-*-*-*-*-*-*-40'sDetectiveNoir-*-*-*-*-*-*-
A Story Not Meant To Be Told…
Part 1
40's Noir with a Twist Verse
(Verse 7)
Santa Barbra Ca. 1948
Magnus Bane is the top reporter for the Santa Barbra Sun- the hardest hitting paper in the city. His specialty is gritty crime exposes. Magnus is infamous for going to extreme lengths to get the facts for the best scoop, always willing to go the extra mile and put himself on the line for the story. His efforts and notoriety have gained him a wealth of connections and resources that most reporters can only dream of.
This has also given him near unfettered access to the SBPD, as well as their cases; something that frequently puts him at odds with head Detective Alec Lightwood.
The two men clash quite frequently and it's no mystery why:
Magnus is unabashedly open about his inclinations and makes no apologies for it. He is bold, brazen, and completely unashamed, despite the prejudices of the day. He is reckless, somewhat underhanded, and not in any way against bending the rules to get to the truth…
Meanwhile Lightwood is the totally by the book, straight-laced, workaholic head Detective and son of the current chief of the SBPD.
But when the two men are told to drop a case things get complicated, secrets come to light, and the crack reporter realizes he may have read the 'straight-laced' detective all wrong…
Notes:
***Blanket Note For All Verses 3-9***
Kay, so here's the thing, originally I was planning on starting these kinda in shifts, but I'm impatient and I really want to get this stuff going…
So over the next three weeks I am going to be starting universes
3-9
**(10 won't start till the others are well underway for a very specific reason)**
I'm not gonna be starting them necessarily in numerological order as some have ran further along with my mind than others (For example verses 3, 4, and 7 I actually have vague plans all the way through to the 1st season finale while the others are still forming…)
So some of them may take a bit to update but I will have the 1st half of chapter 1 up for all of them by May 10th (I'm setting me a deadline damnit)
The SEM Verse is still my main focus right now and will still be updated at least once a week…the others updates will be a bit more random depending on which one my mind is running with at that moment
I know it seems like a lot and not gonna lie that's cause it IS but my mind has been running with these for over a year now, I think it'll work out just fine…
All the universes I will most likely just update half a chapter at a time
The 1st stories of them will mainly just be introducing our characters and getting a feel for the world so- with the exception of the 40's with a twist the 1st stories will only be 8 chapters,
Kay onto our regularly scheduled program
Couple things real quick:
This verse is set in the late 40's and- as with all my verses- like 95% of my characters are something other than straight so this'll be a bit tricky. I want to keep the feel of the 40's and we will have the harder elements of the time but it will NOT quite be to actual historical levels-
Realism is all well and good but I read and write to get a break from the depressing things in the real world (Like news…and reality shows).
So we're gonna have the feel of a 40's style world, and the prejudices and such of the day WILL come into play (Sometimes in rather unexpected ways) only I can't really bring myself to take it to the levels it'd actually be for that time period…
That being said there will in all likelihood be darker themes (We'll probably deal with homophobia quite a bit in this verse), more drama, more crimes, violence and so on but I do have a plan, and I will find a balance…
(Or maybe it won't turn out like that at all, hell if I know-
Half the time I'm just as surprised where we end up as the rest of you…)
I don't know where we'll end up, but I can almost guarantee it'll be somewhere interesting.
Hey, it's my world; I can make it however I want…
Besides the whole premises of the 'multiverse' thing is that they're different, alternate universes…
Speaking of…
It's called '40's Noir with a Twist'for a reason, but you'll have to read it to find the twist…(Or you know…look in the tags if you want a hint…)
I think we're gonna have a lot of fun with this verse- I'm actually REALLY excited about this one…(I think it's my favorite of the verses, at least what I have planned of it is.)
Anyways…that's it for the disclaimers…
Let's see where this one goes…
Chapter 1:
Investigations and Irritations
Chapter Complete! *~********~*~********~* Magnus-Magnus-Magnus-Magnus-Magnus *~********~*~********~*"Well hello there Divya, and how is the prettiest stenographer in the entire SBPD?" Magnus said cheerfully, sideling up to her desk, giving his most charming smile,
She giggled, rolling her eyes,
"Nice try Mag's, but I'm not giving you any tips."
