Beth

“I stared at my illustrious leader for a moment, puzzled. “Isn’t that obvious? Who would be crazy enough to try close-range combat with that thing?” Chi sidled up and explained slowly, “MISD agents are not well known for their survival instincts.” I met him look for look. “I thought that was just you.” “No, I’m sadly par for the course.” “That’s disturbing.” It also explained a lot.”
― Honor Raconteur, The Void Mage

“Bannen,” he said with overly exaggerated patience, “do we need to talk about your pathological need to stay on women’s good sides?” “I think we just did.” Nora snorted, and for the first time that morning, didn’t look ready to behead someone with her bare hands. “He’s thoughtful, Chinna, which is how you endear yourself to women. We like it. Thank you, Bannen, I feel less inclined to kill everyone in the room now.” There was no safe response to that except, “You’re welcome. Let me know if you want another.” “See?” Chi asked the table at large. “Pathological need to make women happy. Bannen, my friend, what trauma did you experience to make you like this?” I gave him a flat look. “I’m the youngest sibling of five sisters.”
― Honor Raconteur, The Void Mage

“My mouth opened, closed, no sound escaping. Words. Words would be good. I had words, I knew it. I just couldn’t find them. I had to lock my knees to keep upright.”
― Honor Raconteur, The Void Mage

“Turning, I gave Chi a confused look. “I thought you didn’t understand what they were arguing about.” “No clue,” he admitted easily, eyes crinkling up at the corners, “but after ten years of sitting through meetings like this, I have finely honed instincts. I know when to yell out information. With that, my job is done. They’ll be at this a while yet, let’s go get some hot chocolate.”
― Honor Raconteur, The Void Mage