Aya would take that as a compliment, if she didn't feel bad now that Iva was so sensitive about it. Especially after finding out that the creatures didn't get much of a choice as to who they were assigned to. At that she could at least relate.

She waves a hand, her mouth tightening into a thin line. "I don't know. I guess back home people didn't have any problems thinking of me that way."

But does Aya herself think that way? Not really. She just does what she can to survive.