Questioned Loyalties: Part 3
[Scene: In the Wyvern's Tail in Orgrimmar's Valley of Honor, Kae is finding himself a quick lunch!]
Elennoko blinks at you.
Kaelash settles for a few scraps of jerky before he turns back toward the doorway-- and eyes Noko. "Oh well fuck me..." Run for it!
Elennoko says: No! Wait!
Kaelash says: For what!
Elennoko says: I'd like to speak with y- ...What are you doing back in Orgrimmar?
Kaelash pins his ears back, inching away, from both the druid and the bar. "I didn't do anything..!"
Elennoko says: N-No! Don't worry about me!
Elennoko says: I won't hurt you. I swear to you that.
Kaelash says: You're with that corpse that did -this- to me. Why should I trust you?
Elennoko says: Because I'm a member of the Circle, first. I also endedu p breaking that same 'corpses' arm the other day, to stop him and Oriseus from killing each other!
Kaelash backs up when Noko steps closer, anyway, ears pinned back and clutching the little bag of dried meat. You can't have his lunch, either! "Not staying here. More of your lot will come."
Elennoko says: Please. I just want to talk to you.
Elennoko says: Honest.
Kaelash says: Then we talk where I'm -not- vulnerable and outnumbered.
Elennoko blinks and looks around. They're practically alone.
Kaelash is surrounded by ORCS. Everywheeeere. And maybe just a little paranoid. Busted up shoulders will do that.
Elennoko says: Okay. Fine. Where would you feel safer speaking?
Kaelash says: ... Up. Somewhere...
Kaelash turns on his heel and shuffles outside, whistling for his 'gryph.
Elennoko lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
Kaelash looks up and back. "Cliff up there."
Elennoko nods at you.
((I believe I can flyyyyy~ Kae an Noko relocate to a clifftop WAY above Orgrimmar.))
Kaelash flops down and grimaces, stiffly lifting a strip of jerky to nibble on as he just -looks- at Noko. Well? Talk.
Elennoko crosses his hands behind his back and sighs. "First of all; I don't blame you for being paranoid, and I don't condone what Kwake did to you."
Kaelash says: You even know what he did?
Elennoko says: All I know is he tortured you. No one told me the rest of the story.
Kaelash says: He came into -my- home. My city. Insulted me. Insulted my people. Just like the rest of those fucking green-skins. I didn't so much as lay a hand on him.
Elennoko says: That I know. But I was also informed you walked around insulting them, too.
Kaelash says: I stated my feelings on the matter. Fuck your Light-damned Horde. I never wanted to be part of it, I don't enjoy being forced to swear loyalty to a race that only a decade ago were sucking the Amani's collective dick.
Kaelash says: I'm only -here- because a friend lives here. I was having a smoke before going home and they jumped me.
Elennoko says: Which friend?
Kaelash says: Nathrae. He's an engineer, lives just north of the smithy in the valley there.
Kaelash nods slightly toward the Valley of Honor.
Elennoko looks back and hrms. "Do you hold this much disdain for all orcs?"
Kaelash says: I've never been treated kindly by an orc.
Elennoko takes a step forward, removing his hands from behind him. "I realize you were wronged. I won't dney that, and as said i will not agree with what Kwake did to you."
Elennoko says: Infact I -despise- what he did to you. It's just what the Cultists do. He lowered himself to their standards.
Elennoko says: However.
Kaelash says: Wronged. -Wronged-?! I keep my mouth shut in their lands. I suck it up and follow their command in the field. I speak my own mind in my own home and I nearly get my arms removed and left to hang and DIE in a pig farm!
Elennoko keeps a serious look towards Kaelash. "I know this. But you have to realize. Whether you like it or not."
Elennoko says: Silvermoon is a Horde city now.
Elennoko says: Speaking your mind about the Horde's politics and people, will not end well.
Kaelash snarls abruptly, "Silvermoon does NOT belong to the Horde."
Elennoko frowns a little. "I know you'd like to think otherwise, but it unfortunately is not the case."
Elennoko says: Your people were dying. Once your people approached Thrall those years ago, your people became members of the Horde.
Elennoko says: Trust me. There are days I wish Thunder Bluff wasn't with the Horde.
Elennoko says: But I'm not trying to be your enemy.
Kaelash says: -Sylvanas- approached Thrall. We had little choice in the matter. Go completely extinct, or accept help we didn't want.
Kaelash says: I do have one question: Where, then, is your precious Horde now that the Amani have risen up again? Where is the orcish or tauren aid?
Kaelash grimaces as he slowly rises to his feet, ears pinned back. "Why is it only the trolls seek to control their own kind while we are forced to look to the -Alliance- for aid?"
Elennoko says: Because the orcs are a stubborn, pride-seeking race.
Elennoko says: I will admit that.
Elennoko says: Kael'ash. I know you hold prejudice to the Horde for what the orcs did years ago to your people. To your home. Would I be correct?
Kaelash says: Your warchief doesn't care about pink-skinned weaklings. Sylvanas has gone off the deep end and she was our strongest link to the Hor-- DON'T call me that! My name is -Kae-.
Kaelash grumbles. "... Yes. I hate them for what they've done. What they continue to do."
Elennoko says: You're not the only to feel that way. You may or may not know, that recently the remnants of the Grimtotem tribe have joined with the Bloodhoof tauren.
Elennoko says: Are you aware of what they did to my people years ago?
Kaelash says: Vaguely.
Elennoko says: They slaughtered my people. They wished to take over our tribes, to form a 'better' future for tauren, but it was harming the tauren race as a whole.
Elennoko says: They even aidedi n the death of our Chieftan, Cairne Bloodhoof, and attempted to take our home for themselves, as well as assassinate Baine Bloodhoof.
Elennoko says: They destroyed our homes, burned them down. Killed our families. Mothers, children.
Elennoko says: And yet.
Elennoko says: They have joined with the Horde whether I liked it or not.
Kaelash twitches an ear. "Do you forgive them?"
Elennoko says: Some may still be attached to the old ways of their lives. Violence, murder. But some care about what I care. Nature, the Earthmother, life.
Elennoko says: And those few, make me forgive the Grimtotem's as a whole. Because I know, even if the majority are ruthless, I know there is still hope.
Elennoko says: Look at Thrall. Varok Saurfang. Those are orcs you can look to, and know they make up the better half of the orcish race.
Kaelash says: Better half? Better -fraction-.
Elennoko says: They are still the better members.
Kaelash says: Thrall has abandoned the Horde to that -child-, Hellscream.
Elennoko says: He didn't abandon the Horde. He left off to aid Azeroth as a whole. I'm confident he'll be back before Hellscream drives the rest of the Horde into ruin.
Kaelash says: While Thrall was still warchief, I could tolerate the orcs. He held them in check with his own behavior. Hellscream encourages them to violence. Yet still, how often have I lent my blades to the Horde for the betterment of all?
Elennoko says: Do you remember Kael'thas?
Kaelash pins his ears back. "Say -one- word against our Prince, Tauren."
Elennoko says: You still call him your Prince, even though he cast your race away for power?
Kaelash says: Were it not for his efforts, the Sunwell would have never been restored to us.
Kaelash says: He gave his life, and his sanity, for his people.
Elennoko says: So. You forgive him for whatever wrongs he did? Believing he did more good than wrong?
Kaelash says: What is there to forgive? He paid for his errors in judgment with his life. Is that not enough?
Elennoko says: He attempted to draw a lord of the Burning legion into our world. To destroy it. He knew what would happen.
Elennoko says: As much as I look down upon the young Hellscream.
Elennoko says: If you look at it from the orcs perspective. He's doing the same.
