Far from being shy, Sonia is a little less intimidated by Toska than some of the other people in the camp, at least partly because her Betan side's cultural sensibility precludes most of the mutant paranoia on Barrayar. Whatever's bringing these outsiders here is bringing all sorts, and this one is friendly. Sonia doesn't feel any particular need to be afraid of him, although her poor Armsman certainly looks a little nervous.

Sonia hides a laugh behind her hand. The novelty of someone to have a real, honest conversation with is not lost on her. "On these, actually," she says, and taps at the black-and-white photographs on the table in front of her. "It's for a present, but I feel like my composition's a little off. Which do you think look the best?"