He gave an exaggerated gasp, and a totally fake hurt look,
"Oh really now, that hurts! Here I am trying to give you a sincere compliment and brighten your day and you just think I'm after something…
Must admit I am rather insulted." he finished with a slight pout,
She snorted, quirking her eyebrow,
"I'm sure you'll live."
He waved her off with a bit of a chuckle, settling on the edge of her desk,
"So serious…really darling you must loosen up a bit, let your hair down. It's not all doom and gloom."
Divya quirked her eyebrow sarcastically,
"Magnus; I work the intake desk at a police department; I type up reports on murders and criminals eight hours a day. I see an endless parade of idiots, degenerates and violent, idiotic, degenerates…
The closest I get to 'letting my hair down' is when I go home and have a scotch or three with my equally world-weary roommate."
Magnus chuckled, shrugging,
"Quite true, even so, just because it's a dark, dreary world, doesn't mean we shouldn't do what we can to make the best of it.
After all, you are already doing your part."
She hesitated a moment before giving a slight sigh, curiosity getting the best of her. Divya rolled not only her eyes but her entire head, turning her chair, giving a slightly amused smile, picking up the silver letter opener on her desk, ideally twirling it between her fingers,
"Alright, I'll bite; how am I 'Doing my part'…and bear in mind Mag's? I am armed." She finished quirking her eyebrow, pointing the letter opener at him menacingly,
Magnus gave a bright grin, holding his hands up placatingly,
"Nothing untoward darling, I assure you. I merely mean that there is no better way for these oh so brave detectives to start the day than with a smile from a lovely lady. It has already totally brightened my day. You really do look lovely, is that a new hat? I really like the rose on you, it compliments you perfectly."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide a slightly amused smile,
"You are dogged, I'll give you that."
Magnus chuckled,
"Come on doll, you know I mean every word- wouldn't be much of a reporter if I didn't. You are the prettiest stenographer in the entire SBPD."She giggled once more, giving a sarcastic look
"You mean between me, Jerry and Phineas?"
He gave a playful wink,
"Hey, don't discount it, that's some tough competition right there."
She laughed,
"Magnus you are just too much."
"I know, but it usually works for me…speaking of?"
She smirked, quirking her eyebrow,
"And what happened to just complimenting me 'because it's the truth'?"
"It is! But you know…I still have a job to do and stories to publish…and that is rather difficult when I don't have any cases…" he trailed off, giving an overly exaggerated, pleading look,
She huffed faintly, trying to remain strong but relented, giving a slightly aggravated, groan
"Fiiine…"
"Yes! You're a total doll." he exclaimed, leaning forward eagerly,
"Yeah, yeah, I'm a real peach…
Anyways, it's been pretty slow today but we got a call a bit ago for a body found out near the foundry, definite homicide. Alec's getting ready to head out there now; if you hurry you can catch him."
It was Magnus's turn to groan, rolling his eyes,
"Ugh, Lightwood? Really?"
She gave a slight waive, shaking her head,
"Hey don't shoot the messenger, I don't make the assignments, I just jot down the chatter…
His case, he's on point, take it or leave it. But unless you're next hard hitting expose is on a sighting of an alligator in the sewer or a dog napping that's all I got."
He settled on her desk, ideally tapping his foot,
Hmm…
He glanced over, quirking his eyebrow,
"How big of an alligator?"
She chuckled, rolling her eyes faintly, pointing towards the door,
"Just go. I haven't seen him head out yet, you can still beat him to his car."
"Morning Divya," Phineas mumbled around his bite of doughnut with a slightly absent wave her way as he made his way to over to his desk,
Magnus huffed, standing up, giving a heatless glare, jerking his finger towards Phineas,
"You know what? I take it back; Phineas is totally the prettiest stenographer in the station."
"Huh?" Phineas startled, blinking in confusion, glancing between the two nervously,
Divya laughed, glancing over him, taking in the slightly rumpled suit, crumbs, and obvious jelly stain on his sleeve, glancing back at Magnus with a playful smirk,
"Well, I suppose I just can't compete with that level of natural beauty."
