Ruby

“Any zoo reflects its country's cultural beliefs about the true value of animals as well as that country's lifestyle and societal trends.”
― Else Poulsen, Smiling Bears: A Zookeeper Explores the Behaviour and Emotional Life of Bears

“I'll teach you how to defend yourself, how to maim a man. We can use Po as a model.'

'Wonderful,' Po said. 'It's quite boring really, the way you beat me to death with your hands and feet, Katsa. It'll be refreshing to have you come at me with a knife.”
― Kristin Cashore, Graceling

“All right, but you’re jumping ahead to the worst possible outcome.”
“As I must! What’s gotten into to? Since when are you an optimist?”
“I’m just being contrary,” I said, “as usual.”
― Kristin Cashore, Seasparrow

“I'm not going to wear a red dress," she said.
"It would look stunning, My Lady," she called.
She spoke to the bubbles gathered on the surface of the water. "If there's anyone I wish to stun at dinner, I'll hit him in the face.”
― Kristin Cashore, Graceling