Harold, Morgan, Chapter 9, a nod to Anastigmat, and dread visuals

[rthstewart]

So, in preparation for another trip to the oral surgeon, I posted the conclusion to the Two Hearts Chapter of Harold and Morgan, here.  And yes, we get the Director's point of view -- a strange place to be, certainly.  And Happy Birthday to therck !!!

anastigmatfic 's pic fic contribution to Morgan and Harold gets some backstory, with more to come.

I realized that my

Comments

[min023]

Wonderful chapter. If you were going for the parental whammy, you absolutely hit it

[min023]

Oh, I've just had a thought of total randomness (yes, I've probably got too much time, and yes, I spend waaay too much time playing with legal materials). Ed says that it's not his first investigation, blah, blah.

It then occurred to me that modern democracies have a separation of powers between investigator and judge for a reason. Yes, Narnia isn't a democracy, it's a monarchy, but what's to prevent a misuse of power if the Just King is emotionally invested (which he is with Morgan). Leo ex machina? The fact that he has to justify himself to his sibs? Just his innate desire for justice?

Yep, totally random : )

[rthstewart]

And, I just jumped on Skype in case you are free. Just Instant messaging, typing chat, not talking -- I can't find the headset and the spousal unit is sitting RIGHT THERE so I don't talk fic when he can overhear. It's mom's dirty little secret. I'll respond more later, but...

[rthstewart]

And about that separation of powers, I am assuming that none of the Pevensies had a sufficient grounding in law and concepts of separation of power to meaningfully implement an English style common law system - to say nothing of a civil system. I think the best that can be done is that aim to, and try to be fair, afford some sort of process and to find truth in a combined investigative, prosecutorial function. Edmund knows he is accountable to Aslan and to his sibs. This is also where I feel his experience as reformed traitor is profound. I will assume that they have enough understanding to have gotten the concept of "presumption of innocence" and they all powerfully believe in the capability of redemption. So, I see Edmund as very slow to judgment, as affording process, as using the tools of the Beasts as sort of lie detectors in aggressive interrogation that is, yes, marginally coercive to secure confessions. That comfort with coerciveness isn't a nice place, but in the post-WW2 war crimes investigations, it was very real and

[min023]

It should be pointed out that judicial power is one of those which stand for most primal base of monarchy (see e.g. Old Testament). Also among theories about modern role of monarch is that he/she - leaving legislature and executive for elected offices - could play a role of the supreme court. Idea of trias politica principle is an invention of 18th century (Montesquieu).

Krystyna

[rthstewart]

Something that has developed errrrr during the writing is in the qualities of the Houses, much like in Harry Potter, actually. Linch suggests this in his description of his loyal, stalwart son and how if you want brilliance, you go to Stanleh, loyalty, you go to Linch. Sterns is as changeable as the weather -- it's where a client goes when it wants a "yes" answer more than a "right" answer. And Meryl, well, that one is more complicated. Meryl is all about getting to "yes" -- getting someone to do something and being happy about it, manipulation of people and processes

[min023]

If looking for resemblance with royal succession - history knows something like monarchy elective within a dynasty. I suppose that's the closest pattern.
Krystyna