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: "Ev of adwhta ac outoerwhe oula, ersthorut estillast. Ant ichenctha o etthbe atsa k u..."] He let the thought hang in the air.

[Language unknown: "Po eetrev mi ive herss wasredtrante. In enacinou etosad ousul anmialfi aiarca-omis encureblende ckev niro witsa wilionort ulrom thisheted wilundhas."]

Art turned his face toward Rabbit and nodded at the well-wishes. [Language unknown: "Taelse chos wica ut iewa. Maheos lativ pe onsnte-staain fimi ma ardineain isloas ughev."]
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: "Acri taica hehoul Ngtoar. Oulbleent noto saaipo n elevnafoei, ul hina eveil. Ill Wasivesan red ichse ofetli a atinotare thomo rehesa i mirea seut filoil Ieeson. In dingdi fiaddi rutallwhishe ol someraous il ith. Rotile p areithlesers i po ioet k cher Tioourhou. M olec ieie inro ss k ei. Ionha Il ant Virstiman, u teai der ithse nowil ameughhis. The ess ho icday p i onemanone?"]

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: "Ineerastr tose o thiv comandous il taennd be Thiarterason. Ainle sitic sternato."]

He tilts his head slightly as the wind rustles the leaves on the ground, then nods.
[Language unknown: "Wer Nend anyortine Tesiio wh era ncewitund beeint, llekli ie. Blecomrat som paun Ughstrast fi ssteho niwhi ich ers san ll liaien, Stioreionoun Withousta? M eiou ceen tiotiowhi ni Tin, oveth k the a Plhaho nd he paant evne. Enome Ad eenourthu ec erurting osplbeleli pa di us adilac thustader, k io tin artck en eieau."]

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

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: "Nasala Niilpaec We k al Stiut Mentichou ica acfi onsna ort ad m hepr u si diti lomiut is."

"Nde ivort nitrel ec red eau oumeri essss ho andun ec Erncma adion o ect rousol...u ou ich con Onhiut ce eautr, acol ngwh ousall tast, ndom alpool st ilpo it mioul leie din thotinwhe whe ar etck na ckrere ad ieoun strlo tilin wi eeul. Di ected i hoive plpoas m vorersone t derurekor paek ivli io aime ee ut hasoreich it fi hatet ard es thues atiousome ol iouintain andthiard sa t chsiie tr witof etbe paio toloou somoureve difi intfo t eethek. Wable ie ei wi caek ureain-proome hieisi, alwas ro ithoun ai peis wh isnoieto tioic ckpori illentshe lesonshas noers evero trpeil avebuters."] Clearly, Rabbit has been thinking about this a lot.

[Language unknown: "Seteenome Talievse latrho. Ai heme ou diare p anndce uros ca eeev ev k hi. Ur niat adfoil E ss fout en hetin artevesan elsom ulugh ol, ous mallsiwh witen di taie us laevat nte Areyinpro, ndedayyinlat wa neing nech p. Fo est ulund ecsi alwhho Adiv rut ort tric lo u ncmopl, papro an ol el."] 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: "thaainrut, N us iononesti nona seeein out Acsine Ncar resou," ]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: "Ith adhafith, a ilom neekat," ] she says, and bows with a slight smile before heading up towards the Iron Dragon camp.

Wovoka nods. [Language unknown: "Ineratenc poic verng thathemenate t."] he says simply. [Language unknown: "Pl ek avees ee man o."]

---

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: "M he oul wa setweress int korwhiich ce, ro but?"] Rabbit asks softly as she kneels back, looking down. Too bold?

Kang raises an eyebrow. [Language unknown: "But Poivth Wiure ove O oureveaveate e aveforrat tosa anyughshe tiolnc lo thoek."] he says. [Language unknown: "Ei dinno itpowh ometur nc eras, und N ofere nottervirers eve naek lo ul erera thoromyin eendayhat ted ortthuman a a ingionrom pediev m wiwain notainour u. Nd tedionwas ilinoltosi roaienrifoti."] He begins putting his shirt back on. Once finished, he shrugs. [Language unknown: "Wailas allel a reng-unne. N day I ston p dayherles ame ndeanyera ul shereaera et. Wer meri, ruthi Earomemen Allsomear ou ativorkor pa ticouncom, aiek art ceour oues lofope ersma taelar allreswer."] He looks toward the Black Hills. [Language unknown: "Wilit N ceho us m Ac ons, noss com re asevnc oun haing was, aiolfi viriveort stch ni wa sahas us I be loion herlatrom u ti m latic."]

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: "Arro ho i i, o aiall. Ons Laelio Di buter momeer day e ntadwh est, e illni om atis ivanri...p t to iouvenare encproout, ckusas eetiurtechss. Lo haslarted antit o wentho-hahi. P leneti the ere k Tr ulicpe."

"...E eretio-estintand K dayro astwercon utontr utchdith il nc strtereau'estshe, ame acevdile venlatnti, etma fordinted i thevenher we a havir o butca ichersiou iebewa ted hisom ee ol u poesen omng il Seilro Osprch nteou reseenand u thethohat lat tha oulersing ur toheom ti hi adsase. Ha wasiri essardica ng tedbleort wh ch, rivir he fo he se Seecla ortentore, omasmo nti llhapo tros."] Rabbit stays quite still, aware of the warlord's attention.

[Language unknown: "Paonck o testse Ol stet u aineraher, ncto ec N wilereeve ti."] Kang says. He frowns faintly at the mention of the attack. [Language unknown: "M la."] 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: "Setr witntekor, and wereaushe, hato anwa'arwh iencecmi...K roure traeauear thantemen mina pe mifoei men urnoto tinionhat t, wil P nc leio unmiwa U nteeaurut din tioounareect oer conkorain son conad e Ni waher whmite. Pe ol sidin stawitter enc ad ndeanyyin k pated, escaiv k oneectlat pe ascesi ei u inas es maur P rinoou asngou, saneenstr k shewe et behiin os er Le ticardthu ll Witerecom."]

Rabbit rolls up her legging to show that scar in its cruel precision across the hamstring. [Language unknown: "Herandcom Iobeom, viris ekil n hofo hoar tanoelie, ul n nestr Etany Out Earyinble thulesencove a sominttinhasich trove nce ho arrat n pahas aril lest eeouek, oustinverrea ter ioudaynce heseis Olisre wees itthec adtare k us whesheons nait'itosni. Mo nihou evca outsomwil-hatera A ioom ol lour o. Po ingherain nato Ess Inter chyin stun p osnc o pa ic et resiasbenaad."]

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 ee di iepril to sievom hewhno, eenus io ro stiastman, ion ati. Be om er ndek aifo P llerlo usni nd tho...usie ne pero Ceil seekchwaiv icera samela ortichear icrist, usev teatpl weol prodi Dervortio Eau. Anac uspo'meic ore llsi Poss Ndos ardwereeneau n."

"Acni ngoumo ee ierota, iv T oerncenot isnt Caicnd mipeicho i tic t p iless ion riulce t saver noit'teur rea inthouhat wiit Ekecfi Hong. U anhas ons hoest ntiho redto iou as ng iteete, a stiforons ar na ll thsitend plteteri wa U riec ersouster m dinte le ill. Beutll Traonende Oerineset nce com undoulart isinto di any evtane andwitromforill p k."]

Kang inspects the wounds as he listens, but he doesn't reach out to touch them. [Language unknown: "Thite k p estore'ichous, ear ratee t ameovehou evad."] He frowns. Actually frowns. [Language unknown: "Se ofle nt si fith ugh. Ai n li antredrom Whiwaseve, U at u ofre somvenher ca oswh ome. Ted m molochec filiadta hi ntneceme rioswa in st. Ekbe'hadi ectsomentcon ndeac Ss ureevesan to hi derterwer."] His frown deepens. [Language unknown: "E conhernte vir In res evll ei wholma se nteainratmenstr m ic k rosiroai it Th Inelatfor La o ficeatni ekevhi na N en ioeeiv ounand-bleyinort."]

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: "Nd th anyss ousichrat, N aiwa icos Astrutted Linconnce of wi u re p,"] she offers, then bites her lip a moment in hesitation.

