[worldsinc]

the oleander sword by tasha suri

will you protect her?

a shame that we cannot stop and admire it.

moments such as this are what make us whole.

it's alright if you feel— conflicted about killing someone. or if you're still a little afraid. it was frightening.

you've got nothing to be afraid of. you've got me.

i don't always want to hide behind you. maybe i want to look after you too. have you ever considered that?

it would be so much easier of you were here.

what greater love is there than wanting to lay the world in your beloved's hands?

if this is the path you wish to take, i will follow you upon it.

i'll sleep once the work is done.

i don't think i was tactful enough.

i don't think it's what you really want.

protecting the home we've built, the family we've made here... that feels worth it.

you should have sounded retreat.

i would have let hundreds die, if need be.

a battle is not simply a balance of lives.

how do you settle battles being won, in (place)?

i wish you could be more than this.

not all visitors are as welcome as you are.

i don't seek to see into your heart.

do you really want me to advise you? we'll only disagree.

i can be very annoying when i want to be.

you're trying to attempt the impossible.

who else do i have to trust, but you?

they will see, and they will fear you.

promise me you'll survive and come home.

when this is all over, i'll come home to you.

if you want to come— there's a place for you. i just can't promise it's a safe one.

if i could refuse you, do you think anyone else could sway me?

this is thankless work.

i am something new.

there's no one here. they're all long gone.

why are you still smiling?

i wanted you to see what i am now.

can you obey me?

i would like to think i'm flirting with you. or daring you, perhaps.

you will not die here.

you just need to give me your hand.

i can't fix everything for you.

i thought it had killed you.

men are dying. you can hear it, can't you?

you are a gift.

you always liked to play at being human.

you are not as you should be.

something is wrong with me.

don't worry. you won't feel like this forever.

will i be exiled? or will my throat be slit in the night?

don't show fear.

it has been a long, long time since you've held a sword with any intent to use it.

you're being gentle with me.

as long as my heart bids me to stay, i will stay, and i will fight.

i found someone watching you.

you are not as afraid of me as you used to be.

i did not think you thought of me enough to think me a fool.

do you think i'll kill you?

i could sleep on the floor. you wouldn't even notice me.

you don't like simpering, quiet women, do you?

i did not ask for you to sacrifice for my sake.

you have your wish after all.

do not hold yourself back from greatness.

you must think yourself valuable to me.

we gave up so much to be here. why then, shouldn't we reshape the world?

you are very good at being invisible when you choose to be.

aren't you going to use me?

should you be telling me your weaknesses?

i don't fear being your weapon.

every time you come to me, the bond between us grows stronger.

will you let me drown?

i do not care if mortals die.

what price must my flesh pay, when i am already hollow for you?

we would die hunted, like animals.

without sunrise, we cannot win.

your hope seems false.

will you trust in my fate?

whatever this is— please. stop this.

what would your people do without you?

i'm not myself. i think you can probably tell.

i may not understand the depth of your magic, but i've seen you control it before.

what if i'm not human enough anymore?

i should never have let you go into battle.

are you angry that i don't love as you do?

as if a simple battle could kill you.

everything that i am is yours.

were you going to go without me?

i like carrying a piece of you with me.

i am tired of wanting and not taking.

haven't we suffered enough?

to have magic, you have to sacrifice something.

what is wrong with you? what has become of you?

what i once wanted doesn't matter.

this is a holy place.

you believe danger is coming for us?

if i deny you, won't you simply slip away in the night?

don't throw my own words back at me.

how can you look at me so tenderly, and ask me to die for you?

what would you have done if i hadn't come?

that's a cruel thing to let yourself dream of, isn't it?

i'm not letting you break that promise.

we'll have to make sure you can protect yourself.

what can i do to stop you?

you should have told me all your fears.

don't die for me. whatever happens.

beg me. grovel with your face to the floor.

i want to kill you so very much.

i would always need you completely.

with me, you will find wholeness.

i hope you can forgive me for leaving you behind.

whatever you cannot mourn, i will mourn for you.

what kind of god would demand this from you?

i don't think you fear being powerless.

if you kill me, your name will be tarnished.

the only worth you have is in your death.

i gave you my heart. i need to take it back.

