Cole eyed the reliquary which apparently doubled as an office for the Bakeneko. Even he had to admit the collection was impressive, as were the wards and sigils which were used to guard it... or guard others<i>from</i>it. He turned to Cat, noticing the casual glances, his own eyes hinting at a moment to appreciate her, but in a fraction of a second he had discarded the thought, "He doesn't seem to have forgotten you." Cole let the comment hang a moment, "I suppose you were correct. His behavior is<i>certainly</i>a product of eccentricity, and his fondness for you probably nothing more than theatrics." Anyone could have missed it.<i>Cole just made a joke.</i><br/><br/>He watched her on the desk, ruby eyes peering at her with a mute intensity before he turned back toward the door and cracked his neck. Every entry point was taken into consideration. He had doubts that this would be a trap, but then again, he had no reason to think Cheshire wouldn't kill them here and now, even with witnesses. He was simply too well connected to fear repercussions, and apparently too clever to let himself be taken down even in a town of big players. As it was, Cat was their best card. For now at least, this was her show.<br/><br/>Still waiting on the feline dark-sider to make his appearance, he glanced down and asked, "He said 'Indian Princess.' ...and back at the jeweler, your image on the camera had outlines which didn't follow perfectly in line with your body... Are you some sort of Native American Dark-sider?" He paused, "I'm not as familiar with the tribes up here, but I have known a few who originally came from the reservations out in the mid-west. Good people. Crossed paths with someone claiming to be their 'Coyote'. I couldn't be sure if it was just a self proscribed title or if he was the real thing." he reflected with a minor twitch at his lips, "He was certainly obnoxious enough to live up to the legend." His mood shifted subtly to something approaching genuine sadness, "I don't know what happens to an entity like that when their own people slowly die away... but if it's anything like my kind, I'd rather he faded to nothing." Cole didn't say it, but the implication was clear. Being the last of an entire people, an entire myth, meant walking the earth truly and completely alone and forgotten. Better to die with those who carried you in their hearts.<br/><br/>Cole's moment of weakness was realized and the steel resolve slammed back into place within his mind, his posture shifting to a more upright and ready position. "If you know of a worthy leverage, now is the time to share it. He doesn't strike me as the type to give out information for free." Cole glanced over his shoulder at Cat. Oddly, he had seemed to have dropped the entire notion that she could potentially be used as a bargaining chip, unlike his comment earlier in the alley. "Either way, we will not be leaving here without answers. Some within the clans feel he is too valuable to kill..." He rolled a shoulder as he turned his attention back to the door, "I do not share that sentiment."