#Ebenezar McCoy

[raccoonodysseus]

so i couldn’t stop thinking about this one line in peace talks

when Ebenezar McCoy and Harry Dresden are arguing while watching Maggie play, Ebenezar says something that just really stuck with me because of how awful it was.

‘your mother is dead. your father is dead. the woman who bore your child is dead. and you are the common denominator. can’t you see that?’

and the rage and pain that went through him with that line almost makes him lose it.

so i decided to make a drawing of that scene.

plus a version with no text. I decided to make it in grayscale.

[skyofdarkmatter42]

Changes spoilers

Dudeeeee I just realized Thomas is as much Ebenezer's grandson as Harry and took some psychic damage

[incomingalbatross]

I finished the TV show so here is the Dresden Files/Dresden Files crossover fic I have been revolving in my head and am unlikely to ever write in full

Starts with Book!Harry (around White Night? certainly pre-Changes), having a nightmare about fighting Justin -- but in the dream Justin is somehow his uncle and also killed his father

He wakes up and is like "that was weird"

Continues with him going about his daily life but feeling a lot of weird disorientation at weird moments

He has split seconds where he doesn't recognize his friends and loved ones, he walks past the Beetle while looking for his car... little things keep taking him by surprise when they should be normal

He consults with Bob about it (also very disorienting) and Bob suggests it could either be a magical influence OR a possible brain injury

It DOES seem to be decreasing over time, though, so Harry doesn't get around to an MRI or magical equivalent...

And then he gets a call from Murphy that there's a weirdo with a sword at the SI offices who wants Harry. Please get him out of her space, Harry

He shows up. There is, in fact, a man with a sword who says he's Morgan. He's not. More importantly, he's holding a skull, and this fills Harry with a visceral urge to get the skull back from him even though he's never seen it before

A second man materializes out of the skull. At that point, Harry's brain just whites out, because someone inside it, who isn't him, has just leapt into control in order to go "Bob??" with his voice

There is some degree of turmoil and drawn weapons all around

Eventually they straighten things out enough to realize that, surprise! Chicago's favorite wizard PI currently has TWO Harry Dresdens in his head for the price of one

Somebody was trying to toss TV!Harry's soul into the outer darkness, but he slipped sideways and ended up in another universe. Was drawn to Book!Harry's body as the closest thing to his own, and Book!Harry's been getting bleedover from his mind/memories

...However. The bleedover has been getting weaker. TV!Harry's been getting assimilated, without anyone even knowing he was there

Ghost Bob (so named by Harry to differentiate him from Skull Bob) essentially has to go in there to pull him out

Room here for fun explorations of all the differences in the two Harrys' lives -- Bob struggles to detach his Harry because the problem is, even with all the apocalypses, Book!Harry is kind of a nicer person to be. He has a clearer self-image. He has more loved ones. He likes his family background. That's hard to give up.

(The key turns out to be that Book!Harry does NOT have anyone who is even a clean parallel to Ghost Bob. TV!Harry remains sensitive to that difference, and it's a gateway to considering the other ways his own life matters to him)

They pull his soul out, Book!Harry gets to offer some life advice like "watch Star Wars at a drive-in" and "look up Ebenezar McCoy" and "get a license to carry," and the TV contingent goes home to put their Harry back in his body

Reunion with Connie Murphy (and other supporting cast?) when Harry "wakes up from his coma." Ends with him appreciating his life but also making plans to use the lessons he learned from the other place.

[friendly-books]

Turn Coat live blog

Turn Coat live blog

“I answered it and Morgan, half his face covered in blood, gasped, “The Wardens are coming. Hide me. Please.”

His eyes rolled back into his skull and he collapsed.

Oh

Super.” pg. 15 Ha and what a way to start the book. 

“Truth be told, I still had nightmares occasionally, about being pursued by an implacable killer in a gray cloak,” pg. 18 Yep Morgan is the worst.

“Last place anyone would look for him be my guess.” pg. 18 Yep

“Oh bite me, wizard boy,” pg. 19 Ha

“I am. I’m helping him because I know what it feels like to have the Wardens on your ass for something you haven’t done.” pg. 22 Yep 

“So. How are the headaches?” pg. 22 Bonnie! Would Bonnie’s conception count as an immaculate conception?

“Thank you-“

“Oh shut up” I said, shuddering. “Neither of us wants that conversation.” pg. 28 Ha

“Aleron LaFortier is dead.” pg. 29 I’m not too sad that he’s dead. 

“Gosh. That was irrational of them, to jump to that conclusion.” pg. 30 Ha

“I went to bed two nights ago. I woke up at LaFortier’s private study in Edinburgh, with a lump on the back of my head and a bloody dagger in my hand. pg. 31 Suspicious 

“Stars and stones. What on God’s green earth  was that thing?” pg. 45 What did Harry see? Harry think of your poor brain and psyche. He’s got to stop poking things with his Sight. It’s bad for him. You’ve got brain damage now you’ve got to be careful. 

Oh good Harry got to Georgia and Billy’s house 

What is Harry muttering about the numbers?

Well now Harry’s using horrible memories to get use to the Sight of the Skinwalker. 

“Kirby was the only clearly lit object in sight-an ideal target.” pg. 56 Oh no

Oh no Kirby :( 

How long does someone need to be dead for it to be considered necromancy and not resurrection? 

“You nuked it” pg. 77 So cool

Zero is strange 

“That’s why this place is called Zero, I realized. Zero limits. Zero inhibitions. Zero restraints. It was a place of perfect, focused abandon, of indulgence, and it was intriguing and hideous, nauseating and viscerally hungry.” pg. 88 Not a fan of Zero

They seriously got a wanted poster for Morgan. Old school wild west style. Ha

Madeline? Like back in White Night with the thrall? 

“You are Jessica Rabbit, right?” I asked. “All slinky and overblown and obvious?” pg. 102 Ha

Good for Thomas and Justine for attacking Madeline

“You aren’t doing her any favors by going easy on her, Dresden,” he said, more quietly “You aren’t preparing her for exams. She doesn’t receive a bad mark if she fails.” pg. 129 What happens if Molly fails the exam?

“She threw stones at me” pg. 129 Luccio why would you do that? Why not snowballs or water balloons? Does Luccio and Morgan have a  paternal substitute similar to Harry and Ebenezar? Maybe that’s why Morgan lost it back in Dead Beat?

“Pain is an excellent motivator,” he said “And teaches one to control one’s emotions at the same time.” pg. 129 No that’s stupid. 

Morgan stop calling Thomas a “it” 

“You did a bad thing once” I said “It doesn’t make you a monster”

“What if it does?” pg. 134 No Molly isn’t a monster. Now Molly feels like a monster. I’m reminded of when Harry had similar thoughts back in Proven Guilty. Morgan sucks 

“The Council is not divided” pg. 139 Oh Morgan you sweet summer child. Open your eyes and stop being such a Council supporter.

