Ilya is the sort of person who is easy to get along with and hard to dislike — pleasant, considerate, charming, easy-going, and generally quite lovely to be around. He's quick to laugh and difficult to provoke. Despite his considerable charm and talent, he is quite modest and tends to politely brush off praise and insult alike, but shows no doubt at all in his own abilities. Beneath his pleasant demeanor and mild manners, he is quite sharp and uncannily observant. He clearly doesn't think he has anything to prove to the world.

None of that is a facade — although it isn't the complete picture, either. Ilya is a natural-born liar, cool-headed and quick-thinking even under extreme stress, and he does admittedly leverage his likability quite skillfully to manipulate those around him. He is extremely good at unraveling metaphorical knots, from quietly rooting out Imperial moles to apprehending local thieves, and at knowing just which strand to pull — and when to simply cut the knot in two. His career as an Imperial agent was filled with commendations for his efficiency and efficacy.