My desperate thought echoed in the chaos of my own mind: 'I don't want an apprentice. I just want to take a nap.'
The small golem named Pebble stood patiently in the center of the lobby, its rocky face a mask of pure, hopeful admiration, completely unaware of the profound and deep-seated horror it had just triggered within my core.
'FaeLina, do something!' I projected, my mental voice a squeak of pure terror. 'Tell him I'm not here! Tell him I'm hibernating! Tell him I've retired to a quiet life of just... being a rock!'
'Are you kidding?!' she fretted back, her mind already creating a new, five-year business plan, complete with charts and revenue projections. 'This is a golden opportunity! The "Great Sleeper" takes on his first student! Think of the ScryNet coverage! We can launch a whole new line of "Official Apprentice" merchandise! It's a vertically integrated revenue stream!'
While we were having our silent, frantic argument, the chaos in the lobby had only gotten worse.
