyes again, against the world. "I don't even think there's anything anyone can do for me. I made my bed fourteen years ago. It's high-time I lied in it." She wipes at her eyes.

"You have every right to refuse to help me. Most good men would. But please, let me have safety tonight."

[knowstheworld]

Childermass looks between the two, taking in the look of Nancy and the pathetic way she is selling herself to them, unable to tell in truth whether it's a lie or not. Perhaps because he knows there is some truth to the matter, he just doesn't know how big of a part that is. He glances back at Norrell, letting him know as best he can in his gaze that he's not happy about this, that he doesn't trust her. Before he does as he's told. He can't keep ringing for another servant to come for him, after all. Not without raising more questions. Not without potentially getting more of them involved.

"Do not make the mistake of trusting her," Childermass warns, glancing at Nancy once more before disappearing out the door to fetch what he has been asked to. At least if there is trouble, he has confidence that Norrell will let him know. Barring that, the security spells will.

[hurtfew]

Norrell waits until Childermass has left, frozen awkwardly slightly cringed away from Nancy until he finally moves -- turns to pick up a tin of biscuits and hesitantly opens it and offers one to her.

"Perhaps something to eat might steady you?" he offers, a little hopeful that at some point all the crying might stop. Norrell is not particularly good with displays of emotion, or much good with women at all to be quite honest. His only understanding is what he knows of himself -- that a drink and a biscuit sometimes helps him calm down!

Unfortunately sometimes such a cure does not scale to larger problems.

[stauncherhearted]

"Thank you." She's breathless, and she reaches for the biscuit. She holds it in one hand, but doesn't move to eat it. How could she, with Childermass' words echoing in her ears?

"I made a mistake in coming here," she settles with. "I should have known-" she won't let herself finish, shaking her head, auburn curls slowly drying in the heat from the fire.

She should have known she wouldn't be welcome here. That's what she'll say if bidden.

She takes a long, shuddering breath. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Norrell. If there's some way you could offer me shelter, but only for the night. Or- help me get out of London...? I would be so grateful. Midnight would never do such a thing for me." They would. If she needed it.