Marya Morevna! Don't you know anything? Girls must be very, very careful to care only for ribbons and magazines and wedding rings. They must sweep their hearts clean of anything but kisses and theater and dancing. They must never read Pushkin; they must never say clever things; they must never have sly eyes or wear their hair loose and wander around barefoot, or they will draw his attention!
Catherynne M. Valente... but as has been said, September read often, and liked it best when words did not pretend to be simple, but put on their full armor and rode out with colors flying.
Catherynne M. ValenteChildren make prayers so thoughtlessly, building them up like sand castlesโand they are always surprised when suddenly the castle becomes real, and the iron gate grinds shut.
Catherynne M. ValenteSeptember did not want to feel for the Marquess. Thatโs how villains get you, she knew. You feel badly for them, and next thing you know, youโre tied to train tracks. But her wild, untried heart opened up another bloom inside her, a dark branch heavy with fruit.
Catherynne M. ValenteOnce more September marveled that even the Dodo knew what she wanted to be when she was grown. She simply could not think what she herself might do. September expected that destinies, which is how she thought of professions, simply landed upon one like a crown, and ever after no one questioned or fretted over it, being sure of oneโs own use in the world. It was only that somehow her crown had not yet appeared. She did hope it would hurry up.
Catherynne M. Valente