• Solo • The Story of a Small Town in a Big World

Kotton takes on an odd job where he imparts information about Scalvoris and Idalos to a young and curious Cadouri

1st of Saun 724

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Once an isolated and dying township, an influx of academics, adventurers and thrill seekers have made Scalvoris Town their home. From scholars' tea shops to a new satellite campus for Viden Academy, this is an exciting place to visit or make your home!

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Kotton
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Posts: 490
Joined: Sat May 13, 2023 1:10 am
Race: Mixed Race
Profession: Scribe
Renown: 225
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The Story of a Small Town in a Big World

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1 Saun, 724
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The sky was liquid gold, the second sun of Saun still only barely peeking out from its place up high in the sky. Kotton could visibly see the heat levitating off the pavement as he crawled to the Scholar’s Nook, with the hopes of cooler temperatures. Inside the doubled doors was everything he could have hoped for. He gasped for the less humid air and felt his flushed face soften with more hues of beige than bright red. Not only was the Scholar’s Nook a paradise amidst the ravaging heat outside, it was somewhere he needed to be. You see, he was meeting someone this very trial, a young Cadouri who had just arrived in Scalvoris Town the night before. They were looking for someone to teach them about Scalvoris and the world of Idalos in exchange for a little gift. The latter was inconsequential in the light of being able to imbue another with the knowledge of the town Kotton had grown up in, though in hindsight, a bit of compensation no matter what it was, wouldn’t be discouraged.

The young man promptly took a seat at the front of the building where several baristas were filling orders, calling names and pushing mugs of coffee and cups of tear across the beautiful stone surface of the pick-up counter. Kotton observed the employees for a while, noticing how efficient they were. He also noticed how friendly they had to be, especially when dealing with unruly customers.

“I asked for cream in mine and I can’t taste any.”

“I wanted a whipped topping with cocoa powder, not powdered sugar!”

“I can detect one less shot of espresso than I ordered. Make it again.”

Given how close he was to the ordering counter, it wasn’t all that difficult for Kotton to pick up on the slight frustrations of the employees- their facial expressions changed from what once had been a sincere smile with crinkles at the corners of their eyes to straight lips with no fine lines. He had to keep himself from snorting. He felt for the baristas, having spent a majority of his youth working a similar job in order to gather enough money to purchase his own home. He knew the aggravation of having to deal with rude people. Fortunately, his time at the clinic had been spent with grateful folks who thanked him for his services, though there was the occasional grouch. But he knew they were only irritable because they were either in pain or ailing from something that made them feel anything less than one-hundred percent healthy.

Kotton watched as another mug of hot coffee slid across the counter top before something out of the corner of his eye stole his attention. A small, furry being resembling the likes of a raccoon had entered through the front doors and was making their way towards him. Kotton quickly brushed at the wrinkles of his shirt and straightened his pants so as to appear more professional. First impressions were everything, at least to him.

The Cadouri, noticing Kotton, practically skipped the remainder of their way to his table until their rear made friends with the chair across from him.

The Cadouri, who would later be addressed as Ni’kto was all smiles. “If you don’t close you’re mouth, you’ll catch flies,” they said all too quickly.

Kotton hadn’t even noticed his mouth was agape. This was the first time he had ever met a Cadouri. He had come across the knowledge of their existence, though he didn’t remember how, a few cycles ago, learning that they weren’t entirely new to the world, just located in places not exactly reachable for the every trial mortal. But to finally meet one? He had to reign in his excitement or else he could have been the sole source for electric energy- screw lightning!

“My apologies,” Kotton said, correcting himself. “It’s not every trial I meet someone… new.” He refrained from using any terms that may seem offensive, hence his avoidance of the words ‘unique’, ‘unusual’ or ‘such as yourself’. The world was full of different races, but without understanding this particular individual’s personality or psychology, he wasn’t about to risk insulting before getting the chance to properly know them.

“Forgiveness is given.”

Kotton went on. “It is my understanding that you are interested in learning more about Scalvoris Town as much as you are interesting in understanding about Idalos in its entirety, no?”

Ni’kto nodded their head emphatically.

Kotton smiled.

They performed routine pleasantries such as the exchange of their names, basic interests and life-goals. What came after was less routine and a little more invasive, though not in the personal sense. Kotton was about to delve into the history of the town, his own perceptions of it and add a question or two for Ni’kto to answer regarding their purpose for being here and what steps they would take next. However, the first thing that needed to happen was the setting of groundwork. You couldn’t build a house without first constructing a foundation.

