So focused were the thugs on Atem, that one of the lackeys did not notice the four-foot snake sloooowly slithering up his body--until, of course, it was too late, and he was face-to-snout with the beast--which had him letting out a shriek.

His wand? He'd already dropped it, and a slender hand snatched it up. Yotsuyu folded her arms and stared at the other two, wand clenched in one fist, and the other wielding her fan. She was not--yet--threatening, simply eyeing the other two as their third danced in Gosetsu's coils.

"Pray tell, what are you three playing at?" Yes. Playing, though she'd certainly seen them casting spells to trip the other young man. Nor did she really expect a straight answer out of any of them--including the gibbering one. Really, she could not understand why he was afraid of a little snake.