--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Stairs,\" Valkyrie said, disappointed…" description: "\"Stairs,\" Valkyrie said, disappointed. \"Not just ordinary stairs,\" Skulduggery told her as he led the way down. \"Magic stairs.\" \"Really?\" \"Oh, yes.\" She..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/derek-landy-826_darkness_stairs-valkyrie-said-disappointed-not-ju_668134.png" --- # Stairs," Valkyrie said, disappointed. "Not just ordinary… ![“Stairs," Valkyrie said, disappointed. "Not just ordinary stairs," Skulduggery told her as he led the way down. "Magic stairs." "Really?" "Oh, yes." She followed him into the darkness. "How are they magic?" "They just are." "In what way?" "In a magicky way." She glared at the back of his head…” quote by Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/derek-landy-826_darkness_stairs-valkyrie-said-disappointed-not-ju_668134.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/derek-landy-826_darkness_stairs-valkyrie-said-disappointed-not-ju_668134.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/derek-landy-826_darkness_stairs-valkyrie-said-disappointed-not-ju_668134.png) > “Stairs," Valkyrie said, disappointed. "Not just ordinary stairs," Skulduggery told her as he led the way down. "Magic stairs." "Really?" "Oh, yes." She followed him into the darkness. "How are they magic?" "They just are." "In what way?" "In a magicky way." She glared at the back of his head. "They aren't magic at all, are they?" "Not really.” [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character describes ordinary stairs as “magic,” highlighting how perception can turn mundane objects into something extraordinary. **In simple terms:** Seeing magic in everyday things. Key Takeaway Look for wonder in the routine. Themes imagination perception fantasy Mood curious playful Type narrative dialogue When to use this quote - exploring new places - creative writing - role‑playing games - visual storytelling Key Concepts subjectivity reality illusion Questions to Reflect On - How does perception change experience? - When do we label something as magical? A Different Perspective The magic may be a metaphor, not literal. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) [Disappointed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappointed/) [Magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magic/) [Magic Stairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magic-stairs-5309781/) [Ordinary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ordinary/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Skulduggery pleasant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skulduggery-pleasant/) [Skulduggery Told](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skulduggery-told-5309782/) [Stairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stairs/) [Stairs Skulduggery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stairs-skulduggery-5309780/) [Stairs Valkyrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stairs-valkyrie-5309783/) [Valkyrie Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/valkyrie-said-1539812/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [“Valkyrie made a face. "Bloody vampires." Ryan sat forward. "That was a vampire? That guy who looked like an accountant?" "We don't talk about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/valkyrie-made-a-face-bloody-vampires-ryan-sat-forward-that-was-a/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“I also think Valkyire’s ex-boyfriend will come in handy here.” Ravel frowned, “The dead vampire?” Valkyrie glared at him, “I think he means Fletcher.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/i-also-think-valkyire-s-ex-boyfriend-will-come-in-handy-here-ravel/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [It's a very small object to be capable of doing many wonderful things, don't you think?" "It does much more that that," Valkyrie said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/it-s-a-very-small-object-to-be-capable-of-doing-many-wonderful-things/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [I should go in alone," Valkyrie said, speaking loudly to be heard. "If we both go in, it'll look to official." "So I'll just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/i-should-go-in-alone-valkyrie-said-speaking-loudly-to-be-heard-if-we/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [Here she is,” her mum said, cooing at the baby, “my special girl.” “Oh, cheers,” Valkyrie said, rolling her eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/here-she-is-her-mum-said-cooing-at-the-baby-my-special-girl-oh-cheers/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“There’s nothing I would change about the last few years. Valkyrie has proven herself to be an astonishing individual and one I would gladly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/there-s-nothing-i-would-change-about-the-last-few-years-valkyrie-has/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [You’re seventeen. You’re supposed to be dealing with school and hormones and dim-witted parents. You’re supposed to be finding out who you are as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/you-re-seventeen-you-re-supposed-to-be-dealing-with-school-and/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [Don’t kill me,” he sobbed as he lay there. “Oh God, please don’t kill me.” “If you had let me finish,” Skulduggery said, slightly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/don-t-kill-me-he-sobbed-as-he-lay-there-oh-god-please-don-t-kill-me/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [They say sarcasm is the lowest form of wit," Valkyrie said. China glanced at her. "They've obviously never met me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/they-say-sarcasm-is-the-lowest-form-of-wit-valkyrie-said-china/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [I am a rational man, but haven't you heard? i'm also insane. It gives me a unique perspective on things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/i-am-a-rational-man-but-haven-t-you-heard-i-m-also-insane-it-gives-me/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“I wouldn't mind a sister either." "Any chance of that happening?" "I can't see what would be in it for my parents. I mean,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/i-wouldn-t-mind-a-sister-either-any-chance-of-that-happening-i-can-t/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [The sparrow flies south for the winter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/the-sparrow-flies-south-for-the-winter/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“Can I just point something out?" Fletcher asked. "That is an awful plan. On a scale of one to ten - the Trojan War…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/can-i-just-point-something-out-fletcher-asked-that-is-an-awful-plan/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“You ask in awful lot of questions." "When I grow up, I want to be a detective just like you." He looked over and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/you-ask-in-awful-lot-of-questions-when-i-grow-up-i-want-to-be-a/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [I understand perfectly. Darquesse isn't a separate entity. She isn't another person. She's you. If you make the wrong choices, if you stop loving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/i-understand-perfectly-darquesse-isn-t-a-separate-entity-she-isn-t/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) ## More by Derek Landy > [Stephanie could see the greed seep into the watery eyes of her father’s other brother, a horrible little man called Fergus, as he nodded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/stephanie-could-see-the-greed-seep-into-the-watery-eyes-of-her-father/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“strike from the shadows, disapear into darkness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/strike-from-the-shadows-disapear-into-darkness/) [derek landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“But if you can confront your inner demons—" "I did confront my inner demon. I punched him in the face and he exploded." Valkyrie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/but-if-you-can-confront-your-inner-demons-i-did-confront-my-inner/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“What does a clue look like?" Tanith whispered. Stephanie fought the giggle down and whispered back. "I'm looking for a footprint or something." "Have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/what-does-a-clue-look-like-tanith-whispered-stephanie-fought-the/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“He took her hand in his and knelt before her. Valkyrie looked at him. He was serious. (...)'Dude, I'm sixteen.' 'I love you.' 'That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/he-took-her-hand-in-his-and-knelt-before-her-valkyrie-looked-at-him/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [I find it rude to laugh at a man with a sword.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/i-find-it-rude-to-laugh-at-a-man-with-a-sword/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [What?" she asked again. He pointed ahead of them. "See that?" "What, the snow?" "Beyond that." "More snow?" "Stop looking at the snow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/what-she-asked-again-he-pointed-ahead-of-them-see-that-what-the-snow/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [The Baron, unfortunately, turns it all the way up to eleven." "Seriously? Because, you know, that's one more evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/the-baron-unfortunately-turns-it-all-the-way-up-to-eleven-seriously/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“Valkyrie walked over to her. Since she had met her, all she'd wanted to do was punch her face in. But that was when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/valkyrie-walked-over-to-her-since-she-had-met-her-all-she-d-wanted-to/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“I've always been a monster,' Scapegrace told her, 'but now, finally, my physical for reflects my inner darkness.' 'You smell terrible.' 'That's the smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/i-ve-always-been-a-monster-scapegrace-told-her-but-now-finally-my/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [The rain battered the cottage. Valkyrie risked a look up at Skulduggery. “What is it?” she whispered. “It’s a box,” he whispered back. “What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/the-rain-battered-the-cottage-valkyrie-risked-a-look-up-at/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [There’s no such thing as winning or losing. There is won and there is lost, there is victory and defeat. There are absolutes. Everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/there-s-no-such-thing-as-winning-or-losing-there-is-won-and-there-is/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“He liked murder. Murder and long walks had been two of his favorite things when he was younger.