Elennoko says: He's keeping them alive.
Kaelash says: That was -not- his original intent. The man who did that was no longer Prince Kael'thas, but a madman claiming his name.
Elennoko says: Look around you. This world has been destroyed, the Alliance want war with the orcs. He's doing whatever he can to keep his people alive.
Kaelash snorts bitterly. "Don't you dare compare things which cannot be compared. Garrosh actively goes to war where it's completely unnecessary. He -provokes- the Alliance as much as our beloved 'Lich Queen' provokes the Gilneans."
Elennoko keeps that same look at Kaelash. The look that says ;You better listen to me;. "Why do you still refuse to let go of your hatred for orcs because of their leader?"
Kaelash flicks his gaze away, frowning. "I suppose I can't expect you to understand. It isn't because of their leader. It is because of their collective behavior since their arrival on Azeroth. They are a crude race. They crow about honor, but I have seen little of it in practice. They belittle and demean my kind, they don't listen to wisdom of those who have lived for -centuries- and blunder blindly into situations we have warned them about because we are 'inferior'."
Kaelash says: I find it amusing that you are all so focused on how I feel about the Horde, over how I have given time, effort, blood, and pain in support of it, -despite- my own opinions.
Elennoko says: Yet you prove to them you -are- inferior. As you paint them all with images of what you just described, and refuse to look at when they -do- show honor, or wisdom, or kindness.
Elennoko says: Have you ever been to Nagrand?
Elennoko says: Have you seen the original orcs? The Mag'har?
Elennoko says: They show all of those traits.
Kaelash snaps abruply, "The Horde orcs are -not- the Mag'har. Do not -insult- the Mag'har with such a comparison."
Elennoko says: However you insult the Mag'har, by insulting the orcs that reside here.
Elennoko says: They are the same orcs. They do not come from different planets.
Elennoko says: The ones born here, are yes, form Azeroth.
Elennoko says: But their blood still goes back to Draenor.
Elennoko says: To the Mag'har.
Kaelash flattens his ears back. "They are nothing alike. Garrosh may be one of them, but he does -not- display their traits. These orcs in Azeroth are as different from the Mag'har as we Sin'dorei are different from the Quel'dorei."
Kaelash says: They may have once been one race, but no longer.
Elennoko says: I know. They are as different as the Grimtotem and the Bloodhoof. The Draenei and the Broken. The Highborne and the Kal'dorei.
Elennoko says: However. Looking at all of which, it is possible for them to still show alliances with each other.
Elennoko says: And therefor they are still technically, the same race.
Kaelash says: Alliances do not make them the same race.
Kaelash says: These orcs are corrupted. They have forgotten what true honor is.
Kaelash says: If they still functioned off the honor they claim is so important, they would not torture and leave for dead a man who has given his all time and again -by their side- in combat against a common enemy.
Elennoko says: Eitrigg.
Elennoko says: Nazgrel.
Elennoko says: Drek'thar.
Elennoko says: Varok.
Elennoko says: Thrall.
Elennoko says: All but one are still with the Horde. And all still show honor, kindness.
Kaelash says: You name a half-dozen amongst hundreds of thousands.
Elennoko says: There are thousands that I d onot know their names, but are just like them.
Elennoko says: Just like the Grimtotem. You shouldn't judge every last orc as if they are Garrosh!
Kaelash says: Your ears are as closed to what you don't want to hear as Oriseus and Khaavren.
Kaelash says: Children, the lot of you.
Elennoko says: Are we the children, Kael'ash? Or are you the child? For refusing to open your eyes and see that you're wrong.
Kaelash says: Have you heard -nothing- of what I've said? I have judged by what I have experienced. And yet I still give my blood for your Horde.
Kaelash says: And for the last time, my name is Kae. Do not call me Kael'ash.
Elennoko says: Giving your blood to ideals you do not believe in is selfish. And you have experienced nothing.
Kaelash says: ... Wait, how the -fuck- is that selfish?
Elennoko crosses his arms and huffs. "You're being a fool, Kael'ash."
Kaelash says: Horde, Alliance, who cares what banner you fight under! You're one of the Circle, you should know that better than anyone.
Kaelash says: Kae, Light damnit!
Elennoko let's out a small snicker.
Kaelash says: I've experienced enough to know I have yet to meet an orc that treated me with even the smallest sliver of respect. Tauren are another matter. Your race is one I can and do respect, -because- we are shown that respect in kind.
Elennoko says: I understand now.
Elennoko says: Look at me. Being the person I despise. Attempting to force someones mind into a way they can't see yet.
Kaelash grumbles, "And I am hardly a fool for wanting to fight for the greater good." Grumblemuttergrr.
Elennoko says: However, Kael'ash. As you show respect for my people.
Kaelash stomps his foot. "STOP that!"
Elennoko says: I will not.
Kaelash says: It's not my name!
Elennoko says: I want to know.
Elennoko says: Do you at least show respect for the orcs I did name?
Kaelash says: The ones I've met personally, I have treated with the respect they have earned.
Elennoko nods at you.
Elennoko says: Now onto another matter.
Elennoko drops his serious-face, and his arms.
Kaelash twitches an ear.
Elennoko says: Wh yare you back in Orgrimmar!?
Elennoko says: What if Kwake saw you!?
Elennoko says: Are you insane!
Elennoko says: He would take your head, even if I stood between you two!
Kaelash says: I crashed at Nathrae and Lindir's place last night. They were sleeping so I went out to find something to eat.
Kaelash glances down at his half-nibbled jerky.
Elennoko says: So you thought going into the bar Kwake spends most of his time in...
Elennoko says: Was a -good- idea?
Elennoko says: Are you daft!?
Kaelash says: I don't know Kwake's habits!
Elennoko looks at you and covers his face with his palm.
Kaelash says: Every time I've seen him before then has been in that meeting room or in Silvermoon!
Kaelash says: I didn't think a five-minute food run would run into him, especially mid-day.
Kaelash says: Doesn't this heat -melt- him or something?
Elennoko says: Nope.
Kaelash says: Shame.
Elennoko says: Well if you need food, I'd be happy to supply you. Without you being in danger of.
Elennoko says: Well.
Elennoko says: -Death-.
Kaelash sighs, wilting a bit and looking down. "No. It's fine. I scouted the place before I went in, I didn't see him anywhere so I thought it was safe."
Elennoko says: You need to be more careful.
Kaelash says: I was being careful!
Elennoko says: You need to be more careful!
Kaelash says: It's not my fault I can't identify birds! You druids all look alike!
Elennoko says: Kwake is like a bloodhound. He can smell an elf a mile away!
Kaelash says: Well I've been in town all day and he hasn't come knocking!
Elennoko covers his face with a palm. "You know, most of you elves can be so stubborn."
Kaelash says: Comes with living many times longer than the rest of you.
Elennoko says: Well, then. What are you going to do when Kwake -does- show up? He's going to pop up sooner or later.
Kaelash nibbles on that bit of jerky. "He won't bust into private property to get at me."
Elennoko looks... Unsure. "I wouldn't be so sure about that..."
((SUDDENLY an Azati appears!))
Azati says: Do you honestly think Kwake would be so stupid as to repeat that particular bit of idiocy?
Elennoko blinks.
Kaelash says: It's either remain here where there's some illusion of safety, or go lurk in Murder Row and wait for either a junkie to come paw at me, or a crazy Blood Knight to try to clobber me around with a giant mac-- Ack!
Elennoko says: Oh! ...I didn't even notice you.
Kaelash stumbles over in surprise and lands flat on his ass. Owwwwww.
Elennoko says: I'm not sure, Elder. Kwake... Does have a horrible temper. You know this.
