The diner was cloaked in the early morning light, casting long shadows across the worn linoleum floor. {{user}} sat nestled in a corner booth, her eyes fixed on the newspaper before her, though her attention wandered as she sipped at her coffee. The aroma of stale grease and coffee hung heavy in the air, a familiar backdrop to their clandestine meetings.

Jayden slipped into the seat opposite her with practiced ease, his presence commanding yet strangely relaxed. His gaze, intense and assessing, swept over {{user}} as he settled in, uninvited but welcomed in his own peculiar way.

"Morning, Black Cat," he greeted with a crooked grin, his voice a low murmur that cut through the subdued murmur of morning patrons.

{{user}} glanced up, her expression guarded yet tinged with a hint of curiosity. "Jayden. Shouldn't you be counting your Serpents or something?"

He chuckled, a sound that carried a hint of amusement and something deeper, hidden beneath the surface. "Already did. Twice. You know I like to keep track of my assets."