[worldsinc]

fellow travelers by thomas mallon

don't dawdle. [they] will be downstairs in minutes.

the jesuits would love that!

what kind of guy picks lunch hour on tuesday to get married in a church?

aren't you overdoing things?

i'll take you to dinner after we sample whatever food they're serving.

do not believe the reports of [their] death. these rumors are spread all the time.

are you always so awash in nostalgia?

there. you're healed.

i'm not a big enough capitalist for that.

are you sure you won't join us?

the shy type? i like that.

whose place is this, anyway?

what if you were to let me kiss you? would that be mortal or venial?

you want details. there aren't any.

i guess you didn't have one of your late nights last night.

god has been very, very good to you.

mother is bored with father.

you weren't aware of my proximity to the famous, were you?

i wonder what would have happened if we'd met there, that day, instead of in [x].

do you know what they do to guys like me in russia?

war is hell. bad things happen.

well, i'd rather have worked for his joe than for your joe.

you're bleeding, kid.

that appears to be a very cold shoulder.

you came alone?

i am wonderful. so why don't you just suffer.

put your shirt back on.

an odd way to propose, no?

you're needed. badly.

is that or is that not an engagement ring?

do you know the difference between sang-froid and recklessness?

i'm making you angry. i should go.

you're making me angry. i should go.

it's nice. the calm, i mean. it's anything but calm where i am.

couldn't you let [them] down easy? give [them] up for lent?

i've decided to forgive you.

hit me.

it's a little early in the day for this.

we'll save things for another day.

is he in love with you?

you look steady enough to me.

would you let me take you to dinner some night?

it was more fun in here ten years ago.

relax, apple pie. but be careful who you talk to.

are we doing this just to keep warm?

take it or leave it, [name]. you've got five seconds.

i'm the man who has everything. and i always will.

does they boy's mother know what happened?

are you with your family?

i didn't raise my boy to be a soldier.

you take care of yourself. and send us a postcard!

i'm you without any anger. and i have a feeling i scare you.

i'm not going to wait for you, you know.

i have to get over you.

this may be the only part of you i've never touched.

i intend to stop. i have stopped.

from the look on your face i'm guessing you don't like to travel.

why are you wasting your time with this?

have you ever considered yourself to be in love with another male?

good to see you in uniform.

you were embarrassed to come see me?

you're happy. try to stay that way.

i thought i'd go to new york.

what time is it where you are?

let [them] know that i was happy enough.

[worldsinc]

the tale of the body thief by anne rice

take me to heaven.

not even on my deathbed will i accept.

would you still crave my company? would i crave yours?

have you no honor?

why do you want to destroy yourself?

i need you. you're my only friend.

you've been reading too much of the bible.

don't read my mind if you won't let me read yours.

why would anyone want me to live?

you're afraid you've wasted your life, aren't you?

do you search for God?

if it can happen by accident, it can happen this way too.

you were born a monster, and you know it.

how the hell can you delude yourself like this?

this is purgatory that we're in, you and i. and all we can be is thankful that it isn't actually hell.

i'm glad to see you, though i dread admitting it.

something dreadful is going to happen to you again.

i'll win out. don't you know that by now? i always do.

what's your passion? it can't be the money.

nothing's beneath my dignity.

if you harm me, you'll throw away this opportunity forever.

do you still dream of dying?

you're too desperately fond of being alive.

why are you so afraid of [them]?

i won't give you forever to make up your mind.

we are oddly paired, you and i.

i hope you burn in hell for your lack of charity.

stick around until i get off, why don't you? you can walk me home.

i gave you life.

i'm the devil and when i behold goodness, i know it.

i'm so scared, but i know you have to go.

it was just easier to blame you for everything.

i know you are good. i love you for it.

you deserved the knife when i put it through your heart, and you know it.

it wasn't hell. tell me it wasn't. tell me there was happiness.

you make me think of a story i once read... about an angel forced to come down to earth in a human body.

i want you to hurt me.

don't you see? an ordinary life is impossible for someone like me.

how very strange you are, and how miraculous that you came to me.

there was a moment this morning when i thought i could throw away everything-- just to be with you.

you could become my god.

you exist tonight because of me.

would you let me be the one who loves you now?

my clothes will fit you.

lie down on that bed, and close your eyes. and listen to every word i say.

you are beautiful. but you are unnatural.

i'm afraid for you. afraid you're making a terrible mistake.

i couldn't have beaten [them] if it hadn't been for you.

why must i die to love you?

you love to imagine you're worse than you are.

i tried to hate you. i couldn't do it; it's as simple as that.

how can you not hate me?

we are all damned and now you are too.

are you grieving for me?

