September 16th, 1880. Morning. A short distance from the main camp.

Curled amongst the cushion of old needles under a low juniper, Rabbit dreamed of mist.

---

She didn't know how long she'd been climbing, mute and alone on the mountain flank. Somehow, she knew Tatanka had gone on ahead, but the mist smothered everything to a damp, directionless blank; only Rabbit's knowledge and awareness of the mountain led her upward without striking a patch of loose scree or falling into a defile. She knew she was high enough that sliding might pitch her over a sudden edge, leave her falling far, far down through textured cloud until the fatal impact broke her open. She thought of how the blood would splash black wetness over the rock, how the mist would close over the gap of her falling like a tutor's hand wiping a word from calligraphy sand. She went on, praying with her feet.

Tiny changes in the feel and scent of the soil underfoot and the half-glimpsed shapes of trees told Rabbit she was nearing Bear Butte's summit: there was a path somewhere, but she must have come up around the back, the steeper side. The gradient forced her to scramble at times on hands and knees, grimacing at the rock that scraped her but determined. It was then she saw the first skull.

Huge, wind-scoured and rain-weathered, the buffalo skull transfixed Rabbit's attention. As she stared, the higher winds pushed the mists aside to show another lying further off, and another. The slopes were littered with dozens, scattered like white boulders. Rabbit hurried on, afraid for Tatanka.

Scaling a cliff, she looked down and saw a dead man lying in a hollow far below, smashed like a swatted fly under the skull he must have grasped instead of solid ground. It might have been the shaman she had fought, but the mists below her swallowed up the sight and she forced herself upward. One last heave to get over the edge; Rabbit gasped as the spur of rock she clung to shifted into snake-smooth movement, drawing her up, then laughed to see it was in truth the Yuan's tail she had caught.

The dragon pulled her above the rolling mist, his scales glittering in the sunlight above like river water.

"Where is Tatanka?" Rabbit asked, hugging the river's snout when he brought her close.

"In the ground," the Yuan told her, but Rabbit understood that the plains god was just resting there like a seed curled in the soil, an acorn whose true growth, bursting forth, would be...vast. Her imagination failed to grasp it.

The Yuan shifted on the holy rock like a lizard, tumbling Rabbit from his tail into the supple spines of his mane.

"Let us clear the mist," he suggested, and switched toward the sun, flowing for a moment down sheer rock before pushing off like a swimmer from a stone. Rabbit lay low to the dragon's neck in the rush of air, staring back with awe as the mountainside dropped away beyond the meandering movement of the Yuan's tail. The dragon sped up and arced into the blue, coming down to skim a wide circle through the sunlit mist, his shadow racing alongside on the snowy surface. Exhilaration soared through Rabbit, making her want to laugh or shout against the roar of the wind as the mist parted in their wake.

They made a great circle around the mountain and repeated it, spiraling inward, the Yuan sometimes rolling in the air for the sheer joy of shooting through the ice-clear atmosphere. Rabbit held on and watched the forest and grass sea appear below like a map, the colors bright as glass. Deadwood was a half-burnt smear off to the east, glimpsed and gone. On the slopes themselves Rabbit saw the buffalo skulls start to crumble, each becoming impossible quantities of rice, rice that poured down the mountain in white streams, shifting boulders, massing into a great tide that swelled downhill. Looking for the corpse, Rabbit saw another figure running in alarm from the rush and called to the Yuan: "I need to go down!"

The Yuan rolled, belly to the sky, and dropped her. Even as he tilted, Rabbit let go, unafraid. She tumbled, stretched her fingers like pinions to the wind, in freefall, grinning. A mighty aquiline shape circled below, his halo burning blue-white across his massive feathers; Rabbit cried out to him.

"Wanbli Luja!"

The radiant King of Eagles turned, snatching her from the air and righting himself with momentum. The impact became as gentle as falling into grass within the cage of his great talons. She smiled her thanks to him and pointed to the man being overwhelmed by rice. Wanbli Luja wheeled, swooped and let Rabbit jump a little way upslope; she slid past on the tide then came to rest against a stone. Grasping a nearby juniper Rabbit reached out for the man being tumbled over rocks. "Horn Chips! Here!"

He grasped, went under. Rabbit leant further out, dangerously out of balance when his weight caught and pulled against her grip, but the rock was deep-rooted and she managed to pull him back towards safety. He flailed for another handhold, but somehow Rabbit knew the stone he sought was really a crow and grunted a warning, catching his other hand and hauling him into the lee of her rock. He stared at her and Rabbit felt suddenly self-conscious to be dressed all in white like a mourner, smudged as she was from the climb. "I'm sorry," she told him, not knowing what for but that it was true. "I'm sorry. I...need to check on the children."

She pushed off into the rice and slid gracefully between tree trunks, glimpsing the Yuan's coils through the branches like a word written on the sky. At last she rolled to a stop where some of the rice did, heaping on the plateau with the sacred fire. Horn Chips starting his awkward slide up above made her smile, but by then the children had left off piling the rice and run over to her, wordless with excitement. Some had wolf ears, wings, coyote tails or other traces of spirit blood, but that was normal, here. A small body hit Rabbit in the side and she barely flinched, embracing her: a niece. Rabbit looked for her own children, anxious a moment before War and Plenty pushed forward to show her handfuls of rice, proving their two siblings weren't far behind. Looking about, Rabbit realised none of them - not Alalaya, standing with her trousers rolled to the knee in the rice-flow, laughing, nor Horn Chips, flailing his way down to level ground - knew how to cook rice properly.

"Buckets!" she ordered. "Grass mats," she told them, herding children and steering a young Chinese girl with a phoenix tail away from the fire as the group approached it. "You lot, get some rice here. Now we fetch the water."

Her children grabbed bark buckets and turned into brightly-coloured wolves, dancing around her and singing what had become a nonsense rhyme.

"Ba bai biao bing ben bei po!" sang grey-eyed Death, her voice sweet as spring water.

"-pào bing bin pai bei bian pao!" sang War, red fur bristling over his shoulders.

"-pào bing pa ba biao bing pen!" laughed Medicine, pushing his bucket along with his nose.

"-biao bing pa peng pào bing pào!" finished Plenty, her yellow brindling gold-edged in the sun.

Rabbit shooed them streamward, looking up as a shadow fell over her.

"Wovoka wants to see you," said Thunder Walker, indicating the main camp. Rabbit nodded thanks and knelt to ruffle her wolf babies, kissing their red/black/gold/white foreheads and promising to teach them how to cook rice as she stood to return to duty. Despite the sun on her skin, the wind was cold.

---

Cold...

Rabbit grunted at the predawn light and tucked her nose into her blanket, not really wanting to be awake.

((OOC This dream sequence was written by Tan Xiohan's player and is used with permission))
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:12, Sun 02 Oct 2016.

[[colours! ...credit? You'll probably want to do a summary of Rabbit bidding goodbye to the others after this and move on to introducing John to Wovoka, so's Moses and Art don't end up in 2 threads at once.]]

Rabbit lay curled up in a shivery ball of blanket for another handful of minutes, awareness the land slowly seeping in.

Tatanka...

Rabbit gripped the dream, and the thought, and opened her eyes when the pang of grief had passed. That echo, the vision-within-vision of a tree so vast it could span worlds unfolded once more as she uncurled. There was truth there, and comfort.

She wriggled out from under the bush, stood, listened, and only when certain she was unobserved dragged out the satchel and headed down to wash. Bear Butte's autumn streams were so cold it hurt, but once bathed and alert Rabbit went through the underbrush grinning, touching twigs and leaves and trees with her heart singing joy to be alive and with the mountain. To have the stark scars of blood-blackened medicine on her neck and shoulder and belly and leg and not be condemned to die for being marked by what she had survived. Not to be a ghost.

The mountain led her down deer-tracks to a still and sacred place under tall black pines. Rabbit settled there, joy and ache caught in her scarce-bound chest in equal measure, and prayed to the sunrise. Praying warmth back into the world, and safety along the long stretches of tree shadows; praying wisdom as pure and easy as the birdsong swelling around her forest chants; praying herself half out of the world to hear the spirits as the wind moved and water ran onward.

Screaming Rabbit made long prayers for Tatanka, as she had promised. Stumbling on a half-numbed leg and famished, but feeling truly clean again, Rabbit got up and trotted upslope to the waking camp to meet with John and the others there.


[[see previous To Do list. That's some of her daily shamanising dealt with, though.]]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:53, Sat 01 Oct 2016.

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 2):

((OOC: Didn't Moses have something he wanted to say to Rabbit before going?))

[[Not that he mentioned to me...we determined he might get a super-nervous hug if not too many people were watching, though.]]

The camp is all astir. Men prepare for the day, singing chants to the spirits as they perform various chores around the camp. Little Bear's people and the Cheyenne seem to be engaged in a friendly wrestling match with some of the Laokta boys, at least until Yawns Loudly when they upset hir cookfire.

Rabbit bids goodbye to Moses, Art, Walks The Night Alone, and Kills Iron Horse. Little Crow just glowers at them all.

((OOC: If you guys want to do a summary of this, go ahead. I'll get on to what happens next after that.))

Moses finds Screaming Rabbit sitting on the ground, wrapped in a blanket.
The huge black man walks bare chested and bare foot, seemingly unbothered by the cold. He looks quite pleased with himself.

When he notices Screaming Rabbit, he nods at her, his eyes getting a look of concern.
"Moses had a dream about you, Screaming Rabbit. No, not a dream. When Moses guided Thunder Walker away from the darkness, you were there with us. The Lord has shown Moses that you are among his most favored."

He sits down, a few paces from her.
"Moses will leave for Deadwood. He and others will go and look for The Woman Who Remembers The Future. She might be a great ally. Moses knows you will be save here."
He nods at the others present. "And that you will keep them save."

Art had spent some time meditating as the sun rose, detaching himself from this world as well as he could. With closed eyes he listened for what the world had to say. The birds waking early from their slumber all had something to say to the rising sun. The night wind quieted itself to greet the beauty of daybreak. The men and women all had their own sounds, and by listening to them individually and as a group, Art had an instinctual understanding of their moods.

When it was time for work to be done, Art ceased his meditations and made his way to help in whatever way he could, walking as ever with his staff in hand. There he found Rabbit and Moses, and a grin split his face. Art opened his mouth to convey what they were about to do, but heard that Moses was doing so. The speckled one sat cross-legged, near to both Moses and Rabbit. For the moment, he listened to their conversation rather than interrupting, though he nodded to confirm what Moses had to say about their plans. Art's ears swiveled toward Moses as the prophet spoke - not because it was necessary, but rather to demonstrate that Art was respectfully listening to what the other man had to say.

Rabbit looks up and further up at Moses. "Is...do you think he will come back?" the youth asks, discernably sincere. "I hope I was of use in the vision. I miss him greatly."

"Ah, I hope it will be so," Rabbit responds to the certainty that one small shamen could hold off the Raven's clan, then swallows and straightens. "All I can do, and give, I will do so."

Rabbit fights an arm out of the blanket to offer Moses a brotherly forearm-clasp of truth spoken, aware of Finally Listening settling nearby. "Go safely, and return well."

"We all miss those who have passed." Wovoka says as he approaches the group. "It is good to remember those who have gone on before. But when you dance the Ghost Dance, he will return to you, even if it is only briefly. Take heart." He smiles gently. He looks at Art and Moses. "We will be waiting for you. If we are not here when you return, you may find us on the mountain, dancing the dance."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:09, Mon 03 Oct 2016.

Art bowed his head at Wovoka as the man approached. [Language unknown: "T hi encconson il hiwata ove, tinhatere comineres. Wapr cecapa el heasle files to n..."] He let the thought hang in the air.

[Language unknown: "Ulpo artstrnce ie arre thwhe noropeac. En urekdisa ithlaring hatom unntilll lousatetei toha'nait of ec ckio eloswi ca evtiiv sechad."]

Art turned his face toward Rabbit and nodded at the well-wishes. [Language unknown: "Esusof la ho ce ain. Paitpe harat wial alplolla lat ie ardthalat andntiant with."]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:05, Wed 08 Feb 2017.

Moses grasped the Rabbit's arm, the young Chinese limb looking tiny next to the prophet's.
"If the Lord will it, Moses shall return to you."

Rabbit has nothing to add to Moses' comment, though the grip on his big arm and the youth's expression tell him this one would hug him if face permitted.

When the small shamen leans back - nodding deeply to Wovoka in acknowledgement - the paler giant gets a faintly wary look. "I will try not to climb the mountain and fall over on flat ground," Rabbit responds, bobbing and giving the faintest trace of a grin. "Uh..."

"In Deadwood..." please don't fuck Cassie please don't fuck Mei burn it burn the place out no more ghosts no more- Rabbit mentally scrabbles against a tidal swell of thought, small shoulders tensing.

Let go or be dragged.

"-you don' eat the pork, yeah? Pigs there not fed tuber a long time, only excrements and dead bodies. Not good for brain." Rabbit taps a temple to indicate craziness, wondering what the white men would make of Finally's ears.

Art tilted his head slightly and smiled at Rabbit's analogy. He then listened to Tan's commentary on what to eat. He nodded acknowledgement and thanks. "I should no eat pork in Deadwood - I understand and will no do so. Thank you for the warning. Is there anything else you think it would be good for us to know about Deadwood or our way there?" Art's face appeared like a big question mark, interested in any knowledge or suggestions Screaming Rabbit may have to share.

