( oh, see, there's that disappointment he was waiting for, although the pause makes him curious. still. if his mother is going to let the topic drop that quickly, ivan's not going to complain. this is surely better than telling his mother all about his various romantic liaisons. surely.

he brightens slightly at the topic change -- this is a lot better than the remarks about his romantic life. )

I guess? Uncle Aral never really had time for me ( in both senses of the word ) and Aunt Cordelia was always busy with Miles. But I grew up with Miles and Elena and we spent time with the Koudelka sisters too, when they were old enough.

( the thing that ivan will never really admit is that miles is more like a brother than a cousin, if he had to pick a member of his family to describe as such. )