...and now my dreams can move a nation, Rabbit thinks, awed and made afraid by the power given to her. She looks at her hands, then up at the people. Well, Sitting Bull can hardly stop everyone...this is barely in anyone's control.

Act.

[Language unknown: "Inerestha, i leonol Chosti,"] Rabbit asks Sky Hawk. [Language unknown: "Ad Ac Milost, tength allndesom urloti,"] she asks of Quiet Knife.

[Language unknown: "Lar antno astaveble dist eita erarwa thu?"] Yawns gets that question, then Rabbit steps forward, calling over the noise.

[Language unknown: "It ic pr, o nteughund ul ngder, ain tic...Ameromhat serom wasli li ecosll en, ha stabe earos m aiseng io iv nc evil ouleenere, ad ndle entlaticamen,] Rabbit pulls up her shirt enough to show the black-scarred claw marks stark on her flesh.

[Language unknown: "as pre Caprbe, i ove er eeal a, redtinman. Ica o herla, un k ac i wa santhoear. Of st ilnewh."]

Hopefully Wovoka will show up before the Hooded One... Rabbit hopes. If so, maybe I will get a chance to try and fetch some more Chinese support.

Sky Hawk and Quiet Knife nod. [Language unknown: "Ilwhi no e en?"] Sky Hawk asks, giving the crowd a worried look.

Rabbit's hand brushes along her thunderbird feather and she gives a small nod. [Language unknown: "Aiasio Fonapr ollo theughsom netic ssadwe alto o hiouou il ha...her houredwer e pa eaulesati, nceatistr ndsaenol,"] she responds.

There's a flurry of activity over the next couple hours. Wovoka, looking a bit mortified, arrives and quickly agrees to help lead an impromptu lesson in the dance. Horn Chips arrives, too, but he doesn't speak to Rabbit directly and keeps his distance. Kicking Bear enthusiastically joins in, exhorting everyone to dance with passion.

An older Lakota, well-dressed and accorded a lot of respect from the surrounding braves, watches the proceedings quietly, with a quiet smile on his lips.

((OOC: Give me a summary of Rabbit's prep actions))

Rabbit explained the situation to Wovoka as best she could, with a great deal of deference to the prophet made as obvious as possible to the crowd - explaining the demonstration of honourable bulletproofing, the talk of driving the Americans into the sea, her mild correction and dream-speaking, the outbreak of enthusiasm.

Horn Chips gets a few anxious looks in his direction, but Rabbit doesn't chase him, concentrating instead on impressing upon the people the amount of work required to raise the dead properly, convincing them that this work would go better after the great buffalo feast, when they were sure of the steps and full of holy meat, and indeed teaching them how to Dance.

[[Did any of the women turn up?

If she gets the opportunity/she's certain Wovoka is safe for a bit - is Crazy Horse still about? - she'll trot off to try and bring some Chinese folk down. Persuasion roll?]]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:43, Thu 05 Jan 2017.

Wovoka looks somewhat mortified at the talk of bulletproofing being promised willy-nilly and seems distinctly uncomfortable with the "drive the white folks to the sea" bits, but nods and seems to accept that the time for organization is now.

The older, well-dressed Lakota with the smile wanders closer in. The braves immediately grant him deference as he approaches. He listens to Rabbit speak on the necessity of feasting, and nods.

"Yes. There is wisdom here. It shall be done as you say." He says to Rabbit. In English, which seems odd. "Holy Tatanka's hide is being prepared. You and your friends will each be given a cloak of his skin to wear for the dance."

Crazy Horse is, in fact, still around. The women have not yet arrived.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:24, Wed 11 Jan 2017.

Rabbit looks up at the important stranger and gives a slightly crooked smile, dipping into a small bow of respect. "Tatanka has much favoured us, noble chief. I hope we can return as much honour back to him."

She looks at the now not-inconsiderable crowd of the curious and potential disciples, then back to the chieftain, still vigilant despite the clear and genuine current of excitement. "Will you also dance with us?"

"I intend to, though my bones are growing weary with age." The man says. "I am pleased to see so many are excited. When I invited Wovoka here at Kicking Bear's request, I had my doubts. But if this Dance is successful...it will be a good thing. I would like to see the dream you spoke of come to pass. My own dreams are darker. I dream of myself laying dead in the snow, surrounded by the bodies of my people, being pecked at by crows while the Long Knives dig mass graves." He shakes his head. "I would see your dream come true, little one."

Rabbit smiles at the pledge, but listens intently, clearly taking this in with great seriousness. "I think...there other forces in this land, that want the hoop of life to start its turn in destruction. I think it is that they collect, near to here, that give you a dream of fear, to make you lose hope, and so act badly like an animal that is caught, lashing out."

The small shamen dares look up, even to make eye contact for a second. "I am glad you come, and hope we can bring more hope here. We need many, that can also remember they free and human when war stares at us close. We wour' be much honoured, if you encourage your people to have faith in the Dance also...it take much work, but many together make much powerful medicine."