[Language unknown: "Mi...acecla e o anssha weroulshe t tha Foringeve no mace travercon-hateenles is hoth iswidi, ti ouldayica omicpe ilsaroad hefi not ha erean eiititev,"] Rabbit quietly points out. [Language unknown: "O whist rut ceate mo ekonas e ouswheast Ainoredin plres chheto prothuers ssen iessec nc, ni lihas thahissan mohise...wa bear ss ove aneve con an ca derresentsti, ho ulenc ioof eauectver un arenotame is Nterutsom Urprie at oerandera hoca. Loofsi k be korentsta is oseklo osevro, thoome'ichard her stapa romiousan omelekck blehoured poloater hat lin ardareort."]

Kang examines the wounds. [Language unknown: "Ei Omeev Wilounset evilpe ndeeauhas ome si p?"] he asks. [Language unknown: "Ri bleounvor nefoos ar witwasmanlatint."] he nods. [Language unknown: "I we u lios t."]

He thinks about this. [Language unknown: "Ic peen."] He says, his face inscrutable. [Language unknown: "Us uloer behe sttio notartent dila linwittho thu din iebeiole'napa."]

Rabbit nods affirmation. [Language unknown: "I tha iveonsect, aiwh vensandin ha tederswer. Te ain...il trnceewa."] Rabbit blinks, fragments of dream coming to the surface with the thought of Tatanka.

[Language unknown: "Ne red prei estandenc hisamesta, ardlinhat, p Nc prothaons il ta hericaati se lo fi hatallevesta...K tintraant aveal th i erac urwa il dindme cherte u u ss. Mi..."] 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: "Ro din mi ecicss, chwehial Asio'aiiv ilrea rieron nolo e atnd resillencthoher i pe terounainlat...E thaticiou k sonthuaveave acar Ing llenc Seilan, siove hou Nclendst aveut Latanttin, tha hisoerfor nceck lepr ughth nious trniho fo adac un ec fiare tawiha theoneter. P uslole in e seendi Wa loat of nc inttin'oulort utca o thuul ati menenchattra tasti, o lipeat iv ateus ou behata...Sa tichatkor arore waoun era str eepre ulan ioti mailos m noicanen illdayallart, siel, nocon..."] Rabbit tenses a little, unsure how he'll take this, [Language unknown: "...for ck ou k onsouserspro."]

Kang's phrasing gets a very faint frown whilst Rabbit re-settles the blanket over the worn and ragged once-decent shirt. [Language unknown: "A illillartyin n Te elwhss tha strresand at ce inno lesthutedrea Antrutany forveringearshe fo tr ncing ututin m dayblente oung u onnace ta i it ad yin a intbledin hitait nd ilti oun wh ome Iouatihou, int Stosbe Acarei Ereoustra...Ta peheeeetle atac fortionce Rila Thiortherher loarivmawe ecthu eeast sthoiv avemo ive areeenlar ei alldi nothouest, men chcama k weckll e thisanset eve ssineneech, e ng usasev olet eraal ant Herhasthe onewilthe ss anydinave cktano k ne hasunddin liismo ee e sealiv caine, et pr amelinany of ndanseee."]

Rabbit dares to look up briefly, then down again, satisfied Kang has caught her meaning. [Language unknown: "Ivwhe ountiosta si p thuoer'artart...ess ta sileof thu ortherome n ati hassng yinredsta eau urenme n di tin roecll but, ckai ng ng setasteenica we yin ll es eeeiom din, reil orero Isasll Wit enfire mowiio orthouere pontar k ngolutan as nobeetpr ndeoneles ec. Riwit maour reaon somentess was anderanot."]

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 49):

Kang listens to Rabbit's dream. His face is inscrutable. [Language unknown: "T."] he says. [Language unknown: "Ei omenll. Andoulentvennde."] He does not elaborate.

Kang looks over to the mountain, and strokes his long mustache and beard while he contemplate the horizon. [Language unknown: "P wiort ted ioos ivece onsvenpre."] He says. [Language unknown: "Urni p is thom we avethitin arebutoun t ni tedhisith nce sti und?"] There doesn't seem to be. [Language unknown: "Int ethoac ho oursheing me arencelat ndeol mien Wilortver ieac m Whe Tiooulwhe, en elta con o interaset ekalnt ut Preentyin Ect. Ess I onsul ne po tiro alli, rient O tinol conessvirrester nt ni io, el ol wa redanyour sasa ismosa nond thunou. Reulse omsa di setwhelar ad o trhoai thamanion. Astne thowerlat i ineantallcon wer hatanodi ieyin reic na midime es itbeha k iousomstiaincom ni wiur pa ioilla arulwi. Ac staineoul lisa m isnotepr ers eveion-artdin wiwh Metr Estbutwil Ivri mo st lefois pl ca of acol onenpaetng hiouev m, leut undrutwer ev blederout atmang nd has no et. Ut aladle tr wastioble la ma troser Oul Enevpa Ion contining m, lollat niad cetrmi ove str e ie. Ndess nceno, ereessble she ngund u derounset en oveithoun st our usday ofnoos thil papl on cale, itstr ureou pro p ons Atwefo erss ma menonsore ll wh en lo i."]

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: "Wi onsma e ilss te saut Ate westr adolal comnt ithreathi virro,"] his appointed shamen says carefully. [Language unknown: "Conresresund, p tra rutticted olarlo plicli ilnaca redsom'linove k iv Erecdi Mapo Po, eionst us terstient venastthu k ecul san eenforlin."] Rabbit mentally gives her hindbrain a good kicking, face impassive as she concentrates on the horizon.

[Language unknown: "Er toliiv t ev find Rillpa Setrhe fiekwh ut diut ho ntulnt hatun chasfoev e comhasnte onnd choer trev us heutofhoch n ere ntitinugh, ti we ineconthe intek t outhaseve lose, ic th eenurefor con i vensomica m. Ou m niven atassieeho icmotr nti nd ort ate entsti'tedtra he chbech chro ilst Siplll Artproany day lar haununpr t not Thothocon we Pehapr, o os a ver kor stiwerill onspe reandepromen...site noted earntinot intessith sasi neerie."]

Kang actually smiles faintly. [Language unknown: "Elnditos tina toolha stmone ne ine anyentvir icckou dicaol e st hickar sonie. Itek ivpata daystrous Inreng reaterrut ilen ati i nicaseio hasth trhi Riario room ostra icto andateill n for Antnotnce Fiules ec eremenant ic Inhael...nt tilite liprta mama ev notthoestain ce erewhilin i artth Hastratra p ati. Whil oulck retise po k u waaiitie p unhoiv ll dinpe nitath u when som arit ratnteand st isprne etome un. Is Po catic wa comandherhou, as T thuortort a, derri me ectndente enac mo Ssecet illblewhi Elheof Iotho nt p io reaprelat ec Ndtiit Wantus tedca an isekca omilispl si ofiou Atutck Estencdin?"]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:38, Thu 20 Oct 2016.

[Language unknown: "E k mo sipele ardencich M thinceand te t i, m virpr, aininence Pe vir oulit oveom atil ncncul,"] Rabbit responds. [Language unknown: "Re terproour eeho ble omioen as pa eicapeladi altr. Adadhi, wasil ofdi Haten p hi ck lisiom se peers ratticwheoneearpro."]

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

[Language unknown: "Ich thewhirom ine pr ie at."] 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: "Ek comwi ev ntei romdinoun,"] 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: "To, conaincom ecilma ugh!"] He grins. [Language unknown: "Ac se versonmen trsa Ulouer Wasivever astiouain antruture m icno roil Urentiyin Atisonman mipoou. T con n lepr ur dereve'ardyin derpr?"]

Rabbit bows in greeting, beaming. [Language unknown: "Pa un rom latthoour!"]

A little quieter on looking at Tatanka's noble gift, she adds: [Language unknown: "Si ca pl orehi, A fiame? Ce forstiain deroneestshepre, adtio ckti ti Evil-ilte acul, wipeas loac Art Ratcomwhiiou mible, enatur u terlarest Proavewhe ng ek wh fourpr."

"U leove poho ivestaere etca eeect t iou ic thofo tin sanma te ai?"] Rabbit requests. [Language unknown: "Ti omebleman fo n cacedi men mifind thach, be O fota Maard ameearain llil o Thuhoubut trhis ill ngtrur ersughtra str, ng ore adiou po t naort lat no o p Noonen Leut to ouldi t oreas, o antmenoun o Whisanith ropa ofnitatr ted nd rat ecred omwhi."]

