Lara's Estate; Surrey, England - July 5, 2005
Lara Croft was in her study working on the background of an artefact that she was planning on finding soon. Lara heard a knock on the Study door, she looked up from her work and saw her faithful butler Hilary standing and holding a letter attached on a mid-sized package on his silver tray.
"Were you expecting anything?" he asked politely.
"Not really, what is the return address?" asked Lara.
"It appears it doesn't have one, as I believe there isn't anything ticking in it, Bryce just x-rayed it for safety concerns. All he saw was some kind of circular like figures nothing mechanic or electronic."
Lara's face froze, 'Could it be? . . . Nah-h, Alex West and I broke up long ago.' she thought as she got up and took the package and placed it on her desk. She then took her knife out of her left boot and carefully cut the paper off the box, opening the lid she then saw a letter addressed to her, using her knife again she opened the envelope and read it to herself.
"Dear Lady Lara Croft,
It appears your ex. A.K.A. Alex West isn't the only one who stolen an artefact from you. Originally I was trying to find relics that belonged to my ancestor that of which one was stolen, as I was on the hunt to recover it, with (almost) every means necessary. I initially never expected to find them when I did, before recovering the artefact of my ancestor. I hope you understand I returned this to you to not only honor my ancestor but to honour you as well for being a great influence on my life to be the best I can be.
Ms. Croft I hope you accept this as a token of appreciation, and no hard feelings.
I just hope some day I'll the opportunity to meet you in person sometime in the near future. However, I have gotten an really important matter to work on as I have to arrive there as soon as possible.
Sincerely yours,
A Loyal Admirer."
Lara looked up at Hillary, "The sender only left 'A Loyal Admirer' for a signature. Besides that I do know the sender is a she."
"How can you tell it's female?"
"First off, the writing on the letter is written neatly, it looks like this person had put a lot of thought into this, plus she didn't want to make any mistakes."
"What about the signature?"
"That I am not certain whoever this or they; 'Admirer' is I'll see to it that I find her before she does."
Lara then took out the stuffing out of the box, then removed bubble wrap, then velvet cloth covering the circular shaped artifacts to which was her prayer wheels. Lara was astonished.
"Looks like she knew this was my most cherished possession, I must be highly admired by her if she knew this."
Somewhere in London
I had just arrived back to my hotel room. I sat down on the bed as I knew exactly how I felt . . . Like an complete Canadian idiot. Why did I go through all the secrecy just to deliver an package to the one person I had admired greatly, that I could-. No, should have got the chance to meet. I wasn't sure what I was thinking then but it definitely seems stupid now.
'No,' I thought knowing 'she'd rather find it herself that someone finding it for her. Heck I would do the same too.' I knew I could be wrong, really, really wrong, not like I have been wrong about myself before. I took off the UPS uniform I wore as I changed into my regular clothes. Then I heard a knock at the door.
"Hello? Who is it?" I called using the British accent in my voice.
"Milady, come on I know it's you!" called my new assistant Marx, "I just returned the Truck."
"Sorry, Marx." I said in my regular voice as I grabbed a housecoat then opened the door, "You knew me since I started being the main enemy of mine was your Ex- Master."
"Ah yes he who put pain and suffering onto you and your family."
"You know there is more to that."
"True Milady Melanie, but it is the best thing for both you and your Idol."
"Don't remind me that you were the one who convinced me to do it at last minute." I said with a sigh as he knew I was having second thoughts. "And one more thing, don't call me 'Milady', yet please and thank you."
Lara struggled as she searched for the person who sent her the package, returning to her what was rightfully hers. Her next clue was the paper, it's texture felt odd to her in a way, she had a friend who worked in the Forensics Unit at the London Police station. It was traced to an hotel not too far from her current location.
Once approaching the Manager he told her that she was out of the country, the lady was under an Alias as 'Anne Shirley' and had tattoo on her left arm, one being some sort Celtic knot circle with two animals facing each other. The Manager remembered that she came with strict security from Her Majesty's Secret Service, and the Queen herself was with her for tea twice, the bad news according to him was that she didn't say where she was from plus he couldn't remember what she looked like besides the tattoo. Yet he knew she wasn't an American, and very well educated in many fields.
Lara didn't know what to do now, Buckingham Palace was denying that the Manager's statement about the visit and the Lady too. Through the more recent events Lara had nearly forgotten about her search to thank the person who sent her prayer wheels back. Yet she didn't realise the answer might be right under her nose; staring right at her.
