A Long Time Coming (Will/Ruth)

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Quarters]

Will gave her a playful smile "I was only yanking your chain. We have more then enough time to get to know each other because I don't plan on ever leaving you. I am going to be a thorn in your side!" He took a pause while he thought for a minute.

"Well" he began, sitting forward in his chair "My full name is William Quentin Waring. I was born 2372, Enlisted at the Technical Academy in 2392 as a Transporter Operator. I met my fiancée, well my late fiancée, there." As always he hid his sadness for the most part. He didn't need Ruth feeling sad for him right now. "She returned to her ship, with my unborn child that she didn't tell me about, and I got assigned to the Discovery under Capt. Harriman. That's were I met Kyle and saved him from a Cargo Bay. Not long after that I was promoted to Ensign of Operations then Lt(JG), then Full Lieutenant on the Arizona under Capt Tulley. I was then reassigned after the Horizon Incident to the Britannia under Capt C. Anderson as Executive Officer but only served one mission until I was reassigned to the Chin'Toka as XO under Capt D. Booth until Capt Brown was put in command and I was demoted back to COO and Lt Cmdr Wyman took my place. After having a worm wrapped around my brain might I add." He took a deep breath "And that brings us to present day. Oh, I also play a trumpet and play Golf and Bowling on the Holodeck although I have my own equipment. I also have a fondness for Vulcans because they are just great Ops Personnel!"

He took a drink and gave her a look of satisfaction. "I think that sums me up pretty well. I missed a few things of course but I rushed. Now then, Ms Sigurdsdottir" he asked as he leaned on the table "What makes you, you."

Struggling to keep a straight face, but knowing after mentioning his late fiancee he would need something funny, Ruth said "Axes... throwing axes."

The laugh breaking free she said seriously, "Um... dunno, how about you ask me what you want to know and I'll answer as honestly as I can?!"

[William Waring]

Struggling to keep a straight face, but knowing after mentioning his late fiancee he would need something funny, Ruth said "Axes... throwing axes."

The laugh breaking free she said seriously, "Um... dunno, how about you ask me what you want to know and I'll answer as honestly as I can?!"

[Quarters]

"I know about the axes. God knows you have threatened me with them enough!" He joined in on the laughter. "You're a strange one, dear. A strange one indeed." He shook his head and continued "Well. You were born on Earth. Your family lives there I assume so tell me. What was it like back at your home? I want to hear your history. You know, like who decided to let you get throwing axes because I may need to speak with them!"

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Quarters]

"I know about the axes. God knows you have threatened me with them enough!" He joined in on the laughter. "You're a strange one, dear. A strange one indeed." He shook his head and continued "Well. You were born on Earth. Your family lives there I assume so tell me. What was it like back at your home? I want to hear your history. You know, like who decided to let you get throwing axes because I may need to speak with them!"

"I don't think they really had much choice," Ruth laughed.  "... though the pair in my quarters was my 21st birthday gift from Father.  I don't think even Mother knows about them unless the twins have put her wise by now.  Actually it started when I was around 8 years old.  Some of the boys were teasing me, we were chopping kindling, you know, for the fire, and I just picked up the axe and threw it with such accuracy he had to duck to stop me from giving him a side parting!"

She giggled remembering the time.

"I'm afraid I'm pretty lethal with them but I only use them on people I don't like!  Now you wanted to know about the family and my history... let's get a bit comfier shall we?"

She crossed to the bed, plumped up the pillows against the headboard, rolled up the duvet like a bolster to run along their backs and patted the bed.  "Don't get any ideas, it's just probably the comfiest place to sit!"

Once Will had joined her she began her story.

"I was born near Reykjavik in Iceland, but because Father got a job in Norway and had the choice of a rather long comute or not seeing us for long periods of time, we moved when I was 3 to just outside of Trondheim in Norway.  We being Mother, the dog and I.  My twin sisters were born about a year later... I think Father was rather happy about having Mother around 24/7!  They are named Anja and Katja and are redheaded like me and just younger versions of me but twice the trouble.  Thing is, they don't have to make the mistakes I did and have rather perfected their mischieviousness! And at 15, they haven't improved any!"

