Elsa's mind whirled, struggling to process the ramifications. Jack was a winter spirit who had ice powers, which meant… she wasn't alone. Almost every fundamental piece of her life shifted at the thought. Someone else existed who wouldn't fear the magic, who wouldn't fear her. Elsa could barely fathom it, yet the proof was right in front of her.
"You…" Her voice trailed off as she sought how to best formulate her thoughts.
"Yeah?"
"How do you do that? Use your magic so comfortably, I mean." Elsa clasped her hands at her waist, uncertainty besieging her. Should she voice the question that would mark her as a monster?
"Ummm…" Jack paused, considering how to answer. "Well, I've never really thought about it that much. It kinda just happens."
Well, at least that was something they had in common. Gathering her resolve, Elsa finally asked, "Aren't you ever afraid that you might hurt someone? With your powers?" She wrung her hands as she awaited Jack's response.
"Not really. I mean, sure an iceball to the face can hurt someone." He mimed getting struck and falling to the ground. "But that usually doesn't happen. I mostly just use my powers to make snow days so the kids can have fun."
"A—and you don't think it's dangerous?" It was risky to continue this line of questioning, particularly when it was becoming evident that Jack didn't share her views, but she had to know for sure.
"Well, I guess blizzards could be dangerous if you get stuck outside in them, but I try not to let that happen. Why?" His expressive silver-blue eyes sharpened with sudden insight. "Do you think your magic is dangerous?"
"I…" Any answer that she might have given was stuck in her throat. If she denied it, then she would be a liar as well as a freak. Jack was still waiting, so she finally broke the incriminating silence in favour of a vague reply. "I guess that magic could be dangerous if it wasn't properly controlled."
Like me—like my powers. They were right to fear me; I'm dangerous—dangerous and deadly.
"Aren't most things dangerous if you aren't in control?"
Elsa bit her lip. "I suppose…"
"Well, the same rule applies here: magic can be dangerous. I've had to use it to defend myself several times. But that doesn't mean magic is dangerous. Everyone who has special powers was given them for a reason."
Elsa's heart leapt; the answer to the question that had plagued her since birth might finally be within reach. "Do you know why I have powers?"
"That's for you to find out on your own," Jack replied, deflating her hope. Leaning slightly forward, he asked "How did you get your magic?"
"I'm not sure," she said, hating that she didn't have a better response. "My parents said I was born with it."
His eyes widened the smallest fraction, but the casual air that accompanied Jack remained in place, making her wonder if she had imagined it.