( He scoots obediently, amused by the exchange. The spoon is offered over politely, and he steps back until his back meets a nearby counter. Fingers curl around the lip, elbows stick out absently behind him. )

I'm less worried about your cooking and more worried about my company.

( Reassured with some humor — mostly a joke. Tiny kernel of truth.

But he's more interested in that deliberate choice in body language and movement. )

You've come into contact with the empathy bond before.

( A guess, but he sounds confident about it. )

What was that like?