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/he-liked-murder-murder-and-long-walks-had-been-two-of-his-favorite/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [Of course I want to kill you," said Skulduggery. "I want to kill most people. But then where would I be? In a field…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/of-course-i-want-to-kill-you-said-skulduggery-i-want-to-kill-most/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [We don’t need a cure,” the other zombie said. “That’s right,” Scapegrace nodded. “We’re happy the way we are.” “Happy with the power,” Scapegrace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/we-don-t-need-a-cure-the-other-zombie-said-that-s-right-scapegrace/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) [Explore all 355 Derek Landy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) ## More Darkness quotes > [“Narrative cannot sustain formlessness any more than light can sustain darkness - it is the antithesis of formlessness, and so it can never truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-krauss/narrative-cannot-sustain-formlessness-any-more-than-light-can-sustain/) [Nicole Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-krauss/) > [“Wait here, wait here!" he cried and jumped up and began to run for help toward a cluster of lights he saw in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/wait-here-wait-here-he-cried-and-jumped-up-and-began-to-run-for-help/) [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) > [Strange - is it not? That of the myriads who Before us passed the door of Darkness through, Not one returns to tell us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/strange-is-it-not-that-of-the-myriads-who-before-us-passed-the-door/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [Clear moments are so short. There is much more darkness. More ocean than terra firma. More shadow than form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-zagajewski/clear-moments-are-so-short-there-is-much-more-darkness-more-ocean/) [Adam Zagajewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-zagajewski/) > [I even see the cinema itself as a woman, with its alternation of light and darkness, of appearing and disappearing images](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/federico-fellini/i-even-see-the-cinema-itself-as-a-woman-with-its-alternation-of-light/) [Federico Fellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/federico-fellini/) > [I guess he'll have to figure out someday that he is supposed to have this dark side, that it is part of what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/i-guess-he-ll-have-to-figure-out-someday-that-he-is-supposed-to-have/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“I promise to respect and protect your aloneness, knowing that everything created must have its period of darkness: child and bulb, poem and personality.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/i-promise-to-respect-and-protect-your-aloneness-knowing-that/) [anne morrow lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [The beauty of darkness is how it lets you see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-rich/the-beauty-of-darkness-is-how-it-lets-you-see/) [Adrienne Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-rich/) > [“Even in darkness your lips taste of sunshine”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-lia-block/even-in-darkness-your-lips-taste-of-sunshine/) [Francesca Lia Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-lia-block/) > [“Defy me not for gleam can only shine in my existence" said Darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/defy-me-not-for-gleam-can-only-shine-in-my-existence-said-darkness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [The dream of coming back is becoming a reality. A lot of the uncertainty about the future has been cleared up. A lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tagliabue/the-dream-of-coming-back-is-becoming-a-reality-a-lot-of-the/) [Paul Tagliabue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tagliabue/) > [“Life is like coffee, the darker it gets, the more it energizes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ankita-singhal/life-is-like-coffee-the-darker-it-gets-the-more-it-energizes/) [Ankita Singhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ankita-singhal/) > [Twinking tears in a sea of black. Soft light in a world of darkness. Tiny wishes in a place of dreams. Do you see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-gentile/twinking-tears-in-a-sea-of-black-soft-light-in-a-world-of-darkness/) [Nicole Gentile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-gentile/) [Browse all 8,219 Darkness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Stairs,\" Valkyrie said, disappointed. \"Not just ordinary stairs,\" Skulduggery told her as he led the way down. \"Magic stairs.\" \"Really?\" \"Oh, yes.\" She followed him into the darkness. \"How are they magic?\" \"They just are.\" \"In what way?\" \"In a magicky way.\" She glared at the back of his head. \"They aren't magic at all, are they?\" \"Not really.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Derek Landy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/stairs-valkyrie-said-disappointed-not-just-ordinary-stairs/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Darkness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/stairs-valkyrie-said-disappointed-not-just-ordinary-stairs/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/derek-landy-826_darkness_stairs-valkyrie-said-disappointed-not-ju_668134.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/derek-landy-826_darkness_stairs-valkyrie-said-disappointed-not-ju_668134.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/derek-landy-826_darkness_stairs-valkyrie-said-disappointed-not-ju_668134.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Stairs,\" Valkyrie said, disappointed. \"Not just ordinary stairs,\" Skulduggery told her as he led the way…” — Derek Landy", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Derek Landy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Stairs,\" Valkyrie said, disappointed. \"Not just...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/stairs-valkyrie-said-disappointed-not-just-ordinary-stairs/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/stairs-valkyrie-said-disappointed-not-just-ordinary-stairs/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```