Lara Cooper moves to BC from Oregon.

AlexCabler Alexandra Cabler and Lara meet and go shopping in Boston, purchasing jeans and a tapestry for AlexCabler Alexandra. The jeans are a perfect fit, exposing Lara’s keen shopping and style eye. Lara offers AlexCabler Alexandra help moving in, and while AlexCabler Alexandra is clearly very hesitant to accept it, she seems to be making an effort to get out of her mold. She accepts the help and the company going into town, and is awed by Lara’s ease, knowledge of the area, and shopping skills.
AlexCabler Alexandra is about 5' 7", with long curly highlighted very red hair down to below her shoulder blades. Clearly blow-dried and styled... She is wearing basic makeup. Straight white teeth... Pretty, but looks too skinny. Very pale. Dark gray eyes. Long massacred eyelashes. Wearing a skirt with a belt, and a feminine blouse. Kind of Abercromied. Preppy, feminine. Looks like the kind of girl who wears push up bras and pointy shoes even if they hurt her feet. No calluses on her hands. Painted nails, probably a manicure. Wears a bracelet and some rings. Also a necklace. Looks uptight... looks mildly uncomfortable in her skin in this very casual environment... but not standoffish and not "too cool"... looks sort of intrigued.

Lily Barnes is about 5 ' 6", shortish brown hair, brown eyes. Slightly funky clothes, Goodwill specials, but with flair.

Lara would attempt to come to concerts as possible. She is wowed by creative talent. As would/is Jeremy, Jeremy manages to drag Zack to some concerts as well.

Lily tries out and makes the fencing team! AlexCabler Alexandra pledges to be a loyal fan of the fencing team (and makes good on that pledge through the rest of their college careers).

The fencing BBQ is held at the mod of the fencing captain, Andrea. Again, AlexCabler Alexandra is awkward about eating, but you can see that she is trying to keep it unobtrusive (despite Lara’s checking in). Lara would try and help her with it, in an appropriate way – not being naggy but just helpful. You notice that she tends to eat when no one else is around, buying something and then walking somewhere alone, or bringing it back to the room when no one is there (you would notice this because inevitably you would walk in on her every so often).
AlexCabler Alexandra and Lily meet Brian Drexler a preppy looking freshman fencer who seems uncomfortable in the casual environment. He’s a generic looking white guy who seems like he’d rather be wearing a suit and tie. He’s from upstate New Jersey and thinks he’s going to major in Business or Accounting. AlexCabler Alex confides that she feels a connection to Brian, since she feels as uncomfortable in her skin as he looks. She would go over and chat with him, compare school stories, try to get to know him a bit. Brian and AlexCabler Alex hit it off and seem to have a lot in common.

Lily and Alex both would get the notion that Lara has a bunch of sides to her: Sporty Lara, Studious Lara, Casual Lara; Flirty Lara etc. They all seem really natural sides of her that she switches between fluidly depending on the situation. Again, it’s not a weird or a freakish thing just something that’s pretty obvious, much like her vegetarianism, her habit of cursing in other languages and destain for the cooked food at either cafeteria.
Another thing is that beyond the fencing training schedule Lara has her own exercise routine. Schedules permitting she usually heads out and is gone for about and hour to an hour and a half most mornings. If she can’t do it in the morning she squeezes it in sometime during the day but mornings are most typical and she’s pretty steady about it, rarely missing a day. In the beginning she tries to be really quiet about it, not wanting to wake either of you up as she gets down from bed, dressed and whatnot. Also, if anyone brings up anything like “Wow that guy’s cute”; “I’d love to take a bite out of that”; “I wish I could go on a Duck Tour” ;“I need jeans!” etc – she’s always game to help out, especially when it comes to guys. Depending on the situation she might ask “Did you ask him out”, “Wanna invite him over – I can always study down at O’Neill”, “Yeah a nibble on that would be great *devilish grin*”, or “I heard you can get tour ticket at the Pru”, “I know a great place for jeans”. In terms of guys, she doesn’t seem like she’s in the market for something serious, just enjoys catching an eye here and there or taking a gander herself. She’s pretty confident in her skin, she looks good, knows it and enjoys it. If either of you are interested in anyone – boyfriend or hook up wise - she’d bend over backwards trying to help out in anyway she can (again, even if that’s just by not being around) although throughout the process you know that she’s keeping an eye on your back – supportive and encouraging while protective. She also tries to instigate at least once a month, an outing to the outdoors, and a kind of ‘get back to nature’ trek. Whether that’s a hike, a boat trip, skiing or whatever, it’s much more of a nature trip than party or tourist occasion. As always everyone is invited.
Lily settles in to the new room and environment very quickly. She's friendly and outgoing to the others in the dorm, but not confiding, someone with a lot of acquaintances, but hardly any real friends. Even with AlexCabler Alex and Lara, it takes quite a while before Lily seems to relax completely and let the others get close. She comments that she's never had the luxury of knowing that she'll be with the same group of people for four entire years before. She's willing to experiment with most things (but not drugs. She is very clear on this from the start) and willingly goes along with Lara's trekking suggestions, as long as it isn't too expensive. She enjoys trying new things, particularly "cultured" activities like museums, theater, or classical music. She doesn't always like what she finds, but she tries hard to appreciate it. You get the sense that she's trying to fill in gaps in her knowledge that many other BC students had from childhood. She's very studious, and takes her classes seriously, studying material she's already familiar with. When she does run into trouble she doesn't hesitate to ask either of you for help, or to see the TA if you're not around. She seems to think there's nothing that she can't learn or figure out if she tries hard enough. Most of the time, though, she finds the work challenging but not difficult.
AlexCabler Alexandra still has the habit of initially refusing help, and then changing her mind. She changes her mind more and more often with Lara and Lily, and eventually stops refusing altogether, and even asks for advice or help. However, you notice that she very rarely accepts help from other people, and almost never solicits it. She starts dressing more casually, but you notice that when she is getting into a situation that makes her stressed or nervous (new situations, mostly), she will revert to the more preppy, formal way of dressing. Same with the eating – she starts eating with the two of you and eventually with Jeremy and Zack (anyone you regularly hang out with) but in situations with new people or lots of people, she will pretend she’s not hungry and eat before or after. Knowing her patterns, you can probably tell her comfort level by the way she is dressed and whether or not she is eating. Though she initially introduced herself as [[AlexCabler Alexandra], she relaxes it to AlexCabler Alex with her social circle, but still keeps AlexCabler Alexandra as her most commonly used name. She is strong in chemistry and math, but is overall a conscientious student, finding it impossible to just skim over something. She hates leaving things half finished or doing anything half-assed and will stay up late or occasionally meet up with people late in order to finish something. She is a perfectionist who is very hard on herself when she messes up, brooding, eating less, and having trouble dropping it. (As she gets to know Lara in particular better, she might try to instigate a small outing at this time to try to break out of her funk, feeling that Lara would probably be up for that sort of thing).
Lara would definitely be game to go out, especially when it means helping AlexCabler Alex relax and have fun.

Lara goes to UNH for a varsity fencing tournament. She returns early Sunday morning, looking like she had slept in her clothes. She won the Saber and Foil competition and the BC team had come in first, then had stayed up for a party thrown by the UNH team that Saturday night.

Lara meets Jeremy Ito and invites him to her dorm room to meet her roommates.
Jeremy drops by with his roommate Zack and they all meet and then go grab dinner at a local Chinese restaurant.

Throughout the next few weeks Lara heads over to Jeremy’s to study and work on understanding Calculus. Overall Lara is very smart and picks up things quickly, she just seems to have trouble with Math in general, in particular the seeming arbitrariness of the rules that regulate the subject, at least in her perspective. She would gladly accept any help either AlexCabler Alexandra or Lily could offer since it seems like they grasp that kind of stuff more readily Lily offers her help, but turns out to be monumentally horrible at explaining mathematics. Jeremy has a real knack though of explaining it in a way that she can really comprehend and absorb so she keeps working with him on a fairly regular basis as well. In turn she encourages him to come hang out in their dorm, drags him to social events like freshman tours of the MFA or a football game etc and seems to be helping him with his social studies and history subjects. Alex also offers help and explains it adequately, but since math has been an easy area for her, she does not always understand where Lara is coming from, though she tries and is willing to be a backup when Jeremy is not available!
Lara finds AlexCabler Alexandra helpful but somehow Jeremy and her just click, and something in the way he explains things seem to make easy sense to her.
Jeremy starts to slowly get less and less nervous around the girls but really hits it off with Lara, and seems to be really comfortable with her and still a bit nervous with Lily and AlexCabler Alexandra, but obviously much more comfortable with them than with outsiders or strangers. Still most comfortable with Zack and Lara. Brings his PDA to everything, whenever he is bored or feeling nervous busts it out and works on something.
If questioned about what he is working on says “oh nothing” or generally dodges the question, appears to be some large math equation.
Zack shows up when there are large events that Jeremy goes to, but generally stays by himself in his room unless bodily drug somewhere by Jeremy. If given the option Zack has his faced buried in a book. Generally ignores people unless spoken directly to, and even then will sometimes ignore them. Tends to answer questions by quoting philosophy or Shakespeare instead of with actual, you know words. Often seems distracted, only added to by the sunglasses.

