Thomas Ash does not believe he is gifted.

He believes he is contaminated.

He tries to keep his hands covered because small sparks, frost, burns, and bruises appear under his skin when he is frightened. When he casts Shield, he does not raise a barrier on purpose; he flinches and reality recoils. When he casts Chaos Bolt, he is never quite sure what kind of damage will come out. When he uses Mind Sliver, his own migraine briefly jumps into someone else’s skull.