Returning with authorities - or even simply with the small mob that passed through earlier - would have been rude, perhaps, but Berkut realized that he would have done exactly that had he caught Leon in his own place of business. On any other day, he would have been quick to defend that as cautiousness or prudence, but now he benefitted from a man who exercised neither of those things.
The sudden familiarity caught him off guard as well. Hun? Berkut gave the shopkeep a startled look, then narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing him as he returned to the counter.
“You’re an odd one,” he said finally. “But I accept your generosity.”
The advice on how to properly navigate the market, however, went unacknowledged. When would he have any need to barter? And why was the lower class so unscrupulous that they could not price their wares fairly and uniformly?
Silently, he set to rummaging through the collected items - rations, cloth, a waterskin, even a new canvas bag - and found that his benefactor had been thorough with his shopping. A thought stopped his hand.
“You haven’t yet given me your name,” Berkut said, deliberately disinterested, but almost accusatory. Even if they had clashed in battle during the war, he knew the names of only the most famous, well-celebrated Zofians. The name of a merchant, formerly an archer, would never have reached him.
Leon snorted. “At least I’m not boring. And odd isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever been called. So thank you for the compliment.” He hopped back up onto the counter and crossed his legs. He then leaned forward and propped his elbow up on his knee, resting his chin in his hand.
He watched Berkut go through the items he had bought for him, quietly humming to himself a little bit. Berkut was handsome, he had to admit. Definitely someone he didn’t mind having in his shop.
He broke out of his slight daydream when Berkut addressed him again. “Ah. My name is Leon. I can’t believe I’ve been so rude as to not introduce myself before this. But, then again, neither did you.” He tapped his chin with a finger. “Though I suppose you have no need for introductions. Everyone knows who you are, hun.”
