[ hunter has lots of experience with dealing with skeptical people, so he puffs himself up and juts his chin up ]

I'm her apprentice. You think they'd send two highly skilled mechanics when they could send one and unpaid apprentice?

[ there's a skeptical look and a narrowing of the man's eyes -- but hunter doesn't flinch. still, maybe ishmael should add a word or two in his defense to really sell it...? ]