As one does a bear riding a bicycle. One sees it so rarely. (Spoken by Volger, on Deryn)

I don't want to hurt you but I will if I have too - Tally Youngblood

That was the whole point of being special: You existed to make sure everyone else behaved, but that didn't mean YOU had to.

Alek was right behind her now, his body pressing close as he adjusted her sword arm. She hadn't realized this fencing business would be so touchy. He grasped her waist, sending a crackle across her skin. If Alek moved his hands any higher, he might notice what was hidden beneath her careful tailoring. “Always keep sideways to your opponent,” he said, gently turning her. “That way, your chest presents the smallest possible target.” “Aye, the smallest possible target,” Deryn sighed. Her secret was safe, it seemed.

But they're already singing our praises!" "They are Americans. They toot their horns for anything.

Tally-When you looked around at everyone else how come you didn’t notice they were brain damaged? Az - We didn’t have much to compare our fellow citizens with. Only a few colleagues who seemed different from most people, more engaged, but that was hardly a surprise. History would indicate that the majority of people have always been sheep. Before the operation there were wars and mass hatred and clear cutting. Whatever these lesions make us, it isn’t a far cry from how humanity was in the rusty era. These days we’re just a bit easier to manage.

It's just been a long week, that's all." "It's monday night, Jess." "My point exactly.