Croix struggled to keep a look of intrigue under control as he noticed the momentary lapse in the well-dressed woman's expression. Obviously a woman not too fond of the Highlander...he found himself wondering if she knew this man, or if her disdain extended to all of them. He decided it was more likely the latter, if Elle's description of their interaction was accurate. But the quick correction of herself tended to indicate a woman well-versed in the art of disguising her true feelings...and possibly true intentions. More the Captain's type of game, he thought...but then, he hadn't spent this much time serving the man without picking up a few tricks. He turned around in his seat and offered a small smile to the increasingly nervous Elle who was fidgeting behind him. Some small reassurance that he knew what he was doing and that she should just play along.
"You heard the lady, Elle. If you could bring me a glass of water while you're at it, I would greatly appreciate it." He gave the girl a wink and turned his attention back to the conversation he had invaded, first turning his attention to the woman with the hawk. "You'd really be surprised, my Lady. Those of us from around here tend to spend most of our time on or around the waters...we're not an unworldly people by any means, all manner of oddities come through the ports. It's just rather rare to see such a fine creature as your companion here." Croix smiled at the hawk, attempting to convince the obviously intelligent bird that he meant no harm to its mistress. "Not ones to give their loyalty easily, as I hear it..." he said softly, reaching into his side pouch and pulling out a strip of jerky, offering it to the bird. Ensuring his gaze remained on the animal, he directed his next statement towards the well-dressed woman. "Opals, I believe I heard? It's equally rare we see such a fine-dressed, refined woman such as yourself coming through. Is trade the reason we find ourselves graced with your presence?"
"You heard the lady, Elle. If you could bring me a glass of water while you're at it, I would greatly appreciate it." He gave the girl a wink and turned his attention back to the conversation he had invaded, first turning his attention to the woman with the hawk. "You'd really be surprised, my Lady. Those of us from around here tend to spend most of our time on or around the waters...we're not an unworldly people by any means, all manner of oddities come through the ports. It's just rather rare to see such a fine creature as your companion here." Croix smiled at the hawk, attempting to convince the obviously intelligent bird that he meant no harm to its mistress. "Not ones to give their loyalty easily, as I hear it..." he said softly, reaching into his side pouch and pulling out a strip of jerky, offering it to the bird. Ensuring his gaze remained on the animal, he directed his next statement towards the well-dressed woman. "Opals, I believe I heard? It's equally rare we see such a fine-dressed, refined woman such as yourself coming through. Is trade the reason we find ourselves graced with your presence?"