Page 26 of Citiali: Teach
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Guardian Club
Reaching the back patio, I’m surprised by how many people showed up. “Some from Bravo and Zion showed.” Axe points out Co. “Co is…”
I give him a look. “I know who Co is. You need to stop the magician shit and walk like a normal human being. You didn’t do the magician in Liberty or we’d have thrown you right the fuck back with the Virginia clowns you couldn’t wait to get away from every night.” Yona’s words of the ancestors amplifying my ability crosses my mind.
He grabs my sleeve, stopping my next step. “Wait, you’re pissed at me?”
I turn so we’re eye to eye. “Not pissed but annoyed. Most Indians don’t have the gifts a small handful of the Native population around the world do. Showing the clownish way those gifts are taken advantage of and used to makeyourlife better is a slap in the face to the ancestors and the tribes that will never have those gifts. In a few years, resentment for your easy life will start to show. Indians won’t be so excited for the chance to show appreciation for their new job, growing family or any small accomplishments. Entitlement, avarice and sloth are lessons taught to keep everyone appreciative of what they do have. Happiness with life is important for all kinds of community. These people don’t get to see Ops, they don’t know how hard we all work to keep this going and them safe. Youdiminish the importance of those gifts by forgetting that without ability, you’d be a transport pilot and I’d be a lousy shaman. With them, we can free prisoners, slaves, Alpha-Bits and grow our communities making life better for more. Prez, Cort and Hemy can organize all their Brothers so we’re most effective to do that, plus work in our communities at jobs spreading that Badass. If you keep doing the clown show, their work, hell, all our work, won’t be worth a fuckin’ thing.”
“Ops, send that to Cort, Justice, Luke Rayne and Zeke.”
We both turn to Michaels and what I’m guessing is his whole family. “Brother, I didn’t see everyone this close. I’m not sure a call to anyone is needed here.” Fuck, I must be pissed. I didn’t feel all that energy close. They’re a whole family of ability. Except Michaels, the poor bastard.
Cuyler and a boy laugh. I roll my eyes at them.
“No, send it, Ops. Citiali is right. Everyone says it but not like him. I see it and will work to show that appreciation so I’m not a fuckin’ transport pilot in the future.”
I laugh at Axe noticing Mary and Dyani in her new clothes. “Did Nitis come?” I haven’t seen his new brace.
Mary points toward the wall. Nitis is standing with a huge smile on. “Brother, as true as you are, most would have hit you at least once for that.”
I shake my head. “I’m shielded.”
The Indians milling around laugh. It’s a good time to start the meeting. “Have a seat, Brothers, tribesmen. I’m Citiali from the displaced Liberty tribe of Cherokee in Virginia. I grew up Badass and have known Axe from young. He’s a Prince from Rhode Island and the SAA here so you all know him. He’s also an Ops pilot for those jobs we don’t brag about. Ability is gifted to Brothers the ancestors feel are needed. Our purpose has been written. Our Leaders put us in places we can be most effective and Badass has us working to keep us all safe. We do thatwith our heritage worn proudly.” The war cry makes me smile. They’re just like the Little Brothers.
I put a hand up and get quiet. “Together, Indian and Badass work to keep our communities growing and I don’t just mean in number. You all have aspirations, little ideas that would make life better or plans for your future in our communities. We need that, we want that and we encourage it. My grandfather told me of an Indian that was shunned by his tribe and hid his heritage from the world. He was the first full-blooded Indian Badass President.”
“Wall Thunderhawk!”
I smile at the tall boy by Cuyler. “Yes, my old President in Virginia is his son. Wall sent his boy to be raised by the Cherokee so he was safe while Wall was figuring out how to get the ancestors vision out to more through Badass. We don’t have to hide, we don’t have to worry over safety while on Club grounds and we don’t have to be a member of Badass to live as part of the free, protected Badass family. Since most of you have been here longer than I have, you know Cort and his Presidents welcome you all just as they welcomed me. Here, we are all equal just like in our tribes. We have jobs that keep us going just like in our tribes. Cherokee have different positions for different people. The farmers weren’t expected to fight but harvested food for the fighters to eat and protect the tribes. The council has planners that run negotiations or our battles and Warriors that protect our people. Badass is the same. Everyone does their part, so collectively we are safe and more importantly happy in our communities doing our part.” I look around seeing everyone watching me. It’s a good start.
“We come from different tribes but we are no different than anyone else here. If you are Apache, Navajo, Lakota, Cree, whatever, wear it proudly. We all want to know who you are and learn your traditions. I’ve read many books but had never metCheyenne until I moved here. The jewelry I saw, with the colors flashing emerald, caught my eye and had me searching for the origin. We have a story that someone somewhere hasn’t heard. Show us, tell us, we may find new ways to do things from you. We may want items you know how to make, or foods we’ve never had that become a favorite.” I put my arms out. “Share who you are so our story together is long and easy.” I feel my back in motion and smile. “My back tells me the ancestors are with us. The paint thing and them working through me is new. Just know you’re not here alone and the ancestors are never far. They do seem to be crazier than they were but they’re here.” I drop my arms as half the people here laugh.
I shrug. “Do you have ideas of what you’d like these meets to cover?”
Hands go up. “Can I get an ability Brother to put this on a sheet for me?” I ask before I’m bombarded by questions.
The woman by Michaels stands. “I can and Judecan show it on the wall for me.”
“You’re White Wave, the shield?”
“I am. I’ve heard of you, Citiali. Your grandfather knew our oldHe’emo Hôahno. We knew her as our sacred shield.”
I nod not sure what to say. “Thanks for putting it up.” I point to a man sitting right in front with his hand up.
“Some of the women don’t know their tribe.” He’s a good Brother, the first question is for someone else.
“Badass has a location sheet for missing women. We can use it for anyone to find tribal information.”
Axe stands up. “I can start that one. I have the free woman sheet.”
This is going to work well. I point to a woman. She wants to cook traditional food. Michaels tells her of the Bravo stores and says they can test it here and if it works, help set her up in atown if she can find the workers. People are excited. I point to a teen about Anahu’s age.
An hour goes by quick when you’re having fun. I raise a hand. “So, our time is up but we have more questions to answer and Jude has a sheet set up for you in our chat. Add your questions and I’ll answer what I can on the sheet during the week, so everyone can see the answers. Next week we’ll have snacks and jerky from western tribes I know nothing about, hopefully, we can learn more from our tribesmen. I don’t say new because we’re all new to this tribe. The ancestors said we’re one so we learn that together.”
A war cry goes up and I take a step back from everyone moving toward me.
