"Apprenticeship," River explains in a friendly voice; her accent is musical, lilting. From the depths of her cloak she retrieves her pipe, carved in a skull shape, and also some tobacco to pack it with, which she starts doing in no particular hurry. "An apprentice is a student of a trade; in exchange for teaching and some wages, they do labor for their instructor. Y'know, clean the joint, do simple jobs like making nails - fuck me."

The two elves Somewhat Near This Table who are also dressed in work clothes raise their voices in hymn-like harmony: "The naiiiiiiiils!"

"I'm gonna kill them," River mutters. "Anyway, that kinda thing."