He tries, for a moment, to picture Ivan doing that. Maybe to the women he's interested in. He has to stifle a laugh at the juxtaposition.

"Actually, you remind me more of his mother," he says with equal fondness. "Now there's a woman who gets things done. Moving adeptly through Vorbarr Sultana like it was so much water." A pause. "But they are both good people, and I love them both dearly."

Even if smart men (like him) hide from Alys when she's on the warpath. Sonia and Alys together would be amazing to watch. From a safe distance.