quote:
Originally posted by boatingirl: Saw your pic
Cordelia!
Saw yours too Boatingirl
__Cordelia__ Personal
Assistant to Professor Thietris Squirrel, CEO,
President and Managing Director, Institution of
Advanced Exploration of Myst Worlds
"You know what we need?" asked
Speedy. "No, what?" asked Dr. Warrell as he took a
sip of acorn mead. He was starting to get a taste for
the drink. "Music. Now where is the jukebox?" Speedy
asked as she looked around. "Hey, I think there was
one for sale in the DISCO," Grassie pointed
out. "Sheesh, that is a walk, particularly if we want
to carry it up here..." Speedy moaned. Suddenly,
someone poked Speedy in the shoulder. She turned around
and saw two Vikings. "Gisli! Thorstein! Just the men
I need!" this made the Vikings poof out their chests a
little. "I need the both of you to help me carry
something... can you boys please help this poor bird
out..." Speedy asked as she batted her eyelashes. Dr.
Warrell was rather surprised to be seeing 2 Vikings
standing in front of him. Shouldn't they be in Norway or
something, he
thought.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fifteen
minutes later, a jukebox was on and music was coming
out. "Who would like this first dance?" asked
Speedy.
Studying gives you knowledge. Knowledge is
power. Power corrupts. I am learning how to be
corrupt.
There were so many here that RW didn't
know, and he certainly wanted to meet them all. He
recognized Dr Warrell and Speedy from an ill fated
encounter previously, although he did not see Grassie.
The thought of the encounter caused RW to
involuntarily move his right hand to his left shoulder
where Grassie had bit him in defence of Dr Warrell.
Grassie had mistakenly thought RW was trying to harm Dr
Warrell, which of course, RW was not. The situation had
worked itself out alright though, with Speedy, Grassie
and a somewhat reluctant Dr Warrell inviting RW to join
them on their investigation of a unexplored
building. Unfortunately, the incident had caused some
slight injury to RW's shoulder and and he had to
reluctantly decline.
RW looked but he could not
see Dr Elkae. Except for that brief encounter when all
the explorers available had rushed to rescue her from
the lake, he had not really been properly introduced. He
hoped he would have an oppurtunity to speak with Dr
Elkae. It regarded the analysis of the sample he had
obtained from the comb in her
saddlebags.
Something that perhaps might be of
interest as it related to her search for the decendants
of the D'ni. Something she had risked life and limb to
investigate among the Hopi and in the depths of the
Grand Canyon. Her fellow explorers and scientists had
followed the reports of her adventure with great
interest. Something that could potentially answer many
questions about the D'ni and what had happened to them.
It was very unfortunate she was not present to celebrate
Professor Thietris's birthday in person
tonight.
RW finally spotted Cordelia standing
near the squirrel. RW took a sip of champagne. It seemed
everytime he was near her his mouth would get dry. He
hoped his appearence was OK.
Hello everyone! Heek Inc. is still
open you know, and I have any game ever, in over 20
floors (kept neat and tidy by my robots) Anyway! I
brought some party games! Heek tables, (portable.
(also for sale at Heek Inc.)) PTTOTD, (pin the tail
on the donkey) Pinyatas, And much more! *walks
to the table* Happy birthday Thietris! I got
something for you... But I don't know what it is
yet.
Official proprietor of Heek Inc. Second
Bartender of the A&C Hotel.
"Hello Cordelia!" RW greeted Professor
Thietris's Personal Assistant, all the time feeling
rather awkward, "I hope you will not think me to
forward, or ill mannered, but that is a lovely dress you
have on, and you do look radiant!" And she certainly
did. "This is a wonderful party you have put together in
honor of Professor Thietris's birthday."
Coredelia, being somewhat shy, as was RW,
thanked him graciously and they engaged themselved in
conversation, with only the occasional awkward moment
passing between them. RW marveled at how easy and
relaxing it was to speak to Cordelia, she had a way of
putting a person at ease. It suddenly occured to him,
that trait was characteristic of the majority of the
explorers that entered the cavern. For a wide variety of
reasons, most perhaps they did not even understand, they
had come. Willing to pitch in and pull together. Willing
to lend a helping hand, a word of advice, a tip when
needed. And a shoulder of support when one of their own
was down.
