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Addikus watches Ristikus arrive.
Ristikus glances about the tower, cracking a half-smile as he admires the view.
[Ristikus-]: Not a bad spot.
[Addikus]: I has a few such places tucked away.
[Addikus]: Now, my condolences on ye being assigned te interview me.
[Addikus]: I has a few such places tucked away.
[Addikus]: Now, my condolences on ye being assigned te interview me.
A sly smirk spreads across your face.
[Ristikus]: I'm not too devastated, Harbinger.
[Addikus]: Ye will be when you realize how long I can talk fer.
[Addikus]: I go far back as . . . hell, does anyone even remember Lascivious?
[Addikus]: Anyway.
[Addikus]: I were asking ye.
You nod.
[Addikus]: What do YOU think it means te be Grim?
Cinthya trys to get big dark and stalky out of the way of them talking.
Addikus appreciates Cinthya.
Ristikus crosses his arms, eyeing the two before looking down in thought once again. "First - understanding there is no compromise with our enemies."
[Addikus]: Aye.
Cinthya stays quiet curiously listening
[Ristikus]: The portioned responses our faction determines are appropriate against the Alliance in order to save political face must be done away with.
Addikus looks thoughtful at that.
[Ristikus]: Nothing but absolute total war, and an indomitable will to carry out our strategic objectives will bring peace.
[Ristikus]: Bending those against us to our will is the only option.
Addikus continues looking thoughtful.
[Addikus]: Let me ask ye.
Ristikus nods.
[Addikus]: Do ye think it would be easier te influence the warchief's mind to our way of thinking . . .
[Addikus]: . . . whoever the warchief might be . . .
[Addikus]: or to work things our own way, from the edges?
[Addikus]: Which de ye think would get the job done faster?
[Ristikus]: Well, that specifically is the issue, Harbinger.
[Ristikus]: We no longer have a warchief, we have a council.
Ristikus sneers, spitting some of the spit collected into his mouth from the blood thistle.
[Ristikus]: We now have to convince a committee.
[Addikus]: We always did.
[Addikus]: Except, maybe, with Garrosh.
[Ristikus]: Regardless - I think we know better.
[Addikus]: Aye.
Ristikus stares at Addikus, meeting him in the eye. "This is what must be done."
[Addikus]: The conversation of how te do it though. Eh. We can save that fer another time.
You nod at Addikus.
[Addikus]: Fer now, let it suffice that we kill every one of them that we can manage.
[Addikus]: Anyway.
[Addikus]: Ask me yer questions.
Ristikus rolls a shoulder in a weak shrug. "To be frank, Harbinger - I wasn't instructed to ask anything specific."
[Ristikus]: However, I am curious - you have been with The Grim much longer than many currently serving under the mandate, no?
[Addikus]: Aye.
[Ristikus]: Where has The Grim failed, from your perspective? I do not mean to push the envelope, but to improve - we must know ourselves.
You nod at Addikus.
[Addikus]: I found the Grim shortly after the Dark Portal opened=
[Addikus]: Never enough bodies.
[Addikus]: In two senses.
Ristikus grins.
[Addikus]: First, try as I might with the Scalp Hunts and all, we could never cut down the Alliance.
[Addikus]: Not enough te make a lasting difference.
[Ristikus]: Then how is that fixed?
[Addikus]: Second, we be a fringe group. Extreme, some calls us. That reputation don't attract many.
[Ristikus]: So you wouldn't call it an issue of recruitment, but methods?
[Addikus]: It be both.
[Cinthya]: Not everyone has the stomach for it
[Addikus]: As fer method - I got Grim in an all out war with the Allies.
[Addikus]: Tens of thousands dead. And I ain't fibbing on those numbers.
[Addikus]: I'd seen bodies enough bodies to block out the sun at noon, during those hunts.
Addikus scrambles his words.
[Addikus]: My way, it weren't enough.
[Addikus]: If I knew a smarter way, I woulda done it then.
[Addikus]: So, fer know . . . I s'pose we must see what Feyde can do.
[Addikus]: Fer now, I mean te say.
[Addikus]: As for the other problem. The scarcity of the Grim tabard.
[Addikus-]: Well, the old Grim were always reluctant te go on a large recruiting efforts.
[Addikus]: Preferred te pick up people quietly.
[Addikus]: They preferred te let word of mouth bring the right people te us.
[Addikus]: But I tell ye, there be fewer disheartening things te this old Grim than te hear nothing coming from the Stone.
[Ristikus]: Well - we seem to be in a period of transition.
[Addikus]: Maybe.
[Ristikus]: With the Horde's enthusiasm for this war coming to a close..
[Addikus]: Do ye think the Grim could muster four fists against the alliance? In the battlegrounds, old and new?