Ruth snuggled up and laid her head on Will's shoulder.

"What else do you want to know?"

[William Waring]

"I don't think they really had much choice," Ruth laughed.  "... though the pair in my quarters was my 21st birthday gift from Father.  I don't think even Mother knows about them unless the twins have put her wise by now.  Actually it started when I was around 8 years old.  Some of the boys were teasing me, we were chopping kindling, you know, for the fire, and I just picked up the axe and threw it with such accuracy he had to duck to stop me from giving him a side parting!"

She giggled remembering the time.

"I'm afraid I'm pretty lethal with them but I only use them on people I don't like!  Now you wanted to know about the family and my history... let's get a bit comfier shall we?"

She crossed to the bed, plumped up the pillows against the headboard, rolled up the duvet like a bolster to run along their backs and patted the bed.  "Don't get any ideas, it's just probably the comfiest place to sit!"

Once Will had joined her she began her story.

"I was born near Reykjavik in Iceland, but because Father got a job in Norway and had the choice of a rather long comute or not seeing us for long periods of time, we moved when I was 3 to just outside of Trondheim in Norway.  We being Mother, the dog and I.  My twin sisters were born about a year later... I think Father was rather happy about having Mother around 24/7!  They are named Anja and Katja and are redheaded like me and just younger versions of me but twice the trouble.  Thing is, they don't have to make the mistakes I did and have rather perfected their mischieviousness! And at 15, they haven't improved any!"

Ruth snuggled up and laid her head on Will's shoulder.

"What else do you want to know?"

[Quarters]

Will swan dived into the bed and hit the mattress with a thud. He lifted his face from the fabric of the bed and looked at Ruth with a childish grin "That was strangely satisfying." He rolled to his back and slid up next to Ruth "You must think I only want to sleep with you." He gave a look of mock offense "I am a perfect gentleman." He leaned in close and whispered "I'm partly out of commission, if ya get me."

He sat back up and continued to speak "One" he began as he counted along on his fingers "I hope I am never on the receiving end of those axes. Two, god help your parents. They have to put up with two of you! You are a handful to handle! I can't imagine two!"

Will moved his arm so that it was positioned around Ruth and spoke. "Well, I would like to know what got you interested in Starfleet. For me it was a generational thing. Ever since the Coalition of Planets my family has served aboard a Starship and I am the only one of my family still on Active Duty. I would like to see one of myÁ¢â,¬" our children, should we have any, be part of Starfleet. Especially if they have our brains!"

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Quarters]

Will swan dived into the bed and hit the mattress with a thud. He lifted his face from the fabric of the bed and looked at Ruth with a childish grin "That was strangely satisfying." He rolled to his back and slid up next to Ruth "You must think I only want to sleep with you." He gave a look of mock offense "I am a perfect gentleman." He leaned in close and whispered "I'm partly out of commission, if ya get me."

He sat back up and continued to speak "One" he began as he counted along on his fingers "I hope I am never on the receiving end of those axes. Two, god help your parents. They have to put up with two of you! You are a handful to handle! I can't imagine two!"

Will moved his arm so that it was positioned around Ruth and spoke. "Well, I would like to know what got you interested in Starfleet. For me it was a generational thing. Ever since the Coalition of Planets my family has served aboard a Starship and I am the only one of my family still on Active Duty. I would like to see one of myÁ¢â,¬" our children, should we have any, be part of Starfleet. Especially if they have our brains!"

Playfully mocking Will's method of talking, Ruth mimicked him.

"One - Don't do anything to be on the recieving end.  Two - My parents are probably used to it given that they are hardened Viking types.  Three - Out of commission? and Four - well two things.  I'm a Scientist, that might give you some clue, my specialisation is Stellar Cartography and what better way to study the stars than being up close and personal.  Also I used to fly high wing single engine monoplanes, for fun.  I wanted to fly, combine the two and there's only really one employer that's going to fit the bill!!"