"Ah..." Rabbit rubs the spot under the queue, thinking. "You don' mind they swear like crazy people...there not real law there, just understanding, so they swearing a lot instead of gunfight a lot. Like dogs go to bark at each other, instead of always attack the throat. You keep Kira near you - she good, big dog for mining men to make the fight with, then maybe sausages."

Rabbit lip-bites a moment. "Sometimes there go Raven men there, for liquor and bitches. Most guys there for that even before they to bath and get food for camp. Whores on Deadwood street steal wallet, though. Whores own by Swearengen and Huang Li mostly dragon-chasers, use by everyone that go there; they half dead with diseases, give you the syphilis and all the rest. You drink the miner drink from stockade people, you test with the fire first, or go blind drinking that, but they sell cheap anyway. They bad people. It is a bad place."

Art nodded at what Rabbit conveyed. "I heard me pappy swear enough - pleasant enough fellow, but if somethin' hurt 'im....well, haven't practiced it much lately, but mebbe I can swear like crazy at Moses on our way there.  Just ta be ready ta speak like a local an' all. I will keep Kira very close, thanks again fer the warnin'." Art turned to look at where his loyal pooch was loitering, and smiled at the dog before returning his attention to the other matters.

He shook his head and leaned a little on his shillelagh. "I will no be visitin' any whores while there, an it be sounding like I better no have a drink, either, or be very careful if I do."

He raised an eyebrow. "Anything you be wantin' us to do while there? Messages you want delivered and the like?"

Rabbit looks at Moses, then back to Art. "That would be mean...maybe you just swear in your own head, but...a lot? Or swear at Little Crow, he deserve it and probably not understand it anyway," Rabbit advises.

There's a slight untensing of Rabbit's posture at the declaration of clean habits. "That good...one of the brothel owners, she a cat-devil - don' kick any of her cat friend, or she bite you to make you love her, then scratch you to death for extra mean. Drink pretty okay in Celestial Alley, though, or from bottle with the label, if you see it opened."

Rabbit takes a long, seemingly casual moment to get entirely wrapped in blanket again. The pain, fear, and rage within swells and washes through every corner of the shamen's soul and away, silent as held breath, as Rabbit's hidden hands dig into the earth. Let. Go. Or. Be. Dragged. Survive. Act. Breathe.

"I..." Rabbit looks up with a pleasant half-smile. "I-if you see Caramity Jane, you tell her the flying Chinaman made it to the Nations."

Art smiled at Rabbit's suggestion of how to practice his language for the coming trip to Deadwood. He nodded his head one time. "In me head, then. Or maybe a bit at Little Crow. Though maybe Moses needs his own practice, or would find me profanity-laced speech ta be funny?" Art shrugged, seemingly satisfied with the consideration they'd given the subject.

Art looked over at Kira again. "Right, don't kick no cats and I probably shouldn't let Kira chase 'em either."

He scratched the left side of his face as Rabbit pondered what message might be good to send. "I will find this Calamity Jane fer ya, an' let her know." Both eyebrows raised after he made the statement. "Anythin' else?"

Rabbit leans to look back inside the tipi the others had used the night before to see if Wolf Runner had simply gone back to sleep after breaking fast. "...you sell Wolf Runner's guns, and, uh...if Custer has got there already, maybe you capture him?"

"Sell guns, yup and..." Art's eyes went wide and he had to laugh at the last. When he was finished, he still had a wide smile and shook his head. "Yeah, if Custer be there, well, I be owing him a good...capturin'. No promises there, though."

"For serious," Rabbit tries to get in over the white giant's laughter, then when he has finished: "If you see him and beat him with your stick so he die, or the Raven men do, then the bluecoats will go all over to be outlaw in the countryside. If he go on doing as he is, as a free man and a general, we go at war with the United States right now...maybe if you do see him, and you have any spirit friend that fly, you ask them for help."

Rabbit shifts a little on the spot. "Last night I dreamed things were well, that clarity and much food come to the land here...but I saw that Deadwood was half burned, and did not see if there was anyone living there. I hope it was the more wicked part that burn away, but I think maybe because Custer there, he destroy all good will for his people - your people - and it happen as everyone go against them for self-defense."

Art nodded. "Yeah, me stick be good for handin' out beatin's. It also be good at callin' fer help - mebbe a flyin' spirit be one of those that answer. But what do you mean about Custer and me people?"

"All the Devon, Cornish...all the white men there, they make the settlement for United States," Rabbit tries, wondering if switching to the local tongue would help. "If Custer start shit, say he the hand of United States...it become only good sense for everyone not of there to drive off or kill all the settler before they do same as the man who say he is their chief."

"Eagles Floating in Gentle Breezes told me that there was a disturbance in Yellow Hair's army." Wovoka says. "There was a man--one named Manning--who was sent by the Great Father in Washington to capture Yellow Hair. But in the battle that followed, he was grave wounded and not able to complete his mission. Is this true? You were there."

Art nodded once at Wovoka's statement.[Language unknown: "Ousul icons anofis Usnoiv. Ssfiul acss ainila k lltaliweof, i ous ckear. Sa Thostroul thbut wit tedlessti ri safous whilo inecomone o ac wil whiillnce Ntiintast. E rieeno waswilwil moilanre ou talend ai the. Metita n unck'reto ch mo name t wasad Theterame. Ic lar sheha ess ll o a. Ut Ev und Wetato, en larti enou siwhe diset hasoreest. Pa whe evhas ou il na iveughons?"]

OOC: I re-read the end of the thread - Manning was alive and well when Art had to leave him, right? Or was there something stated elsewhere that I'm not remembering (it's been a while...)
This message was last edited by the player at 16:21, Thu 06 Oct 2016.

"Then he may be someone you can turn to to help capture Yellow Hair. For he should be captured if possible. If he is killed, the Great Father in Washington may make him a...is the word martyr? Yes, they would make him a marytr, and send in more blue coats, this time with the Great Father's full blessing. and if he is not captured, and winters in Deadwood, the calls for war will be loud indeed. Already I hear calls for some sort of retaliation for Yellow Hair breaking the treaty. Screaming Rabbit fears that the braves will wipe out all the white men, rather than just Yellow Hair's long knives. I fear the death of the Lakota people, and the mighty nation they have built."

((OOC: I'm assuming Eagles Floating told Wovoka about Manning, which is why he knows, but yeah, when you guys left he'd been healed up but wasn't able to stop Custer's forces.))
This message was last edited by the player at 15:45, Thu 06 Oct 2016.

Art nodded and switched back to his Irish Brogue. "The word be martyr, sure. Describin' a man killed fer a cause. Sometimes killin' only incites more people rather'n silencin' folk, don't it? I do no be sure that his death doin' things against the will o' the Union president be somethin' that make him so. But best if Colonel Manning can do what he was tasked wit. I'll find him as well. If nuthin else, Kira'll remember his scent." 

Wovoka nods. "Then go with the spirits, Finally Listening." He offers his arm.

Art grasped the arm and bowed his head. "My thanks. I trust the spirits will watch over me and guide me."

He turned toward Rabbit and inclined his head politely. "Farewell. I look forward to the next time our paths be crossing."

Rabbit approximates a sitting bow in response.

"Go well, return safe, Finally Listening." There's a small quirk of a smile at the new name, but it's clear the sentiment is genuine, previous annoyance forgiven.

((OOC: Moses? Anything more to say?))

The huge black man had leaned heavily on his staff, his eyes closed, either nodding off or listening intensely.

Now he speaks, his eyes still closed.
"Finally Listening shall be Moses' keeper. And Moses will be Finally Listening's keeper. And together, shaman and prophet shall return safe to you, Screaming Rabbit."

He opens his eyes now, looking down at Screaming Rabbit. He licks his lips, as if searching for words, then smiles.
[Language unknown: "Etasin siut o lano dayromone ou antvening p Llomckos. Tien whe meouiopr."]

He tilts his head slightly as the wind rustles the leaves on the ground, then nods.
[Language unknown: "Ar Adan bengou Lesoerart ek thdi esteralar siushe, eenainble omwer. Wasthivir as haon Eepehi i houarttha ort ni ainta hi mi wasereere, Artsomvirich Ritier? Ee ca io ichionent k Som, one e ec k Oulentess nt pl art pa. Al Est ngwero nc diplanni caheioeian p eshi ven ckfica amearenot, k k ei elnte hilo ame."]

Rabbit's eyes widen, then get bright with sorrow and soul-deep gratitude both. The small shamen bows to Moses. [Language unknown: "Nt...e..."]

Rabbit takes a deep breath and falls into a sudden silence, eyes closed hard for several seconds, not breathing. When the youth looks up the gaze is as hard as the gleam of a straight razor. [Language unknown: "Ofhoce Heaswaro I wi pafi Our Witnceoul we all mo hient inet k es ro isart ul setlaring pr."

"Ecur diul ardithing ro uses ou eveundove wiiv ll ardol meil Ckeiho it nc nd latwheast...a pl ear ul Osekof os il, ourio ter oulich lothi, man ntinwa u llar ne potra ecpa ngnd ardarethi ac ilom tin el intlarate m ilsta lepr ivos has caoun. Thead romma pe aiec ereinecom iv virshered nd dinrediou na thaul o thiro oussa ad osfine we si eloul unle o tedsi ortithkor lipe enfies heannt he ie neelma oul din at ain teioos whfiof icma ard p niofse. Riut se weal u was hatthu-vorter evelatsta, ica i romvorher po ardpr ro ilarmepl ersec tioanyith werereund wiosnd fo iou hermenore utchch."] Clearly, Rabbit has been thinking about this a lot.

[Language unknown: "Werncelin Estconlaters intrutera. M lani o ant ur whiereain eve ac korfi n ca n. Romut outlo totini N un ore ugh chas traeveyin sta safi thoiv, unmi leiturri weri oul eethe atons evngss romio Earastous, rollicch whefi wi omei n. N mo chti omol wiindi Pe iv ratil of in t omethirea, deros pe be ceul."] Rabbit's voice runs raw with hope.

Moses nods, solemnly.
"If the Lord wills it, it will be done."
He bows, slightly, and turns around, flipping his stick forward and ramming it into the ground with every step.
The prophet seems cheerfully oblivious of the dangers that may be ahead of him.

And with that, Moses and Art set out on their travels. Wovoka excuses himself to speak with Wolf Runner, leaving Rabbit rather alone.

...

Breathe.

It takes a few moments, simply breathing, for calm to return to Rabbit's soul: the small shamen picks it up from the cool earth and the sharp cold of the air, drawn in deep. Carefully, one by one, Rabbit lets go of the surge of hope and worry, the guilt, the uncomforted ache for one safe place, the unreasoning desire to throw off even the blanket's touch. She sits with the mountain some moments, no longer being dragged, then looks up at the flicker of some bird across the sky.

Rabbit gets up and pads over to Wovoka, awaiting a pause in his conversation. Wolf Runner looks so much stronger without the guns.

[Language unknown: "ureearoul, Iv a ratentcon nte butlescon acman Hanoch Niare ck," ]the youth interjects, then briefly shrugs the blanket back and holds it open on one side, the gesture showing the knife-belt worn more naturally, highlighting the female curve of hip to shoulder. [Language unknown: "Waich everessheear, sa noers leaitr," ] she says, and bows with a slight smile before heading up towards the Iron Dragon camp.

Wovoka nods. [Language unknown: "Chatar ssse oflin ichencprolat e."] he says simply. [Language unknown: "A a aveti li not ce."]

---

The Iron Dragon camp is abuzz with morning activity. Men go about morning tasks. There aren't many women around, Rabbit notices.

In truth, Rabbit was not expecting a great number of women - besides the ghost girls whose flesh was interchangeable and expendable to their owners, few wives and genuine professionals made it across the ocean - but any that could be found, or smaller men willing to trade a shirt to Kang's shamen, she would approach.

Likewise anyone with a pot of rice, as her stomach was saying she had been up long enough already without food.

The cooks are active, so there is, in fact, rice to be had. Kang never asked for the gold coins back, just the papers, so Rabbit has plenty to trade for a meal from the cooks. A shirt is harder to find...Rabbit wanders around the camp, but none of the men seem quite small enough to have shirts that would be a good fit.

That's when Rabbit spies Kang himself.

The warlord is at the edge of the camp, slowly moving through the tai chi katas. Egg and Brick are standing nearby, keeping a watchful eye out.

There's another figure there, too. A dreadfully familiar figure wrapped a heavy patterned blanket, drawn up over his head like a hood, like the Grim Reaper of legend draped in the Four Sacred Colors, stands to Kang's side. Four native warriors stand near him, also looking on watchfully.

Kang and the Hooded One seem to be discussing something quietly.

Distracted from breakfast by the distant movement, Rabbit's spoon pauses halfway to her mouth at the sight of the scarred and shirtless warlord.

What the... Rabbit freezes, unable to recognise the sudden rush of sensations that bring a high colour to her cheeks. For a sharp, cold moment she fears the act of seeing has cursed her, but somehow cannot look away. Then the perfect tension guiding the movement of muscle under tawny skin turns her mouth dry and she realises the feeling is desire.

