Grim Views

Leyujin says: All dose who seek ta be included on da rostah o' dis new war group, make yo' interest known ta Drinn immediate-like. Da firs' foray inta battle o' dis team will be dis comin' Tuesday.
Nathandiel leans into Drinn and mouths "So proud".
Khorvis nods at you.
Khorvis says: This do be worthy news, Wordbearer.
Awatu nods.
Drinn says: Either way, Wordbearer we will be ready by the appointed date. I will make sure of this.
You grin wickedly at Khorvis.
Drinn says: Perhaps a wager?
Drinn smiles at Awatu.
Drinn smiles at you.
Nathandiel rubs his hands together.
Awatu says: What wager did you have in mind?
Drinn says: Whoever brings in the most wins on the battlefield by midweek.
Drinn says: I have a healthy bank to play with.
Awatu nods at Drinn's words and looks to Leyu'jin.
Leyujin's lips curl in a broad grin.
Nathandiel says: Or...you know...you could stop with the Elf ears...
Leyujin says: So, one night apiece, yah?
Drinn nods, "Yes. One night."
Leyujin says: Fair's fair. Ah'll even giv joo an' extra hour o' combat.
You smirk slyly at Drinn.
Drinn laughs softly, "That's very generous. And if we do win.. what do you consider to offer?"
Awatu watches the two with interest.
Nathandiel points at Leyujin's ears.
Leyujin says: If it be gol' joo desiyah, ah will pay 2,000. But, ah hav a differen' wagah in mind.
Orgog-Ravenholdt shows some interest in the wager, but continues to watch Awatu for some reason.
Drinn looks to Nathandiel and shakes her head. "I'd want half a tusk... always wanted tusks.. majestic things."
Drinn says: You have my attention.
Lupinum is giggling in the back, thinking of how the Elf would look with large, protruding tusks.
Drinn says: State your terms, Wordbearer.
Leyujin says: If da Earthshakahs lose, we will occupy Stormwind's Gates fo' tree-quartahs o' an hour.
Bloodshine is listening.
Nathandiel says: ...You should do that for fun.
Drinn says: And then....
Leyujin says: Such a price, ah believe, be mo' suitable fo' da Mandate. Unless joo only believe in personal ego.
Drinn says: Personal ego Wordbearer?
Drinn shakes her head, "Oh, nono. Never that. But I do love healthy competition."
You grin wickedly at Drinn.
Malhavik lets out a hacking cough.
Drinn says: Wordbearer I would hope that you know I would go into Stormwind naked with only my swords.. with you or any Grim.
Drinn says: Let this be a real wager.
Bloodshine cackles maniacally at Drinn.
Drinn says: Half of one of your tusks..or the tip of one of my oh so favored ears.
Shaelie lifted a brow at those wagers.
Nathandiel says: More like it.
Leyujin says: Hmph. An' if ah donna wan' one o' yo' ears?
Leyujin says: Ah will wagah ma tusk regahdless.
Drinn says: Don't be so coy, you want it.
You tell Drinn NO. Not going to happen.
Leyujin says: No.
Leyujin says: Yo wagah be wortless ta me.
Drinn gestures to her elongated ear, "See.. look how long and poooiinnttty."
Nathandiel says: She has other parts...
Drinn says: Shut your mouth, Nathandiel.
Bloodshine cracks up back there, like an old crone.
Bloodshine cackles maniacally at Nathandiel.
Nathandiel grins wickedly at Drinn.
Drinn says: It saddens me you find it worthless.
Canai says: I wonder if the tusks grow back...
Drinn puts a hand to her chest, "It does truly. I only hope to inspire bloodlust by competition."
Drinn says: If there is nothing you consider a prize then the wager is worth nothing.
Leyujin studies Drinn carefully. "An' yet yo' an ma values diffah. Howevah, ah be sho' der be sumting dat will ah will find valuable."
Nathandiel is disappointed.
Leyujin says: Fo' now, ma' half o' da wagah be dun. We will discuss yo' half soon enuff.
Bloodshine smirks slyly at you.
Drinn nods, "Very well."

