The elderly Cheyenne shaman nods at Rabbit's offer, eyeing the offering curiously as it comes to him. He looks carefully at Crazy Horse, taking in the legendary warrior's stony silence, and wondering about it in his own mind, but he spoke no word of it. Instead, he turned his gaze on the Warlord Kang, but spoke his words to the young yellow one, the one called Screaming Rabbit.

[Language unknown: "Heinss caut a info ol ill alckpool nadi, ev k nce st aslo ous o i paolne ti whi ichte sessec aiecho. Alwael laril Intntiwas Seos p ictin Arwist Acnoit somundtra romi hou t t atepe ecceer toulee?"]
This message was last edited by the player at 06:38, Tue 05 Nov 2013.

[Language unknown: "N wiadro k u fi o k ou pro ith iveonslar,"] Rabbit ventures softly, returning a well-stocked bowl to the Cheyenne and surrupticiously watching to see if Brick and Egg (as the youth had privately dubbed Kang's servant-sorcerers for their shapes) took mortal food.

Crazy Horse's reticence was worrying, since the only reason Rabbit knew for rejecting hospitality was a declaration of emnity. He might also be baffled by the chopsticks but Rabbit could not aid him with that, sitting across the table. Hopefully Crazy Horse knew enough of the Iron Dragon to realise attempting to strike him in his own tent would be a truly bad idea. Hopefully.

[Language unknown: "Unreom Araspela Ut Beutev Annath etfoplpo ion ingereeenred p lo out erncut t tinhi ratastbutenc Ous Os alne Tin Int He beas privecch,"] Rabbit translates the elder's sentiments to Kang, quietly filling a bowl with somewhat enthusiastic heed of his generosity.

[Language unknown: "Weof n ousoulres."] Kang says. [Language unknown: "K th lar m stive. Ut we ounng thosanast."]

[Language unknown: "Rirepa Set olwala ne icaourthu ng ur t romrutarestr ain Nde Le Noloenun caasna."] Goupi says.

The two men sitting beside Kang take the opportunity to fill their dishes. All eyes turn to Art.

Art nodded at the request. [Language unknown: "Lo reaad fone-arun ore ne Daybut-alloer anyticthi pesi hapeha ll a pohafi o Inghe Ateentome pa Pro Ecwetere. U ta est hisichout son pawaan ntti wa il unelni k ekunai Teence ive. Terastart a whick Ounsether Esntee, o li iveoursta bemoer ureortati outol Acteonit. I din een om ave tiit laree er k di io aveerewer fiof no ansti ureainset ekseof m a ri eeneiv k but und. E oun rut ai in nc hatit ch in ncst ro wanc ar wa hatthaure k ei terhasame ourntewas. Ek menhouartthooer ul hoto redio thawheort ec hisersset leter his caevpl amemanforrea he wawi ch fohaou eve sonpr el elsi ulas. M shesonand ourut ripa tiss e Entererea Estsheman, haac foch eeshe trawhiredsta di ure venhatonstrathi Pretinvor etofsa u ekvir e urivho no ichateareove ivos ur ni entmo ut lin."]

Art coughed lightly before he continued. [Language unknown: "T pelo dayersnte ei ectviringsom ta llno usugh te Pawemi Witiouhis. K ho und iv ear hou na wawhho ad catiis nohian son somme t oveho omet'howa calo isiend a k pe an mo larce areaveica is Ascama. And in Artourainsom'eraanywhe oerderoul saaler u ratearrutwil, t p ichventra whitle ho. Om ei sanwitithromrom waof lo all Somthatho Teater, ousallfor ac rut allvenourund ouneenman. T enmiev ugh tereveoer Wainwh Stioun-lesyin m Mengmi Ersproour illce nce et m home ti adfo mitius. Oresanati Athiiv ort thiunderawilted ce illhisugh ble li wepa m outsa rowapoch oushisingrea al iounceive presonstione Siadth. Era evrosi lecon thiundecthat wael Ec Ilusel onrema, ce red ble ur u eveshethe ad st allintshe. M di elriekha o n m, n ro trntnt ac olfoss menil Asisan ulnc icwaie wima ourconave icainecon. Acwhou artstrrom Henapo Traearion usri erca."]

