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The Dresden Files => DF Spoilers => Topic started by: Mira on May 03, 2022, 11:07:02 AM

Title: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 03, 2022, 11:07:02 AM
  Got it last night and read it twice.  It is a fun read, good pacing, must take place with in a
month of the battle.  Some observations;

 Grief has hit Harry very hard, but he is coping, he is also still recovering from injury.  He
is sheltering a number of people, at least one is an Alpha.
Bob has shed his skull and now seems to reside in the castle walls, he also seems to have a
handle on the built in defense system, but he makes mistakes.
Toot is tall and so is Lacuna, their "steel" is made by the svartalves, I think the kitchen appliances must be also because Harry doesn't seem to have trouble with modern appliances now.  It also allows for serious "steel" swords for Za-Guard that are not made quite the same as those made from "bane," though the kitchen counters are made from it, and there is a standing suit of armor in the hall also made from "bane."  Interesting touch, fitting decoration for a castle, but I can't see Harry decorating with one, but left over maybe from Changes when Lea dressed him that way?  Or left over from when Marcone was in residence?  Who knows?  Gremlins can apparently use iron without harm.  A lot of work and repairs still need to be done on the castle, tarps are everywhere.
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Mab's frozen boogers

I think Toot is beginning to grow on Lacuna... Mister's age is mentioned by Toot, but also says he is a spry 30 pound old cat. Toot is very intelligent and loyal, though he sounds childlike and Bob treats him like he is a child.  Toot and Harry have a very special relationship, it is real friendship. Toot is trying to understand Harry's grief and what death and loss means, since this isn't something in the experience of Pixies.

All in all a nice little action story and begins to set the stage for Twelve Months and Harry's new life.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 03, 2022, 02:54:07 PM
“Kringles merry balls!”

Bob is referred to as “Bob the Castle” on several occasions, he does seem to have levelled up to become a mini Alfred. Effectively the Castle has become a smart house, so it is operating exactly the same as the sanctum skull. Did Bob agree to it because it mean’t Harry couldn’t carry him into horrifying battles again, or that it would take some time for Harry to realise it would allow Bob to spy on any woman in the Castle? “Bob the Laser Pointer” might be more appropriate. I note Bob’s signal colour is now blue, not orange I would be concerned if Evil Bob took over the Castle no one would immediately know.

The appliances would confirm that Marcone was indeed practicing magic in secret, burning out of appliances etc would have indicated to others that a mortal practitioner was in residence. This suggests he took up the coin when building the Castle, just after Changes. Previously he moved round from renovation to renovation, and that would have been an obvious tell.

I made a joke about Marcone leaving Stainless steel toilets to discomfort Harry, the Armour may have been exactly that. Marcone would like nothing better than for Harry to try it on. He otherwise moved his stuff out promptly, so it being left would be deliberate. Harry strikes me as the type of person that if you left him alone in a room with a pot of tea, he would put the tea cosy on his head even though he doesn’t like hats.

You do realise that following this Lacuna is now literally sporting a Pixie Cut? Definitely intended.

Toot isn’t just growing in size, he is growing in emotional maturity, the small sprites have no concept of death, but Toot realises that recently he has gained this concept and is starting to exhibit empathy towards Harry, much more than in Battle Ground, and that growth is visible over this story, at the start he didn’t know how to comfort Harry and the end he makes a stumbled but heartfelt attempt.

People are noticing Mister’s age (he should be 17 - 18 at this point) BUT that he is also very spry, and has maintained his weight and strength, older cats lose weight. If Mister is more than he seems Jim is putting out breadcrumbs, his apparent condition and the calendar are starting to get out of sync. He should be partly Gremlin at the end of this story.

Minor theory on Michael confirmed, he is a living saint (together with Father Forthill) so his work for the White God is not over. This makes him more than ever before a future candidate for the Kringle mantle.

Another one-eyed villain, as I anticipated this was indeed Battle Ground deliberately writ small. In this story Toot is definitely Harry writ small, and Lacuna Murphy writ small, which makes his sudden appreciation of mortality very poignant, he is starting to realise his loss of others can affect him, and a near miss means he can understand what Harrynis going through. No Rudy writ small though, thank god, obviously sentient cockroaches do not exist in the Dresdenverse. Mister is Butters? Both are Tomcats, apparently.

Lacuna eats Pizza!
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 03, 2022, 04:21:14 PM
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The appliances would confirm that Marcone was indeed practicing magic in secret, burning out of appliances etc would have indicated to others that a mortal practitioner was in residence. This suggests he took up the coin when building the Castle, just after Changes. Previously he moved round from renovation to renovation, and that would have been an obvious tell.

Why would it?  There was nothing wrong with the appliances, the fact that Harry was able to use them is new.  It is my belief that they had been replace by the svartalves to operate just like they did in the apartment they built for Molly.  I also seem to remember computers and cell phone use in Marcone's offices.  There never was a hint of modern mechanical inventions and Marcone being incompatible.
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Bob is referred to as “Bob the Castle” on several occasions, he does seem to have levelled up to become a mini Alfred. Effectively the Castle has become a smart house, so it is operating exactly the same as the sanctum skull. Did Bob agree to it because it mean’t Harry couldn’t carry him into horrifying battles again, or that it would take some time for Harry to realise it would allow Bob to spy on any woman in the Castle? “Bob the Laser Pointer” might be more appropriate. I note Bob’s signal colour is now blue, not orange I would be concerned if Evil Bob took over the Castle no one would immediately know.
Apparently Bob has taken on the color of Winter, which makes sense. 
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I made a joke about Marcone leaving Stainless steel toilets to discomfort Harry, the Armour may have been exactly that. Marcone would like nothing better than for Harry to try it on. He otherwise moved his stuff out promptly, so it being left would be deliberate. Harry strikes me as the type of person that if you left him alone in a room with a pot of tea, he would put the tea cosy on his head even though he doesn’t like hats.
Um, unless the armor was made for a six foot nine man, I doubt that Harry could try it on.  Also since the stainless steel counters had no effect on Harry I doubt that the armor would.  However I do remember Lea dressing Harry in a suit of armor in Changes.
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You do realise that following this Lacuna is now literally sporting a Pixie Cut? Definitely intended.
She cut her braid to escape, but we don't know how short, and that is a style, you are talking to someone who wore a pixie cut in elementary school.
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Toot isn’t just growing in size, he is growing in emotional maturity, the small sprites have no concept of death, but Toot realises that recently he has gained this concept and is starting to exhibit empathy towards Harry, much more than in Battle Ground, and that growth is visible over this story, at the start he didn’t know how to comfort Harry and the end he makes a stumbled but heartfelt attempt.
That was my biggest take away from the story is how much Toot has grown in maturity, but then he has been through a lot with Harry.  Yes, he had the sense to realize he had to be careful of what he said, because he didn't know the right words and didn't want to cause his friend more pain.  He also expressed how difficult it was for him because this wasn't something he could share with his fellow pixies, they simply have no understanding and it made him sad and he hid it. 
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People are noticing Mister’s age (he should be 17 - 18 at this point) BUT that he is also very spry, and has maintained his weight and strength, older cats lose weight. If Mister is more than he seems Jim is putting out breadcrumbs, his apparent condition and the calendar are starting to get out of sync. He should be partly Gremlin at the end of this story.
As I said, my old cat is Mister's age, she has declined some of late, but up until a year ago she was dragging dead rodents though the pet door into the house, and I found a dead bird the other day.  So while it maybe that Mister is more than he seems, he also may not be.  The point of his age has been raised in several stories now, which could mean as you say, or preparing us for nature to take it's course.
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Minor theory on Michael confirmed, he is a living saint (together with Father Forthill) so his work for the White God is not over. This makes him more than ever before a future candidate for the Kringle mantle.
Michael does have a lot of pull with the Almighty.. However I don't think he will ever be Kingle.
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Another one-eyed villain, as I anticipated this was indeed Battle Ground deliberately writ small. In this story Toot is definitely Harry writ small, and Lacuna Murphy writ small, which makes his sudden appreciation of mortality very poignant, he is starting to realise his loss of others can affect him, and a near miss means he can understand what Harrynis going through. No Rudy writ small though, thank god, obviously sentient cockroaches do not exist in the Dresdenverse. Mister is Butters? Both are Tomcats, apparently.
Or Jim has difficulty changing his style when he writes other characters in the first person.  They all seem to sound alike to me, Toot is a little different, but not much...

One more thing Toot watches a lot of television and movies.. Is Harry able to have T.V.s in his castle?
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 03, 2022, 06:52:41 PM
Things we have learned

(1) do not allow sprites to get into the Froot Loops, it puts them on an uncontrollable sugar high. Lacuna will have been misled by the spelling of “Fruit” which is how Toot spells it and will have been far and away the worst not being used to sugar. Did this habituate her to pizza? She definitely seems to be warming to him. And Toot values her above pizza, she still values him for his teeth.

(2) the Boom is relatively simple in design, using a clock work timer, partly for the simple Gremlins but does this signify another Wizard was behind it? Definitely not Fomor work from Bombshells, and it is sloppy, not Listens work, not Nick’s style ( there would be more torture), nor the Black Court, the Merlin is the obvious candidate blowing up Harry and the people looking to him for protection. Using Gremlins traditional enemies of Sprites is a very Merlin move. Not how Marcone would do it.

(3) Toot can appreciate puns ‘fortnight’ living in a castle for 2 weeks.

(4) Toot and Lacuna really like Kung Fu movies. Date Night obviously, which ends with Lacuna practising what she has just seen on Toot. And Toot is grateful.

(5) Misters senses are as sharpe as a sprites, who can see and hear things bigguns can’t. Whether this is true to all cats or just Mister we shall see.

(6) Sir William? Castellan, the Sprites consider Will to be a Knight, maybe they think Harry made him a Knight, as a knight could make other Knights, if so the Knights of the Bean may have pull with Winter.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 03, 2022, 07:48:18 PM
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(1) do not allow sprites to get into the Froot Loops, it puts them on an uncontrollable sugar high. Lacuna will have been misled by the spelling of “Fruit” which is how Toot spells it and will have been far and away the worst not being used to sugar. Did this habituate her to pizza? She definitely seems to be warming to him. And Toot values her above pizza, she still values him for his teeth.

When he risked all for her over pizza I think he won her heart.  I don't think she is going to let him know right away though.  I also think she has warmed to pizza because she does love Toot.. That's the thing about love and marriage you warm to things your partner likes. Now if she can warm to Harry as well.
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(2) the Boom is relatively simple in design, using a clock work timer, partly for the simple Gremlins but does this signify another Wizard was behind it? Definitely not Fomor work from Bombshells, and it is sloppy, not Listens work, not Nick’s style ( there would be more torture), nor the Black Court, the Merlin is the obvious candidate blowing up Harry and the people looking to him for protection. Using Gremlins traditional enemies of Sprites is a very Merlin move. Not how Marcone would do it.

