β
Know me, for I am death to all oath breaker, promise renders, and betrayers. Know me, for I am the last sunset, the night without the dawn, the winter without spring. I am pain to your pleasure, silence to your shout, stillness to your speed. I hunt death.
β
β
Sarah Beth Durst (The Queen of Blood (The Queens of Renthia, #1))
β
LONG LIVE...
This country is but a wish of the spirit, a counter-sepulcher.
In my country, tender proofs of spring and badly dressed birds are preferred to far-off goals.
Truth waits for dawn beside a candle. Window glass is neglected. To the watchful, what does it matter?
In my country, we don't question a man deeply moved.
There is no malignant shadow on the capsized boat.
A cool hello is unknown in my country.
We borrow only what can be returned increased.
There are leaves, many leaves, on the trees in my country. The branches are free to bear no fruits.
We don't believe in the good faith of the victor.
In my country, we say thank you.
β
β
RenΓ© Char (The Dawn Breakers: Les Matinaux (Bloodaxe Contemporary French Poets, 2))
β
Every spring the meadow in front of the house became an ocean of canary-colored mustard blossoms, and when a wind came up, it was like watching a sea of rippling golden waves rising and falling with the breeze like breakers just before they pound into a reef.
β
β
Marlon Brando (Songs My Mother Taught Me)
β
But even in the wealth of spring, he remembered the harshness of this country. It is a cunning place, he thought, a place of dangers, after all.
β
β
John Ehle (The Land Breakers)
β
You make it seem like it's so easy. Fighting me off while trying to protect the guy behind you. Gee, I wonder how long you're gonna last."
"You don't seem to understand... that fighting this way can bring out the most of your power.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 6)
β
But the truth remains... you couldn't move during the fight, right? It doesn't matter why. Once something is stuck, you can't do anything about it. You just have to figure out a way around it, right?"
"A way around it?"
"Like, letting those around you who can move cover your back. It's pretty obvious though...
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER 7)
β
While you were sleeping, Nirei and Suo brought those gifts to you. And I made this for you. It's because someone else that's not you... made the move. You sleep and rest and when you wake up there's food and water."
"Wh- whatever. I can buy food by myself, too."
"That's not what I'm trying to get through to you. Even if it's something you can do on your own... if others are doing it for you... then you're freed up to do something else. Every human can only do the things limited by the time on their clock. There's only so much you can do on your own. Well... I say that. But letting others do things for you... relying on them... is always a bit scary at first.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER 7)
β
You want to know how to rely on others right? That's 'cause I can't do everything on my own."
"B-but... if you say that then it's like you're saying that you're weak! I can't do that."
"What... is this?"
"G- green tea?"
"Exactly. But it's coffee inside."
"What?! What's that supposed to-"
"No matter how much you insist that this is green tea... to me, the inside is still coffee. Just changing the label doesn't mean that what's inside changes."
"Well, duh."
"So... when you can't do something and you refuse to admit it... then it's the same as faking and insisting that this is green tea... when the inside is coffee. You said that you understood. You knew that you can't do much on your own and that you need to rely on others. But you can't do it. That's because you're scared of being rejected by others. I don't know what you think about how the others around you judge you. But the fact that you're scared out of your wits... has been blatantly obvious to everyone.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER 7)
β
Right now you are the only one who thinks everyone's rejecting you and you're getting scared for no reason. There's no way anyone can figure out what another person is thinking. But regardless, when all of your friends saw how 'weak' you were... or that's what you thought... and when they saw how you snapped at them, not a single one of them chose to reject you. This doesn't mean that they're only seeing what you're capable of. But it's proof that they're seeing you for who you really are.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER 8)
β
... you keep getting scared of being rejected when it's not even happening. From what I can see, it looks to me that you're the one who's not seeing them for who they are. I have no idea what could've happened to you. But I can understand you're feeling that way. That's why I'm telling you this. You need to trust them based on what you can see.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER 8)
β
Hey Sakura? What're your thoughts after listening to Kaji?"
"I-I..."
"There's a lot I can't do. I do a lot of things that make me look pretty pathetic or lame. But I'm not scared. That's because everyone here will accept me, no matter what I do, so I can do anything without having to worry. That's why I think it's okay for me to do the things that others can't. 'It doesn't matter how stupid they may look', 'I still like him'. Everyone has those close connections.
We depend on others and let them depend on us. We forgive them, and they forgive us. That's why we're all together. That's why it's okay, Sakura. Trust Kaji. Trust your friends. And jump right out there with everything you've got!
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER 8)
β
C'mon. Sit down."
"Why are we on the roof?"
"Why? When we're talkin' about stuff like this, it's better to do it somewhere high up and open".
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER 8)
β
My muscles are tense. It's hard to breathe. My breath is ragged. But I'm already used to these things. So even if it's hard, I know that this is what it means to live.
But what if it doesn't have to be like this? What if this tightrope isn't he only path for me? What if there wasn't the tension and the ragged breaths and the fear of falling? What if there's a place where I can stand freely?
