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Peace Talks - Chapter 1 Released

Discussion in 'Fanfic Discussion' started by LittleChicago, May 29, 2016.

  1. LittleChicago

    LittleChicago Headmaster DLP Supporter

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    So... This was released to the funders of a Kickstarter for a Dresden Files CCG.

    If you weren't one of those lucky folks... uh, it's not *that* hard to find.

    Anyhoo, I'm just wondering if anyone else has read it yet and what their thoughts were.

    My personal feeling is that it was a series of great hooks, but it felt a little short. I love it when Thomas and Harry start bugging each other, but honestly I'm still waiting for Butcher to explain how they started talking again.

    The flow from the conversation with Thomas to the one with Carlos felt... incomplete. Like, rushed. I think it needs some tweaking.

    Anyway, the idea of Harry basically being head of security for the whole summit only reinforces the idea that everything is going to get completely fucked up, and the massive footprints in the sand are just the first indicator of that (though, knowing Butcher, that's just a red herring wearing big shoes).

    EDIT: So, it has been brought to my attention that 'not that hard to find' is a load of bullshit, and it is, in fact, rather hard to find. As such, please PM me if you are looking for it.
     
    Last edited: May 30, 2016
  2. True Story

    True Story Third Year

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    This working with the white council and working with winter thing is likely to come to a head soon imo. One man can't serve two masters, their interests can't always align.

    Not sure how/why Carlos asked Dresden to be on their security team, Mad would surely want the winter knight with her detail..or maybe she wouldn't? and has heavier hitters for these things..and the winter knight is merely for mortal affairs?



    Further more, not sure why Carlos would be in charge of the security team. Wouldn't the black staff be a more appropriate head of detail?

    Thanks LittleChicago !
     
  3. Ched

    Ched Da Trek Moderator DLP Supporter ⭐⭐

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    Thoughts before I read anyone elses comments:
    The conversation starts out more or less as follows...
    T: Justine is pregnant. We tried to avoid this.
    H: Dangerous? Also, oops.
    T: The baby will draw on her life energy and has a 50/50 chance of killing her.
    H: I will help.

    It's that bit in white where I feel something obvious was skipped. Justine is pregnant. They were not trying to have a baby. It is dangerous for Justine to carry to term.

    ...Abortion? I mean, sure. There's loads of reasons why not. Justine might not want to. Thomas might not want to. Maybe there are complications with vampire babies.

    But to not mention it at all in this conversation, even in thoughts as opposed to dialogue, as if it wouldn't be something a lot of people would think of... felt strange. It's obvious by its omission.
    After the above the conversation felt... like a final draft that needed another pass? Like fanfiction, albeit incredibly high quality fanfiction? I don't know. It had some quality to it that made me want to leave a beta-reading comment.

    When...
    ...Carlos shows up, things got more fun. I actually quite enjoyed that exchange of names and emphasis on who used whose first name versus last name to clearly establish loyalties.

    Also what happened to Carlos? I don't... did I miss a short story again or something? Google informs me that apparently Thomas mentioned he'd been hurt badly in Cold Days. Okaaaaaaaaay.
    Fuck yeah Marcone! :awesome

    I'm looking forward to the book. Already chapter 1 has set up various potential conflicts. I see at least 3 ready to rock, and probably more ready to spiral into things. I just read the above comments, and there's not really anything else I need to say.

    Oh, but @True Story
    Keep in mind that Carlos and Dresden are in charge of the Western and Eastern United States. They aren't just Wardens, they're essentially one step down from the Warden Commander. That might have changed for Dresden, given his Winter Court affiliations, but Carlos at least is in a command position for the USA.

    So while it is a little strange it's not completely out of the blue. I can accept it for now and see what else the White Council is planning.
     
  4. Ragon

    Ragon Dark Lord

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    Not exactly spoilery or plot so no tags, but is this the first time we have actually been told how tall Dresden is? I mean, I knew he was tall. But I didn't quite imagine him being THAT tall.
     
  5. tion

    tion Muggle

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    Any chance you can clue me in on where to find it? Haven't been able to find it. In fact, this post is the closest I've come to some acknowledgement that it should be possible to get it without the kickstarter.
     
  6. Ched

    Ched Da Trek Moderator DLP Supporter ⭐⭐

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    Good point. We knew Thomas was 6' before I think, and we knew that Dresden was several inches taller... but yeah, you're right. Turns out he's a few taller than I'd have guessed even knowing that.
     
