"Shandar? Shandar..." Andrew thinks to himself. "No, never heard of him. Is that something people do where you come from, then, invent creatures? Not unheard of, but that's a bit unusual for a human culture. Assuming you're human?"

And when did he start always assuming that? Honestly, he's becoming so parochial. He watches to be sure the beast hasn't followed him, feeling a little bad about it sounding so let down. Maybe if he were bigger he wouldn't mind saying hello to it properly. He'll do that when he's back to normal, he tells himself.