It was a bit like the old Viktoria, but too much had happened for her to ever be exactly as she was. So it was a new one, and if anyone would understand that, it would be James. He had been through so many versions of his life, and still was trying to piece together all the memories. Viktoria often hoped he would find a way to reclaim all he lost, but was pleased with the progress he was making to take back his life on his terms. It was encouraging to her, and she was pleased for her friend.
She glanced at the rifle with curiosity. James was a soldier through and through. It did not matter which Country he believed he fought for. He fought for the people now. For those who still survived in an outbreak that was horrific. "They never trained us to use guns like that in school. Only pistols. I picked up some shotgun lessons, but that seems like it would be very effective against any enemy."
Leave it to the dhampir girl to talk of assault rifles the same as some girls would talk about shoes or clothes. Weapons were something she found useful and fascinating. While a gun would not have saved her fate the night she was kidnapped, it could have at least slowed the Strigoi down a bit. "Thank you," and there is was, the blush. She could not do that as Strigoi, but now that she was completely alive again? She had near human reactions to things. "You know, I thought you were very handsome with my crystal clear vision," she said in a light but honest tone, as she began to lay out all the dishes she'd made so they could make their plates. Filling up the glasses with their vodka, she clinked them together, "But you are even more so now. I see all of you, not just the angles and details. I thought things would be more dull to the senses, and at first they were, but now I see I prefer seeing the world and people this way. It is good you did not run into anything unpleasant, but I know you would have destroyed them with ease if you had." He was soldier after all.