Kotton didn’t need to look at his notes, though he had brought them with him in case he froze and fell ill to the hands of a brain fart. He had spent an entire trial asking locals their thoughts on the city and had diligently written down each and every one of them, even the poor homeless man he inquired at the very beginning. That being said, in addition to his own knowledge of the town, he had other perspectives to implement so as not to come across as biased or subjective.

“First of all, if there is anything you should know, it’s that Scalvoris Town is far safer in comparison to that of the adjacent city, Almund. I’ve spent an entire trial asking the likes of locals of their opinion on both Scalvoris Town and Almund and have gathered a distinguishable distaste for the latter.” Kotton paused for effect. “Almund has been considered the dark side of Scalvoris. It used to be a very dangerous corner of the city, but even if it has gotten better over time, many of my resources insist on discretion when venturing into that part of town.”

Ni’kto’s dark and beady eyes squinted, though whether out of scepticism for his credibility or concentration intrigue, Kotton couldn’t tell. He waited a few beats for the Cadouri to say something, but when they didn’t, he continued on.

“I’ve encountered more people than I can count on both hands who say that Scalvoris Town is home to scholars and scientists and adventurers alike. And each and every individual who marks this town as their home is met with open arms by welcoming and friendly locals. However, it would be erroneous of me to not mention that a few of the individual’s I have acquired opinions of have been skittish and seemingly peculiar in their positive exclamations of the town.”

Ni’kto’s eyes softened, curiosity suddenly boring holes into the young man’s skin. “What do you mean by that?”

Without hesitation Kotton said, “One individual had said, and I quote-” it was now that he flashed through the many pages of his notebook for the exact conversation he had made during that time so long ago. “There’s an influx of science and academics here. It’s a safe place. I have no issue with the city nor the alliance that comprises it. It was once a settlement of debauchery and anarchy, sure, but such is with most places before law and reason. Now Scalvoris has materialised an empire of study and educational refuge.”

“So what’s the issue with that?”

As Ni'kto spoke, Kotton made sure to keep direct eye contact as a show of respect that he was listening, and intently, on whatever it was they had to say. Even if their responses were short and sweet, it still mattered to him that he seem respectful.

“There was just something about the way he looked and gestured after asking me, and I quote: ‘Would you not fear the foreign corrupting the castle you have built with such loving hands?’. This was his reply when I had only just begun my questionnaire regarding possible xenophobia in the city.”

Kotton let the silence settle between them. He didn’t know what Ni’kto was thinking and Ni’kto didn’t know what Kotton was thinking. It was an equal exchange of unawares. Kotton, though, was trying his hardest not continue with his conspiratorial tone. He wanted to give the young Cadouri facts, not fiction even if what he was telling them came straight from the sources of locals. He cracked his knuckles underneath the table, breaking the silence. It needed to be broken at some point.

The young man chimed in with an extension on the facts of what made Scalvoris Town so great. “Every trial there are marvellous vendors stationed near downtown Scalvoris selling splendid produce, crafts of freshly slaughtered meats.” He winced at that last part, but wouldn’t let him phase him other than that. “You’ll come across the best places to dine in unless you’re a bar-hopper, then let me know and I’ll hook you up with the best tavern the city has to offer. But most miraculous of all, aside from this place, is the university. It’s a satellite of the prestigious Viden academy, home to countless academics. And I should know, I’ve taken a course or two there and am in the process of earning both my certificate of writing and charter in science.”

Ni’kto’s eyes widened at the prospect of education. Kotton immediately felt delighted at his subtle response, knowing full-well that he had made a friend who was eager to learn as much as he was. Although, Ni’kto’s excitement of the university was short lived as he pressed on to other questions relating less to Scalvoris Town as a whole and more about the entire world of Idalos.

Of course Kotton knew their train of thought would lead here. The two of them had talked about it before their conversation had taken flight. But it was still a shock with the sudden transition that it left the young man feeling off-kilter.

“Idalos is…” Why was he finding it so hard to define the world? Why was it such a challenge to put into words the immense beauty of the very place he lived? Was it because he hadn’t actually thought about it before? Was it because his notes were slim in the essence of describing the world for what it was? He didn’t want to flail in front of Ni’kto and he surely didn’t want to surrender to the thought that he didn’t know what to talk about. A thin sheen of sweat hinted at his forehead and upper lip and his facial expression that had once been all smiles, soured with doubt. He closed his eyes for several moments as if that would help him locate the perfect words for him to say. But his mind was running a kilometre a second. He didn’t know what to say, so how would he respond?

