That was the thing. While Svetlana was indeed cold and closed off to most people, she didn't take it to the level of some, who refused to listen and held tight to their ideas. She didn't dismiss people just because they disagreed with her. If there was a logical reasoning behind what she was being told, she'd listen. It was just.. easier to stay quiet and absorb the information. That, and people often discredited her for it. They didn't think she listened, didn't think she cared. She was an Ice Queen. That was how she'd protected herself as a child when her brothers weren't around. Yes, she could easily interact with people, smile graciously, put on an act. But there was always that underlying coldness. People just rarely tried to get to know her. Or they were pretentious jerks who just wanted to brag about who knew what.
As Freddie spoke about chess, what it was, the blond woman gave a small nod. It was true. There was reason... a way to communicate if one wanted to. She and Anatoly had far too many conversations over and through chess.
"My eldest brother, Erik. He said the same thing, actually. You can lose yourself in the game and forget what is going on around you. You can focus on the pieces, the squares. And sometimes you can solve your problems without even realizing it..."
She missed Erik, more than ever. All of her brothers, really. They all had played a part in her upbringing, more so than her parents. But it was Erik who had taught her chess, had given her an outlet for all of her emotions. True, he hadn't been thrilled about it leading to her meeting Anatoly, and that had been an issue between them for a while, but he was still the one she had been closest to of the three, even when he was ridiculously overprotective and thought that protecting her was keeping her from leaving home. Him dying while Anatoly had been away had hurt, a lot. Losing Dmitri had been bad enough, but Erik's death had been unexpected. At least he hadn't been there for Anatoly's defection, though. But she missed him, and while she wouldn't wish this world on her brothers, having them there
Had Freddie hurt her in Bangkok? In a way, yes. It was worse after watching the stupid musical. She had seen the interview in Bangkok, been confused by Anatoly's reaction, the storming off. But it was also a common tactic when people wanted to receive some sort of reaction from the man. Knowing what she knew now? What he had said to Anatoly in regards to Florence when everyone was being blackmailed, when he then turned face and told Anatoly to win? That was what bothered her more, even if it made sense for Freddie. She understood that, yes. But that didn't change the fact that the words on worlds collapsing could be tied to her in regards to her daughter. To having Anatoly supposedly love someone so much as to throw such a tournament. To being told he had let her and their daughters down so why change now?
Though being told to trust the place just caused Svetlana to quirk a brow. Work out how? For her to be given some form of hope only for her to be sent to that strange place? Though, he did say now and again so it wasn't a constant. Maybe there was a chance here. Still she did nod. She could see it in some ways. Her daughters were given a chance they never would have in Moscow, even if right now they were suffering post traumatic stress disorder. She and Anatoly were... working on things. It was hard, but it wasn't as if the first time had been that easy either. Just... there hadn't been the broken promises and defection to deal with then.
Now a game of chess? Well... she was exhausted, but she also did need to focus her mind. And while she usually focused her own mind by self games of chess, playing an actual game could do the same.
"I would not be opposed." She smiled slightly at that. It was rare she got to play many people. There had been that Mr.Saxon person from when she had first showed up, Anatoly a few times and then Freddie. At least they all provided challenges in their own ways. And the challenge would hopefully set her mind at ease so maybe she'd get some sleep if her mind was focused from a game.