The Dresden Files > DF Spoilers
If Not Mab, Could Nic Be Behind What Thomas Did?
ClintACK:
Huh.
Now, I wonder -- how much leeway does Thomas have to change the emotion he uses to feed? I'm sure it's not *easy*, but we've seen Madrigal Raith feed on fear, even though he's a Raith. Does it have to be a *negative* emotion, or does it just have to be a strong emotion and focused on him (an emotional connection)?
If a White Court Vampire became a motivational speaker, or a revival preacher, or a rock star could he feed non-fatally off the energy of the crowd?
Mira:
--- Quote ---Now, I wonder -- how much leeway does Thomas have to change the emotion he uses to feed? I'm sure it's not *easy*, but we've seen Madrigal Raith feed on fear, even though he's a Raith. Does it have to be a *negative* emotion, or does it just have to be a strong emotion and focused on him (an emotional connection)?
--- End quote ---
He doesn't have to do much. Remember when he was a hair dresser? He'd turn on his vamp charm while he washed their hair, sending vibs that gave the women sexual pleasure. They didn't go all orgasmic or anything, but gave off just thrills and chills so he could nibble, it was all under control.
When he wants a big meal or is really hurt and needs healing, then the Hunger goes all out with the pleasure signals, the victim might die, but he or she dies with a big smile on his or her face.
vultur:
--- Quote from: ClintACK on August 11, 2020, 11:34:37 PM ---Now, I wonder -- how much leeway does Thomas have to change the emotion he uses to feed?
--- End quote ---
Apparently pretty much anything could work, and the 3-fold division is largely political/cultural.
Same WOJ page:
--- Quote ---2011 Atlanta Signing
The three families of the White Court feed on different emotions, is that like knife, spoon, fork, or can they mix it up?
They can mix it up, and it’s one of the things they fight about a lot, about what they do. There’s all this “you are what you eat” sort of thing in play, and the different houses have different aspects [unintelligible] divide things up by territory. And you could feed on all sorts of stuff. You could probably be a White Court vampire that fed on the warm happy feeling that people get when they’re holding a puppy. Although you’d be a really….you’d probably sparkle if you did that. [Unintelligible] it might actually be fun to show that in some future files.
--- End quote ---
But the thing is, they still feed on life energy regardless of what emotion they use. So feeding on something else wouldn't inherently make it safer for the people he fed on.
Mira:
--- Quote ---But the thing is, they still feed on life energy regardless of what emotion they use. So feeding on something else wouldn't inherently make it safer for the people he fed on.
--- End quote ---
It is a matter of control. When Thomas first began to feed off of Justine he drained only enough energy so that her mental state reached equalibium and her sanity returned. When he was dying back in Blood Rites, she was willing to die, but though he could have used more energy, stopped because he loved her and didn't want to kill her, but she was physically changed by it, her hair turned white among other things. When he was dressing hair, Thomas took so little from each lady that at most she might have felt a little fatigue after he was done with her.
vultur:
--- Quote from: Mira on August 12, 2020, 01:07:15 AM --- It is a matter of control.
--- End quote ---
Oh, I agree. But (as you point out with the hairdressing) Thomas can feed without much impact "as is". So while Thomas *could* change to a different emotion, I'm not sure there would be any point.
Now, arguably, if he changed to something else he wouldn't accidentally feed on Justine via touch, but I don't know if that would work... I don't think he'd lose the ability to feed on lust, and Thomas says his Hunger is specifically attracted to Justine (he can touch other people with True Love protection without being burned, after all...)
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