Sawtooth Spire Where have you gone

While Taikon was glad to have found that the mountain lion was willing to cooperate, the entire encounter was unexpected and strange to him. He didn't know what to do. He didn't know how to act. What should he say?
Thanks, he said carefully, gold eyes flashing toward the cat's curious snake-like gaze. He was a formidable critter, but the idea that others that met him might not listen caught Taikon. He blinked. He realized at once that in fact he had been on the defensive, and this relaxed him further. He knew that this beast would not hurt him, probably. He seemed easy going. He seemed, oddly, like a person.
You uh, Taikon said, I appreciate that. The sentence felt awkward. He didn't like it. He felt awkward. The prince was in front of an animal that could kill him, but didn't.