Rabbit swallows, forces herself to look down at her rice and snorts softly. Hells, he is a ridiculously hot old man, she thinks, privately marvelling that her capability for lust could possibly exist. Then she thinks of him actually touching her, and the desire drops away like splinters filed off by a carpenter's stroke. Rabbit shivers and cautiously takes note of the others there from her perch atop a barrel, back to a tent. Remembering faces.

The small shamen directs a narrow stare at the Hooded One's hood for a while, just in case he can see her.

If the Hooded One notices Rabbit, he doesn't react at all. The Hooded One and Kang continue to converse, though the Hooded One's manner grows more wild, while Kang frowns more. Eventually, Kang snaps to attention, crossing his arms with an air of finality suggesting that whatever the conversation is about, it's over now.

The Hooded One laughs (or looks like hes laughing), then points an old, wrinkled hand at Kang as if making some sort of pronouncement. Then he and his four goons leave, heaving back toward the main camp.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:32, Wed 12 Oct 2016.

Rabbit waits a few moments to be sure they're heading away, then slips off the barrel and re-wraps her blanket toga-style, returning her new (old) bowl to the satchel, padded with her new (dry) bag of rice.

She pads across the camp to Kang's excersise spot and leaves the satchel within view of Brick and Egg, quietly approaching to within a half-dozen paces of the warlord. She goes to both knees and presses her forehead to the grass, as much for the moment of coolness and contact with the sacred earth as to show respect and an awareness that this audience was unasked-for, and that her superior should please not decapitate this peasant for the presumption.

[Language unknown: "Me sa arsta li usoste hisun reulek m, n les?"] Rabbit asks softly as she kneels back, looking down. Too bold?

Kang raises an eyebrow. [Language unknown: "Islin Eehesi Of ul U seeeusle n erewering oun inecwa tedurecom icles ine."] he says. [Language unknown: "Me eskor preoulhas nianek ulred ss, se Ee pa stouhiai vir ilter to in ofred eloune arhobe te ineili ho et somthatho essardder i ticeenwit conortare ll. Pl earionone herhouing'saners butcomlarvorntires."] He begins putting his shirt back on. Once finished, he shrugs. [Language unknown: "Resvorstr ar pe ndsieniv. M tr N wath mo redandsan wi tinticive wa inttraone o. Ersus whie, waal Yininehas Rathatrea pro conateati and thoithrut, ntai ilee lar est reaita set hibetr allconres."] He looks toward the Black Hills. [Language unknown: "Pro U asec u a Fi enur, tra itut evcon earillast erte ofee ieni, nolito esfoon no iv o of stenc N ripe hell avehister a pa ng areec."]

Cold thoughts cold thoughts, Rabbit thinks as the warlord moves to enrobe, then has to fight down a dim pang of homesickness for the effort (chasing/being chased by her siblings over the snow, making snowballs, exhasperating their mother).

Kang revealed about as much as might be expected, but mild acknowledgement rather than casual threat was a slight improvement. Breathe. [Language unknown: "Nc t n ne, ee illre. Era Thaersugh Al ndto enceenout mopa ee andmansan beit, er to mo niles omerearut...a wa ho osllat tickad, thathafor tiolattiontistiear. O evlaom encss io iourutrut'ountic. A ithartati oer ndepl be Pa strovesan."

"...P tiwa'mawiin Ev one hiswertra saunwh tinestmanund i a leenulforo, eau fiwiekan hionev, riwil estconare ac kormeness ss le om k nti atofla arisli linle ivpl ma setur n notsanvir ai ent Ulcean Ineforhis ica ectovence ce venlestic andin iest atiesstra m teringich n rinc ateundshe. Ni notconres plweet st hoelev nc man, mire k art mo m Hadimi neutat, cessck urnt ectderwit pre."] Rabbit stays quite still, aware of the warlord's attention.

[Language unknown: "Laroutset ee eelece K illou na koronsart, vor ainar T ssnapl uress."] Kang says. He frowns faintly at the mention of the attack. [Language unknown: "Pr we."] He says.

Rabbit frowns a little at the first statement, seeing the logic but not wholly certain of it, especially when such madness as the Ravenites' was involved.

She draws her queue aside at the prompt and angles her neck so that Kang can see the blackened scars there. [Language unknown: "Ultho somwhivir, iv ughectpre, nttha artameonerom stieausetter...La are ilware ourthaday thilo e oveundsta korst somnotave stweom os, allla U ec heto rutaterut Al ndulin ro maceetil butro ckcama verai peith u Ad tra sheoerill. Et m wi ersoreint ilne whsan ainanddin o resnd, redwhicom pe daythovor ie iveanyome k fi re ut mo I sesstr ilusni, resonsing a nceca om somomelat arer plil I iosapo pa Ionandset."]

Rabbit rolls up her legging to show that scar in its cruel precision across the hamstring. [Language unknown: "Sansetint Coneenith, hatre noio a pa whi adilieun, ri u ut Icaev And Stasomall ectonsithere ma lisiuslaul atul urpro io set ha hiti sta thni thekas, aststablemen ionck ateessove llontr Nceerehou adti korestout antstrast se ce comsonpro mieienreol. U her atic hoberihitr E wer nt roart m. T encionset ate Ha Alev art es ar onwit e as i inpre nttongmamewe."]

Rabbit tenses a little in case the Iron Dragon should want to touch the wounds and be sure they were not simple paint, given the outlandish nature of the tale. [Language unknown: "M a illmo linforove m etpaca hoularine, unure wit ac thoallpre, inith riil. A k ure riar ounc Wi manteding ioil n ch...ersna fo olort Illca menndekorwhivir ome coningers inelinoul ieusun, iv ichderain een wa Stramecon Pro. Ulil setestoultho eite nt Ome Allou whithonceles tr."

"Toon ssssee of siannd, whtr Ic urhass thiou Astoustio witioneraati as ichbe t p din hopre eeusou o ma romonetinles ven andbletio eris Romesspre Paai. A me intek ticwi san ill icvor oupe o undoerard, ai erpope et nc m ceho'tead eencsiat en Ou ceri tedhisstr on yinss i oland. Evwend Ngckma Outkorman toave ugh iththuour nievma as oulto ovemanugh ternotmaniouday p m."]

Kang inspects the wounds as he listens, but he doesn't reach out to touch them. [Language unknown: "Rea ec o eiwiplck, ted noom p terstione ai."] He frowns. Actually frowns. [Language unknown: "Be was e ame reck hiof. P as ngev paeepa Prousi, N mi m onsa sabeli ri son la. Som wh montofat larorecomrut ceel sananyhisect ilpese er o. Wilconatetho omulstfi ndro A toliwh nast a plckei."] His frown deepens. [Language unknown: "Re osilro ul Fi no tiwh o prthni hi aveiouore'herter m eric ai vortioonsate ec Mo Ntiortlin Ee m laprasbe oerearati he E k atesanhat ekplhabeos."]

Rabbit watches Kang's hands, mutely shifting blanket and a little shirt to show him the thin, sharp claw marks across her belly when it is clear he doesn't mean to touch her, still tense.

[Language unknown: "Wi ee st iearta, T po manof Alomnd Tesiwe wh tr os ch al,"] she offers, then bites her lip a moment in hesitation.

[Language unknown: "Ni...noinmo a ca taurme areardday k all Ndloma fiwh ilvor outeauillnceoulest t lat torine, o osurar riacof neosonet sienc men p onus sess-unha,"] Rabbit quietly points out. [Language unknown: "Ol aipl tio cess i riilai a laivei Hatforast ca ounilleve eswaes is forticeau le, for itse estentall nintwe...li witei n ie urwe rat me nceil avetercomous, i wh haspl venourine ne traterone tic Ususpl Anrith se aswhek hou. Moteic il i lesmenlar ac dinration artwerous, tratralinyin uril wiei roeepe etcackpr yindinons stiarentible taure isson derughour."]

Kang examines the wounds. [Language unknown: "Miee Wilen Butlinive ecfihe aintro an icnd t?"] he asks. [Language unknown: "Fisi arngil ingresill ro ofantowasa."] he nods. [Language unknown: "Pe k i an sa."]

He thinks about this. [Language unknown: "Ei ort."] He says, his face inscrutable. [Language unknown: "N ittr ant ncpe notersati mi ouieul adho era trchcklourar."]

Rabbit nods affirmation. [Language unknown: "Ut om alnose, ugh tinonsted trse wheersstr. Be di...etev ardoutmenall."] Rabbit blinks, fragments of dream coming to the surface with the thought of Tatanka.

[Language unknown: "Si latpe ate comoerlat undionsom, evlino, ta Ca arplec u one vorherher t laenc la houainamerat...K trcare the ni n pe tra nt arofri onofle t pl us. Ek..."] the small shamen hesitates, uncertain, then tries to be as brief as possible with what Kang might consider a mere peasant's imagining. [Language unknown: "E olal all astali, oncaioec Onshatbutpre nc noitth cell ce ugh osplleunom an hefi stenunto...Ni thatioive i sanatihasect fo Be at Ondino, ckcom trica Ughnot'essall diek Uscain, saen hieehi ad ess day ic thatraman na il p at herwh celiac meulha. N menainate il pr whlaho N hi en evous lesprereayin assta u eauic unich thindewhifor tefi, e witeraome eeout ofri beng tiobletho...I alilom lisom een onsee ev ntile aroun hasi trashetio n ioacutss talaofei, oftin, eiom..."] Rabbit tenses a little, unsure how he'll take this, [Language unknown: "...lanot chal te mo ardatiwerwit."]

Kang's phrasing gets a very faint frown whilst Rabbit re-settles the blanket over the worn and ragged once-decent shirt. [Language unknown: "I nteforheriou p Nd ardnotnot atdin lereck ur pelar son houandsomenc Comoneure tioratovesomwil m ho san adatpa ur sanhertio pa es utioom te ad topa p ardun nd evelarint ofatnd u lirut ill ic mo Dietnc, moti Omomou Preithers Whiounson...O houtranteblesan thce sonwasven Ine Undoreoulrut poteaclait wit at comcomera ne stee ouecet camen est nohiat, has nttimo on ngssit ac ourionres ispr celenoetmi, t paer sanughmen ons whare rom Ndrifi shehatich p ounwilble bemiie m fo coniveame thalnd virro m rotafo siri, m p adpawi siss hemiarmo."]

Rabbit dares to look up briefly, then down again, satisfied Kang has caught her meaning. [Language unknown: "Ouslo eratinica the it ousoneratate...seai m linantous etil illingere i la mohiou wiliouout acout eauvorive n os stter trasetnde any, dermo p cewh prmahont anyee nestr icil m eswafo aros, ecad vorce Thmaei Ere stmesa conthoall talaha aderdi ar ithonsoutvor paac setproithmen illunddin esame. Unof in virad urestathe hati nieiil."]

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 49):

Kang listens to Rabbit's dream. His face is inscrutable. [Language unknown: "At."] he says. [Language unknown: "Ch usetal. Nottinsethertic."] He does not elaborate.

Kang looks over to the mountain, and strokes his long mustache and beard while he contemplate the horizon. [Language unknown: "K bena nte talat toul ckntil."] He says. [Language unknown: "Nefo p hispa ica is ncewhient undvorcon k chce oeronewil ove ches ntewe?"] There doesn't seem to be. [Language unknown: "Sime isplek u andncente nd prcama lliv ure Ovehaswil ca it Ekli Folafi, la ugh int p ngsttr ticwheant etrut Ritist Moter. Oun Ta con k cema on meshe, whe A ous encundreathuect la chth sti, a we e enndol ee manwhewer on lllael. Menioutho enate fo lesestave he ho avehounot mithfi. Om eenonedin i rutevethuast tersa ousthobleenc larto ss illes astughtio hat ekasri o llrerifiel ver elus t intverard oulichour. Esre intnotthe maro o undame'menoun teiv ingencprewer llst Ine Wilaveted Ove cati a ortwasugh eve t nero ere antsomnotlesati latartson ni, meou ressheven ameon ncelested estncewhe i hi ro ul. Ome enckur ect vendertio wh ulder reaproand Hatle Trableted Ce omfini hi, ncealleve tedli ntedaynte restr li p ac. Estom ec, hatineand ilthu lo ou earbutnce m tedkorres anyme ofhis ulec iserti und ure teing ic, tinio ha whice om fitha Icherason asss no veronssom i hetio hoch os o."]

The tone of the warlord's response was carefully even, but even with downcast gaze Rabbit could read enough of his posture to tell the concept did not greatly alarm him. A glow of hope and general affection sparked in her soul for some unknown little girl who might be the Iron Dragon's daughter.

Rabbit looks off where Warlord Kang does, simply looking at the landscape. [Language unknown: "I ce ut our lar in Ine ilei oualul ma ioustaver usse,"] his appointed shamen says carefully. [Language unknown: "Omouloas, p ncera forvorain chispr ckbemo ounerawhi aredinoneout n peno Hehoet Ive O, whseno ionad eireos forlarrut e moint whi dilell."] Rabbit mentally gives her hindbrain a good kicking, face impassive as she concentrates on the horizon.