Azati says: That's all right, you weren't supposed to--oh child, I am sorry. spirits of air, help this man gently to his feet...
Azati says: Kwake got told up one side and down the other once I got hold of him. Imagine! Putting a person through this much torment over words. He's a damned fool.
Kaelash flails a bit as he gets pushed back up to his feet, briefly looking like a spooked animal. "H-hey! Stop-"
Elennoko grins wickedly.
Elennoko says: I suppose you're right.
Azati says: There you are.
Azati says: Bit of a shock getting pushed around by wind spirits I'd say.
Kaelash looks over his shoulder, ears pinned back and eyes a little wide. It's not arcane but that's A LITTLE CREEPY.
Kaelash says: .... Thank you. I think.
Kaelash can be nice to an orc! SEE.
Elennoko hardly thinks that was being nice.
Kaelash is easily spooked by magicstuff ; ;
Elennoko says: Well, then! Now that all awkward talking is over. Where do you think you'll be going? Will you be staying in Orgrimmar?
Azati says: Though I didn't expect to see you in Orgrimmar before you were recovered.
Elennoko says: I could always see about getting you a place to stay in Moonglade.
Kaelash says: .... I was... staying with friends. And uh.. I'd... I'd really rather stay with the boys here. I'm not comfortable around Kaldorei.
Elennoko says: I'm sure the Kal'dorei would be safer than Orgrimmar. But!
Elennoko says: If you insist.
Kaelash says: Maybe. The offer's appreciated, though.
Azati says: I didn't think that young man of yourse would be coming back to orgrimmar so soon, or that you'd keep a house here.
Kaelash pins his ears back. ".... It's not their house. It's another pair of elves that live here permanently."
Azati says: so the four of you are staying in Orgrimmar?
Kaelash says: ... No. I just stayed there today to rest.
Kaelash earwilts a little bit. "Oriseus and Khaavren are in Nagrand still, as far as I know."
Azati says: And you came to Orgrimmar without the full use of your arms without them because...
Elennoko raises his eyebrow inquisitively.
Azati has that Mama look again.
Kaelash stubbornly nibbles on his jerky instead of answering.
Elennoko says: Answer her!
Kaelash says: I didn't think I had to explain myself to visit a few friends in Orgrimmar.
Azati says to the big druid, "Oh that won't work, child. when children go sulky and quiet it's because they can't give an answer that doesn't question their actions. Kwake looked just like that when I asked him what he was thinking."
Kaelash grunts. "No, I'm -quiet- because my personal life is not up for public discussion."
Elennoko says: Ah. I see it now, Elder.
Azati says: After getting racked up in a tree? And your lover roaring down here to make the world's worst barbecue out of an orc, you're not home with your man who fought for you - instead you're here with a couple of friends? Huh. Elves really -that- different?
Kaelash pins his ears back, but merely clenches his jaw in further silence.
Elennoko says: Oh right. That's Oriseus, isn't it?
Azati says: I think so.
Elennoko nods. "Well, I have no right to say. I did my part with him the other day. I would like to know how his arm is, however."
Kaelash says: Oriseus is correct. And I imagine his arm is fine. Khaavren will likely dote.
Azati says: child, whatever it is drove you out of your home, think about this. The longer you let a disagreement lie between you, the wider it gets. If you've got a cool head now, go *home.* or if you can't make it back, ask them to come to you here.
Kaelash grunts, "I'm not a child."
Elennoko says: Talking like that, you prove that you are.
A sly smirk spreads across Elennoko's face.
Kaelash frowns. "Acting my damn age is what drove me out in the first fucking place."
Azati says: Then act accordingly. Children do the things they do because they don't have the tools to deal with hard feelings and things that scare them. And what are you doing right now?
Azati says: Acting like an adult isn't a permanent condition. Thanks the spirits. When would we have fun?
Azati says: But in times like these, it's natural to react to pain the way we always did. We forget. That's not wrong. it
Azati says: starts to be wrong when you stubbornly hang onto a fool notion for the sake of pride. Tell you what.
Kaelash says: So, what, I should go home and sit there and listen to them rail against the Horde just because one Scourge savage strung me up and keep my mouth shut? I speak out against isolation, because that was the very thing that doomed our race to begin with and
Kaelash says: they treat me like I haven't been around centuries longer than they've even existed.
Azati says: Sounds to me like they're reacting like children. Something hurt them, and they never want to be hurt by that thing again. You agree?
Elennoko just sort of stands back and let's Azati talk.
Kaelash says: That's what I was trying to rationalize to them. But they don't seem to want me to speak when I'm not playing the fool.
Azati says: Maybe it wasn't time for rationality just yet. You ever want to just complain about something, get it off your chest, and everyone tries to fix whatever it is you're complaining about?
Kaelash gives a pointed look at Noko.
Azati just *laughs.* "Kinda like that, yeah."
Elennoko blinks.
Kaelash says: Like, say, bitching about how orcs treat us like shit and fuck the Horde but I'm going to fight for them anyway so stop trying to change my mind~?
Elennoko says: I already said I'll respect your decisions! Don't pull that card on me.
Azati says: yes, something like that.
Kaelash says: After spending most of our time up here lecturing me about how I'm wrong.
Kaelash hmphs.
Azati says: Mm hm.
Azati is just going to let him roll.
Kaelash sighs and just settles back to nibbling on his jerky, trying to at least finish this one strip before his stomach tries to eat him from the inside out.
Elennoko crosses his arms again and hrmphs.
Kaelash says: ... I guess I am being kinna childish, aren't I.
Elennoko has no comment.
Azati says: It's a natural reaction when you're hurt. honestly.
Kaelash finishes off his jerkystrip and idly sucks on a finger to get it clean as he looks off toward the horizon. "Frustrated. It's been a bundle of stress for weeks and I just want it to stop." More of an 'I can't take any more' moment than hurt, really.
Elennoko says: I can understand that.
Elennoko says: I've felt that way more than once. Even lately it's been that way.
Azati says: I do too. It's hard, getting back to balance in the middle of a war.
Kaelash says: So is this the point where you say 'go back and talk it out'? Because it's not going to work.
Elennoko says: It depends who with. If you mean Kwake... That wouldn't work. As I said he is a very stubborn orc. I doubt he'd listen to anything that would be said.
Elennoko says: If anyone else..
Elennoko says: ...Well I don't know your personal life.
Elennoko says: So no comment.
Azati says: No. this is the part where I say that you should be with the ones who love you. And if they're hurt, let them be hurt for a while. If they decide to do something in the middle of that hurt, ask them to wait a bit. Do you understand why they want to leave?
Kaelash sighs and shifts on his feet. "I don't know what to do about Kwake. As it is, Ori and Khaav want nothing else to do with him. I can't avoid him forever. Even if they refuse to fight, I'm not giving up. Once my arms are better, I'll be fighting as I was, unless he tells me I'm no longer welcome. And I -tried- to tell them to not make any knee-jerk emotional choices, but they won't -listen- to me."
Elennoko says: I must be losing my hearing in my other ear, too. I keep hearing everything wrong today.
Elennoko lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
Kaelash would pat Noko, but can't lift his arms that high.
Azati says: So they both fight with Kwake? That boy! I'm going to whack him with my shoe. what an idiot.
Elennoko says: I really don't want to break anymore arms this week...
Kaelash says: All three of us have been fighting alongside Kwake and his little club, up until this point, yes.
Elennoko says: They did. All up until Kwake felt insulted and decided to do this to him.
Kaelash says: So now they're down an excellent shield-fighter and hexmaster. Unless they somehow change their minds. And with Oriseus the way he's been in the -first- place, I don't know if that will happen.