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER 8)
β
Y'know you act like you're owning up to being a lameass. But you're socially awkward and you're a pain to deal with. You've got a big attitude. We can all see that from just lookin' at ya. But, even so, who even gives a crap about that? How can any of us feel disappointed when we see how something that hurts us hurts you, too, and how stupidly serious you can be, worrying about it? Why do you have to apologize when you just did what's natural and we've done the same to you? Did you really think that'd be enough to piss us off? Get real, dude! No one like that exists here in Furin! It doesn't matter how socially awkward you are, or what a pain you can be! You still charge straight into trouble just to protect your friends! You're really cool for it, too! I... no, we... really, seriously like you for you who are!
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER 8)
β
Everyone has their own weaknesses. Everyone has a side of them that's less than cool. But it's not something to be scared off or embarrassed about. Everyone's the same.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER 8)
β
Sakura-kun. Causing trouble for others... or dealing with other people's troubles isn't entirely bad. It feels like you've always been alone. So it'd be a hard ask for you to suddenly change... But just take it one step at a time and I hope you'll grow familiar with what it's like to rely on someone else.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER 8)
β
The thought of Yasmine being pregnant with his child causes tears to spring to my eyes once again. As much as I love David thatβs a definite deal breaker for me. I canβt see me staying with
β
β
Chenell Parker (You Should Let Me Love You: Candace and David's Story)
β
How can you be so happy while still being the top of Furin?"
"For me... I just simply like eating!"
"I love eating too! I really like curry! What about you?"
"I love omelette rice! But, even more than eating... I like doing stuff like this. Where everyone's having fun, enjoying themselves while we eat together. We can talk about anything and laugh like idiots. In this very moment, all the bad things don't even matter anymore. I'm always excited to spend that time with everyone. That's why I'm so happy right now. And well... being the top has nothing to do with hanging out with friends.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 4)
β
Nothing's great about gettin' a leader who doesn't even know what he's supposed to do."
"You don't know what you're supposed to do? Well, just do what you can! That's all you need to do.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 5)
β
Anyone past this point who causes pain, who brings destruction, who holds evil in their heart, will be purged by Bofurin without exception.
β
β
Satoru Nii (Wind Breaker)
β
I've never went into a fight like this where I'm battling for someone else. But... although, I can't really put it into words... I'm even more confident on winning than ever before.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 2)
β
Your punches are light. Do you know why that is? Because there's nothing behind them
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 4)
β
Tomiyama... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push you over the edge like this. But I guess this shows how close you were to the brink of snapping."
"Shut up!"
"But if you keep spiraling in despair and end up destroying everything... then from here on for the rest of your life... you'll only keep suffering.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 4)
β
You can't become the top when you're alone right? You can only reach the top if you're being lifted by everyone under you. It was only possible because there were people who agreed with my vision and wanted to help me. That's why, when I became the top, I thought my dream no longer only belonged to me. That's exactly why, in order to make this dream a reality... no matter how difficult the path... no matter how unreasonable the climb is... no matter how absurd it gets... I will never lose.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 4)
β
If you only make a fuss when youβre the victim, then youβre still a petulant kid.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 2)
β
I don't accept just anyone. But... in order to accept someone you have to lay everything open and face each other. You're able to do that and it looks to me like you want to accept others. You could even become the top
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 4)
β
Fighting is communication, Sakura-kun. Sometimes, fists are a language that allows you to understand your opponent even better than words. But, well... it's a language that only we know how to speak.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 2)
β
Kame-chan I honestly believed that being the top of the team meant that I would have the most fun. I had my eyes on the treasure chest on top of the mountain and I was eager to take it. I thought that having the treasure to myself meant that I would be freer than anyone else.
I was so excited imagining what could happen once I opened the chest. But once the box opened there was... nothing inside. I didn't feel anything at all. I was scared... I felt like I was hollowed out. I didn't know where I should go next. I felt nothing, no matter what I did. Everything became meaningless. I had to do something... I knew that this wasn't right. While I struggled, struggled, and struggled... I eventually couldn't see anything anymore. And I blamed it all on everyone else.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 4)
β
I'd be betraying my virtues if I didn't lend a hand when someone needed the help!
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 5)
β
I'm also a part of Furin! Even if I can't fight... even if I can't protect myself... the least I can do is to face the enemy head-on!
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 6)
β
You. The only thing running in your head is to send the guy up there flying, right?"
"Of course! What's so wrong about that?"
"You goddamn idiot. You're so distracted by that nobody up there you can't even deal with this small fry on your own. You can't even help the others that need it. You've got other shit you gotta take care of first, don't you?! If you can't even save your own classmates then you shouldn't call yourself their grade captain!"
"... even if that's true, I... I can't let him get away with what he's done."
"Well ain't that a coincidence. I can't either. So I'll give him an extra punch just for you. You need to focus on what you have to do.
β
β
Satoru Nii
β
Weak people can only obey the strong! Guys with no power have no right to be alive!
Oh? Did I break your arms lil lady? Ha!"
"You must not be very popular with the girls."
"Whatcha say?"
