Karen about jumped at his stern reply.  Eeek.  Okay, so the guy didn't like to be questioned.  Ducking her head slightly, she picked up her silverware and took another bite of her food, thinking to herself.  A physics teacher?  So young?  He must've been some sort of genius....  Or maybe he just had a really strong mind for science....  She took another bite, then blinked and looked up, her fork in her mouth as he spoke again, his tone more...relaxed.  Almost friendly.  And she could definitely pick up the curiosity in his tone.  It took her a few seconds to pick up on the actual question, however and she ducked her head again, slowly pulling the fork from her mouth and chewing her food.  She swallowed after a long moment, her cheeks lightly flushed.  As though she'd been caught doing something wrong.  "Fire.  I...can spark and control fire.  ...To a somewhat lesser degree," she spoke quietly.  Her voice was tinted with shame, as though she were going to be judged for it and pushed away.  It was what she was used to, even if she knew this environment wasn't about that.  Her eyes came up to his for a moment, looking to see his reaction, before she looked away and quickly moved fork and knife, taking another bite of her food.