Azati says: This is why he's stupid. Did he honestly think he could torture one and the other two would think that was all right?
Kaelash just falls quiet again, ears tilting back. He didn't -like- talking about what was done to him, damnit, he just ate.
Elennoko says: I hate to prove Kae here right... But Kwake seems to be obsessed over Garrosh. It's a shame, really. Kwake could be a great person if not for Garrosh's influence.
Azati makes a rude noise. "Garrosh is *exactly* the wrong orc to lead the horde. He knows *nothing* of what the orcs who came to azeroth suffered. He never lived without the spirits, never got the lesson that taught us all. He's ignorant."
Kaelash makes an 'I told you so' noise at Noko.
Azati says: So he thinks he can stroll around and call people weak because they have suffered things he never had to.
Elennoko snaps at look at Kae.
Azati says: That boy needs some wisdom, and it's going to hurt him when it comes. But I hope the spirits judge him ready for that wisdom soon.
Elennoko says: He won't listen to wisdom. I've tried to pry some into him since the day I met him.
Azati says: I'm not asking you to hide, Red. But stay out of kwake's sight for a few days. I'm working on him. When I left him the night your Oriseus came to fricasee him in the valley of honor he doubted his ability to lead. He *knows* he made a mistake.
Elennoko says: Oh?
Kaelash gives the rest of his 'meal' a look and ends up just hooking the pouch to his belt and re-sliding his arms into the makeshift sling. "I find it irritating that this all started because Kwake got it into his head to come to Sin'dorei territory and -insult- us."
Azati nods. "No respect."
Azati says: We expect everyone to just act like orcs, even though they're not orcs.
Kaelash says: We Sin'dorei may come to Orgrimmar, but we do not make it a point to come here and interrupt its society and harass its citizens.
Elennoko says: I've seen a few elves do just that.
Azati says: Exactly. I haven't really been to Silvermoon City. It is a strange place. And so cold! Brr! how do you not shiver yourselves to pieces?
Kaelash says: And they tend to get chased out of Orgrimmar or assaulted for opening their mouths.
Azati is no frostwolf, that's for sure.
Kaelash gives Noko a look. Then smirks at Azati. "I suppose it is cold compared to Orgrimmar. Eternal spring is not a desert's heat."
Azati says: You know elves who live here. Permanently. They get along in the city all right?
Kaelash says: They've adapted to orcish culture and enjoy it, as far as I can tell.
Kaelash says: Both rogues, but they're young and spent a good portion of time among humans. They aren't as... trained... in elven culture.
Azati nods. "There's something in our culture that appeals to them. And they may feel like strangers among thheir own people, if they lived among humans. In the south of Azeroth, then? In Stormwind. There are still elves who live there. But they're alliance,
Azati says: thohse elves. But your friends are not?
Kaelash says: They are Sin'dorei, not Quel'dorei. They aren't fond of humans, either.
Kaelash says: Though I suspect they're more familiar with the, ah...
Kaelash hesitates, before he finishes, "Shorter-lived races, and the pace of their daily lives."
Azati nods and looks at Noko. "It must change a lot of attitudes, to know that centuries stretche before you. If I live to be a hundred that will be quite an age."
Elennoko chuckles a little and shrugs. "I believe, whatever happens, happens. If things change about me, or my friends as I age, so be it. It's what the Earthmother calls for."
Kaelash says: And there is the deepest source of problems between your races and the Sin'dorei. And even the majority of our own race compared to the few of us who aren't within that young age...
Kaelash says: Our elders are all dead. Imagine your races being forced to start anew with only a fraction of what you have, all... between fifteen and twenty years of age.
Elennoko says: Heh.
Azati says: Because your elders, your adults, they all died when they lost the magic.
Azati says: suddenly, things about the Sin'dorei make sense.
Kaelash says: Our elders, our children, all we have is that small group of young adults trying to govern and make choices reserved for kings and magisters that once had thousands of years of wisdom to draw upon.
Elennoko says: I can't imagine.
Azati says: And now they do not. They don't even have a Shadow Council subverting their people under the guise of leadership.
Azati says: fifteen to twenty - that's an odd time. You're nearly an adult. But you are not yet. And so you have a lot of freedom to make mistakes, with guidance from elders. Without that...
Kaelash says: Exactly. It's largely why Silvermoon has degenerated into a den of hedonism and selfish, impulsive, destructive behavior. To the rest of the Horde, you see a city of corrupt adults... I see a nation of floundering children.
Azati rubs her temples. "Noko, a nation of teenagers. Spirits."
Elennoko says: That's... Saddening. I never realized that about Silvermoon.
Kaelash says: Perhaps now, before you judge my people so harshly, you will have some insight as to why they can be so foolish.
Elennoko nods at Kaelash.
Azati says: Because they are so young. Yes.
Kaelash says: At three hundred, I am one of the eldest still living. And yet I don't have a fraction of the wisdom of my father. I doubt I ever will. If we ever do recover that same depth of wisdom and rationality, it will be well after all of us here are gone.
Elennoko says: Well for your races sake, I hope they -do- regain such things.
Azati says: It likely will not be the same as what you remember.
Kaelash says: Honestly? I will be happy enough to survive another few generations. We are dying off far more quickly than we are reproducing.
Azati says: because you're fighting a war and your soldiers are too young to raise families.
Elennoko nods at Azati.
Elennoko says: Exactly.
Kaelash says: Correct. We are fighting for the survival of life as a whole. In doing so, we may very well lose ourselves.
Azati says: And with no elders to guide your people, there is no one to say when one should marry and start a family.
Elennoko drops his arms and let's out a disgruntled sigh. "Well."
Kaelash chuckles. "And nevermind propper courting in Elven society could take decades..."
Azati nods. "I understand much more of the Sin'dorei than I did. But most importantly, they are not to be pitied. they are trying to hold a society together, with no one to guide them. they are literally inventing themselves."
Elennoko says: Respectable.
Kaelash says: We are not a people designed to cope with change, but yes, we are trying as best we can. We often fail, but we have been learning and trying again. We don't ask for pity, we are a proud people. We simply desire respect. And a bit of patience...
Elennoko says: You're trying to stay strong. Respoectable in my eyes.
Elennoko says: But I should best be on my way! I apologize for dragging you up here for so long.
Kaelash gives Noko a half smile. "Thanks for not punching me or something."
Elennoko says: I'm a druid of the Cenarion Circle. I only punch people if it means to stop uneeded violence.
Elennoko says: Don't do anything idiotic. And stay safe. -Kae-.
Elennoko nods.
Kaelash nods at Elennoko.
Kaelash says: Thank you.
Elennoko says: Elder. It was nice to see you again, as well.
Elennoko smiles. (And birdifies and flies off!)
Azati nods. "And to see you--oh there he goes. Now what will you do?"
Kaelash says: .... I don't know.
Azati says: well, i'll give you some advice. Relax for a bit and see if anything comes to you, but if you have no bright ideas by full night, get in touch with your family.
Kaelash says: I don't know if there's anything I -can- do. I go home and then what. Khaavren avoids me and Oriseus doesn't talk to me?
Azati says: You could write to them. They can't interrupt your words on a page. Well, you might need a scribe.
Kaelash snorts softly. "I can write fine. They'll take it the wrong way, though." Oh to be able to facepalm...
Azati says: Are you certain?
Kaelash says: I love them, but they are both young and extremely emotional. I was foolish and walked out after they would not heed my wisdom in not making impulsive choices. I'm not certain a written bit of contact would be wise in this case.
Azati says: Then going to them would be better?
Kaelash shrugs-- halting mid-motion with a grimace.
Azati says: You'll have a little while to decide.
Elennoko blinks at you.
Kaelash settles for a few scraps of jerky before he turns back toward the doorway-- and eyes Noko. "Oh well fuck me..." Run for it!
Elennoko says: No! Wait!
Kaelash says: For what!
Elennoko says: I'd like to speak with y- ...What are you doing back in Orgrimmar?
Kaelash pins his ears back, inching away, from both the druid and the bar. "I didn't do anything..!"
Elennoko says: N-No! Don't worry about me!
Elennoko says: I won't hurt you. I swear to you that.
Kaelash says: You're with that corpse that did -this- to me. Why should I trust you?
Elennoko says: Because I'm a member of the Circle, first. I also endedu p breaking that same 'corpses' arm the other day, to stop him and Oriseus from killing each other!
Kaelash backs up when Noko steps closer, anyway, ears pinned back and clutching the little bag of dried meat. You can't have his lunch, either! "Not staying here. More of your lot will come."
Elennoko says: Please. I just want to talk to you.
Elennoko says: Honest.
Kaelash says: Then we talk where I'm -not- vulnerable and outnumbered.
Elennoko blinks and looks around. They're practically alone.
Kaelash is surrounded by ORCS. Everywheeeere. And maybe just a little paranoid. Busted up shoulders will do that.
Elennoko says: Okay. Fine. Where would you feel safer speaking?
Kaelash says: ... Up. Somewhere...
Kaelash turns on his heel and shuffles outside, whistling for his 'gryph.
Elennoko lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
Kaelash looks up and back. "Cliff up there."
Elennoko nods at you.
((I believe I can flyyyyy~ Kae an Noko relocate to a clifftop WAY above Orgrimmar.))
Kaelash flops down and grimaces, stiffly lifting a strip of jerky to nibble on as he just -looks- at Noko. Well? Talk.
Elennoko crosses his hands behind his back and sighs. "First of all; I don't blame you for being paranoid, and I don't condone what Kwake did to you."
Kaelash says: You even know what he did?
Elennoko says: All I know is he tortured you. No one told me the rest of the story.
Kaelash says: He came into -my- home. My city. Insulted me. Insulted my people. Just like the rest of those fucking green-skins. I didn't so much as lay a hand on him.
Elennoko says: That I know. But I was also informed you walked around insulting them, too.
Kaelash says: I stated my feelings on the matter. Fuck your Light-damned Horde. I never wanted to be part of it, I don't enjoy being forced to swear loyalty to a race that only a decade ago were sucking the Amani's collective dick.
Kaelash says: I'm only -here- because a friend lives here. I was having a smoke before going home and they jumped me.
Elennoko says: Which friend?
Kaelash says: Nathrae. He's an engineer, lives just north of the smithy in the valley there.
Kaelash nods slightly toward the Valley of Honor.
Elennoko looks back and hrms. "Do you hold this much disdain for all orcs?"
Kaelash says: I've never been treated kindly by an orc.
Elennoko takes a step forward, removing his hands from behind him. "I realize you were wronged. I won't dney that, and as said i will not agree with what Kwake did to you."
Elennoko says: Infact I -despise- what he did to you. It's just what the Cultists do. He lowered himself to their standards.
Elennoko says: However.
Kaelash says: Wronged. -Wronged-?! I keep my mouth shut in their lands. I suck it up and follow their command in the field. I speak my own mind in my own home and I nearly get my arms removed and left to hang and DIE in a pig farm!
Elennoko keeps a serious look towards Kaelash. "I know this. But you have to realize. Whether you like it or not."
Elennoko says: Silvermoon is a Horde city now.
Elennoko says: Speaking your mind about the Horde's politics and people, will not end well.
Kaelash snarls abruptly, "Silvermoon does NOT belong to the Horde."
Elennoko frowns a little. "I know you'd like to think otherwise, but it unfortunately is not the case."
Elennoko says: Your people were dying. Once your people approached Thrall those years ago, your people became members of the Horde.
Elennoko says: Trust me. There are days I wish Thunder Bluff wasn't with the Horde.
Elennoko says: But I'm not trying to be your enemy.
Kaelash says: -Sylvanas- approached Thrall. We had little choice in the matter. Go completely extinct, or accept help we didn't want.
Kaelash says: I do have one question: Where, then, is your precious Horde now that the Amani have risen up again? Where is the orcish or tauren aid?
Kaelash grimaces as he slowly rises to his feet, ears pinned back. "Why is it only the trolls seek to control their own kind while we are forced to look to the -Alliance- for aid?"
Elennoko says: Because the orcs are a stubborn, pride-seeking race.
Elennoko says: I will admit that.
Elennoko says: Kael'ash. I know you hold prejudice to the Horde for what the orcs did years ago to your people. To your home. Would I be correct?
Kaelash says: Your warchief doesn't care about pink-skinned weaklings. Sylvanas has gone off the deep end and she was our strongest link to the Hor-- DON'T call me that! My name is -Kae-.
Kaelash grumbles. "... Yes. I hate them for what they've done. What they continue to do."
Elennoko says: You're not the only to feel that way. You may or may not know, that recently the remnants of the Grimtotem tribe have joined with the Bloodhoof tauren.
Elennoko says: Are you aware of what they did to my people years ago?
Kaelash says: Vaguely.
Elennoko says: They slaughtered my people. They wished to take over our tribes, to form a 'better' future for tauren, but it was harming the tauren race as a whole.
Elennoko says: They even aidedi n the death of our Chieftan, Cairne Bloodhoof, and attempted to take our home for themselves, as well as assassinate Baine Bloodhoof.
Elennoko says: They destroyed our homes, burned them down. Killed our families. Mothers, children.
Elennoko says: And yet.
Elennoko says: They have joined with the Horde whether I liked it or not.
Kaelash twitches an ear. "Do you forgive them?"
Elennoko says: Some may still be attached to the old ways of their lives. Violence, murder. But some care about what I care. Nature, the Earthmother, life.
Elennoko says: And those few, make me forgive the Grimtotem's as a whole. Because I know, even if the majority are ruthless, I know there is still hope.
Elennoko says: Look at Thrall. Varok Saurfang. Those are orcs you can look to, and know they make up the better half of the orcish race.
Kaelash says: Better half? Better -fraction-.
Elennoko says: They are still the better members.
Kaelash says: Thrall has abandoned the Horde to that -child-, Hellscream.
Elennoko says: He didn't abandon the Horde. He left off to aid Azeroth as a whole. I'm confident he'll be back before Hellscream drives the rest of the Horde into ruin.
Kaelash says: While Thrall was still warchief, I could tolerate the orcs. He held them in check with his own behavior. Hellscream encourages them to violence. Yet still, how often have I lent my blades to the Horde for the betterment of all?
Elennoko says: Do you remember Kael'thas?
Kaelash pins his ears back. "Say -one- word against our Prince, Tauren."
Elennoko says: You still call him your Prince, even though he cast your race away for power?
Kaelash says: Were it not for his efforts, the Sunwell would have never been restored to us.
Kaelash says: He gave his life, and his sanity, for his people.
Elennoko says: So. You forgive him for whatever wrongs he did? Believing he did more good than wrong?
Kaelash says: What is there to forgive? He paid for his errors in judgment with his life. Is that not enough?
Elennoko says: He attempted to draw a lord of the Burning legion into our world. To destroy it. He knew what would happen.
Elennoko says: As much as I look down upon the young Hellscream.
Elennoko says: If you look at it from the orcs perspective. He's doing the same.
Elennoko says: He's keeping them alive.
