Zheng Sao and Mei turn to leave before Swift Snake can insist on tagging along, so he decides to follow them non the less.

A shiver passes through his spine as the breeze hits his back. His clothes are still wet, perhaps not dripping but uncomfortable non the less, especially this far north. Swift Snake finds himself reminiscing his last cup of hot tea back at Ceonling. At the sole thought of it a wave of warmth spreads inside him.

He keeps the sisters' pace moving gracefully through the crowd, keeping his eyes open for anyone selling hot beverages on the street.

Noting the look on Chen Wu's face as he joins him at the boats edge Hon Yin nods in the direct the green creature was heading. "You saw it too then?" As the festivities start breaking out below them he calls out to the crowd hoping for a answer. "You there! The thing in the water. I presume you have some idea what it was?"

Sai, perplexed, returns to the boat.

Chen Wu recomposes himself after getting a better understanding of the situation and tries to answer his friend the best he can. "It was a dragon, Hon Yin. It passed below us. I still don't know why everyone is so happy about that, but I suppose the people around here must think it was a sign of good fortune or something. You're the religious guy here, you might have a better idea of that.

Sai boards the craft and asks Chen and Hon, "Did you see something moving in the water?"

Hon Yin makes to respond to Chen Wu when he is interrupted by the arrival of Sai bearing much the same questions. "Greeting Sai. I trust your trip was fruitful?" Giving a smile he nods down river in the direction to creature went. "If I am correct and the locals are to be believed we just had the rare fortune of encountering a dragon. Consider yourselves blessed my friends. Don't worry - I doubt it meant any harm."

Sai says, "A dragon? That's interesting indeed. My walk was... less profitable than I'd hoped. No matter. I'm looking forward to getting on our way."

A serpent's hiss leaves his mouth before he can stop it. Swift Snake regains his composure almost instantly. He makes no move to reach his daisho which anyhow is secured by the peace knots. He turns and looks at the sisters squarely hosting a neutral expression on the visible part of his face as if ignoring both the weapons and the threats coming his way.

"It is you who does not understand."

he says amiably.

"You somehow believe I am interested in what you do, or even that I am interested in judging you captain? Perhaps then, I should explain."

He pauses to make sure they are interested in what he has to say and not trying to run him through. When no attacks come his way he goes on.

"I am here to make sure nothing compromises our journey. It is obvious you and your men are not new to danger. I suspected you lead a dangerous line of work, and the "spirits" back at the temple confirmed as much.You are the captain and should something happen to you our journey would be irrevocably delayed and I just can not allow that. "

He doesn't say as much and even though his tone remains friendly, it is clear he wouldn't hesitate to do anything, to complete his mission, even kill them should the decide to stand in the way..

"I repeat, whether we you are in danger due to what you do or from the wizards that were coming after us or event due to happenstance I will not let it reach you...or your sister if I can help it . So as I said before I don't see any problem in joining you captain. I can offer you the same privacy I offered back at the temple if you must insist, but right now I would prefer siting in a warm place with a warm cup of tea"

He starts moving towards the sisters but stops on his tracks almost as soon as he starts.

"I suggest you hide those...Among my people it is customary not to draw a weapon unless one want's to use for a killing, I am willing to ignore this incident as a misunderstanding but should you draw on me again or keep waving those toys I will be force to treat you as enemies"

He stands still waiting for them to decide what to do, his smile never leaving his face and his arms never reaching towards his blades.



EDITED

Swift Snake remains perfectly still. There is no need to repeat himself.
He observes Zheng Sao.Even though she is laughing she is still holding her knife. He manages to block a low snarl before it can leave his mouth.
The wind slices through his wet clothing, but he hardly notices anymore.

Continuing to stand were he is he says calmly loud enough to be heard by the sisters
"You know I will follow you."

And just like that Swift Snake's heart is instantly filled with panic. His eyes widen under his tengai hat and in total contrast to his former bravado he runs in front of the sisters and bows deep on his knee. He says in a subdued but urgent tone

"Please captain, the others had nothing to do with my actions, please..."
His cheeks are red with shame partially visible under his hat

"Please, if you want punish me but..."

He stops. He somehow didn't see this coming, he thought he just had to make her take him seriously yet right now bent on his knees what kind of person could he possibly be in her eyes...

"Please."

He adds, his tone certain again.

Swift Snake slowly rises to his feet, looking at them going away. Today he has learned a new lesson. "Sin of Fire...Overconfidence, you are still a fool he thinks to himself.

He slowly traces his steps towards the temple grabbing something hot to drink along the way. There he stands under the inquisitive gaze of the dragon statue reflecting on the day's events. He takes out his flute and plays a relaxing tune; a gift to the spirits and the rushing waters for helping him regain his center.

"I'm pretty sure we would be dragon's food at this point if it meant any harm, Hon Yin." Chen Wu says with a chuckle.

Hon Yin chuckles in return at the inventors jest before pausing, a serious look overcoming him. "You know I'm not sure if dragons even do eat. Creatures of the spirit realms after all. Hmm..."