(no subject)

[chesspolitik]

Anatoly had his routine for chess. He played his games in the rec room until he was gently reminded of the need for eating or for taking a break. This afternoon he had set up his board on a table outside of his hut - not only to take advantage of the sunshine but to shield himself and his opponent from the prying eyes of one Freddie Trumper. Yes, he might be Jonas's protege but that did not mean he had to be present at every game, especially for this one.

"Black or white?" Anatoly asked as he faced Jonas, an easy smile on his face. They had played many times before but there was nothing quite like the thrill of anticipation, of waiting for the first move and the game to start properly.

Comments

[thinkimstrange]

"An exercise in patience." Jonas agreed with a wry grin. "Was it easy or harder back home?" Jonas had heard Freddie's side of the story but he was curious to hear Anatoly's.

[chesspolitik]

"To deal with him, do you mean? Or something else?" Anatoly asked distractedly as he puzzled out his next move.

[thinkimstrange]

Jonas chuckled as he leaned on his crossed arms as he waited out Anatoly's next move. "Yes, that's what I meant. Is it easier here without the distractions of home, or easier?"

[chesspolitik]

That was a good question and Anatoly leaned back in his chair to consider it, absently toying with a pawn as he did so.

"I do not know if I can answer that because it is so different here then at home," he answered slowly. "Here, there are no cameras or reporters shadowing our every move. We must deal with each other face to face and it is just the two of us.

At home? I know this will sound like bragging but the whole world was watching us. There were cameras, reporters - we were supposed to be representatives of our respective countries and it was all rhetoric. Anything - everything we said or did was analyzed and dissected and of course, you could never speak your mind."

He paused for a moment then smiled wryly. "At least I could not. I can assure you Freddie said everything that crossed his mind."

[capable_of]

"And he still does, unfortunately for the rest of us." Lex said as he approached, baring food and announced by the happy barking of Aeneas. "The game must be truely boring if he is your topic of conversation."

He walked over and gave Anatoly a quick kiss and waved hello to Jonas. "Will you join us for dinner after the game, Jonas? I brought enough."

[thinkimstrange]

Before Lex and Aeneas appeared, Jonas thought carefully about what Anatoly described. And he couldn't help a wry grin, since he knew exactly what Anatoly was talking about. Politics had been part of his job back in Kelowna after all.

And before he ventured too far down that train of thought, he was more then glad for the interruption. He reached down to pet the small dog who clamored up to him, no doubt eager to get to smell of Lyre all over him. "I don't think the game was so bad. Anatoly was just indulging my curiosity."

[chesspolitik]

At Lex's arrival, Anatoly looked up and happily returned his kiss. The food was a welcome sight as he couldn't remember the last time he had eaten. This was a regular occurrence with him, sadly enough, and he was grateful all over again that he and Lex had found each other.

"He asked about Freddie and I answered," Anatoly explained. "I may be the only one who knows him well."

Florence could also make that claim, of course, and rightfully so. There were some things about Freddie, however, that only a fellow grandmaster could understand and in that situation, there was no one else but him.

[capable_of]

"And I still question how that was deemed a proper topic of conversation but you two can stand him more then I can." It was the truth. Lex and Trumper usually just ended up in blows, whether in blows or verbal depend on the situation.

"But I repeat my question. Would you like to stay for dinner? I think I brought enough even for you extra terrestrial appetite."

[thinkimstrange]

Jonas knew all too well about Lex's encounters with Freddie, he'd heard about them from the other end. And it really only increased his curiosity, not that he would say that in front of either man. Maybe he'd bring that up with Anatoly next time he was alone with the man.

"And I would love to stay for dinner. Though Lyre might come looking if I stay too late." The large blue cat was oddly over protective of his owner.

[chesspolitik]

"Wonderful," Anatoly said happily, beaming at both men. While he enjoyed the simple domesticity of eating with just Lex, it was nice to have another dinner companion every once in awhile, especially one who also knew the joys of chess.

"I am sure we can find an extra bite or two for him before he takes you home."