Kaelash says: That was -not- his original intent. The man who did that was no longer Prince Kael'thas, but a madman claiming his name.
Elennoko says: Look around you. This world has been destroyed, the Alliance want war with the orcs. He's doing whatever he can to keep his people alive.
Kaelash snorts bitterly. "Don't you dare compare things which cannot be compared. Garrosh actively goes to war where it's completely unnecessary. He -provokes- the Alliance as much as our beloved 'Lich Queen' provokes the Gilneans."
Elennoko keeps that same look at Kaelash. The look that says ;You better listen to me;. "Why do you still refuse to let go of your hatred for orcs because of their leader?"
Kaelash flicks his gaze away, frowning. "I suppose I can't expect you to understand. It isn't because of their leader. It is because of their collective behavior since their arrival on Azeroth. They are a crude race. They crow about honor, but I have seen little of it in practice. They belittle and demean my kind, they don't listen to wisdom of those who have lived for -centuries- and blunder blindly into situations we have warned them about because we are 'inferior'."
Kaelash says: I find it amusing that you are all so focused on how I feel about the Horde, over how I have given time, effort, blood, and pain in support of it, -despite- my own opinions.
Elennoko says: Yet you prove to them you -are- inferior. As you paint them all with images of what you just described, and refuse to look at when they -do- show honor, or wisdom, or kindness.
Elennoko says: Have you ever been to Nagrand?
Elennoko says: Have you seen the original orcs? The Mag'har?
Elennoko says: They show all of those traits.
Kaelash snaps abruply, "The Horde orcs are -not- the Mag'har. Do not -insult- the Mag'har with such a comparison."
Elennoko says: However you insult the Mag'har, by insulting the orcs that reside here.
Elennoko says: They are the same orcs. They do not come from different planets.
Elennoko says: The ones born here, are yes, form Azeroth.
Elennoko says: But their blood still goes back to Draenor.
Elennoko says: To the Mag'har.
Kaelash flattens his ears back. "They are nothing alike. Garrosh may be one of them, but he does -not- display their traits. These orcs in Azeroth are as different from the Mag'har as we Sin'dorei are different from the Quel'dorei."
Kaelash says: They may have once been one race, but no longer.
Elennoko says: I know. They are as different as the Grimtotem and the Bloodhoof. The Draenei and the Broken. The Highborne and the Kal'dorei.
Elennoko says: However. Looking at all of which, it is possible for them to still show alliances with each other.
Elennoko says: And therefor they are still technically, the same race.
Kaelash says: Alliances do not make them the same race.
Kaelash says: These orcs are corrupted. They have forgotten what true honor is.
Kaelash says: If they still functioned off the honor they claim is so important, they would not torture and leave for dead a man who has given his all time and again -by their side- in combat against a common enemy.
Elennoko says: Eitrigg.
Elennoko says: Nazgrel.
Elennoko says: Drek'thar.
Elennoko says: Varok.
Elennoko says: Thrall.
Elennoko says: All but one are still with the Horde. And all still show honor, kindness.
Kaelash says: You name a half-dozen amongst hundreds of thousands.
Elennoko says: There are thousands that I d onot know their names, but are just like them.
Elennoko says: Just like the Grimtotem. You shouldn't judge every last orc as if they are Garrosh!
Kaelash says: Your ears are as closed to what you don't want to hear as Oriseus and Khaavren.
Kaelash says: Children, the lot of you.
Elennoko says: Are we the children, Kael'ash? Or are you the child? For refusing to open your eyes and see that you're wrong.
Kaelash says: Have you heard -nothing- of what I've said? I have judged by what I have experienced. And yet I still give my blood for your Horde.
Kaelash says: And for the last time, my name is Kae. Do not call me Kael'ash.
Elennoko says: Giving your blood to ideals you do not believe in is selfish. And you have experienced nothing.
Kaelash says: ... Wait, how the -fuck- is that selfish?
Elennoko crosses his arms and huffs. "You're being a fool, Kael'ash."
Kaelash says: Horde, Alliance, who cares what banner you fight under! You're one of the Circle, you should know that better than anyone.
Kaelash says: Kae, Light damnit!
Elennoko let's out a small snicker.
Kaelash says: I've experienced enough to know I have yet to meet an orc that treated me with even the smallest sliver of respect. Tauren are another matter. Your race is one I can and do respect, -because- we are shown that respect in kind.
Elennoko says: I understand now.
Elennoko says: Look at me. Being the person I despise. Attempting to force someones mind into a way they can't see yet.
Kaelash grumbles, "And I am hardly a fool for wanting to fight for the greater good." Grumblemuttergrr.
Elennoko says: However, Kael'ash. As you show respect for my people.
Kaelash stomps his foot. "STOP that!"
Elennoko says: I will not.
Kaelash says: It's not my name!
Elennoko says: I want to know.
Elennoko says: Do you at least show respect for the orcs I did name?
Kaelash says: The ones I've met personally, I have treated with the respect they have earned.
Elennoko nods at you.
Elennoko says: Now onto another matter.
Elennoko drops his serious-face, and his arms.
Kaelash twitches an ear.
Elennoko says: Wh yare you back in Orgrimmar!?
Elennoko says: What if Kwake saw you!?
Elennoko says: Are you insane!
Elennoko says: He would take your head, even if I stood between you two!
Kaelash says: I crashed at Nathrae and Lindir's place last night. They were sleeping so I went out to find something to eat.
Kaelash glances down at his half-nibbled jerky.
Elennoko says: So you thought going into the bar Kwake spends most of his time in...
Elennoko says: Was a -good- idea?
Elennoko says: Are you daft!?
Kaelash says: I don't know Kwake's habits!
Elennoko looks at you and covers his face with his palm.
Kaelash says: Every time I've seen him before then has been in that meeting room or in Silvermoon!
Kaelash says: I didn't think a five-minute food run would run into him, especially mid-day.
Kaelash says: Doesn't this heat -melt- him or something?
Elennoko says: Nope.
Kaelash says: Shame.
Elennoko says: Well if you need food, I'd be happy to supply you. Without you being in danger of.
Elennoko says: Well.
Elennoko says: -Death-.
Kaelash sighs, wilting a bit and looking down. "No. It's fine. I scouted the place before I went in, I didn't see him anywhere so I thought it was safe."
Elennoko says: You need to be more careful.
Kaelash says: I was being careful!
Elennoko says: You need to be more careful!
Kaelash says: It's not my fault I can't identify birds! You druids all look alike!
Elennoko says: Kwake is like a bloodhound. He can smell an elf a mile away!
Kaelash says: Well I've been in town all day and he hasn't come knocking!
Elennoko covers his face with a palm. "You know, most of you elves can be so stubborn."
Kaelash says: Comes with living many times longer than the rest of you.
Elennoko says: Well, then. What are you going to do when Kwake -does- show up? He's going to pop up sooner or later.
Kaelash nibbles on that bit of jerky. "He won't bust into private property to get at me."
Elennoko looks... Unsure. "I wouldn't be so sure about that..."
((SUDDENLY an Azati appears!))
Azati says: Do you honestly think Kwake would be so stupid as to repeat that particular bit of idiocy?
Elennoko blinks.
Kaelash says: It's either remain here where there's some illusion of safety, or go lurk in Murder Row and wait for either a junkie to come paw at me, or a crazy Blood Knight to try to clobber me around with a giant mac-- Ack!
Elennoko says: Oh! ...I didn't even notice you.
Kaelash stumbles over in surprise and lands flat on his ass. Owwwwww.
Elennoko says: I'm not sure, Elder. Kwake... Does have a horrible temper. You know this.