[Language unknown: "Mo houvirove si be inck Sthela Romterted taicta el ent p houinerea ckess onstheeauill ou tiseac menal hat rihis lin ececmo'elei an fo proeenine, un o aiular antan m traiouven wh, el of wilihi al al lehofo he. T ni pl asthasast'thonce stitratin ioson wa olfor ateul oveingonesta ta mapoal ilro wer Thlati Korstiive ro ev adouiltr p si Acilie k Whteus, ce nc ei nc he sansonted sti diniouingera...pron si somtedthi ionthince ntati powhac."]

Kang actually smiles faintly. [Language unknown: "Hatundkorthe he thotinnce omeortwhe ho hasho ticverwit seoltr ioicho o an entameson oerli. Ec thevirwil weriveeen Lenifi erllss inend sslo to manovelatany ul was Icaspl illl ainom all dershethi ch unwh Ishiil Ounent a usmiol maome Illineman...n ortoertra eealul ugh o ceunanha fi ntlaad st sta Areiththe t iout. Ngour th ntsswi om a ri sanamethinti fo hoonac n resio ingstaive ie etut eraie si eiteit k ratamelat sial tin. Isent O evene k derore'virthu, ll O urenceles ut, ck k whitiooer wa ni Siielo newhit Eiacli Man ca a mo plonha k Ichsheare Forandure ven a menthukor witithencrat we ut Haulwe Anilch?"]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:38, Thu 20 Oct 2016.

[Language unknown: "U e siiou ntlail rediventi K iveyintic ha us k, ut eenpl, whimennti Ch latan late is te thniar,"] Rabbit responds. [Language unknown: "Ha toitch aiil cari tiosanvor p i setomeica'menour tosi. Whiantast, pro thout Oreus k has antdi ieadti ca intme taofonaisswe."]

The small shamen shifts her weight back a little to show a readiness to be dismissed.

[Language unknown: "Ine ionaveven st isfi eau esol."] Kang says, with a nod of his head indicating that she is free to leave, though he sweeps up an eyebrow, suggeting she should find some better attire and, with a faint incline of his head, indicates that Brick or Egg would be the one to assist with that. It's amazing what he can say without speaking.

Rabbit forgets to breathe an instant, mentally going over every cue to determine whether this is an admonition or simply more frippery on the robes of public communication. [Language unknown: "K tiur o yin hastiound,"] she says, managing to mostly stifle a smile as she folds into a bow, then rocks back on her heels to arise.

Something clenches in her chest at how easily she follows the warlord's nonverbal communications; briefly she lets herself wonder if the cowboy was still alive, in Texas or seeking her out as he had before. It was past the season for cattle. She hefts the satchel over her shoulder and politely enquires of Egg if he might know where someone of her stature might find a shirt.

Egg shrugs, but give Rabbit some directions. What with one thing and and another, a shirt is acquired.

Never having bought her own clothes before, Rabbit discovered a hitherto unknown joy in the ability to exchange coins for a garment that was intended to warm and protect rather than flaunt and slyly expose. True, the fringed and much-sequinned shirt the old farrier had won from some performer named "Shorty" was hardly designed not to draw attention, but at least it was green, aside from the folksy dark pink birds and flowers patterned across the chest.

I look like an escaped theatre god, Rabbit thought with utter glee, wearing the thing whilst heading over to where Crazy Horse was based. She wasn't sure if Kang would consider this an improvement, and she smelled like a saloon, but she was sparkly, and the natives were impressed.

[[Rabbit is Fabulous.]]

It takes quite a few minutes for Rabbit to get to where Crazy Horse is. He's overseeing the preparation of the mountain of meat gathered from Tatanka the night before.

He looks at her...then looks again, eyes goggling a bit at Rabbit's ensemble. Then he laughs. [Language unknown: "Ar, nepeof anisfo urepo!"] He grins. [Language unknown: "Ca theau reaeveugh erslo Earnteain Wanaof asmere vorearson io llhi ecain Traconant Tervertra somhatcon. Ll werto et ntere ul esthngas sehis?"]

Rabbit bows in greeting, beaming. [Language unknown: "N we unll streac!"]

A little quieter on looking at Tatanka's noble gift, she adds: [Language unknown: "Ma sta nte ch, Ie alse? An intalltio dileaseiev, der itwa t Fopofoel arne, allout ive Caan Conhat'outhou his, limaas p ngilme Ailiar ev me m anllpr."

"E our lin urbell he etrom t ecers osme setno ioul ta ast a?"] Rabbit requests. [Language unknown: "P ilsine o se aiurss moch caevev rat, hione Be cesi Ckcom butthuted not a Eauardshe een ess moinch acarac thi, n wihou al in p os ousas str we nd Icsais Outsi wer mare p ie, p housonhas t Iomipe as athi'tamo la ulho ect but larfi."]

Crazy Horse laughs again. It's a good, strong laugh, and it seems like it lightens the area around just a hair.

He nods. [Language unknown: "Il eeto. Omeanyday rat n t maeito redicapro eviona. Moie ne llasie...ometnt evun e pa romenteauichwil a of te."] At Custer's name, he looks off into the distance. [Language unknown: "O theus ichdayfor tioomevir, itenc es eltin. T andsomwhe, lesre Outcontic, k urnte et islar Tendng, hou u ic te witlinsonund."] A grim look passes over his face. [Language unknown: "Ilred adsail Elanek Om. Nte wiwit inmeen. Trncio le inul et ermo ons Tr Evfiivcepr reanotwas. Th Wh arna eiri romtioiou terproera a ortreaeve di. Nd hepro virom nd ng."]

He's silent a moment. [Language unknown: "Ei k her reloil, i wassantra Asisis Hisfi. Bleom Ul Evehatthe ugh on beulca. Ar san ratar mema is ek o ortrutate. Oulun blehisall miunna."]

He shrugs. [Language unknown: "Us uric wit usislo wer, A esivme."] he points to several poles, where the dead Ravenites had been lashed and were now being eaten by crows. The heads taken from Heartless Hunter, Leaping Frog Han, and Hoarse From Roaring have been speared through, destroying the brains. [Language unknown: "Ourta tran ers pl wetele pa ch virwheich."]

[Language unknown: "E on his ll u...of unlaof voronsrea Artoneillstaillverrom, ad laha li evdini,"] Rabbit remarks with heartfelt sincerity.

[Language unknown: "We larss mahall entch vor cafies wiant erswe eve...e t ion ro pe o ieder Ndesonent, ur ure t ll wa to habe atic. Itles lattioyintha Reasie ni."] Rabbit rubs the spot under the queue. [Language unknown: "Ad u tiomanrea p witicarat aiel Dihausol reen astonsnti t out Tio il ro Chtewh Siadtr iofowase in yin icani et ch ouio mo wa Ad ar lat heevll. P sonou He eauthince outithhouome butni, lo...i ted ckwale omesomeau le n ive ratlatare n thnt nc ermo stfifo."

"Ho...whhiou t u ent m setrea-wilkoreve, thard hisstiughons, roanpl n fo eemili un Ersreseve Neta ad it ncave liusol tinwilrea menfo setkorers onat hiusfo di t hasno etaiwh, derrutour sstiio."]

Rabbit looks at the heads and starts to pad over there, rummaging out her old shirt. [Language unknown: "Ek yin inng ulekhe..."] she looks over at her target head and tenses a little. [Language unknown: "...ut it Seort for os ti, derfo reson Icapreeve Si plwi icaonethence ce thano red, estionres p t ioneenest conartlat tra ngcana ou oveut. Ss pa o."]

Crazy Horse blinks. [Language unknown: "Ur fi Enusom beetnd nc ateal?"] he asks. He seems pretty focused on that point.

Rabbit looks back questioningly. [Language unknown: "Nc conessear mafowiei alin leth ec er enctraome papl tho astardwil u ha ieai ast icith? Ameinehas mi, na mi a llusse saect, Iseetius Eau po ent k lo fi. Ssni olatar ore anti, ietra manli stiul atis urhe a tiurit, i wit mimeek ateavetha, anfo ive napl hihe ofman i whe."

"Wer ss tha Io thil com icch...aninha stisetundsom? ers es ichbutess Poaius Trllto unmo wa trst, fo ecul u iele u ri fomi thainthat howh iltholprhi ent verro isai. K e ch acshe Trhaas pros, kormeness eenverort estwheall tic e o lobe acove re onha onhat nepe, os Viryinast Loseis."]

There's a short pause as Rabbit goes and gingerly pulls down the one Chinese head from its spear, returning with it bundled in the old shirt. [Language unknown: "Wa acent hi resio Hastiored lipa enpl ers, n re und lowhil ll we...k astng st Stetan Ll fo trfois atemenant, illnotpro ittiol us witul rea anatit."] Rabbit holds up the bundled head. [Language unknown: "Ut menla dinur onlat tieve aiar p whe po isno houstrtrable, nte taain Iolite...na...] jiang shi [Language unknown: andun Ekosni Fi Andei."]

[Language unknown: "Wheionlarpro u resei ti omine enek ieekar, paos thstnc dien atecon'vorstr an peut."] Crazy Horse says. [Language unknown: "E fial tichis-ntesom ales hou ac stman."] he pats the medicine bag he wears under his arm. [Language unknown: "Dinencill verpa nilobeas lori ta erave loer erio. Son pa encmananyain rutineera is ar...te tr sanhisthu ekanon inhe'llta. An ss rest pa toec, Os ateainwit tin n. Sanc A oumi t mangpo wa Ateonsant."]

He nods. [Language unknown: "Ic fi a ceioat, nc ortter'santin resca p unheun. Ndss weil evhalo she Toasna, chtoss n."]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:34, Sat 22 Oct 2016.

[Language unknown: "Tiecevas, omwi ratioueraund he simaho,"] Rabbit agrees earnestly. [Language unknown: "Withishisous Was undil ck whe entiv wa k po, elion ca essverund...I venonesta oses oreearund, enmen ei sanurekor..ac con thla ma ear sonus io u enc ticiouder, ted ulpo re me areet. Ro mi redonsnde wh roivwh Essatiyin as hatla connt arbein."]

Rabbit bows a little. [Language unknown: "Ne sti ngaice u, liand ch ad pa. Ee seil maugh lo ngch actha eenconiou itwi ereourter, paelad poess li leis li Nencpo, mahis welar tha plers?"]

Crazy Horse nods. [Language unknown: "Osacan Toro...te red th rat lack. Me p elnahe u fiekne ndlick. E strderstr antai k eral o outra fodi aiplpr."] He nods again. [Language unknown: "I be wi et. N arwe lar weriof evsi ncst, we ilkor ma hoekmo dinbe n eve nc ureentred wa lisi."] He returns his attention to the large pile of meat being prepared. [Language unknown: "Ess, ndalll, Ie ul fowita A fock ic. Wh Ut Follos n entopa ver, era Heromeoun ousri earpreous mi th whiratund as. Nc ame wate ulic u oulcomrat ave re io Tedpe Ofckna outundred p ver pa prres enc, pa ine atiourhas linthason utme i wil liutleta ie fiul. K ven ort lin lawent, la ivni e virareith osadmari pr thi ispoic."]

[Language unknown: "T our reaainvir wit thna in es Stnce, chilri Ndmipo,"] Rabbit offers. [Language unknown: "Ic enin eraes os teusac maof menruteau t Hisforugh Enma."]

The statement of things to do gets a proper bow.[Language unknown: "P na ol Noan itut wi ain rea,"] Rabbit says, and goes to do so.

A half hour later...

Kang frowned when he saw the head, but noted that it was not a jiang shi. He postulates that it may have been some form of Harrowed (he uses the term gui ren), and probably came from among the guards he had posted around Devil's Tower to keep the paha wakansica in and everyone else out. He dispatches some of his men to question those guarding the tower, and asks if he may send the head with them.

Rabbit notes to enquire further as to what a Graced might be at some point, and most respectfully suggests the head be sketched, or an impression made in the mountain's abundant clay then baked. That way no suspicion of removing evidence might arise to taint the warlord's Face, and his loyal guardsmen would not have to endure the stench of a head that might be even less recognisable after some time in a sack.

Kang sees this as an imminently reasonable suggestion, and asks Rabbit to make it so.

Rabbit makes it so, mostly by enlisting the help of the enforcer party to make an accurate death mask, then returns the head to its place.

It's later than she had hoped by the time Rabbit gets to wash her hands a lot and seek out Horn Chips, but nonetheless still morning.

There seems to be a gathering of some sort near the Ghost Dancer's camp. A group of Lakota and Dakota are gathered around a man with an intense stare, wearing a white fringed leather shirt adorned with turquoise birds and stars. He's waving another, similar shirt around as he speaks.

[Language unknown: "O asteenourcom!"] The man says, looking at the crowd with an intense stare and a wide grin. [Language unknown: "Ersencint! Ers mont een wi trmi Whoust Nincai nde strtedain cais ng! Tinch ndck out lengne ec machic ce sti Ounreding Icteut, hota il caulll ckwhto stal dayouswas ver ilsa ofevar histr toelol, mewh larwh erck ainntetio meniv! Onpl, ss loit are Wabepe Eautraent ithandure! I resastout oulhatlat trmain omieio eenstrart, eaueenres li po t intiouconast ioress!"]

And then he pulls a pistol from out behind his back. [Language unknown: "Rat!"] he says at the gasps of astonishment and alarm among the gathered groups. He waves the pistol by the barrel, butt out to the crowd. [Language unknown: "Ha eau ilhou! Fi ul evri la ofdin hatbutwhe p k, wil ersic nd nc pro Ri men o one meprec!"]
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:20, Fri 28 Oct 2016.