Rabbit rubs a little absently at the marking on her neck, feeling nothing more than her own warm, familiar skin, then looks about for Crazy Horse. "I go try get some of the Chinamen here, as we are teaching," she explains to the noble before her, endeavouring not to seem rude. "I come back."

The older man shakes his head. "No, I do not believe so. I believe it is a warning -- what might occur if we do not dance." he nods. "The Minneconjou will join the Oglala in the dance. You have my word."

Crazy Horse is nearby, watching the two of them speak. The older man nods again. "Go, then."

The chief gets a deeply respectful bow before Rabbit goes to do as she had indicated, pausing briefly to inform Crazy Horse of her intent.

Crazy Horse is watching the proceedings with the air of a man who has lost control and doesn't quite know how, nor what to do about it. He doesn't notice Rabbit speaking to him for a couple moments. When he does, he sighs. [Language unknown: "Eiugh lo of naon, Cemiet? Ove rea k yin?"]

Rabbit looks up at the general, feeling much the same. [Language unknown: "T lalo...artwitrat oreainerales,"] she responds, swallowing on a dry throat from much talking and high nerves.

[Language unknown: "Et...Na ast prhaev diee, all E tiwer stipa oftoerad, are ofoul posihe, U proto ome alinlo n Wit urefi Ichicarat...hehe is Ch anplsaof N an il osshe ion whle le beolal icpechon: ter we a, ssse ek, anca n ssset Manthorat, fiai preev onecmo tra p u. Po aronou...at ous noal aiest staoveave, lar beof-alic, se ourromres io at ainughhasreainteracon strhouart. His antureoul. Olof K tioat usllec Artconion, Os ich ar."] Rabbit goes quiet, aware of talking entirely too much.

[Language unknown: "T...A ec tr k etteng iv elill Stierecon Tiodaymen Thuromame erwh, er nd iveyinest,"] she explains.

[Language unknown: "Ame, et toin."] Crazy Horse says as he looks over the crowd. [Language unknown: "Ichovethi Ne verou ndni ti tichersom towa ilenc, A elroro. Ckta llich Ieutsi Weear tioin, trama ceon Be Oubeee linereich anyin urinha ul les, N st ai hatomeica t ut oswhi arth. Acmen Si o re waatnc Eleksa Ati thonceman eravenous weroutave no estentwer lesma t erres in ei bessch di to, toasen niman, theardwer olwhas."]

He blinks at Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Tree toent Esaiur Andvirect thiprered? Thiul oreev seac il sa la rom moomnd?"] He shakes his head. [Language unknown: "Ec et rutdi, strac Us a me ilitit not Manyinwer Ousingera oerratlin. Itnite ulofnc whntis ous wa ortic foratiica i eval ncsain, letetr evund prerha waof eau leioic illtinore menwi ek ekti entingnce, illte Wh esseenica averi n hermenthu ieinliol p Oveousand ta. Tra sianai selo ver wi omeonsoun as, llwh?"]

[Language unknown: "Ndeestres his sa nd vorca ntni mostpr, k ine ou ckta houthahis hi cemen tinte lenc thiionort,"] Rabbit says, trying to hide bemusement.

[Language unknown: "Ev we meiv i korforven Selaha Asmen, wh k rier plmen il ndna etin entti no...kor i cence ame onreneeepael u nc p pape tineauore ers butlo il ansta, ai wi eiro ionanyres thnc ounyinoul, miill viryinint evees prwe. Fi of eethu i dericaereyinill e ncla Isleis ernc whith uthi, n rires us Dintri heatwe, ev een Derivever, chhi icafo out, k seera ul icahasfor t paday...een Iv wh, i meningess, al u un ssst pa any, terll poess ate nte ereherart di m he."] Rabbit rubs under her queue.

[Language unknown: "I eau un ai omwe i mennd, Mohaon ma ofuses dinthurea...Pl elmiol p e ing forlessom not Rieces tratr menen usro nolole ter oun insaec, ingstilinive latos, u nti lian shestrlat isnce earis lo ar. T llerio oun herno Ee Intha, peta p ovewhipre..."] the small shamen trails off a moment, trying to word tactfully with a limited vocabulary. [Language unknown: "...lired ul rat nint houthiour, sa he Arttinive leee onsou reee. E u nttr larectwhi, wa Ndllul."]

Crazy Horse stares at Rabbit for a moment. [Language unknown: "K powit."] he says. [Language unknown: "N la leant lat, ll, tinardame Er i all icse te peil som iv onalllmaho. Estprothu n she nte."]

Rabbit tries not to duck, instead bowing respectfully. [Language unknown: "Of ers trabe com,"] she responds, and with a last concerned glance at the crowd, trots off to see if this mission can be accomplished.

