Carolina perhaps should have considered herself lucky that she made it down the stairs without tripping considering the amount of attention she was paying to her companion and his expressions as the pair descended towards the lobby. She simply found that she could not help herself, the close vantage she was afforded due to their proximity provided such a clear insight to the distinct pauses between his phrases, or the furrowing of his brow. Not to mention that he was obviously pleasing to look at as well in his own right, she had to admit that to herself. It is why she didn't miss the corners of his lips turn downward at he considered her question regarding that training he had taken on. She nodded politely, though concern certainly showed on her face as he mentioned the consequences which came with simply being a Hunter. While she was certainly no stranger to the idea of someone, or something, wanting to kill you due to what you are it was different to hear her friend mention it so nonchalantly. As a Were self-preservation came rather naturally, though there had been much for her to learn in those first years after her transformation she had learned by necessity and on her own. "I'm glad you have someone to help teach you then."

Offering him a slight smile even as he seemed content to shift their conversation to his love of the violin, something she did not quite share but could understand in a way. A part of her warmed at the fact that he seemed to have had much the same childhood experiences as herself, someone who could commiserate wanting to leave that world of such expectation and pressure. "Ah, another survivor of that wonderful institution. It's great you both were able to find instruments you enjoy, I hope I can meet her sometime." Her own time at boarding school had been less about scholarly pursuits, her general rebellious nature not doing her any favors in the eyes of those strict instructors. Alistair then inquiring about the Ark and her job there, something she never had trouble speaking about. It had been busier than ever, for both the reasons she mentioned and those she did not; like the fighting pits which had been standing room only for weeks on end. That meant an even busier bar, and while the money was obviously good due to it, she was just glad to be busy once more.

The artist seemed to understand her sentiment, though both of their attentions were diverted as they approached the café. That sign and design work were cute and eye-catching, which seemed to bode well for the new shop as the pair entered. A cozy interior greeted them, brightly chalked signs proclaiming what offerings were available, but it was the smattering of felines that she spotted beyond the glass-paned room that so fully captured her attention. Naturally, the leopard simply adored cats of any shape and size which lead to her rather exuberant outburst as she gripped Alistair's arm in her excitement. Perhaps if she had still been paying attention to him as closely as she had been earlier she might have noticed the reticence in his tone, btu she had become rather blind to anything save for those whiskered beings just out of reach.

Still she managed to turn back to him, releasing her grip on his forearm and instead clasping her hands together to keep them still even as she bounced slightly on the balls of her feet. "If you don't mind... We can get coffee and eat first!" She managed what seemed a decent compromise even as her teal eyes darting back towards that room before looking back at him. "Unless... are you allergic?" In the brief time he had been in her apartment before Grayson's presence hadn't seemed to bother him, though the tabby had not made an actual appearance then. Naturally, the hunter had no real context for her own love of felines, and a part of her couldn't help but wonder how he might react to knowing.