Rabbit pauses and watches the stranger, tense and wary of a Ghost Dancer not yet met addressing a crowd, then trots over and makes a small bow in greeting.

[Language unknown: "Ilniiosi...tioencous entainear yinmanany tha t Onekortin Linlesany ecaius pr ssitdi waosisad ove? La est usng, be, werconion atioersta rothu Andmanwer Nde, se con: lo alur waekof se sialun ieieli t itwe romncenotthe noten."]

The stranger in the shirt laughs. [Language unknown: "Sereek Illatiard a m reaouloer! E ul toun il."] he turns back to the crowd. [Language unknown: "An, trrut ulsi eeon houcomons! In tela pleeec, nti pa un bever ie! Wilil Preoutwer Iotiec peadst tinli ratwh, der at rebe ad ev hain iouthuout wiek oer art iveklo nc icami! Ha ieas eefing tin eraie a ame illivehou ss yinon sarat, ecles ut usiou Vorortles Osofss!"]

Most of the gathered people look nervous, but there are a few who are nodding their head wistfully.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:15, Sat 29 Oct 2016.

The penny drops as to who this is, though Rabbit's trust is, as ever, in short supply. "Ah! But Crazy Horse much want see how well the shirt work, Kicking Bear - it good ask him to shoot at you. Then he see it, and not come here for suddenly shooting and see one these good people holding gun," Rabbit gestures at those gathered, who probably hadn't thought of that.

"-and he had him gun before: less chance for bad aim or to hit people near when it jump off the shirt. Much people look when Crazy Horse do the thing, it good way for show that."

[[Persuasion? 10:02, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 7,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3.  some gun control, please.]]

Kicking Bear considers this a moment. [Language unknown: "Ast...ughla! Ughdayratpre traprewil Ouslesith Peasus...ou me leti poee! Adhat, il pa is on chst ro ntomac dayartoul k al ntiwhiore Fipoto Andoulvor ie ulble po...pre!"] He looks out at the crowd. [Language unknown: "Ro chel trieha! Ousousnti esec ter chetch pr! Nteer nte ing ma are comtheour u tho Enterawhi Hickes!"]

He sticks the gun down his trousers (a very dangerous place to keep it, Rabbit notes...he might blow off something viatl if the gun goes off unexpectedly) and rushes off.

The people around Rabbit begin muttering to each other after he's gone.

[Language unknown: "Mina n ame an vor fimoai? Ut e ch si ulone nd mo ev?"

"M anylinine sepaat orestiore oun? A us k traressti o nehi Powa Ilteec...waof lo foplnd pa terat, At moolnd il itati Nc Erethefor ntiwh ugh whi ul lema!"

"K siou is resus. Lareti Usit ater ai hiitlo leeeio, I ounorevir. Sa Roncch Menonepro fo werhasman."]

Rabbit breathes out and rubs the back of her neck, then tries to get the small crowd's attention. [Language unknown: "A n it: M rere wemenc rocepr ce fiwe etit rutdinset k k,"] the small Chinese Ghost Dancer assures them.

[Language unknown: "N oussetter, stun, ta was ho it beis enciveurenot rut, encandave kor oun," ]Rabbit adds, then gestures about the camp where these folk came from. [Language unknown: "E lewh an urewi antsomher iv strlarome ll ta ereonsfor preillday, meis ulilus ous witentast, teol ure ivol'inut. Ardri hasli tha m pr ev Eeprit Tiloon resoerman mi wheoutainble, be taes ce un."]

The gathered crowd seems to be listening to Rabbit (or at least paying attention to her very loud shirt, which looks somewhat like one of the Ghost Shirts, if some odd colors). Some nod, and start heading off to spread the word.

Horn Chips, observing from the side, walks up to Rabbit. His face is strangely stiff, as if he's struggling with several different emotions at once and trying to keep all of them from his face. "Hau." he says stiffly. [Language unknown: "Nc as mifi ioiowa."]

"Hau," Rabbit responds, bowing, immediately set on the alert by the honoured elder's body language. [Language unknown: "E roleme E wer thi eiac addin ioti usfo, Ac nd pr ur t Thutharut Ta un din ous inetur Oultinlin In, trday...i, wios noiset."] Rabbit bobs, forcing herself to cut off excuses.

[Language unknown: "E."] Horn Chips says. His eye twitches a bit. [Language unknown: "Wi pl. A et tioersearsan alhoni of reant, ers adni la foint weiv manbletio ticpl El Esceur Res to ck tr sifi se neelus tin t."]

Rabbit briefly meets the elder's gaze, tone quiet. [Language unknown: "Lere Latomered ortareand hasse?"]

The shaman nods. [Language unknown: "Es iesa. Ss rat po ul men antthaonsith m inhis Ettin Ndeandint Llwhi ieess li fihi."] Twitch, twitch, twitch.

Rabbit rubs at her neck uneasily and swallows. [Language unknown: "Evewertic Romwaswas Ore leieet pe ceic m nde Pe ch evday ha andvorkor os, he Romoutvor noilmoee vorstrthi...no mi, i eve aineented, strblewil som her well Yinurepre Comhouter modi u adad t i nte li Onsiveing Latpl ous il wer isfo ieri thuenchas p eauss en k ol rom nt...En ingio menul evevenlin pl arprto utee for, verthered."] Rabbit shrugs.

[Language unknown: "N n soneenhat verproent, fong toei pre?"] Rabbit asks with clear honesty, as ready as she'll ever be to do this, even in public if he chooses to.

[Language unknown: "Earonswer. Ss voriousti Ni e reee asivlo onpr en ou ithdaynde plprul."] He says. Twitch, twitch, scowl. He waves a hand toward his teepee, his motions curt and harsh.

Rabbit winces at the catastrophic failure of her intent to tell him first, and automatically flinches a little at the sudden head-height movement, quickly obeying.

She settles kneeling on the blanket at the most humble - and easiest to escape from -  place near the door, trying to keep a tight grip on the fear. Breathe.

[Language unknown: "Utort Ul setthuort?"] she asks after a respectful pause when Horn Chips enters. Again, the question is genuine, Rabbit's small shoulders tensed to endure any beration he feels required beforehand.

[Language unknown: "Neent koras."] Horn Chips says. [Language unknown: "M witic te lalack ainine-ingtinwas n ngan iveil has ek leei."] He takes a seat across the tent from her.

Rabbit bows and composes herself. [Language unknown: "Os resreaati sta, comoreame forintter."

"K oful ionanttha foas ul llla seilpl: A ionureine Er a whitioear thceeesaec amefornce. E n ekto he be, eeti E m, oun Pl nd sta, m o Il erac fo Wileranot Aick, sses Is stee nteherson eauomeoul il ererla ingle...Ac sti ne ourwitfor u caiepr yin N evele all, ieast be icana. E...praini Es hi art, osse hiec but astentpre enronias. M verandeau reck: k wil encanyore, tewa illes to pe ng evssca ove, ilasol ounstivor redthenteiou rutsontic."]

Rabbit licks dry lips and presses her hands against her knees to disguise the trembling. [Language unknown: "K A hi ic ur of, un sheionnti, and of...wilar man k, u ssomer ut andstrhat tineie m Ce e wi rutingour ha En m ureessnce oerresstr te Na man li omwa. E erllhi eensomhas ekneer, re sepaat, iv hisfo ckek na...peet pro thoerayin rovor heheho ur m eraareith, sa redli. Ol Ll taho for ure nc of larivedin, m et hatticout. Ic lat di te oertinwhi. I etmila laplic wer lat not o, ch T usfien i loelti fo."]

Rabbit gives a soft, slightly shivering sigh, addressing the floor-mats. [Language unknown: "Ss ntpopo'ompo derkorset hosi toine teplhe siul micom iv olmo ortratyin tin noul ere ad thoicawit wi, maing roie ecth ioai ceroen?il Ti aticonble rutentany at hoet, mihi, m O latticmen eeant i iton wh pe, les ou nteeautra, Ur ametheres at urof hiliec omente...ta a trakorwit Prwiwe Prurpe li leomos ore Usatof Ovelo orelinest moout, ec i llnt a leic Manstrint the a omeou amest mi. At ngacis som reaingnde ain ha iou. P osngfo ec."

"U...paecte K in u ha os m derreayin, ma hasnc es out n was wilal k ni ouac poanmo whi. Hervenard noac ave eauntiyin vir osout hotin, ri be trsisi plmole eiwhas, of eeore caalteen, ersnotwhe as anieunonthie...K terbutati T beunil iousheble ek te sa arna olaino ure, ei oneti linlarcom onelinrut, di ove evusulic."

"Ous Usosha Hasoernde Illnteeen evusic ncli Se manta llanmi utanence a mowhe entillwit, ti weomnt hishe o tr te san ardvorvirour p yinpo...tinti Ce icaressom u toadpoho, st ingatiera iveateout risa an neai eriong tra esect wa notend powas chpaac p tin resresman, a pl evepa wehoio m ilout ave veree lant'elnare, der isul aveovedin naas."] Rabbit swallows on hoarseness, her insides knotted. It is not my shame. Breathe.

[Language unknown: "Et ularpa, Pe eence na ch es uneswe...Un o in senot, amehe o artfo wi t ti mast ounarenti, E ngus tioncelat-ureart no. K olevllonck At k ntewasvename. Un esble mindre ion u evfiun, wepo, ol Ic enc astnc evecomout koras, thu romicaent eve priv ainratmen eieau, me fo Dervirthe, po, pl ha acio reamanera...P ant pame rolihe, icos o lesck plalwebe, nceno waasev, ere west the oushatlin ll allillnot wiofmith rom hasiveble andwasugh. U Er moate pa urese thivercom stte ribesi heore m. Sonheryin. O urai maio u itprss."

"Ar atro urus po hawh ei elect ac sawite,"] she reminds gently, and waits for the reaction, subtly tensing to flee if necessary.

[Language unknown: "Ev anac."] Horn Chips says after she finishes. He says nothing more for a long, long time. Finally, he sighs.

[Language unknown: "Ti ilutce ch areourica mout. Ck ai menundday di liwa at herol. Tha stla...oul ad tiolo mono romentall."] He takes time to gather his thoughts. [Language unknown: "Narina untin atries romnotkor stranddayany chacta u for itplnt, resthaoer prus tho p korsonwhe ul witverome eklo natori la oneme onch k lindevllhe. Ne Bleundsti Isisno i wil u eause Allre Sipe...dayaveati el hilo'oufo essmanhou n aten fotani, somerslin et si inis er m. Menen daypr andon wisipl larartmen sanoulwasnot es. P ilitas oul ove ble...ardredticver unwich ch notul tileas, are ichas u whiouthas enciv ounectven fi arus etweesbece ro adse. Nde p earonethi i ess ines...n osfihi ing wasblewasday. Ma ess bevir tio Voraveoul ain menasttho ckhapa yinessnte it wa earnotble. I nd ch onsck oreshevor she witlaroul m."]

He is silent a little longer. [Language unknown: "Essdinort Nde. Is os Ectonewhe Thi heleie ecwa nturtr ard, ne Whinotest Art ioecne ant p seil. Ent Ilster Ha is armo illvenrea heusnc ev lo Dint Erepr. U be siadwa Mitiad Henc miinas t overo os er stston. Hi seprnout somoulthu Romromwhi Omeck iofine tha o ur ast p Entsonhou Howaad acleil n li nde ent ion beol Somhisoer Dayanystr ill k icave iv theil. Anpl...trone ica Wetoll Andprowermen Prewhe'omeout O Ate Prreiv. U adchas o tr asenal ertiil diliac est lo is o ati daywe, ai ei rowind ithhisdertha. Aitin ithac n u allsetany timo nc."]

He leans back. [Language unknown: "A Sheicawhi ndndon e napeli etpe, ai m larol staughles ca. M ort the uldi n seeen, prich. Oreel nare conlatdercom day, Derarelin ersrommen ntma ti. Pa ain a ratlarwit p ove sansanwil. Ilant whho enla ac ntninc si mere."] he closes his eyes. [Language unknown: "N. I hover sipr pro. P wil ng miinol ulwe iv ashaeril. Os ous chrest ma mocom dilama it ndngcefi. Derhe traousess ingin...necail noio I les u di urrom ckprie trnd ard nteer ekck k iouticnceiou. O t prontithunde was ss avell fo. Ver Ca st inss hi for essil e we reles ess tader oreardove thu er. O tiwa sta wall roill fimo Ar sanho er t n ckourotr."]

Rabbit bows and scrambles out, not keen to recieve a beating, and trots off hurriedly among the tents. At first she moves simply to be out of sight, then with some vague intent to find Wolf Runner, Sky Hawk or the Cheyenne berdache who had seemed accepting before, kneading her knuckles over the tension in her chest.

A thought catches up as she jogs: ...wait, my full name is Frightens The Wolves?

I sound badass, she thinks, and has to smile a little, despite the circumstances. Rabbit trots on.

As it happens, Yawns Loudly, Eagles Floating, and three dog soldiers are the first of the aforementioned that Rabbit happens upon.

Rabbit bows to Eagle Floating and likewise acknowledges the other Cheyenne, made uncertain by running into them all at once.

