Diplomatic Recruit Quotes

“Seriously, thank you. I had no idea what I was going to do. My panic and stress were overwhelming any creativity sense I have.”
― S.E. Weir, Diplomatic Recruit

“Phina remembered what she had decided not long before and felt the tension leave her body again. Training. It was all training.”
― S.E. Weir, Diplomatic Recruit

“She used to love flying through the air with only her hands to keep her from falling. It was freeing in a way she needed. She remembered what Link had told her on their first day about sloughing off the fears and insecurities she had acquired by dealing with her aunt for years and realized that was exactly what she needed to do. Phina had always wanted to go her own way. She wasn’t one to fit in naturally or be a part of the norm. She wanted to walk to her own beat and not feel like it was necessary to apologize for it. However, her aunt had made her think she should be ashamed of herself, that she wasn’t good enough unless she conformed to what her aunt wanted. That ended up making her feel like she had to apologize for being who she was, even if she didn’t want to. She paused her handstand, lowered her legs, and stood. Phina stared in front of her though she didn’t focus on anything in particular. Was it really so simple? Accept who she was, don’t apologize for it, and don’t let anyone’s opinion make her feel like she was…less. It seemed easy in concept, but she didn’t think it would be quite as simple in practice. After years of feeling like she needed to be less, it wouldn’t just take one realization to make her feel like she could be herself, let alone become more. Still, the realization made her feel lighter and cleaner. Perhaps a few of those layers really had sloughed off. Phina closed her eyes and decided to just let go and relax. A song popped into her head and she started moving to that inner music, shaking off the nerves and turning stretches into dance moves. When her muscles had loosened up again, she opened her eyes and eyed the corridor as she stopped moving.”
― S.E. Weir, Diplomatic Recruit

“First, this was all training. Everything was training. She didn’t doubt that a big part of Link’s attitude was on purpose, to push her or to see how she would react. She needed to take everything in stride and adapt as quickly as she could.”
― S.E. Weir, Diplomatic Recruit

“Let’s call that your third lesson. Everyone shows more of their internal thoughts on their face than they realize. As a diplomat, you don’t want to show that you think the person you are talking to is an arrogant ass, even when they are. And in regard to the other profession, it can save your life to be able to keep your real emotions hidden. “Right now, I can see your every expression flit across your face. Oh, you aren’t as bad as some—your friend Alina for instance—and not everyone would notice. However, you could get in a spot of trouble or cause an incident if you weren’t careful and completely in control of yourself. Best to avoid that.” Following”
― S.E. Weir, Diplomatic Recruit

“It’s not bad, kid. We just need to refine it a little so you aren’t assuming responsibility for things outside of what you can handle or control. That’s the kind of thing that can crush a person if they aren’t careful. “How about we tweak it this way: ‘To gain the best information available in the hope of saving as many lives as possible.’ Would that allow you to keep the nature of your vow and hopefully your sanity later on? This is just the beginning, my dear. You don’t want to drown yourself in impossible tasks right away.” He smiled, and his eyes appeared kind.”
― S.E. Weir, Diplomatic Recruit

“You’re right at the edge of it. I can already see it happening. You are much stronger than you think, my dear. Now comes the hard part.” Her eyes rose to meet his as if asking the question without words. He grinned, hiding the constant ache underneath. “Believing it.” She snorted but looked thoughtful. “Now there’s something I need to tell you, a question to ask, and an answer you need to give me.”
― S.E. Weir, Diplomatic Recruit

“Like you would know!” “I know.” “How can you possibly…” He leaned forward, looked directly into her eyes, and spoke with restrained ferocity. “I. Know.” The young woman froze as understanding dawned on her. Finally. Link relaxed in his chair and waved a hand. “Think of it like a butterfly cocoon or a sword being shaped and tempered. All your potential is hiding and waiting, being processed and forged in fire. Then, when you are done with your current shape and you realize how much it’s holding you back, you’ll burst forth into your final form, sloughing off the parts that aren’t needed anymore and will be the strong being you always had inside you. Not broken, stronger. Make sense?”
― S.E. Weir, Diplomatic Recruit