“With firearms? Not since the war. With young men, yes, all kinds. I may lack martial skill or strength, but I admire it … and there are few things more satisfying than taking some attractive firebrand and turning him to my purposes with a word, or a look, or a touch on the chest.” He’s only teasing to build back his confidence — but it’s working well enough. A gun is a dangerous weapon, but it will only do what Claudius bids it to do. All it takes is a touch. For the first shot, he doesn’t have to aim anywhere but away, and when he presses the trigger, it’s a far-too-easy flick of the finger. The recoil does hit harder than he expected, and he hisses, but there’s something satisfying even in that, like the bucking of a rough and eager lover.