Some time later, a white-haired troll walks up to a diminutive blood elf clad in leathers. He inclines his head respectfully.

"Sel'quar."

The blood elf eyes him for a moment, then nods in return. "Wordbearer. Have you reconsidered our wager?"

The Grim warrior shakes his head. "Ah still wan' no paht o' yo' anatomy, Drinn. Ears o' othawise." He snorts slightly, recalling Nathandiel's comment of earlier.

The rogue narrows her eyes. "Are you frightened of losing, Leyu'jin?" She spits the warrior with her gaze like daggers.

The troll blinked at that, his eyes opening and closing slowly, like a lazy lizard. "Per'aps. Joo be named da Tactician fo' a reason, Drinn. Ah hav seen yo' prowess as a leadah, an' ah would not rank ma skills as bein' much mo' den yo' own. Joo will be a worthwhile opponent."

Drinn spread her hands out placatingly. "You need not fear me, Wordbearer. All I seek is a little competition, something to whet both of our teams against the grindstone, so that we may better fulfill the Mandate."

"So, will you accept the wager?"

Leyu'jin stared down at the pink-skinned rogue. A number of thoughts went through his mind. Among them, his memory of Atticus's treatment of Xaraphyne, and his brother, Fhenrir. Of how the Grim treating other Horde as though they themselves were above them. Of his disgust with seeing his brothers and sisters fight amongst themselves, rather than against the one threat with the resources and wherewithal to destroy them once and for all. Of how Drinn's offered stakes, his tusk versus her ear, represented this inner conflict. He nodded slowly, but punctuated her started acceptance with a raised hand. "Aye, but, ah will stand firm in rejectin' yo' half. Ah will not gain satisfaction troo such a sacrifice, an' it will do but bring a bad taste ta ma mout'. Ah do, howevah, hav sumting ah do desiyah, an' which will stand in its stead fo' yo' stake."

She frowned in disappointment, but nodded her head in return grudgingly. "Very well, Wordbearer. What is this thing you desire that could surpass my offer of my unparalleled listening devices?"

At this, Leyu'jin broke into a broad, genuine smile, the first that he'd shown since the meeting. It had taken him some time, but the wager that was worthwhile to him had come while he had been sitting idly in Orgrimmar, on one of the rooftops; his favored haunting grounds when he wanted to relax and find some solace. His lips parted as the words issued from his mouth in a sibilant hiss. "Der be one among da Alliance who has organized resistance aginst us, an' indeed bin so bold as ta bring war ta our verra doorstep. If joo lose our wager, it will be dis one's head who joo will delivah, ta me. If joo win, ah will part wit' one half o' ma tusk, tho' it do represent ma soul an' der be few tings dearah ta me. But as fo' joo, Drinn Sel'quar. If joo should lose our lil' wagah, den joo will bring me da head o' da hooman priestess, Teed."

Drinn lifted her chin to make up for some of the height difference as she eyed the Troll. Perhaps he misunderstood her point for the wager. Trolls, genetically, were always a bit of a curiosity to her. The elongated protrusions they wore so barbarically she found herself pining over like a female adolescent that had not been blessed with the same good looks as her peers. If she could get one then maybe she could get another and fashion herself a pair. Regardless it would make a lovely trinket.

Her own offer of self-mutilation she thought would have enticed Leyu’jin. Ears. Ears. Ears. ‘Dorei ears. That’s all some in the hall ever prattled about as their prize from a good hunt. The Wordbearer had surprised her.

“Teeeed”, she rolled the name over her tongue slowly. “A human.” Drinn turned her head to side slightly and eyed him from another angle. “You wish me to hunt a human in return if I lose?” One side of her mouth quirked up and to the side in amusement with a matching inflection. “You do realize there will be no real loss for me then?”

The Troll remained ever passive, a mountain of a creature in comparison as her words hung unanswered in the air. Leyu’jin was far more diplomatic than herself, she thought. Awatu had picked a good one.