You peer at Addikus searchingly.
[Ristikus]: Four fists? You mean fighters?
[Addikus]: Ah.
[Addikus]: A fist is a group of five.
[Addikus]: So twenty people. Or two groups of ten.
[Ristikus]: There will always be another war. While this one comes to a close, another one certainly looms.
[Ristikus]: As wars go on with time, so do new generations take up arms. I'm confident - when the time comes - we'll have a plenty.
[Ristikus]: But as you mentioned earlier, tabard-wearers will never be enough.
[Ristikus]: It is the methods that must facilitate our goals, not our numbers.
You nod at Addikus.
[Addikus]: Aye Ristikus.
Ristikus extends a hand towards the city. "Look at the city now."
[Ristikus]: On edge - the scourge rises again, though rumor has it there is no Lich King to speak of?
[Addikus]: I have heard that rumor.
[Ristikus]: One war ends, another begins. The only thing certain of war is it's perpetuity.
[Ristikus]: Unless we unite all beneath one banner, and kill those who refuse to submit.
You nod at Addikus.
[Addikus]: The inquisitor's do spectacular work.
[Addikus]: But I wonder if there might be something different.
[Addikus]: Then again. The traditions do mean a lot, te a lot of us.
[Addikus]: So, te answer yer question.
Ristikus spits, relieving himself of a collection of spit forming in his mouth from the blood thistle. He shrugs.
[Addikus]: How have the grim failed?
You peer at Addikus searchingly.
[Addikus]: We ain't never got enough believers.
[Ristikus]: So perhaps numbers aren't the answer.
Addikus searches you for something.
[Addikus]: If it aint numbers, what is it?
Ristikus rolls a shoulder in thought, grinding his palms together. He spits again, narrowing his eyebrows. "There's always something. Some gap in the enemy's structure. We just have to find it."
[Addikus]: Do ye think ye, Ristikus, might find it?
You nod at Addikus.
[Ristikus]: I do. If there is one thing I was put on Azeroth to do, it's that.
[Addikus]: What makes ye think ye can where other Grim have failed?
Ristikus grits his teeth, flaring a nostril. "I want it more. I am sure of this."
[Ristikus]: I will see the Alliance burn.
Addikus grins at you wickedly.
[Addikus]: I hope ye do.
[Ristikus]: As fate may have it..
You smirk slyly at Addikus.
[Ristikus]: I may just die in the first ditch I cross.
[Ristikus]: But as long as I think otherwise, I think I'll be just fine.
You nod at Addikus.
[Addikus]: There be worse things that could happen to a person.
You agree with Addikus.
Addikus reaches down and pops an out-of-joint leg bone back into place.
[Addikus]: Who among the Grim do ye admire?
[Ristikus]: I.. don't believe I have any further questions, Harbinger.
Ristikus pauses, thoughtful.
[Ristikus]: Khorvis. To be fair, he's been my mentor since I've joined.
[Addikus]: What do ye admite about Khorvis.
[Addikus]: Admire, I mean.
Addikus pops his jaw.
Ristikus spits, glancing out once again at the city. He then smiles, crossing his arms in satisfaction. "He doesn't tolerate weakness."
Addikus laughs at you.
[Addikus]: Ye don't think so?
[Ristikus]: However, I have had little exposure to other members.
[Ristikus]: So I'd say my perception is biased.
You nod at Addikus.
[Addikus]: He tolerates his own weaknesses, it seams te me. But maybe because he don't know they're there.
[Ristikus]: Don't we all?
[Cinthya]: Maybe that be why he sent you to chat with Mister Reginald here. *keeps using the fake name*
[Addikus]: Khorvis has an addiction.
Addikus looks ath Ristikus's stuffed lip.
[Addikus]: Lots of people do.
Ristikus narrows his gaze towards the forsaken, spitting off to the side again. "We all have our vices."
[Addikus]: Anyway.
[Addikus]: What do ye think of this talk about Sylvanas?
[Addikus]: Syreena seems te have made up her mind that Sylvanas can do no wrong.
[Addikus]: Others are sure she's a threat te the mandate.
Ristikus shrugs. "I've never been a loyalist. No leader is without fault."
Addikus nods slowly.
[Ristikus]: I do require evidence of any betrayal.
[Addikus]: When Thrall was chief, lots of us hated him.
Ristikus nods.
[Ristikus]: He was too compassionate for the good of his people.
[Addikus]: Aye.
[Ristikus]: I am no politician. As a matter of fact, I consider that one of the many advantages of being in my position.
[Addikus]: What position is that?
Ristikus grins. "A supplicant. There are very few I must please. If I provide Syreena an ample supply of ears, and I complete my trials successfully and in a timely manner - then most is well."
[Addikus]: True enough.