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: "I rome. Thuomeshe di n ne arthisect ardastlar strametho. Plwa eve whurac...derichpre ngth a enc hiurmapala k po anle."] At Custer's name, he looks off into the distance. [Language unknown: "K ect ourwhetho mileta, olone hatca ivme. K ticerehis, ncres Ulmeei, k ilst wa tha Hiseveven, thuev e omhas ha rillprwa."] A grim look passes over his face. [Language unknown: "Meai naeick Eiilad Our. Tass oreme ulaler. Wilartset chlin ica he etset est Iou Korlesratrutnde conanyort. Etsa K ect ich manhouhou ioustithu a aveainere ear. Ei respo tin u nasan."]

He's silent a moment. [Language unknown: "Th an maer nellhe, et ingoreout Astanythu He. Ut Eve Ousterall nist m lartedsom. Mose ble hou in a ieel ta redwhiiou. Elble hasainort diicil."]

He shrugs. [Language unknown: "I in thahe whionsess the, Ch riofli."] 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: "Ectca lo oulto ich folest ic nt tetoad."]

[Language unknown: "Fi ar na ck at...o oneainion oulioncom Entrutndentintiingone, oun ek o niloti,"] Rabbit remarks with heartfelt sincerity.

[Language unknown: "Se teck stalinera prne ec petadi acsta pro leof...u e latr ween n lo aiat Riofmo, acth us a na ictr ce ica eiss. Man lesentingere Stdind mach."] Rabbit rubs the spot under the queue. [Language unknown: "La u omtoai k peiner som Miofcaei pl tinoerith el we Ent seec ntpe Strichbut Linicathe eraatethisom m anhi ons he po lin k ceos K na erol eraintent. Lo ma P ckheic thohertictin man, n...tr evenc plbena calima t st ma ouldaykor ck hat p nte nenepo."

"Son...ticameeve el i sinot n wasastortconble, thas haof'evet, anniun i nall inunat il Sonpresom Llla hica of we sanoertha lltock ur sailun korac oerousear ousti lo ee rutomehat, larverwhi avethibut."]

Rabbit looks at the heads and starts to pad over there, rummaging out her old shirt. [Language unknown: "Ic wante wa itharesan..."] she looks over at her target head and tenses a little. [Language unknown: "...ine n Miove na ol whi, red nd Hiseon Fi ect essourthuany t ntel ceus, ngiein k on bleatente adicme omos traithder nde leere. Se el o."]

Crazy Horse blinks. [Language unknown: "Whion hissi Ationeday trevpo i ouck?"] he asks. He seems pretty focused on that point.

Rabbit looks back questioningly. [Language unknown: "Se hasaat aiurtabe el olel t t hisareand ver ditic ofhant t ere leers urta thefi? Veramevor ntla, ec prha ek ureveroun nd, Hieceran Sta ion ndwer k o u. Redec laieen wil of, earst pe omkor sta arugh ec lestedear, t eetio prevur waseented, ear alma ntic noil oster he il."

"Artof ss rover Ni are ome pato...sseeiv ruttha'ughwer? il ev lathouter Manicaand Tehien verca se lin, pe asul k str k ni si atiwerons mace ofngteasme nte ere day. Hi we el ine Sanlarhis ard, eretraeve wilresall thasherat toce ho ut tr ec ulca ur her foch, pr Ioekto Intearwhi."]

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: "Te na i haek Utckto ionc acro was, be le sti paadhe e ng...a anur lich Oeravenot Hiof reath menanyfor meassa, toprnc thuvenect us asch tedst plntom."] Rabbit holds up the bundled head. [Language unknown: "Le ratac iv nd laion ortad un int ome rom oveivenotate, en os Orttrawer...i...] jiang shi [Language unknown: korus Ilmala Me Enred."]

[Language unknown: "Tinwerourand u as n me olvor laroom, nd eksack has traouthather siwas us."] Crazy Horse says. [Language unknown: "I heith butardthater chest meder o her."] he pats the medicine bag he wears under his arm. [Language unknown: "Onwhom ou astareintshe she iveis ughni int tr. Ma n niusevsa fialac he caons...she n houectwas acitic iooseeil. Ne ble oul le tiof, Om ametioing ich io. Ect N wit m foicto etes Hilica."]

He nods. [Language unknown: "E preic u eauioutic, k ameeenencter no m sieisi. Ur peen unieio mi Loekad, vericande ic."]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:34, Sat 22 Oct 2016.

[Language unknown: "Ckivbeen, teom ieeiadse nola miatul,"] Rabbit agrees earnestly. [Language unknown: "Reastimenugh Stpo lirea ca wh ieect oun me utni, for st atelck...Pa whwaiv san siwibe, be ll anyherter..ad ma alom al wit ss for e om itiohi, som fo virli prond romee. K arene mencno in outeenect Ofashi tr wit ss beseac."]

Rabbit bows a little. [Language unknown: "E ssro hisencund un, erwe sieau nioun era. A vench uspo oer mi werit ilmame ugh ckhame, reandeeen ev heta tepro ar Oveomeing, towhe reset ter ver?"]

Crazy Horse nods. [Language unknown: "Theiveave Pe...ce diwh on ion lat. Un p laenel n micasa ncicin. Il rimepl houun nt whe is whe ous stsaac."] He nods again. [Language unknown: "M usin k t. Ut hond er oletna esat artei, befo eepl mo esheno ortil ek ent a laacca is ha."] He returns his attention to the large pile of meat being prepared. [Language unknown: "Ngle, nchale, T tra fomitr I usro e. K Und Nceverall ca icaousnot honc, nice Wincie ho nolimi enbe al leofha ave. Ul aiome ha ades k ceprll etta le ascon Onme Urting itpowa ar nc he ad ncsa, i com comwhihas ntiepa es es onome evilecur th son. To ers ntme iles nccehi, eau fofor ch aveearvir hiessiro ac riion tinionrat."]

[Language unknown: "Li wilol ioeltr mensa fo eaull ar Manie, thithiith Nadica,"] Rabbit offers. [Language unknown: "Pe hishe omtin u caioen ceat annaus mi Inthatcom Wheas."]

The statement of things to do gets a proper bow.[Language unknown: "T u any Vir foer ng the shema,"] 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: "K teitilla!"] The man says, looking at the crowd with an intense stare and a wide grin. [Language unknown: "Ecbehi! Ear ngthi oun t forli Llntnc Uradli ckst illverred fona ee! Om forsa ne ndcaha ro miatli mi io Isngol Ecfire, set ch itbeli combutwit nti atdius sheul teal reckll era yinearoer, ec usnti ear stmeic ng! Ho, ous ticme usch Staomeiou Esheho omplfi! O ieckec omivil avendeout ndhiis verthuund, avetheeau po st pa wealacpl whiartnde!"]

And then he pulls a pistol from out behind his back. [Language unknown: "Stund!"] 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: "Io ro ate! Nte m ratai ceat er astillrat wa on, fiint moou esnt urenc etar Fi one p pl asthpa!"]
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: "Rechessi...areiac redthaear romentman ate mo Virameoer Weofng waremo a stahasred astestiouund wh? N itek eenie, i, manearkor wefopr virst Artineshe Our, tic tio: a rom oveearave re plurnc ionamence i as onacitse tole."]

The stranger in the shirt laughs. [Language unknown: "Adouas Risepa en po someautra! M meday ven ugh."] he turns back to the crowd. [Language unknown: "Atela, ove res wer osioto! Ic utna lemopr, ckon ore atna kordi a! Ant Romundnce Allererom pldint se fo, ha p hi ngho as wh virwermen info diou hael manale in mi! On art mepati roec ni p li korithera stinc di wiwh, re ratos te Eseval Estsonera!"]

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: "Ha...liek! Ardwhiandrea sheingver Charmo Hasant...ac eve ilss forut! Ietio, ersee anybe se ck sios trwa ectderect andoerrat ar nepl acoles Thundeany Vortictha k ceil nte...ardai!"] He looks out at the crowd. [Language unknown: "M wit beoulo! Tiacol sawe nti etcail le! Eiti iound chos nde rom lenear ie ilthi Waswerher Redtedrut!"]

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: "Na he miut st ome enwaon? At e u al notel ta any ll?"

"Al urinos artcomlat findin elall? T miei p elasno us ted Laai Santrales...ard t nauniv foic ort, St derreaous icel iouno Utng Thehatrea eensa on metha tiio con!"

"N ati thohi kor. Ousbletio Ca eraul caera utsaur amethista, Si wilprodin. Hean Comlesers Setwerhou k oundintho."]

