"Creepy?" By lifts his eyebrow at her. "Perhaps your object isn't with our technology, but to technology generally." He gives a little gesture. "But consider this. Barrayaran history is littered with - bloodied by - madmen. Torturers and sadists, whose insanity came in no small part from mutations. Though you didn't hear that from me, mind - calling someone a mutant here is grounds for a duel. So which one is less creepy: a bit of engineering, or a ruler with an insane penchant for flaying his enemies?"