'Easy to talk to' is one of the traits about himself that Seoraj has actively cultivated - this laidback, benevolent curiosity about everyone and everything around him - not for any more calculated reason than 'because he likes to be talked to'. That's his life; see the world, meet interesting people, stab approximately half of them. Despite his line of work (in some ways, maybe, because of it), he just likes people and it helps to be able to settle in quick without putting down roots.

Most people don't seem quite so aware of it as Tom does - the things they say don't seem so consciously chosen. He wonders, in a way he doesn't always, what else there is.

"No arguments," he says, though, amiably. "I'm an odd one for my cohort-" no assumptions, "-in that I don't so much mind it."