I was thinking the same thing, a boom that has a timer as easily adjusted as this one's was, is pretty amateur.  Also one that even Toot could spot, seems too obvious, more like whoever is behind this wanted to warn rather than kill.  Here is another question, could there be a traitor on the inside?  Someone had to have realized that Bob hadn't set the wards to include tiny people like Gremlins.  I can see Marcone in typical mobster fashion wanting to send Harry a message about taking his castle and humiliating him in front of the members of Mab's Accords.  Marcone would of at least have known about the wards on the castle, Namshiel would have understood how they worked, and someone staying with Harry may have been paid to tip them off if he or she spotted a vulnerability.  Marcone would also be smart enough to use the likes of Gremlins, traditional enemies of Harry's pixie army, and as you say not his style so not traceable back to him.
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Toot can appreciate puns ‘fortnight’ living in a castle for 2 weeks.
Wonder if he watches Comedy Central on television? ::)
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(4) Toot and Lacuna really like Kung Fu movies. Date Night obviously, which ends with Lacuna practising what she has just seen on Toot. And Toot is grateful.

Yeah, he seemed to like the scars she gave him.. OMG! :o  I hope Toot isn't into S&M!! :o
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(5) Misters senses are as sharpe as a sprites, who can see and hear things bigguns can’t. Whether this is true to all cats or just Mister we shall see.

I think it is true for all cats, they are predators after all... Dogs as well, sometimes in the dead of night they go charging out the door about to eat whatever is out there I didn't hear a thing.
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(6) Sir William? Castellan, the Sprites consider Will to be a Knight, maybe they think Harry made him a Knight, as a knight could make other Knights, if so the Knights of the Bean may have pull with Winter.
At the very least a vassal of his noble Lord Harry Dresden, which in the hierarchy he understands could mean that Will is one of Harry's noble knights.  After all Toot knows the Holy Knights who work with Harry on occasion so in his mind Will is no different.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 03, 2022, 09:05:10 PM
The Boom was designed to destroy, the use of stealth Gremlins to place it saw to that, not to send a warning.

The Gremlins were of course expendable. The timer ironically was similar to the timer being used on the pizza.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 03, 2022, 10:57:25 PM
The Boom was designed to destroy, the use of stealth Gremlins to place it saw to that, not to send a warning.

The Gremlins were of course expendable. The timer ironically was similar to the timer being used on the pizza.

Oh it could destroy if no one detected it, but it was so obvious it didn't get past Toot.  The real irony is they put it on the pizza oven! There is a message there somewhere.  What if it wasn't about Harry but a warning to Toot about what would happen to him if he continues to hang out with Za'Lord..  Intrigue with the White Court maybe?  Someone might want payback because Harry freed their favorite Japanese Lanterns, and gained an army.. 
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 03, 2022, 11:17:29 PM
That they would destroy the Pizza!

The Fiends!
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: morriswalters on May 03, 2022, 11:25:27 PM
Well I said I wouldn't buy it.  Kindle solved that problem.  Download a sample for free. The sample is the story.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 04, 2022, 12:17:02 AM
The Gremlins descended from the roof via the hole made by Ethnui, they either  climbed up the exterior of the Castle or were dropped by a flier. I suspect the former, Bob would have sensed a large flier and Gremlins are not fliers. Until the hole is repaired there is a gap in The Castle’s Defences.

Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 04, 2022, 04:12:17 AM
Well I said I wouldn't buy it.  Kindle solved that problem.  Download a sample for free. The sample is the story.

Damn, wish I knew that before hand.. Sigh, at least it isn't taking up a lot of valuable shelf space.
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The Gremlins descended from the roof via the hole made by Ethnui, they either  climbed up the exterior of the Castle or were dropped by a flier. I suspect the former, Bob would have sensed a large flier and Gremlins are not fliers. Until the hole is repaired there is a gap in The Castle’s Defences.
Bob admits he didn't have the wards set for something that small.. But what you are saying proves my point, there is a traitor living as a guest in the castle, who knew about the gaps.. Hmmm, the human guard who is totally oblivious to the attack and mini battle going on around him?  Toot just thought, "stupid big person doesn't notice pixies."  But think about it, Toot isn't that small anymore, and suddenly tarps were falling all over the place, doing strange things.  You'd think a guard on his toes would notice that, even a guard not on his toes would notice, and sound an alarm.  Or another possibility is Harry underestimated what Marcone knows about the castle wards, in fact very possible.  I think it improbable that Marcone would have a castle imported stone by stone from Europe to Chicago, reassemble it, have supernatural types guarding it and going in and out, plus a coin of a Fallen angelic wizard stashed away, accepted or not, and not know about it's ancient wards.  I even doubt that that castle was a random pick from the castle real estate market. Both can be true, the stupid guard is on Marcone's payroll and Marcone knows all about the wards and where the castle is vulnerable. The attack was also aimed at Harry's private army..
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 04, 2022, 01:57:20 PM
Again not Marcone’s style, and he has to be wondering what other goodies he has stashed on Demonreach with the Spear and Eye. Blowing up the Castle is more a dick Merlin move, someone who wants to make an public example of Harry.

Yes the Merlin could have put an agent in the Castle, I suspect Rudy was his (because Marcone and Listen expect their people to be competent, the Merlin doesn’t).

Harry replaces with Gargoyles.

Harry is still a member of an Accorded Nation, so making it look like a wizard murphyonic field disruption makes sense, if you are a member of another accorded nation. The Fomor and Black Court can’t be executed more than once, so why not just put C4 all around the Castle? That leaves the Merlin and Marcone, as accorded Nation Members. The Merlin suspects Harry has the Eye, but doesn’t know about the Spear, and doesn’t suspect his other goodies stashed on Demonreach. Marcone would want them. Killing Harry doesn’t get him there. He is going to wait to get leverage over Harry to get them.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 04, 2022, 03:30:37 PM
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Again not Marcone’s style, and he has to be wondering what other goodies he has stashed on Demonreach with the Spear and Eye. Blowing up the Castle is more a dick Merlin move, someone who wants to make an public example of Harry.

But Marcone would be one of the few that would know that the castle was vulnerable to that kind of attack.  If I remember correctly the wards that the castle has, were put there when it was first built. by someone akin to Merlin, or Merlin. Not common knowledge and according to Harry very few would know how to read them.  You may think it isn't Marcone's style, but lets not forget he isn't the same guy anymore, he is now a Denarian.  Denarians have a lot a reason to want to light a boom under Harry's butt.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mr. Mouse on May 04, 2022, 03:51:22 PM
The idea that Bob the Castle wouldn't have defenses calibrated to sense a swarm of gremlins is ludicrous, but needed for the narrative, so cast extra strength disbelief suspendo for 20 pages and it's all good.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 04, 2022, 04:46:29 PM
Everyone saw a hole blown in the castles defences, by Ethnui, including Carlos. That was the point.

No one knew apparently about Bob the Castle. Bob is dismissive of Toot throughout the story unable to remember his name (shame on Bob the spirit of INTELLECT). someone used stealthy Gremlins to penetrate a known defensive lapse. Large number of suspects, likely an Accorded Member making it look like Harry blew himself up. More interested in making an example of Harry than in trying to obtain his toys. The spells Merlin.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Arjan on May 04, 2022, 05:50:48 PM
Everyone saw a hole blown in the castles defences, by Ethnui, including Carlos. That was the point.

No one knew apparently about Bob the Castle. Bob is dismissive of Toot throughout the story unable to remember his name (shame on Bob the spirit of INTELLECT). someone used stealthy Gremlins to penetrate a known defensive lapse. Large number of suspects, likely an Accorded Member making it look like Harry blew himself up. More interested in making an example of Harry than in trying to obtain his toys. The spells Merlin.
Bob does know. He is playing.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 04, 2022, 06:49:44 PM
The idea that Bob the Castle wouldn't have defenses calibrated to sense a swarm of gremlins is ludicrous, but needed for the narrative, so cast extra strength disbelief suspendo for 20 pages and it's all good.

Bob confesses to Harry that he didn't take gremlins into account.  May seem ludicrous to you, but then again Bob is new to this job.  At Harry's place he lived in skull, he didn't monitor the wards that Harry had up for his apartment.  Now he has the run of the castle, that is different, and yes, even Bob screws up at times.  As Harry said back in Cold Days, Bob is smart, but he doesn't know everything.. If Merlin did devise the wards for the castle, they could be something totally new for him.
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Everyone saw a hole blown in the castles defences, by Ethnui, including Carlos. That was the point.
Everyone knew a physical hole was blown in the castle's roof, that isn't the same as it's wards.. And as Bob tells Harry, the wards were up and running, he thought they were secure, however he didn't account that little folk like gremlins, so they were able to invade without detection.. I doubt that Carlos knew that.. As far as that goes, until he stepped foot in the castle Harry didn't know the ancient runes existed that make up a security system almost as strong as what Demonreach has.. Actually could be as strong once Bob gets the hang of running them.  What Harry really needs is Alfred to pay a visit, bet he understands them. No, Carlos wouldn't know anymore about that than he does the defenses of Demonreach.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: g33k on May 05, 2022, 01:04:57 AM
...  Or another possibility is Harry underestimated what Marcone knows about the castle wards, in fact very possible.  I think it improbable that Marcone would have a castle imported stone by stone from Europe to Chicago, reassemble it, have supernatural types guarding it and going in and out, plus a coin of a Fallen angelic wizard stashed away, accepted or not, and not know about it's ancient wards.  I even doubt that that castle was a random pick from the castle real estate market ...
I'm going with that last tidbit...

Not a "random" import at all!

My original thought -- when we learned about all those Demonreach-caliber runes & wards -- was that Marcone had leveraged Gard/Monoc to select & import the castle.

Now, I think it was Namshiel.
And I think Nammy wanted Harry to get the castle; that was the entire reason it was imported.

I'm not clear why, exactly.  But I suspect it's because Nammy wants the Starborn Wizard to be more able to fight Outsiders (and doesn't really expect a Starborn to necessarily be really deeply involved in the whole Heaven/Hell conflict... and, really... even if he did take sides, it's only a couple of centuries to avoid the North American midwest, and go cause misery elsewhere!),  But, Outsiders?  I think even Hell thinks the Outsiders are bad for business.

Similarly, I think Mab expects Harry to eventually master the WK-Mantle, and use it as just another tool in his toolbag, to fight the Outsiders.  I think the whole reason she was recruiting him so long, is because she wanted the longest time possible to temper him and sharpen him for the fight to come.  She took him away from Malcom's tender care, to toughen him up under Justin's tutelage.  She knew (I bet most of the major powers knew) all about Starborn cycles, and the time(s) of birth to qualify.  And she sure as hell(lower-case-h; emphasis not alliance!) knew about Margaret LeFey's pregnancy, and her Starborn son's Salic-law heritage!
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: vincentric on May 05, 2022, 01:17:56 AM
Gotta agree that Bob not seeing the hole in the castle's defenses is a flaw. The Guard have been coming and going this whole time and they are the same size.

Bob was there when Lacuna and her faction almost killed Harry in Cold Days. He'd recognize them as a possible threat as soon as he noticed that he could not see Toot and the Guard with the defenses.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 05, 2022, 05:04:49 AM
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Now, I think it was Namshiel.
And I think Nammy wanted Harry to get the castle; that was the entire reason it was imported.
I buy the other stuff, but not this, simply because unless Namshiel orchestrated the burning of the apartment house to begin with back in Changes, Marcone buying the property, then that particular castle, then Harry realizing that his old basement lab still existed, then the Battle of Chicago, followed by Harry in front of the other Accord member demanding the castle from Marcone.  That seems a lot over several years to be ducks neatly lining up in a row, even for a fallen angel.
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Gotta agree that Bob not seeing the hole in the castle's defenses is a flaw. The Guard have been coming and going this whole time and they are the same size.
Yes and no, simply because Za'Guard are Harry's "men" so they'd have a way to get past the wards just like the ordinary vanilla humans do that are staying there.

