Olivia

“In the east," she says after a time, her gaze still downcast, "there is a tradition known as kintsukuroi. It is the practice of mending broken ceramic pottery using lacquer dusted with gold and silver and other precious metals. It is meant to symbolize that things can be more beautiful for having been broken."
"Why are you telling me this?" I ask.
At last she looks at me. Her irises are polished obsidian in the moonlight. "Because I want you to know," she says, "that there is life after survival.”
― Mackenzi Lee, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

“It’s a strange feeling, realizing that other people you don’t know have their own full lives that don’t touch yours. I”
― Mackenzi Lee, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

“I wish I could be better for you." She looks over at me, and I duck my head, shame sinking its teeth in. "I'm older and I know I'm supposed to be... an example, I don't know. At least someone you aren't embarrassed of."

"You do fine."
"I don't"

"You're right, you don't. But you're getting better. And that isn't nothing.”
― Mackenzi Lee, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

“it’s hard not to see. You’re the kind of pair that makes everyone around them feel as though they’re missing out on a private joke.”
― Mackenzi Lee, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue