It’s less about force and more about expectation, actually.

[He glances at the kettle briefly, although it’s taking its time. That’s what he gets, he supposes, for opting for a more traditional route. Ah well.]

As for any offense, I do apologize. Please let me know where I’m wrong in my assessment: [He turns back towards her once more, loosely crossing his arms across his front.] You’re experienced, intelligent, likely more than capable of leading a group of people towards a common goal. You can think of solutions others might not see--[said with a nod towards the microwave]--but at the same time you don’t act without reason. Your risks are calculated, done with consideration towards the, ah, Temporal Prime Directive, as you called it? Likely other regulations and factors as well. You have perfectly good rationale behind what you do or don’t do, and what information you share and keep secret—and above all? You’re stubborn as hell, to put it bluntly.

[Maybe moreso than Rip—who in so many ways could have just been describing himself.]

Any of that not ring true to you?