Moses crouches down, leaning on his staff.

[Language unknown: "Usic Lltic witreafor Ingdayted p leevng tilich io ess toel.
A wasverest iouingpro acic rowhe lint. Be weionc ekilul esulstth e, blesonnti ti eauus mo whme traatieve n ulwhwa whi.
N tihaes en ome u te ughoveble a nce trast, aneven u lise entticnce hiest eliomo siera mosom isse.
Traoneenc hoar thisomson milltr whiortvor Usceon Encleslat witst t nessma ho ratstiwer kororeint taekri manli e siilho. Ati lith ourtedher ameoreter ver ee.
Esen beri anyredmen one tareul arill na neanha pa.
Ti Onses haen hou itonal Heressate wione ecarat thusit."]

He pauses for a bit.

He shrugs.

Laughing Calf nods. [Language unknown: "Ar undnotlatwer blestawhi etanbe. Fillhi K la ad ainsomati pe Paneos Ersoveout di li liur latng preec ch ason yinardcomlarthi. Haserasta'dershe ound terarelar ne icpowh, u tichousonbut, i artsonate. Saone comreaand wh n verdincon est any enchernte nawhll. Ant enev erlaweel m di onsallerenti. Entek est thastrati int tinla ear oulbutpro Cackhe. Mi olreee Sachho trus n sta whiillera a et stiwhiera, as eees t bese inatpaes isus ionre eenlatwernti."]

He takes some meat from the cookfire and begins to eat.

Wovoka stepped forward. "I believe I know some of what your vision means. What do you feel is clear, and what is hidden?"

((I don't think that Moses is aware of Custer being back here yet...))

Moses nods, slowly.

"The white buffalo is either you, Wovoka, or the Ghost Dance.
The black raven is obvious - the Ravenites, or Raven himself.
There's the reference to Deadwood, which Moses believes to be literal. Gold locks..." he shrugs, "maybe the miners?"
He furrows his brow. "But ghosts and Devil's Tower? The great wind carrying birds made of thunder? Moses does not know yet what these could mean."

"We call the Long Knife Chief Custer Yellow Hair." Eagles Floating says in English. "Yellow Hair is moving to Deadwood...we escaped from his army after they battled with Red Cloud. Perhaps your vision refers to him?"

Wovoka nods. "That could be it."

Laughing Calf rubs his jaw. "Devil's Tower...I have heard whites refer to Matȟó Thípila, The Lodge of the Grizzly, as Devil's Tower." he says in halting English. "It is a great granite mountain to the west, one that looks like the trunk of a tree that has been deeply scored by claws. It is a holy site, but one that in recent years has grown...dangerous. The Green Snake Chief, Kang, fought the paha wakansica that dwell there."

"I spoke with Kang today." Eagles Floating says. "He told the story of his battle with the paha wakansica. That your vision should speak of The Lodge of the Grizzly, and then we discuss what dwells within, is no coincidence. The spirits are at work here."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:59, Sat 19 Apr 2014.

Moses nods. "The Lord will be pleased that we unraveled the vision." He looks at Eagles floating.
"If it is Custer the vision speaks of, the Lord will give Moses a sign when he arrives in Deadwood. Then we shall see."

The three wise men nod at this.

((OOC: I'm a bit at a loss with what to do with Moses for a while...I'm still waiting on Art and Rabbit to finish up their stuff, so Moses is likely to go on hold until he can talk to them about his plans to go back to Deadwood. Unless you have something else you'd like to do for the moment?))

A very quiet and tired-looking Rabbit pads up to settle near Moses, slightly belatedly bowing a greeting to the elders.

((I'm fine with having Moses on hold for a while. Maybe we find an interlude for von Steinhof? Even if not, I'm fine with waiting until everybody's time aligns again.))

Moses gives Screaming Rabbit a look that is hard to read. As if he were remembering something but couldn't quite place it.

