Where has that old friend gone?

[chesspolitik]

Contrary to popular belief, Anatoly did do things besides play chess and talk to other people besides Lex. On this fine Wednesday he was situated at the Jazz Club, happily watching Roger perform. The music wasn't quite his cup of tea if he was honest, but he was well aware his tastes were horrible old-fashioned and behind the times. Still, he was coming to find that it was growing on him. Another few visits and he just might fall under the seductive sway yet. In any case, his friend was a consummate showman and that was reason alone to watch.

When the set was over, he applauded enthusiastically. After giving Roger a few moments to recover and wind down, he made his way over to him, glass in hand. "That was amazing," he said. "As always."

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[chesspolitik]

Anatoly smiled widely, thinking it was a very apt comparison. "I feel alive and that everything's right in the world. Sometimes, I feel like it's the only time everything makes sense, you know?"

He took a sip of his vodka and said nothing further for the moment, not wanting to distract Roger from the important business of getting his guitar stowed away.

[one--song.livejournal.com]

Roger smiled. He did know, and more than that, it was the only time he felt he knew anything. People could talk about the future, the past, truth, and consequences and none of it made any sense to Roger, but when he sat down with his guitar, he was suddenly an expert or a saint or a god. When he was behind his guitar, Roger could be anyone he wanted to be.

By the time he'd straightened, he got some of his bearings, swallowing hard before he spoke. "So, uh, where's Lex tonight?"

[chesspolitik]

"Upstairs talking to Helen," Anatoly answered, a bit of fondness in his voice. "I imagine they'll be up there for awhile - if it's not her he's talking to, it's someone else. I swear he knows everyone here."

Anatoly valued his private life intensely so it was hard for him to understand Lex's need to be a social butterfly. But as long as he wasn't expected to join Lex on every occasion, it was something he could live with.

[one--song.livejournal.com]

"Why aren't you with him?" He didn't mean to ask the question, but sometimes, Roger swore they... had something. Often times, Anatoly came to Roger's shows alone and did that mean Lex wasn't fond of him? Or did that mean that Anatoly wanted to be alone with him?

[chesspolitik]

Anatoly blinked at Roger, taken aback by the question. "Because I wanted to see you," he answered honestly, not thinking for a moment how it might sound or even why it might matter. "Is that wrong?"

[one--song.livejournal.com]

That look of confusion and a certain kind of betrayal made Roger step back and he flicked his eyes up to Anatoly's.

"No. It's not. M'glad you're here," he said, and he remembered that Anatoly rarely missed a show. "Let me get you a drink."

[chesspolitik]

"I would love one, thank you." Anatoly finished the rest of his drink then set the empty glass down.

He glanced at Roger, still confused on why it mattered whether Lex was there or not. Whether he was upstairs talking to Helen or out attempting to bond with Kon, it had no bearing on what Anatoly did, nor should it, he thought.

[one--song.livejournal.com]

Roger returned with a vodka for Anatoly and a beer for himself moments later, having taken a second to talk to the bartender, as was customary. He was just happy the Willows Room was up and running again, even if it meant it was without Warrick. But hell, Roger had lost so many people, Warrick was almost just another brick in the memorial wall.

"Here." he extended it like a peace offering.

[chesspolitik]

"Thank you," Anatoly said with a warm smile as he accepted the drink. He took a deep drink from his glass, savoring the taste. What he would do when the vodka ran out, he didn't want to contemplate.

He was quiet for a few moments, enjoying both the vodka and companionship. It was easy, almost relaxing just being around Roger, even if he didn't always know how respond to him. "So, how have you been?"