[People keep suggesting Soldat get into reading-- again?-- but they've resisted so far. Not entirely sure why, just... not ready, maybe. So they absolutely understand needing a distraction other than books. Particularly Miss Lutece's books, which might be all science things.

Chess is fine, though.]

Wouldn't have suggested it otherwise.

[They set the plate in Javert's kitchenette sink, collect the board and pieces.]

Sir, did you. Before. Did you have friends?

[He almost never talks about his life before, and when he does it's only work and sometimes Valjean. They're... curious. And this has been such a good conversation, it feels safe to ask.]