A little absurdity can be refreshing now and then. Something to laugh at.

[Or balk at, as the case may be. Either way, she's glad for lighter thoughts, however long they may last. It takes effort to present herself as a tireless optimist, but the truth is that she carries so much on her own shoulders that even the slightest reprieve is beyond welcome.

As for his own assessment of the situation, she can only allow her smile to pull to one side. Had he been about to laugh, just a moment ago? He'd seemed dangerously close.]

Who knows why any of us were chosen. It's mildly less frustrating if I assume there's a reason for it, but I do mean mildly. At least the local delicacies have been worth sampling?

[It's not much of a silver lining, but she'll take it.]

If you're interested, I stumbled across a bakery that makes excellent— well, I don't know what it's called here, but it's close enough to bienenstich that it was almost like being back home for a short while.

[Leave the unpleasant talk of bonds aside for at least a short while. She knows they can agree on cake.]