Art lowered his eyes briefly, then raised them again to those listening to his tale. [Language unknown: "O out usfias stint evivdi si nori, thout nceta urados ellond setsanint meen."] He paused to lick his lips and see if the others were able to follow his tale.

Rabbit manages to keep up a running translation with little additional explanation, adding only that Black Kettle was [Language unknown: "n lomobe we tiostrtha ectai houof redwasles menlinine ou ncason comderestess"] and translating 'treacherous Pawnee' as [Language unknown: "Ingsomtedill acaiic prnota, t at callmo'ress mowhie."] Concentrating so hard on the words, Rabbit even pulled off an unsurprised echo of Spotted Face's utterly casual mention of the ability to turn into a bird.

The last sentence gets rendered as [Language unknown: "Ore liera unadte se ri ure dinthuencugh, ineta ne reaset'ncepro virlatdin ieeiatniwh bevor mimawhpa be,"] before the youth takes advantage of the longer pause to get at food.

[Language unknown: "Lales mibeoflath."] Kang says with a nod to Art. [Language unknown: "Ons prne a outer o prcewa oerlo u unllhe, wertrable. Hi etri-ivie et evaith u foteai p ngtin ultrta yinandvir."]

He raises his tea.

Goupi translates: [Language unknown: "Ughtedred And prontr es herstiwitvenlin, ant ateionwit ofnthoitpl avene ng whithuwhe Fisaus Erhoek. A ureromred t nterit a Etelhi Adcameli mensetect himaek."]

[Language unknown: "Aiss eraie tin na derratany iou i ous en prohisthu ettho ilstmopo evplee?"] Kang says. [Language unknown: "Hisre yinno ni strareati on ekive eshapl, ant iotrll som tho sewahain. O et ticthaain witredard me omwahi tale eeroth ndema adar chnaweut ncmi, ri lithnc preestday caadwa safo wesiwa."]

Goupi...hesitates at this.

Rabbit darts a questioning glance at the translator over the bowl-rim, as much to check whether he's stuck as whether he thinks there's something dodgy about the request.

Goupi doesn't seem to be comfortable with the request, not stuck on words. Kang frowns at the delay.

The barest twitch of a frown creases Rabbit's brow in place of a sigh before the youth looks to Horn Chips. [Language unknown: "Ic M reeile?"]

Art was about to thank the warlord for his condolences when he caught Rabbit's discomfiture. He awaited the young lad's interjection before proceeding.

Horn Chips, looking a little perplexed at the delay and a little baffled that permission would be needed at all in this instance, nods at Rabbit.

Rabbit takes a breath and addresses the edge of the table nearest Kang. [Language unknown: "Ti howiieel thu, cabe rutromouseretio ioniverom k etfomi comavelar ta ncpltiwhbeal ou t k thusannti Shees Ad Mo ntonof ul nt oulndeeen thias, atifi ngwiwh al arprno peadil o sonomewiland t oullesstr ven eeut olanan som k fo nt u loisnc ine, ofti oerioured on n miit ss sonwheout. Mapone wheicavor is linareate and tiotioecteve eraerathe a rileekenho."]

Rabbit swallows. [Language unknown: "Ac...cebe itwh inetra-estrea usat astsherea ec prbe tr houicaate ol ichno Fiitwi Aststrare, o nopa ence sanol seek ives stresterssan buttraprores linot art Samone Wilameare Ectainund u somonediname ev neetes uluniepr yinwheintstiver: son oulhersta poar ro daywa lechfi ev amestawasencbut ro p artsetave nte, rut m venratanding somithureproher."] The youth speaks with quiet convert faith, quite serious.

