#lara-raith

[drawsdenfiles]

Yaaas!

[dresdenfilesincorrectquotes]

Lara: Ugh! How do you even eat without listening to hardcore pornography?

[kaphkas]

They’re the epitome of gay/lesbian hostility

[alwaysanovice]

Mab giving Harry and Lara a speech before their wedding: Today, two families are becoming one. Harry, in an ominous voice: Two families enter, one family leaves. Lara, suspicious: That sounds...threatening… Harry, downing a shot: The Wedding Games… May the bouquet toss be ever in your favor. Lara: Are you planning something? Mab: Good Lord.

[whyohwhydoris]

So.... Is it just me, or are we gunna call these two White Winter? Because I'm certainly dreaming of a White Winter with these two.

[anotherramblingfangirl]

Canonical Raith family tree guide reference:

Nine surviving sisters. Inari, Lara, Natalia and Elisa and attic sister are confirmed of them. This means four others exist but are not explicitly identified - Felicia Raith could be a sister or otherwise a cousin.

None of the explicitly named Raiths were amongst the other two at the front with Lara defending the line in White Night. Dresden meets the other named ones after then and while they may have been amongst the other three present in the background, too much attention was paid to those two for them to then not be recognised later.

Unknown deceased brothers and sisters Lara refers to (in a high stress/emotion situation) as countless in number.

Tania is definitely not a Raith sibling. She would have been only ten during Blood Rites when Lord Raith was deposed and then Inari was explicitly the youngest.

Madrigal Raith mentions his and Thomas’ bloodline as the oldest in House Raith in reference to why their killing each other would not be tolerated. This does indicate the presence of other, “younger” lines.

[bolcseszgoblin]

this looks like something Lara Raith would use...

Sword (96,5 cm: Ivory and steel), Netherlands second half of 17th c.[1157x2000]. Hilt of this sword depicts the rescue of Andromeda by Perseus

[jedimaesteryoda]

Fans arguing for Lara Raith as Harry's partner are missing the point.

Lara's offer was, to Harry, another version of Marcone's in the early books. Marcone made a generous offer for Harry's services which would be appealing to an impoverished P.I. struggling to pay rent, but Harry refused out of principle. Harry made it clear he'll die poor before taking a dime of his money.

Lara, being explicitly Marcone's rival, is as much a gangster as he is but is an exceptionally attractive women offering more to Harry: "freedom from your burdens of responsibility and conscience." On paper her offer is appealing to a guy who just lost his partner as she would be a lot of guys' dream girl, being "sexier than a Swedish bikini team hiking up a mountain of money." She checks a lot of boxes being extremely beautiful, extremely rich, intelligent, charming with a dark, seductive allure and a badass martial artist who's also (supernaturally) amazing in bed for spice. However, Harry knows she isn't the kind of partner on the inside he's looking for anymore than Marcone was the boss he was looking for. Hence, why he briefly considered suicide.

The contrast in their values can be seen in their treatment of the Wee Folk with Harry forming a symbiotic relationship with them while Lara imprisoned them to be used as lanterns.

Whenever he does take these kinds of deals, it's usually because his hand is forced. Even then, he does not go all in, he names conditions and uses what advantages it gives him before he manages to get out. He didn't want Lash in him, but he didn't give in to her offer of becoming a Denarian. He took Mab's offer of being Winter Knight to save his family, but even then he put in conditions so he wouldn't harm his loved ones and become solely her soulless killing machine. He didn't want the grey cloak given by Luccio, but he ultimately used his position to save a teenager from losing her head. He doesn't want to marry Lara, but he'll likely bite the bullet like with the rest and get out of the marriage eventually.

It's possible he may even refuse her offer of sex as he did Marcone's money. He still may keep a candle for Karrin as her true love mark makes Lara unable to touch him, and if he avoids the kiss at the wedding which Bob pointed out seals the deal, then the protection could remain. At the end of the day, Harry won't sell out. He walks at the edge of the abyss, but never jumps in.

[ankh-morporkianpostalworker]

Some Dresden Files predictions:

I've been listening to The Dresden Files audiobooks again, and based on the foreshadowing that riddles the series, I'm gonna call some shots here and now (this post is more for me than anything else).

Spoilers ahead:

1 - Twelve Months is gonna be a bit of a slog, and Harry will still be depressed at the end, but he'll learn to live with it or something.

2 - His arranged marriage to Lara Raith is gonna be called off on a technicality.

