He folded his arms over his chest, the frown never quite leaving his face. "Would you have gone with me if you had all the information?"
                          
Calponia threw up her hands. She rolled out of bed, jabbing a finger into the man's broad chest. "That is not the point, you idiot. I almost died because you were irresponsible. I didn't have to be in that situation Mack. I could have helped you. I could have helped myself instead of standing there like a useless damsel to be carted off to the tower. I. Hate. Being. Helpless." She punctuated each word stabbing her index finger into his chest; not realizing they'd backed up until Mack hit the wall. 
                          
The man had at least half a foot height on her and far more muscle mass, but for a moment, he looked thoroughly ruffled by his slight apprentice. Her words hung between them, the ring of truth taking the fight out of her. Calponia stepped away from him and sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her bare feet. Someone had removed her soiled clothes, leaving her in an oversized t-shirt that hung to her knees. She rubbed her face, grateful she wasn't wearing her muck coated clothes but not certain she wanted to know who stripped her out of them. Please be Cesario or even Lady Agatha, she silently prayed. Her skin was still grimy, streaks of mud flaking off her calves. What she wouldn't do for a long, hot shower, but this was more important. There had to be boundaries established, here and now, the lines had to be drawn, the–
                          
"You're right," said Mack, staring at the ground. His whole countenance sagged, dragged down by an epic unseen weight that made her worry for her boss despite her ire with him. 
                          
Calponia licked her lips. "Right, exactly, about what?"
                          
"Oh, everything." He sighed. "Sanguinheim was a piss poor choice for a first outing no matter how you slice it." He held up a hand when she opened her mouth. "And I owe it to you to make sure you know what you are getting into." He shifted, clearly uncomfortable with the aspect of more talking.
                          
She stared at him, a million questions swarming in her skull, their buzz drowning out any coherent string of thought she might have. Too many questions. She tamped them down, carefully sorting through them until she found the one she wanted to know the most. "What are you?"
                          
Mack started, shifting from one foot to the other. "Obviously, I'm a barkeep."
                          
She scowled at him. 
                          
"Alright, alright," said Mack, crossing the room to ease on the bed beside her. "The first question out of your mouth has the most complicated answer."
                          
Calponia shrugged. "It's not so complicated if you break it down in parts."
                          
"Oh? How so?"
                          
"Are you human?" She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes. Mack looked up at the ceiling, considering her question for an inordinate length of time. 
                          
"Mostly."
                          
"What's that supposed to mean?"
                          
"That I am slightly something else."
                          
She bit her lip, seeing a circular dance taking place between them. "That slightly part of you...is that what brought you back?"
                          
He paused, weighing his answer. "Yes."
                          
Calponia nodded, not truly understanding what he offered but she did understand something about him. "You don't have to explain what you are all that often, do you?"
                          
Mack gave half a chuckle, rubbing his forearm again. "You're the first."
                          
She blinked at him again. "You've never had to do this before?"
                          
He shrugged. "You're my first...and probably last apprentice, Calponia Anders. And I almost got you killed on your first foray out the door. I will never let that happen to you again. I promise."