Coredelia fixed her gaze on RW, sensing
that RW had mometarily slipped off somewhere behind the
recesses of his dark brown eyes. RW became aware of
Cordelia's gaze and blushed embarrasingly at his
terrible lapse in manners. "I am so sorry Cordelia, that
was most rude of me, please forgive me." spoke RW. It
was then that RW sldo became aware of the music playing.
He mentally kicked himself for never learning to dance.
He would have been honored to have asked Cordelia to
join him on the dance floor, if only he knew how.
"RW," spoke Cordelia, "I would like to introduce
you to Professor Thietris Squirrel, CEO, President and
Managing Director of the Institution of Advanced
Exploration of Myst Worlds. Professor, this is RW, one
of the recent additions to our growing band of
researchers and explorers at the Institute." RW was
puzzled, Cordelia was introducing him to the
immaculately dressed squrrel he had spotted earlier,
sipping Pepsi and munching anything acorn. Immaculate
that is, except for some crumbs clinging to his
whiskers, which he quickly brushed away.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance RW, I hope
you are enjoying this birthday party that Cordelia has
put together for me?" spoke Thietris. RW tried to stifle
his suprise and sheer astonishment. Afterall, he had no
idea the professor was a...was a....was a squirrel.
"Yes, indeed I am." RW managed to regain his composure
enough to answer the professor. RW was embarrased he had
thought the Professor an "Old Man" and "ancient." The
professor was in excellent shape. He had a most
impressive tail and his eyes were exceedingly bright.
"I will leave you two to get to know each
other." Spoke Cordelia, and she flashed the Professor
and RW a smile and moved off to attend to the guests and
dignitaries.
Both RW and the Professor watched as
Cordelia moved away. "Cordelia is a fine lady! An
incredible assistant to me! I don't know what I would do
without her." spoke the Professor. RW could certainly
see where that would be the case. The professor turned
to RW. "I want to thank you for resonding to Dr
Boatingirl's note concerning the her observations of the
stalactites and the age of the D'ni ruins.
That
is exactly what the Institute needs. More researchers
and explorers, communicating openly and sharing
information and ideas. Forming teams to investigate the
many mysteries and unexplored regions of the cavern, and
posting their results here. The more that do that, the
more success and interest will be generated, and this
Institute will continue to thrive." Their was no
mistaking the passion in the Professor voice as he spoke
and his eyes burned with excitement. He clearly meant
every word he spoke. RW thanked the Professor for his
kind words. "It was my pleasure to be able to contribute
in a small way to Dr Boatingirl's research. I am hopeful
she will allow myself and others to assist her. With the
Doctor providing input and direction and others of us
aiding her in whatever manner we can."
"Professor," and RW began to shift the subject,
"It has been sometime that I have wanted to meet you.
The events of recent days with the return of Dr Elkae,
has in fact provided the ideal subject to our initial
meeting. I had, without going into detail, oppurtunity
to obtain form Dr Elkae's saddlebags some samples which
I sent off for analysis. The full results are not in,
but there is sufficient data to open a area, that if
explored, could provide some answers to what happened to
the D'ni. I realize this is not the oppurtune time to
discuss this, so if you don't mind, at the next
available oppurtunity, I will come by your office to
provide you greater details."
The professor
looked at RW inquisitively. "RW, my door is fully
wedgied open to any and all researchers and
explorers who wish to contribute. Stop by anytime you
are at the Institute!" And with that comment, RW wished
the Professor a Very! Very! Happy! Birthday! and went
off in search of Coredelia and Dr.
Boatingirl.
Ok, did the vikings drink up all the
mead? And who ate all the
smoked salmon? I didn't get a single bite!
Weeeeeellllllll!
An Irish Coffee will do just fine.
It is amazing how
everyone looks so much like their avatar! If I had a pic I would post
it. Boy, would that be scary. Well, you should be
scared! It scares me just thinking about it!
Veronica watched the fireworks and
celebration with the others, standing with them, but not
really feeling like a part of the group. She was feeling
awkward and out of place. While listening to Speedy,
Grassie and Dr. Warrell in the store, discussing their
research project, she had felt completely out of their
league. It was not a feeling she was comfortable with
nor cared for very much.
Cordelia brought over a
glass of acorn mead and Veronica politely declined. She
braved the group surrounding Professor Thietris long
enough to extend her best wishes for a happy birthday,
then sat by the
fountain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'm no
longer a danger to
society. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jade!!! great to see you!!! I thought
this was a bit of a stuffy croud; so I thought I'd warm
them up with a bit of actual edu...educ.. nevermind. I
do think its a little funny that I forgot I was a
geology major in college... never gratuated
though...Well, life certainly does take its turns! Happy
Birthday Dr.T!!!!
