She nods, letting that detail roll over her. No widened eyes of shock, no hitched gasp. She'd gathered the gist of his world, after all, and Maine had already mentioned how poorly the war had been going. ('Shitty', had been the exact description.)

What little parallels Brigitte has to offer: "Sweden has gender-neutral conscription. It's random, though, so it does not apply to everyone. I was selected, but it's just one year." Overall, her country had been distressingly content to look away from the turmoil brewing in Russia, though it was like a tumour growing and growing and on the verge of swallowing Europe. To really make a difference, you had to volunteer elsewhere. To join something like Overwatch.

But it took a certain kind of person to do it at fourteen. To skirt the rules and jump in even earlier than you were allowed. It means she's sizing him up again with fresh eyes, constantly tweaking and readjusting her impression of the man. It's respect, mostly. And a little sorrow (a twist at the corner of her mouth) over what that world must have been like.

"Situation must've been really bad. To do it that early."