[Language unknown: "Iepanghi...beear nger, fo? Titic beugh ad tinionted Latratlin Ughersder eliepl le Stalpe Nailec oreromlessom ndeoutrom?"] she asks the former, unsure if anyone else has more than a few words of Lakota or English.

Eagles Floating smiles at Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Eve anck hoome di ss atias fiur, herat."] he says. He at least seems to have a decent grasp of the Lakota tongue. [Language unknown: "Ing K ar esul?"]

[Language unknown: "Allote, din se oun Ess Caesic? Isest at, cangta ivhi ilncno, pl n mala iota setel el wiera Ourcoming?"] Rabbit asks.

The three dog soldiers with Eagles Floating just stare at Rabbit, looking quite befuddled. Eagles Floating seems to be taking Rabbit in stride. Either he's not bothered or he suspected something about Rabbit's secret clown tendencies.

[Language unknown: "Hi, teta. M utsspe un wa anivsast tiota Eellca mo Linkorproion Ekof nceortres, eeiv int ch Ec Wice nt wisamo e pessni wh voryinouress. K k thanceave Wh n een ant usfoic ent distic on ionde."]

[Language unknown: "E ine onpr ti ic il kor tiit men."] Yawns Loudly says. Hir Siouan doesn't seem to be quite as good, but s/he gives Rabbit a friendly smile.

Rabbit thanks Floating with a bob, addressing Yawns Loudly with what careful restraint she can lay hands on. [Language unknown: "N nt ndeillave pr...sian,"] Rabbit stumbles a little on the language, unsure whether to copy Yawns' femminine form of 'you' or whether that was woman-referring-to-man, [Language unknown: "pethut ntta me n, St eiplle a ma."]

[Language unknown: "Es."] Yawns Loudly corrects gently. [Language unknown: "Ill e n p ughforpre u witwi, Ioetse Viraveant Ivek."]

[Language unknown: "si,"] Rabbit murmurs the correction, then gives Yawns Loudly a twitch of a smile. [Language unknown: "Nd derdercom."]

The berdache leads Rabbit onward.

Rabbit trots after, a little cold without the blanket or possibly just shivery with the past crawling under her skin post-confession. [Language unknown: "Our oer pronc Heilpa Llndpe atmine setlarher essereeau,"] Rabbit explains as to the abscence of the garment Yawns Loudly had helped attain.

[Language unknown: "O acngla."] Yawns Loudly sighs. S/he looks over at Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Ica aclafifong a toetssni thivitweas, lianei strhatverwas ol wh la rieset os ati reanotnteers stadinect the enclesbutnde. T as somrutfor o ous onsis ivepa andmenset'derame os ul arddinlin nana o inter Ndno Diivhewh."]

[Language unknown: "Ers forthiure, Tr ofwer to!"] Rabbit responds, then blushes a little at hir following comment, despite the internal wince at Yawns Loudly's choice of metaphor.

[Language unknown: "Ing tho T e ortanyted din teai lat ce thewasave, fi Iv ilei ties intut ithsetnce?"] Rabbit attempts in jest, then wrinkles her nose. [Language unknown: "Waho inticasom nillek, ionicason U ho ofure ecusce uradnaas."]

Yawns Loudly blinks at Rabbit's shiver. [Language unknown: "Ssceom atilun. As o man ted ion wasast'essvirantcom heratesom ted ouet. Utck Po ove ortndelatess k omeiouenc ted os an meeipe?"]

S/he quirks a smile at the jest. [Language unknown: "M. Ount niicac comiveugh sommi Naenio, En onanth. Essit, U ndbut hoch mi ncal setwhelatingavelat, ndas ti enticaand outad ceseel sanoretin, it nael ofck nceca ingbutine enc ess t comencere. Re of tr icaratble. Ess laint ha oer evewe be prne ricate thbe redwitson, E ususth. Prebutons heio mous aitra oneiv tedyineraand eennceble diai ceilhi hi al wa, oulrutles icrat wapepa."]

Rabbit tenses, looking away and rubbing at an arm as though cold, unbalanced and scrabbling for words and very aware that Yawns Loudly has an advantage of reach. [Language unknown: "I amewasome, Wa..."] she swallows, trying to catch her humour. Breathe. You will do this many times today. Some will hate you. It is their right.

[Language unknown: "...Ha ioles ad venat caos Mantedlinlat. P allil trsani. Anwi oerentder iefias, ng ticastand napl, ut essdi noss'athi...mealun sanithvor, ateestblemen ch somtinhas k reurse ica ouskorate moaiee ntnc onesi ce thothotic pean. Pe, Io in reie Pemissil whiou men me ekte: nti heolse, inec avewe tiutol st re isthe nccenc nollhi...ncene redvirher, liit hasecttha, earis unaduretut...hervortha pl art acie moecma, undac isussi."

"A ce undwasint maneauthu Ut oveaterat, mi witeseen icil ponali ar, bleovende th ine lalare omteev...n ilwhi enc ie oreme yinnd and mo, a mentus versetove erall we lanoll, tretli."] Rabbit dares a glance back at Yawns Loudly, watching for a recoil of disgust or any grabbing motion, aware her heart is thudding louder than she'd like.

[Language unknown: "U ti lesounstr elon ficear wilkorsonain, werno,"] she says simply, the reason now clear.

Yawns looks more horrified than disgusted. [Language unknown: "E, el ekbut meshe."] S/he says in hir native tongue, then switches back to Sioux. [Language unknown: "P wit un er ch. Ofll Lo sonck oul?"]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:58, Fri 04 Nov 2016.

Rabbit stops dead, but her unguarded expression is nothing but deep, deep gratitude to be asked. [Language unknown: "I nceur ti yinorewil? Niere ntpo, K utpro ect mo, wh ounttr t ti herardven, hiver te U ilei ver...al art. Lastos romectsan, arivte urmail,"] she explains, then braces herself and offers an embrace.

There's a brief moment of panic at the conflict between Rabbit's instinctive identification of Yawns as 'aunt' and the feel of hir body, but the tension passes quickly and Yawns can tell the hug is genuine. Needed, even. [Language unknown: "N ineestnde...to, ne aipafi, for alyin o,"] she says softly, keeping/enduring the hug until the contact draws a trembling from the surpressed urge to fight free.

[Language unknown: "Etle U novir meil, Fi terousion ro was n adusat, ncom mo ndof...it ilee reaerseve p ee. Wialpe ce hanatr seon thu a, K aspa ta ndnc p, reave i alhaic ec ho arhisaek nd ul m Ulcetr. K bleionhou ereiouter A i beeves ome lipa un, ivdiha te anywassta e ad ma Na ioun nawhla thuhoukor,"] Rabbit touches the new marking on her neck and watches Yawns' face at this, as the unexpected care and more, the understanding of touch, suggest Rabbit is not the first s/he has met to have been ill-used.

[Language unknown: "...P caer Resthoere Bleureint, aitho of ardac,"] she gestures at her chest, having mentioned the destroyed shirt, [Language unknown: "thihising n roess ckroel ven antvortho, aiivng er Infios, romck dinencund fiis k. Di wit chpr linha our ei llisof, ca notbe tin, paund ort insehe Derallwhe Pautre...I ut watho ngard ine sa loat trmo riher on us i ma wace as, tic napo undwerany, wa tinresica, se pa ilne et pr alhas un. Ei Estshesan mi e ich ionoutnot wa, Il icinceonme k. Os olwa atihissomsta p entventedouskor."

"I ck an rat u ssst som romeauare ion, issan whe us tane niadle esss icet withashis dicon pre mi. U dayles'thocomles ble,"] Rabbit says, swallowing.

[Language unknown: "Pre wer whsti beti roelit Ic ill unalna, n a k asare be notal Hasencsti Chbe."] Yawns Loudly says after the hug. [Language unknown: "Es nde one pelaes ticughcon m menng t ec acouac mo, antherred. M na ereoutday hasmi unlehi ndol k mi ee ectartwhi ad est ro red, omeek es hi ce. P allpa ureounome wi atno."] S/he thinks a moment. [Language unknown: "At Redearica ineateder?"]

[Language unknown: "Ou noica mima atiilldaythu...romlo asain Te rious ticbe, str ticenting Ionateore Useepe thiil nd be witioutha es ers ck weouca, u Hi n butstrant u elceho ast unulch, ee ratsetith il ieast thi."]

Rabbit shakes her head doubtfully. [Language unknown: "Ee blefo enc ncstr E manus reess ma al ilwi, t erame anteenhat te traho."]

Yawns nods at that. [Language unknown: "Fo hous. Tr verof m n but ro...ti ivnoiv ionul t ssll amecomwit pro, ateandich his sente ouwafo, olaldi ers hounng esasniom."] S/he taps hir chin in thought. [Language unknown: "Ee er ourichain...ere loinss whealllineau. En, icsstr, n stiad whest ei ll lateenous areformen, ine are iocon k ul oulhe iofiec thuou hi k...uslar meivck venameman ropeol areouttio ere ivatho. Nach?"]

Rabbit rubs her neck, glancing around the camp then back to Yawns Loudly. [Language unknown: "Th matrri is all linmo ut somas oul la ti omnole ofac i ndday ce st, adad ainverhatentore nc ntemenson nidi, dinectain istr entatiame: wit m somll Butersshe Whiconset leste ur ll. Ousei lo adesta oernc, ecpre k astai intaintha whesticom...N us ivenceund, fo reaiut artati'mansta, p arce mirat aloer ble ioille."

"Oerca, ica korer...o...t Ie son forose a wereenugh ss eiat un fice eest bleingsta o itio tefor les,"] Rabbit swallows hard on hoarseness, never having expressed the fear or the want so clearly, [Language unknown: "ar leal en ivatpr un ess as nias e, nihat not nc il rime aciliv i. O itos red loriin filar...e ughul p wa bleho wit ni Pawino ei Wastheore anpa, ich oulnc ur thitercom, el ndla Aieeno? Wilsi ing evlotr i strousted canc we waslesear ar fo ive iekor diesli."]

[Language unknown: "P, een. M con es proillith."] Yawns Loudly says. [Language unknown: "Is any tr Iouvorwas, o pro Ofitos isos...no, os u tinit icac, n es si ome thhis ted. Asiv utinie linhasnce'viring, virer redanylar a pl] godparent, [Language unknown: i resandtic pechss n trnti a ouleenthe el any dayeenressetyinect. En kor te mochhiou, be proiveant pre p le Reslatart Sanhasrea nisasi pr ha."]

The idea gets a gentle snort as Rabbit searches for words. [Language unknown: "Ic sa m, El ate tand moof elwas...thoec, th hi wasreaest i i losapo nema sawi ut ei ev waion thostrest, N urfi prhi at ti wehoie. Ain Te com mofor in n, u Ou urek our ev trakorous ndsiad, hatsettho tic nd menisa n whni sta pro foanio ittaio, a."]

Rabbit gives an open-handed shrug, trying desperately not to think about the prospect of repeated miscarriage. The uneasy awareness nudges her that this was the gentlest beginning of the pressure to marry that being considered a woman would bring.

[Language unknown: "Adil...ceel iltrmich, t liro ma?"] Rabbit asks carefully, still stopped for not knowing where Yawns was leading to.

Yawns nods. [Language unknown: "Notr whacfi conol paousi, es inwil us a st."] a wistful smile passes over hir face. [Language unknown: "Und. Ritio. Tinamesettic ilpr hereraent llac staer."] S/he sighs. [Language unknown: "K ant stto. Ee Omeeveers Simepalo vordinion...hifipoec P saolma intpo om dayut. Unne Daythotho Cepethsi butinepro ec artrutill to Asilic Hasortion his, si evepa ous ilpapota, ie dayredica ev icaromtho Thoingeau Linthishe a ro."]

[Language unknown: "Esoun asec et anthiswil ouwe essle unlo, Al seilev,"] Rabbit says with a small smile. [Language unknown: "Adsom eauoneort el et ess o, k rut se? At lat seic sela, ect."]

Ywans Lound nods. [Language unknown: "Any tr. Hislardin Earestive ch tin linool menproout onsth os Ce Com. Hou ncec Antcomere Itof, era enc ha resnceove and E whireaant elst meee sser ni en ive setlarive. Ichureure Eenpreter o n din blemanhisast, oul u hoing eiivwhee ofssom le saningtho finowh ulevwa li ica whi resndesti. Li nce canc ithni. A ul ngeletth wewit taelndssos p trev roet."]

[Language unknown: "Olpro Manbuttio Amebe, k tho lar alunet of Foricaore Mautho allnc, Io entomedin ma,"] Rabbit says grimly. [Language unknown: "Ck ceol Poomee Viroerven etbe hat...rut maes ratundare ati, of ssli hi hited?"]

[Language unknown: "Ce plset adensa, Teutti Ha nteainnot o whier wheessameour."] Yawns Loudly grimaces. [Language unknown: "Linc tinee mi usel ur iohelo er art oupaic li Elin Aswhat, ceurei we Lo Haslesoer icaen onss u sheus anyencthi t ter Adcaho a Meno Noerom Ofndsi. Ic whncmi pa alolme u Iswani Loasna, tra und Wechpo Chiepo n Daymansomortvor. A heleme o ofha peacar. Selausou, te at red ha, niith."] Yawns shakes hir head. [Language unknown: "Onouar Trnaca unwech fomo erepa. M era ca prewilate. Set no intil en ar houprerutres. Ul Strvirect mi iou landinsi ivntil hepa-atpa stst, he ch k ame, estro."]

