[How much simpler things become with Kratos after that conversation are a minor miracle; and Yuan can't help but think, every once in a while, that it's a good thing he didn't just turn and walk out of the kitchen then and there.]
[He isn't entirely expecting the shift in attitudes toward those who look obviously Tethe'allan and still wear the slave-braid, but it follows. He isn't precisely surprised at it happening, either, and Yuan resolves to keep something of a closer eye on Kratos, in case he encounters a difficulty at the markets or elsewhere.]
[He doubts anything would happen where he can see it and do something about it, and he also doubts that Kratos would actually tell him if something did happen, preferring instead to handle things on his own, and so Yuan is casting even a sharper eye than before over Kratos these days. Some people might mistake it for suspicion; he doesn't particularly care if they do. Kratos will understand, he hopes. Or speak up to clarify.]
[This particular day Kratos isn't back from carrying a message when Yuan expects him. It might be nothing. It might not be. Still, it's wise to be sure the message actually did get delivered.]
[Or at least, that will be the justification Yuan gives if anyone questions him when he goes looking for Kratos, tracing the route he would most likely have taken. And Kratos is...]
[Kratos is on the ground, actually, which is some measure of concerning given his cane is some distance away. At least he's sitting up against the wall, not sprawled, but it's enough to make Yuan take the rest of the stairs down to him at a good clip, and his first stop is to collect the cane before he crouches next to Kratos.]
no subject
[He isn't entirely expecting the shift in attitudes toward those who look obviously Tethe'allan and still wear the slave-braid, but it follows. He isn't precisely surprised at it happening, either, and Yuan resolves to keep something of a closer eye on Kratos, in case he encounters a difficulty at the markets or elsewhere.]
[He doubts anything would happen where he can see it and do something about it, and he also doubts that Kratos would actually tell him if something did happen, preferring instead to handle things on his own, and so Yuan is casting even a sharper eye than before over Kratos these days. Some people might mistake it for suspicion; he doesn't particularly care if they do. Kratos will understand, he hopes. Or speak up to clarify.]
[This particular day Kratos isn't back from carrying a message when Yuan expects him. It might be nothing. It might not be. Still, it's wise to be sure the message actually did get delivered.]
[Or at least, that will be the justification Yuan gives if anyone questions him when he goes looking for Kratos, tracing the route he would most likely have taken. And Kratos is...]
[Kratos is on the ground, actually, which is some measure of concerning given his cane is some distance away. At least he's sitting up against the wall, not sprawled, but it's enough to make Yuan take the rest of the stairs down to him at a good clip, and his first stop is to collect the cane before he crouches next to Kratos.]
What happened?