"If I don't approve of your suitor."

"So comforting to know my best friend has my best interests at heart."

"Nothing more and nothing less."

"Thanks."

The road's been clear for a bit, now, they should probably get moving again.

Yeah. 

They can make good time, now. 

The encampment is quickly spreading in a rigid grid from the edges of Kribirsk, where they'll be launching from. Each of them is assigned a tent and bunk by regiment, of course (which has proven to only keep Val where she's supposed to be sleeping for maybe an hour; the night watch never seems to catch her, even when curfews are being strictly enforced. She always just says any tracker worth their salt always knows when they're being tracked, and therefore where sentries are looking). They'll be eating from a common mess hall, though, and Val and Svetka's assigned dinner times are effectively overlaps.

Of course, they both have duties to attend to before nightfall.

Yep. Svetka's got to go make and file some sketches, and Val has to... stalk a Grisha?

"And help my regiment make camp, and I've got a scouting rotation before dinnertime." She laughs and stretches. "The army keeps me busy."

"Try not to get too worn out."

"Need some energy for my hunt later."

"You'll have to put your best foot forward with one of them."

"I always do."

"Uh huh."

"Convinced you to like me, didn't I?"

"It did. So you'll probably be okay."

Giggle. "Wouldn't be surprised if you had higher standards than a grisha."

"Just 'cause they're magic doesn't mean they're a good person."

"Well, maybe I'm not looking for a good person..."

"Your standards are not mine."

"I've noticed."

"You were always quick like that."

"The most observant person in the army."

"Maybe you should join me in the mapmakers, then."

"I like moving around too much."

Deep sigh. "Alas."