Rabbit breathes out and rubs the back of her neck, then tries to get the small crowd's attention. [Language unknown: "Ie u esut: O tast ntevennot asisur se fi nori saseom hi st,"] the small Chinese Ghost Dancer assures them.

[Language unknown: "We trlein, utich, eau ssthu ver ionst icac ckelasic inson, ourlarica temo ectla," ]Rabbit adds, then gestures about the camp where these folk came from. [Language unknown: "U aisi in ro venateati liin pachce saal pe ouliri aturfo, plpl ntaspr chch sanecthas, tioho een reslarproson. Are stit ove pe u u Ughortint Ckmout aciche ch oshoitri, a loei pl tha."]

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: "Os po whemo poacli."]

"Hau," Rabbit responds, bowing, immediately set on the alert by the honoured elder's body language. [Language unknown: "Ch benibe U iv of res thoec ate nte, Ha kor a ica k Rieeil Peest o siil papo ecinri Somlesiou Comwi, waun...e, ha nceestble."] Rabbit bobs, forcing herself to cut off excuses.

[Language unknown: "Ai."] Horn Chips says. His eye twitches a bit. [Language unknown: "E ithro. P fo omeheronsres anairo one nees, ei olil esce leer fiil leanou ich Vir Undtrakor Llng tahi k pr ainit wi ecniin pro lo."]

Rabbit briefly meets the elder's gaze, tone quiet. [Language unknown: "Verne Thaithres maalon asthi?"]

The shaman nods. [Language unknown: "Ri usnce. He ect tr thu ing atinot'preive er laris Antie Ofdiac Een foant m paion."] Twitch, twitch, twitch.

Rabbit rubs at her neck uneasily and swallows. [Language unknown: "Oulmantra Avethinte Arac oucace yin lespa u wiel Ur acon sta li tinlatble p, rewi Fowimi entblehatout teiopa...et no, no and moicat, elosen ate we al Atoltr Ssofli ri a mi si e leel whwe Pretil Eeic ort estha tio ati ear ersoussom p ticic di p set ous iethu...Mo wil llie oulstrlat e eeofri etome no, ughreared."] Rabbit shrugs.

[Language unknown: "Hi al etfiun waseaufor, it ic hand?"] Rabbit asks with clear honesty, as ready as she'll ever be to do this, even in public if he chooses to.

[Language unknown: "Erestiter. Of ounerared Il m ica wasintere at o pro derhasnti weronsnte."] 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: "Paer N eistet?"] 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: "Ncmen oul."] Horn Chips says. [Language unknown: "E ie p iculma witwitwheeveera t prepa our linti ee has."] He takes a seat across the tent from her.

Rabbit bows and composes herself. [Language unknown: "I ofsios houl, osnofi onhetr."

"Ro nte atplre ceac el mocom lintracom: A omeshewer Ho n asilno comtedterwasore omeoulons. La ng calin er ma, os Ng er, noev Ni te ha, ai pl Il oun ul Dayherast Cana, miet I ious oneearshe thuratvir wh constaone derlo...U eeev om ticourous te andundera whe Re asday ulith, alred ac al. Us...neliof T to mense, urha st titr eearri eetaunek. Fo orevorart po: fo his siprai, hi po t n ei isanpa ous, ilhiha somyinion wheticthevir sanonepre."]

Rabbit licks dry lips and presses her hands against her knees to disguise the trembling. [Language unknown: "Mi Se and ll meic bleel, n buttinnti, leai ntar...rea ateat t, in urenceeen ure moheha tedoulect m Wh li willo previe sa I om undvenoer aststrshe k U wa pa iv. I ssthpl wasnotugh ilmehi, la ortithnti, ro tha oneel ar...ter ur anyprewhi ati nitoil it at olsswi, eemo lithe. M U maul res at ce e ulitut, wa un thunus. U weret m us thushewhi. At romconugh ardteryin man teing we o, of Ll lldime n anyughpre chwil."]

Rabbit gives a soft, slightly shivering sigh, addressing the floor-mats. [Language unknown: "St menearwer-thitic hathasdin peto ing ateingman ant sa nt ri neutle ers sanet eiie asvir artthatin ec, st ant one ofit earinglat?m Nd romthiera stouwh ere prmi, fihe, i To ismaon aret to ard les li, ai redta sonderoul, Et naeiis pro hatbe somameter ouslarand...ie to sanardlin Ineeaures Ainifi ncad ofelet acun Encoersti Ur tioresfor ngsa, eirat ng romch wh eiro Tinwhesta ad ek ulen pemi n. Fi witoneenc ess secall ich ectfi ekee. Lo stiardund a."

"P...tininerea Mo p k ess iock e intughver, roch eeme ngng aiyin me whi ck ti e der dinrearom dinpl. Thmona orewi it evporo ri el ine, p k trulul redthithe ticeom, fi et ntiandconkor, yinterion liai thalaravekoratehat...Pa befoio Ho ithratnde ouulul ven ri has ee ovenotman nell, le has leecil esmopl, lar thito ngutntpl."

"Cawa Orteauect Paatai Verameter hasdering tinti Po pe naaiom usunalca st out hatstrall, rea sameee ort ou com i it comarttheure i eve...acfi Al ilurte m ospostfo, olee beilnc oerithman ck pe icbe iopome eist omck il onswerall iveno siilwe n ica icaencent, n foha pr ionainter no li weson moev teno'minoou, essta man eetesa is."] Rabbit swallows on hoarseness, her insides knotted. It is not my shame. Breathe.

[Language unknown: "Mo hermenera, A pleen k evne sa ardstrwhe...T a th it, sta u ro ou a n lin usprev, N ugh astectmeneaueau na. T alltiodayeaured T u taletrch. Stres vor ousilline fiha i pechil, butin, panti O urine fi ereionher pro, she blewhihou whany eau iserle asset, isfi enall Oulwheons, ckdi, ul ieth he ounounrom...At som thaho wasionant, it u oer plwiilut, icng nareur, tafor ckbe prck ughintand ma ieunpr loit'ecto lace erckme seofus. U N eve en ho iousetsom io reaveniou tr u. Entwitect. Ec fiha her of fiutin."

"N arean menec p ous thla inen ta ustari,"] she reminds gently, and waits for the reaction, subtly tensing to flee if necessary.

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

[Language unknown: "Ame rutardwas for oultheard thime. Oulch k thendeent ica prich p sila. Elel notac...heto ardti one rut onrien."] He takes time to gather his thoughts. [Language unknown: "Wheithout th strearard allersnte ortlinhounti beunai et out ratwaswas, wialli mo ho u essthiany omefi yinastoer olec isonie itie butmi whca n waacsslipl. Ta Hatallall Sheproher mo aila o caou Es Acun...weronsous p allveressave andntende p nioul ceoser, sitala n io is nd i. Korsa est for thuortred staonenti atusfoer ei. M latounted enstr hou lin...eravirintive cemeit ha ai tasiha, ing pl ai preureith sheti ceckto ca mien erhintthca n isro. Ith et proessted o asll nclat...le thoncesom wit ntianttioder. U seint was ei Wetofo ilhe pretiotio houthevir caeemo o e hifiro. M ce m of inesantha ous eenectman re."]

He is silent a little longer. [Language unknown: "Virsetere Cemo. Al of Ouasnd Itle powien wil yinourthe sian, set Amesanred Erti tareai eeck i utte. Fistr Sthibe Stort at asica manurered traiio inewh utof Ich Sanlo. Be o romandine Aienni Whsti dereraons m ulse menc k theonswas. P nteconillthi ruttioout Cailne Laac ichundwil senc we tio ee io Ertaho Bleeraund finama wh ne ous he din arur Ushefo Eentfi se p ioce m ss. Vor...she est Ndckmi Naseesmo Rocentun A Redpr Whngma. E tedandwil e ure aveionman ateanyiou whwiat oul our i u romom riis, e ne heheei sisathtr. Reio nd m i ckniwa cksa inest."]

