Noticing Li's frightened looks, Thunder Walker claps the boy on the back encouragingly. "You were brave earlier, Li. No need to show fear now, when you are among friends."

Taking the pipe, The Professor pulls a slow drag, exhaling a cloud of grey smoke before passing the pipe on to the next person.  When a lull in the conversation happens he speaks up.

"I do not mean to be inhospitable Wovoka, but the white man's ways are not all bad. I understand your reverence for nature, but Science represents progress.  Yes, all progress comes the possibility for abuse, but look at all the good we have accomplished. It's not the tools that are the problem, it is man's intent.  You can slaughter a lot of people with arrows and tomahawks just as you can with guns and rifles."

Catching the gesture at the edge of vision, Xiao just barely realises Thunder Walker's movement is a friendly caricature of white camaradarie rather than a blow and braces instead of twisting to block it. Given their relative sizes, it still makes the kid cough.

Thunder Walker does get a small half-smile, though. The Professor's words, however, quite erase it as Xiao looks over there. "Please excuse...I think there is a prace for science that it accept laws of...spirit, also, my people have this old way...but for guns and rifles - these are only for death, and they get...more good, as tool for what they do, they need less the skill. It is no good warrior, without...each-day-spirit-balance," Xiao seeks language skills on far too little sleep, "-dicipline the self. Wicked, child-mind warrior with gatling gun...he is new, bad thing people here have no old way to fix, or forgive, what can they do but kill more, any way, for stop him fast? Also...the white Empress, she send Blitish with many good thing for Science to my homeland, but try make all Chinese to be more good in Blitish way, most of all with the way of trades, it...crash into, break many things, old things, and the lawmans fall down all over...much death and dishonour for that."

Xiao swallows and looks up. "A way is old, or new, it is not good for that quarity only, and sometimes...where he who is doing is, how he knows his blood that was before, and his land, it is more important. All the people, any colour need to be more good under Heaven, but in ways for that people, on their land - they make their own mistake, not get white man 'better' with old white man mistake inside, like poison, or Chinese 'better' with Chinese mistake, so. We all to listen each other to become noble, not talk until we only hear us. I speak enough."

Too bold? Xiao looks down, hiding trembling hands deep in the overlarge sleeves of the 'borrowed' shirt but not cringing.

Boudreaux listened to the others. Moses explanantion of his faith was interesting, as it sounded like what Jack knew of Lousiana Voodoo.

Jack then took the pipe and took a puff.

"Where I am from many still practice the old ways. They acknowledge the almighty but they also acknowledge the spirits who carry out the almighty's work here on earth. So the old way has not been taken from all the negros."

Jack cracked open his bottle and took a slug of bourbon.

"Maybe someone could explain all these visions and their symbolism to us lay folk."

Zac sat close to Jack reflecting on their night's adventures. It seemed so natural, a night around the campfire, eating a mean, the cool air, the camaraderie. Still, their experiences this night were anything but normal, even for Zac. There was a moment, when he wondered if they were finished out their. He shook off those thoughts, as the talk around the fire turned to a reckoning.

These weren't the first Indians he had met with, but he had never smoked with them before. He was neither a man nor a boy, but he understood the sacredness of the act, so when the pipe came his way, he took in a deep breath.  The smoke burned his lungs, and as much as he tried not to, he coughed awkwardly as the smoke left his lungs. His face turned equal shades white and red from his embarrassment.

The young reporter decided not to push his luck and did not accept a sip from Jack's bottle. He wasn't sure what they were talking about exactly, but he knew enough to know that trouble was brewing and Deadwood was smack damned in the center of it.

One of the group of Sioux, who had been quiet up to this point, openly scoffs at the Professor's words.

 "Ha! [Language unknown: Ivro Larateame Beut unsick les nteterson tr sthees noac reathu'anyvor hiweac, for conithshe teelli, prek ndecto verateion, kor ainentenc me etugh caee] progress. [Language unknown: O unlest me taadar ripl usnian antsheore rill osil re hemi, stisetsti tath ckni nd paeiei, forresrom a is mour oltaca n at, ss t neekou ch rith! Et stsiwa itic'dist honeer has intandproter, oneithsom isliwe Sherathat entbe laratiany ersbletin well elinst ven tiek omst entonelar a es Plomio Nd il, lo weus'etio ngher ei paol ivwh k elhedi lise strstaore di ingvenoreeau ometicfor olfo thuit. o tetiil st ineil wi iveonsati po t rond etpro tr nceun n as are ce, thuromlat th eauureles th om ta."] He spits into the fire, and glares directly at The Professor. [Language unknown: "In tiohouast dithu a artntetho ieven fiand, esev'hase. Ur thoersthu ncpa outpresan. O at wani io nc t, o out ll oulkornce no setsa cknc oulestpro? E ce tiwas ion laar larst tr sonstavor? O mocon n thuev ca consetvor evehatlin ioar ar eklat? M t beta ilfiof k and espr atithe'allsom t ne pomeur, re of diort eenlesint thowitich nilin nariai celemi p adll-utne wertedtic? Ee peet ove notiweek?"]

Wovoka winces, and coughs politely. "My friend Horn Chips very strongly disagrees with you, and is more in agreement with Li." he translates, very pointedly speaking English as he does so. "The ways of the White man may be fine for the White Man. They have brought little but woe to The People. You have a long way to go if you would prove your good intentions, I fear." He glances at Li. "There is no need for that. It is good to speak your mind here. Though I would hope," He turns and gives the older shaman a disapproving glance, "that we all remain tactful and respectful of those who do not believe as we do."

He looks at Jack. "I will attempt to explain better. What is it that confuses you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:18, Tue 16 Oct 2012.

Nate had quietly settled in by the fire along with the others, glad at the idea of the meal.   Not to mention conversation.  Of course, this conversation quickly took a turn for the strange and surreal.  As Wovoka explained, the prospector's eyes went wider.  Apparently the thought of a spiritual war, a Reckoning as the shaman put it, does not seem to sit well with him.  Clarification on the fine points probably won't help neither.  The pipe is accepted carefully by him as well, a draw taken and released easily enough, and then passed on with little bother.  Thankful of the meal preventing him from blurting out whatever dumb questions (moreso after the other Shaman's angry-sounding outburst), Nate just listens for now.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:54, Tue 16 Oct 2012.

Gesturing to the Professor, Thunder Walker spoke to Horn Chips. [Language unknown: "Terpl ssha larpr leeiti as usre p whemenica his ri hemen ce eitiul relahe in virredere'yinnot k o ni. Prof wilerabut ul erent, sta i yin ons la dayoreereica roted a peolla ol utlo is."]

"Professor, we do not sit together here, we of many different peoples, to share meat and pass the pipe to speak ill of your ways. Our ways are different, and ancient, and the better for our people. The brave may loose his arrows, and the buffalo hunter may fire the rifle and the buffalo may die the same. But the brave will collect his arrows and use the whole buffalo with respect for its life, while the buffalo hunter will kill hundreds more buffalo than anyone can eat or use and waste most of them. Both tools may be used to kill, but when there is a connection with the spirits there is a greater purpose and a greater respect for everything."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:51, Tue 16 Oct 2012.

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 16):

Moses looks at Tan Xiaohan, stoically unmoving while the young chinaman speaks.
He nods, slowly after he has finished and says: "You are certainly right, Lord", apparently in answer to something different to what Tan said.

He looks down at the ground.
"You are no fool, Black Jack Boudreaux. But you stray too often and too much from the path of the righteous that you cannot see clearly. Moses has tried to teach you that before."

He seems to be content with letting Wovoka explain, though, as he picks up a twig and scratches in the dirt.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:40, Tue 16 Oct 2012.

Xiao's hands stay hidden though the youth is sitting straight, trying not to pay overmuch heed to Moses' attention. "It only my intention to say 'progress' not straight line like raiload with some peoples forwards, some backwards...each genelation try to go to...their full honour, how they can do best. More tools not holy thing, not wicked thing, only more tools...and each time a people take up a new kind, they lose skill for what they did...it is not for one people to make those decision for all, but they speak, we listen, we get wiser to choose."

"Wovoka...Moses," Xiao even looks over there whilst a thought at the back of the skull hammers he knows he knows he knows "You most blessed of the Great...Spirit, to far vision...if world is ending, how long?" Because it can take three weeks by train to Texas.

The Professor just shrugged.  It was obvious that he was not following the conversation, and after Thunder Walker explained things he nodded lightly.

