( ivan considers this, opens his mouth, shuts it, and then says something not that different than what he was going to say before. time to actually try in order to alleviate some of gregor's disappointment. )

It's weird, knowing you when you're not being Emperor. I don't forget it, exactly, but over the past few months you've been more cousin than Emperor. But that's because you've been Emperor since before I was born. Everyone here... ( he waves a hand at the space around them ) That's not who they know first. I don't think you have to worry about that, just act like you. It's not all that different, anyway, except you're more receptive to drunk texts now. Work your way up to being receptive to drinking maple mead with Miles and I when we're bored and we'll completely forget.

( he shrugs, accepting gregor's conclusion. )

I don't think you'll have that trouble from any of us, including Clark.