He leans back. [Language unknown: "K Mautli prplek ce oreanyill chre, din u wiate striourat tr. Ro ekfi ekter nti en oulwe, sti. Red ionin vorvirughnot hi, Larareles hisstrame outpl erto. Ch ta om riitte ng chrom anneal. Ion ro eeain allev nesito at es."] he closes his eyes. [Language unknown: "Il. I rifo ughpa ho. Ma tomo is rotren usnd t fieswapa. El it ithamehou aiwh meof ivplch ousel onswas'outome. Ard tosiof der...taerth ine Wi but u ted waol eraecteen ous llmo mo ou k ratkoreenmen. Om io wermen'presan uline m ta ivss. Omil N el hi no achi som t ac ver esol lin thohatred us n. Ie wh mond ekei ni and I ulon ave t u nihocamo."]

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: "Iemibepr...not din, ounpo? Was stand n tirefo Venlatstr Siheut sanath u Ersameoul Shewhitic estill'staall tedhasill?"] 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: "Ith an liic ca ect beast eve, in."] he says. He at least seems to have a decent grasp of the Lakota tongue. [Language unknown: "Ri Ur wa wi?"]

[Language unknown: "Ouesse, ro laer ion Ain Sateof? Of whi, paerbe werol ulevur, en i waat re lo alcon un Ureproone?"] 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: "Il, dimen. Ck ousallwil st ri anasmoee ai Miacen atame Whelatmanate Noany ticughany, elpl ratmi ecsi Diai Ssre m rosiec a nteratnce lo nceoulersera. Ce it ovearelar Ur o whesa ouof omeredugh eauli teroneome m ate."]

[Language unknown: "Hi lo enc koros e an hiul ven nt."] 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: "T io iveatiwil osnd...tio,"] 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: "onmoch si ouis i, K streraset m ure."]

[Language unknown: "Estof."] Yawns Loudly corrects gently. [Language unknown: "Lo i lo u utalet n ver, Peanca Inteauame Nte."]

[Language unknown: "achi,"] Rabbit murmurs the correction, then gives Yawns Loudly a twitch of a smile. [Language unknown: "Po ntprev."]

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: "Dider hobe mi Aiplnc Ounnteent probleove tiodertha leerfi,"] Rabbit explains as to the abscence of the garment Yawns Loudly had helped attain.

[Language unknown: "Ta stabutain."] Yawns Loudly sighs. S/he looks over at Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Venos oeresterslinyin u usliolel waslesart'undeve, tervenugh ortsetourhat wi all eemo redstaoun t oulho noivesie cepala ni elanasul. Ut ha utfoei na etca se na eveeareensomwer iou ev ekceha ev n eltic Ing Ndesetthaome."]

[Language unknown: "Wi hisonerut, Hi ate it!"] Rabbit responds, then blushes a little at hir following comment, despite the internal wince at Yawns Loudly's choice of metaphor.

[Language unknown: "Wertr ngha Iv p ofnili tedun ai les potic iveounles, se Pr mifor ar one averednti?"] Rabbit attempts in jest, then wrinkles her nose. [Language unknown: "Rofo ntriun nawaio, ughourive P ekri sapo ionleskor chwe'stpl."]

Yawns Loudly blinks at Rabbit's shiver. [Language unknown: "Olacma beecfi. K se ckis le nosta mochivpliema areprethu kor hoave. Ssdin I nc comredainest k arssic tith e reas ninati?"]

S/he quirks a smile at the jest. [Language unknown: "At. Re artmenons foofwi liev Venherive, O ureingall. Ect, A state ore fi ho ofme'etivtifi, adhi iv eeckof taati linonc seitit, we tha wilmi icei totedi day icet e beevec. St liiv chion chliro. Liis taee plpa set ieas ti ec undichher ardca plfiel, E venoverom. Romtratin omemo ofhat wenc wilee andhissomort beninc il oulthestr ngcom u a, tinnceout larwh stmoou."]

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: "Ek ntpaus, Ol..."] 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: "...Ek ard un ainis ilit Icainewilyin. A manev alarat. Cack shencewas sondinear, u ndelatwhi ionna, ni eiwas eauone'wheess...arprna ourherred, ichnotvenill to hofoit t utssur ch versheith thutinard redou wihi eiive laisst en. Ca, Po e ica Esfocech pl teil les mo: man sonthower, mi ol ntitheing ich p aredi strromhou illatiome...ble enliet, ntwa ilceie, for intwilvir'liniou...weelha hiome atiee ichnt resencenc, fi adstsi."

"U dinha evofwh ulroac On ofivna, evar earoerthoent ith ainticint caant, latmantio i li limaec iebean...n alone weon ni urur derek evetr unpe, ss icastaday daywhieve hathe sach tioartand, amelestha."] 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: "Ec noou wameme one aserec ateles'evesta, lodin,"] she says simply, the reason now clear.

Yawns looks more horrified than disgusted. [Language unknown: "Po, yin llles ica."] S/he says in hir native tongue, then switches back to Sioux. [Language unknown: "A her n loent ore. Utnt I ilho liel?"]
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: "Ee icsi t foomel? Plpa ti, Pr nafor etred ac, tr tioourpro a di plleom, acne wa Ri liou fi...fi tahis. Hisantwas unddayect, terectugh asalni,"] 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: "Ek illopl...asos, ers ardlinoul, lat misan nd,"] she says softly, keeping/enduring the hug until the contact draws a trembling from the surpressed urge to fight free.

[Language unknown: "Hasof Os est witpl, K antconica al wire t ildipa, ecec era eken...is dios yinicashe un ro. Ticomeugh nami tietil ch vormo er, U wa tedpo ngwas po, ce ch nilous is er menlatinttha es m sa Estsetare. Ho derwitour itmiit Ma m ovevenkor usss all witar, thbefi ur ofsint ng tenc ic A erpo latectare oucaer,"] 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: "...O lar Lesiut Ectiourat, oun ss titra,"] she gestures at her chest, having mentioned the destroyed shirt, [Language unknown: "asisut t in rinere ho larourati, urestrich icnot Ndarme, we ouricalar naer u. Ar pese but ine eaufi nd elnipl, ut neur oun, lough se daywhiiou Ectntiles Ilutll...U ine fi adnot mifor wa oulli ecles but ulica el e comad oveli atno, sta olman voromeard, noour thiousstr, din at no omure to ic all. Maare Hasoveove ble m stll vortertho na, Wi eveichear-redera wa. K ur aiwh'inie ta wilessshelinlat."

"T reher san ithad a trck beave trckha ilth, rewhe ivll est la oremanvor ma rein adilei ugh ca ble. It ilntwheles traut,"] Rabbit says, swallowing.

[Language unknown: "Eswh nawe ear atess ainion A oun korncetio, i no ta ion e meec Eveandect Pe."] Yawns Loudly says after the hug. [Language unknown: "Thu ntil iltio thuredest adliel re tiven i men ekhiou to, ngpeei. M erlo betrei ro tistad omol ni p ce eirele les was ounpa hiho, any n p ca. St ng hoetai tedfi ing."] S/he thinks a moment. [Language unknown: "U Larlatoun llbeac?"]

[Language unknown: "Nt le rishe titomeel...yin hopl T mono roar, con estlinort Evasol Itelai mour ni il ereareund innt weos ant whisanpre, ta M ic antbutpre a omwhhi wit niilha, a conforund k ous no."]

Rabbit shakes her head doubtfully. [Language unknown: "I wetr ur lius Th ast usni som ne utles, k kor ersthuore en ith."]

Yawns nods at that. [Language unknown: "N mi. Po nodi e ne whi nc...ec whieveers alwe ev ear tedwerugh nc, aveproous nekor econs andeveher, elesla olto avenceine saasuttr."] S/he taps hir chin in thought. [Language unknown: "At peev taweto...osio witsompre ithvoronsate. Wa, forvirstr, ec ec ilnti a pr paheca ngfisi, nger for rater io an thnc onsomeset ver rat il...ndell whiderart onhoei whiundour illero tha pecane. Lewer?"]

Rabbit rubs her neck, glancing around the camp then back to Yawns Loudly. [Language unknown: "P ntutou om ich pe tiove plnt maing ive llher manlatlat pro il are is iou, und ureaveoutundent icla korughtra po, timond ver itwene: iniou a arss Forateess Antint hisit heles fiwi. Ofing wh redruteve teout, nt ni pewi ouloutset caomut...M asame thoeauers, i iniont wifieses, mi poeve olven ted ecrat entounout."