“You two play nice.” pg. 142 Ha

Alright let’s see if I can sus out this traitor. So it’s got to be one of the senior council members or staff. Merlin, McCoy, Listen-to-Winds, Librety, Mai, Gatekeeper, and Peabody. I don’t think it’s McCoy as he’s trying to get rid of the black council. I don’t think it’s Listen-to-Winds as he’s got a friendly raccoon buddy. I don’t think it’s Merlin as why would he be the traitor he’s in charge? I don’t think it’s Gatekeeper as he seems to be on Harry’s side. I don’t think it’s Mai as she’s got those guardian temple dogs. I don’t know enough about Liberty and Peabody. But Liberty seems to be on Harry’s side. So by some less than logical reasoning I thinks it’s Peabody as he’s the White Council scribe so he probably knows things. And he talked to Merlin at Molly’s trial. 

“The only wizard I see less frequently than he is you.” pg. 153 Interesting I wonder why?

 “When I’d been young man, hauled before the Council to be tried as a violator of the First Law of Magic, they brought me to Edinburgh. The musty, wet, mineral smell of the place had been almost all I knew while I waited, hooded and bound, in a cell for a full day. I remember being horribly cold and tortured by the knots my muscles worked themselves into after so many hours tried hand and foot. I remember feeling more alone than ever in my life, while I awaited whatever was going to happen. 

I had been scared. So scared. I was sixteen. It was the same smell, and that scent had the power to animate the corpses of some of my darkest memories and bring them lurching back into the front of my thoughts.

Psychological necromancy.” pg. 158 Therapy please. This is trauma. 

“You have too much history with Morgan. This has got to be dispassionate, and you’re just about the lest dispassionate person I know.” pg. 161 Ha

“As the mind grows older, it gets established.” pg. 161 

Interesting that with time a person can’t be mind controlled. That does bring into question Luccio and her schrodinger cat position. As while her soul and personhood is centuries old the body she’s in isn’t. So would she be able to be mind controlled?

“Peabody gulped” pg. 164 Suspicious 

“What he doses isn’t dramatic, but his organizational skills have been a critical asset since the outbreak of the war.” pg. 164 That would make him a good spy.

How did Ebenezar know that Harry was holding Morgan?

Did LaFortier not use a death curse? Why didn’t he use it? 

So LaFortier was the point between the White Council and the other countries that weren’t in the Council. 

In every scene Peabody in so far he’s having people sign paper. Could it be part of his plan? Hmm 

“Peabody stopped before the Merlin, blinking.” pg. 182 Suspicious 

“You are an untidy person.”

“I put my hand over my heart, grinning at him “Ow” pg. 184 Ha

Why does Peabody keep wanting to get people to sign paper? Is that part of his plan? An inkwell, seriously? Is it the inkwell? Is it an evil magic inkwell? I bet it is. Who uses inkwells nowadays. Just use a pen. There is such a thing as taking an aesthetic too far. 

“Either LaFortier chose not to use it, or he was incapable of using it.” pg. 191 Interesting

So either LaFortier didn’t use his death curse or he couldn’t use it. If he couldn’t use it there aren’t many ways to counter a death curse. A sniper rifle could do it like what Kincaid said. But the wounds were defensive and no gunshot wounds. There aren’t many melee weapons that could stop magic. Wait hold up isn’t the Warden swords anti magic. So they can fight warlocks. So anyone with a sword could have killed LaFortier. The people who we’ve seen have swords are Morgan, Carlos, and Luccio. I don’t think it would be someone we don’t know. It isn’t Morgan as he claims he didn’t do it. And came to Harry for help. I don’t think it’s Carlos as he hasn’t really been mentioned. So that just leaves Luccio. With the mention of mind control magic and Peabody I think he mind controlled Luccio and got her to kill LaFortier. That brings us to Morgan and his suspicions of two day unconsciousness. I don’t think he was unconscious. I think he saw Luccio either kill LaFortier or stand over his body and take the blame. 

Oh no Thomas is in trouble 

Binder what kind of name is that?

“Binder gave me a gimlet stare. Then he rolled his eyes and shot a brief glance over his shoulder-then did a double take as his mouth dropped open.” pg. 212 Ha

“Ernest Armand Tinswhistle” pg. 213 Never mind his real name is so much worse.

“The sliver oak leaf.” pg. 222 Oh no

“Titania’s retainer told me. The entire Summer court has been laughing about it for months.” pg. 222 Ha

“I took it and pitched it into the haunted woods.” pg. 223 Ha

Toot-toot! 

“‘Accomplice is an ugly word. So is ‘penitentiary’” pg. 233 Ha

“He is kind of a drama queen.” pg. 237 Ha

“Who said anything about magic?” pg. 237 What else is Molly going to do?

“I think your mother would scream bloody murder” pg. 237 I’m screaming bloody murder.

“Morgan made a low, appreciative sound as the door closed.” pg. 237 MORGAN NO 

“Maybe. But that was just…just wrong.” pg. 237 Yep I agree completely. Wrong 

“Received, one six foot traditional Ozark walking club from Mr. Smart-ass.

That’s Doctor Smart-ass to you. I didn’t spend eight years in insult collage to be called Mister.” pg. 241 Ha

“I’m sorry sir,” she said “but the addition-counseling center is on twenty-six.” pg. 242 Ha

“I debated several answers and decided to start things off by annoying her.

I know. Me. Shocking, right?” pg. 245 Ha

“Her eyes were wide, her expression a mixture of terror and awe as she stared up me.” pg. 252 Evelyn what did you see in the soul gaze. Why terror and awe? 

Oh lovely another Mexican stand off now with Luccio. 

“There are monsters from whom I’d expect better behavior, once they had accepted my hospitality. What’s more, they’d give it to me.” pg. 257 Ha

“Bitch, I know you didn’t just say that.” pg. 258 Whoa there Molly let’s calm down.

“I can’t believe I’m about to say this,” I said. “So think real careful about where this is coming from. Have you people ever considered talking when you’ve got a problem?” pg. 259 Ha

“Sorry,” I told him at once. “Four-footed nonvocalizing company expected.” pg. 260 Ha

“You,” I asked “and Morgan?” pg. 262 What? I didn’t clock that at all. I’m just as bad as Harry. I didn’t see Luccio/Harry, Lara/Harry, and now Morgan/Luccio. So Morgan loves Luccio romantically. He must be so upset that Luccio and Harry are dating. 

“Who do I look like Kissinger?” pg. 266 I hope not. Kissinger is a terrible person. He commented war crimes.

“Is there any reason this can’t be civil visit?” pg. 270 Yes you brought Harry with you.

“Well. I couldn’t argue with that, but the words made Anastasia’s eyes narrow dangerously.” 277 I’m with Harry and Lara on their views on the White Council. 

“It was Thomas’s necklace.” pg. 296 Oh no Thomas 

“Because people in helpless situations come to you for help on a regular basis. And you help them. It’s what you do.” pg. 300 Yep that’s Harry in a nutshell.

“I always enjoy dealing with a man possessing  a well-developed sense if self-worth.” pg. 302 Harry doesn’t have that. 

“At what point did you forget that I am a vampire Dresden? A monster. A habitually neat, polite, civil, and effective monster. Her eyes drifted down the hallway, to where a well-muscled young man was being helped sit down, while a medic secured bandages over his eyes. Lara stared intently at him, the color of her eyes lightening to silver, her lips parted slightly. “So am I” pg. 307 Lara is scary

“He always worried that he’d never be able to talk to you. That the world he came from was so different. That he wouldn’t know enough about being human to relate. That he wouldn’t know about being a br-“ pg. 310 Aw Thomas 

“You’re like family to me, Harry. You always care.” pg. 310 Aw :)

“She focused sharply on Anastasia for a moment-and then upon me. 

