Sally Quotes

“You're so hypno-something, could you be the devil, could you be an angel, your touch is something good, feels like
going floating, leave my body glowing."

"Katy Perry? She's singing Katy Perry in the hospital bathroom. Just when you think you've seen it all," Sally mumbled. She knocked on the door again. Still no answer, so she started banging. Then she was banging and hollering, "JEN! OPEN THE FREAKING DOOR!" Wouldn't you know, she just sang louder. Why am I not surprised, she thought.”
― Quinn Loftis, Blood Rites

“There’s only one thing I know— have always known— that I wanted out of life. And it’s you.”
― Cookie O'Gorman, Adorkable

“How can it surprise any of you that loves could break the curse? You, whose very genetic makeup forces you to love so deeply that you can't even survive without your mate? It's no coincidence that the saying is 'love conquers all'. It's a tale as old as time.”
― Quinn Loftis, Out of the Dark

“I will say one thing about those males, there is never a dull moment." Peri suddenly appeared causing everyone to jump.
"Bloody hell," Jen barked.
"Couldn't you send out some sort of signal that you're about to appear out of thin air?" Lilly asked.
"What do you expect me to do...fart just before I appear so the smell alerts you?" Peri took a seat next to Alina and crossed her legs, appearing regal despite her crude words.
"Why do you say we would be alerted by the smell, rather than the sound?" Sally asked.
Peri smiled. "I think you humans call them silent but deadly.”
― Quinn Loftis, Sacrifice of Love

“The bog bubbled and splashed in her face as she maneuvered, forcing her to swallow a good mouthful of liquid, which turned out to taste like a sugary egg dusted with cinnamon.
Well, if this doesn't work, at least my ending will be sweet, she thought wryly.”
― Mari Mancusi, Sally's Lament

“You not only solved its riddle but proved your mettle by how far you were willing to go to save your people. Magic rewards mettle, you know.”
― Megan Shepherd, Hour of the Pumpkin Queen

“You showed Scorch the meaning of sacrifice. The meaning of a hero. It is not always swords and shields. Some sacrifices are quiet, yet mighty.”
― Megan Shepherd, Hour of the Pumpkin Queen

“The darkest night was always a special time for me as a child, when the stars were at their brightest. It would warm my heart to spend that time with you."
A tear pools in my mother's glassy eye. "We would enjoy that very much, as you are our star."
We embrace again, a loving tangle of yarn and stuffing and laughter.”
― Megan Shepherd, Hour of the Pumpkin Queen

“You and I can accomplish anything when we work together, Sally. You're soft where I'm hard. You're quiet when I am loud. We fill each other's gaps, don't you see?”
― Megan Shepherd, Hour of the Pumpkin Queen

“She stepped under the archway and into the graveyard, a contented sigh escaping her lips. She loved coming out here; it always felt so peaceful amongst the stones and weeds and feral cats that would wander between the graves hunting for field mice and spiders. Even though it was technically a place for the dead, being here always made Sally feel as if she were reborn.”
― Mari Mancusi, Sally's Lament

“She didn't know where these visions came from or why they would come. Perhaps it was a side effect of whatever process Dr. Finkelstein had used to bring her to life. Or maybe the old brain he'd stuffed in her head had been psychic when it belonged to its person. Or maybe it was just a rag doll thing; she had no other doll friends to compare to, so she couldn't be sure.
But while she didn't know why the visions came and she couldn't predict when they would come, she was sure of one thing.
They were usually trying to tell her something. Something important.
And she needed to pay attention.”
― Mari Mancusi, Sally's Lament

“The town seemed to be full of oddities. Like the garden of strange snow statues, carved to look like little round men with jaunty black hats and carrots for their noses. And the leafy green bouquets with white berries tied up in bows hanging over archways all around town, often with two people smooching beneath them, as if the leaves were sprinkled with some kind of love potion. And then there was the large rotating contraption of wooden animals spinning round and round as jaunty music played from a hidden speaker. Even stranger, several children were riding on these animals, squealing in delight as they spun.
Looks like fun, Sally couldn't help thinking.”
― Mari Mancusi, Sally's Lament

“Call me old-fashioned," he said, shaking his head. "But to me it isn't really Christmas without visions of sugarplums dancing through your head."
Sally startled. "What did you just say?" she asked, her voice a little hoarse. Visions, sugarplums, dancing! How did he know?
"Oh. It's from a famous Christmas poem," the man explained. "Surely you've heard of it.”
― Mari Mancusi, Sally's Lament

