"As you will, Mademoiselle Beauchamp," Antonia said pleasantly, still smiling warmly herself and taking the first mate's attempt at the semblance for what it might be worth. The rogue took up the newly freed bottle of rum that had, just moments before, been under threat of shattering in the first mate's grip - and turned her gaze to the helmsman curiously. He took her by surprise, a sensation she found oddly pleasant, with his own light-hearted request for a drink of [i]bumbo[/i], breaking the near palpable tension about the woman - not so much with his words of course, but by his own irreverent lightness. 

"You'll not regret it, Monsieur Jax, trying the [i]bumbo.[/i] You'll see - you'll never want piss water grog again, I… Guarantee… " Her voice trailed off slowly though, doing her level best not to scowl at Thomas when he chided her – and by extension, his Maman and Papa - regarding the original gold piece for Luc. She bit her tongue as she moved behind the bar, listening to his tale without interruption – and then smiled, softly, genuinely when he was finished. 

[i]Ah, Captain Lightfoot.[/i] The first Captain Lightfoot of course, Thomas’ adopted father. That was a very old gold coin her lovely man rolled so easily between his long fingersHow dearly he loved that man, treasured the years he’d spent, all he’d learned at his side. Antonia smiled to herself as she poured the cool water into the flagon for the rum mixture, knowing Thomas’ heart on the matter, and knowing she would not have it in her to return his gentle chiding. Thomas would be Thomas, and would always do as he saw best, as the First Mate was discovering.

Though it seemed Luc might have a thing or two to say for himself, and his words tickled his Tante ‘Tonia to no end, giggling softly to herself as she listened.

The boy’s dark, amber-lit eyes grew even larger at the sight of the second gold piece in a single day, and attended every last word Captain Lightfoot had to say, nodding his head thoughtfully. “Did you know, Capitaine Lightfoot, that Tante ‘Tonia says the first gold piece will bring a tutor to teach me about the stars? Charts, navigation – all the knowledge to pilot my own ship one day if I like.“ There was a warm smile for the helmsman, before his eyes returned to Thomas.

“And now a second? A man will give me gold while I am young. Who’s to say this won’t be start of my all [i]my[/i] fortunes then, for all I will have one day?” Luc couldn’t help a glance toward the lovely Nicolette at his words, though he was mindful of Tante ‘Tonia’s admonition and looked away just as swiftly, and did not stare. 

“Yes, I shall change my life for the price of Maman’s pound cake then,” Luc said a bit cheekily, with an impish grin as he looked up to the copper-eyed man, getting to his own bare feet, “You’ll not regret this, sir.”

Luc paid little attention to the ship talk, though he waved the helmsman closer when he offered his help with the pound cake. The boy might have even taken the man’s hand as they walked to the kitchens, but for the mortification of seeming no more than a child before the angelic Nicolette. As he fell into step beside Jax toward the kitchens, he spoke easily as they walked. 

“Tante ‘Tonia says there is wisdom in stories, Monsieur Jax,” Luc said with a sweet smile for the man, “And she tells so many. I would still like to hear your tale as well, if you’ve a mind. Wisdom, and knowledge, [i]and[/i] fortune all in a single night? I don’t know why Maman and Papa will not allow me to stay up so late every night!”