Give me reasons to justify these moves.

[foolinaposition]

Anatoly Sergievsky is troubled. And as he so often does when he's troubled, he's set up a chessboard and made himself some tea

Comments

[molokovcocktail]

"I haven't seen you play chess for awhile," Molokov says quietly, cup of honeyed tea in hand.

[foolinaposition]

Toly nods politely, resetting the board. "I haven't played in a while. How have you been?"

[molokovcocktail]

"Well," Molokov lies, sitting across from Anatoly. "And you?"

He has been neglecting his watch over the chess player, which is nigh on unforgivable, no matter how extenuating the circumstances were. He has no doubt Walter could tell him every detail of Freddie's movements.

[foolinaposition]

"Well enough," he lies in return, running a hand through his hair with a sigh.

He pauses, then shakes his head, "Not that well at all, to tell you the truth. Worried, confused." He forces a laugh, "But when am I not?"

[molokovcocktail]

It's a shot in the dark, but Molokov is reasonably sure he knows what is bothering Anatoly. "Your wife. Florence. And as usual, you don't know what to do."

With him, it's always about a woman.

[foolinaposition]

Anatoly heaves a sigh and nods, burying his face in his hands. "And what do you think I should do? I'm -- falling in love with my wife again. Everytime I'm with her, I feel like I'm cheating on Florence, which is... backwards and ridiculous, and I know that. I just wish I knew what the right choice was."

[molokovcocktail]

Molokov thinks away his tea and calls up a shot of vodka. He's clearly going to need it for this conversation. "Do you hear how ridiculous you sound, Anatoly? Most men would be envious of your situation - a beautiful mistress on one hand, and a wife who tolerates it."

He leans back in his chair, sighing. "I do not know what to tell you. Both Florence and Svetlana clearly love you very much. You must decide, once and for all, where your heart lies, and then stick to it."

He looks at Toly and unbends, slightly, visions of Walter dancing in his mind. Somewhere down the line, he's made a choice of his own. "I know it is not an easy choice."

[foolinaposition]

"I know exactly how ridiculous I'm being, thank you, Molokov. I want..." He sips at his tea, trying to calm himself. "I want to be with Sveta again. But at the same time, I know I cannot leave Florence. Not the way she is now, that wouldn't be fair to her."

[molokovcocktail]

Molokov throws back the shot easily. "She has Walter and Mr. Trumper. The less said about him the better, but Walter - Walter will look after her."

It's escaped his notice he's shown how familiar he is with his counterpart by using his first name.