Toria reads the note that JadesDream had left for her. "LOL, now we've got real troubles!" she chuckled under her breath. "Not just mixed up orders, stolen doughnut holes but UNION demands!" she muttered.

It was late at night and she was tired. "I'll sleep on this until the morning".

Chuckles58 walked into the Shoppe to check on things. As he whistled a merry tune on his way back to the back, Tattoo heard that he was there.

"Boss?" Tattoo called out.

"Yes?" Both Mr. Roarke and Chuckles answered.

"We just got a large order, but I'm not sure how we'll fill it in time," Tattoo answered.

"What did they order?" Chuckles prompted his pastry chef.

"There's a big gathering over on the Uru forum. They ordered twelve dozen industrial strength eclaires"

DS walks into the Shoppe and looks around.

"Where did everyone go?" he askes looking bewildered.

"what can I get you?" asked Tattoo from behind the counter. "It's summer holidays and the place has been dead for weeks" he continued. DS got his doughnut and coffee and settled down at the counter for a snack.

RW walked into the extremely quaint and quiet Shoppe. He was relatively new to this part of the neighborhood and in need of a quite place to wait. Wait, wait, wait, September 22nd seemed so far away, almost an eternity.

"Ah well, perhaps a roll and java will pick me up. Hello! Is anyone around? If you can hear me, I'd like to order a regular Joe and cinnamon roll, hot, with real butter. Oh, and my wait will be rather lengthy, about a month, no longer I hope. Is it possible to open a tab?"

Toria settles down for a chat with rw. "Here, more coffee for you?", as she offers to refill his cup. "Yeah, the waiting until September 22nd is long, isn't it? But it'll go by fast. You want to know my favourite kind of doughnut?"

By now, RW was a doughnut, afloat in a sea of the rich and aromatic, Grizz's special blend, coffee. Not that the company of Toria was unpleasant, it was indeed very pleasant. RW and Toria looked at the calendar, fourteen days until the 20th, the day of the release of Myst V.

RW was certain by that time that he would never want another doughnut again. Well, that might be to much of an exaggeration. I mean really, life without a chocolate and sprinkled covered doughnut was hard to imagine, and the cinnamon roles were the best he had ever had, as was the coffee, or maybe is was Toria's company that just made it seem so.

RW grabbed the fresh pot of coffee and refilled their cups.

"Ahhh, thanks for that" as she settles back down. "My favourite doughnut is the maple cream filled one with the sprinkles on top. Eat too many of those and you'll not be able to get out the door soon enough" she included, with a laugh. "Isn't it sad about hearing the news from Cyan?" Hot tears splashed down across her cheeks. She was too choked up to continue. "Forever and ever, I'll remember Myst games with fondness and happiness".

From deep down, RW felt his own well spring of emotion surging upward.

“Toria, I cannot easily express how the news out of Cyan has affected me. To me, Rand, CYAN, the Cyanists, those writers of worlds, of ages, they were the roots, the anchor, the foundation of the tree. To me, the Myst series and URU, were more then games. There are times in real life, that one just needs to get away, to recharge. Beginning way back in 1993 when Myst first came out, I was able to do that, to escape when desired and needed, the Myst series and then URU, allowed me to do that. Myst, and especially Riven, I visited time and time again. The sounds, the environment, crafted with so much detail. The puzzles, engaging the mind, teaching you knew ways to look at things, and then the story, so much there, of life.

I have never experienced anything, playing any other computer game, which so transported me away, as Cyan has in their products. They really did feel like real worlds I could visit, time and time again, and immerse myself in, and I did.

Really, words do fail me to be able to describe all that I feel about Cyan and what they created. They sparked my imagination, and then when I found this community, met so many that have become real friends, from all over the world, it all took on so much of a greater dimension.

Perhaps even Rand from a business perspective might say, as others have, “There just games”, and on the most fundamental level they are. Yet, something that brings a community together like Cyan has done with their creations, well, there is something more there, something...magical.

I hope and will continue to hope that Cyan will recover, that the Cyanists will be reunited. Cyan is experiencing some hard times, true, but they still exist and hopefully, Myst V will be a major success. I also hope they are able to find the funding for their next project and can hire back as many of the employees as have not moved on to other oppurtunities.

Beyond that, I very sincerely hope that many new individuals will discover the mystery, the magic, the wonder, of the Myst series and URU, and discover and cause to endure, a marvelous and wonderful company that truly deserves loyalty and success.”

RW regained his composure, and his breath. He turned his head away, covering his mouth, and made a small cough and then swallowed hard, to clear the knot in his throat.*blush*

"Ummm, more coffee, Toria?”

EDIT:

RW couldn't tell if Toria was in shock or just surprised, at RW's emotional spill, he had run on a bit, hadn't he?

RW gave them each a warmup on the coffee.

Toria, you're very fond of Cyan and the Myst and URU games as well, what has the Myst series and URU, and the news out of CYAN, meant to you? Could you share it with me, please?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: rw.,

Toria settled down with her coffee, tucking her legs underneath her.

What the Myst games mean to me overall, are fantastic worlds waiting to be discovered. The first time I sat down with a Cyan game, it was Myst, in 1995. It was Christmas Day and my husband had given it to me. That opened my eyes to what an amazing world had been created. I got the Book of Ti'ana not long after, with the map on the inside front cover. Then Riven came out. The wonderful, complicated, intricate world of Riven. Captivated me like no other game has, yet. I can still recall easily the first encounter I've had with each of the Myst titles and of course, URU.