"Going on and on about your empty pride really turns girls off. They'll think you're too tiring to be around. As another fellow human being, I feel embarrassed for you.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 6)
β
You should stop bragging about the things that you just happen to be born with, by sheer luck.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 6)
β
To become an adult means that you have to engage in other people's feelings. That's where you'll need both imagination and experience.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 2)
β
Just like you said, Bofurin... is a team that protects the town. And that means our job is to protect everything in the town... including the people and the memories.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 6)
β
Everyone has got one or two secrets that they don't wanna talk about.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 5)
β
Sheesh. You're reeling and weaving all over the place. What are you, a girl?"
"How rude. You can just call me graceful. And if you think that only women can be graceful then you've got a pretty old-fashioned view.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 6)
β
We are in Calidon,β she muttered, eyeing the mountains again. It was not yet spring, but purple flowers clung between shore and rising cliff. βYour country.β
Dom shook his head. βHardly mine. Most Calidonians do not believe my people exist anymore, and the ones who do wish they could forget us entirely.β
I share the sentiment,β Sorasa answered dryly.
Next to her, Dom grinned. βMortal humor. I know it too well by now.β
Sorasa tried to smile but failed, squinting at the landscape.
His face wiped clean. βWhat?β
βI know little of this place,β she answered, grinding her teeth. It made her temple throb again.
Domβs smirk felt worse. He eyed her with a rare look, mischievous, like a child with a secret.
βAre you asking for help, Sorasa Sarn?β the Elder teased.
Sorasa wanted to stand up, but doubted she could with any grace. Instead, she stayed rooted, her fists curling in the sand until tiny stones pressed between her fingers.
βI will deny it if you tell anyone,β she hissed, regretting the words as soon as they left her mouth.
To her horror, Domβs smirk only widened and Sorasa realized she had made a terrible error. A grace miscalculation. Don understood more than she realized. And knew the Amhara better than she ever thought possible.
Then his hand found her wrist. She jumped in her skin, almost yelping as he helped her to her feet.
Thankfully, she did not falter.
βI thought you hated it,β he said, the smirk still curling. It made her want to hit him again.
βWhat?β Sorasa snapped.
Dom let her wrist drop.
βHope.
β
β
Victoria Aveyard (Fate Breaker (Realm Breaker, #3))
β
I've done so many things that I could never take back. It's just... I don't deserve any salvation!"
"I don't give a shit about how you see yourself. But Anzai was willing to take a beating to save you. Even if you think of yourself as trash... it doesn't always mean others will see you in the same light.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER 7)
β
It's been so long since anything has tasted good."
"Now don't forget that taste. When life gets tough, you won't even have the time to taste your food. But... when you share a meal with someone who can ease your anxiety... the food, for some reason tastes really good. We can't change what happened. No matter what people think. You can only shoulder the responsibility and live on. I'm pretty sure there are a lot of tough situations still waiting for you down the road. But when they come, remember... how the food tasted today. It's solid proof that you're not alone. Right?
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER 7)
β
In the past... when I snap, everything in my mind would go blank. And before I realized it, I would be surrounded by bodies on the ground. Afterwards, I'd feel disgusted. Not being able to fight against my own self made me sick to my stomach. But in the end, I managed to learn how to control myself. Even if I'm just half-assed I was still made human.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 6)
β
You know, if you don't speak up for yourself, they'll just keep coming at you harder. You gotta fight back, too.
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 3)
β
You're really selfish, aren't you? You sure got a big mouth for someone facing a man whose league's stronger than you."
"Who cares if it's selfish?! That's what it means to persevere... to push my will in a fight, right?! Even if I'm facing someone to whom I owe my life! Even if my opponent's strong! I will never look away! I will never bend my will!
β
β
Satoru Nii (WIND BREAKER, Vol. 3)
β
Galones de sangre derramada para que unos spring breakers en Wisconsin o en Nebraska se dieran pasones de cocaΓna y se pusieran turulatos con la mota. Risa y risa los pinches escuincles gringos y de este lado puro valle de lΓ‘grimas. DeberΓan darles una escoba y un recogedor para que vinieran a levantar el tiradero de cadΓ‘veres.
β
β
Guillermo Arriaga (Salvar el fuego)
β
All week, weβve heard pep talks like this one from Scott at last nightβs post-Razzleβs debrief: βTo me, hereβs the motivation to evangelize: If Iβm a doctor, and I find the cure for a terminal illness, and if I care about people, Iβm going to spread that cure as widely as possible. If I donβt, people are going to die.β
Leave the comparison in place for a second. If Scott had indeed found the cure to a terminal illness and if this Daytona mission were a vaccination campaign instead of an evangelism crusade, my group members would be acting with an unusually large portion of mercyβmuch more, certainly, than their friends who spent the break playing Xbox in their sweatpants. And if you had gone on this immunization trip, giving up your spring break for the greater good, and had found the sick spring breakers unwilling to be vaccinated, what would you do? If a terminally ill man said he was βlate for a meeting,β you might let him walk away. Butβand Iβm really stretching hereβif you really believed your syringe held his only hope of survival, and you really cared about him, would you ignore the rules of social propriety and try every convincement method you knew?
β
β
Kevin Roose (The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University)