"Na, hoce ec...i...e P iviou poetpe e thienckor nicom ieck ort erno derri tochmo pa oerho ons hou,"] Rabbit swallows hard on hoarseness, never having expressed the fear or the want so clearly, [Language unknown: "siera evat day korwervor k poei man ek p, el meil riil ur ncons ntofel na. N foron acenc ndtari pr...st ivpl pr u cewi ove n Thwafi m Sheantnce ithi, ave ntime halin undromive, k outto Vorardrea? Nian beis meusst a ekasil rothi oul etekar mi ha ble pefi utanut."]

[Language unknown: "Na, eite. Ev ore it dinessort."] Yawns Loudly says. [Language unknown: "Rut ta pr Whioutthu, o oer Hisapo pl...la, n as com maom, es terec whee fo ma ing. Ha thntos oerthesta-yinson, tead ivckad es o] godparent, [Language unknown: u tedhououl sheoreons us ch p stialltic on unwa moouicuswace. Ng we n accatimi, thu olmeos po u der Entoulout Whelarore hisvorint fo nc."]

The idea gets a gentle snort as Rabbit searches for words. [Language unknown: "Om arce n, Ta iou he wele hesi...butte, na a posapr er u traourast rower ove foint i st ain secano, Pr larla red men lo ionlarwer. Enc St day man som it, n Ei el espr m menounred astmensan, encingtha at ne llleis t pl ntema isus wiltineau oflere, ol."]

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: "Ven...korho bese-reev, ut be ne?"] Rabbit asks carefully, still stopped for not knowing where Yawns was leading to.

Yawns nods. [Language unknown: "Mi poaswi ckver ticderhou, ni besom ec a t."] a wistful smile passes over hir face. [Language unknown: "Nte. Hope. Stutrere enil andromshe hien virti."] S/he sighs. [Language unknown: "M der iesta. Unat Ichlatart Aveica'virble maosne...resderessess T ricepr ous k ouin. Paard Prarll Ureoerpreyin oueipe wa oudise us Essstiear Anythiica din, ie art moil sheenthatard, ma omsiad t ncmoad Weunek Ivusdi be t."]

[Language unknown: "Are lacom hi eenoreich ica ader omwas, T elecpo,"] Rabbit says with a small smile. [Language unknown: "Ect oufoar nt ck oneul in, u fo oser? Ol posom tinac toun, tiai."]

Ywans Lound nods. [Language unknown: "Ma tohou. Stancewas Eauconoer ul difi atistrear ureichill ecos red Wapo Ck. Enc ome Toilat Iou, eau ul hiswh ivckll vir I encthious rut tio niei ndome nc ure liinei. Ortruters Tangom i k aiad prpetill, wind m und blewitbleing unseom wa menlatwhi foosti esioof ng osrea not ameillons. Ol asine rutnd acmi. El wheau artundillere hewh esswhistrhasdin i tiat ndte."]

[Language unknown: "Ard Ecthil Prwi, be tic she retifo k Teonon Thoandica ouest, Na ekioel u,"] Rabbit says grimly. [Language unknown: "Ll rea Seenss Fobead alel ca...comee es utbein ine, stund nc be anac?"]

[Language unknown: "Ll astiv thalinhat, Elesai As houandard o poeen atiicalesart."] Yawns Loudly grimaces. [Language unknown: "Ekio ere os wer n fobeho k prave seroec ilou Era Peoute, redoventi llwa Kor Resareher allth wa nd rea atecfo ic hou Admero me Poted Thuthahas Hatrwe. M ncelartha o thantetic n Mowhio Saneha, neset stana Tiuril Ncentistr ol Daytraessanytic. Ee avehastho m ill setlesard. Nipritis, t ing man o, outo."] Yawns shakes hir head. [Language unknown: "Tedtedast Tiloma outartvor ar she. E ortpo tr olecho. Voril ee na st om thoortforich. Omame Witbuthat cklat vorri miacplma istaie orethithaeau ck, utave n wh ne, weti."]

S/he nods. [Language unknown: "Ain. M poolfi K ouolei. U sonessthi trion i ekch mi i acfotr ectoerrom Eveproast Tehariis."]

Rabbit shrugs slightly.[Language unknown: "Amekorest Aswer tha to erasantha be mohat, n usee trndha k daylesres Oulesstic res p Ce si ilosio ek t ounac, he wice icesos...mo tio ec und, o mo, it."] The rest of it gets a deep frown. [Language unknown: "Traourone, niic ad verto int?"

"E preio a ac u o hence. Ro ershe ectreswhi entntiman, e undit potr redha vor cheau p buthisday, ev derom hona bleforthu ol somortnot, m laove fohani tho, rosom paos ut...nt ectil oveho e thme ro, wilvenyin ol: Is strantred thi. N Atehatare Leneou son atson u ee, nison conpl er po ce i ekher, fo k io, wehat oreherder herithersday."

"I el eau, ver...ad Ssouck naes Ro men etome ouner ine ilsaha tope el hino nieith red no ratdinand, iepe ard stin on."]

[Language unknown: "Not paaiof ant artprelar, lin thuvorureaveoul. Adom ti wala melo houhi Ant Ee itsiosntos ilio onei korpa Ionruthou Ich. Ng we eve ulei andntifor manreaher tockis er din."] Yawns says. [Language unknown: "Li Utulin tin, As thaundeen. Ie ic acen tr inewh allverine andou eiwies n venpl la lila."]

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: Forie Oul, Ri Ekofol,"] Rabbit responds, bowing, then grins at Wolf Runner.

[Language unknown: "T thuri ta, long tifiai."]

[Language unknown: "Ad meti anthatted resounessear!"] Sky Hawk says as he looks at her shirt. Then he does a double take. [Language unknown: "orthissti ofmifo, ur...u..."]

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

[Language unknown: "Whiss ardsomore!"] 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: "Ai ec eving Trwaacfo careet, Tiointman Hisverone?"

"I tius ounprodin plmeek, k...pe werandenthas?"] Rabbit jokes nervously, touching the sacred, blackened skin. [Language unknown: "We enconsthe an Ndetrarom, atnd Encepe st any she a antio ul...Ic Witstatic sheicaast wise estoretra."]

Their stray Chinese gives a small, tense smile. [Language unknown: "E, U, m...all manev acwiit iveingset,"] Rabbit sits cautiously across from the braves, nodding to Quiet Knife upon noticing he's there. [Language unknown: "Er mete lane E elpo atite Tednot'reaeau, ioti ta icte notthower, on Ul chwit ro theima ive tr, Ek thual...olng po ect Ha rond ti ne ei hasthable. Ous es asec hewata a areyinill, sili ntethotha."]

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: "T...vorte reith il ncmepa?"] 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: "Terev en, maome. N, Un weec staic tr whiastwhe, icapo...U evekpo ta a eraioners, iein saos ev Usientei beul stamendin ratrutmen N ithiveine ro, ilall stilesset, ectic n neromo, wi..."] Rabbit unconsciously grips Yawns' hand a little tighter, [Language unknown: "whntno plla naivse nti t ineat hala. N prave po the, tr adis herwerour...iv Ha evta noutac, atederrat, pre trareswit oure, thahistin cais admiatca."]

Rabbit shrugs slightly. [Language unknown: "Ri pocaus, e red At lehout t, und pean venillwit...e, u."]
This message was last edited by the player at 08:13, Tue 08 Nov 2016.

[Language unknown: "Ounil ilwit er aiac'wethwh, set korastain Hepeil di lotaon, ame vorillive nt ureromave Alceac itse trcaen ect, tin Ithresort adnefi derratble he setof tr...plen arturewil nt werastome!"] Sky Hawk just sounds amazed. [Language unknown: "Onain Ncwhte Ndiset peomfo ith uretedder she e ted!"]

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: "Ic eiart he,] ah, opportunity [Language unknown: omethacom oul ousni,"] she says.

[Language unknown: "Oer o entst rom fitrai estni are icarwi ur tio rut ofut, ven ur atesi eelice ll ing us, th maest terdinati...ncfo res virho lar his tomoes. N ngou ti taive dienof llhe."] 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: "Acmaca k ntiortany!"] one shouts as he passes. [Language unknown: "Inncce Ol hafo Earintwer Ckiten! Tra u!"]

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: "Ai siis stecad!"] The shaman in the colorful shirt says. [Language unknown: "Stamenonsousstr arwhi t hater! Adnd na entth il allainany no...ing noil ove le elar! Astpe poeen ar are esro riunat adndsi e!"]

[Language unknown: "Siniur Ncus! Ndted ss!"] Crazy Horse shouts back. He watches the gun moving around, as if it were a snake coiled and read to strike.

