Jodi

“So who gave him his name?" I asked.

"Kerrick," Belen answered.

Not who I'd expect. "Why 'Flea'?"

A full-out grin spread across Flea's face. "Cause I'm fast and hard to catch."

"Because he's a pest and hard to squash," Belen said.

"Because he jumps about three feet in the air when you scare him," Loren added.

"Because he's annoying and makes us itch with impatience," Quain said.

"Thanks, guys. I love you too." Flea made exaggerated kissing noises and patted his ass.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Touch of Power

“I remembered my little brother, Allyn, had appeared so innocent and angelic when he slept--similar to Kerrick. It must be a survival tactic. If Allyn hadn't looked so sweet, we would have killed him while he slept. He had been pure evil when he was awake--similar to Kerrick.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Touch of Power

“A little present from my run-in with a sword. Or should I say from when the sword had a run-in with me?” His eyes lit up.
“Want to see the scar? It’s cool.” He started pulling his shirt out of his pants.
“Janco,” Ari warned. “We’re not supposed to be fraternizing with the Sitians.”
“But she’s not Sitian. Right, Yelena? You haven’t gone south on us, have you?” Janco’s voice held mock horror.
“Because if you have I can’t give you your present.”
I took my switchblade out, showing the inscription to Janco. “What about ‘Sieges weathered, fight together, friends forever’? Does that change if I become an official southerner?”
Janco rubbed the hair on his chin, considering.
“No,” Ari said. “You could change into a goat and it would still apply.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Magic Study

“One, and two, and three, four, five. Keep fighting like this and you will die," Janco sang.”
― Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study