Zevran raised his eyebrows at the introduction and the quick shift from casual and young, to formal and experienced. A naval captain. How unexpected. The human was still early in his years, and by any standards Zevran was familiar with, very young for his position. Captain James wasn't a child, but all of the captains Zevran had known would have seen him as one. He was either very talented, or his superiors had all died unexpectedly. One thing that always made for young officers were battlefield promotions, and it was a time of war, even for those who could flee to the waters.

He had been awfully quick to inform Zevran of his rank. Maybe he was proud of it, but Zevran suspected that James needed a bit of authority in this situation. Alone and unarmed with a stranger who had looked all too ready to fight back. Zevran had accidentally shown his hand, unfortunately. It was flattering to not be underestimated, but inconvenient. Not to mention unusual. It was rare that a human who felt the need to immediately list his rank wouldn't look at Zevran like he was dirt under his feet, but the night was still young.

"A pleasure to meet you, captain." Zevran let the last word roll off his tongue with a bit of extra emphasis. He dipped into the faintest bow, enough to appease social expectations, but not so much that he undermined the playful tone of the conversation. James didn't seem like the sort who would be enticed by outright submission, and Zevran took more enjoyment out of behaving like himself instead of a scared slave. The Crow mentality was to do anything it took to get in, but you usually made more progress if you showed a little pride.

"And I am Zevran, who has never stepped foot on a ship as anything but a guest. The officers I have known in the past were very courteous hosts, though not quite as military as you seem to be." His tone was unfailingly cheerful, and he projected obliviousness to the undercurrent of tension.