“And then there were their dresses. Fancy cotton confections of candy-colored frills and bows, with puffed sleeves and ribbon sashes. Sally had never seen such dresses before, and for a moment, she felt a little inadequate when she gazed down at her own homemade ensemble, rather plain in comparison.
But then, she'd made this dress herself, she thought. And who was to say she couldn't make one of theirs, too, if she just gave it a try? In fact, if she could find the right material, she was almost positive she could re-create one of these ensembles back in Halloween Town, adding her own special Sally touches, of course. For example, their sashes were practically screaming to be replaced by proper spiderwebs. And a few slashes with a serrated knife would give the puffed sleeves a lovely shredded flair. Her mouth curled as she imagined herself walking past the fountain in her hometown square, sashaying in a swish of silk and spiders. Halloween Town wouldn't know what hit them!
And what if, her mind whirred, others wanted a dress like this, too? She could take orders. Charge money. Maybe even eventually open her own shop. Support herself so she would no longer be reliant on Dr. Finkelstein.
She gasped at the idea. This could change everything!
Feeling almost giddy, she studied the dolls' dresses, taking the time to memorize every detail while happily munching on her sugarplums. Christmas Town was truly amazing, she decided. Even if it was very different from home. And while she'd always be a fan of the grim and gruesome, she saw now that fun and festive was actually pretty great, too.”
― Mari Mancusi, Sally's Lament

“I mean, could you imagine? Some little girl waking up on Christmas morning to find you under her tree? She'd probably run away screaming in fright."
"Well, I should certainly hope so," Sally agreed, a little confused. For what could be better than that?”
― Mari Mancusi, Sally's Lament

“In the meantime, you should head home. People have seen you with us now. And if we go down, I don't want to take you with us."
Tammy looked at her for a moment, then gave a grudging snort. "You're a brave toy," she said. "I'll give you that." She paused, then added, "Just be careful, all right? A lot of people underestimate Christmas Town. But nightmares can lie in the dreamiest of places."
"Well, that's good," Sally declared, flashing Jack a look. "Because it just so happens we have a lot of experience with nightmares.”
― Mari Mancusi, Sally's Lament

“She knew it too well, that terrible empty feeling that stemmed from loneliness. That desperate desire to be close to something--- someone. Someone who understood you. Someone who allowed you to be yourself without any strings attached.
Perhaps, all along, it hadn't been freedom or adventure they'd truly craved that night in the graveyard, she thought suddenly. Perhaps it had been connection.
She looked up, realizing Jack's face was near hers. He gave her a timid smile, reaching out to brush a lock of yarn from her eyes. Sally felt her leaves swirl, and her first instinct was to jerk away, laugh, break from the moment and make it all a joke.
But no. That was the coward's way out. She needed to face her fears. To be the Sally she so desperately wanted to be. The Sally she saw reflected in Jack's dark eyes.
"Jack..." she whispered. His name felt like a prayer on her lips. "Oh, Jack."
"Sally..."
Jack closed his eyes. Tilted his head. Began to lean closer.”
― Mari Mancusi, Sally's Lament

“She leaned toward the door, breathing in deeply, rejoicing in the moldy scent of death and decay that lingered on the other side. Ah, home, she thought as she dove headfirst into the abyss.
After tumbling through blackness, she arrived just like before, this time plopping down in a nice thick pile of fallen leaves. She laughed in delight as she rolled in the pile for a moment, enjoying the feeling of fall tickling her cloth skin.”
― Mari Mancusi, Sally's Lament

“Oh, it is good to be home," he declared. And Sally agreed with him. There was so much she loved about Christmas Town. But Halloween Town was pretty great, too. And it was okay, she decided, to like both for what they were. If she learned anything from this adventure, it was that one thing didn't have to define you. You got to define yourself--- in any manner you saw fit.”
― Mari Mancusi, Sally's Lament

“After stepping out of bed, she got dressed, slipping on her new patchwork dress and enjoying the feel of the soft cotton against her cloth skin. She'd sewed it together out of fabric she'd found in the dumpster--- the remnants of old and discarded costumes--- and was pretty proud of how it had come out. Christmas clothing was cute and all, but Abigail had been right--- it was extremely itchy. Not to mention a little boring. No dress should be limited to just one pattern or color, she thought with a smile. Which was why her new shop's name was so perfect: Patterns and Potions by Sally.”
― Mari Mancusi, Sally's Lament

“Sally!" My parents' stitched faces beam at us as they throw their downy arms around me. They both wear silk pajamas with midnight-blue robes that surround me like cottony clouds. My heart leaps like a baby lamb. Their candle-wax smell grips me in a familiar embrace, and I feel like a daydreamy little girl again.”
― Megan Shepherd, Hour of the Pumpkin Queen

“I can't help feeling a connection with Luna beyond just our being rag dolls. Both of us quiet. Bookish. Daydreamy. But whereas I grew up as friendless as a lone daisy in a graveyard, Luna has every chance to blossom.
Besides, I tell myself, I'm not some lost stray cat hiding in the shadows anymore. Dr. Finkelstein was wrong. I am a queen, and I'm exactly where I belong-- with my family and Jack, who completes me in ways I didn't even know possible.”
― Megan Shepherd, Hour of the Pumpkin Queen

