[Kratos does indeed lean on Yuan, with Lloyd hovering behind them both as a backup, since there isn't room on the stairs for three abreast. Coming face-to-face with someone new nearly the instant they leave the room has Kratos blinking wordlessly.

[You're picking up strays, I see. It's a fond, unsurprised remark, a note on Raine's race. Yuan has not always been the most compassionate to his own people, given what he'd had to do to rise to the military rank he'd held so long ago; but Kratos is not surprised that he's travelling with other half-elves. Is she out?

[That is, should he pretend she's something other than what she is?

[Once more, Kratos nearly forgets that the spoken word is an option, and hesitates before answering Raine, long enough for Yuan to introduce them properly.]

I'm -- alive.

[This is not precisely a surprise, but given the circumstances, it's about as much as he can say. ... Except for one thing; because, as always, the fact that he still has a son is a downright miracle.]

Do you teach Lloyd?

[Almost before the question is out, Kratos hears Lloyd groan behind him.]

Man, do we have to talk about that?