“Smoke test?...What’s that?”... “It’s an ancient and honorable term for the final step in any engineering project,” Leo explained. “Turn it on, see i… - Lois McMaster Bujold

It's an ancient and honorable term for the final step in any engineering project. Turn it on, see if it smokes.

“Do you fear the gods will destroy you?”
That disturbing smile again. “That is not a fear. That is a prayer.”
“Or…do you fear their punishment? That they would plunge your soul into some eternal torment?”
Wencel leaned forward, up on his toes. “That,” he breathed in Ingrey’s ear, “would be redundant.”

He's not too short. He's just... concentrated.

I have a catchphrase to describe my plot-generation technique — "What's the worst possible thing I can do to these people?"