Lara’s eyes flicked several shades paler as her ripe lips parted in dawning realization. A very slow smile crept over her mouth as she stared at me.” pg. 313 So Harry doesn’t have true love’s protection anymore. So that means Luccio doesn’t love him :( 

“Margret. You selfish bitch.” pg. 315 Whoa Luccio not a fan of Margaret I see.

I kinda agree with Margret about the council.

I don’t agree with Luccio. That’s a whole separate comment about her argument. 

“As harsh an experience as it created for you, Harry, the Laws of Magic are not about justice. The White Council is not about justice. They are about restraining power.” pg.  319 That’s my main issue with the White Council. I think they should be more about justice than they are. 

“Over. My. Dead. Body.” pg. 321 Yep Harry cares about his family. I wonder how Luccio figured it out but not Elaine. While Luccio had help from Justine it’s surprising that Luccio was able to piece it together but not Harry’s other friends. 

“Because you need your brother to be alright” pg. 325 Yep see previous comment. 

“Then if you want my help, things are going to change. I’m not charging blindfold again. Not ever.” pg. 337 Yep stop keeping your friends in the dark. 

“Then I made a fist and slugged his smug face hard enough to knock him over backward in the chair.” pg. 351 Ha

“The mighty Harry Dresden. Subcontracting detective work.” pg. 363 Ha

“Bear in mind that someone like him can do everything I can do and considerable besides. And even people on the bloody Council are nervous about that one.” pg. 367 Yep Harry can be scary.

“You lost a fight to one overgrown Boy Scout and one pint-sized mortal women, got yourself locked up by the police, of all the ridiculous things, and missed your chance to earn the reward.” pg. 369 Ha Harry is an overgrown Boy Scout. Why is it that these morally dubious people know that but the Council thinks he’s a black sheep/warlock? 

“The air smelled of cordite. Mouse’s fur, all down his left foreleg, was matted and caked with blood.” pg. 380 Oh no Mouse :( 

Oh no Molly broke a Law again. The same on too. 

“I promise that I’ll be beside you,” I said. “I can’t promise anything else. Only that I’ll stand beside you for as long as I can.” 

“Okay,” she whispered. She leaned against me.” pg. 393 Aw 

So subtle mind control. Maybe that’s what Peabody is doing with the inkwell. I don’t trust anyone who uses an inkwell. Just use a pen. 

“I think someone has tampered with Captain Luccio. I’d bet my life on it.” pg. 394 I knew it 

“You were acting?” I said “To make it hit Molly harder?” pg. 394 Good for Mouse.

“A real party. Practically everyone who’d wanted to kill me lately would be there.” pg. 399 Harry given your track record with parties I don’t see this going well.

“That is the plan” I confirmed. Then I bent down and kissed her forehead and her mouth, gently, and leaned my forehead against hers. “Love you too,” I whispered.” pg. 492 Yay Harry/Murph moment! 

“And yet here I am about to pop you in the nose,” I muttered. “Am I daring or what?” pg. 410 Ha and if it works on sharks it should work on Demonreach. 

“It rocked back at the impact. Not much. Maybe half an inch, though that column of fire  would have blown apart a brick wall. But I had moved it that half inch. There was no doubt about that.” pg. 418 So cool

“I am Harry Dresden, and I give thee a name, honored spirit. From this day on, be thou called Demonreach.” pg. 418 So cool

Demonreach is so cool. Harry names another. I wonder how this will play out. 

“I slid will into my voice as I said, simply, “Thank you.” pg. 419 Aw :) Harry being nice to Deamonreach. 

“I’ve got nothing going on in here at the moment.”

I realized what I had said just as the last word left my mouth, and glanced at Morgan. He lay on the bunk with his eyes closed. His mouth was turned up in small smile. “Too easy.” 

Molly fought not to grin.” pg. 426 Ha

So cool that Harry challenged the entire Senior Council. 

I like Toot-toot 

Gatekeeper! 

“I cannot decide,” he said “whether you are the most magnificent liar I’ve ever encountered in my life-or if you truly are as ignorant as you appear.”

I looked at him for a minute. Then I hooked my thumb up at my ridiculous head bandage.

“Dude” pg. 452 Ha

“There is the world that should be,” he growled, “and the world that is. We live in one.” 

“And must create the other,” Ebenezar retorted “if it is ever to be” pg. 469 So cool

“And then it hit me. They were dealing with something far more dangerous than me, Harry Dresden, whose battered old Volkswagen was currently in the city impound. They were dealing with the potential demonic dark lord nightmare warlock they’d been busy fearing since I turned sixteen. They were dealing with the wizard who had faced the Heirs of Kemmler riding a zombie dinosaur, and emerged victorious from a fight that had flattened Morgan and Captain Luccio  before they had even reached it. They were dealing with the man who had dropped a challenge to the entire Senior Council, and who had then actually showed, apparently willing to fight-on the shores of an entirely too creepy island in the middle of a freshwater sea.” pg. 471 So cool! 

Not a fan of ancient Mai 

“He was not truly your apprentice. You kept watch over him for a mere two years.” pg. 473 Yes Harry was an Ebenezer apprentice and it was an important two years!

I love that we got a glimpse into Harry’s appearance time. Yeah, having killed Justin a bunch of bully teenagers isn't all that scary in comparison. 

“Lady Raith,” Ebenezer said, calmly. “Touch that boy again and only things left for your kin to bury will be your five-hundred-dollar shoes.” pg. 479 So cool! I love how much love Ebenezer has for Harry and vice versa. 

“Wile E. Coyote” I said to him soberly. “Suuuuuuper Genius.” pg. 483 Ha 

Ebenezer used a force choke. It was cool.

Ahhhhh!!!! Lara is terrifying. Madeline didn’t deserve that. Why would you do that Lara? I’m going to have nightmares. Lara is definitely a monster. I don’t want her anywhere near Maggie.

“Someone had to be human.” pg. 512 Yep 

Poor Thomas :( 

“Bring it! Bring it, you dickless freak!” pg. 530 Ha 

Toot-toot to the rescue! 

“Mother says you have no place here.” 

“Father says you are ugly” pg. 539 Ha

“Just gonna kick your ass up between your ears.” pg. 540 Ha and Listen-to-winds is so cool. 

“Retribution,” Ebenezer said. “Not justice” pg. 555 It definitely isn’t justice. It’s retribution and vengeance. 

“I remind you that Dresden and his apprentice  aided and abetted a fugitive from justice.” pg. 556 Stop calling it justice it’s not justice.

“Little guy like that, taking on something so far out of his weight class. That was a sight to see.” 

Ebenezer snorted. “Yeah. Wonder where the pixie learned that.” pg. 558 Ha and where do you think Harry learned it from. Definitely not Justin. 

I think Harry should learn from Listen-to-winds. 

Oh no Ebenezer doesn’t know about Thomas. Maybe Harry and sit him down and they actually have a conversation about Thomas. I can dream ok. 