The varsity fencing team has a match at Harvard University. She lost both competitions to a Harvard fencer named Yvette Johnson. BC did win the team competition though. Lara seems a bit miffed and you notice her working out a bit harder, especially in terms of speed.

Lara comes into the room that early evening visibly really happy. If queried, she lets you both know (if you both are there) that she aced her math test that Jeremy had been helping her with. She starts flipping through her portion of the closet, pulling out clothes and says “And I promised Jeremy if I did ace it I’d take him out on the town!” She smiles up at both (if both) of you, “Do you guys want to come? I was going to take him down to this club the team went to in August. Great mix of music, techno, hip hop and dance, the works!” I’m not sure how AlexCabler Alex and Lily would react to this but the impression I got was that they were pretty adventurous so maybe they’ll join in. If clothing seems to be a problem Lara immediately offers anything she has in her closet/drawers and decks them out from her wardrobe if needed. Lara looks really pretty and puts on a great outfit that fully accentuates her feminine attributes, looking sexy but not slutty, and adds a bit of make up but not anything overboard – she still looks really natural, just a bit better presented than usual. She definitely gives off the impression that she has done this before. She would take everyone who would want to come and keeps and eye on them while embarrassing Jeremy by getting him on the dance floor. She would also keep an eye on everyone and make sure that they are having a good time, if not she’d ask if there’s something else they’d like to do or that she could do to liven things up. Sometime that evening she ends up with a drink of some kind even though they were all stamped underage. If people do have a good time, they end up getting a cab back to BC sometime around dawn. Lily comes along, sleeps for most of the next day, and tells Lara she's crazy to party like that every time there's a fencing meet. She has a good time, though she's seriously exhausted by dawn. Alex, while not being familiar with the club scene, knows many ballroom “proper” dances, and occasionally, feeling festive for Lara and Jeremy, will whisk one of them –boy or girl – off in a silly waltz or polka or foxtrot around the floor. Jeremy dances and is an excellent dancer. Zack declines dancing with anyone, quoting various famous playwrights about having two left feet. She’s a very good back leader. She twirls away with nearly everyone that night. She is more than willing to drink if it comes up, but does not seek it out, toasting Lara with whatever liquid she has handy.
Lara would laugh and attempt to learn or following along with the more “proper” dances.
It’s actually after mid-terms not a fencing meet – She aced the test that Jeremy helped her on and this is her repayment.

Lily's birthday. She purposely doesn't mention it until almost a week later, not wanting to make a fuss.

The fencing team from the University of Massachusetts comes to BC for a tournament. Lara is victorious in her events and the BC team also wins.

A fuss is made to make up for Lily’s birthday. Given her initial hesitation to tell anyone Lara would keep it simple: A picnic down on the Esplanade with yummy treats (as determined by what Lily has munched on for the past few months), a frisbee and other fun things to do by the river. Everyone, Alex, Jeremy, Zack etc is invited. Zack and Jeremy attend and cheer and laugh with everyone, though Zack's head is mostly buried in a book and Jeremy though well meaning was not intended for frisbee. Alex ties a balloon to Lily’s bedpost, calls Lily’s BC voicemail to sing happy birthday while Lily is out of the room (with Lara if she wants to sing along: Yes please!) and puts a single flower on the desk, for non-confrontive festivity. She brings a camera to the party and takes a picture of everyone, later framing it and hanging it in the room (separate from the pics which have inevitably gone on the Wall of Pictures).

Alexandra and Lily join Lara at her home in Salem, Oregon for Thanksgiving. The house is pretty nice, fairly large and in a quiet suburban neighborhood with unique houses and woody areas. It is an older looking neighborhood rather than a 1950’s or more modern housing complex where every home looks scarily the same.
Lara’s parents, Jack and Wendy are super nice and welcoming. Jack is about 6’, handsome, with a lean, trim frame, short dark brown hair, with touches of gray, blue eyes and looks in his mid forties. Wendy is very pretty, fashionable but casual with long lighter brown hair, blue eyes, about 5’7, in good shape and looks a bit younger than Jack. It’s obvious that Lara gets her fashion knack from Wendy. Lara’s Uncle Joe is also there. He looks a bit older than Jack and a bit more rugged, like he’s been in the military or lived outdoors a lot. Again, it’s brown hair, blue eyes but Joe has a thicker frame and looks a bit tougher than Jack. A family friend, Leo Traver is also there and is about 5’6” with graying hair and with the wrinkles appears a bit older than Jack. He seems to be good friends with Jack and they chat a lot over drinks in Jacks office and on the back porch. Lara’s brother Andy is 6’2” and is really thick and muscular, not freakishly so, but it’s unsurprising that he’s a football player. He is also tan with blue eyes, short dark hair and looks a few years older than Lara. His dog is named Scout and is about two years old and looks like a retriever and beagle mix. The dog is super friendly but you can tell he’s Andy’s’ dog in the way it responds to him and how it tags along at his heels. Andy has also brought his two room mates, Doug and Kyle who are also on the football team. They eat, a lot – think teenage boys with huge metabolisms. That being said, Wendy is cooking a huge spread for Thanksgiving dinner and looks like she might have started earlier in the week in order to have everything covered. She welcomes any help that is offered but encourages you guys to relax and have fun. Lara would take Alexandra and Lily out to Portland to shop, hit the night scene, see the sights or the mountains or where ever they would be interested in going to see or do.
Wendy and Jack have set up the guest rooms to allow for you two to share a room, one is for Leo. Joe takes the couch on the enclosed side porch and Andy’s roommates are on the floor in the living room. It does not seem like the arrangement is to separate genders or anything, just the most practical division of space. Upon waking up the first morning that you are all there you might notice Lara and her Uncle Joe coming in from what looks like Lara’s normal exercise routine. She looks a bit more winded than usual. Joe on the other hand looks like he barely broke a sweat.
Joe talks a bit and is friendly but generally keeps to himself, speaking mostly with Lara and Jack. You get the feeling that he is thinking deep thoughts most of the time, and is cheery but there is definitely things going on in his mind.

Zack and Jeremy both have plans of their own and decline Lara’s invitation. Zack returns happy and well rested to BC, Jeremy looks like he went though the ringer. He talks with Lara about some things but generally avoids the group for a week or two.

The New England NCAA regional fencing tournament occurs at Boston University. Lara is defeated again in the Saber by Yvette but does win the Foil, an event in which Yvette was not competing. The BC team comes in second to Harvard.

One evening a day or so prior to her Calculus final, Lara returns to the room from a study session at Jeremy’s a little later than usual. There’s a little whiff of alcohol on her breath, nothing over powering or frightening, it just seems like she had a drink or two.

Lara leaves for Christmas in Oregon, bringing anyone with her who would like to come. She surreptitiously hides gifts for Lily and Alexandra in places they will discover after she’s gone. Alexandra receives a necklace which has a silver metal pendant with a sun shape that is similar to the sun on her tapestry. Lily receives a new camera that is engraved with her name. Alex goes home for Christmas, and mails the girls t-shirts during the break (on the left breast is a silk-screened logo. It is a sunburst, and in front of the sunburst is a suitcase, opened, and lying across the opened suitcase is an epee. On the back, it says “Science Girls”). Lara’s is a medium bluish, Lily’s is brown – a nice medium brown, not a yucky brown. They (hopefully) accent each of your eyes. (Unless you would have informed Alex of different “favorite colors” offhand earlier in the year). Lily is utterly shocked, it had not once occurred to her that anyone would buy her a Christmas present. When you all arrive home from the holidays, she somewhat sheepishly gives you belated gifts: a "Hikes in New England" book for Lara and a "Fashion tips on a budge" book for Alex. When the new semester starts, she uses her camera in the photography class she's taking for her Fine Arts Core requirement.

Lara would be totally stoked by the gift and bug Lily about fun places that they could go that are described within its pages. When you get back, you might notice that Alex has the same shirt she sent you, except hers is grey. She is wearing the necklace and instigates a “budget shopping trip” with the girls to use the book from Lily. She is visibly excited and thanks both girls profusely! Lara would comment on the nice color choices for the shirts and wear her’s about.

The Varsity Fencing Team hosts Amherst for a tournament. Lara wins both of her events but the BC team comes in second.

Again Jeremy and Zack return from their respective homes, once again Jeremy looks haggard and avoids the group, “family stuff”. Jeremy calls Lara a lot during the week, after a while he, and things return to normal.

The Varsity Fencing Team goes to MIT for a tournament. Lara and the BC team are all victorious. Lara comes back having found a great restaurant near MIT and offers to take those who are interested.
Zack joins the group later, about an hour late, saying he was “busy” and dodges questions about where he was.

The Varsity Fencing Team goes to the University of Connecticut for a tournament. Lara wins her events but the BC team comes in second. She hints at a pretty crazy after party.

After an April fools day party they ask Zack about the glasses. The girls query Zack about his glasses and he reveals his one dark brown eye and one yellow-wolfish eye. They are all wowed by the coolness of it.