3 - Mirror, Mirror is gonna be the last filler novel, set in an alternate timeline (thus the name, a reference to a classic Star Trek episode of the same name). The differences between it and the main universe will be:

Harry was raised by Donald Morgan, per Harry's mother's request.

Harry became a die-hard, Kool-Aid drinking White Council member

Harry never moved to Chicago, leaving the city undefended, and

The war with the Red Court of Vampires never happened, as the inciting incident never occurred

4 - Jim Butcher has said that there are gonna be 20 mainline novels and the series is gonna cap off with an additional three novels, which he calls the Badass Apocalypse trilogy (confirmed to be titled Hells Bells, Empty Night, and Stars and Stones). Every 5th novel so far (Death Masks, Small Favor, and Skin Game) has revolved around the conflict between the forces of Heaven and Hell, and the last mainline novel will center around that conflict.

5 - The unnamed 20th book and Hells Bells will be a duology, like Peace Talks and Battle Grounds were.

6 - The apocalypse will be triggered by the death of Sanya, Knight of Hope (thus fulfilling the prophecy that "Apocalypse is the Death of Hope") at the hands of Nicodemus Archleone, the tentative leader of the forces of Hell on Earth, using the Holy Grail that Nicodemus swiped at the climax of Skin Game.

7 - The Black Council, the organization that is attempting to bring about another apocalypse (referred to by the White Court of Vampires as "Empty Night") will consist of the following members:

Drakul (father of Dracula, Black Court Vampire, confirmed in Battle Grounds)

Mavra (Black Court Vampire, confirmed in Dead Beat)

Cowl (necromancer, personal enemy and foil of Harry Dresden, confirmed in Dead Beat)

Tessa (wife and archrival of Nicodemus Archleone, theorized by Archleone himself in Small Favor)

A member of the White Council of Wizards, probably on the Senior Council.

8 - We're going to find out a LOT about Harry's mom, specifically that she knew what was coming (the Stars and Stones, the Empty Night, what Nicodemus was up to) and that any child she had that was Starborn (a being immune to the possession of Outsiders, the main threat of the series) would be the perfect counterpoint to the threats ahead. She planned as much of Harry's life as possible but her plans failed when Harry's father died and Harry wound up in the clutches of Justin DuMourne. And finally,

9 - Justin DuMourne was on the Black Council, and in addition to mind-controlling Harry Dresden and Elaine Mallory (the first love of Harry's life) into being his private army, he would have attempted to breed two Starborn (Elaine is widely theorized to be one as well, as she is Harry's age and his match in magical talent) in order to create some sort of weapon.

As the books come out, I will update this post with whether or not these predictions were true. Any comments/additional predictions are welcome.

[friendly-books]

Dresden files Blood Rites live blog

Blood Rites live blog

“The building was on fire and it wasn’t my fault” pg. 11 Ha and I highly doubt that 

Puppies!

Thomas!

“If so, it's a sloppy one. But strong as hell.” pg. 24 Ha Harry being critical of other people doing magic 

“Thomas was an annoying wiseass who tended to make everyone he met want to kill him, and when I have that much in common with someone, I can’t help but like him a little” pg. 30 Ha

“He was at Bianca’s masquerade. Only he was alive back then.” pg. 42 It all comes back to that party

Justine! 

“Since I’d stolen him from Justin DuMorne, my own personal Darth Vader” pg. 62 So Bob belonged to Justin before Harry?

“I don’t expect you to under-“ pg. 77 Ouch Murph 

“He was tall and built like a statue of Hercules” pg. 86 Bi Harry 15

“His face didn’t match the Olympian body” pg. 86 Bi Harry 16

“You always a wiseass?” “No sometimes I’m sleep” pg. 86 Ha

I like Jake 

I like Joan Dallas 

Harry you’re broke, how are you going to pay Kincaid?