Oh no poor Thomas what happened to you?

“Wile E. Coyote,” I said wisely. “ Suuuuuuper genius” pg. 569 Ha 

“Ebenezar was of the opinion that apprentices were always hungry. Can’t imagine where he got that idea from.” pg. 576 Ha

Ebenezer is a cool bookworm. I wonder if Harry got being a bookworm from Ebenezer.

“The Merlin has demanded that we put the boy under surveillance at once. I think he’s a damn fool.” pg. 578 Ebenezar is right. Harry would not be happy about that. White Council looks like a police state. 

“But then again, I trusted Maggie’s too” pg. 578 Maggie as in Harry’s mom? Did Ebenezer teach Harry’s mom? Do they have a parental substitute dynamic? Actual parent and child? Look I’m going to get one of these relationships right I swear. 

“Merlin,” pg. 579 As in the original Merlin?

“Mai looked daggers at Injun Joe” pg. 584 Not a fan of Ancient Mai

“Mai looked as if someone had hit her between the eyes with a sledgehammer. “That,” she said, in a breathless tone “is a Foo dog.” She stared at me “Where did you get such a thing? And why were you allowed to keep it?” pg. 588 First of all Mouse isn’t a thing or an it. He was the best boy there ever was. Second of all Harry didn’t pick Mouse, Mouse picked Harry. 

“It is my belief that Peabody has been drugging the ink for the purpose of attempting greater mental influence over the decisions of members of the Senior Council, and that it is entirely possible that he has compromised the free will of the younger members of the Council tonight.” pg. 588 I was right!? I knew that inkwell was evil. Never trust an inkwell. 

I will begrudgingly admit that Merlin is a little bit cool with the whole telepathy thing. Incredibly begrudgingly :/

Morgan, what are you doing about it? You should be resting. Keep doing this and it’ll kill you. Go line down. 

I can’t believe I was right about Luccio's mind control. And with Peabody. Maybe I can be a P. I. like Harry lol 

“I knew that you knew how it felt to be an innocent man hounded by the Wardens.” pg. 600 He admits it.

“He died less than a minute later.” pg. 600 He died! :0 Morgan’s died? What? 

Harry’s got a cool eye scar now. 

The Gray Council is cool.

“That the only alternative is to stand around and watch everything go to hell.” His voice hardened. “We’re not going to do that.” 

“Damn right we’re not.” pg. 616 Good

“You’re not even forty.” pg. 622 So Harry’s still in his thirties. He’s grown so much.

Poor Thomas 

Glad that Butters is joining Harry’s D&D group. 

Final thoughts 

Great way to start the book. No Bi Harry moments. I thought the book was funny. I wish we got more Marcone to see who he is and if he’s picked up the coin. My working theory is that he picked it up in the last book. Unsure if he touched it bare handed and just has it in his possession or if he has it and hasn’t given in like with Harry. They both have a lot of willpower. He partnered up with Namshiel after Harry died and there was no longer a wizard in Chicago. I hope he shows up in the next book. I loved Mouse in this. I loved the Harry and Murphy moment. I’m shocked I was right about Peabody. That wasn’t anywhere close to a logical conclusion in my deduction. The inkwell was a total guess on my end. Lara is terrifying. I’m sad that Morgan died and what happened to Luccio. Didn’t like the Morgan and Molly thing. Poor poor Thomas. I hope he can come back from this. Loved Toot-toot in this. Not the biggest fan of ancient Mai and glad she was shocked by Mouse. I’m glad Morgan sort of apologized to Harry at the end there. Harry’s reputation grows among the supernatural community. I loved all the Ebenezer and Harry moments in this book especially with the force choke on Lara. Interesting that Peabody had the stuff from outside reality. So this Black Council is in league with the Outsiders(Is that what they’re called?) my question is why? Presumably the Outsiders want to destroy reality so why would anyone want to side with them? Are they possessed? Also if they’re so bad how did Harry defeat one at 16? Glad Harry and Ebenezar are forming the Gray Council if Merlin isn’t going to do anything. Love that has a cool eye scar. Ebenezer really shaped how Harry views magic and life. That must have been such an important two years. Hope we get more glimpse into it. I’ll probably make a whole different comment on Luccio's argument and why I think it’s wrong. 

Onto the next book! Oh boy it’s the big one.

[rion-writes]

In Your Honor (50637 words) by Rionarch Chapters: 17/? Fandom: The Dresden Files - Jim Butcher Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Harry Dresden, Donald Morgan, Molly Carpenter, Thomas Raith, Ebenezar McCoy, Karrin Murphy, Margaret "Maggie" Angelica Dresden, Fitz (Dresden Files), Larisa Yevtushenko Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Mentor/Protégé, Ethical Dilemmas, Generational Trauma, Crisis of Faith Series: Part 3 of War and Peace Summary: In the aftermath of Harry Dresden making an impossible call, they're left to wonder what might have been worth preserving and what should have been left behind.   Backup - Bombshells AU

Ch-ch-changes.

[unseelieaccords]

I reread peace talks and "That's what abusers do, Harry," might be one of the most impactful lines in the series. Because that's what the white court IS. It even works with Thomas; he comes from a family of abusers, and is worried he'll turn out like them. It's saying the quiet part out loud.

I think it’s interesting that that line comes from Ebenezar. The whole reason Ebenezar took Harry in in the first place was because Harry had been abused and isolated by Justin, and while I definitely think he’s right about the White Court and Mab being manipulative and abusive to the core, I also think you could level a very similar accusation against the White Council, and Ebenezar himself in some respects.

Everyone seems to want Harry to themselves, to gain his trust, to isolate him, to manipulate him and potentially weaponize him in some way or another. No one seems to genuinely want to empower him, or teach him, or help him, except for his few friends not affiliated with any one Accorded faction.

I just... I really think Eb needs to take a good, long look at himself and figure out how he got to where he is and acknowledge the role he played in Margaret’s downfall. Granted we still don’t know exactly what happened, but at this moment in time it seems to me like Eb really didn’t do enough to help her, and that guilt is eating at him constantly. He believes that history is repeating itself with Harry, but he’s doing exactly the same thing as he did before. He hasn’t learned his lesson. It’s easy for a kid to fall in with abusers when all their trusted authority figures push them away. It’s easy to tell people they’re being abused, it’s easy to get angry when they don’t seem to listen, but maybe what they need most is support, and time, and understanding, and love, and Ebenezar is just not willing to give that to Harry right now.

And yet another really incredible layer to Harry and Thomas’s relationship is the fact that they both had really, really shit childhoods with really, really shit role models. And then they found each other, and now they are each other’s emotional support. They share everything, no matter how painful. The White Court are abusers, it’s true, but the fact that Ebenezar is trying to convince Harry that Thomas is a bad influence? It hurts like hell. It’s heartbreaking. Because Thomas is the last person in Harry’s life who would do that, because he is as much a victim as Harry was, and even more of a victim of Ebenezar’s mistakes than anyone besides Margaret.

Idk, this is a poorly worded post, but thank you for the great ask! I have a lot of complicated feelings about the McCoy family right now. Mostly just burning rage against the old man.