The Varsity Fencing Team goes to Harvard University for a tournament. Lara comes in second in both of her events, loosing again to Yvette. The BC team comes in second. Sensing that Yvette is a sore spot, Alex first offers in jest to beat her up, and then suggests a hike in the upcoming weekend. Lara would laugh at the jest, but you can tell she’s a bit miffed and not being able to beat this person. She’d definitely take up the hike for the weekend. You’d probably notice that Lara likes doing the outdoors thing when the rest of life is being a bit stressful. Clubbing is more fun, visiting nature is therapeutic.

The New England NCAA regional fencing tournament occurs at Boston College. Lara is defeated in both the Foil and Saber by Yvette. The BC team comes in Third behind Harvard and Amherst. Alex asks Lara if she wants a workout partner. She admits to not being in good shape, but being very willing, especially after the previous hike (assuming we went) made her sore. She is quick to say, though, that she doesn’t want to slow Lara down, and maybe could just come along (“and then you can leave me in the dust until I get good enough to keep up!”) Lara would definitely extend an offer to help Alex work out. She’s probably suggest that she comes down to the Plex a half hour before or after (or both) the fencing work outs and run with her, do weights, whatever Alex thinks she’d like to improve. She’d also mention the whole nutrition thing and eating right. Not in a “you have an eating disorder” way but just as it goes with working out and being healthy.

Jeremy recruits the other girls to help (let me know if you don’t help him – Alex helps!) him plan a party to celebrate the end of the fencing season. Zack shows up with an absolutely astounding selection of alcohol. Really top shelf stuff, all from Europe. He has extra of Lara’s favorite which he seemed to know already. Zack doesn’t drink much, but is friendly.

Lara goes to Oregon for Andy’s college graduation

Alexandra, Lara and Lily all stay in Boston and move into the apartment they will keep for the next two years, and most likely through senior year as well. Lara and Lily both get work at local hospitals. Lara’s position helps gain her experience in emergency care and surgery. When Lara returns from Andy’s graduation she has in tow a really nice looking stereo system with speakers, a hand-me-down from Andy’s fraternity. Alexandra and Lily enjoy cooking in their new kitchen. Alex seems to have an aptitude for not only following recipes, but adapting them and making her own. She starts inviting small groups of friends over and cooking the whole spread (of course, anyone can help who wants to, and I suspect Lily often does?) Lara would watch, chat, chop and hang out during the cooking process but knows that she’d just get in the way of things and leaves it to the professionals. Lily finds the local library, and catches up on some recreational reading. She favors mysteries, with the occasional fantasy thrown in. She won't read sci-fi because she says "they always get the science wrong, and that's just lazy."

Start of Sophomore year.

“Lara, what are you running for?”
“Oh, it’s not me actually, it’s my dad. He’s um…kind of running for Governor”.
Jeremy returns from California looking beat up again, summer seemed really hard on him, calls Lara almost every night to talk for an hour or more.
Lily decides to take more photography classes, even though her core is now filled. She talks for months about studying abroad in Australia, and seems very enthusiastic about it, but in the end she doesn't go. When pressed, she says she didn't have enough money to go. She's thrilled that Alex is planning to go to France, however, and offers to help her practice speaking the language, though her French isn't really fluent either.
Lara ensures that they learn the naughty and profane French she learned from her mother.
Alex, doing nothing half-assed, studies French hard, taking Lily up on her offer and asking Zack if France is somewhere he has lived. Zack quotes some random French author and goes back to reading… but helps her in his own random way where he can, commenting on Lily and Alex’s French when they practice it, mostly adding to their swear word vocab…. She goes to the library to get books on French culture and history. She jumps on Lara’s offer to learn “real” French, since she talks like a textbook. She can speak adequate Spanish, having grown up in Texas, so she makes guesses on colloquial French but they are sometimes far off and she gets very frustrated. She takes the girls on a shopping trip in Boston to bookstores and gets a supply of French cuisine cookbooks. She starts cooking French foods for everyone.

The Fencing BBQ.

Jeremy comes out and tells the girls that he is gay. Lara seems unsurprised by his announcement to Alexandra and Lily, giving the impression that she was already informed. Lily is surprised but supportive. Alex as well.

Lara goes to UNH for a varsity fencing tournament and Jeremy figures out a way to tag along. She returns early Sunday morning, similar to the year before, again looking like she slept in her clothes and reiterates that those folks in New Hampshire really do know how to throw a party. Alex wheedles her about the party, trying to get some gossip if Lara looks like she’s in a good mood about it.
Lara would share. Basically the party was in the frat set aside for the UNH fencing team. There’s lots of drinking, games, dancing and people hooking up everywhere. It’s a crazy party night / early morning!

The varsity fencing team has a match at Harvard University. Lara again gets second place against Yvette. The BC team comes in second as well.

The fencing team from the University of Massachusetts comes to BC for a tournament. Lara is victorious in her events and the BC team also comes in first. Alex throws a party for her and Lily, inviting Jeremy and Zack as well as people from the fencing team (Brian, etc), serving a four-course meal (one of the courses is French). She asks Jeremy if he wants to help cook. Brian would join in, gradually seeming more comfortable with the freedom of college.
Jeremy help but makes a terrible mess of thing generally, he’s nice, but he’s no chef. Alex skillfully however rescues the dinner from disaster.

Alexandra and Lily join Lara again in Salem for Thanksgiving. Jeremy also decides to join in this year. The usual family crowd is there although Andy has not brought anyone with him except his dog. In addition is Lara’s Uncle Will and his wife Gwen. Will has the typical Cooper dark brown hair and blue eyes, his frame is more along the lines of Jack than Joe, meaning he is more slight than thick. Gwen is very pretty, blonde and very smart, about 5’6. They both look like they are in their early forties.

The New England NCAA regional fencing tournament occurs at Boston University. Lara is wins both of her competitions but does not get the chance to Yvette as she is not entered. The BC team comes in first.

Jeremy plans a party at the Chinese restaurant that Zack is once again late to. Alex flirts with the waiter at the restaurant, trying to buy Lara and Lily beers in celebration. The waiter ends up getting them drinks for free…Jeremy asks Alex for flirting tips! Lara grins broadly at her flirtatious friend and lets Alex know that she’s a great wingman.

Lara leaves for Christmas in Oregon, bringing anyone with her who would like to come. She, as before, leaves presents for Alexandra and Lily. For Alexandra there is a goofy, everything you ever wanted to do with Chemistry but were afraid to ask book. Lily receives a brand new fencing glove. Lily gives Lara a framed black and white photo she took of Lara fencing that makes her look like a total badass. She gives Alex a cookbook.

The Varsity Fencing Team hosts Amherst for a tournament. Lara wins both of her events and the BC team wins. Convinced by a classmate to try it out, Lily signs up for Irish step dancing, encouraging the other two to come with her. Lara would totally join in when she can, her schedule being what it is she might learn more from late night ‘classes’ at their apartment. Alex makes it a regular thing and brings some ballroom experience! Jeremy joins in the fun once he finds out about it.

The Varsity Fencing Team goes to MIT for a tournament. Lara and the BC team are all victorious.

Jeremy plans a party at the Chinese restaurant that Zack is once again late to.

The Varsity Fencing Team goes to the University of Connecticut for a tournament. Jeremy goes too in anticipation of a party to pick up hunky guys! Lara and the BC team are all victorious. Lara comes in looking ragged but happy, relating their victories and hints at a really fun after party.

The Varsity Fencing Team goes to Harvard University for a tournament. Lara comes in second in both of her events, defeated by Yvette. The BC team comes in first. Alex tapes to the door a photoshopped picture of a woman with a black eye and an epee, with French scrawled across it: “science girls kick ass”

Jeremy announces at a dinner that he has “investigated” Zack’s disappearances and found that he goes to an open mike poetry reading night, and conspires with Lara to “crash” one of these events.

Jeremy and Lara crash Zack’s open mike night. He acts angry but doesn’t stay mad long. He buys everyone there drinks, the bartender seems to know him. Lily comes too, if that's alright. Lara wouldn’t have it any other way. Alex too!

The New England NCAA regional fencing tournament occurs at Boston College. Lara is defeated in both the Foil and Saber by Yvette. The BC team comes in first.

Jeremy’s first boyfriend! Grant.

Alexandra, Lara and Lily all stay in Boston. Lara and Lily continue to work at a local hospital. Alex gets an internship at a research lab.

Zack is studying abroad for the year, you think in Spain but he’s vague about it, and Jeremy moves into a single. Lily joins the Heights as a freelance photographer, taking pictures for the paper about once a week or so.

The fencing BBQ.
Jeremy lets everyone know he and Grant broke up, but he is dating Peter. It sounds like he had several different boyfriends during the summer which he spent up with family friends in San Francisco.

Lara goes to UNH for a varsity fencing tournament. She and Jeremy are looking forward to the festivities. She wins both of her events as does the BC Team. Alex done another dinner – this time two courses are French. She again asks Jeremy if he wants to help (since Lily and Lara are both being celebrated).
This time Jeremy is smart enough to stick to the microwave and declines. He shows up to eat though!

The varsity fencing team has a match at Harvard University. Lara again gets second place to Yvette. The BC team comes in first.