[worldsinc]

interview with the vampire by anne rice parts iii & iv

this is my world. i must have it as i like.

why do you look away, why don't you look at me?

did you think i'd be your daughter forever?

be sly for once.

need i tell you what fate may have in store for you?

your beauty is a gift to us.

you've come from so far, you've travelled for so long.

do you believe that satan made this world around you?

what constitutes evil, real evil, is the taking of a single human life.

nothing's changed; it's all the same.

let me go. just a while.

why don't you come up with us?

i came to be alone.

i must warn you. answer no questions.

what can be imagined can be done.

your voice, i know that accent; speak again.

we blend with the night.

tell us about the old days.

boredom is death!

you're welcome tomorrow night, and the night after.

do you think for a moment i don't acknowledge my own guilt?

do you think i would leave you in danger?

danger holds you to me.

love's blinded you.

you feel too much, you think too much.

can't you read my thoughts as if they were words?

don't look away from me! i am sick at heart of your looking away, with your suffering.

your evil is that you cannot be evil, and i suffer for it.

you haven't tears enough for what you've done to me.

i will not live with this hatred any longer!

i love you still, that's the torment of it.

i deserve your hatred.

would you die with me?

your power over me is broken.

if i could only show you my power...

what has died in this room tonight is the last vestige in me of what was human.

i want you. i want you more than anything in the world.

i don't understand my own feelings.

you don't begin to know what a mystery you are!

should i be insulted?

i don't think i've been fortunate in feeling love for many people or many things.

i am evil with infinite gradations and without guilt.

do you see how ruthless i am in love?

i'm at odds with everything and always have been!

your fall from faith and grace has been the fall of a century.

i haven't the courage to die.

you can be scarred, yes; but you are resilient.

we have the world.

i only hope that when you have need of me, you can find me.

i promised you nothing.

i warn you, don't come near me.

i see you in the reflection of myself.

don't try to speak... it's all right.

i've dreamed of your coming.

you've come home again to me, haven't you?

how can you be as you are? how can you stand it?

she never loved you, you know.

[worldsinc]

interview with the vampire by anne rice parts i & ii

this really happened, didn't it?

people who cease to believe in god or goodness all together still believe in the devil.

i thought you wanted to die, (name).

have you ever lost a great amount of blood? do you know the feeling?

don't fall so madly in love with the night that you lose your way!

do it. you can't turn back now.

i'll kill them all.

the fact is i want you gone from here.

you'll never forgive me, will you? not now, not even after i'm dead.

did i give you the impression that i could not feel?

do you think that angels are detached?

why have you come to me tonight?

i believe you come from the devil!

be prepared to kill!

i thought only of you, when i had no need to think of you at all.

you think i come from the devil?

i am to live to the end of the world, and i do not even know what i am!

good night, sweet prince.

you're being morbid!

it's only for a moment and there'll be no more pain.

i will not die, i cannot die.

are you afraid of me, (name)?

tell me what a monster i am.

what do you think a vampire is?

you are in love with your mortal nature.

does it bring you happiness?

you're dead, love.

all this time, i suppose i kept from straightening you out because you were best weaker.

it's as if you want us both to be destroyed.

i can't stand to watch what you're doing.

you won't let me die, will you?

i can't remember my sins.

let me show you what you are.

evil is a point of view.

i don't want it if it hurts you.

i should have known that it was inevitable.

did you bury them?

i bought this from one of the vendors.

you made us what we are, didn't you?

you could be dead by now if you were mortal!

be glad i made you what you are.

kill with me tonight.

i cannot bear to lose you.

you're the only companion i have in immortality.

aren't you the same as i?

i was your victim!

he will not let us go.

why do you never talk about him?

i want to make peace with you. i want things to be as they were.

i take care of you. you don't need anything.

come down into the darkness. let it all go away.

we deserve to die.

i did it for us. so we could be free.

do you want to come into the confessional?

do you fear god at all?

let the flesh instruct the mind.

someone followed me.

why do you look that way at me?

you don't understand the danger of fear itself.

what can the damned really say to the damned?

the night's no time for travelling.

i think i'm going mad!

do you think he knows we're coming?

let me lead you. there's no turning back now.

take me into your arms.

don't you sense the danger? can't you breathe it like the air?

do you hear it?

the final decision will always rest with you.

