"No blackmail. Apprentices may have to learn new powers, but we also get free ice cream, and food, and a few other things from the people here for helping keep them safe from the Corroded."

She focused on keeping her cone from dripping too much as he rambled on a bit, then had a trail of ants come wandering in to investigate their table. You know. In case he still ate bugs, or whatever. Or just to show off. Maybe a bit of both.

"I don't know, you always seemed pretty imaginative to me. And learning can be fun if you have someone to practice with."