He frowns when she dismisses what he says, refusing to take it quite so personally - but her immediate follow up turns the frown into surprise.

No one ever really asks him about the people. It's usually about geography, about strategy, about Fest's resources. It's a burst of curiosity out of her that makes the air feel a little lighter, makes them both seem a little less grumpy.

"Is there a question I should answer first?" It's not quite teasing, but maybe it is. He looks over at her staring at the window. "There probably isn't a day that goes by when you will not see at least one person sledding. I could say it was only children, but that would be a lie. The food can be very spicy. Fest imports a lot of hot peppers. The snow makes it difficult to grow for ourselves, but it doesn't stop greenhouses from trying. Everyone always says we like our food to be so hot because it never quite stops being cold."