[Kratos apologises to Yuan in his head, doesn't dare look back; but Nike grins at him and shifts to point at the water.]

Come on, little brother. Tell us a few stories.

[Oh, that's tempting. But it also means he won't be able to provide a physical cover for Yuan. Then again, Yuan might prefer the water -- if he can stand to get in it with everyone watching. Towels don't go in the water.

[In the end Kratos does, in fact, let his towel drop so he can step down into the hot-tub and lean his chin on his arms at the edge.]

I'm sure I don't have much to tell.

[Most of them laugh.]

No? This is your half-elven officer, is it not?

[This comes from the other consul, leaning forward with clear intrigue and accompanied with a motion toward Yuan.]

Yuan Ka-Fai, correct? I've heard the two of you could break a battlefield if you met on it. Is it true the swallow-blade is taller than a man?