“I'm honored that my parents trust me enough to take on their jobs when they retire, so how can I refuse? I am originally from Dream Town. This was my bed. This was my home.
I can't just ignore my duty.
But in a way, the scenes captured in these watercolor paintings feel like someone else's life. Halloween Town is the only home I've ever truly known. Whether or not I belonged there, I grew to adore it. The black cat's chorus of midnight wails. The silver glow of the full moon. The scent of fire-roasted pumpkin soup on an autumn breeze. I used to sit at my barred window in Dr. Finkelstein's house and watch the townspeople like they were characters in my own macabre little dollhouse: the Mayor wheeling around in his hearse. The trio of musicians playing a morose melody. The corpse family bringing in the pumpkin harvest with their lumbering gaits and rattling chains. They all became such dear characters to me, even if half of them never knew my name.
And so, when I married Jack and became the Pumpkin Queen, it meant everything that they embraced me. There were bumps along the road, of course, but now I'm traipsing around that macabre little dollhouse village with them all. Dancing. Delivering potions. Making queenly proclamations. Even now, it brings tears to my eyes. I want to hold on to this beautiful feeling of belonging for all eternity.”
― Megan Shepherd, Hour of the Pumpkin Queen

“In a way, I'm grateful for having grown up in Halloween Town, because it forged me into a mighty queen. Jack's heart would burst with pride to see me standing up to a dragon with fire in my eyes and a tailor's sword in hand, defending someone smaller than me.”
― Megan Shepherd, Hour of the Pumpkin Queen

“Despite nearly drowning and narrowly avoiding a mermaid's song, I'm intrigued by this new world. I'm curious how their ruler determines what makes a hero and what makes a villain. It can't be as simple as which side of town a character lives on, if they have horns or halos or use swords or spells. There might have been a time when I thought good and evil were clear-cut, but that all changed when Jack set out to save Christmas and ended up ruining it instead. He became the villain instead of the hero he yearned to be.
And what about me? I live in a world of monsters who, by most reckonings, would be considered villains. Yet that's the last way I think about gentle Behemoth, sweet little Zero, friendly Undersea Gal. Do they think of me as a hero simply because I come from a land of sweet dreams? Of course not. If they look at me with any admiration, it's because of my efforts as queen, not the crown alone.”
― Megan Shepherd, Hour of the Pumpkin Queen

“After all, heroes aren't born from the light. They emerge from the depths of fears, blazing a brave trail. Labels falter, crumble, and fall away as easily as autumn leaves.”
― Megan Shepherd, Hour of the Pumpkin Queen

“Crisp autumn leaves whip our faces, but then, we break free from the canopy. Nothing but vast sky surrounds us above and all around. Below, Fable Town stretches as far as my eyes can see. Adjusting his satchel strap around his chest, Scorch straightens out his flight path to run parallel to the ground. We skim the clouds over dwarfs' cottages and fairy rings of red-capped mushrooms. Scorch crests a hill, and the impenetrable canopy of trees that makes up Villain Village stretches beneath us. In the distance, the spire of a crumbling, dark castle rises over a tangled, thorny thicket.
A salty breeze ruffles my eyelashes, and before I know it, Scorch plunges down a cliff and flies us over the Fabled Sea. I spot the deep blue water where we fell. The half-submersed shipwreck. The beach where we collapsed in tearful, soggy joy. We fly over a rocky promontory where the mermaid warbles her siren song up at us, but the wind blows away her words before she can ensnare us.”
― Megan Shepherd, Hour of the Pumpkin Queen

“I am the Pumpkin Queen of Halloween Town. There is nothing-- nothing-- more frightening than me."
I channel a lifetime lived among monsters. More Halloweens than I can count. Most of all, I channel Jack's advice about being scary.
Play with light and shadow, Jack said. I move toward Scorch's tail fire so its wavering shadows make my eyes look huge. Use your surroundings. I step into the wind, which lifts my hair like writhing silken snakes. Understand why you scare.
And I do-- for so long, I thought scares were simply about tricks and treats, but now I understand that the frightening faces we show to the world can do more than merely delight.
I am queen of a nightmare land-- and I must save it.
For the finishing touch, I let out a haunted wail, like a mournful black cat in the night.”
― Megan Shepherd, Hour of the Pumpkin Queen

“I've asked myself so many times where my heart felt at home, and the answer is like the walls of that mismatched cottage: I feel at home in my childhood bedroom with shooting-star sheets and my parents reading me stories. I feel at home cozied in bed with Jack, beneath the jack-o'-lantern quilt I sewed for us. I even feel at home-- in my darkest corners-- in my creaky old bedroom in Dr. Finkelstein's house.
Belonging isn't about walls and a roof. It's a feeling. I felt an inkling of that when I was flying on Scorch, so careless and free. Up among the clouds, I never had to choose, and I don't now, either.
I can be all of these places, all of these people, and still simply be Sally.”
― Megan Shepherd, Hour of the Pumpkin Queen

“You might be surprised to see how frightening your wife can be."
For dramatic effect, I step back so the breeze blowing down the alleyway catches my hair, sending it into writhing snakelike locks. I stretch the seams on my cheeks into a ghoulish, haunting grimace, and let out the moan that sent a dragon quaking down to his paws.
Jack staggers three steps backward, startled and entranced, his jaw open so far it practically unhinges. When he finally finds his words, he exclaims, "My beautiful bride! I didn't think I could love you more, yet here you go tying my heart in knots. Talented, kind, and frightening?" He throws his arms around my waist and plants a kiss on the tip of my nose. "How did I get so lucky?”
― Megan Shepherd, Hour of the Pumpkin Queen