“I suppose I can’t turn that down. I accept your terms.” She quickly spat into her hand and offered it to the Troll and smiled.

((Like))

The troll grinned, in that teeth-filled expression, ear to ear, that only trolls can do. He spat into his own palm, then extended his appendage, engulfing the smaller creature's hand in his own.

"Deal."

Leyujin: Joo an' me hav sum unsettled business dat mus' be concluded.
Drinn: Mm. Did your tallys not go so well?
Leyujin: <sounds as if he's speaking through gritted teeth> No, dey did not. An' ah hav a tribute ta offah joo.
Drinn: <squeals with glee> Really? Aha! One closer to a pair o' muh own. <her last words pulled out into a trollish accent>
Leyujin: Hrm. Joo know, if ya wanted ta be a troll, joo should go back in time ta da Well o' Eternity, an' stop yo' ancestahs from drinkin' da juice.
Drinn: <tsks> I never said I wanted to BE a troll. I'm very proud to be Sin'Dorei.. but I can want tusks and still be proud.
Drinn: Ah nevah knew dis side o' joo, Sel'quar. It be seemin' like an odd fetish ta ma mind.
Drinn: <keeps her words plain to match her inflection> Of course you don't know it. We don't speak.. and perhaps it is. <sounds like she's grinning> Guess we'll find out.
Leyujin: Aye. Where do joo wish ta receive yo' prize, Tactician.
Drinn: Where ever is convenient for you. Though I do need to get out of this ditch... <sounds of jumping>
Leyujin: Let us meet in Orgrimmah, den. But ah hav sum huntin' ta finish wit' Ulrezaj firs'.
Drinn: Very well.
Leyujin: Meet me in da Echo Isles, tuskless 'un.
Drinn: <sings> I'll be right there...

Leyu'jin stands like a statue atop one of the four pillars surrounding the central square of the Echo Isles. As his gaze shifts to the sky, he sees a small dot, growing ever larger. The Blood Elf rogue arrives, riding atop a winged mount.

Leyu'jin nods at Drinn.

Drinn jumps off her mount with a soft thud. "Could you have picked a more difficult spot? Outside of Wryn's throne room?"

Leyujin eyes the Sin'dorei rogue dispassionately as she lands. As Drinn looks at Leyu'jin, she sees a line scored around his right tusk, a blackened scar ringing the bony protrusion.
The troll says, “Mmph.”
He hardly looks amused. "Not da righ' place fo' claimin' possession o' part o' one's soul, Sel'quar."

Drinn lifts up on the balls of her feet as if it would give her a better look. "Hmm? What's this now?" She padded up closer. "Start the job already?" A hand lifts to touch as she inspects but falls short, curling it's fingers.
Drinn glanced up to meet his gaze a moment before looking back to the tusk. "This is part of your... soul?"



Leyujin reaches up and traces a finger around the circumference of the tusk. "'ow could it not? It be a part o' da body, one o' da few tings dat elevates us above da lessah races. Da body be da shell o' da soul, an' once such a precious part be wrenched away, so too do be los' par' o' de soul." He gazes at the rogue levelly. "One such as joo canna undahstand, tho' ah recognize dat joo bear no ill will ba it."

Drinn curls both hands and pulls them back against her chest. "Mm." Her expression as if she tasted something sour. "I'll ignore the belittling part of speech..." She eyes the tusk almost warily. "...and say I didn't really sign up for a piece of your soul. That's rather a commitment."



Leyujin does not shift his gaze from Drinn's eyes, his pupils boring into them. He reaches up to his right tusk with both hands, one behind the incision, one before it. With a sudden wrench of his clenched fists and with a snapping sound, the tusk breaks in two. The troll warrior expresses no sign of pain nor emotion as the tusk breaks. His right hand grasps the ivory colored bone firmly, as he extends his arm towards the rogue. "No gettin' col' feet now, lil' missy," he rasps in a gravelly whisper.

