On the Same Page

“I don’t understand. After all we’ve done to you. After all we’re still doing. We don’t deserve to be saved, Asala. My father—my father is guilty. My planet is guilty. We ruined this system, and the people who got hit by that mess first, we don’t care about them. We sit there in our painted halls, sipping water by the gallon and not caring if it spills, debating whether or not we should take in the people left homeless. Left homeless by our hand.” They raised their head despite the pain, echoing the conviction that had won them over from the start. “The Inner planets made this mess. We should have to sit there, first-row seats, and feel the hurt we spread to others. If we get a second chance, if we have the technology to bounce out whenever we want, we’ll just do it again, and again, using up every star like the galaxy’s a fucking buffet. So, save the innocents. Leave the guilty behind.”
― Becky Chambers, The Vela

“His cheek curved. “You are such a smart-ass.”
― Ali Hazelwood, The Love Hypothesis

“He tilted his head. “Standard protocol?” “Yup.” “How many times have you done this?” “Zero. But I am familiar with the trope.”
― Ali Hazelwood, The Love Hypothesis

“It does not matter that you do not understand the reason. You are the Beloved Child of the House. Be comforted.
And I am comforted.”
― Susanna Clarke, Piranesi