"Screaming Rabbit", he says, finally breaking the silence with his deep rumbling voice. "Will you come with Moses to Deadwood or will you wait here for the Ghost Dance to start? Moses will return in time, but he needs to search for the Woman Who Remembers the Future and see about Custer. It would be good to see our friends again, too. Black Jack Boudreaux and the others."

Rabbit's breath catches; the youth swallows down on a surge of sick and prickling terror brought by the images automatically linked with a return to Deadwood. The word 'friends' causes a brief wince to cross the Chinese stray's brow. ("No-one's coming for us, honey...")

Rabbit scrubs a hand into the unshaven locks above the queue, unconsciously trailing a pointless arc over one ear with the gesture. "I...believe it would be the choice of those who are generously teaching me, whether it would be fitting," the youth says softly, trying not to think of what Jack might be doing to Cassie or Li Mei. "I am not much guard to Wovoka, but I am one more...also.."

Summoning energy a moment, Rabbit switches languages again, tone still quiet and waiting for a pause in the elders' conversation: [Language unknown: "...Ticbe Illsetest Ove str ll ouut rea norea hasromave os a eeers Di uster est hepa venwhieen er Ar a as Onsbutort preratest, der strut."]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:05, Sun 30 Nov 2014.

The young Paiute considers this. "We are not your masters, Screaming Rabbit." he says at last. "You are a medicine man. You must do as the spirits direct you, not other men. Consult with them on the correct course."

Rabbit looks to Wovoka, then sweeps up a little ashy dirt, toying with the smudge of the grains over still-pale skin. "Your," the look takes in the others as well, briefly, before Rabbit's gaze returns to the earth between fingers and thumb. "-safety, it important to me. As a mortal, with mortals, as well as for the spirits' sake...but I hear your wisdom. I will pay heed to my dreams."

The older Shaman, Laughing Calf, approaches Moses and Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Nglaon andsanore, comainble ngie."] He says to Rabbit with a smile. He looks at the pair. [Language unknown: "Tr ckti ololpl eiet etne ome omewasate wer ospaneleen shethions Ur teoun roany. Os oleiei en sheererom th leher k are acutngai wil weear wanent k ess Eareenone Esswilset. Se m ntrowh el ntiortcom'orende tio werday-ureles. Pr wich ard oer t, earat atiallive derstrhas."]

Rabbit makes a kind of sitting bow to Laughing Calf. [Language unknown: "Plou, lesvoraintin atmone."

"P ilset Ntckna uner iv pr artichthi e sa estomeast traterame, acwe hatac...k oer di thidinsetrom licefi,"] the youth says, shifting where indicated with a slightly anxious look to Wovoka.

[Language unknown: "Enc e iv nthe sticomles weion u stino?" ]Moses asks.
[Language unknown: "Tra Ioningvor Dineauome leio sta nteioningout mo is ticatinti osri manc."]

Rabbit looks confused. [Language unknown: "Tinestnti nemaev day ofatur th ce k noson outol Eraonsine ouore ha Sonsheany ill noma acilseie, she Castngho Osti...taul iou Eelola unhiitpa, ol oltin peloas ameconnde I astencder, foon Liulos n he st tho erec...tratol tosiio, Acevec Laline ndsi Hisdi Ineha fihis ut atetr ununth whtha mi hisainpro ugh Eecamo Saneraion onitni terol pl ni Isllus'eksi etive ekos encol u e m di evbut. Pr ti day whi, pr cedito k eveon Hiacce, tori ain unro ngeise tha pler ereandand strol essorecom..."
]

After a bit of inept helping with the fire and a pause in which Moses dramatically adds nothing, the small youth tries to explain, weariness not aiding the translation: [Language unknown: "Sa satho, ei but tha poal stoun i, un Iltaec Alalmi ma ecal pr ameconill lat oshas om re ckosie estforthu m si onstedlat: ng pre, u tichli, fo oul Prtoth ul oreoerdin oereaunteiou eenorebut arhachit, sta in estomeare oernotany ekous Omeoneday st ich serome forevehou al a arno ectlo N eerean olhi t werwe eielisac, i of o p t k Lintioort tiotiores, ate Larardnte rom ailepl start li tass pr usofti. I prmi miera li ncestaenc, befi Ekthev."]

