“You grew up soft. Your tender heart would nurse a frightened field mouse rescued from a trap. Would make a splint. You'd try to help but always it would die. You gave them names. You were a friendless child, a barrel-chested, sturdy little thing who played alone. You grew up soft, but still you learned to hide it. Piece by piece. The world's not built for soft and sturdy things. It likes its soft things small and white, defenceless. Princesses in castles. Maidens waiting for the perfect sword. You grew up soft, and piece by wounded piece you built a carapace around your body. Humans are peculiar little things.” Growing UpFeminismFairytales Book:Tangleweed and Brine Source: Tangleweed and Brine
“You do not ask her if she even wants him. That is not at all what it's about. It's not about being sensible, or strong. It's not about being kind. It's not about the soft touch and the kind heart. Beauty and a womb. That's all you are. That's all an adder needs.” LoveBeautyFeminismFairytale RetellingFairytalesFairytale Retellings Book:Tangleweed and Brine Source: Tangleweed and Brine