Santiago caught the coin and threw it back into the air with an expression of mild indifference. It spun through the air and landed neatly back in the palm of his hand. His dark eyes followed her retreating back as she stormed off into the embrace of the trees.

"Cute," he called after her, just before she vanished. His gaze drifted from her back to her tiger. On his shoulder Caesar muttered darkly.

Would you stop?" Santi thought at his binturong. Its a tiger, not the devil.

Same difference Caesar sniffed back, but he quieted, settling himself more comfortably around Santiago's neck like the world's ugliest scarf.

You really cramp my style, buddy, Santiago complained. Caesar just laughed in his ear with his odd little huff huff huff.

He turned his attention back to the girl. "And nice try, really. The whole reverse psychology trick, really well done. They say the classics are the best." Santi flicked the coin again, it spun upwards in an elegant arch before landing neatly on the back of his hand. The king's head winked up at him. He grinned and slipped it into the pocket of his coat to jingle with the rest of his change. He was not, by any stretch of the imagination, living hand-to-mouth.

"I'm not looking for your life story, kid. I don't care who the hell you are, or what you want with our friendly neighbourhood regicide. I was just trying to get you to think beyond that very fancy shooter you keep waving around."

He smiled again, pushing his hands into his pockets. Last chance. There was expensive wine, a hot bath, and if he could help it an even hotter woman waiting for him when he got home. He had a dragon's greed, but a cat's love of comfort.

"If the trees protect the prince and keep the camp hidden, we need to look for something other than the camp and the prince but which will inevitably be near both." Santiago leaned back against the nearest tree and crossed his arms over his chest. Caesar stepped neatly from his shoulder back into the overhead branches.

"So why don't you muse on that one, poppet," he purred, amber eyes crinkling at the edges as his face shifted around his smirk. "If you can think quickly enough you might save yourself some time..." The smirk widened into a grin, "don't strain yourself though.""