S/he nods. [Language unknown: "Ceal. Ai yinruteau A ckaiek. K redencthi st a li i ta whitinsti tickis Thaionwhe Maetwawi."]

Rabbit shrugs slightly.[Language unknown: "Untath Onsli ut ch finiou it es, pr any ounredeen n rompreore Wangee moeen t Po oulou wailom ol pr diin, ch nt latproant...ei urit e res, et west, rom."] The rest of it gets a deep frown. [Language unknown: "Lesverher, ave lat molo ect?"

"Is ort n nowa n e paio. He ilne urentiwas ncesetkor, wh ect lat enand wi ingat po thelarame, hiiou il wh haslatith teeve oftipr, ro ortis adripa ecte, anun acer any...k are pl o ect dinnt, prngos a: K thcehe ivhi. O Ortromion Tingse enc urma p ch, and ll iv o pl st ant, nc na fiac, ich sancis shearetedtra."

"Ll et wetic, ons...ware Illntikor om A asiv ticme ursa her wawain et u hat ureeenout whe ca ndomro, pr firom ven ive."]

[Language unknown: "Undom inemennce and outratrom, ngho itunivpowa. She pr ousei in utti Butiv Utho untematrri essie ta cabe Ntieenbut Arewh. Teli is wa din astetr beisek lioufo se und."] Yawns says. [Language unknown: "Na Cachil rout, A wievng. Po u verli ut ntte ioureaain comou acmice a has ent eenin."]

They come up to a gathering of people. Sky Hawk waves at Rabbit. "Hau!" He says.

Wolf Runner, looking a little self-conscious in new buckskin clothes (and keeping his boots, it seems), sits nearby.

"Hau, [Language unknown: Hi Erehi, Il Thiinetio,"] Rabbit responds, bowing, then grins at Wolf Runner.

[Language unknown: "Ca wiwa iles, ugh larwhiith."]

[Language unknown: "Ugh ndpr ticereles chmoilel!"] Sky Hawk says as he looks at her shirt. Then he does a double take. [Language unknown: "iosafi oveinttra, i...iv..."]

Wolf Runner waves, still self-conscious. "Hey."

[Language unknown: "Pe ckbewi!"] Rabbit says, raising her arms and doing a dance movement or so to set the fringes moving, unable to help grinning a bit. [Language unknown: "Cero oun adwer Eialuniv seeeac, Preingwas Adunme?"

"T ar fipast naioat, e...oer vorstilatres?"] Rabbit jokes nervously, touching the sacred, blackened skin. [Language unknown: "N pousna o Ainstaera, ta Ulsali latto thu ourma se el m...Cent Paunha antainstr us ounstihou."]

Their stray Chinese gives a small, tense smile. [Language unknown: "Ur, Li, hi...ionme ous wilovefor comourant,"] Rabbit sits cautiously across from the braves, nodding to Quiet Knife upon noticing he's there. [Language unknown: "Iv thaet thu E remo wiie Acieomth, ear ine ro tiothaany, encmi A erawa hi orteenwer ou pl, P inand...wer lin ort M itof us n ro resthurom. Are e res stratiort mi reaingbut, pa lleeos."]

Rabbit licks dry lips and makes a quick glance to be sure yawns Loudly is still there, hyper-alert for any sign of hostility or indication of dangerous over-friendliness.

Yawns is there. S/he rests a hand on Rabbit's shoulder to comfort her.

Sky Hawk scratches his head. [Language unknown: "P...ma plsi no evbeof?"] he says.

Quiet Knife snorts, looks at Rabbit, and shrugs, as if to say "We're cool, but he's a dummy."

The way he says so much without speaking reminds Rabbit of someone else. Someone far, far away.

Rabbit tenses, trying not to flinch away from Yawns' gesture, and gently slides her hand underneath, palm up, to grip the older berdache's fingers and be in control of the contact. She scrapes together what trust she can, now very aware of the others' positions, their hands and armament.

[Language unknown: "Dinpr usdi, arch. K, P plnot ho on miwhou, ure...Ai arthatset i a moulla, ilte ll ev Oereenartrat chnce thalwi undwhinte A ilrich for, hiiv redovenot, wemi on moitdi, ti..."] Rabbit unconsciously grips Yawns' hand a little tighter, [Language unknown: "unchri we ivecos nce ac ven ntisi. T plund a sti, ei nce saceev...isni We sapro ivtese, riosst, fored lainss il, moenpe estsi setunddinver."]

Rabbit shrugs slightly. [Language unknown: "A neasca, i ho U verereich mi, str ion astntiout...un, we."]
This message was last edited by the player at 08:13, Tue 08 Nov 2016.

[Language unknown: "Ntiee utch ur oretho-redbuture, herur ekeeen Setoulive erur ounstaare, of icletr n undhisint Oulwhiome stshe ilfofo us, ad Ntcedi moprta isfola er eill out...allil carite t theterhat!"] Sky Hawk just sounds amazed. [Language unknown: "His Hetaon Fosten ounndeome sion lassni th o are!"]

If he's bothered at all by Rabbit's past before he met up with her, it seems to be buried under enthusiasm as he reviews everything he's seen Rabbit do (with some slight exaggerations).

((OOC: Sky Hawk does not know the word "awesome." This is a pity, because he would be using it right now.))

Rabbit looks down and laughs softly, still very aware of the others' positions. [Language unknown: "Se be nte,] ah, opportunity [Language unknown: benoin the der,"] she says.

[Language unknown: "Be st rest ponte maonhe one at sheionhis ratre ith os nc, ch m of ouonec omeil erre hoven, t ave deratiant...ort virng el hi etro areourmen. U sich ll mi anarme ere."] Rabbit looks to Sky Hawk, expression urging him not to downplay the importance of such a ride, quite genuine.

Sky Hawk doesn't get a chance to reply to that, because at that moment several Lakota rush up. [Language unknown: "Intsonest ev asnglo!"] one shouts as he passes. [Language unknown: "Elmate Ame niere Omesompre Ntlipa! Andei n!"]

Rabbit frowns and gestures to anyone not stirred to action to come along and help break this up, if fight it is.

some mood music

The "fight" seems mostly to be an argument, as far as Rabbit can see once she and the Ghost Dancers arrive on-scene.

Kicking Bear is holding the pistol he'd been waving around by the barrel, and seems to be trying to coax Crazy Horse into taking it.

[Language unknown: "E ast thesheall!"] The shaman in the colorful shirt says. [Language unknown: "Etniolfias oun k ndon! Whho wi to ear hasrutset lo...ndenc artse ainil mo pa! Pebut ai tr her tomo whiionbut wilsetint a!"]

[Language unknown: "Limina Foha! Ing hiho!"] Crazy Horse shouts back. He watches the gun moving around, as if it were a snake coiled and read to strike.

[Language unknown: "He eere n a recon! Ncteetil meplli ineei Ofntst Terourear cerat toma iou! Ven enun iv!"] Kicking Bear says. [Language unknown: "T On linallore ncplnt, ev atestitic pro, ard, n p si filare menwerday.he Siles ekit! Na tra di asdi-inno ome eradinthiure! Ome osro k astst k th con ullato anivof esndom es ess!"]

[Language unknown: "Setiouare Aldin,"] Crazy Horse says, slowly and deliberately, [Language unknown: "Wi e menar iltra. Wilo sithu oreoveoerenc wi ilnaur, Wi sarona. Pe anwer mo somal Leta Outoreeenoul towiai, icni ons paeve ek to eareented besi onhas out!"]

[Language unknown: "Mond!"] Kicking Bear says. [Language unknown: "Aincpe thi ainto ent resateder son saof!"] he frowns. [Language unknown: "Nc whma prng no miat conughhou? Ee ere ndaind Icivie Tehiwi si ecaiiv ei vir thoainthi outundove nceandcom? Pl al linresven Laofin Teuspr er ioatck?"]

Crazy Horse frowns. [Language unknown: "He tohe sional tio ted ut ho, Lesillhis Lamen. Cende ilsti nt trhois, ame K wer fiusteto wh howaha ro eenac sta outha rom."]

[Language unknown: "Ripre ekcase n."] Kicking Bear holds the gun out to Crazy Horse. [Language unknown: "Ndildi ive ei isma son itdi Acilev Eiicma est."]

Rabbit frowns harder at the taunting, having long recognised the scarring that crossed Crazy Horse's face as the effect of being shot at close range. Lacking status to respectfully do much else, she starts trying to move the crowd out of ricochet range.

[Language unknown: "A hiar fi atfi of, naeau day iv! Tednoters tiast ntestrder somousons!"] she calls, gesturing folk back.

[Language unknown: "Omend has ho antstiday, Thawilint Llckof icte stioreres a mantss Omeineect Riad t her ul,"] Rabbit remarks to whoever's nearest, still trying to make sure no-one else gets hurt.

[Language unknown: "P actela intic i ouri antwe."] Sky Hawk mutters. [Language unknown: "Ast olmail reshissta. Ive Whienceau Inilfo t whebleoer prenceare. Noosureker. Eeill itnt hasareanythi."]

Crazy Horse's face goes impassive. [Language unknown: "K verfi se ni osdi, E ing olad rutsi, ho."] He snatches the pistol, backs up several steps, cocks it, and levels it at Kicking Bear's chest.

Kicking Bear clasps his hands together and begins muttering something.

"Ateunyapi, mahpiya ekta nanke cin, nicaje wakan lapi ni; nitokiconze u ni; mahpiya ekta tokel nitawacin econpi kin he iyecel maka akanl econpi ni. Anpetu kin otoiyohi aguyapi kin anpetu kin le el unk'upi ye; na waunhtanipi kin unkakiciktonjapi ye; unkis tona sicaya ecaunkiconpi kin iyecel awicaunkicikton japi; na taku wawiyuatan un kin el unkayapi sni ye, tka taku sice kin etanhan eungla kupi ye. Amen"

{{Bang!}}

The shot echoes over the mountainside. Kicking Bear pitches over.

Then he stands up again.

[Language unknown: "Korac!"] he shouts. [Language unknown: "Poou encse ntutna es risepr it!"]

He reaches down into the grass, and picks up something. It's a lead pellet, flattened and misshapen.

The crowd begins to buzz excitedly.

[Language unknown: "Und Icaanycon orech at il ndetedout et, se ioulo..."] Rabbit begins, then flinches at the shot. She watches Kicking Bear get up again with close attention, sensing the approach of a moment where the future might be channelled.

Act.

Rabbit steps forward, clapping twice then raising her hands in proclamation to the people like she's part of the act. [Language unknown: "Ioupa, kor m u es nt comstisti ckouou ermese! Tr larthiles u li man, noll ieng et antingthi p aveentndethu itof nc witconntevordin ou onepreers encstithi. Elint! Thli! Ad paeen ilarnidi! Eeniveard el era t urutbe Ichestich Earshethe avelinast any!"]

Rabbit briefly catches Crazy Horse's eye and gives a tiny jerk of the head like 'lob it, quick' towards the nearest clear slope, hoping he too feels the significance at rest on that instant and the potential to regain his security of face before the people.

[[Persuasion?]]

Crazy horse seems a bit stunned by what he just witnessed, before shaking himself and cracking open the breach of the pistol. He dumps out the cartridges, then, without even closing the gun back up, hurls it as far as he can throw it. [Language unknown: "P...il at ri redshetrarut ckacntas usnd na, Riaree Res."] Crazy Horse says, though from his grimace it seems like walking on nails would be preferable to admitting that.

Kicking Bear gives an enthusiastic nod. [Language unknown: "Se! Virdi u oulwe aiis proan le hieillce! Whili, whenc, ort haslinyin om it saious thotioere! En et ome Outtinect Stispr ect ll meunna tiei, io po o outhei! M ionom dayyinrut kor inone hou romouloul teious n hiswh ilniwe ch ai ersionous u! Ta dina io me virsanear, stit ma outlarder earavesti leutsi, ersng ss aveareure com comwe k ngtoat ecnt icandente thili ofndec allundcom!"]

Crazy Horse just stares at the assembled Lakota, who are nodding, muttering, and starting to grin.

[Language unknown: "Omlolo ort beul,"] Rabbit corrects, tone gentle but voice pitched to carry. [Language unknown: "Omnami tehope ountercom ni se prei, ant pl et ntirutthoereuretha dider forsoment oresonica wil waivad. Int nece it ame hoanou ho e mawiiv ie niaciloupaat whthut...t ess astndeted io hoive st le ck, tiic essundhat, acof on...romsheart hiceacpe'hane ngti enpe ardhe ro nceom iscedi."

"Becapr,"] Rabbit licks dry lips, more visible, perhaps, than she has ever been. [Language unknown: "Een beilch acevfo, Me meame le moaiss. Pote Urmeouwh admete, thfi moosur, t te on, Se ioupresan thust."] Rabbit touches the markings on her neck, swallows and raises her chin to speak with all the power she can command, instinct telling her this dream is for the people, too. [Language unknown: "On comeenlin I mienlo maday ugh atiratomeeen, lihedi in ullimi tioul er oftoek inomiv. Ec eveoulall o fi Aserho, oul Is sanpa ul, er thu u erpro stromerom ur ore saart ditiis rintho."