[Language unknown: "Ntepreateall anev ainonederles one we ou hoicei is e menstrredund pr men allaveart stenwa, ck whulha...k el as ofndei as Oneousion Moutss hi me elnall, i thu evmo inetr ne laut ameek et her lat was acpene hasoveles lilito omenc haure hisveryin."] Did the warlord still possess some dreams? Surely he would see the merit in what the Ravenites would never give him.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:09, Wed 20 Nov 2013.

Kang sits, his face impassive. [Language unknown: "T. Ul. Onati of stneof wi unecon, i korthoare."] he quirk an eyebrow. [Language unknown: "Hisillres Illvervor Manomeall? Our n witfi? Ostio nc?"]

[Language unknown: "Ilnc ectlinour'dervor al tiofi siuldi,"] Rabbit says smoothly, expression just as carefully blank. [Language unknown: "A fo tho vir ca i lin Itmein Whetioers, es fisaca of paesas chacng tho areforone ivck evngch one Most e oerwitera k areundlat und Ilbe ol At K t ameset'anttra, icla itnce hatromect ich itre atckiv wasla oerlesyiniou erepr th etacaiil."]

[Language unknown: "Olntmi tros li k oreng, te wit tinwasoul stpameit na."] Kang says mildly. [Language unknown: "Lech utart se sa ant rut, nteeil ieul whthe eire ngmait ilone fista iouel ionearwitame, enc aselto n sheet ioek nobe Mebedi Ethiek te ivewilouswhi. Outis ul minot ivtha manun inpano ti alhis lespo peno Mihaha Fickna sherutsomughnde. T en to ess isll wi aneeatho be has histcksa ma."]

Horn Chips, his eyebrows coming together, tries to follow the conversation. [Language unknown: "Saul intiv m inend?"] he asks.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:34, Mon 25 Nov 2013.

"mmf mmf mm," Rabbit almost-explains through noodles, then briefly presses brow to fist in lieu of respectful bowing to Kang before translating for Horn Chips: [Language unknown: "Mi ouon ac u ilic wertheout throlo Esthasith Strainous eriecape o p ncles aiout i nienc of k erast p fo. Eveoreest, Il pr oeret esticaich list wilareany"] Rabbit frowns [Language unknown: "ndstiortandeauore, wasateoun to tedhatles a tepepl, allwillin ar rein enc ieenai san i omcane inutun ha Pasewi Ecmoes. Ai ioasstil, Oushisson Stil, earch rateraati tinus asonnc."]

The youth ducks a bit, adding swiftly and soft-voiced to Kang: [Language unknown: "Es herlesday ro ure na u, ionforard osone art i noal u iest trenle utstsswe. A latillrea mo noany eenoneeveest e nde Rutdi Thiha heulnt ieouun ching o k."]

Art shook his head at the apology and waved it off, indicating it was unnecessary. He considered what the Wicasas thought, about the danger, and wondered if it was entirely unfounded. He waited to see what Kang might respond to Rabbit.

Crazy horse, quiet for all this time, reaches into his pouch and pulls out a wad of paper.

"You ask things of Great Snake Chief? The ask how Great Snake Chief explain this!" He growls in English.

Kang, mouth open as he was about to speak, blinks at the rude interruption. He closes his mouth and looks at Crazy Horse, and the wad of paper in his hand. He raises an eyebrow.

[Language unknown: "Ee ad wili?"] he asks.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:33, Sun 01 Dec 2013.

Art leaned forward trying to see what might be important in the wad of paper that had been presented to Kang in what could only be called a confrontational manner.

From what Art can see, it looks like someone wadded up a large surveyor's map. He can't make out any of the details, though--not unless it's smoothed out.

((OOC: Or can he? Make a Notice roll, please.))
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:36, Sun 01 Dec 2013.

[Language unknown: "Olecek Oultrader Manoreoul manerspro m icfowieeic eihe nadiol t atas ntnaeita thiti me t Essdervor Outni Ich p te comentort,"] Rabbit deadpans, as though Crazy Horse had made a genuine polite request.

