...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: "Iocaio, iv pohasi Aiilec,"] Rabbit asks Sky Hawk. [Language unknown: "Wit Wiwit Larhouati, houiouday prmaan paches,"] she asks of Quiet Knife.

[Language unknown: "Dist liek losewh ha thawi entoertic intel?"] Yawns gets that question, then Rabbit steps forward, calling over the noise.

[Language unknown: "O lin ons, om antntions lace ng, ansi sta...Venainfor eeure stros e histsi in, ilter ithom ad e veriouint k are lin insi inethaoer, sti dinwa thoate'icaate,] Rabbit pulls up her shirt enough to show the black-scarred claw marks stark on her flesh.

[Language unknown: "waort ashe Hoinsa, i erset m labut ad, lesmeness. Prest ou lato, m en u m ce selile. A as thuwilthe."]

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: "Ave ou ck ndent?"] 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: "Conncevir Hirion wit wasantwer nele butiouons sti k namenc it onemo...tralo utntto m p venioneve, koraveand ilulaina,"] 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: "Utwhi nti os ofven, Romtraone? Wa ted a laos?"]

Rabbit looks up at the general, feeling much the same. [Language unknown: "St ek...hiesla maningstiera,"] she responds, swallowing on a dry throat from much talking and high nerves.

[Language unknown: "Ek...K llyin ilasad ti, anyou Th adio ilac ssnc-peen, unad yin ndeouryin, U wiati sste tochdi p En ate Ioloul...eswi rom Ol iontincomain A ro ntstr man one ckave k toenla thestras: il an la, tio ourpo, ei hi wer Siasnt, heut osyin olisil ovees p o. Ac yinhernti...ma wa wi ain peulne, of wilday'lesthi, a peitme us ma oerder'bleounthisonany chlinc. Ore ilesnc. Oreac Sa ro forromnti Wasdinsom, K thi il."] Rabbit goes quiet, aware of talking entirely too much.

[Language unknown: "Om...T om ilol ma ratkorshe on ing Ngtosa Vorestrut Earichlar lat, menei k iourac,"] she explains.

[Language unknown: "Om, p pote."] Crazy Horse says as he looks over the crowd. [Language unknown: "Ofceas Catr latpe stapr i ainstaall in powh, M comoulvor. Nde st Areredthi Etse pl, yin il Set Ineromlar holawe taut hoomol pe ng, Us i ai waseta al yinad thsa ck. Il Ul o ore ichtraion Panaen Tra recete hoonti oulareand k motifi ich ie po nd lero artallure sa on, waswhienc eltr, asttedhat etdind."]

He blinks at Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Pa ect Maplmo Korounoer hiacon? Ch ngac day ca p son som artaad?"] He shakes his head. [Language unknown: "Mi icawe mori, fored T mo ver eraatiles tic Tinconbut Witstrsti sslael. Wilterore oneithons oveingshe usma it li itfiho un at iomoun, postan ader laticande ome avere iouarehis notvenver pe thhou tin lomipr, seit As eichss men m maitei deresswasone o Enclintra anyou. Ec sssebe for prac no theromthu ss, hothi?"]

[Language unknown: "Eechpr he ei as mi be oulthuone, ic he is ispe wealhe os hiall ence pl onsticica,"] Rabbit says, trying to hide bemusement.

[Language unknown: "E posi st k tinventhu Niteie Thfi, ss i antse hiin wh tio aita reasi arhi...unro we san ounme ernahi'alwhac n moro k thi ceusut wehe io ofnd ic, whi oveme ourhi pongul di usplli, ng tinbutoer ich pl. N t liica ne comanyoreasther o iolin Entkorbut llvir re er, e wilil pl Sonwhewer romallvor, li ate Fongti, for hoith ieis, u ssine wer thanma il kor...ev Tr toom, no ionortdin, entni a ith poes fi lar, olrom not ou hatad esunno e iv reate."] Rabbit rubs under her queue.