[worldsinc]

the red threads of fortune   by   neon yang

it’s me. i’m not dead yet.

you have completely lost your mind.

i know you think i know nothing.

we go at sunrise.

you’re really moody today, you know?

you don’t have to worry about me.

you didn’t want to listen, did you? you never listen.

right now, the most important thing is to decide what we do next.

sooner or later it’ll come back. we need to be prepared.

i should be the one apologizing.

birth day, death day. same day.

i should have been gentler.

admit it-- it helps having me around.

once upon a time, i met someone bold and bright as a leaping river.

i’m sorry. i won’t push you. that rarely ends well.

i don’t want your name. who sent you?

come sit by me. we should talk.

you saw my vision, didn’t you?

are you certain you do not wish to stay?

forget everything you have learned. it will not help you.

this day has just taken a massively hell-shat turn.

i’m not that easy to read.

oh, my love. you haven’t changed.

i won’t blame you if you decide to go.

don’t waste my time again.

i don’t expect you to kneel.

have you been going through my things?

i’m not getting any better. i’m afraid all the time, i can’t control my thoughts. i don’t know how long i can go on like this.

if you want something to be sure of, i can give you one.

you will find me waiting there. always. no matter how long it takes.

this city is your home. you must care about it, even just a little bit.

did anyone ask what would make me happy? no.

this isn’t a game. thousands of people could die if we do nothing.

do it for your mother’s sake, if nothing else.

trust me. i know what you’re feeling. i know what it’s like.

i hid it from you. that was my decision.

if that is to be my fate, then i embrace it.

of course expecting gratitude from you would be too much.

violence is the fault of the one enacting it. always.

i want you to look ahead with no regrets. i want you to carry the memory of what happened here into the future.

in another iteration of the world, we might never have met. it was fortune’s blessing that we did.

forget the world in my embrace.

you’re alive, even though you shouldn’t be.

why was i surprised to find that you’d run off to martyr yourself?

[worldsinc]

the black tides of heaven   by   neon yang

did your mother do this?

why can’t you come with us?

i saw you in a dream.

you could have died. what were you doing?

don’t be frightened. i’ll protect you.

let’s go back before anyone notices we’re gone.

you speak of them as though they are mere numbers on a ledger.

we need to get as far as possible before they realize we’re gone.

there are no good kinds of war.

if you die, i want to go with you.

you’ve been grouchy for the last few days. something is wrong, you just won’t say it.

we were six when we made that promise. we’re not children anymore.

you don’t have to decide. i’m just telling you what i want.

you could just have me assassinated.

why did you come here? to warn me?

it’s not about you or what you’ve done. there’s no bigger reason to things.

i care about doing whatever you can, with whatever’s in front of you. because it’s the only thing you can do.

you saw the way he looked at you, didn’t you?

i didn’t trust you. i wanted to, i promise. but i couldn’t.

what wild ideas you have.

that chasm’s always been there. you’ve always known it.

you did not come all this way to stare mutely at me.

i can’t promise that. i can only try.

you shouldn’t have killed those men.

would you have preferred i let them kill you?

i don’t ask. i don’t look. i do the job. it makes everything simpler.

planning to leave before i woke?

it;s hard for me to believe in free will.

there are no righteous deaths. only ones that can’t be avoided.

what would you call it? coincidence? it feels like more than that.

i don’t want to raise a child who’s never met you.

focus on your future. forget about me.

i can’t believe you woke me for this.

it’s important to you. that makes it important to me too. i don’t want to be left out of it.

i’ll follow you anywhere. you just have to let me.

this is what i was afraid of. this is why i could never return.

don’t get innocents killed protecting me.

there is greatness in your blood that cannot be denied.

you should have killed me when you could.

you sowed the seeds of your own downfall. it’s what you deserve.

i held your life in my hands. i could have killed you. your fate belongs to me.

i choose to spare your life.

[worldsinc]

my year of meats   by   ruth ozeki

i think my lip is bleeding.

it doesn’t mean anything. it’s just a name!

kill two birds with one stone.

that’s awful. but it works.

you know what it’s like? a 1960s porn set.

is it what you’d imagined?

i don’t think you exist.

i was married once, but it just didn’t work out.

it was never my intention to be monogamous with you, believe me.

i never intended to like you, but that’s the way it’s turned out.

come on, it’s such a personal moment.

about time to marry, don’t you think?

speak up. i can’t hear you.

i don’t care about how rotten you feel or how rotten you are.

if you have to throw up again, do it now.

how could you not believe it?

i told you to never close this door.

do you always chase after women like this?

i should think you’d be relieved.

i will marry you tonight if you wish.

you are my dear comrade, and i will always support you.

it’s good to see you having fun.

you are a cold, dead fish.

do you want to talk? do you want to fuck?

we’ve just never had that kind of relationship.

i have never felt the slightest bit guilty.

you guys are insane.

you go spreading these filthy lies around here and i’ll kill you. i swear i will.

are you threatening me?

blood is hot when it pours from a living body.

he left you a note. i’ve got it here somewhere.

you’re blaming yourself, but it’s not your fault.

secrets are like ghosts. it’s like living with ghosts.