BC hosts the fencing team from the University of Massachusetts. Lara is victorious in her events and the BC team also comes in first. Alex continues to go cheer! She paints her face and Jeremy’s too, if he’ll let her.

Alexandra, Lily and Jeremy join Lara again in Salem for Thanksgiving. This year they are at the Governors Mansion since Jack was elected Governor of the State of Oregon the previous year. The usual family crowd is there including Andy’s dog, although Will and Gwen are not present.

Lara leaves for Christmas in Oregon, bringing anyone with her who would like to come. She gifts Alexandra with a new travel purse which goes with most of her outfits and is complete with passport sections and hidden compartments for traveler’s checks. Lily receives an amusing and comical “How to survive the MCATs / Medical School” book. Lily laughs when she opens this gift: she bought the same book for Lara. Alex's present is a "French they don't teach you in school" book, plus a scrapbook of pictures of the three of them to take to France with her. Alex once again mails gifts… a framed mountain scene from France with a post-it that says “come visit!” to Lara, and a Paris-on-a-budget humor guidebook for Lily saying “come visit!” Tucked in the frame and the first page of the book is a gift certificate to a local favorite restaurant with a note saying that since she’s not cooking this semester, they should have dinner on her, just in case they aren’t able to make it to France to get the home-cooked meal. She also leaves a picture of herself in the apartment, making a ridiculous face.

Alex leaves to study abroad in France for the semester.

Alexandra leaves for France. The temperature in the apartment fluctuates for the first time, becoming subject to all the heats and drafts that an old, not-so-well insulated apartment is subject to.

Lara and Lily begins intensive MCAT studying and much to Jeremy’s dismay cuts down on the extra social activities.

The Varsity Fencing Team hosts Amherst for a tournament. Lara wins both of her events and the BC team wins.

The Varsity Fencing Team goes to MIT for a tournament. Lara wins both of her events but the BC team comes in second. Alex sends a card with half-dressed French men on it, coloring on BC colors and pom-poms to “cheer on the team!” She also writes that she has joined an orchestra in France, seemed like a good venue for meeting the locals.

The Varsity Fencing Team goes to the University of Connecticut for a tournament. Lara wins both of her events and the BC team wins. Jeremy again joins in the fun. Alex writes funny letters, hinting at underground romances with beautiful French boys with accents. She sounds like she’s about half-kidding, but not entirely. She mentions going camping in the mountains and promises to send pictures.
Lara would write back throughout the semester – the first probably thanking her for the notes / dinner certificate. She’d say that she probably can’t come visit, much to her dismay but the MCATs and Fencing have her stuck to books and in the Plex. She’d inquire about the “French Guys” – “I hear European guys are well educated”. And that she’s looking forward to fun stories upon Alex’s return.

Zack meets Alexandra in France, the meeting is short and he looks distracted. When they meet he looks especially surprised and off put as soon as he lays eyes on her. He’s friendly, but seems distant, dodges most direct questions about what he is doing, he makes an excuse and pays the check and hurries off.
Alex writes to Lara and Lily, explaining, sounding a little worried and also a little hurt, asking them if they know what’s going on about Zack. “It was so nice seeing one of our gang from home, but really it was awful!” She says that she knows he’s often a little flaky like that, but being in a foreign country, it would seem that that’s a good time to stick together and be more… nice. What do you think was wrong?
Lara would write back. “I don’t know what’s up with him. I got the impression something was on his mind before he left but he didn’t seem to want to talk about it. You know Zack. Hopefully he knows that if he’s in any trouble we’re all here for him”.

The Varsity Fencing Team goes to Harvard University for a tournament Lara comes in second in both of her events, defeated by Yvette. The BC team comes in second.

Lara takes the MCATs and Jeremy takes her out on the town that night, they return near sunrise. Lily takes the MCAT too, but chooses not to go partying all night afterward, saying with a laugh that the test itself was exhausting enough without Lara's infamous clubbing trips to suck away the last of her energy.

The New England NCAA regional fencing tournament occurs at Boston College. Lara is defeated in the Foil by Yvette but does win the Saber, again an event Yvette does not enter. The BC team comes in second to Harvard. There is an exhibition of women’s Epee which is not a formal competition, but Lara helps demonstrate the event and technically comes in first although it is not official.
Brian is selected to be the team captain for next year, after he places first in all his events.

Shesu arrives at BC, not knowing what else to do he takes a job in the Higgins greenhouse.
Part 1 of Shesu’s riddle - Received from the N’dore in his book first read on the day after Shesu left his village.
The quest you bare shall be your last, never will you return to your past.
Find yourself the one eyed dog, to lead you though the coming fog.
Seek the Eagle of Maroon and Gold, and more of the riddle will there unfold.

Lara applies to Medical Schools and begins another medical internship. Lily also applies for Med School. She applies to a wide variety in the US, and, declaring that she's saved more money and isn't willing to give up the idea of going abroad, also applies to a number of foreign schools with English language programs or highly supportive international programs on the off chance one will give her a good scholarship. She also fills out the paperwork for every med school scholarship ever known to man.

Alexandra returns from France and rejoins Lara and Lily in their apartment. Alex gets an internship in the research lab again. She talks about getting a job at a restaurant, but in the end goes for the lab. It seems that parental pressure has something to do with it, and she begrudgingly admits she needs to get back in the school mode, having taking more of her fair share of culinary courses in the last semester since she has lots of saved-up electives!

Lily is shocked and awed. Once she gets over the initial "wow!" phase, she's seems a little jealous. She's incredibly curious, and wants to ask a million questions, but whether she does is dependent on whether she feels she's annoying the others. She got the impression that they were willing to talk and answer all questions, but if otherwise, let she would. Lara would be willing to answer questions if posed. Alex as well – is clear that she doesn’t want to spread it around, but is happy to talk about it with you two – and relieved at the reception.
Lara lets Lily know that she thinks she’s got something special in her too and will discuss the possibility with her agent. Sam basically confides, and is passed along to Lily, that gaining powers is more of a personal thing, not something that can be tested for or anticipated. Lara reiterates her belief that Lily has something special that is waiting to come out and that should she need anything to never hesitate in asking.
Lily spends her free time in the summer reading every X-men comic ever published.

Jeremy tells everyone that Zack said he would not be coming back this year, “family problems” but that he promised everyone a letter soon.

Alexandra, Lara and Lily meet Jacob Sparrow at the Fencing tryouts. Jacob, a freshman is oddly dressed but does very well through the initial training and makes the Varsity Team along with one other David. Alex appears more comfortable than ever in her own skin. She is there, cheering on Lara and Lily.

The fencing BBQ. This year it is held at Brian Drexlers Mod as he is the new captain of the team. Brian has become much more casual and relaxed, more of a jock than he was at the start of school, but still nice and welcoming to the new folk as he remembers being a lowly freshman dork. Jacob meets Jeremy, and the girls, Jeremy and Jacob visit Jacob's apartment and see Professor Goodwin’s large and impressive collection of books. Jacob mentions that he is a new freshman and that he is newly arrived from the middle east with his friend Abdul. He shows them Professor Goodwin’s spectacular roof view. Lara mentions that she would be interested in meeting Abdul as well as Professor Goodwin. When Lily asks, Alex spills that she has applied to culinary school in Paris, somewhat against her parents’ wishes, but that it’s just prestigious enough to be acceptable. She seems very happy and motivated. Lara is thoroughly supportive of Alex’s culinary mind and mentions that hopefully this time she’d be able to visit in France.

