" I donned my smartest, blackest clothes and brushed my hair until it gleamed like jet. I put earrings of obsidian into my ears, and brushed the skin around my eyes with a kiss of charcoal. My mirror showed me the image of an aloof young man of glacial beauty. I was a black and white creature, even my lips were without colour, and my eyes were the darkest grey. It was as I desired. "

― Storm Constantine , The Thorn Boy