[Addikus]: When I first joined The Grim . . .
[Addikus]: All supplicants had te be mentored by a class leader fer a time.
[Addikus]: Syreena were my mentor.
[Addikus]: Woman's earned a spot high up in the ranks of my esteem.
[Cinthya]: Hey there Miss Lilli!
[Addikus]: It be hard fer me te disagree with her about anything.
[Addikus]: Where'd she go?
You blink your eyes.
[Cinthya]: Where did he just run off to?
[Addikus]: Here.
You smile at Liiliana.
[Addikus]: Ay Liiliana.
Liiliana seems a bit tossled. She giggles happily, "Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii everyone."
Ristikus offers a quick salute, throwing a fist to his chest. "Harbinger - greetings."
You salute Liiliana with respect.
[Addikus]: As I was saying.
[Addikus]: Syreena thinks Sylvanas still be on our side.
Cinthya shuffles over to fill Lilli in. "That supplicant is learning more about the Grim"
Liiliana 's jaw drops at Ristikus, then she sits up even straighter than she should be capable of, considering her back is already straight as a freaking rod.
[Addikus]: I can't name a person I trust more than Syreena.
Liiliana listens to Cinthya, "Ooooooooo." She whispers.
[Addikus]: Sometimes I do wonder, though, if the same crazy that Anaie had ever flares up in Syreena.
[Addikus]: Do ye know Anaie, Ristikus?
Ristikus tilts a head to a side, in consideration. "I.. require evidence, first. I've heard the rumors - but the rumors are whispers of those who are not Sylvanas."
Ristikus shakes his head. "I do not beleive so, no. As I said - it's been some time.
[Addikus]: Syreena's sister, Anaie.
[Addikus]: She was always having conversation with invisible things. Voices only she heard.
[Addikus]: And she were scary, the way that many of the old Grim were scary.
Liiliana giggles, "I've never been scary."
[Addikus]: Lascivious, Duranor, Brig, Abric, folks could make yer eyelashes fall out of yer face with nothing but a stern look.
Liiliana rolls her eyes, giggling over to Cinthya, "They didn't scare me!" She whispered.
Cinthya peers at Liiliana searchingly.
Ristikus shakes his head. He smirks. "I don't know these names, but perhaps I'll learn their stories as my trials progress."
[Addikus]: I just about killed Abric fer what he did te Drinn.
[Addikus]: And it were a Grim that did this te me...
Liiliana 's blue eyes cut over to Addikus, and she stopped giggling for that moment.
Addikus pops the broken leg back into place.
Ristikus blinks, glancing between the group - his gauntlets clenching momentarily, feeling out the tension.
Addikus looks at Lilly. Nods.
[Addikus]: The old Grim. The old old Grim. Were a danger to themselves almost as much as they were a danger te the Alliance. I don't think anybody misses them days.
[Addikus]: But ye seem some of that, still, in Syreena's collection of ears.
Liiliana doesn't return Addikus's nod...but she smiles after a few moments.
[Addikus]: Grim have learned te work together, better, through thick and thin.
[Addikus]: And, it's people like Lilly and Khorvis what made that happen.
[Addikus]: So ye admire Khorvis. Ye be right to. And so do I.
[Addikus]: And I also admire Syreena.
Liiliana clasps her hands behind her back and pretends to blush.
You smile at Addikus.
[Addikus]: It troubles me, this . . . disharmony . . . between Syreena and some of the others.
[Addikus]: But we shall see how it pans out.
[Addikus]: Oh, and Awatu.
[Addikus]: I wish Awatu were here te help us . . . navigate . . . this moment.
[Addikus]: Because he, maybe more than anybody, fashioned the Grim as we know them teday.
Liiliana leans back and forth, somewhat swaying like a kid could who has to stand for their lecture.....but she is back to listening. She agrees with what Addikus has been and is saying.
[Addikus]: Do ye feel like ye know a bit more about what it means te be Grim?
You smile at Addikus.
[Ristikus]: I do.
Liiliana directs her kind eyes to Ristikus and smiles, seeming to beam in that direction.
[Addikus]: Aye. Then ye and I have done our duties.
[Ristikus]: Perhaps I can get you a drink - for your troubles?
Ristikus spits.
[Addikus]: How's that bottle, Cin, izzit empty?
[Addikus]: Maybe she fell te daydreamin.
Cinthya holds out her empty hands.
[Addikus]: Ah.
[Addikus]: Aye, then yeah ye can buy me a drink.
You grin wickedly at Addikus.
Cinthya finished it somewhere between here and the portal.
[Ristikus]: As I said before - we all have our vices.
You nod at Addikus.
[Ristikus]: I might have a few.
Ristikus grins.
[Addikus]: Do ye think ye know mine?