[reginaldqueribundus]

Ebenezar McCoy every time he sees Thomas Raith for 0.002 seconds:

[dresdenfilesincorrectquotes]

(Warning: Spoilers for Peace Talks)

Ebenezar: I saw you hanging out with Thomas yesterday.

Harry: Ebenezar, it’s not what you think--

Ebenezar: I won’t hesitate, bitch. *shoots him*

[it-hurts-because-it-mattered]

I just read Journal again.

It hits even harder after Peace Talks. All Harry's pain and anger at Ebenezar for letting him disappear into the foster system. Morgan was looking for him.

He wanted to look after him.

To keep a promise to Margaret.

Morgan avoided having anyone who could be used against him, but given what was at stake with Harry maybe he'd have bent that rule.

Maybe he'd... Holy fuck, is it possible he was Harry's godfather?

I've always been suspicious of Elaine but now I'm certain. They got to her. That's going to be a kick in the teeth when Harry finds out.

That story kills me every time.

"But I wish I'd done better by that child."

[minaminokyoko]

Hey, guys, I’m handling Peace Talks really well. :))))))))))))))))))))

[destielblamscilesinfinity]

UGH. MCCOY ATTACKED HARRY. I KNEW IT!!!!!

On my shit list forever now.

[karrin-murphy-is-an-angel]

I’m currently rereading Peace Talks, and at the end of chapter three Ebenezar says “I think someone you don’t expect is gonna stab you in the back, Hoss,” and while he isn’t speaking about himself in that quote, if that isn’t heart wrenching foreshadowing, I don’t know what is!

[friendly-books]

Small Favor live blog

Small favor live blog 

Happy Holidays! 

Content warning: mind rape

Aw snowball fight with the Carpenters 

I love this training 

“The memory of my first shielding lesson under Justin DuMorne wasn’t a particularly sentimental one. “Baseballs” 

“Mercifully God” Charity said, shaking her head. “How old were you?” 

“Thirteen” I shrugged my shoulders. “Pain’s a good motivator. I learned fast.” pg. 15 That’s straight up child abuse 

“Then Charity, standing behind me, dumped a double handfuls of snow down mother neck of my coat” pg. 18 Ha

“They weren’t terribly tall, maybe five-foot-six” pg. 19 I’m 5’6 thanks Harry maybe you’re just freakishly tall

Charity with a nail gun so cool

“They contacted me through Paranet, and I showed them how to  give Fido the bum’s rush out of town.” pg. 31 Oh yay this is the thing Harry and Elaine were making.

“You look like a raccoon” pg. 35 Ha 

Denarians in town or the rogue denarian from Proven Guilty.

Yes Marcone in this book! It’s always a good surprise when Marcone is in a book

Aw Toot-toot grown!

Pizza guard!

“Leave the doughnut!” pg. 67 Oh no 

Mab make an entrance 

Oh no Marcone got kidnapped. How did someone kidnap Marcone? Where are they keeping him? Why would someone kidnap him?

“Unless you should agree to take up the mantle of Winter Knight” pg. 81 Not yet Mab 

“But I do know a little about horses, having taken care of my second mentor Ebenezar McCoy’s riding horses on his little farm in Missouri” pg. 89 Harry’s a horse girl

All this talk about Harry and the Winter Knight foreshadowing is foreboding 

“The driver’s side-window rolled down and revealed a young man whom father of teenage girls would shoot on sight” pg. 104 Ha

“If they’re following the beacon, they’ll be running all over town” pg. 125 Ha 

“I’m not terribly well motivated to bend over backwards to save John Marcone’s Armani-clad ass” pg. 127 Well Harry might not want to save Marcone but I can’t wait 

No Harry bring Mouse 

“He didn’t actually thank me, but it was his voice. I pretended that I hadn’t heard it there, which was what he expected me to do.

It’s a guy thing” pg. 138 That’s stupid 

“Especially with the raccoon face I’ve got going on here.” pg. 143 Ha

Hendricks! 

“I want to help your boss” pg. 152 It’s not lame. I love it

Oh no Gard :( 

“Second, that a standard electrical pug was attached to the other end” pg. 161 The chain is like Elaine’s chain 

“Without a word he set aside his shotgun and took the woman from me. I saw his eyes as he did, touched with worry and fear-and not for himself.” pg. 165 Hendricks/Gard ship let’s go I’ve made ships with less to go on

“Forzane” pg. 170 A force spell not a fire spell? Eh? 

Thomas! Put the coin down

“Because,” I said, “maybe they went to recruit him.” pg. 184 Well Nick did offer Marcone a job back in Death Mask. 

“Fu-“ I started to swear, but I glanced at Michael and changed it to “Fudgesiscles” pg. 189 Ha

“One of the most dangerous men I’ve ever known is about to have involuntary access to the knowledge and power of a Fallen angel, which would give the Denarians access to major influence within the United States. Not to mention the serious consequences for me if they succeed in making it happen” pg. 187 Interesting that this is Harry’s thoughts about Marcone taking up a coin. I wonder if he still thinks that now that Marcone’s taken up a coin. 

“Michael caught Sayna’s hand on the way up, and pushed it gently back down” pg. 187 Ha

“This isn’t a democracy, Harry. We serve a king” pg. 187 Eh? I’m pretty sure this is a democracy Michael 

“Transition: Don’t start another war, Harry” pg. 192 Ha and it’s only one war 

“So instead you have placed your own life in jeopardy in order to protect his beliefs. You risk your body to preserve his heart.”

“I suppose he considers it a particularly messianic act.”

“That’s not why I did it” I said 

“Of course it isn’t. He knows that. It isn’t easy for him. Usually he’s the one protecting another, willing to pay the price if he must” pg. 196 What’s some light treason to help your friends? And Harry is a good friend.

“We will watch over your criminals for you” pg. 202 Ha

So cool that Murph stood up to Tiny.

“War council?” Molly asked, wide-eyed. “Are we going to start another war?” pg. 226 Ha

“We might find a trail that leads back to the Nickelheads” pg. 232 Ha Nickelheads 

“Someone highly placed enough to know the location of the safe house, and who will profit by Marcone’s absence” pg. 232 Helen maybe 

“Nothing’s ever a convenient with you” pg. 234 Ha

“Hell’s bells. Do I really look like that? Maybe I needed a makeover or something” pg. 236 Aw Harry I’m sure you look nice, black eyes aside.

“I’m betting Marcone left her a sample of his hair to use to track him down, for just such an occasion as this” pg. 237 Smart

“I missed my staff. I missed my duster” pg. 243 No blasting rod? Eh?

“This isn’t over,” he said, a harsh edge in his voice. “We’ll discuss it after” pg. 262 Aw Michael and Harry are fighting :( 

“Stop,” I said “Occam time” pg. 266 Ha

“I swear, by my own power, that I will abide by those restrictions” pg. 273 Oh Harry swore an oath to help Marcone.