[Language unknown: "Ne omiou u iou ronot e al, Latovesta omll aveanyrom miofse...E omatis e e meill areforeau eveha Laheit se ulle mich attimi red ut allichout, ncenotmanone onsat, wa oul man eraallsan yin she thand ro. P tailfo he day Estus An, oul nd anaser..."] the small shamen trails off a moment, trying to word tactfully with a limited vocabulary. [Language unknown: "...strfi ar hiwer ekfi aiasar, meol est Ughthoove nt ant res. Of ee wiev inilic, ous Nothwh."]

Crazy Horse stares at Rabbit for a moment. [Language unknown: "T wiio."] he says. [Language unknown: "Ai elng whi reore, osng, oulersnot Nd t intni ev ev ut onsal la eenithicaundnti. Erhete i rooer manma."]

Rabbit tries not to duck, instead bowing respectfully. [Language unknown: "Dayin orepo herei ec,"] 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: "Ntinteoutyin,"] the very shiny shamen says, with a general bow once they notice her. [Language unknown: "La estth inul'aitainos aina Ome u tint Oulticlat Rutughere it a hakor nterwe rut, ith N und ei thaouttho unnamoleur,"] 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: "Plsa cktemo e he evetheles iv ati wilfo ofeemo korho ursiei ill ur dayineconred onstheith, manrutstrsomoun icwhi for verthuvorsta men miin atiee artec oslo lin tietus ouswilest larovenot ekit someenoun ecec ek ri intionvor oreourera. P venthoday Ousnd Ac strlatconlat la ilrom ai lofo."]

The enforcers start moving more, which is a relief. One of them gets up the courage to ask a question. [Language unknown: "At alear niai ateeauard trble era san wa repewhho ntat ndarlellpe ncead atheit fialit n oumo ounher'houher, ho ssel oericaore ec set llson we estcomill Lisiio o me din resometha laolit utni naicno si ble th topeniwiur si me."]

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: "To sonlinticine ec N ivbe arplhe allblelattha a ic dertinnde preoulble bletraioncon. Aing Daynderea Prlime...o n ntiic u Ntiearoremandayour, conpr ekic Setectwit iveblelin ek m evulpa n niielati ngcon Ca, eausheithart ckevut thu eeckeldi ca ilsama ul rat iepl paicri ich ble trathoany a trta oul etatwiatac erheho, neisha wa whtrseen k we re utsta te rihand oresi u ionandvireauhas u Allarepre meas antsonwit astr ar Ng olnc atiatiard etwas ntiie diwa'tabe,"] Rabbit explains.

[Language unknown: "A eveme ho thu laris ascano mies anol oltohe o wi t, tr sanandain'readay mo thponefiha ichut witrutant menoveate menno aslo sanvorast n omof sonterwitounntiwer hotasi, pro ckit e wheca stiean i inte. As n n uril Encilless, me yin ee, atnd a es fienev wasrestio ofncsati. Vente iveyin-antwas tho his atme chnewiio caeiolev, ersvorbutstr yiningyin nicaen el plaius fisiri k le stiev, ec satrfi traeratraandwhi."] She frowns.

[Language unknown: "Virthente o hi whmeri undlinons lo trint wa utwhni itone hebemindcaac th elnot...ni Tiolinnti loio neroni me red yinwerainted napo k ho ul tra, onsan leel'trilla t state inlone al ivewerany sendce ev witteressons evripa lar ththa daywhepro os: t tothe notmenwit as ndnineilicen p le liwa Tiriie, inene k laal itta se entatetraare mo ta no ieess maasfi nt fimiho en daych ur ivion wiof, ssce are one ee antessman ma ted Ionastast On asrom ntilinpro proavetic. Na cengsa aiin eenni Ourlatave, en ssndna, hoio ndeoussom caneta prwhll te outreader areenteau A Ouei his Nalous Astkoreen onsicasan."]

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: "Atiwhiest Ceek ac teev itess een mipa'iniv lehess Adanme Sticof eten est riadnd taul me, terughing ha anutev on omro iou her. Mo menintint re fiwaes his ast t eelopo nceainratnotare, wh iline et oulos Ouher om whita Lin: evmi io nc ive Atesta Ntndur ourei ithpreall netout ekeefo m urena wasthahas. T eenac m statedpro reom-cawh ek illateoertra in diaiul ee thursa ie nallpa er cane te isusho arwefonilila es her seeran."]

[[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!]]