How could Svetlana not be paranoid? She had been used time and time again to upset Anatoly. Her daughters lives made to be nothing more than a means to an end. Them dying and her knowing that it could happen again. Knowing that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't always protect them. She didn't care about what happened to her so long as they were safe and taken care of. Add in being from a place where one wrong word got you sent away or worse, paranoia was ingrained in her. It was in Anatoly as well.
Though, hearing Freddie talk about how it was hard to let people in? That was unexpected. Because yes, he was nice enough to her. They had never really had any disagreements despite the East vs West thing. But this? This went beyond what their normal conversations entailed. Part of her had figured he would just move along when she hadn't given much response in that, she didn't really know how to give much response after years of silencing herself and holding everything to her heart. When two of the four people she could confide in were dead, one was not here and the other she was learning to trust all over again. So, for someone she didn't know all that well to understand that? It was unnerving. Though, she supposed it made sense as it seemed to be something Freddie himself had done. They both just had different venues of release. Not that she enjoyed hearing about the showing of the home video. Because she still didn't know why Molokov had kept it. Though following her stint in that other world, she had a theory and she really didn't like it. He already had unnerved her.
The comment on her maintaining more dignity than Freddie did in regards to their shared loses in Merano did cause the blond to smirk vaguely with a slight roll of the eyes. After all, Freddie was the one who ranted and raved at the world while Svetlana internalized. Of course, she also had to contend with politics in Moscow and concerns about the safety of her family so it wasn't as if she could say anything. And by then the hate had turned towards her for 'letting' Anatoly be swayed by promises from the West and whatever else they decided. But she knew he had a point. It was obvious this place had changed him. And while he may hate Anatoly, she had a feeling Freddie wouldn't lie to her to get her into some sort of problem. So she knew he had a point. The paranoia was bad enough in Moscow, here? Who knew what it would do. So instead, she merely nodded to show that she was listening even as she sipped her tea in thought. Oh, she wouldn't change completely, but she could try, had been trying. But given it had taken Anatoly months to get her to trust him even slightly, it was a long process.
While Svetlana still could not understand what reason she could be here, her daughters could be here, Freddie was probably right. She doubted the Seal cared one way or another about giving people second chances, better opportunities. But there had to be a reason. And oh, she heard his annoyance, but Svetlana would never expect Freddie to like Anatoly. Just as she could never be expected to ever truly like Florence. Tolerate her? Of course. But to genuinely like the woman? Svetlana couldn't see that happening. There was just too much there. Too many questions and insecurities and doubts.
Though the comment on her playing better than Anatoly caused the blond to quirk a brow.
"Perhaps. I did teach him so I suppose it could be true." Or she was just the only player Anatoly could never beat if she were on top of her game and he knew that which was why he never counted the games where she was clearly distracted.