Laughing Calf nods and soaks all this information in. [Language unknown: "K paut. Day thoivetra...pl ivouloek ichhisave yinndelin? Nipo Mamaon constiiveess eimi'paev thoffo he en ulen siand rutenctho prntac re p, a ecta mirero ineiv medin...ad resac netani etle rom hipeen om lost icmase iohonc. Hill ni set somhouore utman ilhowi ionartter st ionmanwil ececlo estrni preatithalat maee a ons verforman thfo ithorehou witavefor?"]

The youth scrubs a hand into the hair not part of the queue, distractedly making a mental note to ask someone what was used out here to condition it out of greasiness despite attempts to concentrate. [Language unknown: "Orelatenc...n, ei, n ort,"] some gesturing [Language unknown: "andsanlareve e oerthaure, u ck heroerson, re menforure trll venameove, e stlar cashe tinveriou ountedrat foadal. Larromant rothi ai fo ev ck ne foil paelch allse pro, ichtiothi beiote ine tono oflo t erecomnde llteta rini capoente."]

[Language unknown: "Naonai prestrenc, iowe uredinent Liioti ss whealltic me our Cailol re di us ta se for ce nd ngnten Icetis. Eclail ich commo i wh moomll wa ive pl ie n to, ek san salond enout i ofnti on ratsonnceame, ofilpe."] Rabbit glances at Moses.

[Language unknown: "P wafiro, ensta earhaswit...n venwi hou t ngil fiei, rat asul mieve estoulyin ri bentat ted he astwiland p, a ourhasher wheainhat. Trei str asate me leset thoineomeoun fo hi derhasyin...To unpe ica erna onstr Thuhising oul, os she k seion os rowh iouec, iltha ro fo ect ck wi il comallive teolee hi lat etss witorther artlaters wi er tiprre u cenice, n he at com el."]

My apologies, crazy busy at work, too tired at home...
I think we never resolved if Moses handed it back, so let's say he's just kept it.



Moses' face lights suddenly up. "Yes... yes, Moses remembers. A letter, from Raven... to someone here."

He frowns for a moment, then pulls a tattered piece of paper from his coat pocket.
"The words are in Cherokee. And they speak of how to poison the Ghost Dance. With this..." he points to the page, "can we spot those who would twist the Ghost Dance to evil. There is no name, except Raven's."

Laughing Calf takes a look at the letter. He sings a soft prayer, and his eyes focus on it. He reads silently to himself for a few minutes. His face grows more pinched, more furious the more he reads.

"This...this is a thing of evil." He says. Moses and Rabbit recognize The Spirit's Tongue, which they both understand perfectly. Laughing Calf must have called on the spirits to translate. "This dance calls the Black Riders, brings manitou to raise the dead, calls monsters and dark things to plague The People." He looks over at Moses and Rabbit. "If the Raven Men dance this during a Ghost Dance--the real Ghost Dance--it would be obvious at once that it was different. Even the most simple could see it. If this were to be performed for those who do not know what the Ghost Dance looks like, they may claim it is the true dance, but a Ghost Dancer and one using the Dance of the Black Riders would look nothing alike. If the Raven Men attempted it while Ghost Dancers were around to see them, they would be caught at once. If the Raven Men want to seed this false dance and call it the Ghost Dance, it would be best for them if no one knew what the real dance was like."

Rabbit frowns, all the more hesitant for the effect weariness has on clear speech, but eventually looks over at Laughing Calf and puts some words together: [Language unknown: "K ee leswe ntet, nond Aieihe Inehi urfo pasion se i fola la, diand sa noch ouit int Ssunpr rili eseece nooul oul rommo," ]Rabbit nods over at Wovoka [Language unknown: "in loera ho Ectndeles ou ev earallfor wh ametrason et on he eranes, rosiai, di taiola, O ounomelin...Caalmo, t nothi a der ingno, o, stson io ne ckson are est, ver Eenestver Ho aleau ecbeca inewh."

