Andrei: Fated to survive... *quietly* yes, that happens to some men- and it's or misfortune to carry. The military higher-up, either side can be brutal. But it's a world I know, and I can do nothing else. Like in the older times- a son did what his father did, as his father did what his father did. Such is the world, though they try to tell us different.

Andrei: Well, enough on that. So are you from here? What brings you to Moscow, devushka?

*tries to shake the hardness away. It's not fit to be his martial self in front of her*

Katya nods, looking out the window. She seems to be thinking about the past now.

Katya: I have just finished meeting with my grandparents. We were organizing for my father's upcoming funeral. Moscow...is where I usually live.

Andrei: I'm sorry you had to see your people under such circumstances.

Katya: It's my home. I was born and raised there, although my parents were originally from Tver.

Andrei: So you are returning home, now?

Katya: I worked as a factory worker until recently. I've been out of work for the last couple of weeks.

Andrei: And your father is buried back at Tver?

Katya: I've been applying to be a secretary and junior editor for someone I know, however.

Andrei:*raises brow in concern* And have you been called for your position yet?

Katya: Yes, he's buried at Tver. He always wanted to be back in the countryside. Moscow was too urban for him.

Katya sighs, no longer wanting to think about her father.

Katya: Not yet, I'm still waiting on Comrade Galkin's decision. There are quite a number of competitors.

Andrei: *nods* It's a good position, granted, many will fight for it. You need to distinguish yourself to earn the position. But perhaps you already have. Perhaps when you are returned, you will already have been chosen for the position.

Katya: Perhaps, that would be a good surprise. Are you hungry?

Andrei: Not in particular. Are you?

Katya: A bit, yes. How many hours do we have until we arrive?

Andrei *dips into his pocket and checks his watch* Three more hours- if this metal bucket doesn't stall on the tracks between here and Moscow.

Andrei: So you're hungry?

Katya: somewhat. But I can wait 3 hours.

Andrei: *nods* In the army, hunger is the same as being full- you feel nothing. So I forget to eat until I smell food. 3 hours will pass quickly. *folds arms and sits back, glancing aside out the window.*

For a moment, Andrei remains like this, but then sits straight, as though remembering something. He dips into his coat and pulls out something wrapped in a white cloth.

Katya looks out the window, not flinching.

She sees the white from the side of her eye and she looks at it for a quick second, curious.

Unwrapping the small bundle unceremoniously, Andrei unfolds what seems to be a small loaf of some sort of black bread. Getting his pocketknife out, he cuts the small loaf into two equal halves. He offers one to Katya.

Katya: Really? Are you sure about giving that to me?

Andrei *nods and hands her the half* 3 Hours is longer than you think. Take it.

Katya: T-thank you.

Katya quietly nibbles on it, not wanting to take big bites out of respect towards Andrei.

Taking larger bites, as his wont of habit (something even military training and starvation periods didn't stamp out of him) Andrei chomps down the half in three bites, tearing with his teeth. He notices Katya's tiny nibbles.

Andrei: Sometimes eating something slowly makes you hungrier, I've learned.

Katya: I like eating like this, though.

She slowly nibbles down the bread, enjoying it.

Andrei: Hmm. *quietly and nods*