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[markedformore]

While there aren't a great many chess sets upon the island, Erik always ensures that he has one to use. Growing up, it had never been a cherished hobby, because the only pasttime he experienced was that of keeping alive through it all. Perhaps he owes Shaw more than he wants to given that he survived by being an experiment for the man to slice open

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[whoneedsadream]

It has been two weeks since Florence's arrival and Anatoly was nowhere near regaining his sense of equilibrium. He was doing his best not to shut anyone out but truth be told, some days were much more difficult than others. There were times when he needed to flee, stay away from his usual haunts and find distraction from the thoughts whirling around in his head.

Seeking out the Winchester proved to be the perfect way to find a bit of distraction as the moment he entered, he was drawn to the chess board he could see in the corner. Feeling a sense of déjà vu, he approached the man in front of the board in the hopes that he might be amenable to a match or two.

"I hope I am not intruding," he murmured quietly. "But I saw the chessboard and I wondered if perhaps you would be interested in a game."

[markedformore]

Erik's gaze lifts upwards and he allows for what he hopes passes for a patient smile. He's not given to immediate trusting of strangers, but no trust has been requested in this situation. It seems he might not need to pester Charles, after all. "Do you play, then?" he asks, the question 'do you play well?' hidden beneath in a dismissive undercurrent.

[whoneedsadream]

"I do," Anatoly answered simply. "It is my passion, one that I have studied for many years." He wasn't going to brag about his titles but neither was he going to shy away from the fact that he was very, very good at chess. If he was lucky, the man would be able to give him a bit of a challenge. He didn't when or if he would ever be able to face Freddie again without an immediate desire to punch him so another chess partner able to keep him on his toes would be welcome indeed.

[markedformore]

Erik gestures to the board with an open hand by way of giving him verbal permission to join. If they are to play, he's glad to have someone who will have some skill at the game. The last thing he desires is to have to teach the finer points of chess to anyone. "How many years is 'many'?" he wonders aloud, setting the pieces back to their starting places.

[shewaswarned]

It's not that she doesn't enjoy the company of others, but there are some nights that Ellen wants to be surrounded by people without actually talking to any of them, without the responsibility of carrying on a conversation and having to go through the motions of that polite enough pastime.

The Winchester offers up enough unfamiliar faces tonight to give her that opportunity, and she seizes it almost immediately, taking her drink into a corner as well as a book she's grabbed from the rec room earlier in the week. As far as she's concerned, she's intending it to be a quiet evening.

[markedformore]

Erik keeps his eye on the woman cautiously and has from the very moment she arrived. He can't be sure whether it's Moira and if it is, he wonders if this is being kept from him for a purpose. Inevitably, he realizes that he won't know unless he finds out for himself, which brings him to her side with a drink in hand. "Drinking alone seems like a waste of your time," he says. "Moira, is it you?"

[shewaswarned]

It's the second case of mistaken identity in as many weeks. Ellen's never pegged herself for a particularly unique face, but on the island, she finds it happening more often than normal. It sort of lends truth to the theory that everyone has a twin out there. Ellen lowers her book with a frown, looking up at the man in slight confusion.

"Moira - I'm sorry, I think you've mistaken me for someone else," she softly answers.

[markedformore]

His reaction is impassive and calm. If he is mistaken, then so be it. If Moira is playing a game with him, then he'll patiently wait for a mistake to be made. "And if you're not Moira," he says, forcing his tone to ease to the edge of kinder before he frightens her away. "Then who are you?"