Here is one more thought that there might be a traitor inside.  How is it that the gremlin knew the exact location of the kitchens in the castle?  I don't buy that it was logical that they were where they were.  Also not a given that that is where they were when Marcone had the castle, Harry was having the place redone. So someone on the inside knew and gave the layout before hand.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 05, 2022, 08:39:49 AM
Most likely someone bought off one of the workmen, indeed given the amount of damage it is suspicious even with Michael that Harry was able to get stonemasons so quickly, so was he set up?
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 05, 2022, 11:08:58 AM
Most likely someone bought off one of the workmen, indeed given the amount of damage it is suspicious even with Michael that Harry was able to get stonemasons so quickly, so was he set up?

Or someone among the svartalves wants payback because of what Thomas did, since Harry seems to be able to have modern appliances they are doing a lot of the work.  For two possible reasons, 1] they don't buy that Harry knew nothing about his planned assassination, 2]  they want to get to Lara by killing Harry.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Arjan on May 05, 2022, 12:57:18 PM
I think Harry has good relations with the svartalves now. His guard is armed by his them. They helped him acquire his castle. Molly and Mab might have smoothed things over.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 05, 2022, 01:07:59 PM
Or someone among the svartalves wants payback because of what Thomas did, since Harry seems to be able to have modern appliances they are doing a lot of the work.  For two possible reasons, 1] they don't buy that Harry knew nothing about his planned assassination, 2]  they want to get to Lara by killing Harry.

Michael is capable of minor miracles, but getting in workmen on time, during a major housing crisis? That would be beyond even Michael. Very, very suspicious. A bit of investigation might turn up White Council interests.

Mister killing all the Gremlins is also suspicious, a mortal cat would have left one half dead under Harry’s bed for Harry to find later. Say in the middle of the night when Mister fancies a little light entertainment. Harry might want to check his shoes for bits of Gremlin even so.

Good to hear though that Michael finally stopped swearing, after 2 weeks, I had feared Carlos had permanently broken him.

The Swartalves probably realise it wasn’t a coincidence, they are paranoid at best and realising Thomas was strong armed by Nemesis means Nemesis is their enemy, not Thomas or Justine. Given who they are they are probably devising something to spot the nemfected, their version of the Gate Keepers Eye, and that is a big boost for War against the Outsiders
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Snark Knight on May 05, 2022, 02:44:52 PM
Well I said I wouldn't buy it.  Kindle solved that problem.  Download a sample for free. The sample is the story.

Nice.

Anyone else have comments on the rest of the anthology, though? Worth / not worth?
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 05, 2022, 04:06:35 PM
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Mister killing all the Gremlins is also suspicious, a mortal cat would have left one half dead under Harry’s bed for Harry to find later. Say in the middle of the night when Mister fancies a little light entertainment. Harry might want to check his shoes for bits of Gremlin even so.

Mister didn't kill all of them, just those in the kitchen, Za'Guard did in quite a few before they got that far.  Cats can be very fast, however I'm surprised that he didn't toy with any of them first. So he might be saving one under Harry's bed.. Or left the body there just because that is something else cats do.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: morriswalters on May 05, 2022, 07:28:05 PM
I'm going with that last tidbit...

Not a "random" import at all!

My original thought -- when we learned about all those Demonreach-caliber runes & wards -- was that Marcone had leveraged Gard/Monoc to select & import the castle.
Here is a candidate. Joyous Gard (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyous_Gard). Seems to be an interesting coincidence? Here is a poem (https://d.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/text/swinburne-joyeuse-garde).
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 05, 2022, 08:30:15 PM
I have a long-standing theory that Jim has cherry picked the Celtic revivalists, and Tennyson  for inspiration, characters and plot elements, so Swinburne would make sense.

This could mean the entire Dresden files are nothing more than revenge against his tutor for being forced to study the romantic poets of the 19th Century. If so I hate to think what his revenge on his 8th Grade Science teacher is going to look like.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Snark Knight on May 06, 2022, 02:53:31 AM
Cats can be very fast, however I'm surprised that he didn't toy with any of them first.

Makes me wonder about the theory someone mentioned of Mister being a malk scion in service to Lea as an explanation for his unusual size and continuing vitality in old age. That would certainly account for him being smart like that.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 06, 2022, 04:31:47 AM
That of course would be me.

Mister at the point of Little Things is 17-18 years of age. Everyone is noting he is quite old, by the calendar, but it is clear from Little Things he is as strong and quick as he has always been, with senses to equal Toot and Lacuna. The Little Folk are noted as being sensitive to to things, Harry has to Listen to even hear them sometimes. He is also relatively peacefully co-existing with The Za Guard. If he were a Malk Changeling, like Sarissa he wouldn’t age unless he chose mortal, and he would fall within Winter and would therefore allow Toot Etc to live, relatively unharnessed. Toot has only been Winter since Changes, prior to that he would have been fair game. A mortal cat wouldn’t make the distinction, a scion would. His blood thirstiness is also a Malk trait, they are worse than mortal cats. The constant reference to Tomcat suggests Mister is not fixed (we know Mouse isn’t) and yet he is not spraying, suggesting he is intelligent enough to not do so. The Mister Microfiction gives some idea of his intelligence.

I think yes Mister was a spy originally for Lea, but as a dog person she failed to address the issue all cat lovers are aware of “Because Cat”. He has been a terrible spy because he has been pursuing his own agenda all along, he is extremely happy being what he is living a life of pets, catnip, random mayhem and sex and terrorising a much larger semi-divine dog. He is living the perfect Cat Life.

Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 06, 2022, 11:02:25 AM
Quote
Mister at the point of Little Things is 17-18 years of age. Everyone is noting he is quite old, by the calendar, but it is clear from Little Things he is as strong and quick as he has always been, with senses to equal Toot and Lacuna. The Little Folk are noted as being sensitive to to things, Harry has to Listen to even hear them sometimes. He is also relatively peacefully co-existing with The Za Guard. If he were a Malk Changeling, like Sarissa he wouldn’t age unless he chose mortal, and he would fall within Winter and would therefore allow Toot Etc to live, relatively unharnessed. Toot has only been Winter since Changes, prior to that he would have been fair game. A mortal cat wouldn’t make the distinction, a scion would. His blood thirstiness is also a Malk trait, they are worse than mortal cats. The constant reference to Tomcat suggests Mister is not fixed (we know Mouse isn’t) and yet he is not spraying, suggesting he is intelligent enough to not do so. The Mister Microfiction gives some idea of his intelligence.

Possible, but I am still not totally convinced.  In my life I've known some pretty large cats, and even ones approximately thirty pounds.  It seems huge, but not for an old tom.  Actually that is about the size a twelve week old Bloodhound puppy, which doesn't look all that big.  His blood thirstiness also isn't beyond the pale..  We were gone for a couple of days a while back, [yes, someone to feed and care for the cat] when we came home there were ten dead birds in our front yard, all neatly decapitated, bodies untouched, he did it out of boredom.. I've also opened my front door to a dead cardinal on the mat complete with a bit of green on the side like parsley.  I've come across dead critters in every dark corner of the house that the cat brought in through the pet door to share.  Sometimes her favorite game was to bring the critter in alive then turn it loose for more pleasure,sigh.  Age?  Though at 18 Gabby sleeps a lot these days run a rodent by her or fly a bird, you'd be surprised how quick she still is.  Also cats do know when it is best to live and let live, she also lives peacefully with two dogs.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 06, 2022, 11:58:44 AM
It’s not just size, Mister is missing his tail, and Malks have an unusually long tail, a tell-tail if he were a scion.

In addition one of Harry fondest memories of his father is of Malcolm finding a sick kitten and nursing it back to health. Harry’s memories were Lea’s playground for some time, she would clearly use them to manipulate Harry taking a spy into his household. Unfortunately Lea didn’t bargain with catnip, and because cat. I also posit Uriel may have had a hand in Mouse ending up with Harry, if My Shadow and his sister were destined to be creatures of the Circle, and Lucifer is behind the Circle. Not as a spy, but as a counterbalance like Soulfire. Harry had had no previous experience with dogs, (other than Lea wanting to turn him into one) and is quite baffled by Mouse initially, not realising he was going to be a BIG dog.

The Microfiction contains two clues, Misters food bowl is “EMPEROR” (Mouses food bowl, also Misters, reads “CHEWBACCA”)who was a Sith Lord, suggesting Harry’s subconscious (way smarter than Concious Harry) has realised this but accepts it, he has turned Leas spy. I wonder if eventually he uses Mister as a double agent against Lea in his forthcoming blow up with her over her deal with Margaret. The second is Mister refers to humans as monkeys, an insult the Fae use on humans when referred to as fairies. Where did he pick up that term? He is unlikely to have seen a monkey or be aware of that terms derogatory use.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 06, 2022, 02:03:17 PM
Quote
It’s not just size, Mister is missing his tail, and Malks have an unusually long tail, a tell-tail if he were a scion.

There are domestic cats that have no tails, it is genetic to them and they tend to be larger than your average house cat.  Also accidents do happen, a cat I had years ago had a run in with a car, broke her tail and eventually it fell off.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 06, 2022, 02:28:37 PM
In Storm Front when Mister is first described as a kitten Harry found by some dumpsters, he is described as having recently lost his tail, Harry thought to a dog or a car because of his mistrust of both. It’s not genetic, or it might have been entailing it’s removal. Mister is not a Bob Cat.

Maybe one of Leas hounds bit it off, and Mister has been making Mouse suffer as a consequence.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: BrainFireBob on May 06, 2022, 05:13:03 PM
I agree with the theory on Mister being intended as a changeling; although I'd also buy that this is one of those things that Jim intended as a surprise that he might not do because readers guessed.

I don't think it was Lea, though. I think it was Mab- Mab is the one we see using malks for intelligence gathering all the time. I think Lea was getting her info from Bob during his "free nights", as a corollary to the theory of her being his mother.

The detail about Mister's tail being clubbed by some form of apparent misadventure, with the distinguishing characteristics of malks being intelligence, size, and long tails over housecats, was also the light bulb for me.

Changelings appear required to choose in adolescence/young adulthood. Choose magical heritage, gain superpowers but gain restrictions. Choose mortal, have free will, lose the benefits of being Fae. The only exception we've seen is Sarissa, who explicitly tells us she made a deal with Mab to protect herself from "hereditary insanity"- that entailed living 50% of her life as mortal and 50% as Fae, with an additional personal favor of being required to maintain Mab's connection to humanity for the favor.

That's a longwinded way of saying that the only person we've seen exercising the power of delaying Choice well outside the window- is Mab. And Mister has disappeared for periods, as I recall. At 17-18 years, Mister is certainly well past the age he should have Chosen.

Would his siring matter? I think I'd lean towards Grimalkin if he goes down this path- Grimalkin has seemed less unfriendly to Harry than other malks generally. Harry goes on and on about how Winter is generally ruthless, but family ties are acknowledged- Grimalkin might be disposed to indifference instead of hostility over good care of his kin.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 06, 2022, 06:00:49 PM
Mab took over handling Mister post Grave Peril, when he became interesting to her as Winter Knight. Before that it was all Lea. Harry was only part of the price from freeing  her from Nemesis, I suspect both Mister and Bob were part of the deal. A good spymaster has a spy in your household, a great spymaster has more than one, they can check if one has been turned by romance novels or catnip. Besides Lea always gave that stalkery vibe.

