"No," I say, leading Kira through to the back of the house. "I can't imagine it would be, and if she either doesn't have the ability or experience to control it, I'm sure it's more than a little overwhelming. Probably scary for her, too. Sit."

There's a little table in the middle of the kitchen, and I point to a chair as I move to light the stove. I was never a tea drinker back home, but boiling the water has always seemed like the safest route here, and between Helen and myself, the kettle's always on the stove.

"Did the empathy come back all at once?"