"What!?" Phineas demanded looking between them in alarm,
Magnus burst out laughing, sending Divya a playful wink,
"Too true…" he flashed a quick smile, beginning towards the door, turning back to them giving a slightly flourishing wave,
"See ya, doll…
You too Divya." he finished with a grin and a playful wink, turning back to the door with a chuckle echoed perfectly by Divya,
"I have GOT to start getting here on time so I know what the hell's going on…"Phineas grumbled,
Magnus chuckled again, making his way out the doors of the precinct towards the parking lot. He picked up the pace as he spotted Detective Lightwood finishing up a conversation with Officers Doyle and Evans.
He stooped down a bit, ducking behind a few of the black and whites, slipping over to the passenger side of the deep burgundy Pontiac. He glanced around, making sure the coast was clear before pulling out a small lock pic set from his pocket, popping the lock, quickly slipping it back out of sight, leaning patiently against the car, giving an innocent look,
Lightwood spotted him steps faltering, giving a faint groan, already shaking his head as he made his way down the steps to the car.
"Uh uh, not happening."
Magnus rolled his eyes, huffing,
"Not even a good morning? Tsk, tsk, you're the chiefs' son! Where are your manners?"
Alec scoffed, giving a sarcastic look,
"Ah damn it, must've forgot them back in the precinct. Be a sport? Go fetch them for me…I'll wait here."
Magnus laughed,
"Sure, I'll get right on that."
Alec shook his head,
"You're not coming with me, I'm working."
Magnus quirked his eyebrow,
"And what do you think I'm doing, just tagging along for the scintillating company?" he chuckled,
"Don't flatter yourself detective. This is just as much my job as yours."
Alec glared faintly,
"No, my job is to solve a murder…
Yours is to sell newspapers; slight difference there."
Magnus tilted his head,
"No detective, you- as usual- are wrong. Your job is to investigate a murder…mine is to be sure you don't miss any evidence that could be important later."
Alec's gaze went sharp,
"I won't 'miss' any evidence."
Magnus smirked, hand trailing down to the door handle,
"Of course you won't; I'll be right there with you." he finished, quickly opening the door, slipping in before Alec even realized what he was doing.
"Hey! What do y-" Alec began, climbing into the driver's seat,
Magnus flashed a quick grin, nodding towards the street,
"Let's get going."
Alec quirked his eyebrow,
"You do realize breaking and entering is illegal, right?"
Magnus smirked,
"And if you could prove I did I might be somewhat concerned…"
Alec settled back, folding his arms stubbornly,
Magnus chuckled,
"Oh really now detective, that's so not going to work."
"I'm not taking you to the scene."
Magnus gave a challenging look, turning to face him,
"Really? You mean to tell me that you are willing to set here and ignore a murder case? I realize you are not exactly a fan of mine but surely you cannot be so petty as to allow a murder investigation to grow cold merely to prove a point?"
Alec glared, gaze going hard and sharp, locking eyes with him. Magnus met his gaze head on, completely unwaveringly. Finally Alec rolled his eyes, with a faint huff, shaking his head, turning back to the road, putting the car in drive pulling out into traffic.
"Just stay out of the way and try not to turn this into some kind of fiasco…It's a murder scene, not a circus."
Magnus gave a triumphant grin,
"Of course, whatever you say detective, I'll be on my best behavior; won't even know I'm there."
Alec scoffed,
"Yeah, clearly you're the epitome of subtly and tact."
Magnus couldn't help a faint chuckle,
The Detective was as uptight and straight laced as they came, but if anything he was pretty entertaining to aggravate.
Eh, everybody needs a hobby…
*~********~*~********~* Magnus-Magnus-Magnus-Magnus-Magnus *~********~*~********~*"Hey, you're gonna miss our turn!
Aaand…you missed it…" Magnus huffed, slumping down in the seat,
Alec glanced over,
"What, what turn? We don't need to turn. Main Street runs right into 2nd."
"I know that."