“Can’t-get-a-date-itis. He’s supposed to be some kind of catalyst or conversion starter. Or failing that a consolation prize” pg. 276 Ha

“Grew up hard in the war, though that didn’t give them enough brains to keep from looking  up to me.” pg. 279 Aw poor Harry :(

“The station’s lights went out. All of them. At exactly the same time.” pg. 280 Oh no

“Granted, He doesn’t always answer quite this quickly” pg. 289 Ha

“When things had gone dark and scary she had somehow rounded them up and gotten them into a room. That took a lot more moxie than most people had. I also noted that she had been kneeling between the customer and the doorway. I liked her already.” pg. 289 I also like Carol. I like that this shows that ordinary people can and do help others.

“I held up my right hand and with a murmur called a tiny sphere of flame. The spell sputtered and coughed before it coalesced, and even that the light was barely brighter than a candle” pg. 295 Something is up with Harry. He doesn’t mention his blasting rod and he doesn’t use any fire spells. It could be because Jim is using The Law of Conservation of Details but I don’t think so. Mind magic maybe? So that he doesn’t remember his fire or blasting rod. Like with Lea and Susan back in Grave Peril. But by who? Not a human practitioner or else the Wardens would come. Not Molly, she hasn’t shown up yet and she wouldn’t do that to Harry. Hmm Mab maybe but why would she do that? She’s not a human practitioner and she’s powerful enough to do it. I think she’s more powerful than Lea. But again why would she do that? She had time to do it when she was talking to Harry. But I’m stuck on the motive as to why Mab would do that when Harry is helping her. Wild guessing as there really aren’t any other suspects but Mab. 

“You rush a miracle worker, you get lousy miracles!” pg. 298 Ha

So cool that Harry used the sprinkler system to wash away the Myrk.

“I don’t call him Fist of God as a pet name, folks” pg. 302 Ha

“Stupid, Harry. Stupid, Stupid” pg. 309 Stop being so self critical Harry. You need some more self confidence. Go read a self help book or something. 

So cool that Harry used Gard’s locker to fight.

“Mercy? From a Winterbound?” pg. 312 Yep Harry’s cool like that.

“I’m not bound” I snapped “This is purely  temp work” pg. 312 More foreshadowing for Harry.

Kincaid and Ivy! This book got better! 

“Maybe it was just my imagination that it took Michael a second longer to answer than in the past” pg. 320 Aw :( I don’t like that Harry and Michael are fighting. 

“But was prevented from going father by Kincaid hand” pg. 332 Let Ivy pet Mouse 

Just Luccio taking a bath by the fire in someone else’s house as you do. 

“The last thing I noticed, before I dropped off, was that under all the blankets I was entirely undressed.

And I was clean” pg. 335 Who undressed Harry and cleaned him? Luccio?

“Thomas gave me a look of his own. Then he thwapped me gently upside the head” pg. 339 Ha

“What does a woman need to do, Harry? Rip her clothes off, throw herself on top of you, and shimmy while screaming ‘Do me Baby!’?” pg. 340 Ha and knowing Harry it could help but more likely Harry would think that the woman would be cursed. 

In defense of Harry I also didn’t know that Luccio was flirting with Harry. And Luccio needs to be more direct with Harry. He’s oblivious and dense. Susan was the one to ask Harry out back in Storm Front. 

“I’ve never been hit on by a woman a hundred and fifty years older than me” pg. 340 Ha and what about Lara? 

“Moran. Thank God Nicodemus is a man” pg. 341 Ha and with my reading of Bi Harry I won’t be too relieved there.

“Tiny” Sanya rumbled to Michael, clenching a demonstration fist “But fierce” pg. 346 Ha

Part 2

“The wind caught my coat and the cloak both, and almost knocked me over until I gathered in close to my body again and under control. Hendricks, solid and huge in his dark, sensible London Fog winter coat, went by me with a small smile on his face.” pg. 353 Ha and glad even Hendricks is amused by Harry.

“She can’t be here” pg. 355 I thought things ended well between Kincaid and Murphy back in Hawaii? 

“She was watching two otters chase each other around the habitat, and smiling.” pg. 357 Aw :)

“Kincaid stopped in his tracks when he saw that. Just to see what he’d do, I tried to step past him. He shot me a look like he’d murder me if I tried to interrupt her, and my opinion of him went up a notch.” pg. 357 Aw :)

“He had a good voice, mellow and surprisingly deep” pg. 361 Bi Harry 29 I think I mean I hope not because it’s Nicodemus and Harry would have horrible taste in men. 

“Archive guarantee his neutrality” pg. 362 Wow Nicky just assumes the police officer is a man. That’s a bit sexist. First Nicky was racist now sexist get with the times man. 

“He was a man of medium height and build, his features handsome, strong, his eyes dark and intelligent.” pg. 363 Bi Harry 30 Harry what did I just say? Absolutely  terrible taste in men. I see he and his mother have similar tastes. Harry has a type ie older scary men with silvery hair. Silver fox if you will. 

“Sans demolition, if you think you can refrain.” pg. 363 Ha and no Harry can’t refrain from causing property damage.

“Nicodemus let out another quiet, charming laugh.” pg. 365 Bi Harry 31 

“And you offer such insolence regardless?”

“Habit,” I said “It doesn’t make you special or anything, believe me” pg. 367 Ha 

“Nicodemus.

Blinked.” pg. 369 Oh Nicodemus didn’t know. We have a rogue Denarius on our hands 

“I glared up at him and debated slamming him through one of those Corinthian columns by way of objecting to be manhandled. But I decided that I didn’t want to piss him off.” pg. 369 Ha 

“At least it has some survival instincts” pg. 370 Ha and Harry has no survival instincts 

“Kincaid, get the kid out of here!” I screamed. “They’re coming for Ivy” pg. 373 Oh no if they hurt Ivy I demand there blood 

“I guess it came down to a single question: whether or not I was the kind of man who walks away when he knows a little kid is in danger” pg. 378 No Harry isn’t that kind of man

“The thorny Denarian” Thorned Namshied 

“…and he just ate my spell.” pg. 380 Ha and I wonder if Marcone can do that now?

I’m worried about the animals they can’t run away

“While the Archive would know that the proper decision would be to allow Kincaid to die in order to protect the sanctity of the Archive, Ivy wouldn’t be making the decision with the same detached calm. Kincaid was the closest thing she had to family. She wouldn’t. She couldn’t.” pg. 396 Aw and Harry she cares about you too. You Named her and I think she considers you a friend. 

“I wish I knew,” I panted. “That way I could exercise free will while telling you to go fuck yourself” pg. 401 Ha

“I hadn’t extended my line of thinking beyond Kincaid. But of all the people who had dealt with the Archive, I’d been one of the only ones  to take any interest in her as anything but a font of knowledge. I’d been the one to inquire after her personality. I’d been the one to give her a name. Sad but true, I was the closest thing that little girl had to a friend. 

She couldn’t have let anything happen to me, either.” pg. 403 While I love that Ivy considers Harry a friend this isn’t a great time for this.

“I could use charts to make it easier for you to understand. And color them in with crayons. I enjoy crayons.” pg. 405 Aw baby’s first attempt at sassing the enemy 

“I wasn’t certain but it sounded like the kid was trying to give the bad guys some gruff on my behalf. She needed to work on her technique, but it was the thought that counted. If I could have breathe, I might have gotten a little choked up.” pg. 406 Aw :) I’m so proud of Ivy. I’m glad she has a friend in Harry. 