“Every time I thought I had gotten through my orphan baggage, something like this came up” pg. 137  aw Harry :( 

I like Inari 

“The next time I saw Thomas, I was going to punch him right in the nose” pg. 153 Ha

“I hit him solidly in the nose with my right fist” pg. 173 Ha

“Empty Night,” she murmured, her tone one of someone speaking an oath” pg. 177 Strange curse word. Why are the first two words capitalized? None of the other curse words are. And none are described as speaking an oath there’s something here 

“Don’t feel bad. I cleverly concealed my identity as Harry the Production Assistant” pg. 177 Ha 

Thomas and Lara casually discussing patricide 

Why would Lara shoot Thomas? they’re siblings 

“So that the next time you start talking I can shoot your wise ass” pg. 186 Ha 

Inari why did you attack Harry he’s trying to help

Inari doesn’t know?!? What a rude awakening to the supernatural with Black Court vampires

“By an entire frozen turkey. A twenty ponder”

“For my next trick anvils” pg. 200 Ha 

Cool that Harry is using his amulet as a symbol of faith 

 “Thomas writhed sinuously” pg. 201 Bi Harry 17

“He was better looking than Thomas” pg. 218 Bi Harry 18

“He didn’t have Thomas beat when it came to smiles. Thomas’s grin had so much life to it was practically sentient” pg. 222 Bi Harry 19

Inari you ok there? Maybe back away from Harry 

“Our mother” pg. 247 Way to drop that bombshell Thomas

“Sank my teeth into his arm” pg. 248 Ha

“You mean he feeds his own” pg. 250 Papa Raith just as bad as Nic. Why was Margaret friends with these people? Did she know what  they did to their kids? Margret needed better friends. This circle of friends is a bad influence 

“I never celebrated Christmas as a kid, after my dad died. It hurt too much. Hell it still hurt too much. But if I had a real family, then maybe things could change” pg. 254 Don’t worry Harry you’ll get a brother and two kids 

Harry’s mom?!?

“He took it, and I drew my brother to his feet” pg. 265 Aw 

Are Bob and Harry friends? I can’t tell with Harry threatening to smash Bob’s skull

“Not now kitten” pg. 276 Well it was nice knowing you Kincaid 

“I took a small but prudent step back from them” pg. 277 Ha Glad to see Harry have some self preservation 

Kincaid keeps digging his grave deeper and deeper 

“It doesn’t count as chivalrous courtesy if you’re only doing it to a wiseass” pg. 279 Ha

Why can’t Harry do the sunshine handkerchief? 

 “Turns out that you’ve got to be genuinely happy to be able to fold sunshine into a hankie” pg. 287 Sobbing 

So the three ex wives did it for the money

“I have a bad habit of turning into a real wiseass when someone makes me nervous. It’s just a reflex” pg. 300 Ha 

No Emma :( 

“That talent had been refined by the harsh lessons of life and even harsher lessons of Justin DeMorne” pg. 331 Justin sucks! Boo hiss 

Ebenezar! 

I love that Ebenezar calls Harry “Hoss”

“You in over your head? It’s as if you’re too stubborn to know when to run” pg. 332 Ha

I love Ebenezar and Harry’s relationship it’s nice that Harry has at least one person he looks up to, respects, and cares about him

Aw Harry made his staff similar to Ebenezar’s

“Look, buddy, you’re scaring the kids” pg. 339 aw Harry :(

Murph in a dress :)

“I must have been feeling suicidal, because I took a step forward and placed myself in the middle of anger stares” pg. 346 At least Harry acknowledges his less than normal self preservation intentions 

“And this is Rich. My second husband” pg. 347 No! :0

Why is Rich married to Murph younger sister? He’s seriously older than her and why would he marry his ex-wife’s sister? Just why?

“Will you take care of my daughter?” “Yes, ma’ am. Of course I will” pg. 356 Sobbing 

“Murphy’s gym bag thumped onto the ground and she stared at me with her mouth open” “What?” I asked “Sir?” she said her voice incredulously” pg. 358 Ha 

“I sort of like him” pg. 372 Yay? Kincaid likes Harry 

“Justin DuMorne had taught me how to do magic. But it was Ebenezar who had taught me why” pg. 376 Cool 

Harry really respects Ebenezar. He stands up to Kincaid 

“Blazing anger had gotten me into way too many bad situations” pg. 375 Ha 

“Be vewy vewy quiet. We’re hunting vampires” pg. 378 Ha

“My dick is bigger than your dick” pg. 379 Ha

“Why do they sell hotdogs in packages of ten but hot dog buns come in packages of eight” pg. 382 Ha 

Well the vampires made the mistake of in-dangering kids 

 “I had already met my quota for burning down public infrastructure this week” pg. 403 Ha

Oh no the bad guys have flamethrowers 

Oh no Harry’s hand 

“I was sending it back to the kitchen anyway. I ordered it medium well” pg. 415 Ha

Ebenezar and Harry fighting :(

Justine’s alive!

