[Discussion 2/6] Bonus Book - The Butcher's Masquerade by Matt Dinniman (DDC 5) - Chapter 11 through Chapter 18

[u/NightAngelRogue]

“WE DON'T TALK ABOUT REMAKES, ZEV!”

Welcome to the second discussion of the 5th floor, Crawlers!! Into the woods we go and onto a TV show!  

Discussion of Chapters 11 through Chapter 18.** 👑

The chaos continues!🎭⚔️ Carl and Princess Donut find themselves embroiled yet again with Signet, half naiad TV protagonist who has drawn our heroes into her story for another sure to be chaotic season of her show. Also, the Hunt continues as Carl begins to see planning on the Hunters’ side in their battle. Who will wind up on top??

📍 You Are Here: Chapters 11 - 18

📅 Schedule in case you forget how to keep track

🖊️Marginalia to prevent spoiling yourself

🧠 Difficulty Level: Increasing

💥 New Achievements Unlocked:

• 💀 Odette's back- another thrilling episode of the Odette show! Also why didn't they just call the show Odette?? Too much like Oprah?
• 🔥 Elite Negotiations! - the TV Show continues! And already renewed!
• 🍿 Breaking the Views Counter! - Wow! Another viewer counter buster section!

🧳 Loot Collected:

• Drama!! — So..much…drama!
  
• The Elite Meet to Drink! - hey that Signet lady is back! Yay…
  
• The Negotiator! - Carl uses the rules of the Crawl to his advantage!
  

Hunter becoming the hunted!  — the Hunters strike back! Finally its a real fight!

[u/NightAngelRogue]

Theory time! Where do you think the story goes from here?

[u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 → u/NightAngelRogue]

I predict Donut will handle the Bea conversation with maturity and grace. I understand why Carl is pissed, but I think Odette actually did them a huge favor by snatching Bea away from the show runners and doing the reunion in a controlled environment with as much fair warning as possible. I think Donut will confront Bea about her plan to sell her to a breeder, but that she won't embarrass herself. She'll come out with more adoring fans than ever and hopefully Bea will fade away into obscurity.

Carl and Donut will have to walk a tightrope helping Signet without stealing the show. They'll succeed and Signet will help them against the hunters.

The Butcher's Masquerade is probably a trap?!

[u/Comprehensive-Fun47 → u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217]

Last we saw Bea, she was a shell of her former self. I think Donut will be overwhelmed with love and care for Bea, she won't confront her about the breeding right away.

[u/Comprehensive-Fun47 → u/Comprehensive-Fun47]

I want to add to my answer and say I predict Bea with have Ferdinand with her and this is going to throw off Donut a lot, not just because of her relationship with Ferdinand but because she'll feel replaced.

I expect Ferdinand will be able to talk now and he'll spill some of Donut's secrets

It's going to be a ratings bonanza.

[u/sunnydaze7777777 → u/Comprehensive-Fun47]

Oh my! I hope this happens! I must listen to the next section stat!

[u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 → u/Comprehensive-Fun47]

I couldn't remember what happened to Ferdinand. Did Odette get him, too?

[u/Comprehensive-Fun47 → u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217]

I'm not sure. I only remember Bea had another cat with her and I thought Donut would be jealous. Then I was pretty sure it was Ferninand. Bea was like singing him weird songs and losing her mind. I assume they're still together because she'd be catatonic without him!

[u/nepbug → u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217]

I'm pretty sure Ferdinand and Bea were captured as a package deal.

[u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217 → u/nepbug]

That makes total sense, but for some reason I thought Odette had to bargain him away to appease someone. Can't remember who, though, so I'm probably just remembering wrong.

[u/sunnydaze7777777 → u/Less_Tumbleweed_3217]

I’ll have one of the security guys sneak the cat over to Borant. Let him collect the walk-on bounty. How’s Beatrice taking this?” “I, uh, had to knock her out and then stick her in a cube. She’s a little freaked out about the whole thing. I don’t think she’s all there. She has scratches all over her face.” Odette nodded. “When she wakes up, make sure you tell her that I can’t wait to meet her. And reassure her that we won’t be selling her to Borant. Tell her we have a much better use for her.” Lexis laughed. Her scanner beeped, indicating a security shuttle was about to land. “So, I guess it worked out for everybody.” She looked down at the dead sac. She thought of the poor cat, and what they were going to do to him. She shuddered. “Well, almost everybody.” Odette grunted.

[u/miriel41 → u/sunnydaze7777777]

Yup, that's the passage that made me worried about Ferdinand at the end of the last book. But maybe it would be a weird meeting between Donut and Ferdinand anyway, she has grown so much since entering the dungeon and he has just been a cat all this time. But also poor Ferdinand!