His first thought was damn he didn’t fool her at all with his fake face and show of the bottle. Eagle witch eyes this one, even if her voice fell over his ears like melted sugar. The eyes drilled. But for some reason he couldn’t look away from Nicolette until the voice of some strange hat swordsman began to boss things around and broke the spell. Who the hell was he? Jax thought he saw the guy flash around the fight but why did he pick their side? Maybe the first mate's lover? No, he didn’t look at her that way. But he did dangle cards, coins and conversation this strange fish. And was Jax mistaken or did his Captain just grab hold of that squirmy sea creature’s hand? Might be more to learn than who in this crew could play cards.

Jax was quick to look back to Mademoiselle Beauchamp still holding his hand against his chest. He tried a smile again. Was she sending him a challenge. “I can listen to gut wound screams for as long as you like.” He pulled his arms away from his stomach and hefted his chest so she could marvel at his fit form. He took a few deep breaths for her to watch. Jax stuck his chest out and flexed all the muscle he could. Feast your eyes, witch. She was wrong and he wanted to point that out, again.

The bottle that was tucked under his arm slipped and he moved as his wrapped arm caught it before his mind warned him. His face did not hide the pain that shot through as he juggled the bottle and quickly put it in his unwrapped not bloody hand. He shook his other arm a few times trying to stop the pulsing pain that ran up his arm. He spun his back to her. Jax was sure she saw. Maybe she didn’t care. Why should she? Most likely better for her if he was off the Dusk Skate. 

Taking a big breath he spun back around to face her. “Seems they think you are some master at games, at gleek and others I am sure.” He smiled and slowly held his hand out sure she would not take it or uncover the hidden wound. “Good thing I am not in top form just now. I don’t fall for the tête dur act.” 

“I am a shark at cards.” Jax announced with a broad big smile. "Le petit poisson." Of course when he said the phrase it sounded nothing like French.