hurtfew: (★ 6)
Gilbert Norrell ([personal profile] hurtfew) wrote in [community profile] undergrounds2015-10-27 12:03 pm

[SEMI-OPEN] Written by the Victors

Date: 30th of October, pre-Samhain celebration!
Plot: Smug Victory Dinner, with political manoeuvring
Areas: Westminster



It may have been a struggle, but Lambeth has finally been won over. A week of hard work to drive out all the unspeakable sorts, and another week of trying to keep control and tidy up, and it's looking like things are slowly beginning to settle. Gilbert Norrell is very pleased by this. Now he has proven he can be a leader, can lead them to victory -- and over a difficult area too! Of course, there were difficulties. Were small problems and losses along the way, but that does not matter now.

A dinner is not normally his style, he refused to hold one himself, but Childermass persuaded someone else to hold this on his behalf and -- well, it would be rude to decline. So he attends, if reluctantly (he does not like parties) and smiles as people applaud him. It is a rush of success, of ego, and as people come to congratulate him and find ways to carefully bring up their own causes and beliefs Gilbert Norrell feels that finally he is beginning to be recognised.

The table is carefully laid with glittering crystal glasses, candles and flowers. Not too ostentatious but still elegant and respectable, suited to the style of Norrell himself. Waiters and waitresses silently move back and forth serving people and taking requests or preferences, and the food is plentiful. If people can suffer the small-talk and ego coming from the head of the table, it will at least be a good meal.


[ ooc; log for the Daybreak victory meal! You can give me a ping if you want to be involved and replied already! It's set on Friday night so people can get drunk and slouch home without having to worry about the following morning, and can still attend Samhain things later. Entry is free, food and drink is free! The meal is being held by a lackey of Norrell's who wants to suck up to him since he's on the way up, and Norrell is therefore the ~guest of honour~. Dress code is black tie, thread with each other and mingle! ]
damnyank: (2)

AFTER

[personal profile] damnyank 2015-10-28 12:43 am (UTC)(link)
To be as slippery as Homer Jackson requires a practiced finesse, and more importantly, confidence to fit into any space and lie. To be the soulful artist at a cafe, the patriotic soldier, the manic actor, the successful businessman-- all dependent on time, place, and advantage. But when he's close to the truth, or in this case, a witch among witches, lying becomes more challenging, and Jackson gets far less comfortable. Never mind that he dislikes socializing with his kind, he especially dislikes the hoity-toity pretension of English Witching Kind.

He's always been the outsider, even back home. Here? He's a red sore thumb.

Following a trip back to America recently, Jackson's been reminded of how important it is to work on his-- not friendships, but alliances with his own kind.

That's why Jackson's here, picking idly at the collar of his finest tuxedo. He's been awkward and quiet throughout the party, which is unusual for Jackson, but goddammit, he has to try. So when he hears conversation that piques his interest in this circle of Witches: something about American-British Coven relations, he speaks up.

"I think we oughtta not rock the boat. Isolationism is the best way to maintain power-- why should Daybreak cultivate relations with an American coven, when we can barely handle our own shit?"
damnyank: (Default)

[personal profile] damnyank 2015-10-31 09:22 am (UTC)(link)
"Now, wait a darn minute. American magic's plenty respectable." Jackson steps closer, as he raises his voice. "I'm just saying-- these international relations, transatlantic coven alliances. It's an over-extension."

There's a difference between being critical of America, and insulting it, and while Jackson may not be a patriot, he's still a Yankee.

"If either side could handle their shit, we wouldn't be complainin' about Fae in the first place." He shrugs, chasing down his words with a throwback of Scotch. "Brits can't handle their shit. The Yanks can't either. What business do we have stickin' our noses into each other's business?"
damnyank: (4)

[personal profile] damnyank 2015-11-08 09:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, he can just sense the judgement, though to Jackson, it seems more like Norrell's shriveling into himself. Once you start drawing conclusions, based on a witch being of this or that millieu, well, your're probably a shrewish piece of shit yourself.

Then again, Jackson's also a piece of shit. Like and like.

He smiles widely, ignoring Norrell's changing expression.

"I wasn't even referring to the Fae." He pauses to taking a sip of his drink, "That relationship, on the other hand, has it's benefits. I mean, I ain't the biggest fan of them myself, but you can't ignore what magic they have to offer. Magic we can't get elsewhere."

Jackson finishes his drink.

"Science calls it symbiosis."
Edited 2015-11-08 21:25 (UTC)
damnyank: (Default)

[personal profile] damnyank 2015-12-19 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Jackson's all raised eyebrows, as he's observes what is the quintessence of uppercrust British stick-up-the-ass.

"Not to crush your hopes and dreams, but as long as humans are performing magic, it ain't gonna happen." He shrugs, then takes a generous gulp of his drink. "I mean, consider it-- just how many respectable humans do you know?"