The Varsity Fencing team goes to UNH for a tournament. Jacob, Lara and Jeremy go to the event and after party. Lara competes in both the foil and saber individual events and the women's team event. She wins all of her matches but the women’s team comes in second. During the party, Jacob is seen by Jeremy slip out of the frat house for two hours between 2 am and 4 am.
The first night they stay at a Days Inn motel, everyone doubled up, Jacob probably with the other new kid, David. The next day is the tournament. Jeremy Ito, who you met at the BBQ is also there. Brian leads most of the warm ups and directs everyone about while the coaches chat and the pistes are set up and everything. Jacob would notice that before the competition begins, Lara administers to any medical needs, wrapping weak ankles, doling out bandaids to protect calluses, etc.
If Jacob offers help while she's taping people up and doing basic team medical prep, she would take it. She seems to already know what people need (ace bandage here - get him some tape for his knuckles kind of thing). She'd notice Jacob's skill and probably give him a "good job" kind of grin when they are through. She'd then start prepping for her own boughts, stretching and what not and getting into gear. She pulls all of her own equipment, including blades, from her own bag.
Jacob would be pleased with any affirmation (e.g. "'good job' grin" that she gives him.
They work together its obvious that though Jacob knows what he is doing he lacks some experience, where Lara has seen this kind of stuff before and has a practiced hand. (Experienced Nurse/Doctor vs. Boy Scout).
Lara competes in both the foil and saber individual events and the women's team event. She wins all of her matches but the women’s team comes in second.. You can tell she's a very talented and skilled fencer who has been doing this for a long time. At the end of the tournament they all help the coach load up the first van with various equipment but you get the notion that he's the only one driving back tonight. The coach probably asks if he or David want to come back with him, to the rest he'd say something to the effect of, "and I expect to see you all at practice on Monday".
By the time the coach leaves it's into early evening. Brian starts making a few phone calls and the crew starts heading off campus towards a nearby residential area. As you turn a corner you can start hearing noise, laugher and general ruckus from houses further down the street. Some of the ones that you pass have Greek lettering or particular labels on flags, signs or banners. You stop at one that doesn't have particular markings, but there are dummies dressed up in fencing uniforms with bright red targets painted on them propped up on the porch. Everyone heads up the steps and Brian knocks. The door is quickly opened and everyone is welcomed in. You recognize many of the faces from the earlier tournament, both those on the UNH team and those in the crowd. Lara seems to know or be known by most of the more than two dozen or so non-BC people present. As people begin to disperse into the house you get the notion that most of your team is going to shower and get changed for the evening’s festivities which seem to be gearing up. The next time Jacob sees Lara she's dressed to accentuate her feminine qualities and probably already has a drink in her hand. The rest of the evening is pretty much full of drinking, games, dancing, random people making out on available surfaces and by dawn or so people crashing all over the place. It's pretty much a wild time so use your imagination.
Lara would play some of the more skilled games - I'm think there's darts and pool - dance and socialize with people. She's extra good at the last two (not freakishly so, it's just obvious she's done this kind of thing before). She doesn't drink in excess, enough to be having a good time but not out of control or ill. She'd also keep an eye out on the new folk, including Jacob, just to make sure that he's also having a good time and not getting into anything he can't handle.
Jacob would keep on what he has on . . . He would most likely happily take part in most of the festivities . . . He would do much socializing . . . He would particularly like the drinking games . . . though not the drinking . . . he would either play the games and not drink or if they wouldn't let him do that he would probably hold out for as long as he could and then get bored and want to play so he'd join in but only play games of skill . . . hoping that his skills would save him from having to drink . . . Even without being intoxicated I think he'd fit right in with most of the people who were . . . he would probably be pretty concerned if he saw people starting to get ill from drinking . . . and he may attempt to help them . . .
If the party dragged on late into the night (assuming he didn't get really intoxicate) Jacob would probably slip away and disappear for a while . . .
Jacob tries to get involved in some of the drinking games and hanging out. At first folks are re-reluctant to let him play but he manages to get in on a few of the games and starts winning (especially since most people are nursing a bit of a buzz by the time he gets to play). The older folks start to then change up the rules on him (girls blowing the ball out of the cup, etc and other "rules" that he was not informed of, in a game of "get the underage kid drunk).
He does have a few drinks, casual observers can see that he is not used to the taste of alcohol which only makes the "game" more fun.
Things start to heat up a bit, but before they can get out of hand Jeremy steps in, makes some jokes and calms the games down, saving a potentially drunk or beat up Jacob.
Lara would also step in, having been keeping an eye on the situation.
The rest of the party goes uneventfully with people passing out, getting tired and heading home or to bed, or hooking up. Lara is asleep but is told by Jeremy later that Jacob left the house for about two hours between 3am and 5 am. Which, if anyone later asks, he admits was to go flying. But he returns and is ready to go in the morning, (in the same clothes) looking refreshed and happy. Jeremy was busy hooking up with a guy (which didn’t go anywhere much to J's sadness) to follow or see where Jacob went.
About mid day the BC crew starts gathering up their things and you head back towards BC, many a bit more hung over than not. If you notice Lara she seems more tired than in any kind of alcohol induced pain.

Jacob meets Shesu at the Greenhouse.
Part 2 of Shesu’s riddle received in his book on the day when Shesu met Jacob
Edens glass houses, filled with fear, dog, youth, then snake appear, sword follows, path unclear. The years your mission does unravel, backwards to go forward you must travel. Pacience is now required, for evil wakes and does not grow tired. Snake peruses, village seiged, the hand moves but does not see. Youth is early, dog departed. Guard the youth and do not be parted.
Alex, Lily, Lara, Jacob and Shesu go camping for the first time.

Jacob calls up Lara and invites her, so long as she can drive, on a camping trip with him and his new friend, Shesu. Lara manages to get the fencing van and calls up the other girls, inviting them along as well. Everyone goes on the camping trip. Shesu reveals that he is from a tribe in Nigeria and working at the greenhouse in Higgins, as well as the fact that he is on a quest. The clues he mentions are a One-eyed dog and a Snake. After camping Friday night and hiking throughout Saturday, they all camp out for one more night. During the hiking, the others notice that Shesu has a particular affinity to plants, with them perking up and moving towards him. The effect is very slight but noticeable. In the middle of the Saturday night Jacob goes for a walk, Shesu follows as does Lara. Shesu finds the end of Jacob trail and is confused and worried, and shares his concern for Jacob with Lara. They wake up the others and spend an hour looking for Jacob to no avail. Eventually Lily and Lara head back to the camp site to build a fire and be there in case Jacob finds his way while Shesu and Alex remain where the trail ends, Shesu up a tree and Alex at its’ base. Jacob returns to the campsite, stating to Lily and Lara that he was just hungry and out looking for berries. Lara brings back Shesu and Alex while Lily scolds Jacob. Everyone is slightly miffed at the Jacob but eventually they all head to sleep having tried to relieve him of his guilty feeling.

The next morning they are all in better moods than the night before. They head out, back to Boston, dropping the guys off and heading back to their own apartment. The girls mention to Shesu and Jacob that they do try and get out doors at least once a month and invite them along on future nature excursions. The girls discover Zack’s letter that was sent to their apartment.

After a brief discussion regarding Zack’s letter Lara receives a phone call from a worried Sam. Moments later Alex receives a similar call from James. Lily gets nervous and disappears as James comes busting through the door waving a gun and acting like it’s WW3. After a brief and heated conversation where Alex and Lara try to figure out what the hell is going on, Sam joins them and discloses that some of Lily’s records are forged and that there was some strange UFO type activity during their camping trip. This made James and her concerned and they thought they needed to take action. Sam remonstrates James for his type of action and tries to mend things as Alex seems angry at a lack of disclosure of information from her Agent. Eventually Lily comes back and after a while has a conversation with Sam, Lara and Alex. Things settle down some what and the girls realize that they are all still friends and this was just the Sam and James getting ahead of themselves in an attempt to keep Lara and Alex safe. Also during the altercation Sam discloses that part of their concern arose from strange UFO sightings that occurred while camping. Lara suggest that it might have been Jacob and asks them to determine if similar sightings had occurred during the recent trip to UNH for a fencing tournament as Jacob did a similar disappearing act that night as well. This all suggests that Jacob might be also be a metahuman. James calls around to find more information and eventually goes to find Jacob and ends up bringing him, with Shesu in tow, back to the apartment. Once back at the apartment a conversation ensues regarding powers and being metahuman. Sam and James leave the apartment as it appears that they are only continuing to piss people off and put their foot in their mouths. Lara tries to mediate the situation, revealing her glowing epee to Jacob and Shesu. Jacob the reveals that he does indeed fly with the use of huge blue wings and that he has a tattoo of a corpse of trees on his chest. Lara brings out a plant and requests that Shesu share as well. Shesu, after a bit of concern as sharing this type of secret with others is not his tribe’s way, demonstrates his ability with plants by healing Lara’s wilted one. Lily lets Jacob and Shesu know that she is not metahuman. During this time Alex has been sitting apart from the group, in the hallway, within hearing distance. Hoping that she has defused the situation and needing a drink, Lara pours herself a whiskey. Other drinks are offered and questions are posed throughout the rest of the evening. Finally the girls make Jacob leave, Shesu hopefully having taken the hint earlier also departs. Finally the girls make Jacob and Shesu leave together.
The girls then discuss matters further. Lara trying to ensure that Alex is alright given her interaction with James and her distance during the first part of the conversation. They all ensure Lily that their friendship is still strong and that they will do what they can to help her figure out her past and the records problem. Lily adamantly expresses that she’s going to figure it out too. Lara explains that Sam will also probably be looking into it as Lily is Lara’s friend and Sam likes to get to the bottom of things. The Alex and Sam, once checking with their agents respectively, provide Lily with an appropriate contact number so that in her own search Lily can use Sam and James as needed. They do this all while making some cookies to send to Zack along with a letter expressing that they hope he is alright and that they are there to help if he needs it, as well as a picture of them and Jeremy.

Lara and Lily make a point to visit, together and individually, the greenhouse in Higgins in order to keep in touch with Shesu. Lara attempt to learn more traditional African phrases. Lily spends the next month looking harried and preoccupied, if you visit the apartment she is often making phone calls to put all of her transcripts and records in order.

Sam and Lara converse over coffee about the recent weekend events. Sam says that Jacob and Shesu will get agents but not for a while. Sam is planning on breaking that ice with the two boys when that is going to occur.

The varsity fencing team has a match at Harvard University. Jacob and Lara compete. Lara is defeated by Yvette as always. Jeremy, Lily, Alex and Shesu come to watch. Jeremy and Shesu meet for the first time and Jeremy’s flamboyance makes Shesu uncomfortable. At the end of the tournament, while things are wrapping up and the team is gathering its equipment, one might notice Brian introducing Lara to a guy on the other side of the arena. He is about 6’ tall, dark hair, lean, handsome and fit looking. He has brown eyes and dresses nicely. He’s obviously not a fencer but seems to know Brian.