Note Bob is openly Bob The Castle now displaying Winter Blue. He is clearly in from the cold with Winter, and into the greater cold. Bob is probably spying on the Castles inhabitants for Mab (and the female ones on his own behalf, for ahem security purposes).

His change of sanctum will take him off the White Council hit list as well, they are looking for a skull with glowing orange eyes. He now only has to worry about being targeted as Harry’s HQ. Which is almost immediately it seems.

Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Regenbogen on May 06, 2022, 06:06:20 PM
Nice.

Anyone else have comments on the rest of the anthology, though? Worth / not worth?
For me it is. I would totally recommend Kevin Hearne's story without reading it. Though I don't know, if it is useful to know the Iron Druid beforehand. This story though is from the dog's POV. I've read several short stories from the dog's POV, and it is hilarious! ;)

Then there is Kelley Armstrong. The author of the series "Women of the Otherworld" and many more. I like her style in writing and have read most of her books. This story seems to be in the setting of her young adult series, I have forgotten the title.

And of course Patricia Briggs. Tbh I wanted the book at first because it was mentioned on her website. Her story is from the Mercy Thompson universe and features one of the old dangerous werewolfs looking for love, if I remember correctly. Could be funny or tragical. Or both.

Then there is Anne Bishop. I have not read a complete book by her, because I started accidentally somewhere in the middle and stopped, because I was too confused. But I liked what I've read so far.

The others I have never read. But after reading my favourite authors, I'm going to try out the others.

The way I see it, the anthology is kind of a teaser to find new good stories.

So far I have only read the Butcher story. But I started the Hearne story today.


((((((((( EDIT: I have started to read the story by Kevin Hearne.

Warning to the new readers:
It contains spoilers about the end of the Iron Druid series. But you can read it without knowing the series. The dog explains every important thing. ;)
I don't think the spoilers would ruin the series for you. It's about how the druid's life is different because of what happened, but it doesn't say what it was that happened. )))))))
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 07, 2022, 11:14:04 AM
Mab took over handling Mister post Grave Peril, when he became interesting to her as Winter Knight. Before that it was all Lea. Harry was only part of the price from freeing  her from Nemesis, I suspect both Mister and Bob were part of the deal. A good spymaster has a spy in your household, a great spymaster has more than one, they can check if one has been turned by romance novels or catnip. Besides Lea always gave that stalkery vibe.

Note Bob is openly Bob The Castle now displaying Winter Blue. He is clearly in from the cold with Winter, and into the greater cold. Bob is probably spying on the Castles inhabitants for Mab (and the female ones on his own behalf, for ahem security purposes).

His change of sanctum will take him off the White Council hit list as well, they are looking for a skull with glowing orange eyes. He now only has to worry about being targeted as Harry’s HQ. Which is almost immediately it seems.

Here is a question, where was Mouse?  Mouse would have known immediately what was up and dealt with it.  Presumably he is with Maggie, so the kids, or at least her must be still staying with the Carpenters until the castle is done completely or she now is away at school. 
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 07, 2022, 01:49:42 PM
I had thought that myself, no sign of Maggie and Bonny, it does strike me though that Little Things means an obvious introduction between Maggie and Bonny and Bob “this is your uncle Bob who runs the Castle and is a pervert’
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 07, 2022, 02:57:48 PM
I had thought that myself, no sign of Maggie and Bonny, it does strike me though that Little Things means an obvious introduction between Maggie and Bonny and Bob “this is your uncle Bob who runs the Castle and is a pervert’

It's been a bum rap on uncles ever since there has been uncles... Given Bob's history however, a case can be made for it.  I guess Harry could threaten to hand him over to Mab if he misbehaves, he is terrified of her if I remember correctly from Grave Peril. 
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 07, 2022, 04:17:59 PM
It does strike me that as Bob the Castle can project on the Castle surfaces and previously shown to receive the electromagnetic spectrum, he should be able to access the internet for the Castle inhabitants opening a window on any castle surface, without Harry’s Murphyonic field screwing things up. Bob has himself entered the silicon age after all. This gives him an edge over Alfred, who is still Stone Age.

This means that wizardofchicago@bobthecastle.com can now be a real thing, once the local network is repaired. I bet the first thing Harry would do is e-mail Goodman Grey, given the foreshadowing in Peace Talks.

Harry is stuck in 2014 Netflix had already started streaming and Amazon Prime started streaming that year, he can access both via Bob the Streamer, he can read a book in his (hot) shower via Bob the Kindle projecting on the shower wall (that’s how he punishes Bob in the future). He can use Amazon and EBay, and he can fully participate in the Paranet via Bob the Server.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: morriswalters on May 07, 2022, 10:12:27 PM
Downgraded from talking head pervert to Alexa with Fairies. Bob has been diminished. :-\
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mr. Mouse on May 07, 2022, 10:14:47 PM
Downgraded from talking head pervert to Alexa with Fairies. Bob has been diminished. :-\

Alexa was Amazon's attempt to reproduce Bob.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 07, 2022, 10:39:50 PM
Now that would be a fun scene, Bob trying to engage with Alexa or Siri, to try and pick them up, thinking they too are spirits of intellect. Harry would never let him live it down.

Bob is everything he always was, in this form though it gives Harry a significant power up technologically that other wizards do not have, and more importantly with wider society, something Harry expressed an intention to do at the end of Battle Ground. Bob can still take on new knowledge perhaps with even greater capacity and computational power as an aid to Harry. We know there will be Gargoyles giving Bob a remote capacity.

Bob is his current form can act as a discrete server for the entire Paranet, and scan in books new to him increasing his database, supplementing it with material from the internet, on science, history, art and porn (very important given Harry’s impending nuptials.

One could posit as the castle had been taken apart once, that its wards can bear being separated. With Bob is residence, one could take a flattish, rectangular piece of stone and use it off-site to remotely access Bob the Castles capabilities plus the internet, messaging etc, basically a tablet, an Bobpad. Harry therefore regains the use of Bob in battle, whilst Bob is safely ensconced in the Castle. Best of both worlds. And Harry Can look at cat videos. To everyone else or it is just a chunk of stone, as only the holder of the Castle can access it.

I hope Bob doesn’t pick up any computer viruses.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 10, 2022, 09:09:09 AM
One thing I have noted is that Harry has invited Winter Fae to reside at the Castle (that surprised me) and that Bob has adopted Winter colours (also surprising) The Castle has become a Winter Fortress in the mortal world. This suggests that Harry may be trying to forge a new connection in the Never Never for the Castle perhaps with Arctis Tor, with Mab’s help. Is this the reason for his meditation? He is willing it into existence changing facts on the ground to make it so as quickly as possible.

The access from the Never Never is a major defensive flaw, unless it backs onto somewhere equally secure as the Castle. I have theorised in the past there is a direct link from Arctis Tor to Demonreach as the Gatekeeper and Maeve both used the Never Never to get to Demonreach before it’s defences became fully active and it became unsafe to use that route.

The Gremlins came from the roof not the Never Never, suggesting this is being addressed.

Aside from protecting the Castle in the Never Never, this could give Harry a secure short cut to Demonreach something he definitely needs.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 10, 2022, 10:05:49 AM
Quote
One thing I have noted is that Harry has invited Winter Fae to reside at the Castle (that surprised me) and that Bob has adopted Winter colours (also surprising) The Castle has become a Winter Fortress in the mortal world. This suggests that Harry may be trying to forge a new connection in the Never Never for the Castle perhaps with Arctis Tor, with Mab’s help. Is this the reason for his meditation? He is willing it into existence changing facts on the ground to make it so as quickly as possible.
Possible, but more likely he is trying to deal with his grief plus a huge tanker load of PTSD.  I imagine that Butters suggested it, actually he needs Mouse at this moment as much as if not more than little Maggie.  Dogs do wonders for people suffering from it, he also might try a little pot.

Quote
Now that would be a fun scene, Bob trying to engage with Alexa or Siri, to try and pick them up, thinking they too are spirits of intellect. Harry would never let him live it down.

Or a wall of the castle suddenly blowing out with a disembodied scream, "YOU PERVERT!" Because Alexa really is a spirit of intellect.  ::)
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 10, 2022, 11:36:04 AM

That would only work if Bezos is Black Council. Which I have theorised in the Dresdenverse.

However not impossible, the Baku came into existence from the Never Never because Japanese children believed in it from the nineties onwards. Alexa  was introduced 2013 and Siri 2011 so both are a little too early (its 2014 in the Dresdenverse) for them to develop.

However Clippy the Microsoft Office Assistant existed from Windows 1997 until the characters demise in 2011, so will have been around for about 17 years, at this point in the Dresdenverse installed on every Microsoft machine at that time, making an immense User base.  I can remember Clippy on my office machine from about 2000 onwards and god I hated it irrationally, like most people.

Worryingly the code for Clippy was developed from Microsoft Bob (that is a real thing). Therefore if there is a candidate for an AI programme to make the jump via the Never Never to becoming a spirit of intellect, it’s Clippy. All I can say is that Butters needs to kill it immediately and with extreme prejudice.

I have speculated about the White God coming into existence via the Singularity and things existing from the internet coming into existence via the Never Never is a way forward. Butters “Gaming Display” from his connection to the White God would suggest this. On this basis Internet Trolls, Trolls who are Spirits of Intellect would be a thing.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 10, 2022, 01:14:04 PM


  Oh and one more thing confirms that Harry is suffering horribly from PTSD, he graphically mentions what he sees in flashbacks in Christmas Eve.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 10, 2022, 02:01:15 PM
It’s a Christmas Carol parody, of course he has flashbacks.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 10, 2022, 04:26:42 PM
It’s a Christmas Carol parody, of course he has flashbacks.

 Not really the same..
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: magnuskn on May 10, 2022, 08:29:25 PM
Um, did they just post the entire story in the preview for the book? I mean, that basically takes away my incentive to get the book at all, until Jim releases a collection.

Anyway, Toot is a badass. Dang.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 10, 2022, 09:30:19 PM
The story is 20 pages.

The main takeaway isn’t that Toot is a badass (he always was) but his personal growth (emotionally not physically) the Sprites appear to have little in the way of empathy and no real concept of death. Toot is struggling in that recently he has grasped the concept of death, alone of his fellow sprites (because he is growing). He knows Harry is hurting from the loss of Murphy but doesn’t know how to express it because he doesn’t fully understand it. By the end of the story Toot nearly suffers a similar loss. At this point he connects the concept of death, his own potential for loss and Harry’s grief and is able to comfort Harry,  he has developed empathy for Harry’s situation.

Oh and he values Lacuna above pizza.

Frozen pizza at least. She had better not push it with a fresh pie shop pizza.

Of the Little Folk only the Cobbler Gnomes are truly capable of putting themselves in another’s shoes.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: magnuskn on May 10, 2022, 09:44:13 PM
Huh, the "excerpt" on the front page seemed pretty complete, not sure if there is a middle part missing or if it continues after the post-oven denoument.