Gaze low, Rabbit goes back to quietly making those precious greens disappear and assuaging a long craving for rice, too terrified to truly think beyond the moment. Plan One: I will make myself useful, claim my masters are too far superior to Kang's sorcerers to be worth challenging, or otherwise talk my way out. The hand that raises the cup barely trembles. There might not be a way to beat the Dragon, but Rabbit had drunk his tea for free.

"Ah." Kang says. He keeps his face impassive as he speaks in clear, fluent English. "The honorable Crazy Horse wishes an explanation. Very well. I will provide one, though I am afraid my English is very poor, and I hope there are no misunderstandings." His English doesn't sound very poor. Quite the opposite, in fact.


"You see a proposed plan to expand my rail line to better serve the needs of those who mine the Ghost Rock. That is all. Proposed. I am here to negotiate this expansion with the Wicasas."


"I do not see why you would be upset. No rails of the proposed line have, in fact, been laid anywhere on Lakota land."

"What about your fortress?" Crazy Horse growls. "The wall of steel? The guns? There was to be one settlement, Kang. One. That is Deadwood. not this...this 'Dusky Jewel' place."

Kang blinks. "They have built a wall? Placed guns? Then the miners there must be afraid for their lives. I cannot imagine why that would be so, unless your people have broken the treaty by attacking them without provocation." he leans back. "Surely such attacks would not have been done without your knowledge."

"Of course not!" Crazy Horse says hotly...unaware of what Kang was really implying there.

"I see." Kang says. "Tell me...where did you come by this?"

"Er..." Crazy Horse goes stock still, but his eyes dart to Rabbit for the briefest of moments. But by the shine in Kang's eyes, Rabbit can tell that he saw that flicker, too.

"I see." he says again.

Rabbit has gone quite white, but the same quality of stillness has decended on the youth as when one straight razor took on three bayonets gripped in dead hands. The teacup gets placed gracefully to the side. "Please forgive my speech, honoured chieftains: I would add that all those here, barring the great Roard Kang and his people alone, have witnessed that the General has big task, to save all the people from the threat he know about, and keeps his position honourably."

Cadence gentle, always respectful, Rabbit continues: "I have seen Flying Devils, when I fought with the one who is gone, and Raven Men are many, very willing to use guns on your workers. The shaman I was fighting call a blood-drinking demon tall as a high wall itself, it can be understood they will be frightening, this humble one thinks. I do not know if it is General Crazy Horse's task to keep safe foreigners...but I am not an intelligent man, and very ignorant."

To Crazy Horse, the youth ventures: "Honourable General, I do not believe our gracious host has put any illegal track on the ground," there's a very slight stress of the word 'on'. "Please, here we speak at peace, on the holy mountain...perhaps it might be better to set it before the greater wisdom of the council together." Rabbit looks to Eagle Floating, hoping the elder might spare some stone-smooth speech to level the situation.

[[00:46, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 13,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+5)13,1. Persuasion - not now, Crazy Horse!]]

"I beg the Lord Kang not to think badly of my masters...I was not sent to get this." Rabbit hunches a little. "I stole it because...I thought it was food," the youth admits.

((OOC: Art? Eagles Floating?))

Art considered as much of the back and forth as he was able. He wasn't particularly pleased with Kang at the moment, and Crazy Horse was acting...odd. As if he had something to hide. Or several somethings. Perhaps many somethings, which was more than mere annoyance to Art.

He felt ignorant of most of the facts, but also felt compelled to speak. So Art turned to face Kang. "There be no man that be knowing all that goes on within the land that be granted to the Lakota. There be no shortage of things that could be frightening to your workers, but why they be choosing such a confrontational way of protectin' themsevles? Unless they be wantin' more trouble? You be talking about negotiating, but why you be setting up some fortress before the talking even be started?"

He looked meaningfully at Rabbit for a moment, then turned to Crazy Horse. [Language unknown: "At llncol, Witnceset Tonancno, an inave ma Taektr iouastset pana ouas pr er ce us. Aveol naure nc il tapech re inpo beame we ortkorven-ersman. Day...ulouni ntanom? Stire stihatent moome ersourpro, howh hasvenbutdayill, vor aince."]