She laughed thinking about it.

"To be honest there wasn't a lot keeping me in Trondheim.  I mean I love my family and all, but there's only so much that would keep me there.  Sure it's where I grew up but other than the University of Science and Industry... where naturally I studied, there's not a lot going for it.  Some tourism of course there's some that come to see Nidaros Cathedral which is undoubtedly beautiful but there was nothing there tat I couldn't go visit.  You know like my parents could live anywhere in the universe and I'd go visit them, there's nothing special about Trondheim for me.  Besides..."

Ruth regarded her toes like they were the most fascinating thing ever, she really didn't want to bring this up but if there was ever anything going to come of her and Will she had to tell him.

"Just as I was about to finish University, and because of my good grades and the favour of the professors there... which I had mostly because I was able to forego the boozing every night and actually studied unlike most of my peers, and didn't turn up to lectures hung over or stoned, I did graduate.  But I had to miss my graduation ceremony, and about 3 months of the end of University which I finished by correspondence course.  You see, this red hair..."

She picked up a strand and it looked like she was checking it for split ends, it was of course perfect having had it styled recently.

"... got me all the boys, even the ones I didn't want.  and I was trying to complete my education, the last thing I needed was to get pregnant.  Unfortunately there were a group of boys who weren't too happy about me not 'putting out'.  I would go to the cinema, bowling that sort of thing and hang out, but I wouldn't be out all night getting drunk.  And they didn't like that.  The ringleader decided to take me down a peg or two and he and two of his cronies waylaid me on the way out of a late lecture, I'm talking finishing around 8pm... you gotta remember this was Norway and late March... it was dark...frog marched me to some secluded spot and proceded to... to..."

Ruth choked on her words forcing back the bile that was rising, and determined not to cry.  Taking a deep shuddering breath she carried on.

"... to rape me.  Of course I didn't have my axes on me or they'd have had no chance at all.  That said I didn't go down without a fight and the reason I missed 3 months of University is that they beat me unconscious and broke a few bones.  I spent that time in hospital.  All 3 of them apparently ... you know.  Well, that's what was said.  I don't know how long I was there but it was only because I didn't show up at the coffee shop that my friend Trina came looking for me with her brothers and found me, got me to hospital and called the police.  Once I could speak, my jaw was broken, I gave descriptions and names of the attackers and they got 5 years each.  Well I was just completing my masters degree when they got parole and they were hellbent on getting revenge... I managed to elude them so long but it was getting to the point that Trondheim was getting to be too small for the two of us so to speak, so although I broke my mothers heart, she didn't know about the rape, only that I'd been attacked, I left and joined Shadowfleet... and that is kinda that.  I was going to anyhow but timing wise, my hand was forced a little."

Ruth sighed. Head on one side thinking.

"I did for a while worry about my sisters, but if the guys touched them they'd not only have the potential rape and attack crimes pinned on them but as the girls are only 15 at the moment and were a lot younger when I left home, like 13 at the time, the whole 'minors' thing would have made it a whole lot worse for them.  Besides, the Chief of Police there is like my uncle.  No relation but y'know like best friend of my Father and when we were younger we called him 'Uncle Nils'.  If the two reprobates known as my younger sisters were harmed in any way, shape, or form, their attackers would have had the wrath of the Gods, or just Uncle Nils, which is probably worse!"

She laughed.

"Oh and children?!  Easy tiger, let's get to dating steadily before we think of that one!"

[William Waring]

Playfully mocking Will's method of talking, Ruth mimicked him.

"One - Don't do anything to be on the recieving end.  Two - My parents are probably used to it given that they are hardened Viking types.  Three - Out of commission? and Four - well two things.  I'm a Scientist, that might give you some clue, my specialisation is Stellar Cartography and what better way to study the stars than being up close and personal.  Also I used to fly high wing single engine monoplanes, for fun.  I wanted to fly, combine the two and there's only really one employer that's going to fit the bill!!"

She laughed thinking about it.