Cool that Harry used his staff as a lance

Oh no Murph 

“I’d been in a few caves that were headquarters for dark magic and those who trafficked in it. None of them had been warm. None of them had been pleasant. And none of them had been professionally decorated. Until now” pg. 493 Ha

“Leave me alone, Mister Dresden” pg. 502 oh Murph isn’t mind controlled 

“What can I say, inspiring anger is my gift” pg. 504 Ha

He Who Walks Behind is here 

“Hell’s holy stars and freaking stones shit bells” pg. 514 My thoughts exactly 

Cool that Harry used keys to attack Raith

Awesome that Harry used Lara as a cat’s paw

“Clearly I underestimated you” I said  “Don’t feel bad I mean I look stupid” pg. 525 Ha 

Ivy mention! 

Lash mention I was wondering if she’d show up in this book

“Hey, why did you get large breed Puppy Chow?” pg. 551 Ha 

Final thoughts 

I thought this book was funny. There was so much Bi Harry in this book even without Marcone. Up to 19 on the Bi Harry counter. Sadly no Marcone, why is there so little of him in books. I’m sad that Harry and Ebenezar fought, hopefully they can make up. Nicky, Papa Raith, and Justin DuMorne can all go jump off a cliff in my opinion. I love Thomas and Harry’s relationship. I liked Kincaid and the Ivy mention. I hope to see more of Lash in the next book. I loved Mouse. Rich needs to back up and I’d like to meet him in the parking lot for a chat. I thought the fights were cool. Can’t wait to see what He Who Walks Behind brings to the story. On to the next book.

[drawsdenfiles]

"Lady Lara, upon due consideration, your third favor is granted..." -The Dresden Files, Jim Butcher

[rocinantescoffeestop]

tagged by @someonefantastic :) ~ tag people you want to get to know better

three ships ~ pepperony, spitfire, and spideychelle

first ship ever ~ arthur/gwen from bbc Merlin

currently listening ~ Parks & Recollection Podcast on Spotify

last movie ~ Troll, a Norwegian film, started right off the bat with rock climbing so you KNOW it’s gonna be a good movie

currently reading ~ The Secrets We Keep by Lara Prescott

currently watching ~ 3% (Portuguese sci-fi tv show), Frasier (fun lil sitcom to lighten the mood/stress loads)

currently consuming ~ usually eggs or oatmeal for breakfast, and bananas after runs

currently craving ~ a nap on the couch under the light of my apple-bourbon scented candle - or a nice long 6 mile jog around a lake

tagging ~ @bluejay-in-flight @awesome-broke-manta @raith-way @figsandfandoms @colinhughesboyo and ofc anyone else who wants to do it!

[kaphkas]

“What a beautiful wedding!” says the bridesmaid to the waiter

[alwaysanovice]

Lara: Dresden and I are getting married. Lord Raith: He's asked you? Lara: Oh, he doesn't know it yet.

[whyohwhydoris]

Going back through White Knight, and I think there is textual evidence that Susan's love isn't what protected Harry at the end of the story.

First, I think it needs to be established what causes the love-burn for White Court vampires. While it is implied that Madeline Raith was incapable of controlling her hunger, which is why contact with Justine's hair was sufficient to burn her, I don't think that is it.

Both Thomas's interactions with Justine generally - where he cannot touch her at all despite being shown to have significant control - and Lara's brush with Harry in the gym just before they rescue Thomas - where she isn't trying to feed, and despite also having exceptional control of her hunger - suggest any skin-to-skin contact between a White Court vamp, and a protected person will do it.

That doesn't quite gel with Lara's first meeting with Arturo - but that is also our first real introduction to the White Court.

But all of that is general boiler plate: in White Knight, when Ramirez and Harry arrive at Chateau Raith, Lara and Harry touch. And Lara isn't disinterested. She both teased Harry ("are you sure you don't want a taste?") and touched his face. Both are intimate. If it is a desire that causes love to burn, then Lara should be getting burnt, both because she clearly wants Harry, as well as her hunger being heightened in the context of Ramirez.

On top of that, no mention of a burn is made until after Harry and Lara escape, as she reasserts her awareness.

So, I do not believe that Susan's lingering love is what protected Harry. Because it should have caused issues when they first meet Lara that night.

[anotherramblingfangirl]

Dresden’s Jury Duty POV: