Just Rumors

Building 7 - Blast Furnace
(Simultaneous with Six)

Elise is sitting on her bedroll, as per the usual lately. She's chatting with one of the other soldiers, who says his goodbyes and moves off to attend to his other duties, leaving her alone again. She rests her head back against the wall with a sigh, and goes back to people-watching. The two soldiers standing guard at the door to the southern offices get a curious look. They've been there for a few hours, but nobody seems to know why.

Maybe going out and about would help figure out why? Novikova is curious too, though much less subtle about it. Poor poker player this one. She returns though, dinner clinking in her pocket. She hums softly and smiles seeing Elise chatting with another soldier. "Cousin," She greets her warmly though, the two guards get a curious look as well. "How are you feeling?"

Sokolof is tending to the furnace, one of the many vaguely laborious tasks he's tending to amuse himself with when not on duty. Billeted in the factory as they are. His own head often turns toward the offices, frown lining his face. The absence of the doctor and nurse have not gone unnoticed by him.

"Little better," Elise says, though her face is still lined with pain from her aching hand. The bandage on her head is gone, at least, just the scar from the stitches visible above her eyebrow. "Still hurts. I'm glad to see you though. Any idea what's going on down there?" she wonders, nodding towards the south.

"I am glad you are a little better," Novikova smiles a bit. She settles into her usual spot, though she smiles at Sokolof too.. "Comrade," She greets him warmly, not seeming to mind much. More curious looks. She shakes her head. "Someone said their friend was sick, but- I don't know. Who doesn't get a sniffle or two? My number is coming up soon I'm sure," She frowns, looking to Elise then back. "I brought dinner by the way."

Sokolof walks apart from whatever task he busied himself with. There are actual workers around to take care of such things, pressed as they are. And it clearly does not have his full attention at the moment. He edges over toward the two young women, nodding shortly to them. "Comrades. Do either of you have any idea what Luka and Comrade Morozova are off to?"

Elise shakes her head to Novi. "Don't say that. You're supposed to be the resilient one. Thanks for bringing dinner." She'll wait for Novi to open it, still incapable of that herself. When Sokolof comes over, she greets him, "Comrade Sokolof. No, I was expecting they'd be back by now. I didn't see where they went."

A soft laugh, "Doesn't mean I'm invincible. Are you thirsty either?" Novikova pulls her small knife to open it for Elise. She pauses. "Do you want some help?" She asks much more quietly. Then a look up to Sokolof. She smiles at him. "No, I thought they went south but that was ages ago and I was busy mapping all the restroom spots," She sighs. "I like my partner well enough but I swear." Frown. Then she looks resigned. "You're welcome to sit and share with us though."

Sokolof offers Novikova a thin grin in return for her smile. As with most such expressions from him, it doesn't quite touch his dark eyes. "Some medical matter, perhaps. I must admit, though, it does not do much for my nerves, the way those two are lurking over my the offices." A nod toward the pair by the door. "Phah. Paranoia. I will set, yes, thank you." And he does that.

Elise nods resignedly when Novi asks if she needs help. "Da, still. Hopefully soon you'll be able to stop feeding me like a baby. Thank you, though. And oh - I've been drinking. I just keep leaving the cap off my canteen." She nods toward it, sitting against the wall by her pack nearby. "I only spilled it twice today." She says it dryly, then nods to Sokolof. "Maybe they're operating on a prisoner, and those are the guards," she speculates. "Though I didn't hear anything of new prisoners."

«Game» Taktarov moves out of Blast Furnace.

«Game» Taktarov moves into Rubble alcove.

Novikova nods at that, and will help feed her cousin. "Well, don't fret. You've had to tend to me a few times," Novikova notes. She smiles. "I'll pour some of mine in then before I go," Cousiin cooties! She doesn't comment. Hmm. "Maybe someone got a VD and is /really/ embarrassed. Though that seems wasteful and silly. Besides-" How would they- Novi's expression twists comically. Eyebrows lift, fall… ponder. No wait- rrrm. "No, no. I bet it's nothing, someone probably just called for them," After all mines, shrapnel and germs wait for no one. "I didn't hear anything either cept my partner." Sigh. She nods at Sokolof, smiling when he sits. "I can imagine. If you're hungry, I can share." She's sitting near the furnace with Elise and Sokolof.

Sokolof eases down and takes a sip on his own canteen. Sparingly, despite the heat in the furnace room. "Most likely nothing, yes," he says. No real agreement in his tone, but he's not one to press such matters. Being overly curious can be unhealthy. A shrug to Elise. "I have not heard tell of any prisoners taken. But perhaps. If it is for us to know, I suppose we will know it soon."

Elise snorts softly at her cousin's speculation, and subsequent expression. "That would be awkward. I'm glad I'm not a doctor." She nods to Sokolof, "Da, you're right. Though it's got me wondering." She'll eat the forkfulls Novi provides, chewing with duty rather than relish. More fish. Sigh. She nods toward Novi, "You have some too, Cousin." During the pause, she clears her throat and says, somewhat awkwardly, "Comrade Sokolof, I wanted to apologize for the other day, by the generator, if I did anything to offend you."

"Prisoners?" Taktarov queries from the next room, before poking his head in, to ask, "What, is Zoya telling jokes to the wounded, again?" The skinny young man grins, greeting the trio with a, "Comrades." Stepping fully into the room, he adjusts the strap of the standard issue mosin hanging across his back. Belatedly, he catches Elise's words of apology, and- as the matter sounds sincere, bites his tongue before any further inappropriate levity.

Sokolof looks up from her sipping of water at Elise with some surprise. And a slim frown. "I am unsure to what you are referring, Comrade," he says. Or, if he is, he's not going to be the one to voice it. "In any case, no offense was taken, clearly." He regards her a moment, dark eyes a little narrow, then looks away. Toward Taktarov. "Comrade. None that we know of. Though Luka and the good Comrade Nurse have been shut away for some time."

Novikova smiles at Sokolof. "You'll have to pardon me, I'm thawing a bit. We go so slowly I feel like icicles on patrol." She winks. Then a pause at Taktarov and she huffs. "Oh they aren't THAT bad, I got a giggle out of the fellow with one hand." Huff. She sticks her tongue out at Taktarov. She's glad to see him and there's a genuine fondness despite the teasing. She will let Elise finish the can first. "I will, I brought mine. But you'lll never heal if you don't get protein and stuff," She points out. "Can't build a home without bricks after all." She nods at Elise and grins though it fades fast. "Best not to think about it too much," She considers. A shrug. "Probably just … busy."

At the southern doors, the two guards suddenly seem to start, looking back at the door and then at each other. One shakes his head stiffly to the other, turning his eyes forward again. Studiously. It happens quickly, easily missed if one isn't watching them directly.

Elise's brow creases at Sokolof's response, unsure what to make of that frown and eye narrow. "All right," she says, somewhat uncertainly, and lets the matter drop. Turning her attention to Novi, a safer target, she gives a subdued nod. "Sure. I'll finish first then, if you want." She doesn't notice the shenanigans of the guards at the southern office door, who have been there for the past few hours, somewhat mysteriously.

"Ah, but do you know what gesture he *thought* he was making with the missing hand?" Taktarov returns knowingly to Novikova's defense. Adding, to Sokolof, "Yes, please Comrade- pardon her.. between the ears takes the longest to thaw.." he teases, restraining a chuckle. "Do you mind telling me, Comrade-" he turns to Elise, "What is your favorite piece of music?"

Sokolof eyes Elise a beat longer, but he's satisfied enough when she seems to drop the matter. His attention was ever half on those southern doors, so he catches the interplay between the guards. Not that he can make much from it one way or another. "Music, Comrade Taktarov?" he asks at the man's question to Elise. A little surprised at it, but it does not seem an unpleasant topic.

Novikova blinks at the Guards seeming to start. Her eyebrows lift. She looks to Elise and smiles, "Sure." She seems pleased Elise is eating. Then a laugh at Taktarov. A wince. "Oh, that's true." Sadface. She sighs. She shakes her head. "Well, at least he couldn't throw his shoe at me I guess." A shrug. She looks to Taktarov and Sokolof. Taktarov gets another eye. "You're just lucky I only have two boots…" DOOM! She goes quiet at the mention of music, curious now.

Elise frowns a little, both at the eye from Sokolof and the joking about missing hands. Bit sensitive on that score. She focuses her attention on whatever mystery fish of the day is in the ration tin Novi is feeding her. So studiously, in fact, that it takes her a moment to realize Tak was talking to her. "What? Oh - music." She hesitates for a moment. "You're going to laugh." Another hesitation. What the heck. "It's 'For Elise', by Beethoven." She doesn't laugh, but instead looks somewhat melancholy - not difficult given the mood she started in. "My mother always used to play that for me when I was little."

Taktarov chuckles, nudging Novikova at the merry teasing, before answering Sokolof. "Yes, Comrade- Elise here owns a violin, and I imagine anyone so cultured that they own a violin *must* have a favorite piece of music.." As he is proven correct, and at the name of the piece in question, he smiles broadly. "Ah! ..I wonder, what does it sound like?" he asks, with head cocked to a curious angle.

Dimitri has apparently been snoozing on his crate fort that he made on the conveyor belt. However, a yawn and some stretching and he's roused from his slumber, ready to get into stuff.

Sokolof's brows arch at Elise's choice of music. Beethoven. But he does not seem amused. He just nods. "That does not seem silly, Comrade. My mother played the piano for my sister and I when we were children. Such things are most cheering. A violin?" Again, he is curious.

Oh. Right. Poor Elise. Novikova pauses. She tilts her head, "Why would I laugh? It's perfect. It even says For Elise," She smiles a little. "It's a sweet song," Novikova nods. Then she nudges Taktarov back and pauses. She leans to murmur something. Then a smile to Elise. "I think that's the end of our mystery fish dinner, unless you wanted some extra," She offers. But then there's a blink, seeing a certain sniper poking up from the crate fort. "Hey, he gets a fort? Man, I should've been a sniper," She jokes lightly, pretending to be jealous. "And da, she's really good."

It's Sokolof that Elise looks to after answering, so she catches that arched brow. She ducks her head a little - embarrassed? Or just awkward? "Da, I have my violin. Haven't really been able to play it since the fighting started here." Thanks to a litany of arm injuries. A grateful look to Novi's compliment before raising her eyes to Tak. "Well, there aren't any words. It goes like this…" Sparing just a brief glance at Sokolof, she hums a little bit of it. Then she clears her throat, and looks over at Dimitri, offering him a slight nod.

Taktarov hunches lower briefly to bring his ear closer to Novikova's whispered words. Lips move in a silent 'Oh', before Aleks shrugs, apologetically. The sniper-fort is regarded with a wave, and called, "Comrade!" before he regards Novi again. "You can't snipe with a shovel, Zoya.. That's just silly." As Elise answers him, Tak grins and listens along with the melody, trying to get an idea of how it would sound in a real theatre. It takes an imagination, but..

«Game» It is now night time.

Dimitri rubs at the bandana across his eye and smiles at Novikova, "Da, we get all the pampering the Red Army supplies." A grin at the irony and he has a seat on the conveyor offering a wave to everyone who's around.

"It is fortunate things of music and beauty have survived all of this," Sokolof says, not looking at Elise as he drinks of his water. "As it was fortunate so many of the books survived back at the Institute's library." A look up at Dimitri, and a raise of his hand in a small wave. "Comrade. A good eve."

A nod at Sokolof. "It's true," Novikova loevs her books! "I held onto my book about plants," She blushes. Then a smile as her cousin hums. "We'll work on getting you healed up soon," She promises. Noovikova phhbts, "Watch me. I can do it, if I don't get impatient and just shoot them," She grins back. She tilts her head, then grins at Dimitri. "See? Even he agrees." She's obviously being wry though she leans back a bit, offering some support to Elise. "I am glad to see you all," She's thawing, then a smile to Taktarov. "Even you."

Elise looks curious at Tak's apologetic shrug, and gives a noncommittal nod to Sokolof and Novi. "I can't picture you as a sniper, Cousin. You'd be bored after the first ten minutes of sitting there." She falls quiet then, reaching over to pick up her canteen, sitting open on the floor by her pack. The end of her violin and bow sticks up out of the corner of the pack a little. The canteen is balanced carefully between her two bandaged hands as she lifts it to her lips.

Taktarov peers back at Novikova, pointing at himself with affected shock. "Even me? I- don't know what to say. …Except-" abruptly, he brandishes a threatening finger at Novi, and demands with as much menace as a skinny, smitten kid can muster: "Who are you and what have you done with Comrade Zoya?!" The 'menace' devolves into a chuckle as he adds, "Besides, once plants grow on it, it stops being a fort."

Dimitri isn't quite sure what he's agreed to, being the unattentive type that he is when out of battle. For now he's just fiddling with the screws on his scope, "I think they were lose during the last defensive…I couldn't hit a thing," he says to nobody in particular.

Sokolof turns briefly to regard Elise, and her belongings, then his gaze goes back to the door to the southern offices again. Still watching, still curious, still getting no ready answers of what's going on inside. A small chuckle at the interplay between Novikova and Taktarov. He can't help but smile, just a little. To Dimitri, a shrug and he replies, "It cannot be easy to shoot in this place, Comrade, with all the equipment."

Novikova nods, her eyes narrowing in mock accusation, "/Especially/ you," She bobs her head. She pauses. "Would you believe me if I told you I traded her for a good vodka?" A shrug at that, and a smile. She is genuinely fond of the skinny fellow. "And no, the plants add camouflage and class. I read it in 'Places to Stick Snipers Monthly'," She adds in an official tone, "Plants and boxes are in," She keeps up with the trends. Then a sad face at Elise. She's obviously playing, "Oh come on… at least 12 minutes," She winks. "Then I get bored and give up." She laughs softly. She watches her cousin drink, concerned briefly. "It happens. Somedays you are the shooter, others the shootee. And then others you pray we are never invaded by marauding barns because you can't seem to hit the broadside of one…"

Elise's wobbly hands spill a little water down her chin and shirtfront, but she doesn't seem affected, well used to that by now. She puts the canteen back in its spot and drags a dirty sleeve across her chin, listening to the conversations. Her lips purse in a somewhat pleased expression at the banter between Novi and Tak, something approaching a smile, but not quite there. "All right, twelve minutes," she grants, but her heart's not really in with the joking. She's trying, though. To Dimitri she says, "I imagine you're more used to shooting at them far away."

Dimitri shrugs and says, "It's supposed to be my job, though. I must get better. Da, must get better." For the time being, he slips the sniper rifle over his shoulder and scratches at his stubble before peering around and wandering off towards the west.

"I would say that if you got a bottle of vodka for her.. then you had better start sharing," Aleks answers Zoya with a chuckle. The little laugh grows at the talk of marauding barns. "I think you all are onto something with the shovels and knives and chisels.. Those don't run out of bullets so often! Was there anything about that in Snipers monthly? Bullet trees?"

"I would trade a good many things for a bottle of vodka just now," Sokolof jokes, though his humor doesn't reach much above a thin grin and understated chuckle. He idly pushes his glasses up on his nose. "Haven't the eyes to be a sniper. I am more fortunate for it, I think. I do not think I could manage it, out there all alone."

Novikova watches Elise a moment, concerned. She smiles at her cousin and will gently pat a shoulder. She nods. Then a soft laugh at Aleks. "Oh, even I wouldn't be that rude." She smiles. "Yeah, trouble is they tend to fall off a bit fast. Don't want to be standing under one in a stiff breeze." She wrinkles her nose. A nod at Sokolof and a smile. "I think I am glad you are with us, you guys are far more sensible than me," She's grateful for Sokolof it seems. "And my shovel is lucky, the militia gave it to me." She nods. She is still a Rada-fan, weirdly enough. "Anyway- what about you, Aleks? Do you play any instruments?"

Elise watches Dimitri head off, before returning her attention to the others. She glances over at Sokolof briefly before nodding. "I wouldn't like that either," she offers softly. "Besides, Zoya and her shovel and Mikhail's chisel are a force to be reckoned with." She gives Novi another of those almost-smiles at the pat of encouragement, then looks curious to hear Tak's response.

"Oh yes," Taktarov answers with a dry boast. "I can play any instrument in the world! I simply have no skill to play any of them *well*." Cracking a grin with a shrug, he notes, "Despite rumors otherwise, my head in *not* a drum, either."

Sokolof falls quiet as the conversation turns to pleasant things such as music, settling his back against whatever bit of unused machinery he's currently using as a 'chair.' He starts in on his own rations, eating largely in silence.

Maschenko arrives from the South.

Yulia arrives from the South.

"Rumors? /Just/ rumors?" Novikova's eyebrows lift a bit, "Hmmmm." She pretends to look over Taktarov appraisingly.. "Weeeelll…." She looks back to Elise and smiles, though she's turning a bit red. "I'm no more formidable than anyone else. Just dumb enough to wade in," She winks. "With the people's shovel!" She jokes, as if she were just some sort of wrestler or boxer instead of genuinely fighting Nazis. "Hmm." She looks thoughtful. "Well, that's alright. I can't carry a tune even if you gave me a bucket." A shrug. She smiles. "That's my cousin's talent." She beams. Perhaps proud of Elise.

Elise lets out a soft half-chuckle at the joking, amused in spite of herself. "You two should get some sort of medals for your joking. It's good for morale." Though she still looks rather dour. She spares Sokolof a brief glance before looking back between Novi and Tak. "Please excuse me, though. I'm going to rest a bit." The strained lines on her face have gotten more prominent as the throbbing in her hand asserts itself more strongly.

"Yes, rumors!" Taktarov laughs back at Novikova, with affected indignation. "My head does not make music when struck- is simply makes complaints, which would make me a very *bad* drum! ..Although I suppose that depends on how you hit it," He smirks a bit, giving a salute to Elise. "The People's first fools brigade, ready for duty, Comrade!"

The two 'guards' by the office linger in place. A lieutenant comes and goes, passing along an order in hushed mutters that they head off to take care of, eventually returning with a few other men and slipping into the quiet office rooms. Maschenko eventually emerges with his satchel around his shoulders, eyes down. His color looks off, dark circles under his eyes accentuated by a pallidness that wasn't there when he went in, and he lingers down by the offices to rub at his cheeks before venturing further towards the furnaces where work awaits.

Yulia slips out after Maschenko, face flushed and eyes wet and glassy. After fussing with her uniform a bit and checking her satchel, movements slow and deliberate, punctuated with the occasional loud snort and sniffle, she follows. No one gets much of a look or greeting, until she spots Novi and Tak.

Novikova smiles and offers an arm, "Well, while I am here, you can lean if you like," She offers. She grins at Taktarov, "Oh I don't know about that…." She's obviously teasing him. "Da, Commander Wisencrackov," She nods at Taktarov. "And his faithful first in command," She winks. She will stay near Elise long as her cousin likes, though she notices Yulia and Maschenko. The jokes stop a bit. "Comrades. Come sit," She offers. "Um. I've got dinner and some water if you need…" She's extending her offer it seems.

Elise offers a tiny smirk at the jokers' saluting and teasing. "We'll be sure to get you clown outfits in the next supply drop." She shakes her head to Novi's offer. "No, I'm all right. You hang out with Aleks," she encourages, not realizing that Maschenko and Yulia are in the process of returning. She's already curling up on her bedroll, doing her best to tune out the background noise of the room.

"Yes, Commander Wisencrakov," Tak smirks. "And his loyal right hand, Comrade Leninahand." A short chuckle, as he follows Novi's look toward the newly arrived, "Ah! Comrade Doctor, Comrade Yulia. Are you needing a drink, perhaps?" he asks, head tilting to a curious angle.

"No, Zoyenka, Aleks. Thank you." Maschenko skirts around the small trio, rather than walk through it. He gives both Novikova and Taktarov a small smile, but there's something very closed off about it. One has the feeling if he spat right now it would hit some invisible wall right in front of him. He turns eyes on the nurse, lifting his chin slightly. "Comrade Yulia, I'm going to wash some of the sick clothes. Eat something and then come and help me, please."

Yulia complies, at ease with simply following Novi's offer of a seat and food. "Thank you," she murmurs, sitting down and encircling her knees with her arms. Quiet. Feeling bad for breaking in on the jokes yet again. "I don't suppose there's any vodka left, is there?" she asks Taktarov, sounding just a bit desperate. She gives Maschenko a brief look, then, and a small nod. "I'll be over shortly."

"Alright. You can take my bedroll if you need some more cushion, okay?" Novikova grins at the clown outfits comment. "I want a bright red nose too," She winks. "But then the shoes won't look any different from what he normally wears…" Ponder. She smiles at Taktarov's reply and looks to the other two. She looks a bit concerned, trying not to let it show. "Be sure to eat too, or my mom would be frowning at you I'm sure," She murmurs to Maschenko. A look to Yulia, "There might be. The bottle was - let me fetch it-" She murmurs. "I am sure if we ran low on jokes we'd resort to the really bad ones." She smiles a little.

"I do not think so, Comrade, but we can check.." Taktarov answers to Yulia's plea for vodka. "You see," he sniffs indignantly, "This *imposter*" he points accusingly at Novikova, "Traded Zoya for a bottle of vodka, but did not share it!" he laughs with a wink, before joining Novi in the search for an undrunk dreg. After a moment, he stands bolt upright and voices indignantly at Novi, "Hey!" He finally got the clown-shoe joke.

Maschenko watches Yulia for a few moments. When Novikova says she's still got some of the precious brew left, the corners of his eyes soften a little bit, and the young woman gets a private, grateful nod. Taktarov's sudden movement seems to cause an uncharacteristic flinch, after which he clears his throat softly to cover it. "Be well." He rocks back on his heels and turns to head off into the crowd.

"I mean, the flask that comrade doctor gave us," Yulia ventures weakly, in an attempt to aid them in the search. She isn't doing much looking around herself though. Just doing a lot of looking fatigued. "Don't worry comrades. I'll just have water." She watches Maschenko disappear, then reaches for a ration tin.

"Hummph, like I'd let any random soldier walk in and take Comrade Doctor's Vodka. Give me SOME credit," She pouts at Taktarov, even sticking her tongue out. "I kept it in the crates, where Comrade Dimitri was sleeping." And lo, she had set it there. "Since he didn't get any but-" She rustles, "He must've missed it," She fishes the bottle out. "Oh well." Pause. "Oh I forgot to tell him. Crap." That's riiiiiiiiight. She rubs the back of her head. She pauses at Taktarov's hey! Then with a giggle, "And the last horse across the finish line, iiiiiit's Taktarov. The crowd can finally go home now!" She giggles wildly.

"Flask, flask.." Taktarov repeats, looking through the various stashes that he is aware of, quipping bemusedly as he searches, "Not that I think having the Comrade nurse drunk is the best of ideas, but I am *such* a slow horse," he drawls, shooting Novi a look of feigned injury. "Huh. It must have been on his blind side," Tak comments on the subject of Dimitri overlooking the vodka stash.

Yulia watches Novikova root around. Her giggling gets a blank stare, then a twitch of an eyebrow, an upturned corner of her mouth. "Drunk…" she snorts. "It will take a lot more than what's in that bottle tonight." Yulia fiddles with her knife, struggling to open a ration tin. She's never been good at this part, but tonight seems to grapple with it excessively. The knife slips, nearly dicing off a digit or two. She frowns and curses under her breath.

Novikova holds it up, "I found it. I just forgot to tell Dimitri about it," A shrug. "And I suppose. Are you alright?" She looks concerned about Yulia. She sticks her tongue out at Taktarov, "Yes you are. The whole planet went around before you got that joke," She winks. "Did you want me to get that?" She offers to yulia, "Comrade Doctor would have our heads if we let you cut your fingers off, right Aleks?" Novikova looks to Taktarov as she brings what's left of the vodka over.

Taktarov chuckles ruefully, nodding twice. "Yes, and Zoya would tell a funny joke before Comrade Doctor would forgive me.. which is to say *never*, of course." A smirk at Zoya, before he offers, "Here, I'll get the can open. Comrade long tongue there can provide the vodka," he offers with a smile, holding a hand out for the stubborn tin.

"If you don't mind, comrade." Yulia collects her knife from the ground and hands it over to Taktarov, with an embarrassed grimace. She really doesn't want to think about cutting off fingers right now. Or risk it. Maybe then she'd fit in better with Elise and Mikhail, right? Then back to Novi, who has the coveted vodka. "Thank you." She means that for both of them, treating her so kindly. But it sounds sad. She doesn't answer Novi's asking after her, letting the question get lost in the rest of the conversation.

A smile at the two. She notices her question get lost, but mercifully Novikova knows better than to push it. She snorts at Taktarov, "As if you'd know anything about funny even if it were a snake in the outhouse," She shakes her head. "Long tongue?" She eyes Taktarov. Hmmm. There's a genuine fondness beneath the joking - she just might be hiding it.

"You keep sticking it out, and you never stop talking!" Aleks returns to Novikova's eyeing query. He grins aside at the gardener, as he sets to work opening the tin, turning to ask Yulia, "Comrade nurse.. I *know* it is stupid of me to try and find reason in anything she says.. but does a snake in an outhouse sound funny to you?" The skinny young soldier is grinning broadly with the question.

Yulia sips at the vodka, wishing to take a long drink, but there's not enough for that. She sets aside the bottle and considers Taktarov's question. "Not if the snake needs to go to the bathroom," she says with a straight face.

"Neither do you!" She pouts at Taktarov. "So cruel," Novikova leans back, melodramatically as if wounded by Taktarov's words. O woe is Novi! "You cut me to the very core." She smiles at Yulia, "See?" A beam at Taktarov. "But I think I should sleep, my cousin is resting and I have watch soon." Sadface. "I really am glad to see you guys…"

"Ha!" Taktarov laughs at Yulia's deadpan answer. Pointing at the nurse, he looks back at Zoya, "*That* was funny. You should take notes!" A grin at Novi's melodramatics. "Yes, yes, I am so cruel. Maybe some day I'll be nice to you," he adds with a wink, before wishing the woman, "Good night, Zoya. Or.. morning, I suppose."

After giving Novi an apologetic look, Yulia eats about a fourth of the ration tin, tasting nothing, perhaps a blessing in disguise considering the quality of whatever this is — herring? She sets it aside for whoever wants to finish it up, and rubs her palms on her knees. "Thanks again, comrades. I'd better go help the doctor."

She laughs softly. "Da, she is good," A smile at Yulia. "Be well, okay? Don't work too hard or you'll fall face first. Goodness knows how bad an idea that is in here." Kerpow! Owch! Novikova grins back at Taktarov, her eyes widening. "Oh what a lovely day that would be. The wind over your southern fronts, the sun shining, birds singing~" She twirls once. "But I kid." She really does like him to bits and pieces. "You should rest and eat too. Did you get a tin?" She looks over Taktarov.

"Yes, well… Don't hold your northern fronts, waiting," Taktarov teases right back as she describes the 'lovely day', with a wide grin. "Yes, yes.. I need rest too, I know. Be well, Comrade Yulia." He eyes Novikova, visibly weighing whether to bid her 'be well' also. "No. Not today," he decides with a laugh.

Yulia gives them both a wan smile and stands. "There's some…. er, something left in that tin if either of you want it. Please, be my guest." She wants and doesn't want at the same time to leave their natural and funny banter, but tonight calls for a bit of respite through hard work. With a farewell nod, she heads out to find comrade doctor.

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