Gilbert Norrell (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
hurtfew) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
undergrounds2016-06-19 04:02 pm
hurtfew) wrote in undergrounds2016-06-19 04:02 pm
Entry tags:
The Beginning of the End [ Active / Semi-Open ]
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.
no subject
"Well what if they followed you here! What if it was a trap!" Since for all his confidence in his wards five minutes ago, the prospect of fae with tridents coming to his house is suddenly making him uneasy. He lunges for a book, begins to flick through for something uneasily. "Did they give you anything, Childermass? Slip something into your pockets? Why would they not kill you?"
A trap, surely! A way to bypass his wards!
no subject
Childermass shakes his head. He can't remember being slipped anything. He can't remember the fae getting that close, certainly not after he had gotten shifty about him. Not unless you counted the whole stabbing incident. Besides, he has half a mind to protest that isn't being stabbed threat enough? Perhaps they had missed.
"They tried to trick me into a promise," he replies. "To try and keep me quiet. No doubt so that they would not have to worry about whether I lived or not."
no subject
'Tried' somewhat passed him by, for so disturbed is Norrell by the closeness of all these troubles to his person that nothing but worst-case scenarios occur to him. Attacks, spells, deals. All of this fae involvement is much outside his comfort zone!
no subject
"They've painted a target on you, Mr Norrell. And now they know my association with you as well. You need to guard yourself. I would not be surprised if that election were only the beginning, given recent events." Being stabbed for prying and all.