Yes, it's a crowd...and yes, they're pretty angry, and Ling's choice of words doesn't seem to help the situation at all.  Mai's emergence, though, sends a ripple of recognition through the gathered toughs and militia-wanna-bes.  A few of them, particularly at the edges of the crowd, decide that they have better things to do and go to find out what those other things are.<br/><br/>The crowd as a whole doesn't disperse, but Mai gets several bows with clasped hands: a warrior's gesture of respect for a fellow fighter.  Finally, though, the last person Ling ever wants to see again manages to push himself to the fore and stands glaring at her, looking as haughty as he can possibly manage.<br/><br/>"Oh," he sneers.  "It's only you.  From the way the guards were talking it sounded like an actual problem had come to town."  He turns.  "Well?  What are you all waiting for?  Do as our noble huntress suggests.  Nothing more to see.  Just the old man entertaining a few guests."<br/><br/>More of the crowd drift away.  Some linger, though, with an air of anticipation, as if sensing some potential street theater in the making.  Their noble turns what might almost be a convincingly pleasant smile on Mai.<br/><br/>"But since you're here, I suppose you won't mind taking care of a little business on behalf of my noble clan?  Nothing strenuous, I promise.  Only I will need an Oath from you on the matter."<br/><br/><em>Ling, does this knucklehead have a name?</em>