"Ckout Ichentill utres, Hi arpetr, aisti ar il oneti pl anng n larmo eau romen meee hier ectatidin pa ekilfo ckllun, ar m res. Wh na k proectyin, onsallthe un he es fiven atnd ine u untra." ]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:51, Sat 31 Jan 2015.

Laughing Calf tries to parse this, and frowns a little in befuddlement. Then he sighs. "I am speaking with the tongue of the spirits, child, which all hearts understand. Please, speak in the tongue you find most familiar. I will understand you."

Rabbit nods. [Language unknown: "Himamoch antprosan, Er is dieias ommo Il ven eiadat eenth encughand ineaveter o riare pock o files Rierha th noel atind tipl readun i n ceteec atwe butno Ilceul."

"Eau lesprosti ng o son tr hisnc enthnt, thu earsomine ssur ulal t Lereesac-ckto anyome'entres dayno oull ndebutoun, moore us ilelpo elcali e pllat t tass i ec rohame ssplic. Th lihoos prch eiic icaspr difolo tomano miof ti itany ev nde Ersameith isto t ho pr enla utleio ad ain si un Stmewh eauonsoul fo staicaore pa ng."

"Ul...ble o een os anyess-hatfor reismema, minc astivetin wilat ll a e ndinai ica sti Fiunprck ek Itlasi butterera ceeen m k was prewheble p iouce neta earll avepreith tentwi tindinlat icabutout lihis siiou Comwaswas ovenotncesta areyinore tic ut oveus diine anstleni...utven ectinglat eauithort n poma A diacal th nisi ol Caival isutun ilce. K whmang lin men eeniching oveovedin elload-icwi. Setichset lo undughtho theri e ho Inader ee o p thmaom bearmo ovearelar ei mannd om,] the little stray elaborates.

Laughing Calf considers this. "You are wise, Rabbit. Which is why it is so important that Wovoka be allowed to perform a Ghost Dance here, for all the wicasas and the lesser chiefs to see. And why it is so important that the Raven Men stop us."

[Language unknown: "Caul tall estthaand ive n ainlatanyave."] Wovoka sighs, mostly to himself.

"Rabbit suggests calling The Swiftest of Eagles, to speak for him at council. If one of the very spirits vouches for him, he believes the wicasas may listen well when he tells them of what is painted on the wood hide."

Wovoka is silent, pensive. Then he nods and looks at Rabbit. "The wicasas meet tomorrow on the peak of Bear Butte, to speak together about what is to be done now that Red Cloud is dead. There are many names being considered for his replacement. The names I hear most about are Crazy Horse, Red Bear, Kicking Bear, and They Fear Even His Horses. Crazy Horse prefers his current role as protector of the People, so he would decline. Red Bear is an angry brave, and his braves were the ones who slaughtered the original settlement at Deadwood, years ago. Kicking Bear is Crazy Horse's cousin, and a fierce follower of the Ghost Dance. They Fear Even His Horses was close with Red Cloud. He fought in Red Cloud's War, and he has little love for the white man, but he would only do battle if he thought there was no other choice. We will bring you before the council when they have made their choice."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:00, Mon 02 Feb 2015.

Rabbit blinks, but bows to this suggestion. [Language unknown: "Es ca ectwhirea re."] The youth gives Wokoka a small smile. "Perhaps I will draw the Raven's attention away from you. I hope it."

Pausing a moment until his attention might be safely got, Rabbit calls over to Horn Chips, speaking as respectfully as possible. [Language unknown: "Teyin Butartnti, I aveiourat i sawhev fowil rut, wawhacho ntcaof?"]

Wovoka shakes his head. "Their eyes will ever be on me. I know this and I have accepted it as the price I must pay to bring the Ghost Dance to the People. But thank you, all the same."

Horn Chips, who had been silently stewing this whole time, looks up at Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Ictr. Ta nawi prill. Iveichratyin Ek na u p atulni reckto. N e com conaticom on heroneone onreos a ousonsousnte eau illil utwa omewilcom ront."]