Mari Mancusi

“When the end of the world comes, it won't be the ones that cry who survive, but the ones who spit.”

“Can we cut the Zen crap for a moment?" I ask. "I'm trying to beat this bag to a pulp.”

“Where have you been?" I asked weakly. A few minutes ago I would have rather died than questioned him. Let him know I care. But I'm too sick to be strong, kick ass Rayne at the moment."Vegas" he says.I raise an eyebrows. "Uh, okay. Win anything?" I can't believe he was off gambling as I lay dying. I mean, I know poker is hot and all, but couldn't he have waited a couple of days for that straight flush?"I got what I went for, if that's what you mean.""What, a lap dance?"He chuckes. "Even sick, you're still funny, Rayne.”

“Eternity is a long time and it doesn't always work out that way," Jareth says, a bit bitterly. "It's worse to love someone and then lose them, then to never love at all.”

“Hi, my name is Jareth, and I'll be your- God" He curses as he lays his eyes on me.I raised an eyebrow. "You'll be my god? Hm...Well, we'll have to see about that. I mean, it takes a lot to my world these days.”

“We've all been there, done stupid things for love.”

“Of all the apocalypses in all the world - she had walked into his.”

“Chris whistled. "Damn. That's hot."She swatted him. "Yeah, yeah," she dais. But her stomach fluttered. "I'm roasting actually.""That's not what I-”

“What, are you like Buffy or something? A vampire slayer?”I wish. “No, but my sister is. And my boyfriend’s a vampire so I know a lot about their kind.”Jayden shrinks back from me, wide-eyed.“No, no. He’s one of the good ones. Not all vampires are evil,” I assure him.“So…you’re dating…Edward Cullen.”“Sure, if you have to relate it all to a Stephenie Meyer book,” I grudgingly agree. “But don’t say that to Magnus’s face. He’s a card-carrying member of Team Jacob. Even has the T-shirt.”

“I can sue you? Cool." I rummage around in my purse for a pen, wanting to write this down. "Under what? Medical malpractice? Assault with a deadly fang?" I look up. "How much you think the courts would award me for that?" Rayne frowns. "Sunny, stop being a bitch. Can't you see poor Magnus is freaking out here?""I need to stop being a bitch? For Magnus's sake?" I stare at her, unbelieving. "Uh, hello? He's the guy who walked up and bit me for absolutely no reason whatsoever.”

“Holy fu-" he starts then catches himself."Yes,this tithe will be most pleasing to her Goodness." Me and Magnus exchange amused glances.”

“Obviously it takes eight brains to come to one decision in this crowd. Good thing they have one another.”

“Anyway, I'm sure the guy lives a million miles away." "Or he could live right in your backyard. You never know."I nodded, keeping a poker face, even though the idea of Sir Leo living in my backyard was extremely appealing.”

“Whatcha doin', Freak Girl?" ---------------------------"What does it look like, brainiac?" I shot back, even surprising myself with the force of my jab. "I'll give you three guesses. No, wait. Don't strain yourself. Wouldn't want to hurt your head." I waved a flyer in his face, channeling my inner mean girl. "See these? I'm hanging them...on a...wall!" I spoke the last part slowly, as if addressing a dim-witted child. Which wasn't far off the mark, now that I thought about it. "With tape," I added, waving at the dispenser. "You know-sticky, sticky!”

“Okay, I'll wear the Bite Me shirt,[...]It'll be my standard response to any­one who tries to hit on me." I giggle. "Someone can come up and be like 'Hey babe, what's your sign?' and I'll just point to my shirt." Rayne laughs appreciatively and tosses me the tank top. "Of course they might think you're pointing to your boobs in a 'have at 'em, big boy' kind of way.”