Southern Charm, Chapter 11
Jan. 14th, 2006 10:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gracie_musicaChapter Eleven: Justice
Date Written: 1/14/05
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Dee/Ryo
Warnings: Homosexuality, murder, hoodoo use, mentioned NC (non consent or rape) and the issues that go with it (I'm not going to write it, though, the closest I'll go is memories)
Disclaimer: Same as Chapter Zero
Spoilers: All the way up through book 7
Saint Louis Cemetery is the name of three Roman Catholic cemeteries in New Orleans, Louisiana. The burials are in above ground vaults; most were constructed in the 18th century and 19th century. The above-ground tombs, required here because the ground water levels make burial impractical in New Orleans, are strongly reminiscent of the tombs of Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris. The three cemeteries are relatively intact following Hurricane Katrina.
Saint Louis #1
St. Louis Cemetery #1 is the oldest and most famous. It was opened in 1789, replacing the city's older St. Peter Cemetery (no longer in existence) as the main burial ground with a redesign of the city after a fire in 1788.
It is 8 blocks from the Mississippi River, 1 block back from the French Quarter, bordering the housing project that was built over what was formerly Storyville. It has been in continuous use since its foundation. Due to crime risks, it is inadvisable for individual tourists to visit the cemetery on their own, but it can be safely visited with groups. Free walking tours are given by the National Park Service, and paid tours are given by various commercial enterprises.
Marie Laveau is buried in Saint Lous Cemetery #1, in the Glapion family crypt.
Saint Louis #2
St. Louis #2 is located some 3 blocks back from St. Louis #1, bordering Claiborne Avenue. It was consecrated in 1823. A number of notable jazz and rhythm & blues musicians are buried here, including Danny Barker and Ernie K. Doe. Also entombed here is Dominique You, a notorious pirate who assisted in the defence of the city against the British in the Battle of New Orleans.
There are also many notable citizens of 19th and 20th century New Orleans laid to rest here. For example the tomb of Blessed Mother Henriette DeLille, who is a candidate for sainthood by the Catholic church, among others. St. Louis Cemetery No. 2 New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana Founded 1824 Listed in National Register of Historic Places, 1975.
Saint Louis #3
St. Louis #3 is located some 2 miles back from the French Quarter, some 30 blocks from the Mississippi, fronting Esplanade Avenue near Bayou St. John. It opened in 1854. The crypts on average are more elaborate than at the other St. Louis cemeteries, including a number of fine 19th century marble tombs. Those entombed here include ragtime composer Paul Sarebresole and photographer E. J. Bellocq. St. Louis #3 also includes a Greek Orthodox section.
-- from Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia
---
Ryo frowned as they leafed through the yellowing newsprint. "Most of these murders aren't even front-page news."
"You know how that is, baby," Dee replied, doing the same. "Big city, big panic. The police are probably down playing it to the press."
"But the press is usually all over stuff like this. Remember that guy who saved hands off his pets?"
"Yeah, but he had the same MO. Marie said this guy kills differently every time--except from the calling card--"
"--Which is probably being withehld from the press," Ryo finished, nodding in agreement. He paused to look at a list of names on his yellow legal pad: the list of possible murder victims.
"Well, death certificates are public record. Want to go down to City Hall?"
"Actually," Dee said, turning to look at the obituary page. "Let's start with the graveyards. Marie said the tombs were disturbed, which isn't in the paper at all."
"I understand that detail being held back, but it's almost like the press is apathetic," Ryo sighed, leaning back in his chair.
"It's amost like they're bewitched," Dee murmured in reply, taking the pen and list from Ryo to start making notations.
---
"Dee, there are no such thing as ghosts. There are no such thing as zombies. And there is no such thing as magic!"
Ryo insisted, doodling idly on his legal pad. The two of them had spent the day wandering around to the cemetaries the obituaries had said the dead would be buried. Over half of the names on their list had been disturded to the affect of being torn down or dug up. Many of the groundkeepers had mentioned voodoo and restless spirits.
"Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there," Dee protested. They were currently in the backseat of a cab that smelled faintly of stale alcohol and vomit and trying to keep their feet off the carpet.
"Just because you can't see it usually means it isn't there," Ryo shot back.
"What about atoms?"
"Atoms can be seen."
"And ghosts?"
"Are the fancy of an idle brain."
"And so is magic?"
This was not a foreign concept to either of them. Ryo had never had a strong faith in God and the fragile ideal had shattered at the death of his parents. Dee, on the other hand, had a stronger belief ina more non-traditional God--one who presented changes to change to change yourself through both good and bad experiences.
Neither one of them was trying to change the other. Sometimes it was argument for argument's sake, but more often it was just a reestablishement of the ground rules. Both sides were trashed, both sides were defended and at the end of the day both sides were still respected.
"So why are you investing yourself in this case?"
"Because someone else has invested himself in the idea that murder is okay, for whatever reason. And since the law says that belief is wrong, it's my duty to stop them."
"The law says that two men shouldn't be married, or that three people can't be married."
"The law also says 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'. As long as no one gets hurt--unless they want to be--it shouldn't matter. It's a law that bears looking into. Maybe changing."
