"Hardly a pet, monsieur," Joscelin replies, switching seamlessly to French as soon as he hears the man's accent. For once, he doesn't respond to the baiting, though he wants to. His instincts tell him that the man is dangerous; he doesn't want to risk a scene. Instead he smiles ironically, gesturing down to himself. "I am entirely my own, er, man, so to speak"

He offers a brisk, but polite bow. "May I tempt you in a glass of wine, monsieur?" Anything to get the man to remove the mask.