Sonia grins right back, equal parts delight and relief. Finally. The little man seems interesting enough, and her face lights right up when he mentions Beta Colony. Oh, it's a breath of fresh air just to hear the name.

"Beta Colony, really? I mostly grew up on Beta Colony, you know. My father's the Barrayaran ambassador at the Silica embassy, so we all got most of our schooling there. Before -- you know." Her smile flickers slightly, but it returns in full earnest. "So where on Beta Colony, then? And what brought you back here?"