Drinn shifts her jaw as the bone is cracked. "Mm.." She sucks her teeth audibly. "You can really feel that in the back of your molars." His gaze doesn't seem to phase her as she prattles her stream of consciousness. Slowly she extends her own arm to snatch the fragment from the Troll. "Cold feet?", her voice touching on something close to disgust as the piece of the 'soul' is examined. "I think we're beyond that point."

Leyujin stretches his features into a lipless grin, opens his fist, and lets the bony fragment fall into the palm of Drinn's outstretched hand. "Aye. We do be so."

Drinn jumps to the side and looks around like a twitchy rabbit stretching over grass as one of the Troll's from below booms his voice into a yell. She blinks and side glances to Leyu'jin before wiping her nose nervously with her free hand. She clears her throat. "Well.." Her head turns back to him completely. "I know we're of different paths.. you and your voodoo and the earth.. me.. a pink skinned, heathen. Though I would like to say.. I do my best to honor this.." Pauses a moment to find the words, "..gift."

Leyujin blinks once, slowly, in what seems like surprise. He studies the elf's face closely, then nods. The troll says, “Treasure it, den, Drinn Sel'quar o' da Sin'dorei. Few times do such a ting be freely given.”



Drinn side-glanced quickly before returning the nod. Taking an obvious breath she squares off her shoulders and takes a somewhat normal posture. "It wasn't given freely." She shakes her head for emphasis. "...it's another scar from the killing fields, just given in a different manner. But yes, treasure..it.." The words roll in her mouth slowly, ".. I will. I was not under the impression it would be some sacred thing." One corner of her mouth quirks and lifts to the side in the first resemblance of a smile, albeit an awkward one. "..but then again, you.. and your kind." The fingers of her free hand gesticulating at her side, "..with all the voodoo I should not be surprised."

Leyujin quirks an eyebrow at that. "From wut ah hav seen, all dat be held holy ba yo' people be on account o' its importance ta yo' survival. Joo be divorced from da roots o' dis world, an' as such ah canna blame joo fo' not knowin'."
He reaches up to the stump where the other half of his tusk had been, fingering it slowly and glancing at the other half grasped in Drinn's hand. "Wat'choo gonna do wit' it?"

Drinn tilted her head, taking her own turn at blinking slowly. Silence lingered a long moment as she let his words sink in. "No.. more than survival... but not as rooted", she said thoughtfully without explanation. She looks down at the pointy bit in her hand. "I don't know...I HAD thought about getting another one. Now I'm not so sure about that. It seems rather silly to use it as a mantle piece." Her lips purses slightly. "Perhaps hollow it out..."

Leyujin grimaces as Drinn talks about hollowing out a piece of his own body. "Well, nevahmind den. Wutevah joo choose ta do wit' it be yo' own business."

Drinn draws up and shakes her head. "Nono.. it's a good idea." She starts speaking faster and gesturing. "Small, concealable... vial shaped. It's perfect for an appropriated amount of poison." She brandished the bone's point upward like a dagger. "And a beautiful delivery system!" She was practically bouncing from one foot to the other. "You'll be two places at once and still killing alliance!"

Leyujin smiles, a bit, despite himself. "Hah. Well, der do be worse fates fo' one's soul, ah be supposin'."

Drinn matches his smile and closes her fist, holding it close. "I promise I will take care of your little piece of soul", she said, seeming to have warmed up to the idea.

Leyujin grins, his teeth shining behind his mismatched tusks. He nods at the little rogue. "Ah be countin' on it."

Leyujin turns and whistles. As his protodrake descends from the sky, he looks back at Drinn, then leaps onto his mount.

Drinn chuckles under her breath and nods. "Good...", she said almost dismissively as she made plans for the tusk. She was thinking of poisons to use with it, and perhaps sending molars from those that suffered from it to Leyu'jin as trinkets.

Drinn gives a little salute, "Wordbearer."

Leyujin bows his head. "Sel'quar." He digs his heels into his drake, and the giant reptile leaps into the air.