"And I do not mean to speak ill of your ways either. Mankind's history is littered with stories of one people subjugating another. It is wrong for one group to impose their will on another, yet that seems to be a part of man's nature for we do it so easily and with little remorse. I stand by my earlier statement, though. Science may make killing faster and more efficient, but mankind has a violent and bloody history that stretches far back before the Age of Reason."

"Please...I wish to speak about things that will bring people closer together, not tear us apart." Wovoka says. "We cannot change the past, but the future is still in motion, and the bad things that came before do not have to repeat themselves if we are cautious." He looks a Li and favors the Chinaman with a faint, sad smile. "End? The Reckoning is still in motion, and can be fought. The White Buffalo signals great changes, not endings. We are in a moment before...before the dice decide which face to show...before the cards are picked up...I do not know best to explain...We are at a point where the world can turn toward great light or great darkness. That is the choice before us, and it lies in the actions we take. Wakan Tanka has guides your steps to cross mine, for the Great Mystery seems certain you will play a role in the great things to come. Can I ask for your help?"

Boudreaux had to admit he was curious.

"It sounds like good folks are in danger if we don't step up. I'm in." Jack said.

There's a small smile from Xiaohan in return, apologetic for so much talk. "I am no Raven Man, to cause harm by wading against way of Mystery - help I can give, you can have."

The Professor nodded, "I will help.  Things are becoming a lot clearer now. Wovoka, could you explain the Ghost Dance itself? I have reason to believe that it is an essential part of preventing the potential crisis to the time stream." He seems completely serious.

Nate starts to speak, seems to choke a little on his food (or his words), but clears his throat.  A little shakily, he offers, "Well, I don't really understand all that, but...  Sounds like it'll get me wether or not I help, so....  I guess I'll help.  Um...too."

(assuming that Black Jack sits next to Moses...)

Moses puts his large hand on the other black man's shoulder, gently squeezing it.
"Moses is happy that you will join with him, Black Jack Boudreaux. It is good to know to have friends by your side when doing the Lord's work."

For most in the group, this marks the very first occasion that Moses acknowledges Black Jack as a friend. And even to Jack, Moses seems uncharacteristically grounded in the here and now, as if he finally found the place where he belonged.

Near the center of the storm, it seems.

"You are a braver man, Nate Williams, than you give yourself credit for. His humble servant is sure that the Lord is pleased that you join is army."

"You know my help is your to ask, Wovoka. Until the last day," added the Lakota brave. This was a greater purpose for the last days of his life, to throw himself against the Order of the Raven who follow the corrupted ways of the Last Sons until the last drop of his blood was shed upon the ground to reunite with nature.

"Thank Moses. I assure you all of us feel safer to have you along with us as well. Never hurts to have a friend who is on speaking terms with the All Mighty." Jack said with a smile. With his foot Jack drew a cross with his foot. "May the All Mighty protect us all."

"Hopefully the spirits will bless us all as well. Let us offer thanks to them for their help." Boudreaux said as he spilled some of the bourbon on the ground.

"Eager, you are!" Wovoka smiles at the Professor's request. "I cannot show you but the smallest part of the Dance, and cannot explain all of its secrets in the time we have. It would take many days to show everything. It is a test of the mind, the spirit, and the flesh. It is hard to perform, takes many days, and some have fallen asleep from exhaustion before the end. But when those who know how to call the spirits dance the Ghost Dance, the spirits called can be asked to cleanse, and this includes the ancestors who have fallen, though they will not always decide to return to life. The best way to know it is to experience it."

"I am pleased to hear that all of you will help." Wovoka continues. "There is much to be done. I must meet with the Wicasas at Bear Butte, and I must do so soon--"

"No!" Horn Chips growls. [Language unknown: "Romconoul, Wa urhas ave ecttraing caladi il Liniththi Etit is o werind, ou wipe pa wachon! Nedi utliat artouloer day i enio hou eeseom ure!"]

[Language unknown: "Icusas waone waeeee ha tiivol!"] Wovoka snaps back. [Language unknown: "Ivwer rut seuspe! Iv Dertedate Aterpl al red ter ndhat hou t latol si sataou tio! Pa prewerone a ti Wapasi Eiur llul aturin ere, Ec omilad! Hing a en deronetio som sonouloneted ni! Ughwaswer wiast onstintin der fowaei tio sistas rea ter! Le ion ncnt ntee not i u erint u Meus Resael Hianatev resoresom?"]

