The interior of the Frost estate struck Edward like a physical blow. Crystal chandeliers cast prismatic light across marble floors so polished they reflected like mirrors. Dark mahogany panels lined the walls, interspersed with oil paintings that probably cost more than his family's house. Everything screamed old money and established power, the kind of wealth that had been accumulating for generations.
Edward followed his parents deeper into the mansion, their footsteps echoing in the vast foyer. Other guests moved through the space in small clusters, speaking in hushed, respectful tones. The atmosphere was heavy with the weight of grief and social obligation.
As they approached the main receiving room, Edward felt his anxiety spike. His chest tightened, and his palms grew sweaty. This was it—the moment he'd been dreading since Hazel's phone call three days ago.
I need help, he thought desperately. I need to remember everything I know about this family.
Edward closed his eyes for a brief moment and focused inward, reaching for the familiar presence that had been part of his consciousness since the accident. It wasn't like calling out to another person—it was more like accessing a different part of his own brain, the way someone might try to remember a forgotten password or recall a half-remembered song.
Queen Medusa, he thought, forming the words carefully in his mind as if typing on an invisible keyboard. I need information. Everything in your database about the Frost family.
The response came not as a voice, but as information flowing through his consciousness—data files opening in his mind like windows on a computer screen. It was a strange sensation, like remembering something he'd never actually experienced.
DATABASE QUERY: FROST FAMILY
SOURCE: MARVEL COMICS ARCHIVES
PROCESSING...
FROST, EMMA (PRIMARY ENTRY)
Classification: Mutant (Homo Superior)
Powers: Telepathy (Omega-level), Diamond Form transformation
Affiliations: Hellfire Club, X-Men (various timelines)
Known aliases: White Queen
Psychological profile: Manipulative, ambitious, complex moral alignment
WARNING: Extremely dangerous telepath. Capable of mind control, memory manipulation, psychic attacks
FROST, CHRISTIAN
Classification: Mutant
Powers: Fear-based energy constructs, limited psychic abilities
Status: Often portrayed as secondary character
Psychological profile: Struggles with family acceptance, conflicted loyalties
FROST, ADRIENNE
Classification: Mutant
Powers: Psychometry (reading object histories through touch)
Status: Deceased in most continuities
Psychological profile: Highly manipulative, sadistic tendencies
FROST, CORDELIA
Classification: Unknown/Variable across continuities
Limited data available
Edward's eyes snapped open as the information settled into his conscious mind. It was like having suddenly remembered a textbook he'd studied years ago, except he'd never actually read any Marvel comics. The knowledge was there now, organized and accessible, but it felt foreign—like borrowing someone else's memories.
These aren't just wealthy people with family drama, he realized with growing horror. If the database is accurate, they're actual mutants. Emma is supposed to be one of the most powerful telepaths on the planet.
He tried to process this information while maintaining his outward composure. His parents were already moving toward a receiving line where family members stood greeting guests. There was no backing out now.
Queen Medusa, he thought again, his mental "typing" becoming more urgent. I need defensive strategies. If Emma really is a telepath, how do I protect my thoughts?
The AI accessed its scientific databases, pulling up information about neurology and brain function.
QUERY: TELEPATHY DEFENSE MECHANISMS
SOURCE: NEUROSCIENCE DATABASES + FICTIONAL ANALYSIS
THEORETICAL APPROACHES:
1. COGNITIVE NOISE GENERATION
Overload thought processes with multiple simultaneous mental tasks
Mathematical calculations, reciting memorized texts, random associations
Theory: Creates static that interferes with psychic reading
2. MENTAL COMPARTMENTALIZATION
Separate sensitive thoughts from surface consciousness
Practice thinking in abstracts rather than concrete concepts
Store important memories as symbols rather than direct images
3. EMOTIONAL REGULATION
Strong emotions create detectable psychic signatures
Maintain calm, neutral emotional state
Avoid fear, anger, or intense attraction—these amplify psychic detection
WARNING: These are theoretical defenses based on fictional representations. Actual effectiveness unknown.
Edward absorbed this information as they approached the receiving line. He could see them now—the Frost family members he'd read about, standing in elegant black attire, accepting condolences with practiced grace.
His breath caught in his throat as his eyes found Emma Frost.
She was exactly as beautiful as he remembered from childhood, but now there was something else—a presence that seemed to fill the space around her. Platinum blonde hair fell in perfect waves past her shoulders. Her black dress was simple but expensive, cut to emphasize her striking figure without being inappropriate for a funeral. But it was her eyes that made Edward's chest tighten with anxiety. Those ice-blue eyes seemed to see everything, to look deeper than they should.
She's scanning the room, Edward realized with a chill. Looking for something. Or someone.
He began his mental defenses immediately, starting with the mathematical sequences Queen Medusa had suggested. Fibonacci numbers: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21... At the same time, he tried to recall random facts from history class while humming a half-remembered song in the back of his mind.
The effect was exhausting and disorienting, like trying to have three conversations at once while solving math problems.
"Edward, dear!"
The voice cut through his mental exercises like a knife. Aunt Hazel had spotted them and was approaching with open arms, her face lighting up with what appeared to be genuine joy.
Hazel Frost looked younger than her years, with auburn hair and green eyes that reminded Edward uncomfortably of a cat watching mice. She was dressed in an elegant black suit that somehow managed to be both appropriate for mourning and subtly alluring.
"Jessica, Neil," she said warmly, embracing Edward's parents. "Thank you so much for coming. And Edward..." Her attention focused entirely on him, and Edward felt like he was being examined by a predator. "Look how handsome you've become. Come here and give your aunt a proper greeting."
Edward had no choice but to step forward and accept her embrace. As her arms wrapped around him, he caught her perfume—expensive and intoxicating—and felt her hold him just slightly longer than was appropriate.
"I'm so sorry for your loss, Aunt Hazel," he managed, trying to keep his voice steady while maintaining his mental defenses.
"You're such a sweet boy," she murmured, her breath warm against his ear. "We'll have time to talk later. There's so much I want to discuss with you."
The promise in her voice made Edward's skin crawl, but he nodded politely. As she released him, he caught sight of Emma watching their interaction with those penetrating blue eyes.
For just a moment, their gazes met across the room.
Edward felt something brush against the edges of his consciousness—light as a feather, but unmistakably present. His mental defenses flared, mathematical sequences tumbling through his mind in desperate profusion.
Emma's perfect eyebrows rose slightly, and a small, intrigued smile played across her lips.
She knows, Edward thought with growing panic. She knows I'm blocking her.