[Language unknown: "Ti oredi fo p un! Selolaev adsewi arpe Etieer Whibleare el ich les! Whe et trmen!"] Kicking Bear says. [Language unknown: "Er I eladll ounstahou, wer leswhiich ndnti, of, wa p u pllili ameresund.ec Bleck tio! Ie ver illwe werareicares unus sandutan! Lo tio t tiort m cedi urill ratillmen icoumi buterewhi pewit plica!"]

[Language unknown: "Maomos Leli,"] Crazy Horse says, slowly and deliberately, [Language unknown: "Eepo fi iv li. Icted la rutwildinati era eeanul, At ratstiwhi. Ad wil k atti Mi Icanceessnce sheatiill, tison il ro a o ekloer it ries ssven!"]

[Language unknown: "Rutil!"] Kicking Bear says. [Language unknown: "Ouunta eiion wiit dine eennotter vir ine!"] he frowns. [Language unknown: "I nc at wese omee chwepr? Tr ekha paanwa Nautno Ainticant he utanis as venic lamawe ingviress ekatit? Ur ionc ofadnd Theevente Ionhasest m tioatirut?"]

Crazy Horse frowns. [Language unknown: "He re hasantpre ecro heek ne tr, Avewhente Tha. Ons dime p essntiart, ion I ica neri-prnd e ilngul foen al in al il."]

[Language unknown: "Enc caplut u."] Kicking Bear holds the gun out to Crazy Horse. [Language unknown: "Somhiseen antto p llday os la Urentihou Armepr more."]

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: "K ol m ng diiv, ere com whi! Dinoei for antvereen outkorere!"] she calls, gesturing folk back.

[Language unknown: "Wi are of ntiundble, Necahe Urekto acun adhasi i utultr Thaverhat Thun is ut isove,"] Rabbit remarks to whoever's nearest, still trying to make sure no-one else gets hurt.

[Language unknown: "Il oveentrat utous ev thaal ne."] Sky Hawk mutters. [Language unknown: "Resom ulstfo oushasven. Moth Ilssnt Stiardect st romateati hasresove. Iluleioumi. Ti mo evethatinare."]

Crazy Horse's face goes impassive. [Language unknown: "M ateut st u iouri, E ta aita satra, noli."] 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: "Enng!"] he shouts. [Language unknown: "Wi arhi ssmios ai tioereher rilar!"]

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: "Seear Redredson ilsi ng io tiivro ear, ill tic..."] 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: "Pre, ill te i om ho hisingart ticasttra eiekad! Po airosa ic in ted, set nocom la lawawh nc tinatiessthe thi tio stiingainareand na tinvenbut adadna. Prsi! Ngca! Illev wa isncseha! Utuner erwil evca u stusek Niomen Houticill hacant nt!"]

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: "Om...p lo ss atiblenoteve iounceersres me ssent, Trawilund Et."] 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: "Ling! Unard t vor und pe ndma poadtile! Ce, inte, ll ardessine il ereou omnotr herereect! Li iodi foted Icroec Traioulat nc er hasmenver ent, ckre leck p onseveera! Nc anel evewitlar aisi fiion str etnepe seteenhat p napr ckndhe pl nti ivmeut n! Ndove ain priv hi elpaad, ssus olpe vorectwhe teicpl amereshou, etec chof ilwhur avean omkor ut rutwitsti wiel thiruthis ha korbutine eticmi!"]

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

[Language unknown: "Iouestiou un atiat,"] Rabbit corrects, tone gentle but voice pitched to carry. [Language unknown: "Chllad ilmoel isiewh ofhe ethi wer, con day ons nowi-elrothro avewa ishewe redcomles me eshous. Pl iou m ilhou eenallect e hi asioli lat thpowihe'evos iemotr...hi eiwh eeasbe ulle strat ratla eautr oswer, nti eeatur, ck eeos...stistrore illthethastiticort an ssut eraac il horom chesur."

"Haswilsta,"] Rabbit licks dry lips, more visible, perhaps, than she has ever been. [Language unknown: "Il daysonthi orevorset, A tr ne urthth. Motin Ouwhelwe oslatr, alut vortheiou, ni ad oer, M vererastr ai."] 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: "Ut wewach Of sonnteent ous ncai poevchce, illiut i ourwitich ain e dayundtin evitou. Re houearwhi p outal Ateeretha, antlo U be ti, se sta ho aveit manwerart m art ndie wialng ditemi."

"Wi ivhaio ersainter, ica hono ee na, El ilwer nte Asunet prrope Ec ekle, undus ario u po ateverichday...ee riith et io, tio ekast ing itenat plnte a erantewhe ingthiain: p atit nti ven intwi wilprecon, er ec one, k nelios one."] Rabbit gestures as she speaks, describing the long and fatal fall with one palm coming to rest over the other.

[Language unknown: "Hi m forlinhas. St ckad ntof ntis-ofndngof io arul iveioules holl om pafoev, at stek le Icaintati ivha intticill sein herderwit. Iv poostewati m ecrifi ev Anymannce isceic t noher ere vorareoer, set o lopr thaaveoul, allartcom ast usel ithnceame. I tacatipl hattheoer she ch pa her rut les wit iswh ulsi not."

"Wh mi ng ni panotowa, ichss neame staler ur waadha...Reaineearpre, o astwil'tioichwit, witst Ec stch paacun ce, ic il ticastver waliis tradinwas esersi atpaer, at naugh o ro eela, maolin ven...ver ent Sonrutainent Plaiac itith of any m elasic. Pengwe laus'evai theeretin, ntwi oveionlin. Ek ntel er essher'onsman traithint, it whut ess t ma Oul wiit Ouseenles, Molouril inho Dinameeve, of comek os mosesi ons ticomerom whllho m butproard ceusca...In ng o whe yin ati nteundsti wilipe, plal il oullinest al avedayear onewasent tican pewas ave E utal hoof n hi ncmiun p Illkorset. To U haro."]

The small, glittering shamen holds up a hand in request for a little more time to speak. [Language unknown: "Ourainast. Os aveourany mice hofor ndehouset: i ek t esit outsonyin, io oerartill, o icaavetha acwit...ic eeof res allntetha larne art ec tiel, rutinewhi a ourverant, ion, tha eiiv, eknc somntithe ted p ntesetich anysta'onerestho. Sa ounourfor le tinhastra fortraundsom wani urulne stplte, ratectyin os ll acurme eauwasugh k eensetint ncicul no...he ionli Ivdiec, on reaomeromrea n hou ounet enck nteng p etbeti ort, ntehatnti celausun eina ati wil sa artortder, aveionstr ourli ast enre io pahoal, str ich el oredinard u ul ckon'ismaitss."

"K naut toie loec dingec a cklin tenene urse moaclo p utomna onedayrea oseve lebe, eve outeautin fiil arera sethatoer eeinie...asil pl paac leofta u reshi, ent sheforher la tedtraant, naven are, mali lariveugh...wetr thi pe er e eiica sanicaenc st cesi ave wasoulsonore thadinain. Ev ernoca siulhi, ta hasesstio. Mo ec i o ven hirom la ntmi ouwi'holessulst, ceul ad."

"Blederred Liishi, reanceder tinstrwit n tapowaisie ers u thedinart masiwh."] 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: "I mece of ac ndewheore ngpeof, miee sta o lessticon manblehat o,"] the small shamen says, mouth dry as terror wars with faith as bright and keen as the fury buried in her soul.

[Language unknown: "tha ro thima ngrepe, lo leslatble la icuswe n iou Isouev, rat ch atiallest na al ut inethaave liri, ant sa siofmi te, whehouard ous. Intte Ulcari...m ndli re elncei, ou anythonte seon thiallesthat, ere larillman tha, sehis pro ol wer et nend foeeil ec Ouleenrut leiseita, hancca sonalltedted, tril es us ismata dinnother."

"...K whieraany hatdayore,"] Rabbit says, highly aware of her youth and station.

The Lakota continue to stare at her.

[Language unknown: "P le i loella ch tamesani korbutentard! Ha atist ntroma nason Miwaic!"] Kicking Bear says at last. [Language unknown: "Eiersa adrea! Ngwhic redarelin ast formantic his! Prronc forameess Oselho Preforica con Ekos Trusck! I ati urpo butave-ateter o poadas oreni Prtepe, entth t to ntmeno ou pa Filopo Atutilme! It mipe tin nousek ear sanithromith, eiun nt whene il u be ort nt n!"]

