A cold morning settled over the outskirts of the Frost estate as Hal and Emma walked side by side through the quiet forest beyond her family's sprawling property. Frost clung to the ground, their breaths misted in the frigid air, and the only sounds around them were the occasional caws of distant birds. Hal stuffed his hands in his pockets, feeling the dry sting of the cold against his skin.
"So..." Emma said, glancing at him with a teasing smile, "your comic books — are they the reason you're telling me not to use my powers?"
Hal chuckled under his breath. "Not exactly. You know how sometimes you can't help it? Reading surface thoughts without meaning to?"
Emma gave a soft hum of agreement.
"Well, I want you to consciously stop it," Hal said. "That's the goal. Teach yourself to pull back — to control it."
Emma raised an eyebrow, still smiling. "So... you want me to get better by limiting myself?"
"Exactly," Hal nodded. "If you just let it happen naturally, you're not training — you're just drifting along with it. But if you fight it, even a little, you're strengthening the muscles behind your ability. Over time, you'll understand it better... maybe even push your powers farther than you thought."
Emma tilted her head thoughtfully. "Okay... I think I can do that."
"For now, just practice with your family," Hal said. "Later, when you're ready, try it in a crowded place. Walk through and don't listen to any thoughts. Block them out completely."
Emma wrinkled her nose. "That sounds... impossible."
Hal shrugged. "It's just limit testing. No comic book required."
"You haven't even taught me anything yet, and you're already giving me homework," she said with a soft laugh.
Hal laughed too. "I guess I am. But seriously — what do you want to learn?"
Emma hugged herself tighter against the cold. "I guess... I want to know what I can really do. So far, I can read memories... pick up surface thoughts... tell if someone's nearby based on their mind, even from pretty far away. Oh, and, um, I can talk in someone's head. That's it, I think."
"How about suggestions?" Hal said, thinking aloud. "Or... maybe the better term is mind control."
Emma stiffened a little. "Y-Yeah..." she stammered. "You mentioned that yesterday. Do you really think I can do that?"
"I don't know," Hal admitted with a shrug. "But we can experiment."
"And, uh, who exactly are we going to experiment on?" Emma asked, half-laughing, half-nervous. "I don't think anyone's lining up to be mind-controlled."
Hal chuckled. "How about animals? Ever tried reading an animal's mind?"
Emma shook her head. "Not really. I mean... I never noticed them before. Their thoughts are just... too faint, I guess."
"No problem. We can try right now," Hal said. He gestured to the woods around them. "Feel out the area with your powers. See if you pick up anything — aside from me, obviously. A bird, a squirrel, whatever."
"Should I close my eyes or something?" Emma asked.
"If it helps you focus, sure."
She nodded, taking a deep breath before shutting her eyes. Silence fell between them for a moment as she extended her senses outward.
"I— I feel something!" she said suddenly, excitement flaring in her voice. "It's... Oh no, it's a wolf! It's coming this way!"
Emma immediately grabbed Hal's arm, pulling him closer as she turned to face the threat. Hal glanced in the direction she was looking — and saw a familiar brown-furred wolf padding toward them.
"Relax," Hal said, prying her fingers from his arm. "That's just Rahne."
He waved. "Yo! Morning run?"
The wolf gave a low growl, a sound Hal had learned was her way of confirming.
"Cool," Hal said, awkwardly scratching the back of his head. "Uh... could you maybe not sneak up on us like that? You scared the hell out of her."
Rahne gave another short growl — something that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle — before turning and loping off through the trees.
"Alright, see you later," Hal called after her.
Emma let out a long breath, visibly relaxing. "For a second there, I thought we were about to be wolf food."
"Sorry about that," Hal said with a small grin. "Alright, let's try again, shall we?"
Emma nodded and closed her eyes again, steadying her breathing as she reached out with her mind.
"I..." she whispered. "There's a family of squirrels up in one of the trees."
"Good," Hal said with a satisfied hum. "Can you tell what they're thinking?"
Emma chuckled lightly. "Food. They're eating."
"Alright," Hal said. "Now... Can you get them to come here?"
"How exactly am I supposed to do that?" she asked, peeking one eye open. "Just... ask them?"
"No, no," Hal said, shaking his head even though she couldn't see him. "Not asking. Think of it more like... nudging them. Influence, not words. But for now, sure, try asking first."
Emma frowned. "Can they even understand me?"
Hal shrugged. "That's what we're here to find out."
"O-Okay..." she said uncertainly, closing her eyes again and focusing. A moment later, her face tensed. "I—I think I scared them. They're panicking."
"Alright," Hal said calmly. "Now don't tell them to calm down. Make them calm down. You know how?"
"I—" She paused, brows furrowing. "Wait... maybe. Let me try something."
Silence. Emma focused, her entire body still except for the slow rise and fall of her chest. A few heartbeats later, three squirrels jumped down from the tree, scurrying hesitantly toward her feet.
Hal gave a low whistle. "Well, would you look at that. Natural talent. How'd you pull it off?"
Emma crouched down, smiling as she gently petted one of the squirrels. "I just... sent a feeling, I guess? It's hard to explain. Like you said, nudging them without words."
She looked up at him. "Could I do this to people too?"
Hal leaned back slightly, considering her. "Do you want to?"
Emma didn't answer right away. She straightened up as the squirrels scattered back into the trees, then turned to him. "Would you... disapprove?"
Hal laughed. "Why would that matter?"
"If you disapprove," she said simply, "I won't do it."
Hal raised an eyebrow. "That's not how this works, Emma. I'm not your boss. I'm not your creator. It's your power. If you feel threatened and need to use it, use it. If you think you can get what you want with it, fine — as long as you're ready to deal with whatever consequences come with it. To you, or to the people you care about."
"Then I'll do just that," Emma said with a shrug, standing up with a giddy smile. "What else can I do?"
Hal sighed, crossing his arms. "Plenty. You could inflict pain to others if you wanted. Erase memories. Copy knowledge straight into your own head. Maybe even change how people perceive you entirely. Once you know how to alter someone's mind — like you just did with the squirrels — the possibilities start opening up, and you learn about it yourself."
Emma's eyes widened. "Wait, that's it? You're just... not going to teach me anything else? After one lesson?"
Hal chuckled. "Emma, I'm not a telepath. Besides, you're a natural. You didn't even struggle today. With more practice, you're going to be a hell of a telepath — someone people won't want to mess with."
Emma's grin stretched wide, glowing with pride, and… happiness. "That's probably the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."
"It's not a compliment, it's a fact," Hal said with a lopsided smile. "But if you really want more training, I'll keep an eye out for you. Later, though. Right now, let's just go back."
Emma hummed, falling into step beside him as they started back toward the camp.