“This flower's for you. I thought you might be in this competition,” Leif comes up to Berkut after the man is eliminated from the White Heron Cup, a lily in his hand to offer the man for his efforts. “But I wasn't sure. You said you had a partner who loved to dance...”
But that he himself had no particular care for it. That Berkut went up alone in an event flooded with duos feels like both a testament to it and a statement against it. The story he'd thought he wouldn't pry into when it was first told to him is one he digs up at last.
“... was your participation an homage in their honor??”
Seeing Leif, Berkut blinked a bit in surprise as the lily was suddenly presented to him. Looking up, he smirked as he took it, giving Leif a grateful nod. "Ah my thanks..." Almost absent-minded, he reached to his own bouquet and offered the other man one of the roses.
Why had he entered in this? Perhaps Leif had been able to glimpse a reason that even he had tried to smother. Entering this contest had been a test of futility. Even bothering to do it, without a partner, yet still insisting on doing that dance. Letting out a sigh, the smirk on his face fades. A far more bitter look in his eyes.
"I suppose you could say that. A foolish notion on my part. If anything losing in this first round has just shown that I've simply wasted my time." It's not like dancing in her name, even if he had won would have done anything. Perhaps it was selfish to even make the attempt.
"Apologies. I'm afraid I may not be the best of company in this moment. Enjoy the rest of your evening." The tone was empty, even as Berkut gave a small wave of dismissal as he turned and started walking away.