There was that deliberation again. His lips shrunk slightly at the sight of it. It was expected, he supposed, but it was not welcome. He'd already set his mind when she made up hers, and came closer, standing like a man by his feet. The food held that much allure, at least. The new formation of his mouth should tell her he wanted to know why she was not on her knees, coming to him. She answered with a deceleration as her hands went to claim the food that had only been offered to her by trade of the condition she was now trying to circumvent.<br/><br/>It was a foolish play from her, but he liked seeing it, anyway.<br/><br/>He shrugged, magnanimous, and sat up, supported on his hands behind his back while he watched her body extend for the wooden edge. Inside a minuscule moment his hand had instead snapped up her wrist, and he pulled her forward, his foot turning to lock both of hers to the carpet over the ground. With this he should be able to align her reflexes so that she indeed ended up on her knees. She was just like a wolf then, taking her time to learn her lessons.<br/><br/>A testament to his war-readiness, the bowl had not spilled during the swift burst, his body a perfect ally. A fast flicker of his hand form her wrist, and his palm would be locked around the back of her head instead. It was inevitable that he'd guide her face toward the food she certainly wanted. The power in her neck and back was negligible for the force he could apply with his arm. True to his word, he caressed her hair and held it back so none of it would flavor the surface of the sauce or the bread that was sinking into the hearty, salt supper.<br/><br/>He had to think less pleasant thoughts so the bowl wouldn't be upset and then upturned by the meat underneath it. Controlling her head like this of course brought other things to his consideration than dinner. He wondered if that'd just be hubris or plain stupidity, to trust her mouth with something so sensitive and full of veins, when her teeth were starving for vengeance more than they wanted nourishment.