The Dresden Files > DF Spoilers
Toot Toot and the dread cat Mister
Mira:
--- Quote from: LaraBeck on April 10, 2022, 06:20:30 PM ---You can actually read an excerpt of the story here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/611814/heroic-hearts-by-edited-by-jim-butcher-and-kerrie-l-hughes/#
Yeah, it is in Skin Game that they talk about how Mister is getting old. Harry is aware of it, at least.
“I’m . . . sort of settled now. And there’s nothing on the island big enough to take him. But it’s cold out there in the winter, and he’s getting older.”
“We’re all getting older,” Karrin said.” Skin Game, Ch 5.
About Maggie, at the time of the Christmas Story she would have just turned 11. I dunno if it's just my experience, but I haven't met an 11 year old who would still get all starry eyed at Santa Claus. The thing with Maggie always takes me out of the story, she acts, talks, is talked about and treated like a 5-6 year old, which is weird. However at the same time she's supposed to be super smart *shrug*. Her portrayal is inconsistent. I hope that improves as we get to see more of her. I wasn't a fan of her addition to the story, but since she's here already, I hope she becomes more of a character than just a plot device.
--- End quote ---
Thank you, I believe there is a reference in Cold Days also, have to go back and read.
(click to show/hide)Yup, frozen pizza isn't up to Toot and the army's usual standards, I agree with him. Harry might have to hire a pizza chief just for them. The economy and shortages might be just a wee bit beyond his understanding, but it is with some big people also.
Sounds like this must take place before Christmas Eve because in that story he isn't in a cast or two. However he is grieving heavily.
As to Maggie, I have written about it and totally agree with your assessment. However we also do not know the full extent of the damage of seeing her foster family brutally murdered, then nearly getting her throat cut or heart cut out by the Red King, then seeing her mother turn into a monster, then getting her throat cut by her father did to her brain. Remaining emotionally a six year old might be her brain's only way of protecting her sanity. Hell, I'd remain a six year old and cling to Santa Claus as long as I could too.
g33k:
--- Quote from: LaraBeck on April 10, 2022, 06:20:30 PM --- ... About Maggie, at the time of the Christmas Story she would have just turned 11. I dunno if it's just my experience, but I haven't met an 11 year old who would still get all starry eyed at Santa Claus. The thing with Maggie always takes me out of the story, she acts, talks, is talked about and treated like a 5-6 year old, which is weird. However at the same time she's supposed to be super smart *shrug*.
--- End quote ---
To my eye, it reads like little Maggie is somewhere on the autism spectrum, or something similar; Aspergers-y.
Such people can be incredibly intelligent, but with a terrible "feel" for other people, grasp of social mores, and ability to handle same. They often come across as emotionally-immature.
As for "Santa Claus?" She already knows that Vampires and other monsters are real, and wizards, and faeries. She may or may not have actually known there was a real Kringle; but once she does, of course she'd be star-struck! Hell, I don't believe in Santa... but if I were proven wrong then I'd be star-struck too! ;-)
Conspiracy Theorist:
Hmm read the excerpt I WANT MORE!!!! Why give us the slice when we want the whole pizza. The story is short, only 20 pages and the preview gives us the first three pages
This looks to be set a couple of weeks after the end of Battle Ground, Harry still has his arm cast. He has refugees living in the Castle.
Toot refers to himself as a Sprite which is new. From Wikipedia.
“A sprite is a supernatural entity in European mythology. They are often depicted as fairy-like creatures or as an ethereal entity.
The word sprite is derived from the Latin spiritus ("spirit"), via the French esprit. Variations on the term include spright and the Celtic spriggan. The term is chiefly used with regard to elves and fairies in European folklore, and in modern English is rarely used in reference to spirits.”
This explains the adoption of the Latin surname Minimus, it is consistent with Spiritus.
Toot is not native to North America! I wonder is we are in for an elaborate pun on esprit de corps given the issue as regards morale among a body of Sprites ?
Toot was two and a half feet tall in Battle Ground, that was not ankle high even on Harry.
Harry appears to be giving into depression. That’s consistent with what we know about Next Book. No sign of the Gargoyles at this point, could this presage them?
Toot is referring to Mister as an old Tomcat, as above a reference to his age - he would be 17 at this point and Toot has known Harry pre Storm Front so he has known Mister something like 15 plus years.
Oh and Maggie belief in Santa Claus? At age 11? Really? Her Foster Sister is Elsa and her father is Gandalf. Of course she believes in Santa Claus, she may have thought Eb was him though.
Mira:
--- Quote ---Harry appears to be giving into depression. That’s consistent with what we know about Next Book. No sign of the Gargoyles at this point, could this presage them?
--- End quote ---
I disagree, he isn't giving in to his depression like he did at the beginning of Summer Knight. What he is going through is normal grief, which is complicated by physical injury, stress, and exhaustion. He also appears to be a lot more injured than he did at the end of Battle Ground, or his injuries turned out to be a lot more serious than first appeared. That also isn't unusual given the situation, stuff turns up after the fact. As to Harry's depression, he went into a clinical depression after Susan was half turned, left him, and he couldn't find a cure for her. He could be flirting with that now, but at that time it was just him. That is no longer the case, he is attempting not to fall completely into it by meditating. Oh and add PTSD into that mix as well, just witnessing Murphy's murder is bad enough, Harry has seen/suffered/done, a whole lot more than just that. He knows now he has a family to take care of and a lot other pressing matters. Wonder if Butters is or will attempt to give him some medication to help with that? Or do those kinds of drugs mix with his wizard biochemistry? I see Harry turning a lot more to Michael for "bull" sessions now, he desperately needs his common sense, faith, and sanity.
As to Mister, he is the same age as my cat, and sadly Gabby is beginning to show her age. Yeah, Toot is taller than Harry's ankle, but his English still isn't that great, what he might have meant is he protects at his ankles not that he is as tall as his ankle.. Also just because Toot has physically grown, it doesn't mean that his soldiers have. Toot also only understands things from a sprite's perspective, not the human one.
--- Quote ---Harry appears to be giving into depression. That’s consistent with what we know about Next Book. No sign of the Gargoyles at this point, could this presage them?
--- End quote ---
Going back to what I said before, I disagree. Feeling that kind of grief/depression just weeks after losing Murphy is normal. Actually if Harry didn't feel that way it would be a danger sign that he was in total denial, that could be worse for everyone. The fact that he is trying to meditate says he is trying to deal with all the emotions that he is feeling.. One of the stages of grief is anger, that is something that while Harry may justifiably feel it, given his power, he cannot give into it, and he is well aware of it.
Oh one more thing the kitchen seems to contain a lot of stainless steel.. Toot doesn't like it, yeah it is more sanitary than other materials, but I also wonder if Harry ordered it to keep the little guys from going in on their own and stealing pizza?
Conspiracy Theorist:
The kitchen fitting are left from Marcone, he knows Harry is the Winter Knight and may have left them deliberately, knowing that Harry would be affected to some degree. The walk in stainless steel fridge makes a lovely Fae trap. It would hamper even Mab.
If so I wonder how long Marcone mused on the regret that the toilets weren’t made from the Bane? There is no proof of this so I have nothing to go on. Unlike Harry.
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