Alec gave a kinda flippant gesture, quirking his eyebrow,
"Okay…so we didn't 'miss' our turn, this is how we get there…"
Magnus shrugged,
"It is one of the ways…just not the right way."
Alec groaned,
"What are you talking about?"
Magnus gave a dismissive shrug,
"Western would've got us there quite a bit faster."
Alec huffed, shaking his head,
"It would not! You just want to argue;
The Foundry's over on Pinewood drive. To get there from Western you have to make three turns, cut down a side street and make a U turn over on Henderson.
2nd street's a straight shot, always the best option."
Magnus gave a scoffing laugh,
"Of course you'd think that."
Alec rolled his eyes,
"Don't be so dramatic, I was just saying t-"
"Oh, save it Boyscout, I know what you meant, and you're- once again- wrong."
Alec groaned, gesturing sharply,
"How am I wrong? How could all of that meandering actually be faster than a straight sho…" he trailed off, the car slowing to a near stop.
Magnus sighed,
"Because the gas company is replacing an entire section of pipes and they're only letting a few cars through at a time as it's down to just one lane for about two miles…"
Alec groaned again, even louder, rubbing his eyes,
"And you already knew this because?"
"Oh, my neighbor works for them; he mentioned it today at the mail boxes."
Alec rubbed at his face once more, turning towards Magnus to glare,
Magnus shrugged,
"What?"
"You couldn't have led with that?"
Magnus gasped, giving an overly innocent look,
"Hey, I told you the fastest way to go…not my fault you didn't listen."
Alec flailed slightly, gesturing over to him,
"How are you a reporter?!"
"Important part first!"
Magnus chuckled faintly, turning slightly in his seat to face the detective, quirking his eyebrow,
"Okay first off; that's not how it works-
That is like, the exact opposite of how it works.
You never have the most important part right up front, otherwise no one's gonna buy the paper- they already know what happened.
Next- despite that- I DID start with the most important information; where we needed to turn, that was the key information. The 'why' is just elaboration; more details to support and add credibility to the main point."
Alec sputtered, blinking,
"W-that's j- what are y….oh my god, you are the most…"he trails off with an aggravated sound, thunking his head repeatedly against the steering wheel.
Magnus chuckled faintly…
His hobby really was pretty entertaining.
Annoyingly attractive too…
Especially when he got all snappy and sarcastic like that.
The uptight, stubborn, snarky detective was always so very easy to get a reaction out of. Not to mention addictingly fun to argue with…
Anyone else he would've mentioned the construction right off the bat, but there was just something about seeing the detective all hot and bothered that always gave him a bit of a buzz.
Probably something to do with how he'd flush so enticingly and the way his pretty hazely green eyes would spark. It was always a giddy little thrill.
He should probably feel kinda guilty baiting the man so often, but he really couldn't seem to help it. Alec was usually so clipped and cold with him, even more so than with anyone else. He always tried to flat out ignore Magnus when he was at the station, which Magnus found even more annoying than the blatant hostility he got from Chief Lightwood and a few of the less subtle officers.
Because of this Magnus made a point of pushing every button he could find with the oh so stoic head detective. It probably wasn't the most mature reaction, but it was the one he tended to go with…
Hey, if someone's gonna ignore him he's not going to make it easy.
The fact that a worked up, argumentative, feisty Alec was sexy as hell was totally irrelevant…
Though sometimes he maybe went a bit far- like purposefully not telling him about the whole construction thing.
That may have been a bit much.
But..I-it should be fine…
It really wouldn't slow them down much, maybe an extra ten to fifteen minutes…
Besides, Alec was actually one of the best detectives he'd ever worked with (Not that he'd ever tell him that). Whatever this case was Alec was the best the SBPD had, and with Magnus's sharp eye and attention to detail they were sure to get everything they could at the scene, an extra ten minutes wouldn't affect that.
They'll still solve it, and a-
"Finally we're here- no thanks to you." Alec grumbled, parking, hopping out of the car, beginning down the overgrown path towards the old, abandoned building. Magnus climbed out, swiftly catching up, falling into step beside him, shrugging dismissively,
"Hey I told you where to turn, maybe next time you'll actually listen to me, give me the benefit of the doubt."