That was when philosophy, always by his side, took charge and controlled the muscles in his mouth to explain, “Idalos is a world of mystery. It holds so many journeys, tons of unique stories and even more tales told from the multitude of individuals who inhabit it. There is so much to discover, as it is a land as great and large as your imagination can fathom. I can’t give you more than that since I, myself, have yet to venture across its plains, but I can assure you, Idalos is a wonderful world to live in.”

Ni’kto smiled wide, their beady little eyes enlarging two-fold. They placed a small piece of paper on the table between them before getting up from his seat and standing at the small three and a half feet of height they were vertical. On the small piece of paper was an address. Kotton assumed the address was where Ni'kto was staying for the time being.

“If you have any extra free time, I would love to learn more.”

Then, he strolled right out the front doors of the Scholar’s Nook without once looking back.

Kotton’s mouth hung agape once again, just like it had during their introduction. He liked this Cadouri and he definitely wanted to meet with them again.
word count: 2132
| Skills used (6)
  • Detection (Competent): Given how close he was to the ordering counter, it wasn’t all that difficult for Kotton to pick up on the slight frustrations of the employees- their facial expressions changed from what once had been a sincere smile with crinkles at the corners of their eyes to straight lips with no fine lines.
  • Discipline (Competent): He had to reign in his excitement or else he could have been the sole source for electric energy- screw lightning!
  • Etiquette (Novice): “My apologies,” Kotton said, correcting himself. “It’s not every trial I meet someone… new.” He refrained from using any terms that may seem offensive, hence his avoidance of the words ‘unique’, ‘unusual’ or ‘such as yourself’. The world was full of different races, but without understanding this particular individual’s personality or psychology, he wasn’t about to risk insulting before getting the chance to properly know them.
  • Socialization (Novice): “First of all, if there is anything you should know, it’s that Scalvoris Town is far safer in comparison to that of the adjacent city, Almund. I’ve spent an entire trial asking the likes of locals of their opinion on both Scalvoris Town and Almund and have gathered a distinguishable distaste for the latter.” Kotton paused for effect. “Almund has been considered the dark side of Scalvoris. It used to be a very dangerous corner of the city, but even if it has gotten better over time, many of my resources insist on discretion when venturing into that part of town.”
  • Etiquette (Novice): As Ni'kto spoke, Kotton made sure to keep direct eye contact as a show of respect that he was listening, and intently, on whatever it was they had to say. Even if their responses were short and sweet, it still mattered to him that he seem respectful.
  • Socialization (Novice): The young man chimed in with an extension on the facts of what made Scalvoris Town so great. “Every trial there are marvellous vendors stationed near downtown Scalvoris selling splendid produce, crafts of freshly slaughtered meats.” He winced at that last part, but wouldn’t let him phase him other than that. “You’ll come across the best places to dine in unless you’re a bar-hopper, then let me know and I’ll hook you up with the best tavern the city has to offer. But most miraculous of all, aside from this place, is the university. It’s a satellite of the prestigious Viden academy, home to countless academics. And I should know, I’ve taken a course or two there and am in the process of earning both my certificate of writing and charter in science.”
| Knowledges being claimed (6)
  • Detection: 1
  • Discipline: Reigning In Your Excitement
  • Etiquette: Refraining From Using Any Terms That Could be Seen as Offensive
  • Socialization: Recounting the History of Scalvoris Town and it's Sister Town Almund
  • Etiquette: Maintaining Direct Eye Contact as a Show of Respect for When Someone is Talking
  • Socialization: Changing Subject to Remain On-Point in a Conversation
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        Kotton
        Approved Character
        Posts: 490
        Joined: Sat May 13, 2023 1:10 am
        Race: Mixed Race
        Profession: Scribe
        Renown: 225
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        Wealth Tier: Tier 5

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        Re: The Story of a Small Town in a Big World

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        Thread: The Story of a Small Town in a Big World
        City/Area: Scalvoris Town

        Issue Rewards

        Kotton:
        Ni’kto: An Energetic Cadouri with an Interest in Scalvoris
        Race: Cadouri

        Renown: +5 for offering a newcomer information about the city of Scalvoris
        Wealth Points: N/A
        Collaboration: N/A
        Local Language Thread? No - Common
        word count: 126
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