The girls and most likely Shesu, Jacob and Jeremy celebrate Lily’s birthday.

Lily and Alex notice that Lara’s been out a bit more frequently than usual, to the point of not coming back some evenings. After a while Lily and Alex question Lara and discover that she is in fact dating. She is rather elusive regarding the seriousness of the relationship, suggesting that she has had difficulty with such matters in the past.

BC hosts the fencing team from the University of Massachusetts. Lara wins both of her events and the team wins as well. She receives a bouquet of roses at the apartment.

Lily finds out that her records had indeed been forged by a social service worker who was dismayed by the mishandling of her records and a desire to ensure that her acceptance to college would not be hampered by the mistakes of the social service agency. Lily is super excited. Sam calls Lara and lets her know that given the resolution of the forged records issues, they would like to offer Lily a position at the Agency if she is interested. Lara offers to get everyone together and meet and discuss said possibilities.

Samantha Wyld arranges for an agency van to pick up Jacob and take him flying every Friday.
That night Jacob find Abdul returned and tells him about everything.

A meeting with James, Sam, Alex, Lara and Lily occurs at a nearby coffee shop. Lily is offered a position at the Agency by Sam and James and, provided that all of the details to be provided in an information packet are to her liking, she accepts. The packet will arrive in a few months, as it will take some time to get everything together and worked out at the Agency.

Shesu moves into Professor Goodwin’s Apartment

Jacob takes Shesu flying.

Jacob tells all the girls about taking Shesu flying and offers to take them if they ever want to go. He explains that Samantha Wild has made arrangements for a van to pick him up every Friday and drive him to an unpopulated location so that he may spend a few hours flying. Lara would take Jacob up on his flying offer.

Lara leaves for Thanksgiving vacation early in order to interview at the University of Washington Medical School. She looks forward to meeting everyone else for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving – at the Governors Mansion

Scout is very friendly to everyone, but seems to avoid, even to the point of slightly growling at Jacob. Andy apologizes and keeps Scout away from Jacob throughout the rest of the visit.

Lara continues to be gone some evenings but she makes a point of not letting it effect her school work, fencing or her friendship with the other girls.

The girls go flying with Jacob.

The New England NCAA regional fencing tournament occurs at Boston University. Lara looses her two events to Yvette and the BC team comes in second. At the end of the tournament Lara, as always is rather frustrated at her continued defeats to Yvette. Michael is in attendance and they talk for a bit in the arena as the tournament closes down. The rest of the characters might notice this should any of them be observant or in attendance.

Jacob performs in the Bonn Theater’s all-male production of “The Taming of the Shrew” as Christopher Sly on the 8th and 10th. On the 9th he stands in as Bianca , the part for which he understudied because the other actor falls ill. On the 8th and 9th he must rush from the tournament to make the play. All are invited. Lara would definitely attend, having helped out with the dueling techniques.

Zack’s second letter arrives.

Zack’s second letter arrives at the girl’s apartment. The girls again are determined to show him their support by writing a response similar in tone to the first, hoping that he is alright and that he can contact them at any time should he need help.

Salutations,

Lara goes home for Christmas. Lily stays in Boston, and is more than willing to get together with, hang out, and generally celebrate with anyone else still in the city. She gets her usual intern job at the hospital during the break. Jacob stays in the city and spends much of his time with Lily (and I presume, Shesu).

Lara is still away some afternoons and evenings, presumably with Michael.

The Varsity Fencing Team hosts Amherst for a tournament. Lara wins at the saber but looses her foil bought. The BC team comes in second.

Lara interviews at Harvard Medical School and returns back early the next morning.

The Varsity Fencing Team goes to MIT for a tournament. Lara wins both of her events, as does the BC team. Another bouquet of roses arrives for Lara at the apartment.

Lara travels to Baltimore for her interviews at John Hopkins University, letting Lily and Alex know that she should be back on the 18th.

Jacob performs at the Rob sham Theater’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” as Perchik. All are invited. Soon afterwards Jacob’s weekly flying excursion are moved from Friday to Wednesday because he’s forced to miss too many excursions for play rehearsals and performances.

Lara returns early from Baltimore and comes back to the apartment visibly angry and tired. Her knuckles are visibly red, freshly scratched and a little bloodied, although they look washed and adequately treated. She starts going into the kitchen to pour herself a drink but after a glance at the whiskey bottle in her hand slides it back on to the counter in disgust. The girls find out that something bad has happened between her and Michael, but Jeremy interrupts any additional conversation at that time. He seems to have already heard the news and manages to perk Lara up by dancing her about and finally convinces them all to go clubbing in order to take Lara’s mind off of things. Alex and Lily join in. Lara does eventually loosen up and is more of her old self, dancing with numerous guys.

Under Lily’s suggestion, they go hiking. Lara stays more quiet than usual, but tries to keep a happy demeanor.

Before practice, Lara tapes up her scratched knuckles. During practice Lara approaches Brian and they seem to be having a conversation. It ends with the two of them walking to the empty side of the gym, facing off, saluting and putting on their helmets. They fence across the floor, both fighting fiercely, Lara finally striking the ending blow. At the end of the bought they both take off their helmets, Lara punching Brian playfully in the torso before giving him a hug. Lily watches intently, but chooses not to comment.

Lilys Agency packet arrives

The Varsity Fencing Team goes to the University of Connecticut for a tournament. Lara wins both of her events. The BC team comes in second.

The Varsity Fencing Team goes to Harvard University for a tournament. Lara looses both events to Yvette, the BC team comes in second.

Jacob performs with My Mother’s Fleabag (BC’s Improv Group) All are invited. Lara would definitely be there having been forced to miss the previous “Fiddler on the Roof” performance.

Jeremy tells Lara about an exciting opportunity to work on a super hush hush program for the NSA, he knows he shouldn’t but he lets slip that it has to do with AI, but then quickly tells her that he really can’t say anything more and doesn’t even know if he’ll be accepted.

Lara is accepted at John Hopkins. Lily and Jacob (and I'm assuming all of the others) take Lara out to dinner and dancing to celebrate. Lara buys everyone drinks and has a super good time dancing and living it up. She would do her best to enable Jacob to join in the fun since he’s underage (flirting with bouncers etc).

The New England NCAA regional fencing tournament occurs at Boston College. Lara comes in second in both events, to Yvette. The BC team comes in first.

Peter North, Agent 002 is introduced to Shesu and Jacob as their agent.

Jacob tells the girls that yesterday the agency introduced him and Shesu to Peter North, their agent. He tells the girls all about Peter. Lara is supportive of this new development and encourages both Jacob and Shesu to try and befriend their new Agent as it can make life easier in lots of ways.

Jeremy announces that he has been accepted to a special program with the NSA, he cant share the details but is clearly very excited about it. He takes everyone out for Chinese food to celebrate.

Jacob is a senior week volunteer. Attends each senior week event and attempts to spend as much time with Lara, Lily, and Alex as possible. Lara goes on all of the Senior events she can.

Jacob perform in the Newton Community Theater’s production of “ Harold and Maude” as Harold. All are invited. Peter North attends. Lara would attend and be interested in meeting Peter North if possible.

Zack’s third letter arrives at the girls apartment. The girls determine to try and send him another letter that includes all of their new contact information and news of their whereabouts after graduation so that if needed he can contact them. Lara is going to go to Baltimore at the start of August.

Salutations,

BC Graduation for Jeremy, Lily, Lara and Alex. Lara’s parents, her Uncle Joe and her brother Andy all show up for the festivities. Jacob attends the graduation. Jeremy’s uncle arrives as well.
Jeremy is picked up by his NSA contact that same day and leaves for his new job in California.
That night Shesu discovers a new clue and shares it with Jacob
Part 3 of Shesu’s riddle received on Girls' Graduation Day
The fated found, the pawns assembled, but not yet the world does tremble. Twenty four seasons now will pass, while evil works to break the glass. When dog returns on blackest night, the glass house breaks and begins the fight.

After a trek down the Appalachian Trail, Lara moves to Baltimore, MD to attend John Hopkins.

Lily moves to New York to begin her Agency Training Program.

Jacob graduates with honors with a degree in Philosophy. He also minored in history and film.

Jacob begins his masters in Bio Physics (also at Boston College).

Lara sends out new contact information to everyone. She is still in Baltimore but has moved to a new apartment.

Alexandra takes a special lecture course from Chef Bartle Renard, she impresses him, eventually leading him to offer her a job in his kitchen upon her graduation.

Alex graduates from Culinary School with top honors, and an offer to start working as kitchen staff for Chef Bartle Renard, head chef of Savor, one of the top ranked restaurants in Paris.

Jacob receives his masters in Biophysics (with honors).

Lara starts her first year of residency

Alex begins working at Savor as a Sue Chef.

Jacob begins work on a Ph D in Biophysics (again, at Boston College).

Alex is promoted, when there is a disagreement between Chef Renard, and his current saucee. Over the next year Alex becomes Chef Renards, “right hand man.” And heading up the restaurants very successful catering service.

