Not long after Ivan and his father finished their minor argument and reunion, the trio moved into his office. The fireplace flickered with burning embers and warmth, with a massive image of a female with silver hair and golden eyes above, her face stern and with a resting sneer.
"So, Nikolai, I imagine you have many questions." His grandfather held a glass of thick, red liquid with a caramel scent. It reminded him of the whiskey his father brought home, but it was much stronger, likely an older or superior batch.
"I do, Grandfather..." The feeling of distance and awkwardness couldn't be easily dealt with, but Viktor just lifted the corners of his lips and smiled.