There was so much going on and just as Jax felt in the middle of deep stares and unsaid needs during the card game he felt it again as the carriage stopped. Ms Greene showed him the eyes of the woman who called from the crow’s nest and the lips of the worried Tante. She was asking him to be careful. Whatever game she played she was surer of herself than she was of him. Big surprise. Nevertheless, he offered her a small understanding smile. Ms Greene was not his shipmate, nor was Luc’s Tante Tonia but the rouge and high scaling Antonia was. A sea witch and in places a woman should not be, and still, a spot on his ship brought loyalty. But, Jax was Jax and his ideas of comfort did not comfort most. Let them worry a bit and wonder about him, made disappointment harder and expectation less.

As he was trying to show all that in the twinkle of his eyes and the grin on his face the other boy she played with, the older one, the Admiral decided to add more to the mix and invited Jax and whomever he wanted to some celebration tonight. Dancing with the posh Commander and his fellow boot kickers. With whomever? What fun.

Jax began to exit the carriage but he stopped and leaned toward Sir Admiral Greene. “You Sir have yourself a scheduled visitor come ‘morrow with a fine bottle, ears to listen and the eyes of a curious lad if all line right. Of course, I might have to pledge untold treasures to have any parent allow me to take a child. But to spend the afternoon with you would shine above the reassurances I will be forced to make.” Jax smiled.

“Your invitation to an evening of worthy entertainment is most appreciated as well. Again, I have to seek the counsel of my Captain. But if the moon shines bright and her guidance allows it I will be there dressed and ready to dance.” Jax paused. “Thank you, Sir for the most amusing ride and conversation.” Gone was his sailor sound. “May the salt still lick your lips and the sound of the sea forever rumble at your feet.” Jax bowed sure that Admiral Greene would not know he did, still the man deserved it.

Much lighter Jax jumped from the carriage and smiled up to might fancy feet. Then he spun around and with his back turned brushed his fingers over his head in a wiggle wave good bye. Jax took a deep breath, stopped by the door of the Parakeet, put the book under his arm, then stormed inside.

“Luc, lad Luc. I so hope you are here.” Jax shouted as he entered. In truth, he wasn’t so sure he wanted the boy about at all. Then he could say he tried and well, fate just wasn’t there this day. But as the few inside turned toward the loud mouth the patter of small feet ran down the stairs.

Luc stopped at the bottom and looked to Jax but did not come closer. A woman, whom by her protective steps right toward her son and her outstretched arm could only be his mother. “It’s Monsieur Jax, the Lady Moon’s Lover and Shark Fighter.” Luc answered his mother's questioning look. 

Jax smiled, “True, true, and you must be this fine lads sister.” He laughed sure that the joke was preposterous but then so was Jax. “I have a story and book to share. Please if I might sit and purchase a meal. Would you allow me to share yet another tale of grand adventure with your son?” Jax smiled sweetly. She could say no, this mother of the boy. She would have every right. And then Jax could once again spout of his efforts even if they were not fulfilled. But instead she nodded, gestured to a table and went back to work.

“Ah Luc, what a night" Surprised things had gone this far, Jax began."Did you see the moon? How she teased me, how she showed me beautiful things and then scurried away behind masks, judgments, misunderstandings and false skins.” He took a deep sigh as he sat on one side of the table and confused Luc sat on the other. “Last night I wondered following her light, the shine of the moon, to the pools of water north of town and the beauty of the Night Blooms. Right there at the very edge of that pound a seal rose from the edge of water with beautiful lilies in her arms. Flowers that took my breath away with their sweetness. She laid them down for me and let me rest against her. A seals skin is soft and warm. The cow let me feel her warmth amid the fragrance of those flowers.” Jax let his eyes drift away as if he was remembering something wonderful. A plate of fruits, portage and a roll was placed in front of him as Luc’s mother’s eyes studied him.

Jax took a few bites and smile. The woman left. “ But as soon as the sun peak through she changed. Yes the seal stood, on her flippers she stood right up and with her fins she tugged at her fur and pulled the skin over her head and off her body.” Jax eyes got wide to underscore the surprise of that. “She took her fur off and stepped out of her skin.” He paused to let the shock show on his face. Then he leaned forward and softly asked, “She was a Selkie. Have you heard of them? Do you know the tale of the seals who keep their skins tucked away while they roam the world in our shapes?”

He moved even closer to the lad and then looked all around the room. “There is one about . One pretending to be us, to be human, but she sheds her skin, she changes as the sky does from light to dark, from storm to clear blue. “ Jax leaned back and took another bite . 

Luc ‘s eyes were wide as he leaned in, “What does she want?”

Jax smiled, “What we all want, to be a part of something. To be one way to some and then put on another face, a different skin to others. So she can be a fancy lady one night dancing with fancy men, a learned doctor the next, and cunning fighter on the morn, and a skill first mate the next. Then . she will slip off to swim in the waves. “ 

Jax paused, “She doesn't know what she wants.”

Jax smiled and finished his meal putting the book on the table beside him.