He gives her a small smile at that. "Outsiders could be managed, I think," he says. "But you ought not not to spend too much time on a mutant." He doesn't think even Sonia can make a dent in that prejudice.

But - happier things. Alcoholic things. He leads her to one of the hollow trees where he's got a few bottles stashed, and gladly brings one out for her. "One of many," he says with a flourish. "But Ma Chaika herself lives in Riverfall."