The cabby slowed to a stop on St. Anne's street, and the two climbed out of the back of the cab after paying their fare.
Joe gripped his steering wheel as he glared at the two detectives as they entered their hotel. He and Marie needed to have a little heart-to-heart...
Date Written: 1/14/05
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Dee/Ryo
Warnings: Homosexuality, murder, hoodoo use, mentioned NC (non consent or rape) and the issues that go with it (I'm not going to write it, though, the closest I'll go is memories)
Disclaimer: Same as Chapter Zero
Spoilers: All the way up through book 7
Saint Louis #1
St. Louis Cemetery #1 is the oldest and most famous. It was opened in 1789, replacing the city's older St. Peter Cemetery (no longer in existence) as the main burial ground with a redesign of the city after a fire in 1788.
It is 8 blocks from the Mississippi River, 1 block back from the French Quarter, bordering the housing project that was built over what was formerly Storyville. It has been in continuous use since its foundation. Due to crime risks, it is inadvisable for individual tourists to visit the cemetery on their own, but it can be safely visited with groups. Free walking tours are given by the National Park Service, and paid tours are given by various commercial enterprises.
Marie Laveau is buried in Saint Lous Cemetery #1, in the Glapion family crypt.
Saint Louis #2
St. Louis #2 is located some 3 blocks back from St. Louis #1, bordering Claiborne Avenue. It was consecrated in 1823. A number of notable jazz and rhythm & blues musicians are buried here, including Danny Barker and Ernie K. Doe. Also entombed here is Dominique You, a notorious pirate who assisted in the defence of the city against the British in the Battle of New Orleans.
There are also many notable citizens of 19th and 20th century New Orleans laid to rest here. For example the tomb of Blessed Mother Henriette DeLille, who is a candidate for sainthood by the Catholic church, among others. St. Louis Cemetery No. 2 New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana Founded 1824 Listed in National Register of Historic Places, 1975.
Saint Louis #3
St. Louis #3 is located some 2 miles back from the French Quarter, some 30 blocks from the Mississippi, fronting Esplanade Avenue near Bayou St. John. It opened in 1854. The crypts on average are more elaborate than at the other St. Louis cemeteries, including a number of fine 19th century marble tombs. Those entombed here include ragtime composer Paul Sarebresole and photographer E. J. Bellocq. St. Louis #3 also includes a Greek Orthodox section.
-- from Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia
---
Ryo frowned as they leafed through the yellowing newsprint. "Most of these murders aren't even front-page news."
"You know how that is, baby," Dee replied, doing the same. "Big city, big panic. The police are probably down playing it to the press."
"But the press is usually all over stuff like this. Remember that guy who saved hands off his pets?"
"Yeah, but he had the same MO. Marie said this guy kills differently every time--except from the calling card--"
"--Which is probably being withehld from the press," Ryo finished, nodding in agreement. He paused to look at a list of names on his yellow legal pad: the list of possible murder victims.
"Well, death certificates are public record. Want to go down to City Hall?"
"Actually," Dee said, turning to look at the obituary page. "Let's start with the graveyards. Marie said the tombs were disturbed, which isn't in the paper at all."
"I understand that detail being held back, but it's almost like the press is apathetic," Ryo sighed, leaning back in his chair.
"It's amost like they're bewitched," Dee murmured in reply, taking the pen and list from Ryo to start making notations.
---
"Dee, there are no such thing as ghosts. There are no such thing as zombies. And there is no such thing as magic!"
Ryo insisted, doodling idly on his legal pad. The two of them had spent the day wandering around to the cemetaries the obituaries had said the dead would be buried. Over half of the names on their list had been disturded to the affect of being torn down or dug up. Many of the groundkeepers had mentioned voodoo and restless spirits.
"Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there," Dee protested. They were currently in the backseat of a cab that smelled faintly of stale alcohol and vomit and trying to keep their feet off the carpet.
"Just because you can't see it usually means it isn't there," Ryo shot back.
"What about atoms?"
"Atoms can be seen."
"And ghosts?"
"Are the fancy of an idle brain."
"And so is magic?"
This was not a foreign concept to either of them. Ryo had never had a strong faith in God and the fragile ideal had shattered at the death of his parents. Dee, on the other hand, had a stronger belief ina more non-traditional God--one who presented changes to change to change yourself through both good and bad experiences.
Neither one of them was trying to change the other. Sometimes it was argument for argument's sake, but more often it was just a reestablishement of the ground rules. Both sides were trashed, both sides were defended and at the end of the day both sides were still respected.
"So why are you investing yourself in this case?"
"Because someone else has invested himself in the idea that murder is okay, for whatever reason. And since the law says that belief is wrong, it's my duty to stop them."
"The law says that two men shouldn't be married, or that three people can't be married."
"The law also says 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'. As long as no one gets hurt--unless they want to be--it shouldn't matter. It's a law that bears looking into. Maybe changing."
The cabby slowed to a stop on St. Anne's street, and the two climbed out of the back of the cab after paying their fare.
Joe gripped his steering wheel as he glared at the two detectives as they entered their hotel. He and Marie needed to have a little heart-to-heart...
