Fox's Glade he was a livin' breathin' action screenplay cliche

His spirits lift slightly as Korei falls into step alongside him; he's reminded of a happier time, and for once the familiar claws of regret and hurt do not sink into him with the memory. He's silent for several moments, expression serious and thoughtful, but content. It occurs to him that of all the companions he's taken in his life, Korei has stuck with him the longest — through stubbornness if nothing else. Yet he still knows so little about her — about where she came from.
Korei, He starts softly, a little hesitant. I know it's hard for you to talk about, but I was wondering if — um, if you could tell me a little about, you know... where you came from. Before we met. I've just been thinking about it a lot since we ran into your sister, and... He trails off, feeling overly bold in his request — but how else is he supposed to get anything out of Korei, oblivious as she can be?