Jade linked in to the Institution,
looking around quickly she waved to boatingirl. "I'm
looking for...oh I see him..." She runs over to
Professor Thietris to tell him about this phone call. "Sorry to bust
in on the celebration, but I think something very
serious is going on and I don't know what to do. Do you
know how to reach Elkae's Relto from
here?"
Professor Thietris shook his head in
bewilderment. "How can someone visit a Relto without
'sharing' the book?"
Jade was beside herself.
"That is what I thought too. I was hoping someone would
have an idea. Anyone?" Jade scans the crowd, but no one
seems to know. "Thietris, I asked Elkae to try and reach
the surface if she can, if not, then hopefully she will
come here. I have to go back now, in case she does make
it. Will someone please contact me if she returns?
Thanks..."
Jade goes to the Linking room, puts
the fee in the jar, and links back to the A&C
Hotel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'm no longer
a danger to
society. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[This
message was edited by JadesDream on Thu April 15 2004 at
09:11 PM.]
Speedy dances with her Vikings.
Meanwhile, Grassie approaches RW. "How is your shoulder
doing, by the way?" he asks him. Meanwhile, Dr.
Warrell saw Veronica across the crowd. He takes a long
sip of mead, feeling the warm rush to his face.
Suddenly, he is creeping through the crowd, passing near
Veronica. Once he is by her side, he stops. "Hello, I
don't believe we've met. I'm Dr. Phineas Warrell..." he
managed to say without a studder as he extended out his
hand that is not holding the mead. Speedy turns and
finds Dr. Warrell is gone! She looks around, stopping
the dance. "What is going on?" asked
Thorstein. "Where is Dr. Warrell?" she
asks. "Ahh... he is by that woman we got to toast
back at the bar, don't you see her?" Thorstein asked as
he pointed. Speedy saw Dr. Warrell with Veronica, and
she smiled. Even though her counterpart was present at
the initiation of Veronica, she smiled for two
reasons. 1. She was happy that the mead finally got
Dr. Warrell to speak to a woman without him looking all
red in the face. 2. She just got the images of
Veronica doing the chicken dance in her head. (Must be
what happened in the bar... thanks me! No prob,
me)
Studying gives you knowledge.
Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. I am learning how to
be corrupt.
His foot throbbing with pain from
Pepsi's accidental stomping, Chuckles58 drags over to
the dessert table for one more oatmeal raisin cookie, he
bids his friends in the Institution adieu and links back
to Ae'gura, not wanting to miss the end of tax season
party the Bahro were enjoying. As the pain slowly
subsided, he made his way up to the broken bridge and
watched the Bahro. They again were bunjee jumping. There
was a grand Ayoheek tournament in the Concert Hall
Foyer, as well as a domino tournament (Mexican Mule
Train). Chuckles kept an eye on the refreshments, well
presented by Kestryll's fine staff, and played a few
hours of dominos.
Afterwards, he hopped back to
the WSA office in Takotah Alley, and took a few more
Advil then flipped on the TV, careful not to mistake the
security cameras throughout the Ages of Myst for his
digital dish TV programming.
Ah, 'I Dream of
Jeanne', one of my all time favorites.
Hey, that looks like J.R. Ewing.
<Click>The channel changes by
itself.
No, I didn't say Patrick Ewing.
<Click>The channel changes by itself
again.
OK, who has the remote? Oh, I remember now, I've
been working on a self changing remote that is voice
activated. I guess I solved that Mystery. <Click>
Once again it changes
Stop it. I didn't say Mr. T! Please somebody
take away my Google!!!
All the psychiatrists
in the audience nod in knowing agreeance, classic
post-tax season insanity.<Click>
Stop
That!
---------------------------- "Where
are the donuts?" - Atrus (realMyst) Save URU Live
Elkae hated to spoil the birthday
celebration of her dear friend, Thietris. The package
was already gone before she realized she needn't have
sent it Priority. But suspecting the severity of her
condition, she didn't dare postpone sending her research
or her sentiments. She had hoped to tell Thietris of her
findings the day before but couldn't seem to connect
with him. Life is odd that way, twisting itself into
knots.