Azati says: That's all right, you weren't supposed to--oh child, I am sorry. spirits of air, help this man gently to his feet...
Azati says: Kwake got told up one side and down the other once I got hold of him. Imagine! Putting a person through this much torment over words. He's a damned fool.
Kaelash flails a bit as he gets pushed back up to his feet, briefly looking like a spooked animal. "H-hey! Stop-"
Elennoko grins wickedly.
Elennoko says: I suppose you're right.
Azati says: There you are.
Azati says: Bit of a shock getting pushed around by wind spirits I'd say.
Kaelash looks over his shoulder, ears pinned back and eyes a little wide. It's not arcane but that's A LITTLE CREEPY.
Kaelash says: .... Thank you. I think.
Kaelash can be nice to an orc! SEE.
Elennoko hardly thinks that was being nice.
Kaelash is easily spooked by magicstuff ; ;
Elennoko says: Well, then! Now that all awkward talking is over. Where do you think you'll be going? Will you be staying in Orgrimmar?
Azati says: Though I didn't expect to see you in Orgrimmar before you were recovered.
Elennoko says: I could always see about getting you a place to stay in Moonglade.
Kaelash says: .... I was... staying with friends. And uh.. I'd... I'd really rather stay with the boys here. I'm not comfortable around Kaldorei.
Elennoko says: I'm sure the Kal'dorei would be safer than Orgrimmar. But!
Elennoko says: If you insist.
Kaelash says: Maybe. The offer's appreciated, though.
Azati says: I didn't think that young man of yourse would be coming back to orgrimmar so soon, or that you'd keep a house here.
Kaelash pins his ears back. ".... It's not their house. It's another pair of elves that live here permanently."
Azati says: so the four of you are staying in Orgrimmar?
Kaelash says: ... No. I just stayed there today to rest.
Kaelash earwilts a little bit. "Oriseus and Khaavren are in Nagrand still, as far as I know."
Azati says: And you came to Orgrimmar without the full use of your arms without them because...
Elennoko raises his eyebrow inquisitively.
Azati has that Mama look again.
Kaelash stubbornly nibbles on his jerky instead of answering.
Elennoko says: Answer her!
Kaelash says: I didn't think I had to explain myself to visit a few friends in Orgrimmar.
Azati says to the big druid, "Oh that won't work, child. when children go sulky and quiet it's because they can't give an answer that doesn't question their actions. Kwake looked just like that when I asked him what he was thinking."
Kaelash grunts. "No, I'm -quiet- because my personal life is not up for public discussion."
Elennoko says: Ah. I see it now, Elder.
Azati says: After getting racked up in a tree? And your lover roaring down here to make the world's worst barbecue out of an orc, you're not home with your man who fought for you - instead you're here with a couple of friends? Huh. Elves really -that- different?
Kaelash pins his ears back, but merely clenches his jaw in further silence.
Elennoko says: Oh right. That's Oriseus, isn't it?
Azati says: I think so.
Elennoko nods. "Well, I have no right to say. I did my part with him the other day. I would like to know how his arm is, however."
Kaelash says: Oriseus is correct. And I imagine his arm is fine. Khaavren will likely dote.
Azati says: child, whatever it is drove you out of your home, think about this. The longer you let a disagreement lie between you, the wider it gets. If you've got a cool head now, go *home.* or if you can't make it back, ask them to come to you here.
Kaelash grunts, "I'm not a child."
Elennoko says: Talking like that, you prove that you are.
A sly smirk spreads across Elennoko's face.
Kaelash frowns. "Acting my damn age is what drove me out in the first fucking place."
Azati says: Then act accordingly. Children do the things they do because they don't have the tools to deal with hard feelings and things that scare them. And what are you doing right now?
Azati says: Acting like an adult isn't a permanent condition. Thanks the spirits. When would we have fun?
Azati says: But in times like these, it's natural to react to pain the way we always did. We forget. That's not wrong. it
Azati says: starts to be wrong when you stubbornly hang onto a fool notion for the sake of pride. Tell you what.
Kaelash says: So, what, I should go home and sit there and listen to them rail against the Horde just because one Scourge savage strung me up and keep my mouth shut? I speak out against isolation, because that was the very thing that doomed our race to begin with and
Kaelash says: they treat me like I haven't been around centuries longer than they've even existed.
Azati says: Sounds to me like they're reacting like children. Something hurt them, and they never want to be hurt by that thing again. You agree?
Elennoko just sort of stands back and let's Azati talk.
Kaelash says: That's what I was trying to rationalize to them. But they don't seem to want me to speak when I'm not playing the fool.
Azati says: Maybe it wasn't time for rationality just yet. You ever want to just complain about something, get it off your chest, and everyone tries to fix whatever it is you're complaining about?
Kaelash gives a pointed look at Noko.
Azati just *laughs.* "Kinda like that, yeah."
Elennoko blinks.
Kaelash says: Like, say, bitching about how orcs treat us like shit and fuck the Horde but I'm going to fight for them anyway so stop trying to change my mind~?
Elennoko says: I already said I'll respect your decisions! Don't pull that card on me.
Azati says: yes, something like that.
Kaelash says: After spending most of our time up here lecturing me about how I'm wrong.
Kaelash hmphs.
Azati says: Mm hm.
Azati is just going to let him roll.
Kaelash sighs and just settles back to nibbling on his jerky, trying to at least finish this one strip before his stomach tries to eat him from the inside out.
Elennoko crosses his arms again and hrmphs.
Kaelash says: ... I guess I am being kinna childish, aren't I.
Elennoko has no comment.
Azati says: It's a natural reaction when you're hurt. honestly.
Kaelash finishes off his jerkystrip and idly sucks on a finger to get it clean as he looks off toward the horizon. "Frustrated. It's been a bundle of stress for weeks and I just want it to stop." More of an 'I can't take any more' moment than hurt, really.
Elennoko says: I can understand that.
Elennoko says: I've felt that way more than once. Even lately it's been that way.
Azati says: I do too. It's hard, getting back to balance in the middle of a war.
Kaelash says: So is this the point where you say 'go back and talk it out'? Because it's not going to work.
Elennoko says: It depends who with. If you mean Kwake... That wouldn't work. As I said he is a very stubborn orc. I doubt he'd listen to anything that would be said.
Elennoko says: If anyone else..
Elennoko says: ...Well I don't know your personal life.
Elennoko says: So no comment.
Azati says: No. this is the part where I say that you should be with the ones who love you. And if they're hurt, let them be hurt for a while. If they decide to do something in the middle of that hurt, ask them to wait a bit. Do you understand why they want to leave?
Kaelash sighs and shifts on his feet. "I don't know what to do about Kwake. As it is, Ori and Khaav want nothing else to do with him. I can't avoid him forever. Even if they refuse to fight, I'm not giving up. Once my arms are better, I'll be fighting as I was, unless he tells me I'm no longer welcome. And I -tried- to tell them to not make any knee-jerk emotional choices, but they won't -listen- to me."
Elennoko says: I must be losing my hearing in my other ear, too. I keep hearing everything wrong today.
Elennoko lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.
Kaelash would pat Noko, but can't lift his arms that high.
Azati says: So they both fight with Kwake? That boy! I'm going to whack him with my shoe. what an idiot.
Elennoko says: I really don't want to break anymore arms this week...
Kaelash says: All three of us have been fighting alongside Kwake and his little club, up until this point, yes.
Elennoko says: They did. All up until Kwake felt insulted and decided to do this to him.
Kaelash says: So now they're down an excellent shield-fighter and hexmaster. Unless they somehow change their minds. And with Oriseus the way he's been in the -first- place, I don't know if that will happen.