Alec scoffed,
"Right…I'm not naïve; give you an inch, you'd take a mile."
Magnus rolled his eyes,
"Oh really now, that's jus-"
Alec quirked his eyebrow sarcastically,
"Last month you had Sorenson convinced Darcy down in the mail room was a hit man on the run from the Irish mob."
"Hey, it wasn't that farfetched- the guy did move here from Chicago, and he's really secretive about why. Besides I didn't say he was; I said it was a possibility. You're a detective; you know how important it is to examine every possibility, no matter how unlikely it might be."
Again Alec rolled his eyes (It's a wonder they didn't get stuck like that)
"Yes, every possibility within reason. You may as well of said the guy was a sasquatch who got tired of the woods."
In spite of himself Magnus gave a bark of a laugh,
"Oh that's just ridiculous. There's no woods in Chicago."
There he goes again with the eye rolling,
"Yes, THAT'S the improbable part." he sighed, shaking his head, gesturing towards Magnus,
"See this is the thing with you; you're a natural born sensationalist.
Everything is blown into this crazy, over the top, 'ripped from the headlines', 'won't believe your eyes' circus, to a point where the facts get buried under the lurid trappings and drama."
"Yeah? Of course they do...If my stories don't sell papers I don't have a job, and in case you can't tell, I kinda have expensive taste-
Besides, me bored and unoccupied is never a good thing, trust me."
Alec scoffed, glancing over at him,
"Uh, yeah, somehow on that? I have no trouble whatsoever believing you."
Magnus chuckled, before sobering slightly, continuing,
"In order to get people to read the story you need to first get their attention. Cold facts and data is all well and good; that may be what actually solves the case, but it isn't why people buy the paper. They want the real story, the details- to really feel who these people were, what happened.
And that's a good thing…it means they're empathizing with them, that they're actually seeing them as people, rather than just an alarming number or a warning.
I don't want people to just see a stock image and hear dry data-
I want them to be able to put themselves in the victim's shoes, be able to really see and feel and emphasize with what happened…To see that these aren't just names or facts or statistics-
This isn't just a 'story',
They're people.
And yeah, sometimes in order to do that first you need to grab their attention with a shock or a hook.
It may not be 'elegant' but hell if it doesn't work."
Alec slowed a bit, swallowing, something odd flickering in those oh so pretty eyes before it's gone just as fast. He shrugged, seemingly about to say more before freezing. Magnus followed his gaze, spotting a couple uniforms. Magnus couldn't help quirking his eyebrow.
They were standing by a tree, casually chatting and laughing, not ten feet from a body splayed on the grown, partially obscured by a few scraggly bushes.
Alec tilted his head, eyes going sharp. For once Magnus was in total agreement with him.
Alec strode forward determinedly Magnus close behind,
"Officers, report."
They seem to startle faintly, kind of reigning in the unprofessionalism, gaze flickering from Alec over to Magnus, a bit of a disgusted look passing over their expressions followed by a clear dismissal, both focusing back on Alec,
"Detective Lightwood, sorry for dragging you all the way out here, probably wasn't worth the trip."
Magnus bristled at that, subtly glancing around…
Hmm...The foundry was abandoned years ago, there wasn't much of anything around here really, bit of overgrown brush and scraggly trees, it was pretty secluded…
Not too many reasons someone would seek out a place like this…
Though one unfortunately perfectly explained their cavalier attitude
He was getting an inkling of what this was about
Ugh…this was not gonna be a fun one…
He really should've gone with the sewer gator…
Alec quirked his eyebrow, glancing between the officers- Brantley and Douglas their nametags stated.
"And why would you say that, Officers?" he nodded past them,
"Unless I'm mistaken that's a body; and just going by what I can see from here cause of death wasn't exactly 'natural causes'."