Oh no they took Ivy :(

“Michael had some serious pecs.” pg. 423 Bi Harry 32

“Never mind Michael’s pecs. Sanya made us both look like we needed to eat more wheat germ” pg. 424 Bi Harry 33

“Jared. Huh.” pg. 424 Kincaid first name is Jared really?

“She doesn’t have anybody else. No one” pg. 424 Aw :(

“And we fought them. That war could end. It could all be over” pg. 428 No unfortunately not 

“Molly once burned my egg. My boiled egg. I don’t know how.” pg. 432 Ha

“You’re a creature of habit, Harry. You don’t like change” pg. 435 Yep

“So how they gonna get that creepy little girl a coin? Or one for the boss?” pg. 436 Good idea Cujo but rude for calling Ivy a creepy little girl. 

“Molly was committing dinner by that time, aided and abetted by Sanya, who was taking who seemed to take some kind of Russian delight in watching the train wrecks in progress.” pg. 439 Ha

“Ivy,

You are not alone.

Kincaid is alive. I’m all right. We’re coming after you.

Don’t listen to them. Hang on.

We’re coming. 

You are not alone. 

Harry” pg. 444 Aw I love this bit so much. 

“You know me, Michael. I’m always careful.” pg. 447 Ha 

“What” he said in a low, deadly tone, “is that?” pg. 449 Oh Nicky is scared of Mouse 

“It’s been a little while since anyone was quite that insolvent to my face.” pg. 450 I’m pretty sure the last person was also Harry back in Death Mask. 

“Do you always retreat into insouciance when you are frightened, Dresden?” pg. 450 Ha and yes he does 

Nicky is a terrible boss. He doesn’t even remember Rasmussen. 

“After all those years of baseless suspicion and hostility from your own Council, that must be a  painful realization.” pg. 453 Aw :( 

“The Council doesn’t need my help to be a bunch of tools.” pg. 454 Ha 

Harry being incredibly melodramatic with Michael. 

“Look at me when I’m talking to you!” pg. 462 Aw :( 

“I don’t share everything with you,” I retorted. “I don’t share everything with anyone. That’s nothing new.” pg. 462 Harry you should talk to your friends.

“Because in thousand years, no one has rid themselves of the shadow of one of the Fallen” pg. 463 So cool that Harry was the first person to rid themselves of a shadow of the Fallen. Sad that it meant that Lash died. 

“Have I suddenly gone crazy on you?”

He arched an eyebrow 

“More so than usual” pg. 465 Ha

“Harry,” he said quietly, “what happened to your blasting rod?” pg. 465 Oh good someone else is worried about Harry and his blasting rod

“Someone had been in my head

Someone had been in my head 

Oh God” pg. 466 Oh no this is just like when Murphy was mind raped back in Grave Peril with the Nightmare. 

Harry isn’t having a good time. 

So Molly looked around in Harry’s head

“You aren’t the sort of person to do things by halves, Harry. Grand gestures included.” pg. 469 Ha 

“In the event that you haven’t figured it out, I’m not the kind of person to be casually involved in much of anything” pg. 473 Yep

“Dresden, it seems to me that you’d lock yourself up pretty tight if someone took a regular bullet for you with a regular body. Much less if you were under psychic attack and this imaginary friend died right inside your own brain. Something like that happens, shouldn’t you have expected to be a basket case, at least for a little while.” pg. 476 Yep Harry loves his friends and having someone die for you will leave a mark.

“You remember when Karvos struck his fingers in my brain?” pg. 475 I see Murphy is drawing parallels away from well.

Not the biggest fan of this Luccio/Harry ship aren’t they subordinate and boss? 

“You might be able to empower such a circle for half an hour, Dresden.” pg. 483 I’m glad Luccio knows that Harry is powerful 

“I was going to put the dinosaur back,” I said. “But I was unconscious” pg. 485 Ha

They have Ivy at Deamonreach? How’d they get there and not get booted off? 

“You couldn’t spot a pop culture reference if it  skittered up and implanted an embryo down your esophagus.” pg. 503 Ha and is this why Harry makes so many pop culture shout outs? 

“The creepy part was that it felt familiar.” pg. 515 Creepy maybe the island knew that Harry was going to be the next warden of the island.

Poor Ivy :( 

Why doesn’t Ivy have clothes? Never mind, I don't want to know. 

“I’d made that mistake once already, on a stormy night much like this one” pg. 522 Yep Grave Peril parallels 

“Gentleman Johnnie Marcone” pg. 525 Is this a spelling error or is Harry being Harry? 

“Something had ripped off the top half of his left ear.” pg. 525 That makes a very cool picture of Marcone

“Insufferable, arrogant little monkey,” Namshiel hissed. “Playing with the fires of creation. Binding your soul to it, as if you were one of us. How dare you so presume. How dare you wield soulfire against me. I, who was there when your pathetic kind was hewn from the muck.” pg. 533 I take it Namshiel isn’t happy that Harry has soulfire.

“I glared at him. He returned the glare with a faint, knowing smile.” pg. 536 Ha

“Ride of the Valkyries” pg. 541 Yay Gard to the rescue. 

“He shook his head and pointed his fingers at Ivy” pg. 542 Yay

Part 3

Oh no Michael 

“A bar of blue-white fire so dense that it was nearly a solid object lashed across the distance from me and Tessa and slammed into her like an enormous spear.” pg. 547 So cool. Don’t mess with Harry’s friends 

“I find myself largely clueless about why mortal women do what they do. It will take a wiser man than me to understand what’s in a fae women’s mind.” pg. 557 Ha

“They tell children stories about you guys, you know,” I said. 

“Still?” He said

I nodded” pg. 558 Aw :) 

“We hear tales of thee, young wizard.”

I blinked. “You, uh?” 

“We too like stories about…” His eyes searched his memory for a moment before he smiled, pleased. The gesture looked pleasantly nonviolent on his face. 

“Underdogs” pg. 558 So cool that the fae tell stories of Harry.

“I want you,” I said “to get me a doughnut. A real, genuine, Chicago doughnut. Not some glamorous doughnut. An actual one. Freshly made.” 

“Nay, but prithee, with sprinkles ‘pon it instead,” I said solemnly “and frosting of white.” pg. 560 Ha

“Harry Dresden speechless,” Nicodemus said. “I can’t imagine this happens every day.” pg. 564 Ha

“It’s gone!” pg. 565 Oh no the coins are gone. 

“Deceitful bitches” pg. 565 :0 I was not expecting that kind of language from Nicodemus. 

“Please. No one so obstreperous has been corrupted by anything other than his own pure muleheadedess.” pg. 567 Ha 

“Lasciel’s shadow,” I told him, “doesn’t live here anymore, The Fallen have no power over me. And neither do you” pg. 568 So cool

“In fact, I squeezed harder” pg. 570 Good

Drat Nicodemus is still alive. Better luck next time. Third time the charm.

“I was wearing fresh clothing too. Thomas. He didn’t say anything about it, and neither did I. It’s a brother thing.” pg. 582 Aw :) Yay!