((OOC: It seems to me that, since I'm trying to bring Chapter 5 to a close, this is a good place to pause.))

Among the snap-smart tents of the Iron Dragon encampment, Rabbit took a moment in the shadow of an awning to breathe and centre herself. I hope this isn't a dumb idea, she thinks earnestly, and strolls out in front of those enforcers and working men taking a noon rice break.

[Language unknown: "Traoutionver,"] the very shiny shamen says, with a general bow once they notice her. [Language unknown: "A adwe wilkor'thustaresrut din Wi th nce Caloet Lareri li no nd terwilsta hi, iousi Pr lamo k ncpawe tackncilma,"] she finishes smoothly, outwardly polite and calm and inwardly tensed at the number of men and large weapons.

The workers just sort of...stare at Rabbit. There's an uncomfortably long silence.

"..." Rabbit briefly panics, then realises what these fellows mostly associate her with. [Language unknown: "Ive thantesom i esca peatev ai pre ol hatlarers our eswete pro ce reabutencpre lisamo, tioillnotnotrut uster fidi isioarri heek estpr wasil hael caica hi ineingtra perise thiyinwhi nti nceiic acit na ou ngilpa ingsomort. Ar tistnt We To linortouland ectol enect olion ore."]

The enforcers start moving more, which is a relief. One of them gets up the courage to ask a question. [Language unknown: "Ad ai enc fiaing er ticet rewa a wecawhfo icwhe esnaivofnd ilee honaei linndesom la erte ekpesiek, str kor ateurewas pe but oneck k tedkorfor Hohoce po oname ulear setousdin rossti ughus sonareent st misom ti uromsausss be i."]

The enforcer's deference causes a kind of grating shock in Rabbit's chest, quickly followed by a brief spark of excitement and utter terror in quick sucession. What if he realises what if he grabs his sword what if he hits me with the hilt and holds me down before I can-?

Breathe.

Rabbit swallows, taking an outwardly calm and graceful step towards the fire. [Language unknown: "Ti sslaacro a N ie osisur hisproherera k m prssri shebutrea essundoutard. Papa Mosewi Houherous...o u miwer in Erou-esomfino, isan enc Leompa ekwiss a t caiefi k nchiulit enith Ni, usekriio intingess son tireinpa ectee eaureaion o eiint ver hiatad re in theratter ol som hotra eshellicte itpepe, potore om eveeveundest te losa mi siul nc acouwa ll ll ionconateatithi te Encandshe asal andyinhou sta wi Ut is oulawa era ca fitiisti,"] Rabbit explains.

[Language unknown: "E rat i loint lespl ckckbe ti io ardwhithe i onil m, ev tialulrolo il chtiereris whi aintheeau riplli herpr er fosatr m as intantthatiniontha thaousear, nte ma me ce ektite us os. Po n in but Lingla, notil foul aiint, wasri u papl evedinhat ekpamo larwheerecon. Itati ecfockpl wh sitin as reashevorame neouleer, tiultano hououlave ouarur m vorblewas artdaysti ut mewi eeil, ear redrearom isndeetawh."] She frowns.

[Language unknown: "Ckeefi ev ma sanleswas resectter ie eliou n ardtioday ankor behoictahope re wa...esand Allkorort na pohiom anll ndte chchlont ugh ne astec a virro, tha louloffidi il hilat larleswer sti earundugh llstne se lesdinwilthe terlatoul pre tha ortonsshe n: i int preectvor reait witlatencaveingwer t icoun eiill Plmeee, ul m res naou ere onsure'essday o the k aster eiulsi we osalpe din nose fi hoenc prnt, erec ro sire oersa olhain no chdi Ingthited Ur ard ousrutrat riioad. U ouurwa lar es Ameintwil, olect dinounica, saare acacbe encearman whekla wh ntsanc blewasent O Al ofel Dintil Thuandove alasil."]

The enforcers begin chatting among themselves after this.

((OOC: Roll me a Persuasion check to see how convincing you were.))

Rabbit gives a small smile to those that look her way, silently clenching her fists into her sleeves until the sight of the mountain and the feel of the grass and earth underfoot helped her find enough balance to cease trembling, seen and surrounded by men larger and stronger than herself.

[Language unknown: "Ilacis Niic us ck ter seour stroutbleout outomesan Anddercom Ulicai ckom er whiyinoer tic iedi, ofnape for reabutive in oun is eeou. I witthatin m rutndelar vor accon si wilallpro wiin-adloet, ei ev m al St o ca Und: ousee us ng posi Oulessrat Saaras icaer rohait pehiiv tereauove fi maall atiithrea. Hi ioch it astastwit rutatetinous o hatterichsti unpr ivthst men tochec n artstiand hito iored wa lielnc menateshestrerente ncles moort teekpe."]

[[23:30, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 23,4 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of (8+8+5)21,2.  persuadin' while pretty.

I start a cult! The Bunny Rebellion is at hand!]]