Aspen

“Elend Venture,' she said, standing up. 'There is something I've been meaning to tell you for some time.' She paused, blinking away her tears. 'You read too much. Especially in the presence of ladies.'

He smiled, throwing back his chair and grabbing her in a firm embrace. Vin closed her eyes, simply feeling the warmth of being held.

And realized that was all she had ever really wanted.”
― Brandon Sanderson, Mistborn: The Final Empire

“People don't like us, my dear. The idea that someone who can play with their emotions, who can "mystically" get them to do certain things, makes them uncomfortable. What they do not realize - and what you must realize - is that manipulating is at the core of our social interaction. (...) Think about it. What is a man doing when he seeks the affection of a young lady? Why, he is trying to manipulate her to regard him favorably. What happens when two old friends sit down for a drink? They tell stories, trying to impress each other. Life as a human being is about posturing and influence. This isn't a bad thing, in fact, we depend upon it. These interactions teach us how to respond to others.”
― Brandon Sanderson

“That's what trust is. It's about giving someone else power over you. Power to hurt you.”
― Brandon Sanderson, The Hero of Ages

“Life as a human being is about posturing and influence.”
― Brandon Sanderson, Mistborn: The Final Empire