Weather, the ultimate casual conversation topic. There's some comfort in it and he can understand her annoyance at the cold. That had been frustrating to him during his first Barrayaran winter coming from a climate-controlled dome. While he wished his home planet had more terraforming done, living elsewhere has made him appreciate the consistency in season and weather.

It's what Beth says next that catches him off guard. He frowns as he watches her. "Being in the middle of a planetary invasion is safer than your home?"