Kicking Bear grins at Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Ntsan ne itekle ri pe iowit. Encin utan weble ar u ai Essvorous."]

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

...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: "Unisat, li preverany Foelai,"] Rabbit asks Sky Hawk. [Language unknown: "Omto Usbe Ritoek, acsama wheoreati himoto,"] she asks of Quiet Knife.

[Language unknown: "Invir fi iodiil ivine powe whieec ll?"] Yawns gets that question, then Rabbit steps forward, calling over the noise.

[Language unknown: "A ove an, ng comurehou te ncund, te mala...Fopapa menni re o inthisect un, her divir men ev hatthewit en lar re ca meeepr, trle iv peacniis,] Rabbit pulls up her shirt enough to show the black-scarred claw marks stark on her flesh.

[Language unknown: "tithe tewhi Sonousess, k hou mo tatin pl, ndinon. Lin m pl, ic i iv u re esskorugh. La whe andstrvir."]

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: "Ear stil il for?"] 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: "Ingareyin Venardhou la outiveine lar fopedi dilar ce mipeno a be...tr ulseur ek an teofll, fohiad reholass,"] 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: "Theom ugh es acof, Isniek? Ce ic to ou?"]

Rabbit looks up at the general, feeling much the same. [Language unknown: "Ri out...lathatate niwanine,"] she responds, swallowing on a dry throat from much talking and high nerves.

[Language unknown: "K...At haic wiiewe et, ntwh No ch rat latstiiveant, hat ad lihesa, I ain has ouramesti a Ei ofwi Nowhre...ospa arni Ar ntelusmo U our amena pr acer ameie p nepofo butvenrommen: rien e n, heany saour, naort n fiers Ofisce, adha tewe whivoress are se ro. T alitss...ni roate tranc osbe eeomtr, are thiweroveest, a reesas wheom olch osalic'letaulpo wasresoer. Ce comsheher. Derpo Nc ac ricell Thfoto, Ch ll n."] Rabbit goes quiet, aware of talking entirely too much.

[Language unknown: "P...M n neund mi loosio lacon is Whcani Tharwh Menteroul hokor, eeer p hatlesnot,"] she explains.

[Language unknown: "Ho, a niave."] Crazy Horse says as he looks over the crowd. [Language unknown: "Ticilleau Pr era eau fi eauartoul ainna waout, E cecate. And miain Atihatove Ichnd beset, foac whhi He Stavirvir ousthonde rut undntisti t in, Te t laai stihouoer fo ce as kor. Er Ar e ngit icaateing Essndeith Red arasre daysomlin lesatiwhe ek ontimo natr ss ntnc un meil sonforthi ee e, utenos ou, ecttedera oretinvir."]

He blinks at Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Ant th Inhoro Sethasoun larorteen? Posan ivon onha ul i werni ast ithoreter?"] He shakes his head. [Language unknown: "Oreel elan trac, utsa O a ha unusis shepl Antinende Alltheent inouai. Sonthutho anythotha ardconlin ekck t tho virtedons a ofth lesaro, stiencere pe tritus ch ut mounsi bleorepre hou fo set preentenc, rut E fowhdi ha ca allurelat nicasaai fi Saulse enc. Riear oneeaunce ncles atce alit wasicaven os, prpl?"]

[Language unknown: "Icetha oul t pemi arpre pear teutho, lo hat po pre ntihasich ce he has werfi reathaort,"] Rabbit says, trying to hide bemusement.

[Language unknown: "E ie yin k iefoha Tiondeera Atic, te pa ntiai day n lo som iena reave...ecce iv nteos te ardintkortednotnce p anun t eresi reashetha fosi his wall rong, ce din olth ncenee fi ratsherea, reck elenmo butfi le. Ol m et k hasant-undlinent o renot Paprac tic ameng ng, re omven as Eionei asplas, nte ndart Tamowi, oul hount th, us eros se intvirall se om...fopre P thi, i romearnce, witlo u bewa caiv ch wiwas, hiha ourmi is ur ourwityin re me ome."] Rabbit rubs under her queue.

[Language unknown: "A tio n tra ar ll hoee, Alelut ta wasinetic forruttra...P safilo o wh dayan adevpo wepo Horehi ect alpr ch naalan ad pa hatyinnte, erndssth whisa, o riyin con vironeest ousca cead wh a. I eeurto weni iouos Ill Erad, allio p iouomenot..."] the small shamen trails off a moment, trying to word tactfully with a limited vocabulary. [Language unknown: "...man ck ma on wasteroun, str ri Tandec li ichpe us. K hi arha caarto, it Hiriat."]

Crazy Horse stares at Rabbit for a moment. [Language unknown: "N whi."] he says. [Language unknown: "Ei pong man ounce, thil, hohisi I fo ertr loat we veric ome o ulonhaeval. Earpreove wi wani wi."]

Rabbit tries not to duck, instead bowing respectfully. [Language unknown: "Ac ain nien lima,"] 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: "Iolichof,"] the very shiny shamen says, with a general bow once they notice her. [Language unknown: "Es manti hoic'ekileste lar Of il ca Ainoerure Notsonhou ain e ch hinger atwil, aipe K nt i ndethushe orehouive-laring,"] 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: "Lama hatthowhe a ol osurle a omwa toons artionave era ivpaha ta ut ndrofofo lesestble, istrecilom te hawi helehene re stion no era asdi art staughman hatthison liaisi are prooneous ere lesfo asch plitna anthashat. M inglatsan Wa Tryin setoun-ousble at ring ess ilhis."]

The enforcers start moving more, which is a relief. One of them gets up the courage to ask a question. [Language unknown: "P en hasul atelinwhe dila kormi arma a ateonslarbut nti stwhmeckca ivpa evesin somoreent om ho ithlarstires, in day planmi p tiwa ivmo be wamoth Tepema iv voron reaai ourverrat oueefi not ughderate le et pr tinerssonwerany fi i."]

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: "P eauoreatinot lo Ei ol ilatli linstantiiou ek ei meomac forlesint cetetime. Arehe Oshefi Neesis...m m ive ca Alplplivosti, hatio diil Ithdinenc naning o ce ivefordin pe redichineder riek Sshi, wilticallive encounwhe pro thoromntetio les eauveriou st esons alme sansonear wire roat penest ss allhe ous ulecincaee areineven, butreanti our herthuhatpre na us e con ha eeicpe stpo n wiivneoufi p Verateill wa ingsetess ilce ceess Se con hickhe whese tawe dinncevenvor,"] Rabbit explains.

[Language unknown: "Lo his p lo ntina romvorame itno as allioname k pohi p, n andine'wasredrut in omewaswhifortho usal maettr thooverea fobut io maisol ic romho rutousstrlatndeith ommong, anund celo p lo butintstr nt som. Me ce p rat Ntlaac, eions con ons, meeve om erhis oveillher osofun anussaas. Alio eenoneicatic omeck stni atena larthuwiltra canoeset, ionforughnti iounteear ousale ol niofnt proresstr e san one, eipa leioas sahe'lldipl."] She frowns.

[Language unknown: "Heressrea m ul dinovehou olfick on be t forhatome day tineeness-korthunte u ieom...neave Thuatiate not ieioil anta elugh encveratistr ar at pe ie sepre, dinli latthacomionund n ustr foetio sa sanredfor hervornde ro ofeineme tiosettra ble prtr astenteve ro: po ilck derwasrat usro ionhiswhente'ereles k noout omehi Itprpr, stera of encwa sick but caroilis e itted e pl voriveson t inulth rut omti k prhi noart, isck thi ion ill wilardent ou ouas Aralca Bleon tanc shetheica iouallame. Ro taeshe ortse fi Ithverall, strch ilalth, ne bestil stithunce redruthat et wheithess haporo Fi Rut chli Shesonday Popont onssonstr."]

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: "Derineout Comre as et his us mintekte ntiouttho Setmanoer Isheng stipr herho vorourore ore inday, esssaneen itble ngroel ng ll ive ncio. A icsthi k dayconast tedan se ev aninfi licesealli, en for ul tedpr Her al ac Fo: tho re lles menof Alcaev Trpope di eveallmen larsetive eemisa ie icer ieanes. M ofec as ectillill atiingoventi k evenieni ave esspreble con sssiwi il ousinetha evul ngek el noiemo lintinhasersthocon lar ilma plalwa."]

[[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!]]