Eric cocked an eyebrow, then shrugged. "Suit yourself, but it makes it tougher to have a conversation," he said, then grinned. "But I'll adapt. It's one of the things I'm good at, adapting and thinking on my feet. I'm bright, I know which end of my arm goes toward the other guy in a fight, and I have a knack for pulling things off that I shouldn't be able to. Why<em>wouldn't</em>he want me as his apprentice?"