...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: "Usasto, m einait Asripo,"] Rabbit asks Sky Hawk. [Language unknown: "Nente Son Evhome, ngoffi saweou oulintnot,"] she asks of Quiet Knife.

[Language unknown: "Ek forom itnami korin omro elenth pr?"] Yawns gets that question, then Rabbit steps forward, calling over the noise.

[Language unknown: "I etwa neyin, re ersforvor wh are, en nce...Lolefo mo wewhe fo shentibut wit, ar ch not st callon lo asttr red ho ingichame, ivat ure thuareounest,] Rabbit pulls up her shirt enough to show the black-scarred claw marks stark on her flesh.

[Language unknown: "artpr ck Houeenome, li ati u repro st, arecomich. Ac tr to, we n o o antfi thantenti. N ll echeal."]

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: "Ch thoos o ilen?"] 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: "Iothen Llnist men lahiev ntwe hisorerat blepa ul urssas i as...ro atisetera e nd yinwasder, ichameder theoursanwil,"] 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: "Aiac encei ei lerom, Usella? Olri ticnt m ngan?"]

Rabbit looks up at the general, feeling much the same. [Language unknown: "Ne ekcom...eretrasta noiccani,"] she responds, swallowing on a dry throat from much talking and high nerves.

[Language unknown: "U...Th ascom itevil ainno, liwa P eius tin ivnopree, nc thi ardwasrom, P thri no accaur n Mewhi manc Bleiveear...witse acck To ratame'ratrea Pe waai us san fo ers o evmese fiiontwh: elas el ll, vor isver, ma k diis Daytharom, fihi din petelo iv e i. Th whisho...ti ca fimi is utadis, in adwasait, ur witastart the trith eretic'ntiichyinesssti thecomthu. Iv andartwhi. Ort We of inesomson Butartout, I ove p."] Rabbit goes quiet, aware of talking entirely too much.

[Language unknown: "K...E m lar u ecmoil dions ive Pereni Inesommen Ospoek beng, een le ckredi,"] she explains.

[Language unknown: "Enla, i ta."] Crazy Horse says as he looks over the crowd. [Language unknown: "Korwilwhe Som day ave om weishe com ntbe, K ousthuwas. Waen adpa Ichhouany Inic san, adthi ckou Ive Chroei elssni itek ulliai k niio, M i ne iotamo i rom ar oerit. Str Ng an ivnd redkorrat Ofenus Ivout lofise prilni conainund t ilekol thoas os ver ei noter theectred es ec, etrean sa, behain whtrel."]

He blinks at Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Ect sta Omevenest Fiatnt omeaveeau? Tean rat ofbe ha k ons sti sathce?"] He shakes his head. [Language unknown: "Na urek prver, olpo P us ne ureectwer nd Atriol Whevhi wheconrea. Hastraain ughstrtic linrestio aias sa eiek mapeit si foee onurhi, icaarteen ic elcene eswhi out ndeoureau utllsi ame ei ss unlesi, toles A virateher ec io cetefi sheithintear o Hishatder nilo. Olpo illtertho kor lin ent ingsonpre chbe, out?"]

[Language unknown: "Thiaining eine k est are is heloth, ha int di ur ndethaart re hou nd haing somthoday,"] Rabbit says, trying to hide bemusement.

[Language unknown: "I ecet ntth os ectoos Aietpa Omnt, t i tio is ta ectal ekio uldi ng...his p and stnd chfoenlllani et stare ne ekll ntioretra ce hile hi eial, witee and memo whentitin str stawerati, ripa tedatince reti me. Li ca ri k nomisepret u mi Alchll peess an wit, ni tio sta Tabedi yinvenset, alpe wh Esmeca, ilan ckany ossi, be li nte mourro i hishe...pano Ri ur, al aveandtio, roard pa set lin ai setsi, ant unis ad nce illughand ng m sa."] Rabbit rubs under her queue.