Azati says: This is why he's stupid. Did he honestly think he could torture one and the other two would think that was all right?
Kaelash just falls quiet again, ears tilting back. He didn't -like- talking about what was done to him, damnit, he just ate.
Elennoko says: I hate to prove Kae here right... But Kwake seems to be obsessed over Garrosh. It's a shame, really. Kwake could be a great person if not for Garrosh's influence.
Azati makes a rude noise. "Garrosh is *exactly* the wrong orc to lead the horde. He knows *nothing* of what the orcs who came to azeroth suffered. He never lived without the spirits, never got the lesson that taught us all. He's ignorant."
Kaelash makes an 'I told you so' noise at Noko.
Azati says: So he thinks he can stroll around and call people weak because they have suffered things he never had to.
Elennoko snaps at look at Kae.
Azati says: That boy needs some wisdom, and it's going to hurt him when it comes. But I hope the spirits judge him ready for that wisdom soon.
Elennoko says: He won't listen to wisdom. I've tried to pry some into him since the day I met him.
Azati says: I'm not asking you to hide, Red. But stay out of kwake's sight for a few days. I'm working on him. When I left him the night your Oriseus came to fricasee him in the valley of honor he doubted his ability to lead. He *knows* he made a mistake.
Elennoko says: Oh?
Kaelash gives the rest of his 'meal' a look and ends up just hooking the pouch to his belt and re-sliding his arms into the makeshift sling. "I find it irritating that this all started because Kwake got it into his head to come to Sin'dorei territory and -insult- us."
Azati nods. "No respect."
Azati says: We expect everyone to just act like orcs, even though they're not orcs.
Kaelash says: We Sin'dorei may come to Orgrimmar, but we do not make it a point to come here and interrupt its society and harass its citizens.
Elennoko says: I've seen a few elves do just that.
Azati says: Exactly. I haven't really been to Silvermoon City. It is a strange place. And so cold! Brr! how do you not shiver yourselves to pieces?
Kaelash says: And they tend to get chased out of Orgrimmar or assaulted for opening their mouths.
Azati is no frostwolf, that's for sure.
Kaelash gives Noko a look. Then smirks at Azati. "I suppose it is cold compared to Orgrimmar. Eternal spring is not a desert's heat."
Azati says: You know elves who live here. Permanently. They get along in the city all right?
Kaelash says: They've adapted to orcish culture and enjoy it, as far as I can tell.
Kaelash says: Both rogues, but they're young and spent a good portion of time among humans. They aren't as... trained... in elven culture.
Azati nods. "There's something in our culture that appeals to them. And they may feel like strangers among thheir own people, if they lived among humans. In the south of Azeroth, then? In Stormwind. There are still elves who live there. But they're alliance,
Azati says: thohse elves. But your friends are not?
Kaelash says: They are Sin'dorei, not Quel'dorei. They aren't fond of humans, either.
Kaelash says: Though I suspect they're more familiar with the, ah...
Kaelash hesitates, before he finishes, "Shorter-lived races, and the pace of their daily lives."
Azati nods and looks at Noko. "It must change a lot of attitudes, to know that centuries stretche before you. If I live to be a hundred that will be quite an age."
Elennoko chuckles a little and shrugs. "I believe, whatever happens, happens. If things change about me, or my friends as I age, so be it. It's what the Earthmother calls for."
Kaelash says: And there is the deepest source of problems between your races and the Sin'dorei. And even the majority of our own race compared to the few of us who aren't within that young age...
Kaelash says: Our elders are all dead. Imagine your races being forced to start anew with only a fraction of what you have, all... between fifteen and twenty years of age.
Elennoko says: Heh.
Azati says: Because your elders, your adults, they all died when they lost the magic.
Azati says: suddenly, things about the Sin'dorei make sense.
Kaelash says: Our elders, our children, all we have is that small group of young adults trying to govern and make choices reserved for kings and magisters that once had thousands of years of wisdom to draw upon.
Elennoko says: I can't imagine.
Azati says: And now they do not. They don't even have a Shadow Council subverting their people under the guise of leadership.
Azati says: fifteen to twenty - that's an odd time. You're nearly an adult. But you are not yet. And so you have a lot of freedom to make mistakes, with guidance from elders. Without that...
Kaelash says: Exactly. It's largely why Silvermoon has degenerated into a den of hedonism and selfish, impulsive, destructive behavior. To the rest of the Horde, you see a city of corrupt adults... I see a nation of floundering children.
Azati rubs her temples. "Noko, a nation of teenagers. Spirits."
Elennoko says: That's... Saddening. I never realized that about Silvermoon.
Kaelash says: Perhaps now, before you judge my people so harshly, you will have some insight as to why they can be so foolish.
Elennoko nods at Kaelash.
Azati says: Because they are so young. Yes.
Kaelash says: At three hundred, I am one of the eldest still living. And yet I don't have a fraction of the wisdom of my father. I doubt I ever will. If we ever do recover that same depth of wisdom and rationality, it will be well after all of us here are gone.
Elennoko says: Well for your races sake, I hope they -do- regain such things.
Azati says: It likely will not be the same as what you remember.
Kaelash says: Honestly? I will be happy enough to survive another few generations. We are dying off far more quickly than we are reproducing.
Azati says: because you're fighting a war and your soldiers are too young to raise families.
Elennoko nods at Azati.
Elennoko says: Exactly.
Kaelash says: Correct. We are fighting for the survival of life as a whole. In doing so, we may very well lose ourselves.
Azati says: And with no elders to guide your people, there is no one to say when one should marry and start a family.
Elennoko drops his arms and let's out a disgruntled sigh. "Well."
Kaelash chuckles. "And nevermind propper courting in Elven society could take decades..."
Azati nods. "I understand much more of the Sin'dorei than I did. But most importantly, they are not to be pitied. they are trying to hold a society together, with no one to guide them. they are literally inventing themselves."
Elennoko says: Respectable.
Kaelash says: We are not a people designed to cope with change, but yes, we are trying as best we can. We often fail, but we have been learning and trying again. We don't ask for pity, we are a proud people. We simply desire respect. And a bit of patience...
Elennoko says: You're trying to stay strong. Respoectable in my eyes.
Elennoko says: But I should best be on my way! I apologize for dragging you up here for so long.
Kaelash gives Noko a half smile. "Thanks for not punching me or something."
Elennoko says: I'm a druid of the Cenarion Circle. I only punch people if it means to stop uneeded violence.
Elennoko says: Don't do anything idiotic. And stay safe. -Kae-.
Elennoko nods.
Kaelash nods at Elennoko.
Kaelash says: Thank you.
Elennoko says: Elder. It was nice to see you again, as well.
Elennoko smiles. (And birdifies and flies off!)
Azati nods. "And to see you--oh there he goes. Now what will you do?"
Kaelash says: .... I don't know.
Azati says: well, i'll give you some advice. Relax for a bit and see if anything comes to you, but if you have no bright ideas by full night, get in touch with your family.
Kaelash says: I don't know if there's anything I -can- do. I go home and then what. Khaavren avoids me and Oriseus doesn't talk to me?
Azati says: You could write to them. They can't interrupt your words on a page. Well, you might need a scribe.
Kaelash snorts softly. "I can write fine. They'll take it the wrong way, though." Oh to be able to facepalm...
Azati says: Are you certain?
Kaelash says: I love them, but they are both young and extremely emotional. I was foolish and walked out after they would not heed my wisdom in not making impulsive choices. I'm not certain a written bit of contact would be wise in this case.
Azati says: Then going to them would be better?
Kaelash shrugs-- halting mid-motion with a grimace.
Azati says: You'll have a little while to decide.