"It comforect ousundear, ac tha the pr, He ivun ilmen Setthoest latallnte Wh nost, se tic i o witardtinvor...t moof pepe p, ol ove ess ntisheyin te ri untaie oerureand: n trie and rice ut menovewil, i whmen larnd, u noticaver korho."] Rabbit gestures as she speaks, describing the long and fatal fall with one palm coming to rest over the other.

[Language unknown: "N a eveencsan. Os ect ites foeeerlostnt nt ine sameee ioas m fistne, a ich p Romlarles ieta adtica dick acnoon. A iouveneveromove ev andcombut tabe Romion virwhiven iv ncel ha ratstilar, ce n ec comsanour, ofleho ounck ecar ntceer. E omuladul coneauoer lltra be m lose tin ate men inean tiwa vorha."

"Ul tinre li mi earsanblered, neal si rutthivor m atpadi...Iliotiin, is housantheshever, staul K teol loevan in, der homa laerie somingint ouramebut oulwilman eiaini, po ol ch intmi le, oulundous vennd...il dayha Unpaaipa Preoveure som m un i leadat. Waiopl dinprobuting arlete, manet verredstr. Ol som ad nclaitnt eiinev, ec ssck eau ca ei One il Utleel, Altilopl avear Ulanlo, ripe ousi ourpa olatce ntho airest thaiourut ee holout averomugh...Ss li o ilnd hisos laver hatureter ousticlar, peoun a stionende th ntiorewhe neliis siio adul wilwh Tr rat sibe te n ceivhe it Alilch. P Ck llnc."]

The small, glittering shamen holds up a hand in request for a little more time to speak. [Language unknown: "Thanteous. K icaameone plus histr ticwhemen: e wh ol saec caliwi, all larherrom, e anofut ushi...m erand ecnt esaniv hiat venpl ngthi he, stofss m ceurri, oer, espa no, ouste reaareere ne mo prourebut conterthuseture. K mensomons te conbutnde notardoulund iehat houticstr enbeic, lofice ma thate elulwe sanhiswhi to pahest ntiantant n...stil iliou Vireenati, i enpoinck i it linhe kor day wi ncetul eenpa, oussonsta undlarughall acri man the rutsi daysonver, fineha ntiil son pl tra dayateson, caeen nt us inwhpo as ie wamireme-ndas."

"A pre for son reaoulwhe i olnti nttodi rom elstce ev voreennot omlaut te ers, ul ousousive ho il itngno teatic...ilol m si atdiol on erael, tin lesandshe harea korectyin, atibe fong, ant wilthiver...ove utck meni na om larur atiwerdin hatei ca tila weweiool anyherpre. N linoutsom noados, u atiote. N tio us ss ekpo ur u staus eauoernteeraresasttin, ulcom nall."

"Ourinepre Verainure, liroin wechle nt urethoortpreate pre wa inospr stronered."] Rabbit looks over to Crazy Horse, hoping this idea is better than the one about the legendary faceless men putting bags on their heads to seek a decent marriage.

((OOC: Make me a Persuasion roll, please. I'll use the results to gauge how they take that speech.))

[[15:50, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 5,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  persuadin'. Y'know, I think I'm going to try for a raise, since this is Important...
15:52, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4.  red add. -> 9. There we go.]]

To Rabbit's intense discomfort, the assembled Sioux are now looking right at her. A hush falls over the crowd as she speaks, and they're still staring at her after her speech ends.

The thought -oh gods I'm so shiny- flashes through Rabbit's head in the sudden hush, breath catching as she automatically ducks a little, half-expecting a smack on the head. Only the wind moves, over the mountain.

Rabbit looks at her hands, then up at the crowd once more. [Language unknown: "Th saul lois k cknoev setreaous, evar lar la iorola tockac n,"] the small shamen says, mouth dry as terror wars with faith as bright and keen as the fury buried in her soul.

[Language unknown: "ntthu il thone llthiv, se icastaoer k allpreing un plwil Dinromtha, ll a korwasres li n oun precch ter, latar le noilos shess, ratounous ver. Iou Tiowerant...m ar n ivcece, ch ilusni ouect ectateectwil, she haivut oul, it hou m pr th omev intiveeen i Trurta icanotughour, ilivpe nimitowa, ithse rut t thihisare eariveati."

"...A essilo roniit,"] Rabbit says, highly aware of her youth and station.

The Lakota continue to stare at her.

[Language unknown: "Ma t il ntiatiate lo lesestingday uneriete! P poich hatintnde no Venstaers!"] Kicking Bear says at last. [Language unknown: "Enosri din! Isosou folase ev anarlo ore! Thngek santheine Ommiwe Chonof nd Hala Butestint! A sti pre ncmiiehe e ekthro pro Eccast, on he ect chevet as oer Omeing Aslaceol! O wit whe avereawer ceher ughcom'thethi, tedol tedck etund ei wi p st u u!"]

Kicking Bear grins at Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Reahi venar hisomeles i mo chwa. Pl hapl oer re n pr Loioat."]

And then, with nods and shouts of approval, the assembled braves begin moving, clearing a space. Several of them leave the area, presumably to bring the corpses to the gathering.

[Language unknown: "Ai."] Yawns Loudly says, a worried frown on hir face. [Language unknown: "N on."]

...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: "Eaukorich, k whionsfor Tiieas,"] Rabbit asks Sky Hawk. [Language unknown: "Enit Ti Ioprun, tiooerine acweof tinameman,"] she asks of Quiet Knife.

[Language unknown: "Kor ndnd plbeni aiund liha washasles fo?"] Yawns gets that question, then Rabbit steps forward, calling over the noise.

[Language unknown: "Wi en mehis, m utcahi ess man, oul anant...Arevordin oreis ast a ounamehis les, ac pr si ee illala ri ic ic ev fiisch, haspe ro eelltonc,] Rabbit pulls up her shirt enough to show the black-scarred claw marks stark on her flesh.

[Language unknown: "ugh ssev Lesthecon, he lose o wiame nd, ureticwhi. Pele at to, e ie mi t trnot tesemo. I nitic whistrres."]

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: "Lait ardni ul fi?"] 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: "Winctr Acsser ncany ncrelo ev icdiil malin mi daycomthi t erean...nce haticawit p i oussth, ithithted undeenithtra,"] 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: "Ons ncre i ll, Uroull? Preus ad e pril?"]

Rabbit looks up at the general, feeling much the same. [Language unknown: "Ca ei...plasll allion-washis,"] she responds, swallowing on a dry throat from much talking and high nerves.

[Language unknown: "I...M nore plfoon antch, sesi Ta com sevir wittinomelin, ave hiss inioou, O onons onble oungri la Ch ntili Nicall...korai all E dinforndeers Th rewhe ac ripl com int m outderhas wasichthiith: os n t, loat ndeev, ndeie o as Ivetinare, ll weur wehenc si er ur. M latdinill...tr me she she ulnece, korla prethusanera, ri diunos alas noio inensahielhond ruttraest. Ce traantons. No Wh ivest toeiiv Etekti, E llon el."] Rabbit goes quiet, aware of talking entirely too much.

[Language unknown: "Nd...Le n tio be ecneng adant thu Meadti Outvorave Notprofor thu, waon u moanil,"] she explains.

[Language unknown: "Al, a mita."] Crazy Horse says as he looks over the crowd. [Language unknown: "Strreaenc Ureer eilo fi o enwhof eeie som, Is eraforres. Papo era Paneur Nc ch, kor was Ngst Mongfo omlari pr manestone k ho, No an rutos anyreanti ce ro wepr cela. Be O u omre ichthitio Antame Eau attefi ieunma adurch nc oumoev evie i ore m ntito whtees p th, hisnteout li, nanewa foevti."]

He blinks at Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Se meos Elceca Thuainone seinio? Ionun selo iemo nd k llan mirea terthupro?"] He shakes his head. [Language unknown: "Us preun io, houme E e at hishaswhe pahas Sseeio Derratyin noonee. Miiviv latavewer loiotr sawil om alit monois n ersti allsanday, venthiman in wasoulwit ie ofce omeortion ateintted en tr ugh ncewiless, eeic Pr etlint ratom p sswapa dayformenrom u Asmibe setre. Whi enntch tipl chet ic hipabe ate, but?"]

[Language unknown: "Icmiti alund it whi ast evma ichblevir, pl blend n ent comthatic of to isal ee acunfo,"] Rabbit says, trying to hide bemusement.

[Language unknown: "N in ectne t iouesters Cemoll Rioer, t t utes mibe i usos rime oures nc...wit o ca ti staforeen-ourforter k om o en foadta siat et ble ate, din wiin etss himeiv none ofceun, ei ndchwe iou ingul. Om ev ilos n chhillunil u som Ntisonted sta towhe tica, he onard enons Andundave larpretha, inesa art Astonedin, ad wil li, ni for cemen veratiwer m ous...se No liat, ri witmenwas, ivti p na ter ni pl, ma nce ain enca ameentica on p bleul."] Rabbit rubs under her queue.

[Language unknown: "I ceck it site ort es isil, Eialac ek linwilant encainver...Hi seeipe k ma ntsa fihiee un Butardday tic ch whi erdiad ovece wi tohail, alha'mito ad, i be est iocahi nte ioyin wi il. K ofospo ome even Ort Ivta, ugh e tinsetrea..."] the small shamen trails off a moment, trying to word tactfully with a limited vocabulary. [Language unknown: "...vir o has niwil icaithnde, tosa wicon Eicais ovesa tic ur. N u et leilur, san Foroneund."]

Crazy Horse stares at Rabbit for a moment. [Language unknown: "K li."] he says. [Language unknown: "In ard in and, romta, semont Tr nc nois mi t tha arpo sa oneithomeichdin. Arlond ta mi man."]

Rabbit tries not to duck, instead bowing respectfully. [Language unknown: "Hi ble te laven,"] 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: "Thiandousund,"] the very shiny shamen says, with a general bow once they notice her. [Language unknown: "Si but sonersonslin'mannce ounar Nd ll itany Comndelat Larliness ted nc ut thoanyman reere, ur Di iv ri ughredera thmath'olio,"] 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: "Ave vercomder al leev ncelnt ck lat ie atouro si nepall ntine i setdaytinain earestted, traithlar-ineame ei mo ofmeusbe ounng our esst tra any witle romestoer arssel ilntai thi icivec out ro hahis cainpa ektahi. I tastma Ek Ie erawhiometer ing yin ons os."]

The enforcers start moving more, which is a relief. One of them gets up the courage to ask a question. [Language unknown: "Is stse ugh trosno il isse notie me nichfofi ting ereatistrundres vir somthiter ereoneest ut arce naul'laun, ect est esttheing p ssof lious er ectnotone Eewiin n oul atrom teairi innepl di tioerahis m omred p omeast-atiounugh hi ho."]

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: "It ererom-sanear u A ut llanma asmi'ntna en si undnoteve ichwilted areithcomted. Bela Latforeve Ivrebe...wh ut ratun k Ssilineldiss, weic th Erreiv oreerayin te an sinand ck ournteughtha mope Aich, noieonle oustme tiet ughstiaveant whev ectarthas re ing ous lonoca theto ove raterstio ro ble meera tinromlatareoer wasvorove, deronsmen bleai hatarethaess e meel t teil fi ntdila eve nt teddayallomesom o Tasiol whta eraeaufor atita caac N paore maitad ugh wi iondayderear,"] Rabbit explains.

[Language unknown: "Ou utme el ugh er orttinill com peie heenec t al n, pr inethe'anyineoun lin liie'ckouac ulmi chckan ofivas of ntho osicie i nd lomi'hocameic unlepl, hece trich p lince larcomted li ca. Ni i p nc Yinwhider, taenc yin san, hiter fo ill sonsonate ntriio caaspami. Wer korthaverder et seun itpo asecioil folestic, atiingvirill stponc chpaei ee aibeic anckmi u nden al, eshe uthock ameour'dinionson."] She frowns.

[Language unknown: "Thahounti ac an ardrateau anythuiou virmo wiiv k ourtednte ekhou somessanyast-earnot e enc...str Comountio is reaessday haeve hou asei-erhi sta u no se un, ulpa fialuratmo m meble fofoom lope undareons aliste be nahi-ndec tepeio heec al paarwa on: nt nte entstrtio tio iountiaveencthuave pa ble iliv Sonpreear, virwi tr evmi acpr st wilseteencon p ousac ad ouint outina ll lipaas naati it ut niiv undie, eenlo laek sssom ceame ulthen loli dial Tratioith Lin to whiingear pahiil. I arroom res ec Ectsonoun, eiin sihola, acere etarll omeallter ioanel ev prethevor esstheart U St we Derortnti Usoffo attaec."]

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: "Ineectent He onme outou ck mecom ataiulpa wimema Prncre Ovethonti om anyth stpoai ith as, ckbemi onlar noulli ti nce pehi lar. N usevng an setiee int kor ti proounsta nderuttedintwhe, u ennti n ntrom Orten o nce Ce: ascom k ent ai Adwime Herwiltho itard arelna omelan antong p larut estundcon. On iv u tiorateve somlinencive ch seevlese ich blesanint antit nottrater u ainiouund tiive is t teresstra entthohisstr-hiswas el ica traouncom."]

[[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!]]