And I wasn't making a conclusion on the personality and trajectory of Toot, but rather his actions in combat in the story. Harry was pretty right recalling Leonidas.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: RobReece on May 11, 2022, 03:15:25 AM
The Gremlins descended from the roof via the hole made by Ethnui, they either  climbed up the exterior of the Castle or were dropped by a flier. I suspect the former, Bob would have sensed a large flier and Gremlins are not fliers. Until the hole is repaired there is a gap in The Castle’s Defences.

I don't think we they came through the hole in the roof, Toot found them in the passage
(click to show/hide)
(click to show/hide)
the "hole" had been open to the main hall. 
I'm thinking that a good carpenter has already closed that opening,  especially if they have a number of people staying there.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 11, 2022, 05:15:03 AM
It was all tarps.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 11, 2022, 10:02:37 AM
It was all tarps.

It was my impression that this was less than a month after the Battle, Harry is still in a cast and his ankle wrapped heavily.  With all the damage to the city, there are priorities before a wizard's castle would be dealt with.  Also not all that easy to fix, there are houses with blue tarps still on the roofs a year later after a hurricane.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 11, 2022, 11:56:04 AM
I wonder when Harry found out that Toot had used the heavy canvas to trap the Gremlins he said to himself “it’s a tarp”
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 11, 2022, 03:53:35 PM
I wonder when Harry found out that Toot had used the heavy canvas to trap the Gremlins he said to himself “it’s a tarp”

  I am still wondering why the big person guard didn't notice them..
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: vincentric on May 11, 2022, 04:44:32 PM
I think all the Little Folk cloak themselves in glamour naturally and have to make some effort to be seen.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 11, 2022, 05:29:40 PM
Toot says it is difficult for even Harry to hear when he uses his inside voice, and Harry can Listen.

A protective glamour would be a pro- survival evolution practically everything is bigger and stronger than the Little Folk.

Little Folk in this context seems apply as a term to sprites, brownies, cobbler gnomes and gremlins, plus all other such tiny Fae.

Sprites includes the tooth fairies such as Lacuna, who is a sugar free Sprite. (I suspect Jim finding there was no Coke Zero left, instead had a sugar free Sprite when he sat down to write Little Things, and realised he could retcon a pun by calling her and Toot Sprites for the first time)
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: g33k on May 13, 2022, 12:42:27 AM
Hmmm.  An idea has just struck me, I don't see anyone has mentioned it yet.

Is it possible -- with new Icy Bob the Castle -- that Jim is going with an intentional mirror of Calcifer in Studio Ghibli's Howl's Moving Castle?

Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: g33k on May 13, 2022, 02:58:09 AM
Mab took over handling Mister post Grave Peril, when he became interesting to her as Winter Knight. Before that it was all Lea...

I think Mab's Handmaiden was put into the path of Margaret LeFay on Mab's orders.

Mab wanted Margaret's (Starborn) child to have a Fairy Godmother:  to have Mab's choice of FG's.

Mab was planning -- from before Harry's birth -- to get her WK's mantle onto Starborn shoulders.

Because seriously, folks:
Why WOULDN'T Mab have been laying exactly that long-term plan???  We already know -- from how Marcone's Vault was primarily a honeypot for Nicky & Anduriel -- that Mab does lay these subtle & long-term plans; plans that require others' plans to take advantage of, that require others to follow the trail of breadcrumbs that Mab leaves them...  It would have been much, much easier to manipulate & fool a mortal such as Margaret "LeFay," or even the "Black Council" if they were ostensibly recruiting Margaret to bear a Starborn.

I suspect Mab was behind the entire notion of elder-Maggie trying for a Starborn baby; she didn't care what others' pretext was, she wanted her Knight, and her Handmaiden was her primary agent in the matter.
 

(n.b.  Mister as a Malk (or Malk-changeling) seems to fit well with the overall plan).
 
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 13, 2022, 07:58:38 AM
We really need to see what Lea’s deal with Margaret was. I think she bargained with Lea the first born female issue of her line, to get out from under Raith and the White Council. That would be Maggie. WOJ has it when Harry finds out about the deal he will want to murder Lea. Anything involving Maggie would do that. Another WOJ is that Maggie might not be a wizard but instead something else. What if the Leansidhe wants a successor? That been Leas interest all along in what Harry’s daughter could be for her. Harry would not be pleases for his daughter to become a killer muse.

Mab may have known about Harry but prior to Grave Peril had no contact, he hadn’t demonstrated his potential use to her. We know in Grave Peril Harry’s actions created a split in the universes, and that would have got Mab’s interest. WOJ has it she can contact her alters (there is only one Uriel). In the Mirrorverse Harry may not have been recruited by Mab as unsuitable. Mab may know this. The twist may be our Harry is a Destroyer, but that is what is needed by Mab and The times.

Both Lea and Mab have their own agendas in relation to Harry’s family.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 13, 2022, 11:17:05 AM
I think Mab's Handmaiden was put into the path of Margaret LeFay on Mab's orders.

Mab wanted Margaret's (Starborn) child to have a Fairy Godmother:  to have Mab's choice of FG's.

Mab was planning -- from before Harry's birth -- to get her WK's mantle onto Starborn shoulders.

Because seriously, folks:
  • What is the Winter Knight?  Mab's primary free-willed Mortal agent.
  • What is a Starborn?  A mortal with extra resistance to and power over the Outsiders.
  • What is Winter's BIG duty?  Fighting Outsiders (primarily at the Gates, but still).
Why WOULDN'T Mab have been laying exactly that long-term plan???  We already know -- from how Marcone's Vault was primarily a honeypot for Nicky & Anduriel -- that Mab does lay these subtle & long-term plans; plans that require others' plans to take advantage of, that require others to follow the trail of breadcrumbs that Mab leaves them...  It would have been much, much easier to manipulate & fool a mortal such as Margaret "LeFay," or even the "Black Council" if they were ostensibly recruiting Margaret to bear a Starborn.

I suspect Mab was behind the entire notion of elder-Maggie trying for a Starborn baby; she didn't care what others' pretext was, she wanted her Knight, and her Handmaiden was her primary agent in the matter.
 

(n.b.  Mister as a Malk (or Malk-changeling) seems to fit well with the overall plan).

I agree with most of this, in fact all of it, except I still don't think Mister is a Malk.  He might be
half Malk, and like Sarrissa, Lily, and others who are half Fae/half human,he has a choice. I believe he has chosen to live as an ordinary cat for the most part, much like Lily and Sarrissa chose a human lifestyle until forced to go full Fae.  Now at the BAT if may be that the choice will forced on Mister, but until then he likes the life of an ordinary tom cat.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 13, 2022, 12:22:38 PM
Yes, I suspect Malks can’t get high on catnip, but changelings can, through their half felis domesticus side.

Mister is a fiend for catnip, it has been shown on multiple occasions. He might have to forswear it to go full Malk, currently he has all the benefits of a Malk, random sex and violence PLUS catnip.

Harry would swap with him if he could.

Generally Mister has not been confronted with an adversary he couldn’t dispatch or run away from, if he does, like Greebo he might have another option. Does Mister have an adversary? Yes. Rudy has a long standing grudge  over Harry which includes Mister, poor trigger discipline, first against Mister, then against Harry and then against Murphy. Harry terrifies him, so what would Rudy do if he is fired for repeated poor firearms discipline? For won’t of a better charge? I think he would revenge himself on Mister, Harry’s pet ‘cat’, if that is used as the pretext to fire him.

When one grasps a Malk by the tail, one had better makes sure it has a tail.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: RobReece on May 18, 2022, 02:40:36 PM
If Mister were a changeling, then I suspect that he wouldn't have been chasing Bob the blue around, he would have been actively pursuing the invaders or laying in wait for them.  Mister heard them the same time that Toot did, but Bob had to lead  Mister back into the kitchen to get him engaged with the fiends.  I think Mister is just a cat, and that is awesome enough all by itself.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 18, 2022, 03:26:45 PM
Who said Mister wasn’t killing Gremlins elsewhere within the Castle?

Harry may be finding bits of dead Gremlin all over the place, only locating some by the smell when they start to decompose. Between the Za Guard and Mister they may have finished off most of the Gremlins before Bob realised the danger. Bob couldn’t get the Sprites attention, but he could get Misters.

Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 18, 2022, 03:33:15 PM
Who said Mister wasn’t killing Gremlins elsewhere within the Castle?

Harry may be finding bits of dead Gremlin all over the place, only locating some by the smell when they start to decompose. Between the Za Guard and Mister they may have finished off most of the Gremlins before Bob realised the danger. Bob couldn’t get the Sprites attention, but he could get Misters.

If he was, I doubt he had been doing it very long or the Gremlins were either not very bright or who ever sent them underestimated an old tom cat..
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 18, 2022, 05:55:08 PM
All three, most of the Gremlins were easy for him to despatch, it didn’t take him long to dispatch even the dangerous scar eye. They weren’t very bright, they were comprehensively out thought by Toot. Everyone THINKS Mister is an old tomcat.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 18, 2022, 06:41:05 PM
All three, most of the Gremlins were easy for him to despatch, it didn’t take him long to dispatch even the dangerous scar eye. They weren’t very bright, they were comprehensively out thought by Toot. Everyone THINKS Mister is an old tomcat.

Well, he is for now..  Also Harry thinks the Gremlins were all killed, I wouldn't be shocked it Mister has a couple stashed away to play with now and kill later.. 
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on May 18, 2022, 07:39:38 PM
Oh yes. Harry will wake up at 3:00 am to a ruckus and little cries of “help me! Help meeee!” ending in a little crunchy silence.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on May 19, 2022, 05:37:36 PM
Oh yes. Harry will wake up at 3:00 am to a ruckus and little cries of “help me! Help meeee!” ending in a little crunchy silence.

Then the housekeeper Brownies will run across the random bloody shoe that isn't part of Za'Guard's uniform..
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Dina on June 02, 2022, 02:01:22 PM
I've read the story (in Amazon sample) and I liked it. I am a little surprised at how easy it is to invade Harry's castle.
Poor Harry, so many things in his plate while he is grieving so bad. 
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on June 02, 2022, 02:36:55 PM
The Castle currently has a bloody huge hole in it’s roof which is where the Gremlins got in. The Defences were strong against certain magical threats (the Fomor bomb would have been detected) but not mundane threats like the Boom, nope. Remember Marcone had a boom sniffing dog on patrol during Peace Talks, everyone there would have realised a boom would be a threat. Not Marcone as there were children in the Castle. The Merlin wouldn’t care about it and Carlos would have told him about the dog and that way around the defences as well as the hole in the roof.

Harry as a ‘ghost’ was able to get past the Defences because they weren’t set for that, similarly so could the gremlins, too small a threat. Gremlins plus boom was a viable plan.

Except for Toot and Lacuna (the brains of the outfit)
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on June 02, 2022, 05:30:25 PM
I've read the story (in Amazon sample) and I liked it. I am a little surprised at how easy it is to invade Harry's castle.
Poor Harry, so many things in his plate while he is grieving so bad.

They got in easily because it is a threat that Bob didn't take into account.  However having said that, we don't know how long Marcone has actually taken the coin with in himself or if before he did Namshiel perhaps was a shadow with in his head.  I mention that because at the end of Battle Ground looking at the wards of the castle Harry said that they are as old a those on Demonreach.  Someone like Nasmshiel could read those and know how to breech those.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on June 03, 2022, 12:35:11 PM
Not Marcone as there were children at the Castle.