The group receives goofy pictures of Lara and Alex in Paris, particularly a picture posing in the kitchen of Savor, with a funny caption having something to do with Lara chopping being not nearly as safe as Lara fencing.

Lara goes to Afghanistan as part of a Doctors without Borders program.

Jeremy Ito is moved to France to continue work on a special project. Again, Alex is sure to meet up with him over the next month as he moves in (more or less depending on his proximity to Paris) and again sends out a bunch of silly pictures to the group, lamenting the end of the college photo wall and asking others for pictures in return.

Savor caters a political event for a trade treaty, sitting in on the dinner is Vance Black, Jr Sentator behind the bill. He and Alex catch eyes across the room and he ends the night pressing his way into the kitchens and asking her out. He continues, rather relentlessly in a romantic way to persue Alex, showing up at the restaurant with roses the next day, and flying her to Germany for a “Date.”

Charlie company of the 36th airborne is all but wiped out when investigating a cave system unearthed in an explosion.

Augustus Marshal arrives in Afghanistan

Augustus, his troops, Lara and Sam head out and they recover goop and true silver runes from the prision.

Chef Renard is interested in opening a restaurant, another Savor in the states, and asks Alex to head up the operation. The requisite phone call to the gang saying that she’ll be moving back to Chicago in the next week.

Alex moves to Chicago, the future sight of the restaurant, Vance finds her there, and continues the romance.

Alex’s parents meet her and Vance for dinner to celebrate Alex’s success, as well as meet Vance.

Vance asks Alex to marry him and accompany him back to the states, in his own forceful way he has allready gotten the “okay” from her parents.

Lara returns from Afghanistan to Baltimore.

Lara advertises for a roommate since Andy has moved out.

Vance and Alexandra’s wedding, small ceremony, Alex’s parents and guests invited.

Alex returns from her honeymoon, and James tries to calmly warn Alex that he thinks there is something up with Vance, and that hes trying not to over-react like last time but his campaign finances appear to be funded by a company with ties to a Russian human trafficking outfit. Alex will hear nothing of it, especially considering what happened last time. She distances herself a bit from James.

Sam tells Lara shes a bit worried about Alex, she all but kicked James out of her life, and James is worried that something is up with her new husband but hes trying not to overreact like last time.

The new restaurant is scheduled to open next month, but is running into all kinds of red tape, that is just above Alex’s head, seeming all the loving husband Vance offers to take care of all that financial crap so that Alex can focus on cooking. She accepts.

In just two weeks Vance, with the help of his associates who are constantly around the restaurant (Two large gents Tony and Ben), who answer only to Vance, manages to clear the restaurant for opening.

Savory, Savor’s America version opens to rave reviews, in Chicago

Zack shows up at Lara’s apartment having been shot and bearing the watch and needing a place to hide out.
Jack Cooper announces his Presidential candidacy

Alex working late at the restaurant starts to see weird things, vans delivering things she didn’t order, unlabled crates in the freezer, and strange expenses on the books.

Alex confronts Vance about the weird things going on, Vance tells her not to worry and denies it. She manages to shake it off for a bit but eventually her curiosity gets the better of her.

Alex continues to investigate, eventually sneaking in and breaking open one of the crates, which to her horror she discovers is full of human body parts!

Jeremy’s last email communicate to Lara pre incident.

Jeremy avoids death by uploading himself to the half completed AI module.
Alex discovers that the Savory Restaurant is being used by Vance to smuggle in truckloads of human body parts. But she doesnt know why. Vance's "associates" Ben and Tony find Alex with "the goods" bind her and take her back to her apartment. They call Vance and ask him what they should do with her, and he says to "get rid of her but make it look like an accident". They light the apartment on fire and leave her for dead. However she is immune to heat so escapes the flames and goes into hiding. Little does she know that James, her agent has been following her the whole time, and when he rushes in to save her is caught in the flames.
Alex, wanting to as secretly as possible let her friends know that she is okay, sends a mailing with the new of the fire, and a sunburst sticker to Jacob, Lara, Lilly and Shesu.
Alex starts a job at a shop across the street from her old apartment, and is unsure of what to do next.

Day of a Eclipse visible from Boston.
Alex, Zack and Lara arrive in BC after reuniting in Chicago.
Goreshade is at Boston College and goes to Professor Goodwin's apartment and kills him, then heads to Campus Proper. Jacob and Shesu are waiting on top of McGuinn and a fight breaks out on top of Higgins. Goreshade is fighting Peter North, Agent 002 on top of Higgins, and Jacob flies over to do battle. Shesu runs over to Higgins, and is running up the stairs to get to the roof, when Alex and Lara and Zack arrive on the scene and they run after Shesu. After some fighting, Goreshade is hurt badly enough that he curls up for a moment, and our brave heroes take the opportunity to run away as fast as possible.
Peter and the Heroes then fight. Peter calls in the ‘fight’ and instructs them to “knock him” out and leave him on the beach. That way he wouldn't be on the hook for letting them go, and he could still work within the agency for us. During the fight he shows them his cell phone that tells them of Lilly’s capture and transport. Jacob, Lara, Alex, Shesu and Zack attempt to rescue Lily from the Agency who has taken her captive after her secret identity is revealed.
They attack a convoy that has Lily captured and are joined by Lily's sister and brother. Lily's brother is weilding a guitar and does massive damage. Lily's sister does even more damage with some telekinesis.
They go to Lily's fathers house, Professor Grant and learn about Cold Steel.
Part 4 and 5 of Shesu’s riddle received in the car post highway battle
The guardian burned, the eclipse has turned, the hand's shadow holds the missing, the watchdog heart is now ticking.
The last is trapped, the shadow seeks, the hollow sister's envy reeks. Evil seeks you at every turn, the path away to garden's return. The doctor threatened, the brothers meet, the artificial now does seek. The daughter of the oldest one, you can trust the golden tongue. The watchdog's heart holds the key that opens doorways still unseen.

We head to Chicago investigate Alex's restaurant in Chicago. There is a section where Lara and others follow a doctor around a hospital that leads back to Savoy.
Believing it is a hoax, since Alex is supposed to be dead, we are thwarted in communicated with Alex's staff.
We wait out the evening and break into the kitchen where we discover bitty baby and human parts.
We end up on a tanker ship following the body bits.
We end up jumping off and escaping the vessel prior to its full departure from some dock.
We sneak into Vance's office where we end up fighting Vance, Tony and Ben.
We escape the offices and are confronted by Augustus Marshall, but are rescued by Dauntless.
After a brief argument where Lara seems ok with talking with Augustus, the gang goes with Dauntless.
We meet Huntress who recognizes Zack and Jacob's mark from Abdul. But she's all shady and unclear about it's meaning. We flee for our lives before the Huntress who is sidetracked by Goreshade, facilitating our escape.
The group is contacted by Jessica Gates, to attack Vlad's facility in France.
We make an agreement to take down this facility in France.
We try and find Jeremy and do make contact via a computer.
We get to stay at a really nice hotel.
Part 6 of Shesu’s riddle received in the hotel before the lab fight
A ship at sea will soon go down, its dying call wears the crown. A queen of jokers hides the list, upon her life the fates do twist. The brothers four who would be five, their downfall now will be their pride. The old man leads into the black, unknown to him it is a trap. The sword of death seeks the door, the Aztec gate to eden's floor.
During the assault on the lab, many Jacobs are discovered. Jacob destroys the hardware in the basement, including all the records which would have connected Vance's operation to Vlad.
Jacob touches cold steel for the first time.
Deathblade steals the watch from Zack, crushes the watch and reveals the Key. Shesu fights Deathblade and the Right Hand, nearly killing Shesu with shared enjoyment for Zack and Lara. Deathblade leaves, with incoming jets on his heels, having obtained what he wanted, the Key.
After the fight they return to the hotel.
Part 7 of Shesu’s riddle received in hotel the day after the lab fight
Against you now the sands do pour two noonday rise till evil storms the door, if the sword of corruption is not stopped, doom for all the quest for naught. The edge now seeks the empty shell, the orb of power, the mind as well. The secret ones hold the orb, they must not fall to the lost ones' sword. Save the garden break the alliance, they strike against they who silence. The jihad of old begins anew if queen of jokers is lost to you.
At some point Genevive is taken over by IT.

From France they end up on a boat that is attacked by the TheAllianceOfHumanity Alliance of Humanity.
Jacob and Lara end up diving into the cold ocean to pull up survivors.
Lara and Alex attempt to contact Sam and James but cannot get through via normal Agency routes.
Jeremy suggests to Lara to check her voicemail at her apartment in Baltimore.
On Lara's answering machine is a message from Sam saying they are making there way somewhere safe.
With that route ended, Zack charters a plane and they fly to investigate a small town in Siberia because Jacob is under the impression that he is receiving radio instructions from that location.
Jacob investigates the radio tower, trying to find information about the orders in his head.
Zack buys Vodka.
They leave and fly towards South America.
We are in the same plane that Zack has chartered which the Jacobs attack - Jacob takes Zack and Lara and they jump out of the plane to fight. They fight in the air against Jacobs. The pilot of the plane attempts to pull the plane out of a tailspin.
Lara pops one of the Jacob's pretty blue bits (She's on Jacob's back, along with Zack - who is touching her with his power active) and everyone goes tumbling into the sea. The explosion condenses and a piece of cold steel appears at the center.
Lara ends up with a sword that stays around.
We travel over water via Jacob to the nearest land which turns out to be Japan. Jeremy provides assistance getting an uber military plan which we use to go to South America.

