The fact that someone seemed to understand how one could express themselves through chess boded well. Svetlana knew that some people didn't see how it was possible but when one was on the same wave length as their partner, they could. It just meant knowing what each piece represented in that moment and what hesitations and certain moves meant. Most people merely saw the strategy aspect, which was all well and good, but there was so much more if one looked. Of course, couldn't it be said that was the case in many situation? So Svetlana gave a slight smile.
"Yes. It is not a common means of self expression but it can be done if you and your partner know one another well enough..."Which had to mean something for her and Anatoly, right? If they could still converse in such a way despite the distance between them... "If you like someday, I can show you the basics?" After all, it would be mean not to share what she knew. And as Svetlana used it to focus, perhaps she could help Elphaba with that as well.
Hearing the currently not green woman say she wasn't sorry that it was censored, Svetlana just gave a small nod before shrugging. She doubted Elphaba understood the reasons on why it was, but that was no reason. Still what could really be done?
"It is what it is, the government will try to control the minds of the people to fit their own ideals. Censorship is part of that and it was a part of my everyday life, so it was normal."
What was the use of being upset over it? She couldn't change it, she wasn't even there anymore. True, it looked as though Russia still was quite involved in censorship despite losing the Cold War twenty years ago, but at least it wasn't as bad.
But then, Elphaba went into her back story of sorts, and so Svetlana merely sipped her tea and listened intently. Oh, she could pick up on the underlying bitterness. The Russian woman was certain if she ever explained her own situation, that there would be bitterness in her own voice, no matter how much she tried to mask it. Especially if she started to explain the American version of Chess and how it had changed and what it tried to express. Though, the comment about the alternate realities caused Svetlana to tense, her eyes to flash ever so quickly. Her reality hadn't even been that much darker, just the circumstances. What Molokov had done, Anatoly... and then having to deal with him when she needed her husband the most.
"It seems that was common for many people, sending them to a world like their own but darker..."
Svetlana's voice was soft, but underlying with her own pain even as she tried to mask it. But she was just so tired now and it took so much energy to keep everything hidden. So back to her tea.