That wouldn’t stop the Merlin. Harry is the single greatest threat to his power as Merlin, which to him is everything.

Harry has not only publicly defied the Merlin and won in killing the Red Court, he solo’d a Titan, making him the most powerful single living wizard and has control over the Little Folk. No Non-Senior Council Wizard has achieved such feats of this magnitude since Kemmler.

In addition Harry holds both Excalibur and Demonreach, and is a confidant of Odin(the original Merlin tutor) , and the Lady of the Lake (Mab). He has a better claim to the title The Merlin than the Merlin does. That must hurt on a personal level. The Merlin may be suffering from Imposter syndrome on top of everything else, that perhaps he really isn’t the true Merlin and Harry is, something Kemmler couldn’t achieve. The Merlin feared Kemmler, he both hates and fears Harry.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on June 03, 2022, 09:41:16 PM
Quote
Not Marcone as there were children at the Castle.

He may not know that, also he is now a Denarian.. He may not have control over what Namshiel wants.  Remember it was the accidental soul gaze of a Denarian back in Death Masks that hardened Harry's will against taking up Lasciel's coin.  He didn't want to become a slave to her and never bought the "equal partnership" proposal from her.  I also doubt that the Merlin would know about the kinds of wards that the castle has.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on June 04, 2022, 12:11:43 AM
Marcone would know, he would make it his business to know what’s going on in the Castle.

Namshiel is only able to operate in the mortal world because of his hosts free will, and Marcone is no wreck like Rasmussen.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on June 04, 2022, 12:45:51 AM
Marcone would know, he would make it his business to know what’s going on in the Castle.

Namshiel is only able to operate in the mortal world because of his hosts free will, and Marcone is no wreck like Rasmussen.

I don't think it is that simple, Harry evidently didn't.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: g33k on June 04, 2022, 01:06:40 AM
... Namshiel is only able to operate in the mortal world because of his hosts free will, and Marcone is no wreck like Rasmussen.

Note that the Denarians cheat.  Acting to counter that cheating is one of the things that gives Uriel & Co more scope & agency, themselves.

Also note that a malign Angel could swiftly break ANY mortal will, even Marcone's.  That the Fallen do not do that is (I think) one of the limits that they choose to abide by, specifically to prevent non-Fallen angels from acting to oppose them.

I expect that -- in general -- each Host makes their own separate "Deal with the Devil," specific to the Host/Denarian pair.  And Denarians are good at negotiating those deals; hellishly good (outclassing even Marcone).

I think the Coins themselves have inherent "deals" -- the deals whereby Fallen Angels get to exist within the mortal realm -- no summoning needed!!?!  oh  em  gee !  -- for just anyone to pick up.

But then, within the limits of the Coins and of the Host's deals, the Denarians have a fair bit of leeway; in fact, everything not explicitly forbidden is allowed.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Arjan on June 04, 2022, 10:25:17 AM
Marcone would know, he would make it his business to know what’s going on in the Castle.

Namshiel is only able to operate in the mortal world because of his hosts free will, and Marcone is no wreck like Rasmussen.
That is what the fallen wants you to think but reality is more complicated. First the fallen can influence or even change your perception of reality. Harry got a very convincing imaginary girlfriend from a shadow so the real thing can be even worse. We have seen that a shadow can influence your emotions, Lasciel’s shadow increased his rage. Again the real deal is probably worse and we have seen several occasions when talking to a denarian host seemed to go wel and suddenly it changed.

So it resides in you, has some control over your emotions and how you see reality. Offers you solutions that will steer you into a certain direction.

The fallen might tell you about free wil but if you keep the thing for long it will change you.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on June 04, 2022, 10:38:54 AM
Quote
That is what the fallen wants you to think but reality is more complicated. First the fallen can influence or even change your perception of reality. Harry got a very convincing imaginary girlfriend from a shadow so the real thing can be even worse. We have seen that a shadow can influence your emotions, Lasciel’s shadow increased his rage. Again the real deal is probably worse and we have seen several occasions when talking to a denarian host seemed to go wel and suddenly it changed.

So it resides in you, has some control over your emotions and how you see reality. Offers you solutions that will steer you into a certain direction.

The fallen might tell you about free wil but if you keep the thing for long it will change you.

Yes, and that was Lasciel's first mistake, she treated Harry like any other host.  Yes, Harry was fooled by Shelia at first, but once the truth was revealed to him by Butters, he was on his guard. The Shadow did manage to shape him by influencing his anger, but when Murphy sat him down and talked to him about it, and then the "lesson" that he tried to teach Molly made him realize what the Shadow was doing and he for the most part resisted that and actually changed her.  I don't think Harry could have pulled it off if he weren't a star born.  The same will or whatever it is that can resist an Outsider, can be a match for a shadow of a fallen angel.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Arjan on June 04, 2022, 11:52:01 AM
Yes, and that was Lasciel's first mistake, she treated Harry like any other host.  Yes, Harry was fooled by Shelia at first, but once the truth was revealed to him by Butters, he was on his guard. The Shadow did manage to shape him by influencing his anger, but when Murphy sat him down and talked to him about it, and then the "lesson" that he tried to teach Molly made him realize what the Shadow was doing and he for the most part resisted that and actually changed her.  I don't think Harry could have pulled it off if he weren't a star born.  The same will or whatever it is that can resist an Outsider, can be a match for a shadow of a fallen angel.
But that was only the shadow of the real thing. If you have the real thing and you are not rejecting it sooner or later you will be the servant whether you know it or not. Especially when you don’t know it. Harry did not buy that partnership thing but Marcone apparently did.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on June 04, 2022, 03:06:29 PM
But that was only the shadow of the real thing. If you have the real thing and you are not rejecting it sooner or later you will be the servant whether you know it or not. Especially when you don’t know it. Harry did not buy that partnership thing but Marcone apparently did.

Agreed, I think arrogance has a little to do with it as well.  Marcone might think he is strong enough to handle a partnership like that, and he has also hungered for a wizard's power ever since he witnessed Harry blowing the doors off his club.  That desire is what played right into Namshiel's hands.  Also note that we never knew the name of the previous host, it was simply, Thorned Namshiel.  The host's identity had been totally absorbed.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: KurtinStGeorge on June 04, 2022, 11:17:12 PM
Agreed, I think arrogance has a little to do with it as well.  Marcone might think he is strong enough to handle a partnership like that, and he has also hungered for a wizard's power ever since he witnessed Harry blowing the doors off his club.  That desire is what played right into Namshiel's hands.  Also note that we ever knew the name of the previous host, it was simply, Thorton Namshiel.  The host's identity had been totally absorbed.

The irony of Marcone's situation is that should the crime lord start to exhibit unusual or aberrant behavior, the only person who is likely to tell Marcone that he isn't acting like himself, is Harry.  Gard is just a paid consultant and it's not her place to question any changes in Marcone's personality; though Gard's boss might like it if she reported any such changes to him.  Helen Beckitt / Demeter would certainly notice any odd behavior from Marcone, but it's unlikely she would say anything.  Her long-term goal is screw over Marcone so she doesn't have any motivation to do anything but make note of any changes in Marcone's demeanor or normal behavior, for possible use at the appropriate time.

None of the Knights know Marcone personally.  It's not like Butters or Sanya could point out to Marcone that he is no longer acting like himself, but Harry could; and baring orders from Mab to keep his much shut, Harry probably would.  This could make for a very interesting scene between Harry and Marcone, but if it occurs, I would guess that we wouldn't see it until after Harry returns from the Mirror Mirror world or perhaps not until the next Denarian book, which I believe will be the last book before the BAT.

There is also the question if Harry could do anything to get around interference from Thorned Namshiel.  Harry would know from his experience with Hannah Ascher that the Fallen can make their host hear anything they want them too.  Harry would have to think of something subtle to tell Marcone to avoid that, and Harry isn't someone we normally associate with subtlety.   
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: g33k on June 05, 2022, 05:23:06 AM
... There is also the question if Harry could do anything to get around interference from Thorned Namshiel.  Harry would know from his experience with Hannah Ascher that the Fallen can make their host hear anything they want them too.  Harry would have to think of something subtle to tell Marcone to avoid that, and Harry isn't someone we normally associate with subtlety.   

Yeah, to quote Harry himself:  "Fuck subtle!"

Luckily, he doesn't need subtlety.  He's clever, and he's already learned this lesson:  the communication-spell he used with Elaine; most critically, while Elaine was being attacked by the despair-whamp (whose name escapes me).

He'll need a drop of Marcone's blood (or similar), and THAT will be the hard part.  But I bet the spirit-to-spirit channel is one that not even the Fallen can blot out.  That'll be a challenge!  Especially with Namshiel on the lookout.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on June 05, 2022, 05:49:15 AM
Yeah, to quote Harry himself:  "Fuck subtle!"

Luckily, he doesn't need subtlety.  He's clever, and he's already learned this lesson:  the communication-spell he used with Elaine; most critically, while Elaine was being attacked by the despair-whamp (whose name escapes me).

He'll need a drop of Marcone's blood (or similar), and THAT will be the hard part.  But I bet the spirit-to-spirit channel is one that not even the Fallen can blot out.  That'll be a challenge!  Especially with Namshiel on the lookout.
  I think that Harry was able to communicate with Elaine in that manner is because of the close bond between them.  He has no such mental/emotional bond with Marcone.  Namshiel would be aware of any type of communication I'd think.  Harry and Molly also achieved a mental bond, or a type of mental bond when they did their mental sparing.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: KurtinStGeorge on June 05, 2022, 09:19:31 AM
There was someone who once posted the idea that in the Mirror Mirror world regular Harry might discover a very different Alt-Marcone, perhaps even a redeemed Alt-Marcone.  It seemed a bit farfetched to me at the time, but if regular Harry and redeemed Alt-Marcone became temporary allies, Alt-Marcone might reveal something he would have in common with his darker self in our universe.  This assumes Alt-Marcone would want his other self to have a chance at redemption or prevent his darker self from attaining his goals.

The above scenario is quite a stretch, but in such a situation Harry might learn a secret that only our Marcone would know, or perhaps learn Marcone's complete real name.  Using that might be a way for Harry to reach Marcone in a way he couldn't have with Hannah Ascher.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Dina on June 05, 2022, 09:47:34 AM
I think Marcone real name would be significant in the future, as a code or something, but I do not know if it would be related with the Mirror Mirror book. I also think that Marcone sees not himself as that person anymore, so I believe his Name is not John Marcone and not whatever name he was born with, because he identifies himself with the new name, the one he chose.
I also with Kurtin in the fact that Harry would be the one realizing something is wrong with Marcone (also, not many people knows he is a denarian, so not many people will have a reason for suspect foul play) and, Harry being Harry, would help Marcone. But all that is theory, because I do not think it will happen. Marcone's will power is strong and I am sure he cut a deal with Namshiel. He won't be controlled.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on June 05, 2022, 10:21:21 AM
I think Marcone real name would be significant in the future, as a code or something, but I do not know if it would be related with the Mirror Mirror book. I also think that Marcone sees not himself as that person anymore, so I believe his Name is not John Marcone and not whatever name he was born with, because he identifies himself with the new name, the one he chose.
I also with Kurtin in the fact that Harry would be the one realizing something is wrong with Marcone (also, not many people knows he is a denarian, so not many people will have a reason for suspect foul play) and, Harry being Harry, would help Marcone. But all that is theory, because I do not think it will happen. Marcone's will power is strong and I am sure he cut a deal with Namshiel. He won't be controlled.