We end up in South America at the temple of the Huntress.
Jacob and Shesu talk with Peter while the others, in hiding look on.
Peter and Augustus go inside the temple. They tell us not to come and and that if we want to help to keep anything else from following them in. Peter looks at us from a far before putting a poker chip in the brick of the temple.
Shesu and Alex go into the temple and Alex retrieves the poker chip that Peter left in the wall, taking it with her. As they enter the temple shifts and moves and tries to crush them/block them/the Huntress jumps out of the walls sometimes.
Jacob flies Lara around fighting things, specifically, therobots, although the Right Hand, and numerous Jacobs are present - but the Jacobs and the Right Hand are pretty involved with each other) until they hear screaming in the jungle.
Jacob drops Lara and Zack off in the area of screaming where they find a camp that has had all of it's occupants killed and burned. They find no survivors but gather some Agency equipment and then head back towards the temple following a trail left by the murderer.
One of the Jacobs falls from the sky and Lara gets hurt trying to catch him and saves his life.
At some point the Jacobs are all killed and we take out the Right Hand but Lara and Jacob refuse to kill him, instead allowing its goop to remain on the ground and eventually move away.
Jacob hacks away at the top of the temple with Lara's sword that she got as a result of the prior fight in the air with the Jacobs - the Huntresses voice yells at him - until he gets down to runey/coldsteel bits at which point the sword blinks out of existence when he hits the coldsteel.
Jacob, Lily/Genevieve/Left Hand and Zack go into the temple.
Lara eventually joins them in the temple upon her Jeremy controlled robot throne.
A fight continues with the Huntress where Augustus is apparently killed and is joined by Shesu and Alex. Peter is apparently killed saving Alex and Shesu kicks major butt
Alex gets cut by Deathblade and has bad bits in her.
The crew (minus Augustus and Peter) escape into Paradise Lost using the gate in the Temple and the key from Zack’s watch..
Part 8 of Shesu’s riddle received across the gate to Paradise Lost.
The other half who came before now stalks through the halls of yore. The wolf remained and roams the sanctum unable to die, like a phantom. Together they seek the God of Death, a thousand lives upon his breath. His corpse they seek upon this night the path unseen into the light. Escape they will but fear not, you must leave with the one all forgot. The living stone must be saved or the world will reach an early grave.
They travel through Paradise Lost and find a big house.
Upon investigation they discover letters written by Knights, boxes full of Cold Steel artifacts and Golem who really likes Shesu. They actually see the Left hand and Jackal carrying the box together - when they see us they put down the coffin and the left hand pulls something from it's chest hands it to Jackal and disappears . . . Jackal then picks up the coffin by himself and resumes moving toward the exit.
They try and stop Jackal from leaving with the coffin of Zaizen.
A fight ensues since Jacob and Zack stand firm against letting the Jackal leave with the coffin.
At some point Zaizan's body becomes reanimated and it's actually Zaizen that kills Jackal when he rips a rune out of Jackal's forehead.
Lara cuts off a rune on Zaizens head and nearly dies as it completely eliminates the flesh on her right arm, but is saved by Zack and Shesu.
Zaizen's body is able to escape but we get through the gate after him in order to escape Paradise Lost
They use a toothpick from within the Huntress’ temple to escape and end up at Never Never Land, the Agency space station.

We get to the Never Never Land, the Agency space station, and fight with Goreshade who is there trying to obtain the Orb, the container holding Zaizen’s power..
We end up saving Gateway an older metahuman woman, who has runes carved on her head and has the power of teleportation. The orb is lost to Goreshade but the rest manage to take a shuttle back down to earth. They discover that during the trip between Never Never Land and Earth, metahuman abilities are lost.
Part 9 of Shesu’s riddle received after deorbit
Allies you must gather to proceed. Lightning, Sun and Queen to succeed. Against your wishes you must proceed, a form to give the Corrupter reprive. Without a body he remains, only together can he find the grave. The evil ones final pyre will be seeded with life, energy, and fire. With a sword and fire of might you must strike at the heart of night. Sword of blackness will strike the heart, living steel is the spark. The knight ends the storm of doom. A one-dog eye against the gloom. The future is now unclear, be thou brave and do not fear. The quest end is now here, fight, survive, the path is clear. Darkness ends this coming night, today will end the endless fight.
We end up in Oregon after reading the riddle to meet Joe Cooper, who knows Gateway, as well as reuniting with Sam and James who have taken refuge there after the inner turmoil within the Agency. Golem takes away the nasty bit out of the rune now on Lara's right upper arm.
In order to obtain the Lightening mentioned by the riddle, Jacob ends up in a situation where he has to fight the Old Man who has captured Abdul. They are transported by Gateway to that location. They tell Jacob the only way they'll let him see Abdul is if he fights. Jacob agrees and he gets to see Abdul who was, hitherto, trapped in a big Tesla thing. There's a discussion as to whether or not Jacob should try to win or just submit. Abdul basically says do whatever. The logic is your going to fight Zaizen so you want someone who is in the brotherhood so they cant be killed.
Jacob's mentor, AbdulOmarMohammed Abdul Omar Mohammed is allowed to meet with Jacob and talks with him about the Brotherhood.
Jacob and Shesu talk and Jacob comes to the decision to fight BenjaminGates Benjamin Gates .
Jacob fights the Old Man and kills him, thus becoming a member of the Brotherhood.
During the fighting the others come to the conclusion that Jessica is cheating in some way and they have her tied up by the end of the fight, which is very entertaining.
They all leave together via the toothpick to go back to Oregon where Joe and Sam are waiting.
Shesu, Jacob, Abdul, Lara, Zack, Alex, Lily/Genevieve/Left Hand, Sam, Golem and Joe go into Zaizen's fortress to stop the reunification of Zaizen. They deck themselves out with cold steel weaponry and armor including spurs that enable fast movement and a monocle that is given to Zack.
The intrepid heroes arrive via assistance from Gateway, and end up at a crazy volcano fortress. There are some serious traps on the way including a crazy shrinking hallway and fireballs but Golem helps our folks get through those.
There appears to be a bruhaha starting outside that Jeremy is able to deal with using his absconded Japanese plane.
Our heroes come to a room filled which is a cave pool filled with black goop at the bottom, which makes Lilyveve very happy, along with some rocky platforms rising up out of the surface.
There are two other exits, one to Zaizen's lair, and one to the Right Hand's lair.
Lara, Zack, Shesu, Joe, Sam, Alex and Lily/Genevieve/Left Hand, Abdul and Jacob fight a Snake Guy, a Fire Guy formerly an Agent with the code name Burnout and DeathBlade at a lava pit. Snake Guy is toasted pretty immediately. Sam takes out Burnout with a shot in his knee.
Lily/Left Hand is overcome by her lefthandedness and turns against our heroes, stealing Zaizan's Mind that is within a Puzzle Box brought by Abdul, and sending a long tendril into the room with Zaizan with the mind, and then she ruckuses against us. At some point we hear Zaizan do an evil evil laugh.
Joe and Deathblade duke it out. During that fight Deathblade strikes at Lara but she heals almost immediately due to the run on her arm.
Lily, Lara and Shesu fight, with Lily merging in and out of the black goop. Lara and Shesu do a LOT of damage, but Genelily is basically invincible here.
Deathblade fires point blank at Lara but she heals immediately.
Lily recovers control of her mind, and shouts "It's me" and is not believed right away. Shesu gets Deathblade. He is momentarily consumed by the blade but then overcomes it.
Sam and Joe head towards Zaizen, followed by Lara and Zack, Shesu and Alex.
As they do that - Jacob and Golem join Abdul who's already fighting the Right Hand in a different room. They succeed in killing the Right Hand. Golum changes one of Jacob's cold steel runes to speed so they can meet up with the others faster but Abdul remains behind having fought nearly to his end against the Right Hand.
The Left Hand tries to thwart things. She activates the Puzzle Box.
Lara, with assistance from Zack to amplify her abilities, tries to cut off the rune on Zaizens head and force him to yield but fails
Jacob and Golem fly into the room with Zaizen.
Golem adds new runes to DeathBlade.
Joe burns a hole into Zaizen revealing the orb in the center.
Sam fires at the orb with her special gun and explodes the Orb at his center.
The lights go out.
Zack manifests and tells everyone to "Hit Me".
Alex and Joe send a fireball at him, Lara extends her blade to Zaizen through Jacob's wing, and the others follow suit.
There is a big explosion and everyone ends up in an empty volcano crater that is now apparently Zaizen free.
They all head back to Oregon to rest and recouperate.

Jacob and Abdul, Shesu, Eve and Golem, and Alex go there separate ways from Joesph Coopers cabin in Oregon. Zack and Lara remain behind.