There's a familiar face. Wash doesn't forget, of course, which means it's impossible for him to forget one anyway, but Kaidan Alenko he remembers from his time on the Cetagandan base. They hadn't managed to speak all that much, but what Wash remembers learning about him, he liked. He seemed practical, dependable, had a good head on his shoulders. Wash had introduced himself as Washington, talked a little about Chorus, and now he's with the Barrayarans and Kaidan is still over there.

Which might make them enemies in some ways, maybe. But outsiders and exotics should stick with their own, right, not to mention how complicated Wash's loyalties are now, regarding the entire conflict. Besides, that Kaidan manages to be in the village so soon after the attack does take a kind of boldness that Wash might be curious about.

And the work he's ended up with, well. Wash sympathizes. It's there in the slightest quirk of a smile in his expression as he goes up to him, wiping the sweat from his brow -- he's taking a break from the construction efforts.

"Guess the villagers had to start you somewhere, huh."