To hear that Cyan laid off most of its staff was like I got struck by a truck, unawares. It's like losing a close personal friend, in a sense. But I'm encouraged by the news that they are still having business meetings. They aren't dead yet! Until I hear the news that they are bankrupt, I'll not give up hope.

My hopes are that they'll succeed where others have failed. My wish is that all of the team could, possibly, work together again, although, that is highly unlikely, with bills to pay and mouths to feed.

Toria pauses for a deep breath, knowing she's said what she can say. Her coffee has gone cold and she pauses to reheat it again. She feels better now that rw and her have spoken.

Chuckles walks into the donut shop and joins RW and Toria as they share memories of Myst, Riven, Exile, Revelation and Uru.

"Yes, it has been a fun ride, albeit a bit bumpy the last year and a half," Chuckles pours himself a large orange (his favorite color) juice and selects a plump apple fritter. "I'm hopeful Cyan can get support to continue with their creative efforts."

"Hey, look at that! Just a bit over a week to go for End of Ages."

"Hiya Chuck" as Toria pours another round of coffee. "How's things in your part of the world? I'm doing all right here. Just getting a bit antsy thinking about the lucky souls who are already playing the Myst V game!"

Chuckles helps himself to a few old-fashioned buttermilk donuts and fixes himself a frappacino then sits back down to continue his visit.
-----------------------
Doing fine here Toria. I'm looking forward to receiving Myst V Limited Edition, but it probably won't matter if it came today or 9/22, as I'm busy with the end of tax season (extensions) through 10/15. I'll probably fire it up a little just to keep from going crazy.

Settling down with a Chai latte and a good Nevada Barr novel, by the fireplace, Toria thinks to herself "Only a few more days, then finally I can see what all the stink is about! Can't wait for it!" It's a cool, cloudy, rainy day out and it's a great day for curling up like a cat and napping if you've got the time for it.

BirLu entering the bar. The door is swinging back and forth, taken by a soft wind, creeking slightly.
The room is deserted, the bar empty besides a nearly full bottle of beer obviously abandoned in a rush. Chairs are lying on the ground, tables are still stuffed with half-eaten donuts and coffee mugs....She stays in wonder. One month ago it was still full of life here; what happened? Approaching the bar she finds a Nevada Barr novel on the floor. Picking it up a little piece of paper is falling out of the pages. Nothing's on it, except the cryptic message: "V released today".
Who's V? And why is he released? And why did everybody seem to have fled from him?
She sighs, sitting down tiredly. After a long day at the forum she was up to a nice strong espresso or, if there would have been company, maybe an ouzo or two...well, it doesn't look like it's served here anymore. Or does it?

Much to BirLu's surprise, Mr Roarke appeared from the back.

"And what I can got for you, dear lady? Here, at the Myst V doughnut bar and coffee shop, we pride ourselves on being able to supply you with anything you desire."

"Umm, ah, an ouzo, please?" asked BirLu.

"Coming right up."

And in no time at all, a glass of ouzo was supplied, along with a small bowl of olives.

"Thank you," she said. "Umm, things seem a trifle slow around here."

"Ah yes," Mr Roarke replied. "V has been released," he continued, as if that explained anything.

"Oh," said BirLu.

Toria appeared in the doorway and was happy to see BirLu there. "I've been busy playing V!" she exclaimed. "What's this mysterious V I keep hearing about?" replies BirLu. "Oh you know, the Myst V: End of Ages game. It's great and you should try it". She settled herself down with a Earl Grey tea and a biscuit. "Let's talk about it."

BirLu, slightly tipsy by the second ouzo, shuffled in the direction of Toria, bumping into a chair and spilling most of the third ouzo she'd ordered.
"Gosh, these bars nowadays are getting too crowded" she exclaimed, grinning sheepishly at Mr. Roarke who offered her a hand.
"Maybe you shouldn't drink too much of our ouzo, missy, doesn't do you any good, so to see,hm---well, let me bring you a nice cup of Greek coffee",he said,and frowning his forehead he walked off.
Safely having arrived next to Torias chair BirLu managed to climb into another one and sighed: "Scusi, Toria, 't has been an exhausted day with a lot of talking about UU keys....y'know Leehrat? Okay now, let's talk about that Myst of yours; is it Mist like in German (****) or in Dutch (fog)? And where does the V stand for? And why the End of Ages....? Does everything always have to end?"
And a small glinstering tear rolled down her cheek...
Well, before things could get worse, Mr. Roarke
arrived with a Greek coffee and a big piece of Baklavas.

"I love bakclavas! Thanks for ordering them. I've not finished Myst V End of Ages. I need more time in my life with less kids and other stuff to do." Toria settles down to the Greek coffee and bakclava with glee. "I didn't know you were female until now"

Recovering from the ouzo and munching the fresh baklavas BirLu glances a little bewildered at Toria: "Thanks for the compliment, Toria....do I look that awful? Well, I mean, what has been in your tea? Do only men around here wear long hair?" and she gniffles in the direction of Mr. Roarke, who seems to be very involved in combing his long grey hair, touching it softly with one hand.
"By the way, Toria, were are all the others? Still involved in the game?" Saying that the door opens , bringing in a cold Taghiraen-like wind and a beautiful myst-erious woman.