She had always had an unnatural fear of
the strange water in the lake -- not because of any
specific knowledge of its chemical composition, but
simply because of its color. To her, the water just
looked dangerous. Had she known she would fall
into it (and swallow half of it), she might not have
jumped from the Burro Cave. As she lay near death in her
Relto, Speedy's old signature came to mind and made her
smile:
Don't look before you leap. It'll ruin
the surprise.
Slacker helplessly looked on as Elkae's breathing became
slower and more erratic and then stopped. But the smile
was still on her face.
Epilogue Elkae
Knutsson, the avatar, unexpectedly returned to that
strange thing called Real Life. It was a calling she had
to answer. But with her she took each of her friends
from the cavern, safe and alive, tucked inside her
heart.
The crew cleaning the Institution
after Professor T's great party was busy picking up
trash, getting things back to normal. The woman cleaning
Professor T's office emptied the trash, not knowing that
the empty Fed Ex package from Elkae was possibly the
only clue as to how to find her Relto.
Is
this the end for our trepid explorer with the Pauline
page in her Relto Book?
Has the subtly of Elkae's
humor been totally wasted on us neophytes, causing her
punchline punchiness?
Will Slacker find the
package of Oreo cookies Elkae hid behind the books on
her bookshelf?
Will Elkae's dunking in the D'ni
lake and exposure to the orange algae be her
undoing?
Ginger or Mary Anne?(I just
threw that in to see what other people thought. I prefer
Mary Anne.)
Will wedgie-proof coveralls
ever come into style?
Stay tuned for answers to
these and other questions
...
---------------------------- "Where
are the donuts?" - Atrus (realMyst) Save URU Live
Vivian links in and does a walk through smiling at
the few people still out and checking on the few
Kest&Company employees that showed up to lend a
claw. Of course the Bahro were helping themselves to the
left-overs. So of course she did as well. With a
glass of wine in hand she heads over to
Thietris.
Looks like it was a wonderful
party! Hope you don't mind that we had some of our guys
drop in to help cater. Kestryll sends his appologies
for not showing up himself, but he sort of wore himself
out with trying to do as much as possible.
She
notes the odd look on the squirrel's face then smacks
herself.
Silly me, Vivian Hilde. I dropped
off the gift from Kest earlier. Normally I run the show
on the surface for Kestryll. Mainly the delivery
service. 'We deliver no matter what it takes!' You
have no idea how hard it is to write a linking book just
to deliver a package to some dank, dark cavern... Any
way! With K under the weather I've taken over down here
as well. If there's anything you or anyone else needs
just leave a note in the eggroom and either I or one of
the others will get it on our way through. Okay? You feeling alright?
Little too much mead I think. Well! I gotta run. Real
pleasure meeting some of you! BYE!
She spins
around gives a few instructions to a Kieth and links
out.
__________________________ My mind is
like an oyster. There's a pearl of wisdom in there, but
the rest is all clammed up.
Thietris Professor Thietris Squirrel, CEO,
President and Managing Director, Institution of Advanced Exploration
of Myst Worlds
posted
Dear friends, Thank you all so much for
your birthday greetings and for the wonderful
party.
We all know what it's like to have to say
goodbye to someone we love. As you know, I received some
sad and unexpected news yesterday, and it made me think
once more of that other loss that we have all
experienced. Our Neighborhoods are lonely places. The
list of visitors on our imager bears only one, too
familiar name. We can walk unimpeded in the city, but we
hear only the echo of our own footsteps.
And yet
... we still have our community, here. The sense of loss
was profound as I sat in my office yesterday. Others
felt it too, I think. But our imaginations refused to be
defeated by sadness. If only in our minds, the fireworks
went off, the champagne flowed, laughter could be heard
again. It was a celebration - for all of us. For
Uru.
We shall continue our work here. This
Neighborhood is open to all - to new explorers, to old
friends we long to see once more. I received a lamp
yesterday. It's in pride of place on my desk. It will
always remain lit, casting its soft and playful light
about the room, helping to lift some of those dark
shadows. Please take the opportunity to come and see it.
My door is always open.
Experimental Program
1
And who ate all the
smoked salmon? I didn't get a single bite! 
Slacker helplessly looked on as Elkae's breathing became
slower and more erratic and then stopped. But the smile
was still on her face.
Vivian links in and does a walk through smiling at
the few people still out and checking on the few
Kest&Company employees that showed up to lend a
claw. Of course the Bahro were helping themselves to the
left-overs. So of course she did as well.
Supplier of umbrellas to the D'ni for
Centuries.