  7. Aekiel

    Aekiel Angle of Mispeling ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

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    He's frequently compared to NBA stars and the average height of them is 6' 7".
     
    Last edited: May 30, 2016
  8. Erotic Adventures of S

    Erotic Adventures of S Denarii Host

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    If we get a WOG on Murphy's height we may indeed get confirmation of the elusive standing blow job.
     
  9. Raiko

    Raiko Groundskeeper DLP Supporter

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    Murphy has been said to be 5 ft nothing many times throughout the series.

    I enjoyed the interaction the with Carlos.
    Him not even being able to entertain the idea of Harry being in charge of diplomatic talks was great.
    There are a lot of characters that have basically been ignored for the last 3 or 4 books, which has been 7 years, that should have their chance to shine in Peace Talks that I'm really looking forward to. I always enjoyed the different supernatural factions that are in Dresden Files more than I ever did the vanilla mortals that Harry is attached to.

    And True Story
    The Blackstaff is a member of the senior council. They wouldn't put someone that important into the security detail.
     
  10. R. E. Lee

    R. E. Lee Groundskeeper

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    I had assumed that Harry was a persona-non-grata in the White Council for the last couple books, given, you know, the whole Winter Knight thing. There better be some sort of explanation for how he stands with them, and how it came to be. I'm also thinking that there's going to be a lot of tension with regards to his identity as a senior Warden and Winter Knight, simultaneously. He was in a similar position in Summer Knight as a Wizard and Winter's Emissary, but he's in a much higher position in both now, and the stakes are higher. It'll be interesting to see how that works out.
     
  11. Erotic Adventures of S

    Erotic Adventures of S Denarii Host

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    Didn't the gate keeper sort out shit for Dresden after they meet at the outer wall?
     
  12. Seratin

    Seratin Proudmander –§ Prestigious §– DLP Supporter

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    Yeah he was to handle the beurocracy. Technically there's nothing to say he can't wear both hats, though I had speculated that he'd be replaced as a regional commander.
     
  13. LittleChicago

    LittleChicago Headmaster DLP Supporter

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    I could swear on a stack of bibliographies that Harry was listed as 6'7" in a previous book, but damned if I could tell you where.

    The whole idea of him wearing two hats and the possible conflicts of interest that'll come up as a result kind of has me giddy: I'm guessing the White Council is being stubborn, and simply doesn't want to let go of what little control/influence they have over Harry; Mab doesn't give two fucks what the Council thinks; Harry is going to have to choose sides at some point this book; being Harry, I think we can guarantee it'll be the wrong choice.
    CheddarTrek; I'm wondering if this is a pared-down version of the chapter, and a couple of exchanges were either trimmed or excised, both with Thomas and Carlos, and we'll have to wait for the release to read the whole thing.
     
  14. Ched

    Ched Da Trek Moderator DLP Supporter ⭐⭐

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    My guess is a bit different with regards to the White Council. I'm betting that the only reason they haven't declared Harry persona non grata and gleefully washed their hands of him is because Rashid spoke for him. At some point they're going to facepalm and wish they'd told Carlos he could pick his team, except for fucking Dresden, damnit.

    But yeah, :awesome either way.
     
  15. Zeelthor

    Zeelthor Scissor Me Timbers

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    Why the hell would she not be getting a frickin' abortion!?

    Great stuff, though.
     
  16. TheWiseTomato

    TheWiseTomato Prestigious Tomato ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

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    Can't imagine why.:facepalm
     
  17. Varios

    Varios Third Year

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    There could be a ton of in-universe reasons for not physically being able to due to the parasitic nature of a White Court vamp.

    Plus Michael would be hella disappointed
     
  18. Erotic Adventures of S

    Erotic Adventures of S Denarii Host

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    Its not Butchers style as well.
     
  19. Aekiel

    Aekiel Angle of Mispeling ~ Prestige ~ DLP Supporter

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    Have you seriously read through 15 of these novels and then thought that that was a possibility that would go through either of their minds? Really? This is Harry Dresden. He committed genocide for his child. There is not a single possibility of him even contemplating it seriously enough to warrant it being in text.

    Come on, people. It's like you don't even know these guys.
     
  20. Zeelthor

    Zeelthor Scissor Me Timbers

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    Very, very different situations as far as I am concerned. Oh well. I'd rather the books didn't address it so I guess it works out.
     
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