“His heart. They hurt his hurt.” pg. 586 Aw :( Poor Molly

“Families stay, Harry” pg. 587 Aw :)

“Given what he’d been saved from, it would be consistent with his character for Marcone to repay the people who bailed him out with whatever aid he could render in turn. It irked me that Marcone could ever be in a position to offer significant aid to Michael, regardless of circumstances.” pg. 590 Yep Marcone is cool like that 

So Harry meets Uriel. I think God likes Harry despite Harry’s thoughts.

“You will not. I do not belong to you-“ pg. 598 Not yet 

What made Mab so mad?

I take it the White Council would be mad if they find out and Bob.

“I get it,” I said. “You don’t think I should get close to her. Unless you’re worried about what’s going to happen when you wake her up and she’s really scared and confused.” pg. 608 Hypocritical much

“They did things to me,” she said 

 “I know,” I said quietly “Been there. But I was all right after a while. You’re going to be alright. It’s over.” pg. 609 Don’t like those implications with Harry and Ivy experiencing the same thing and using the same words. Add to it that Ivy was naked upon rescue doesn’t help.

“Couldn’t find its heart if it had a copy of Gray’s Anatomy, X-ray vision, and a stethoscope,” I said “No. They can lay down the law about magic. But they aren’t telling me who I’m allowed to befriend.” pg. 609 That’s a little cult like. The White Council can’t tell people who they can or can’t befriend.

“Morgan told them you’d say that. So did McCoy and Listen-to-Wind. The Merlin wouldn’t hear it.” pg. 609 Morgan! He knows enough about Harry to know that Harry wouldn’t go for it.

I’m glad Harry hugged Ivy and that she got his letter. Ivy needs a support system. 

“He has a teddy Glock.” pg. 610 Ha

I’m glad Murph is also concerned about Luccio and Harry. 

“Marcone. I’ll look into it.” pg. 614 Harry knew already that Marcone took the coin?

“I don’t have it,” Marcone said.” pg. 616 Either Marcone is lying outright or using exact words. Hmmm

“The child” Marcone said “Is she well?” pg. 617 Aw :) I hope Ivy and Marcone talk to each other after this. 

“Then you should get some rest,” Marcone said. “You look”-his mouth twitched up at the connors-”like a raccoon. Who has been run over by a locomotive.” pg. 617 Ha 

“A lot of men talk to the women they sleep with,” I said “That’s always been true. And it would give you a really good reason to get close to him” 

“He’s like a lot of men,” pg. 618 I can’t picture Marcone doing this. Also I can’t believe I was right about Helen being the leak. 

“Oh that.” Anastasia said. “Your Sight’s coming in. That’s all.” pg. 622 Oh cool!

Final thoughts 

As always I liked the fights and thought the book was funny. Bi Harry moments up to 33. I question Harry’s taste in men. What I’d like to see is Ivy and Harry interacting more. Maybe play dates with Ivy and Maggie. I think it’s cool that Harry got Soulfire. I’m glad Harry and Michael are friends again. I wish we got more Marcone in this book. I’m surprised I was right about mind magic and Mab. And with Helen and the safe house. Not a fan of this Harry/Luccio ship. The White Council continues to be the absolute worst. They can’t tell their members who they can and can’t befriend that ridiculous. The fact that Harry and Thomas have to pretend not to be brothers and not interact much because the White Council will use them is terrible. It’s also a little cult-like. They do similar things to them and I could probably use the Bite model to show that they’re cult-like. Nicodemus is definitely scared of Harry now that Harry’s strangled him twice now. As for Executive Priority Health, why would Marcone buy the old Velvet place? As for Harry I wouldn’t want to be within 100 yards of the place but Harry seems ok? With going in. 

Mind rape

Now onto Harry and the mind rape. As with Murphy back in Grave Peril this is essentially rape. Harry’s reaction is full on breakdown. While it’s similar to his reaction in Grave Peril it’s different in that Micheal is there to help and he isn’t in a laundry room. I wonder if Harry will have similar actions to paranoia and insomnia. I continue to wish Harry gets therapy. Maybe one of the small practitioners in the Paranet is a therapist. There was some parallels to Death Mask in this book with the mind rape and sacrad hospitality. Could Jim stop hurting Harry please. 

Marcone

Now I know Marcone has the coin. Whether he accepted the coin yet is another. I can’t imagine what he went through with torture and hurting Ivy. Do you think he was reminded of Amanda and that’s why he took the coin. Surly Gard told him about the Fallen. He wouldn’t pick up the coin unless he knew what he was doing. I can’t picture him saying anything about his safe house to Helen. And I don’t see Marcone killing Helen. That would make Amanda an orphan. Maybe the guilt is making him do things he wouldn’t normally do. 

Onto the next book!

[rion-writes]

In Your Honor (91117 words) by Rionarch Chapters: 28/28 Fandom: The Dresden Files - Jim Butcher Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Harry Dresden, Donald Morgan, Molly Carpenter, Thomas Raith, Ebenezar McCoy, Karrin Murphy, Margaret "Maggie" Angelica Dresden, Fitz (Dresden Files), Larisa Yevtushenko Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Mentor/Protégé, Ethical Dilemmas, Generational Trauma, Crisis of Faith Series: Part 3 of War and Peace Summary: In the aftermath of Harry Dresden making an impossible call, they're left to wonder what might have been worth preserving and what should have been left behind.   Backup - Bombshells AU

Believe it or not You'll know, when this ends and how it goes Believer... believe it or not, you’ll know When it ends and how it goes

Mark it as complete!

[xserpx]

Really wish Dresden could've just told Ebenezar that Thomas was his grandson in Chapter 3 and sat Ebenezar and Thomas down to talk about it. Even just to make sure it doesn't make things worse for all of them later on. Dresden knows there's gonna be a big Council meeting with the other supernatural powers, it'd be nice to see him try and head off any family drama by talking it out now. Especially after the whole bloodline curse thing in Changes, just in case.

Dresden: I’m just gonna head off this family drama—

Ebenezar: Head it off, huh? [hefts an axe]

Thomas: [grabbing his sword] Let’s go, gramps.

~~

Seriously, though, I agree. I’m not a fan of plots that could easily be solved by just sharing information. Even if they didn’t work it out there and then, and Ebenezar and Thomas are still at each other throats by the time Dresden orders them out the door, I don’t like how it’s all one big dramatically ironic secret atm.

[unseelieaccords]

I mean, Ebenezar knows about Maggie. He learned about her in Changes. It'd be nice if he could meet her properly, now. Bonnie on the other hand... would be a big surprise, but I think Dresden could trust him with it. Considering what they talk about while in the apartment, it seems like it'd be IC for them to talk about that there.

Ebenezar only learned that Harry had a daughter in Changes. I don’t think he knows that Harry is actually looking after Maggie full time now, and considering that the Red Court went after Maggie in order to get at Ebenezar, it makes sense that Harry would want to keep that on the DL IMO.

But honestly? I think the easiest way to kill off Ebenezar at this point would probably be for Harry to just up and show him Bonnie, start the conversation with, “So I might have maybe picked up one of those Blackened Denarii things and then the fallen angel trapped in it kind of perhaps in a manner of speaking fell in love with me and then we sort of how do you say... made a brain baby that almost killed me but also saved my life?” and voila. Instant heart attack for the Blackstaff. Job done.