"Commander of the First Army," she replies, unable to help her amused smile as she glances at him. So, they're two commanders who happened to find each other. Zoya doesn't believe in serendipity, but that's an interesting coincidence.

"I imagine it's desired." For what, she's not quite sure. Certainly a town like this would need protection, but from what Zoya could glean during the festivities and her own trailing around the boarding house, it seemed to lack… a lot in what she was used to. It was too free. Lacking.

She thinks to ask him what his observations are, but perhaps it's best to wait until they're down the stairs and outside the boarding house. Zoya's not one for waiting for the opportune moment, but given that this isn't Ravka and she's not known for being Zoya Nazyalensky, she wishes to play it safe. Smart. Be a little like Nikolai and Genya.

"But I've seen others who aren't soldiers. I think it prefers to recruit a different kind of breed." Survivors.