(OOC Note: This takes place out in the open at the tavern, so anyone can witness it.)
The letter and small package arrived at Aureliya's office bearing Ruuki's mark, the package turning out to be Ruuki's communicator. The attached piece of parchment read:
High Inquisitor,
I respectfully submit to you this recording as evidence of Sunderpalm's Trial of Dedication. I was not certain he'd wake up from his brew- and wall-induced slumber anytime soon, nor if he would even recall what we had discussed. Therefore, I am taking it upon myself to submit this on his behalf as a favor to him. It is my hope that you will find it satisfactory for the completion of his Inquisition.
-Ruuki
P.S.
I've no idea how to separate the recording from the device, hence why it was sent to you as a whole.
Sunderpalm sat alone at a table with his back to the door, sulking slightly while grasping a small molded cup, much smaller than the usual massive cask he always carried around. Beside him sat a larger bottle, the cork firmly in the neck to keep the vapors from escaping.
He poured himself a cupful, the vapors rising from the small cup as he waited for his companion.
Ruuki had been a little puzzled by the cryptic message Sunderpalm had sent her, so she made her way to the tavern as quickly as she could. She wasn't surprised to see him already drinking, but there was something a little off putting about his expression- normally he was a jolly, gentle giant, if not a bit clumsy. She made her way over, hooves thudding against the wooden floor with each step.
"You look as though Daisha's helped herself to your brew again." She sat across from him, frowning a little as she was able to see the sulking expression on his face. "I came over as soon as I was able- what's going on?"
"I read your Trial of Sacrifice entry..." He paused to drink, downing the cup's contents in one gulp. He winced slightly, the brew strong even for him. "...well done. Worthy of a drink-" he continued as he poured another shot and pushed it across the table to Ruuki.
She nodded in acknowledgement, tugging off her heavy gauntlets to accept the offered drink. She threw back the drink, and immediately coughed and winced at the powerful burn.
"Thank you, but writing it was the easy part. The hard part was finally letting go of my father's ghost." She slid the glass back to him, watching him for a moment. "I would not have come this far without your help and persistence. There aren't many who would help an amnesiac Tauren."
"Persistence..." he hung on the word for a moment, then grabbed the glass, poured, drank, paused, burped, and chuckled slightly. "It's made me think to my Trial," he paused as he drank again. "Sacrifice... What do I have to sacrifice? Since the Wandering Isle, I've spent my whole life with as few possessions as possible, few contacts. Just wandering Azeroth doing what I do best, mending the broken." He stared at the bottom of the empty glass. "I have nothing to give, nothing to let go of in the name of the Grim."
"It's hard to name something to sacrifice when you've already sacrificed all you can in your travels. You could surrender your brews but that would make you less effective in battle." She rested her arms on the table and leaned forward slightly, as though she were scrutinizing him. "But what have you done since your travels brought you to the Grim?"
He looked up at Ruuki when her braids fell into his vision, then grabbed his pitcher and poured a steady trickle into the cup. He stopped pouring as the cup filled, and stared into the fumes rising from its content, lost in thought for the moment.
"I've assisted the the Grim in hunting countless Alliance, routing the Zandalari and their 'Thunder King', helped to uncovered Garrosh's intent, and now I am a part of the Orgrimmar siege. I fail to see your point, these are all expected of me." He drinks.
"In short, you've dedicated yourself to their cause and to the Mandate... but why?" She shifted a little, wincing and adjusting her plate where it was digging into her hip uncomfortably. "Monks are emissaries of peace, yet you chose to join a guild whose Mandate demands that peace in the annihilation of all who oppose. Why did you join? Why did you dedicate yourself to this cause in particular?"
"Bah. Peace is relative. Azeroth has shown me that. The Grim is the only organization that understands the only way we can have peace is if we're the only ones left standing." His free hand balled up in a fist. "I joined the Grim to better the odds."
"Then it is not a sacrifice you should offer to prove yourself to the Grim. I know you have fought long and hard, just as I have. You've dedicated your strength and your magic without fail and without an expectation of anything in return, save for a few comrades to outdrink at the tavern." She smirked, crossing her arms over her chest and looking very satisfied with herself. "Not everyone has something worthwhile to sacrifice, but all can show their dedication no matter the difficulties."
Sunderpalm stopped mid-drink and looked into Ruuki's eyes, as if the realization had just dawned on him. She noticed his own eyes were beginning to cross, the first sign that he was too drunk for his own good.
"Down in three.." Ruuki thought to herself.
"Perhaps you have a point, Rookie," he slurred, ignoring her arched eyebrow at the mispronunciation of her name.
"Two.."
"I'll grab a brush and parchment and write up my Trial as a Trial of Dedication," he announced optimistically as he promptly pushed back his stool, took three steps towards the door and fell face-first into the wall.
"One."
Ruuki sighed as she stood up, looking over Sunderpalm's fallen form, the big lug out cold for the time being. She rummaged through her bag, shouting out to the innkeeper as she pulled out a small bottle. "I'll cover his drinks and room, if you'll point out an empty one." She downed the Mogu Power potion, and with the extra strength hefted the Pandaren up over her shoulder to deposit him in the room the innkeeper pointed out to her. Once he was settled, face down, she patted his shoulder with a smile.
"Rest well, my friend. I don't envy the headache you will have when you wake, but I'll do what I can to help you." She left the room, then pulled out her goblin communicator. "I'm so glad I figured out how to record on this..."
-end of recording