Sylvia Redbright (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
brightwitch) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
undergrounds2016-06-26 11:35 pm
brightwitch) wrote in undergrounds2016-06-26 11:35 pm
Entry tags:
It's just one disaster after another
1) Statement issued to Circle Daybreak re: Gilbert Norrell, 21st June
For the attention of all Daybreak covens:
You may have heard by now that Mr Gilbert Norrell, High Priest of Circle Daybreak and leader of the Norrellite Coven, has gone missing. His assistant John Childermass is also missing.
We are treating these disappearances very seriously and a full investigation is underway. Attacks on witches, and particularly on senior members of our community, will not be tolerated. However, we do not yet have any direct evidence of foul play and so I would ask you to exercise discretion in this matter. We must not jump to hasty conclusions.
Once we have the full picture of what has happened here, you will of course be the first to know.
My best wishes to you,
Sylvia Redbright, Mother of Witches; Chancellor, Redbright Institute; President of the Night Council
(NB. You may notice that there is no mention here of fae magic or the black tower that appeared above Norrell's home on the day that he disappeared. Sylvia is trying to keep that quiet.)
2) For Lancelot – Norrell's house, Westminster 23rd June
The problem with Norrell is that he's a paranoid recluse. Even getting into his house required a full coven of witches to break the labyrinth spell that would otherwise have confused and trapped anyone who tried to search the place. And after that, the witches were nervous about entering. Though she had sworn them all to secrecy, some of them had seen the dark magic that had hung over the house for near on half a day, a black tower of smoke that had been an absolute nightmare to cover up.
She sent her top Guardian to investigate the matter, but her witches are so spooked that Sylvia deems it necessary to pay a personal visit to the house and confirm that there's nothing dangerous in there herself. Fingers crossed.
She approaches Lancelot first, nodding in greeting. "What have you found so far?"
3) For Natasha – Redbright Institute, 1st July
It's safe to say that Sylvia has a lot on her mind. From trouble with Islington to the mystery of Norrell's disappearance, this has not been a good month. So she's surprised and rather annoyed when she receives a request for a meeting in her office after sundown. Yet another too-long day.
But her PA tells her that it's important and so Sylvia is there at the agreed time, calling for her visitor to come in when she knocks at the door. This had better be important.
4) For Natasha and Simon – Westminster, 2nd July
The news that Simon O'Neill is dead but not gone is potentially game-changing. For one, it means that they have a witness to his murder, which is a huge step forward in their investigation. And it means that she still has a Guardian she thought had been lost – if he sticks around.
Natasha takes her to the street where Simon died. It's late by now, the traffic less heavy. And because Sylvia knows she's looking for a ghost, it isn't long before she feels the familiar prickle at the back of her neck, the cold sensation that tells her a presence is nearby. She doesn't specialize in ghost-related magic, but like all witches she's sensitive to ghostly activity.
"Simon," Sylvia calls, drawing her shawl tighter around her shoulders as she looks around. "Are you there?"
5) EVERYONE READ THIS – A statement from the Night Council, 4th July
On 4th July, the Night Council issues a controversial statement to the leaders of all factions, to be disseminated to their respective communities.
It speaks first of the death of Simon O'Neill, a Night Council Guardian. The evidence is now conclusive, it says, Simon was murdered by an Islington vampire in pursuit of the absurd policy instituted by its leader Raymond Harris which rewards members of the nest for killing werewolves and shapeshifters.
The Night Council strongly condemns this grotesque act, and further condemns this attack on a Guardian which can only be seen as an attack on the Night Council itself. Therefore it demands the Islington Nest cease this barbaric practice with immediate effect, or else it shall be forced to conclude that the Islington Nest is no longer fit to have a seat on the Council.
The statement is signed by Sylvia Redbright, Peter Vrinak, Nora Shannon and Yasmine Merad.
[ooc: Would you like a thread with Sylvia? PM me!]
For the attention of all Daybreak covens:
You may have heard by now that Mr Gilbert Norrell, High Priest of Circle Daybreak and leader of the Norrellite Coven, has gone missing. His assistant John Childermass is also missing.
We are treating these disappearances very seriously and a full investigation is underway. Attacks on witches, and particularly on senior members of our community, will not be tolerated. However, we do not yet have any direct evidence of foul play and so I would ask you to exercise discretion in this matter. We must not jump to hasty conclusions.
Once we have the full picture of what has happened here, you will of course be the first to know.
My best wishes to you,
Sylvia Redbright, Mother of Witches; Chancellor, Redbright Institute; President of the Night Council
(NB. You may notice that there is no mention here of fae magic or the black tower that appeared above Norrell's home on the day that he disappeared. Sylvia is trying to keep that quiet.)
2) For Lancelot – Norrell's house, Westminster 23rd June
The problem with Norrell is that he's a paranoid recluse. Even getting into his house required a full coven of witches to break the labyrinth spell that would otherwise have confused and trapped anyone who tried to search the place. And after that, the witches were nervous about entering. Though she had sworn them all to secrecy, some of them had seen the dark magic that had hung over the house for near on half a day, a black tower of smoke that had been an absolute nightmare to cover up.
