"Right, and you like the ego boost from being top dog at something, I guess." He watches Sherlock with a curious expression, sees the tension in his hands, sees Sherlock curl up in a ball like he often does himself. It's a childish gesture, but to Howard a familiar one.

I'm protecting myself and no one can hurt me like this.

He starts cutting up one of those horrible dead Neopet-looking things. Its blood is coagulated already, gooey and unappetizing.