Gavalas manages a nervous smile at what he thinks might be a compliment. Sonia's eyes are wide and a little watery, but she's smiling as she looks back down at the picture. Toska's words, however few, form a little story in her head. Their home is all under threat, but the hillfolk, they have some security, a firm ground to stand on.

"Yeah, I bet." A shadow of sad longing passes over her face. She misses her home, too. Her other home, anyway. Half-Betan, half-Barrayaran -- half home, half far, far away. "I think I'll be happy to see mine, too."

She picks up the photograph from the table with a delicate touch and studies it with care. She looks back up at Toska. "You really like this one?"