Napoleon watched with amusement as his partner devoured a bowl of chocolate pudding followed by a substantial slice of German chocolate cake. They were sitting in a diner just outside of Albany, and had just completed a courier drop to one of UNCLE's field offices.
A low-key assignment for the organizations finest, but it was slow at the moment and they needed to earn their paychecks.
"I know it goes without saying that you love your food, and I finally understand this high metabolism thing of yours, but I have to ask...you are really crazy about chocolate, why is that?" Solo asked his partner.
Illya wiped his mouth with his napkin, putting down his fork for a moment.
"I suppose it was because chocolate was such a rare treat when I was growing up. I do have rather fond memories of my mother making Blini- her's were very thin yeast-leavened pancakes made from buckwheat flour. They were usually served with different dressings, sour cream, jam, syrup, red caviar, salmon, or cheese but my mother would serve hers with melted chocolate. I was very little, but remember them well and their delicious taste drizzled with the dark semi-sweet confection. Of course when the war came, there was no more chocolate, or much of any food for that matter..." Illya's voice trailed off as if he were recalling a distant memory.
There was little of his life growing up in the Soviet Union that Illya chose to share, but from the tidbits he revealed from time to time usually spoke of a harsh and unhappy life.
"So you're sort of reliving happier moments from your past through eating chocolate in any way, shape or form?" Solo gently smiled.
Illya tilted his head to the side as he picked up his fork again. "I suppose that is correct, and a very Freudian observation on your part my friend." He swallowed another mouthful of cake, closing his eyes, relishing the flavor and no doubt the recollections that accompanied it.
Napoleon waved to the waitress behind the counter. "Excuse me Miss, my friend here will have a slice of that chocolate cream pie, and I'll have one too." He smiled charmingly at her, though she looked at Illya, no doubt wondering where such a skinny guy put it all.
"Two chocolate creams coming right up Mister."
"That was not necessary," Illya whispered, I do not wish to appear the glutton."
"Forget about it chum, you just enjoy your pie along with those pleasant memories." Napoleon winked at him.