Oh I think he will be controlled, like Nic maybe he will think it is his decisions or that he and Namshiel make them together, but he will realize that he is no longer calling the shots.  I think he will come to regret his decision, somewhere find the strength to reject the coin.  I think there is redemption out there for him, but it has to come from him.  He may be the one who eventually wields the Sword of Love because of that once little girl who lies in a coma because of him.  That regret is the one ounce of humanity left in him.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on June 05, 2022, 02:57:08 PM
  I think that Harry was able to communicate with Elaine in that manner is because of the close bond between them.  He has no such mental/emotional bond with Marcone.  Namshiel would be aware of any type of communication I'd think.  Harry and Molly also achieved a mental bond, or a type of mental bond when they did their mental sparing.

I believe the bond was forged because Harry and Elaine had sex and were in love, and both were wizards. Harry might go with Marcone, but he would still be thinking about Murphy.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on June 05, 2022, 06:38:29 PM
I believe the bond was forged because Harry and Elaine had sex and were in love, and both were wizards. Harry might go with Marcone, but he would still be thinking about Murphy.

Sex and love between Harry and Marcone???? :o  I'm not against gay love stories, but this would be too weird.. ::)
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on June 05, 2022, 07:26:02 PM
The Locker Room scene in Battle Ground may have been foreshadowing…….

We have speculated on more with less.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Dina on June 05, 2022, 11:26:03 PM
Sex and love between Harry and Marcone???? :o  I'm not against gay love stories, but this would be too weird.. ::)
Well. there are some fun fanfics  :)
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: g33k on June 05, 2022, 11:36:57 PM
I believe the bond was forged because Harry and Elaine had sex and were in love, and both were wizards.
I'm pretty sure it was a specific spell that needed to be "cast," like any other spell.  It wasn't a special/unique bond forged in love (though it may have been a stronger one, or easier to cast, because of those details), it was a regular ol' spell they designed during their studies.

I'm quite certain adult-Harry could design a similar spell to "mindspeak" anyone to whom he could get a connection (such as some of their blood, or some hairs, etc).  Not only are his powers more-developed, he's also had the teaching of Molly Carpenter, the proto-warlock specializing in mind-magic; and you know he was deep-diving into that field to stay "ahead" of her.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on June 06, 2022, 12:24:07 AM
The Merlin was capable of such a spell when the Mistfiend attacked.

Harry should be capable of such a spell with anyone in his banner.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Arjan on June 06, 2022, 12:54:36 PM
They also had a soul gaze together.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on June 06, 2022, 01:58:25 PM
They also had a soul gaze together.

Harry and Marcone? I suppose that is more foreshadowing.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Arjan on June 06, 2022, 06:34:20 PM
Harry and Marcone? I suppose that is more foreshadowing.
Harry and Elaine
Harry and Marcone

Both
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: g33k on June 06, 2022, 11:46:31 PM
Harry and Elaine
Harry and Marcone

Both

Elaine and Marcone?

I expect Elaine is Nemfected (and I fear Harry is gonna have to kill her (or maybe put her in Demonreach Deepfreeze)).
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Dina on June 06, 2022, 11:58:41 PM
Nah, Harry already had to kill Susan and he lost Murphy, I do not think JB is going to do that. I mean, Eleaine can die, of course, but not by Harry's hands. Also, much to my chagrin, I am beginning to suspect they are endgame. Jim deleted Susan and Murph and I do not believe Harry is going to love Lara unless he changes her so much that she is not a monster (in the moral sense) anymore. Which saddens me, because they are a great team.
I also do not think he is going to be with Molly, perfect as the couple is on paper, because he still sees her as a child. Unless...well, unless Harry remains the WK and Molly the WL, which I do not believe.
So who else? Sarissa may be an option, but I do not see it with good chances.
Of course, there is always Marcone, but I truly do not see Jim going that way  :D
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on June 07, 2022, 04:26:03 AM
Quote
Nah, Harry already had to kill Susan and he lost Murphy, I do not think JB is going to do that. I mean, Eleaine can die, of course, but not by Harry's hands. Also, much to my chagrin, I am beginning to suspect they are endgame. Jim deleted Susan and Murph and I do not believe Harry is going to love Lara unless he changes her so much that she is not a monster (in the moral sense) anymore. Which saddens me, because they are a great team.
I also do not think he is going to be with Molly, perfect as the couple is on paper, because he still sees her as a child. Unless...well, unless Harry remains the WK and Molly the WL, which I do not believe.
So who else? Sarissa may be an option, but I do not see it with good chances.
Of course, there is always Marcone, but I truly do not see Jim going that way  :D
:o  Harry and Lara as a married couple will fail because I don't see either of them ever fully trusting the other.. If you cannot fully trust your partner, your marriage isn't going to cut it.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: g33k on June 07, 2022, 08:59:59 AM
...  I also do not think he is going to be with Molly, perfect as the couple is on paper, because he still sees her as a child. Unless...well, unless Harry remains the WK and Molly the WL, which I do not believe...

I don't think the Ladies *can* have sex; part of their identities/mantles include the "nubile virgin" thing.

So if Harry stays WK, WL Molly's path (to Harry) is by ascending to the Queen's mantle... and I think most of us expect Mab to die (possibly at Harry's hands).
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: morriswalters on June 07, 2022, 10:52:45 AM
Being a contrarian the marriage is the straw that will break Molly and cause her to kill Mab.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Dina on June 07, 2022, 12:08:08 PM

I don't think the Ladies *can* have sex; part of their identities/mantles include the "nubile virgin" thing.

So if Harry stays WK, WL Molly's path (to Harry) is by ascending to the Queen's mantle... and I think most of us expect Mab to die (possibly at Harry's hands).

Yes, or Harry and Molly can remain in a platonic relationship. All those options only work if Harry remains WK and Molly WL, or Queen. But I think Harry is going to escape his position and he wants to do it with Molly
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on June 07, 2022, 02:20:40 PM
Elaine and Marcone?

I expect Elaine is Nemfected (and I fear Harry is gonna have to kill her (or maybe put her in Demonreach Deepfreeze)).

I suspect the grail can cure Nemfection as a super purifier, it was why Nicky was after it, as well as the spear. The two together would allow him to take on any nemfected Fallen, beat them and cure them.

After the Apocalypse, when humanity become the Guardians there will be no need for the Fae Courts and Mantles, and they can be dissolved. Whether what left is functionally human is another matter. That is I think Harry’s ultimate dilemma.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: g33k on June 07, 2022, 05:16:36 PM
... But I think Harry is going to escape his position and he wants to do it with Molly
99% agree with this.

Of course, that's Harry's intent.  It remains to be seen what Harry's Tormentor-in-Chief writes for him.

Given that Donar Vadderung can put on Kringle's Mantle and take it off again, what I actually expect (the 1% difference) is that Harry will become a "part-time" WK, donning the Mantle at need but mostly not living under its influence.

I think that is also what Mab intends!  She understands the strengths and the weaknesses of thr WK mantle, and she takes her job as Guardian of the Outer Gates very seriously.  Powering-up the Starborn is a key element of her planning in this regard, and she intends for Harry to have the WK powers on-tap, but be able to escape the WK weaknesses.

I think Uriel is in on this plan, too.  Chatting with Harry, then giving him Soulfire, then giving him the After-Death (almost) experience... more powerups for the Starborn.
 
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on June 07, 2022, 05:33:11 PM
Quote
I think Uriel is in on this plan, too.  Chatting with Harry, then giving him Soulfire, then giving him the After-Death (almost) experience... more powerups for the Starborn.
 

The Starborn? Or just Harry?  Somehow I cannot see Uriel giving Drakul or Listens more power ups than they already have.
Quote
Given that Donar Vadderung can put on Kringle's Mantle and take it off again, what I actually expect (the 1% difference) is that Harry will become a "part-time" WK, donning the Mantle at need but mostly not living under its influence.

But Vadderung is actually the god Odin, Harry is not a god, as it is he doesn't always have complete control over the mantel that he has.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on June 07, 2022, 08:23:23 PM
Do not assume the Kringle Mantle is the same as other Mantles. I suspect there is only one day per year where he cannot but be Kringle but has more latitude the rest of the year. This isn’t the same for the Faerie Mantles.

Yes, Uriel has been in on the conspiracy since Grave Peril. The choice THIS Harry took opened up possibilities that didn’t previously exist, and note Michael was present when this decision was made, Uriels agent. Harry’s choice? to try to save both Michael and Susan even unto his own death. It’s the next book Summer Knight  Mab turns up and starts showing interest in Harry, prior to this Harry wasn’t on Mab’s radar, only Lea. Michael knew about the coin, obviously so did Uriel and it opened up the gift of Soulfire. They had always intended for Harry to get the power ups of the Mantle and Soulfire, they didn’t plan for Demonreach, that was all pure Harry, stepping in it and coming up smelling of roses although that proved to be essential in surviving Changes and Battle Ground. Together with Vadderung and Hades they planned to transfer the Superweapons to Harry, another power up.

With Harry it isn’t all predestination he has defied prophecy, entropy and death curses, and lived through them all,  I think as a Starborn that is part of what he is, and the Spear magnifies that I think, from the personal to the global. Without it he can break prophecy applying specifically to him, with it he can break prophecy applying to the whole world. He is Nostradamus bane.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: g33k on June 07, 2022, 09:39:16 PM
The Starborn? Or just Harry?
Harry the Starborn wizard; you're right, not "any" Starborn will do.
I suspect it has to be a Starborn who:
(I note, FWIW, that the (believed to be Starborn (do we have WoJ on that?)) Gatekeeper also has some unusual-even-by-senior-council-standards powerups (including being far older than any other wizard; though possibly that comes just from spending a lot of time in the Far Nevernever (I doubt it gets much "Farther" than the Outer Gates), with presumably a very "favorable" time-flow, causing him to age much less.)

... Harry is not a god, as it is he doesn't always have complete control over the mantel that he has.
But Harry's path is -- always -- about gaining more control over the powers that he has.

And Odin has apparently (in some sense) given up his "godhood."  He's very powerful, very strong-willed, and... he has shown Harry that it's possible.

It certainly won't come quickly, or easily.  But I expect it's coming.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on June 08, 2022, 11:04:51 AM
Quote
And Odin has apparently (in some sense) given up his "godhood."  He's very powerful, very strong-willed, and... he has shown Harry that it's possible.

I don't think Odin gave anything up, he is no longer worshiped like he once was, not unlike Hades.. So if less worship means less power, then you are right, but I doubt that Odin would give up anything willingly.  I think for Odin, the so called mantles that he wears are merely aspects of who he is.. The hint of this comes at the end of Cold Days, when he told Harry he had put on a mask for a time when he was Kringle.  Wearing a mask makes you appear different, but under it you are still who you always were.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on June 08, 2022, 12:36:48 PM
There is a WOJ that Odin gave up his immortality to “Stay in the game” I presume to continue to dwell in the mortal world rather than live in exile like Hades. He took up the Kringle Mantle to extend his life, and accepted Soulfire from the White God which allows him to create Einenjharen. Odin cheats.