Douglas covered a slight almost laugh, giving a shrug- Magnus just barely fought down the urge to deck him,
"That might be a matter of opinion." he muttered, eyes pointedly shifting over to Magnus,
Do not punch a uniformed, on duty officer…
At least not in front of two witnesses who are also in law enforcement…
Brantley shook his head, moving forward slightly, trying for a bit more of a 'professional' type air than Douglas…not that it was exactly a high bar to clear with this jackass as a partner,
"He didn't mean anything by that. It's just this really isn't the best area. There aren't too many reasons people come here. It kinda has a bit of a problem with certain- elements- meeting up, partying and…other things. We've had a lot of nuisance reports, and complaints.
That's what we were responding to when we found him. There's several liquor bottles scattered about, his clothes are rumpled and it looks like he was redressed in a hurry…pretty obvious what happened."
Douglas gave a slight nod,
"Yeah, like I said, not really much to it, sorry for dragging you all the way out here for nothing b-"
"How long have you been on the force, officer?" Alec interrupted,
He froze, blinking in confusion,
"Almost a year and a half, w-"
"Well, as someone who's been on the force for just over a decade, let me give you a little bit of advice.
First off? Never refer to a violent crime- ANY violent crime- as 'nothing'. It's disrespectful, arrogant and quite frankly makes you look like a close minded, ignorant jackass still wet behind the ears.
Next? You are supposed to at least try to be somewhat objective, regardless of who the victim is. You are not a religious figure, or their mother; you are a cop. Your job is not to condemn them or to critique their lives, but to solve the case- that's it.
Lastly? If for some reason you are incapable of the first two at least don't be incompetent enough to actually do it all in front of civilians, or worse yet a member of the press…like, for instance, him." He paused, giving a slight nod towards Magnus before continuing
"That's a REALLY good way to end up with your name plastered all over the evening newspaper and have your captain fielding calls for weeks, which could lead to things like desk duty and suspension.
Now I am going to process the scene, he is going to photograph it and ensure we have all the evidence possible for this murder case.
You two are going to stand quietly over there in case either of us have any questions about the scene. Any questions, officers?"
They gulped, shaking their heads,
Magnus couldn't help doing pretty much the same thing, but for an entirely different reason…
Damn…that was hot…
Alright…
Real it in…
This is a murder case…there is a body not ten feet from you…
Also he's as straight laced as they come…
And the chief's son…
Real it in…
Go back to enjoying the hot detective putting the bigoted jackasses in their place.
He could put me in m…
NO…focus…murder case…
Magnus swallowed once more, trying to get his mind back on the events at hand and not on…umm…that…
Glancing around at least no one noticed his little detour. Douglas and Brantley looked slightly struck and confused, trying to figure out a way to backtrack,
None of them seemed overly focused on him, or his little brain blip,
Thank goodness he has a decent poker face…
"No sir Detective Lightwood."
Unable to help it, Magnus held up a finger, giving a slight smirk,
"Actually? It's Head Detective Lightwood."
They nodded quickly,
"Right! Head Detective Lightwood…w-we'll just be…over there…" Brantley offered, pointing over to the side, already beginning to move, catching Douglas's sleeve, tugging him along.
Alec waited for them to move away before glancing over, a quick flit of something like concern passing behind those pretty hazel eyes before once again shuttering, giving a slightly teasing smirk, quirking his eyebrow,
"Hey, look at that? you were right two times in a row today…think that's a record."
Magnus scoffed, shaking his head,
"No- I'm right all the time…the record is you actually admitting it."
Alec rolled his eyes, beginning over to the body. Magnus fell into step, casting a surreptitious glance over at the detective, faintly shaking his head,
Okay so he may find the stodgy, by the book, straight-laced, Boyscout of a detective somewhat tiresome at times, but he had to admit the man did have his moments…
Once again, not that he'd ever tell him that…
*~********~*~********~* End Of Chapter Notes *~********~*~********~*Kay so we'll probably have a lot of jackasses like Brantley and Douglas in this verse, a sign of the times. FYI In this verse I'll probably have more on the actual cases and crimes and I think that fits with the whole 40's noir thing we're going for.
So about the story so far, I know it's a bit of a different dynamic with Magnus and Alec but I promise it'll all work out.
So, what do you think so far?
-*-*-*-*-*-*-40'sDetectiveNoir-*-*-*-*-*-*-
* 25 *