She sent her top Guardian to investigate the matter, but her witches are so spooked that Sylvia deems it necessary to pay a personal visit to the house and confirm that there's nothing dangerous in there herself. Fingers crossed.
She approaches Lancelot first, nodding in greeting. "What have you found so far?"
3) For Natasha – Redbright Institute, 1st July
It's safe to say that Sylvia has a lot on her mind. From trouble with Islington to the mystery of Norrell's disappearance, this has not been a good month. So she's surprised and rather annoyed when she receives a request for a meeting in her office after sundown. Yet another too-long day.
But her PA tells her that it's important and so Sylvia is there at the agreed time, calling for her visitor to come in when she knocks at the door. This had better be important.
4) For Natasha and Simon – Westminster, 2nd July
The news that Simon O'Neill is dead but not gone is potentially game-changing. For one, it means that they have a witness to his murder, which is a huge step forward in their investigation. And it means that she still has a Guardian she thought had been lost – if he sticks around.
Natasha takes her to the street where Simon died. It's late by now, the traffic less heavy. And because Sylvia knows she's looking for a ghost, it isn't long before she feels the familiar prickle at the back of her neck, the cold sensation that tells her a presence is nearby. She doesn't specialize in ghost-related magic, but like all witches she's sensitive to ghostly activity.
"Simon," Sylvia calls, drawing her shawl tighter around her shoulders as she looks around. "Are you there?"
5) EVERYONE READ THIS – A statement from the Night Council, 4th July
On 4th July, the Night Council issues a controversial statement to the leaders of all factions, to be disseminated to their respective communities.
It speaks first of the death of Simon O'Neill, a Night Council Guardian. The evidence is now conclusive, it says, Simon was murdered by an Islington vampire in pursuit of the absurd policy instituted by its leader Raymond Harris which rewards members of the nest for killing werewolves and shapeshifters.
The Night Council strongly condemns this grotesque act, and further condemns this attack on a Guardian which can only be seen as an attack on the Night Council itself. Therefore it demands the Islington Nest cease this barbaric practice with immediate effect, or else it shall be forced to conclude that the Islington Nest is no longer fit to have a seat on the Council.
The statement is signed by Sylvia Redbright, Peter Vrinak, Nora Shannon and Yasmine Merad.
[ooc: Would you like a thread with Sylvia? PM me!]
no subject
The evidence is undeniable. She shakes her head, stepping away from the mirror.
"You know, I'm beginning to regret allowing fae free movement around central London. If the spell was cast in this room, then we have a number of worrying possibilities. One, a fae got itself invited in to Norrell's home, which seems unlikely if you know how paranoid the man is. Or two, a fae was summoned inside this house... By an enemy of Norrell's? I doubt there's a single witch in Circle Midnight who doesn't hate him. Or by Norrell himself." Her lips thin. It seems unlikely, yet somehow she doesn't put it past him to try something like that. "We need to establish who was in this house before the dark cloud struck. CCTV footage would be a good start. I want you to lead this case personally, Lancelot. Whatever the outcome, we need to keep this contained."
And confidential. She wants to reassure the witch community, not scare them. The longer this uncertainty persists, the worse it is for everyone.
no subject
He can't, they both know it's true.
"Of course," he says, because he doesn't have the option to say anything else. They can't go pointing fingers too publicly because the political fallout of assuming wrong would be a disaster. So he'll need to investigate as carefully as possible. He presses his lips together, thinking. "I'll do my best to move quietly, but people will already be asking questions and starting rumours."
Which means they need some sort of story to work with, and they all need to be using the same one. Something non-offensive which doesn't blame anyone or cause panic.
no subject
She may not like Norrell much, but he doesn't deserve to be bad-mouthed for something he most likely didn't do. Especially not if the man is dead; it's disrespectful. She would bet a considerable amount of cash that a Circle Midnight witch or a disgruntled fae did this.
no subject
His eyes scan the room once more and Lancelot lets out a slow breath. Its been picked apart for evidence but processing takes time, and there's no guarantee on leads that way. They still need leg work to get anywhere, and Lancelot is the one now volunteered to be doing that.
"Childermass moved around more than Norrell. I'll see if I can piece together where he was the last few days, see if anything unusual turns up or if anything changed."
If Norrell was worried about something, or Childermass was behaving oddly.
"I'll let you know as soon as anything turns up."
Which may be slow going, with how the supernatural community is, but Lancelot is persistent.
no subject
Like any evidence that could be awkward for them. Or anything that might lead them to a witch or fae culprit. The sooner they can pin this on someone, the better.
Which means there's nothing more she can do here. The place is being picked over by people with far keener eyes than she has. Sylvia may have ordered the investigation, but she isn't going to do the legwork. Satisfied that all is going as it should, she bids Lancelot goodbye and retreats from the house.