I have a theory that the Queens power level is as high as you can get without incurring the negative attention of the White God, you either live under restriction like Odin and Ferro or stay in the NeverNever like Hades and the Mothers. That was deliberate, Mothers were created powerful enough to have full intellectus, Queens as much power as can avoid breaking reality, and Ladies enough to gain full immortality. I think that the power threshold is to avoid major damage to reality, such as with Ethnui. Even so the Queens  mere presence distorts weather patterns. Note ethnui was taken down by Harry an agent of the White God, using a weapon supplied to him by the White God.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on June 08, 2022, 01:50:19 PM
Quote
There is a WOJ that Odin gave up his immortality to “Stay in the game” I presume to continue to dwell in the mortal world rather than live in exile like Hades. He took up the Kringle Mantle to extend his life, and accepted Soulfire from the White God which allows him to create Einenjharen. Odin cheats.

Could you get the quote?  Because if the All Father gave this up as you suggest then there is no point to Valhalla or the Einenjharen.  I also doubt that the Kringle Mantle extends a life that went on for a thousand years or more before Kringle was even a concept.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on June 08, 2022, 02:49:02 PM
Soulfire is used to create Einenjharen, another WOJ. Valhalla exists in the NeverNever.

I thonk it is more of the different frequency both Bob and Odin have complained about in relation to the White Gods energy. Odin gave up power in relation to his frequency, but gained power of a different frequency with the Kringle Mantle and Soul Power. Odin is weaker BUT he can do things across a much wider spectrum, he traded power for flexibility.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: g33k on June 08, 2022, 04:43:45 PM
... Note ethnui was taken down by Harry an agent of the White God, using a weapon supplied to him by the White God.

Note Harry's identity as "agent of TWG" (aka Uriel's Knight) is AFAIK only a fantheory, unsupported by DV canon or any WoJ.

Like many other posters here, I think it's a very-likely fantheory.

In particular:  events of Skin Game show us the plan to give Harry the "superweapons" seems to have been a scheme by Hades/Odin/Mab, and we only presume that Uriel is part of that alliance and that scheme.
 
Or have I missed a WoJ, or misremembered a bit of DV canon?
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on June 08, 2022, 05:38:09 PM
Note Harry's identity as "agent of TWG" (aka Uriel's Knight) is AFAIK only a fantheory, unsupported by DV canon or any WoJ.

Like many other posters here, I think it's a very-likely fantheory.

In particular:  events of Skin Game show us the plan to give Harry the "superweapons" seems to have been a scheme by Hades/Odin/Mab, and we only presume that Uriel is part of that alliance and that scheme.
 
Or have I missed a WoJ, or misremembered a bit of DV canon?

You might be able to squeeze Uriel in there somewhere as being associated with that alliance, simply because the "Artifacts" are all objects associated with the Crucifixion of the Son of his Boss.
But of course due to free will, Uriel would keep aloof of most of it, because part of the test to get the Artifacts involve choices ergo free will on Harry's part.

Uriel also telegraphed how important that mission was and that he was in on it when after Murphy was hurt he loaned Michael his Grace so the mission would have a better chance of succeeding..
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: morriswalters on June 08, 2022, 11:29:31 PM
This is all playing to the final Trilogy. Changes kicked that off. Harry was sent in to the Reds stronghold to end them. To be what he was born to be.
Quote
“No,” Langtry said. “So they never knew it was coming. Period. We will no longer wage a war with that filth, cold, hot, or otherwise. We’re going to destroy them, root and branch.” He lifted his chin slightly as his voice turned to frost. “We’re going to exterminate them.”
Quote
“False gods!” she cried, her blue eyes blazing as she stared at the Red King and the Lords of Outer Night. “Pretenders! Usurpers of truth! Destroyers of faith, of families, of lives, of children! For your crimes against the Mayans, against the peoples of the world, now will you answer! Your time has come! Face judgment Almighty!”
Quote
I heard someone whispering to me, something in a tongue I didn’t understand—but I knew my queen’s voice. I became aware that a cloud of white mist and vapor was gathering around me as I continued, a little faster, the humid air of the Yucatán boiling around the frost that had formed on my armor.
Uriel the White Council and Mab allied to commit genocide. Along with Odin and others.  Is that close enough to  the idea of Harry as agent?

Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on June 09, 2022, 01:22:00 AM
Individually the Lords of the  Outer Night were not powerful enough to break reality, but the Red Court was a threat to humanity, which appears to be the second proscription of the White God, do not menace humanity. It’s this which makes me think the White God is born out of the singularity. Humanity needs to thrive and expand or the point the White God comes into existence. The Red Court threatened that.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Dina on June 09, 2022, 05:07:04 AM
Just a comment and I leave you all with your theories. I think the way to cure nemfection is not the grial but Butter's sword.  It kills the not human part. It will probably cure whampires too. At least, that is what I suspect is going to happen with Thomas.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on June 09, 2022, 09:04:27 AM
The transformation of Butters sword may have been nothing more than explain what they actually are bound angels, BUT as the superweapons are even more powerful,  are they bound Archangels? For everything the swords are, the superweapons are even more so, and they do more than just kill.

If they are bound Archangels they are one being simultaneously existing in the multiverse.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: g33k on June 09, 2022, 06:01:21 PM
Uriel ... loaned Michael his Grace so the mission would have a better chance of succeeding..

D'oh!  You're right, of course.  My bad.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on June 09, 2022, 07:13:38 PM
D'oh!  You're right, of course.  My bad.
We all make mistakes, t'is hard to remember all the details... ;)
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on August 10, 2022, 09:06:54 AM
Just listening to the radio and the biography of Roald Dahl. In 1943 Dahl published The Gremlins his first childrens book. Disney bought it with the aim of animating it (which never came about). Disney still published the tie in and own the IP. Gremlins were not a traditional folk creature, they are like the Baku.

I have posited Winter has a beef with the Disney Corp (see the depiction of Mab in Sword in the Stone) when Disney looks to have chosen Summer.

Could the Magic Kingdom have attacked Castle Dresden as part of the ongoing feud? Harry had stationed Winter troops at the Castle making it a mortal fortress of Winter. Is The Mouse the new big bad in Harry’s life?

Interestingly the current Baby Yoda/Gremlins litigation should be seen in the light that Disney owns the IP to The Gremlins.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on August 10, 2022, 03:52:19 PM
Quote
Interestingly the current Baby Yoda/Gremlins litigation should be seen in the light that Disney owns the IP to The Gremlins.

Other than his size and maybe his ears Grogu can't be called a Gremlin... Not even close.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: g33k on August 10, 2022, 05:19:52 PM
Interestingly the current Baby Yoda/Gremlins litigation should be seen in the light that Disney owns the IP to The Gremlins.
... ?
Is there actual litigation?  A quick Google sees a flurry of press coverage a month back, "'Gremlins' Creator Joe Dante Claims Baby Yoda Was 'Stolen' From Gizmo" &c, but no actual lawsuits.

Other than his size and maybe his ears Grogu can't be called a Gremlin... Not even close.
Size, "tubby" sort of teddy-bear build, oversized/elongate ears, large eyes... The claim isn't utterly absurd on the face of it.

But there would be one GIGANTIC problem with any lawsuit: Yoda himself.  Yoda has all those features, too:  tubby build, oversized/elongate ears, large eyes.  Grogu is obviously a "baby yoda" (much moreso than a Gizmo-ripoff).

And Yoda pre-dates Gizmo (Empire Strikes Back 1980 -vs- Gremlins 1984).

If a lawsuit were ever filed, sith lawyers from the House of Mouse would eat them alive.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on August 10, 2022, 06:53:36 PM
Quote
And Yoda pre-dates Gizmo (Empire Strikes Back 1980 -vs- Gremlins 1984).

Yup, nor do Yoda or Grogu transform into mini monsters when they eat after mid-night.. If I remember correctly its been a long time since I saw that movie, but I seem to remember consuming food after a certain time having an unwanted effect.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: g33k on August 10, 2022, 09:09:04 PM
Yup, nor do Yoda or Grogu transform into mini monsters when they eat after mid-night.. If I remember correctly its been a long time since I saw that movie, but I seem to remember consuming food after a certain time having an unwanted effect.

Also getting wet, IIRC.

But that "Mr.Hyde" feature being missing from Grogu wouldn't protect vs. a (c) claim.
What provides protection is that Yoda represents "prior art" & prior IP.

But apparently, Disney was aware of the resemblance ahead of time, and even leaned-in intentionally:
https://www.cracked.com/article_34668_star-wars-never-tried-to-hide-that-baby-yoda-is-just-gizmo-from-gremlins.html
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on August 10, 2022, 09:22:27 PM
... ?
Is there actual litigation?  A quick Google sees a flurry of press coverage a month back, "'Gremlins' Creator Joe Dante Claims Baby Yoda Was 'Stolen' From Gizmo" &c, but no actual lawsuits.
Size, "tubby" sort of teddy-bear build, oversized/elongate ears, large eyes... The claim isn't utterly absurd on the face of it.

But there would be one GIGANTIC problem with any lawsuit: Yoda himself.  Yoda has all those features, too:  tubby build, oversized/elongate ears, large eyes.  Grogu is obviously a "baby yoda" (much moreso than a Gizmo-ripoff).

And Yoda pre-dates Gizmo (Empire Strikes Back 1980 -vs- Gremlins 1984).

If a lawsuit were ever filed, sith lawyers from the House of Mouse would eat them alive.

I believe Disney have a whole firm of lawyers who represent supervillains over at Marvel, there’s a documentary about it next week.

Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Dina on August 10, 2022, 11:28:12 PM
A documentary  ;D

Conspiracy Theorist, Mab seems to like Disney, at least Frozen. I am not sure if she saw "Tinkerbell, secret of the wings" though. I have not watched it myself, but apparently it is about warm faeries and Winter faeries becoming friends.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: g33k on August 11, 2022, 01:10:57 AM
... Conspiracy Theorist, Mab seems to like Disney, at least Frozen...

Maybe Frozen was Disney's peace-offering to Mab.

 ;D

= = =

Maybe Frozen marked Mab's conquest of Disney.
 :o
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Dina on August 11, 2022, 01:12:02 AM
 ;D
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on August 11, 2022, 02:07:24 AM
There is certainly a history between Mab and Titania and Disney. Titania’s daughter Aurora’s name was used for Sleeping Beauty, evidence Walt chose Summer over Winter

It’s Maggie who likes Frozen Mab doesn’t understand it, even though Elsa/Molly analogues.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on August 11, 2022, 04:14:30 AM

  Actually the "Blue Fairy" was Mab, her main complaint was she was only allowed to make Pinocchio's
nose grow for lying.. What she really wanted to do was freeze his - - - - - off, :o but she was overruled by Disney, on account of it was a family cartoon.  ::)
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Conspiracy Theorist on August 12, 2022, 01:26:29 AM
Mab should just Let It Go.
Title: Re: Little Things [spoilers]
Post by: Mira on August 13, 2022, 03:11:10 PM
Mab should just Let It Go.

 Mab has a mind like an elephant, she never forgets... And to quote Eleanor Roosevelt, [saw it in a movie about her and Franklin, don't know if she really said it, but it's a good quote anyway] upon hearing about Franklin's affairs with other women, " the heart forgives, but the mind never forgets..."