The way that he started slightly pleased Sookie; while she was completely willing to sit and talk about chess for a good period of time, she also wanted to pull Anatoly slightly away from the activity, one that seemed lonely. Rigid. He could stand to learn to let go a little more, and even if Sookie wasn't necessarily the best for that, it was worth trying to give him a tug now and again.

"Yes," she concluded, straightening up and looking down at the board. "Let's."