We must put effort and energy into anything we wish to change.

I am tired of trying to hold things together that cannot be held. Trying to control what cannot be controlled. I am tired of denying myself what I want for fear of breaking things I cannot fix. They will break no matter what we do.

But dreams have ways of turning into nightmares.

"I am already married," she remarks to the empty air, twisting the ring on her right hand that covers an sold, distinctive scar.

You told me love was fickle and fleeting.

I mean only that I hope they find darkness or paradise without fear of it, if they can.

So proper for a circus girl," Mme. Padva says with with a gleam in her eye. "We shall have to loosen those corset laces if we intend to keep you an intimate dinner company." "I expected the corset unlacing would take place after dinner," Celia says mildly, earning a chorus of laughter. "We shall keep Miss Bowen as intimate company regardless of the state of her corset," Chandresh says. "Make a note of that," he adds, waving a hand at Marco. "Miss Bowen's corset is duly noted, sir," Marco replies, and the laghter bubbles over the table again.