[Ivan takes the hand with a devilish smile, studying Pegasus's face carefully as he does. Now what was that glimpse of something-or-other behind his hair...?]

I agree with your father, but when compared to "James" I think I prefer it. ["James" was far too American. Their names had such a plainness to them.

So thinks the man named Ivan, of all things. Not that he didn't find his own name a bit boring sometimes, too.]

[After the handshake, Ivan goes back to applying lotion. He's pretty gratuitous about the way he does it, too.]