[worldsinc]

sharks in the time of saviors   by   kawai strong washburn

no flinching.

he’s not gonna save you.

if you’re tired of everyone picking on you, maybe don’t be such a smart-ass all the time.

you wouldn’t understand if i told you.

it’s my head. i have all these things inside, they won’t stop.

you don’t know what you’re doing.

i don’t know why i did it.

why won’t you let me say i’m sorry?

ain’t nothing bigger than our family.

i’m a perfect gentleman once you get to know me.

you can’t help me.

did you feel anything in there?

i have to start fixing things. i have to fix everything.

first time?

you tell me how my ass looks in these jeans!

we did a lot to get you there, you know.

i’m sorry, i didn’t have a plan. i just wanted to see you, is all.

don’t insult me. we can’t just keep on like this.

don’t pretend you know what this feels like.

it doesn’t matter what i need.

do that one more time and i’m gone.

you believe in destiny?

what’s in you is a gift.

it’s like you haven’t been listening. i don’t want to do it anymore.

i know you. i was you.

look who finally made it back to their home.

how many years has it been now?

you don’t talk to me anymore.

you gotta call your mom and dad.

let me do it my way.

we can catch the bus, we can hitchhike. we can walk, even. but not this.

go if you want. i know the way back.

you think you could’ve done anything?

let’s go back inside. i’ll get you a glass of water.

you’re judging me. don’t judge me.

you’ll have to be a mother before you can understand the craziness of it.

there’s nothing wrong with missing him.

go ahead and think what you think. i should know better than to try and talk you out of it.

listen to yourself. you’re acting like you’re giving up.

We gotta do what we need to keep living.

it’s always fucking raining.

i didn’t know you smoked.

i’m always losing better versions of myself.

god, i’m tired of crying. you want a beer?

no more saviors, okay? this is just life.

you’re not coming home, are you?

we’re not okay enough. not yet.

slow down. you’re doing that thing again, where you talk crazy.

[worldsinc]

sharp objects   by   gillian flynn

if you can’t do this, you can’t do it. but i think it might be good for you.

how do i not know you?

you can walk beside me here.

it’s all too loud.

i’m so sorry to bother you at home.

i was hoping i could stay here. just for a few days.

get the police. and call an ambulance.

an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

heard you were in town, hoping you’d phone.

i don’t want to talk to anyone.

i just want to be left alone. we all want to be left alone.

was the funeral hard on you?

no one believes me.

if you want me to leave, i will.

sounds like we’ve both seen some ugly things.

you said it would all be perfect. you promised!

i’m so sorry, my girl.

i wish i’d been murdered.

you need to shut up now.

this place does bad things to me.

you’re gonna be fine. if you feel unfine, call me. i’ll get you out.

you’ve had too much to drink.

i think everything i say is stupid.

i think you are a parasite.

i hope someday you look back and see how ugly you are.

i was playing bad cop.

my brain desperately needs a night off from this stuff.

looks and money get you a long way around here.

now look what you’ve done. i’m bleeding.

some days i think i won’t be able to take the worry.

do you ever feel like bad things are going to happen, and you can’t stop them? you can’t do anything, you just have to wait?

when everyone’s asleep and everything’s quiet, it’s easier.

you’d never even know i was there.

i’m the one keeping you together.

get in, we’ve got some work to do.

i think i finally realized why i don’t love you.

you remind me of my mother.

i never said i didn’t love you.

you’re so hateful.

i learned at your feet.

this place is miserable and i want to die, but i can’t think of any place i’d rather be.

i’m tired of dying.

don’t play martyr.

i just always feel like a bad person when i’m here.

keep quiet until we get to my room, okay?

i’ll cut you.

come on sweetness, you need to be smart about your health.

it’s so weird to see you grown up.

have you gotten over it?

i just want to make things okay with us.

maybe your spirit has gotten a bit more broken. in a good way. in a necessary way.

we hurt each other awfully quick in this family.

just wait-- everything’s going to get worse.

i genuinely fell for you. as much as you can fall for a person as closed off as you are.

anyone ever tell you you’re overly sensitive?

let me take care of you. just once, need me.

i love wiping away your tears.