[Language unknown: "O ove ss andie ome et our, Entvertho ceeve riilli conwastho...N lemite lo u lemi ilhaha she Comencall ss der her parifi whma tio ineicavor, ntewheverrea erth, i utec tril panari fivir mante wilat k. Ad aimona ticca ticee Retho Unio, ainpr wi urfini..."] the small shamen trails off a moment, trying to word tactfully with a limited vocabulary. [Language unknown: "...ateme o adil urst conaveles, ieon the Uliomo itli ome ek. Ro fo butpe ceesen, io Earrattra."]

Crazy Horse stares at Rabbit for a moment. [Language unknown: "Ss era."] he says. [Language unknown: "Fo ce terll iv, tahe, ngheli Fo e nceal he un ee yin t wierchwhsi. Nitoev me iouwh moles."]

Rabbit tries not to duck, instead bowing respectfully. [Language unknown: "Somel llfo nind caing,"] 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: "Prerouna,"] the very shiny shamen says, with a general bow once they notice her. [Language unknown: "E ekive tahoutesisch onone Evca is il Stayinast Hiekca nti e was amecomers day, la T ateom e ivewastic behessecli,"] 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: "Diwit newhic er ineck eauthetio it rome eners herartica pote ngtrnd pre n meerweet noteni, ilsi'ivbeei res urec ulll-aimi fong iste ain sein ca anof somthoble ngille sanhattra are veneenrom seti hi for ngicai ioularort. An romardrat No Wit stikorstrtra art taho onse set."]

The enforcers start moving more, which is a relief. One of them gets up the courage to ask a question. [Language unknown: "K ble erwil rutoutpre urro ect ul u arevoresture al mengchusca on ardconble ngictr o pewi eentiosetder, sta ilti menwaster a inec man me ourtionti Thaoultha na un reles sonionhou ntdiul enc usekil t ent t tonice'ilit u e."]

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: "K atirea'ortart di Us iveut torefi toan-seos n a vorntiave evewheugh taekdiof. Lo Encentpre Illressom...u m ove ng Ilpl-iowiekce, est ni Wateio ithainrut u us anilss si thonceovewit unri Ei, comventerica eravirard een prewas'eenrat ek dereveest m sadi uthi hondsi lat pl anteveson u poal nde matrossiee unsiha, minoev ul theonedaybut nc men p il ar inethiiou erar m vorortyinasteau e Stiourich eau poncet est nali E merut aswech ilur notpa wanaresa,"] Rabbit explains.

[Language unknown: "Pr iswh i illch ca ilteme one paany ionforain k ekev a, ri oltithevul icus anntalnenc weri encintpro wiilic be rever comthivir i iewh dayrestiowasainort noheha, sance redho t hoera heanat o our. O th k and Mearfo, ant rool out, stiwi ad sa ouraveort ouloertha itpaante. Ha ulndpero ce eveat ie foreststacon allcom'tiolin, icaforncehou pachat manoch n oflano nteughnte t ate alus, nd adpame intblehiswerion."] She frowns.

[Language unknown: "Yintherat nc i mahaan ersentave earte ore ar ardaveove ncei hisourticureainsta th tra...io Sommensta sabut thoeauyin etri roan pewecatr ca k he nt vor, som ainforersorehou ti aveta comtedson wer ceelma tioromwit ti ughterughers wasounset antme nti venillive ro: sa er ivetinard sspo oerure'oneprobleyin e reove aice Yinareeen, er n ssyin san hacom ainstiouslat k kordi u ares reunos k ililus nde ave t ti ta, ck elng oer paev ticonsoer oulwh som Reneme Was tha fievev forillast. Pl larwilous ithac paut Oussetven, thi terndeere, ughas ionbleion atehisday rutwheshe wi hitaar korartbut I Ntos ionus Essndedin Sonillstr maolec."]

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: "Pricfi Diss ch aspa out ilfi arenothisdin alllating Staundven Ositss ill man ereticyin in som, ngunel thuer witeennce nt lila she rimi. He ntolmo t ortersven iseve liad nd thuallere laseilerec, t toil nt werou Ncna la ore St: yin po wil no Icatinrom Sataek alus lamine ratereear atadbe u ave andtheera. Wi pomen pa trbene wingteta th onrewewa pl omngpo mece rommenven p inpoal san sser ev totope korresartenc'mennce thwh tra latobe."]

[[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!]]