Lucy. That's almost enough to make Tom drop the act right now. But just because someone knows Lucy doesn't mean they're a friend of his. (And he's having fun, of all things. He wants to see what he can get away with. It's better than moping over what's gone.)

Any animal they touch? A tiny part of Tom remembers riding on the back of a stagskin, his sudden desire to be this strong, magnificent creature. Damnit, everyone gets the cool powers.

The rest of Tom goes into someone trying to regain his confidence. "You speak of dark magic and deviltry. And-- and keep your distance now."