[Language unknown: "Unri thoamesta, ckonal, tetr ussiin un et ultaol we wa dieche. Tin Larinewit ughmo pro werundsti."] Horn Chips glares at the paler members of the group. His gaze lingers on the Professor longest. [Language unknown: "Wetebeural tanti si urine. Weil Tainle lomeei nt loeen anstr. P tier ted cerat for herromall N tenc."] That gaze doesn't hold mere distrust...there's actual hatred there.

Wovoka sighs. "As much as I would have you all accompany me, my friend Horn Chips is right...Bear Butte is a sacred sight, not for those who are not of the people...." he looks back at horn Chips. [Language unknown: "Cass ch] Moses? [Language unknown: Ntare ro] Li? [Language unknown: Tin and ev of ur onshe stosio ut...seest poie ver o, tr rifoec k M itei."]

Horn Chips purses his lips. [Language unknown: "U k has ie. Nte leslesast ica riilre il ul lat evtin ceatos ernte Venectoveons Oerromted. Ncwiti Earpe ionartoer onloch io. Th m ofave sipa ectomewer, k ut veratistaeve. Ul ng ta tedsomeve tass et ster we liel nc."]

Wovoka is quiet for a moment. "It would seem that Li, and perhaps Moses, may be permitted to travel with us to the butte, and Thunder Walker is of the People, so no argument would be made against him, but...but the rest of you would not be welcome." He pauses again, thinking. "But I know of a way the rest of you could help the Ghost Dancers, and prove yourselves worthy of the Wicasas' trust. The Order of Raven get their fire arms from somewhere. Deadwood is the nearest white settlement...there may be clues there. If you would help the Ghost Dance, seek out Bull All The Time. Or Charley Bull, as he is known among the whites. He has been seeking the Ravens there, and would have more information for you. If you tell him I sent you, he should be able to help. At the very least, he can help you find shelter there."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:50, Fri 19 Oct 2012.

Moses listens to the exchange with apparent disinterest, looking up to the skies, his brow furrowed, seemingly lost in thought.

21:03, Today: Moses rolled 3,11 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+5)11. Faith for speak language.
What the hell are they talking about?

"Don't know about your mama, but my mama raised me different."

"She taught me when you ask someone for help you show a little appreciataion afterwards. We all just risked our necks for you and yours. You asked again for aid and we again agreed. Now yoru friend here says we are not welcome because we are not of the people."

"Well it seems to me if someone just risked his life for you he yours of the people." Boudreaux said a bit surprised by turn of events.

12:11, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 1,5 using 1d6,1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5. persuasion.

Xiao stopped cat-staring at the air a little above/behind Jack at the old shaman's words, glancing with some alarm at the Professor, then swiftly away.

[Language unknown: "K ecday omrat oulsomfor, in ic il etolas saanwe has fiing, omur iondayill. Hasandven ant tiek Onsenttho der n com, ta thmomo,"] - the little Chinese frowns a moment, juggling languages - "As far as I may go with you, and help in this thing, I am gifted honour for that."

There's a sharp little breath, then glancing over there to check Jack isn't going to do anything aggressive with the bottle, Xiao ducks a little and dares to speak before the shaman, just about. "Prease...please...these men, you help Wanbli Luja save, but other great men of Sioux, not so. The great men must see Wovoka is honourable before he bring foreign devil they no trust, tell them 'trust', or they will distrust him, and Ghost Dance, and if they slow to get more good medicine, many people may be eated...et...ah, devoured by bad medicine spirit."

"You come later, you come with honour and proof of helping all the great men - you hero then, not have suspicion at. Please, peace."

The Professor sighed and nodded. "I do not blame you for not wanting us along. The has been bad blood in the past, and you do not trust that we would put the interests of your people over those of our own. I am here because I know there is a great evil coming, and that the Ghost Dance is the way to stop it. I will go to Deadwood and assist this 'Bull All The Time'.  I can't speak for the rest of the group, however."

Nate eyes the exchange between the shamans, even as he continues to try and eat.  The decision actually seems like a relief for him though.  A bit of smile even creeps back, "Yeah sure...  Charley Bull...  Help find weapons...  You got it."   Glancing over to the Professor, he added what he hoped was a supportive looking nod of encouragement.