Ivan hums in understanding, dropping one hand to pick up the other and doing the same gentle circles as he had before. "The most lucrative profession on Komarr, though," he points out but doesn't follow through. "I can imagine that's a lot of work -- it takes a certain type of person to wrangle everyone and get them where they need to be. God knows how m'mother does it, but I think she likes the satisfaction of a job well done."

She's not the only one, but Ivan's job isn't really one she approves of. A point of contention in their relationship, one of a few.