a study in steampunk: choice by gaslight (pt. 1) edit as you see fit
"what skill do you possess that makes you extraordinary?"
"at least i'm... dying out here... instead of in there"
"you're not about to die; you're with me, you've nothing to worry"
"you whisper to yourself I am nothing like them, but you might be"
"philosophy comes easier some mornings than others"
"we were not running, we were spilling blood"
"the brutal waste of it all sickens me"
"i struggle between pride at what we accomplished and horror at what it cost"
"things aren't so bad, really... except on mornings like these"
"you do realize he is sitting right here and we can resolve those questions by more direct means?"
"it is what it appeared to be, i have already confessed"
"we'd be ostracized as well as penniless; it was my whole life, what else could i do?"
"not an hour ago, you threw yourself whinging upon my mercy - that commodity is neither plentiful nor free"
"you talk as though my life still had value to me"
"the day promises to be very cold, but inside are eggs and bacon and coffee and a roaring fire"
"it's been such an age since i was anywhere near a dance floor"
"it's very good of you to take all the blame like that"
"i find these notions of class wearisome"
"they are people with virtues and faults and interesting stories to tell, so of course i get to know them"
"i cannot kill this man with a stimulant for the slim chance he may know something"
"you're much better at rallying the troops than i am"
"i'm sure there are many people who would be grief-stricken if you didn't come back to them"
"the kind of courage that can keep it together during the direst of circumstances is often the kind that breaks once the danger is past"
"for both clarity and maneuverability, there is nothing better than a letter"
"if you do not wish to pursue this, i will be honored to maintain our friendship; say nothing and we will never speak of it again"
"i'll be gone before you're awake tomorrow, but i should be back for dinner"
"i triumphed in that confrontation, and i will here as well"
"i give you my word–for what it may be worth to you–that no one here had anything to do with it"