Once & Future Quotes

“It's true, I'm no murderer. But I do have an impulse control problem. And a sword.”
― A.R. Capetta, Once & Future

“A girl they couldn’t control, who wouldn’t stop talking. That’s the scariest damn thing in the universe.”
― A.R. Capetta, Once & Future

“That's what resistance looks like, Merlin. It's not one glorious, shining victory. It's a torch that you keep burning, no matter what.”
― A.R. Capetta, Once & Future

“The path humans took through time was less the mythical arrow of progress, and more of a squiggle that doubled back on itself, curling and looping. A roller coaster designed by a drunkard.”
― A.R. Capetta, Once & Future

“I think people need heroes. I think you're a hero. It's that simple to me.”
― A.R. Capetta, Once & Future

“Because too many people believe that difference is the enemy of unity.”
― A.R. Capetta, Once & Future

“How did you ever train in this thing at knight camp without peripheral vision?"
"Knights don't need peripheral vision. They need chivalry.”
― Cori McCarthy, Once & Future

“He would settle for an awkward handshake with destiny.”
― A.R. Capetta, Once & Future

“I have learned that fear is a kind of death.”
― A.R. Capetta, Once & Future

“I’m Merlin the magician, and I come to you now at the turn of the tides.” Kay stared openmouthed at this attempt at dramatic grandeur. “Well, that’s Gandalf’s line, but I had to try it at least once.”
― A.R. Capetta, Once & Future

“That's what lazy people say. Time heals all wounds. These things take time. It's only a matter of...time. You and I have been here long enough to know that's not true. Wounds fester, and time changes nothing.”
― A.R. Capetta, Once & Future

“Oh apologies,” Merlin’s face blotched with red. “I, um, come from a society with a history of gender assumptions based on physical markers, aesthetics…et cetera.”
Ew,” Ari said.
“That’s wicked sad,” Kay added.
Merlin, at least, looked deeply ashamed. “You’ve no idea.”
― Cori McCarthy & Amy Rose Capetta, Once & Future

“Really? That plaque over there says chivalry gave birth to toxic masculinity, which caused Old Earth a few millennia of bullshit patriarchy.”
― A.R. Capetta, Once & Future

“Hope is the food of the foolish. Eat up, kiddos.”
― Cori McCarthy, Once & Future

“Most boys believed they should be heroes: the stories told them so.”
― A.R. Capetta, Once & Future

“ Ugh, boys,” said Val.
“I believe the phrase you’re looking for is straight boys, Merlin corrected.
“What is straight? Lam asked, furrowing their brow.
“Oh goodness,” Merlin said. “We’ll it’s when a person has attractions to people who are on the other binary end of the…ummm…”
“They’re messing with you, Merlin.”
― Cori McCarthy & Amy Rose Capetta, Once & Future

“I was trapped by an ancient enchantress who—”
“Another one?” Val asked. “How many magical women have you pissed off?”
― Cori McCarthy & Amy Rose Capetta, Once & Future

“Leave the sword,” Jordan growled.
“I’m not going to stab him!”
“So I can polish it! You’re doing a terrible job. No wonder you failed knight camp.”
“These two flunked out. I was a conscientious objector!”
“Yes, and what are you now?” Jordan asked, never fazed by Ari’s temper.
“King Fucking Arthur, that’s who!”
― Cori McCarthy & Amy Rose Capetta, Once & Future

“Seriously, Lam? Sinister enchantress cannot be your type.”
“Sexy in a slip dress certainly is,” Lam said.”
― Cori McCarthy & Amy Rose Capetta, Once & Future

“Ari had believed, on some deep level, that she was alone in the universe. That’s why she’d tried to solve all her problems by herself.”
― Cori McCarthy & Amy Rose Capetta, Once & Future

“If you did die tomorrow…”
Merlin’s fingers flew into the air. “I can’t—”
“Theoretically,” Val said, gently rolling his eyes. “What would you want people to say about you?”
“Once upon a time, he had a very nice beard,” Merlin said. “He was the teacher of forty-two king Arthurs. He never gave in to tyrants.”
― Cori McCarthy & Amy Rose Capetta, Once & Future

“Imagine going through existence as a ghost. An unwelcome whisper. A living curse.”
― Cori McCarthy & Amy Rose Capetta, Once & Future

“Warmth fell over her like a soft rainstorm. They were in a tropical bubble. The frozen ground had turned to warm, yielding sand, and above, a hot, beautiful sun shone. There was no wind here, but—did Ari imagine it?—there seemed to be music. A classical guitar strumming somewhere nearby. There was even a damn palm tree next to Lam.
“What the hell is this?” Kay blustered.
“Bermuda,” Merlin said with a small shrug that made him stumble. “My happy place.”
― Cori McCarthy & Amy Rose Capetta, Once & Future

“He apologized for breaking his promise not to use magic as he took down the guard with the needle. Then another apology—"sorry, quite sorry" —as he zinged the one holding Hex.
"Why are you being so nice to them right now?" Hex asked.
"I'm British!" Merlin cried.”
― Cori McCarthy & Amy Rose Capetta, Once & Future

“What did they pick you up for?”
“Disturbing the thing that passes for peace,” Merlin spat. “And yourself?”
“I stole seventy-two piñatas,” said Hex, deadpan.”
― Cori McCarthy & Amy Rose Capetta, Once & Future

“Are you two old friends?” Lam asked, stepping forward with interest.
She gave them a smile that she had honed to a blade over the centuries. “I hate Merlin with the venom of an adder, the rage of a forest fire, and the vigor of a woman making love.”
“So…no.”
― Cori McCarthy & Amy Rose Capetta, Once & Future

“…might look and taste and feel like the future, but this was just a new kind of Dark Age. The path humans took through time was less a mythical arrow of progress and more of a squiggle that doubled back on itself, curling and looping. A roller coaster designed by a drunkard.”
― Cori McCarthy & Amy Rose Capetta, Once & Future

“When you want to become a dragon slayer, you don’t charge straight into the nest, swords swinging,” Merlin said. “You sneak in and steal a few coins from his hoard first.”
“What if the dragon worked hard for that money?” Lam asked. “You don’t know his life. And how do you even know the dragon’s a..”
“ He’s a boy dragon!” Merlin roared.
“Sure thing, old man,” Kay said, slapping his arm.”
― Cori McCarthy & Amy Rose Capetta, Once & Future

“This place…” He pointed to the city, then lapsed into song lyrics, a habit that bubbled up when he was nervous. “‘Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?”
― A.R. Capetta, Once & Future

“Why are you being nice to them right now?" Hex asked.
"I'm British!" Merlin cried.”
― A.R. Capetta, Once & Future