Miles stiffens. The fact that the label isn't technically accurate - the damage to his bones is teratogenic, not genetic, thank you very much - has historically not done a lot to stop prejudiced Barrayarans from applying it. Something of a sore spot, which Ivan well knows; alas that these things never seem to occur to him before he shoots his mouth off.

"You're so diplomatic, Ivan," he grits. "Try not to start a war single... mouthed, eh?"