"To be honest there wasn't a lot keeping me in Trondheim.  I mean I love my family and all, but there's only so much that would keep me there.  Sure it's where I grew up but other than the University of Science and Industry... where naturally I studied, there's not a lot going for it.  Some tourism of course there's some that come to see Nidaros Cathedral which is undoubtedly beautiful but there was nothing there tat I couldn't go visit.  You know like my parents could live anywhere in the universe and I'd go visit them, there's nothing special about Trondheim for me.  Besides..."

Ruth regarded her toes like they were the most fascinating thing ever, she really didn't want to bring this up but if there was ever anything going to come of her and Will she had to tell him.

"Just as I was about to finish University, and because of my good grades and the favour of the professors there... which I had mostly because I was able to forego the boozing every night and actually studied unlike most of my peers, and didn't turn up to lectures hung over or stoned, I did graduate.  But I had to miss my graduation ceremony, and about 3 months of the end of University which I finished by correspondence course.  You see, this red hair..."

She picked up a strand and it looked like she was checking it for split ends, it was of course perfect having had it styled recently.

"... got me all the boys, even the ones I didn't want.  and I was trying to complete my education, the last thing I needed was to get pregnant.  Unfortunately there were a group of boys who weren't too happy about me not 'putting out'.  I would go to the cinema, bowling that sort of thing and hang out, but I wouldn't be out all night getting drunk.  And they didn't like that.  The ringleader decided to take me down a peg or two and he and two of his cronies waylaid me on the way out of a late lecture, I'm talking finishing around 8pm... you gotta remember this was Norway and late March... it was dark...frog marched me to some secluded spot and proceded to... to..."

Ruth choked on her words forcing back the bile that was rising, and determined not to cry.  Taking a deep shuddering breath she carried on.

"... to rape me.  Of course I didn't have my axes on me or they'd have had no chance at all.  That said I didn't go down without a fight and the reason I missed 3 months of University is that they beat me unconscious and broke a few bones.  I spent that time in hospital.  All 3 of them apparently ... you know.  Well, that's what was said.  I don't know how long I was there but it was only because I didn't show up at the coffee shop that my friend Trina came looking for me with her brothers and found me, got me to hospital and called the police.  Once I could speak, my jaw was broken, I gave descriptions and names of the attackers and they got 5 years each.  Well I was just completing my masters degree when they got parole and they were hellbent on getting revenge... I managed to elude them so long but it was getting to the point that Trondheim was getting to be too small for the two of us so to speak, so although I broke my mothers heart, she didn't know about the rape, only that I'd been attacked, I left and joined Shadowfleet... and that is kinda that.  I was going to anyhow but timing wise, my hand was forced a little."

Ruth sighed. Head on one side thinking.

"I did for a while worry about my sisters, but if the guys touched them they'd not only have the potential rape and attack crimes pinned on them but as the girls are only 15 at the moment and were a lot younger when I left home, like 13 at the time, the whole 'minors' thing would have made it a whole lot worse for them.  Besides, the Chief of Police there is like my uncle.  No relation but y'know like best friend of my Father and when we were younger we called him 'Uncle Nils'.  If the two reprobates known as my younger sisters were harmed in any way, shape, or form, their attackers would have had the wrath of the Gods, or just Uncle Nils, which is probably worse!"

She laughed.

"Oh and children?!  Easy tiger, let's get to dating steadily before we think of that one!"

[Quarters]

Will was speechless and only managed a look of surprise. After a few moments he managed to construct a sentence "I'm so sorry. I didn't know" Was all he could say as he pulled her in and gave her a kiss to the forehead.

For the first time that he could remember, someone had revealed something that deeply affected them. He realized he wasn't the only one who had been affected by a tragic event.

He was a little worried about how quickly she went back to being her normal bubbly self. "Yeah. I guess we should go one step at a time." He gave a nervous laugh and shifted in the bed. "Did they well..." He paused for a moment as he tried to tiptoe through this subject "You know..." He was clearly embarrassed and nervous for asking this question and he didn't know why he did. He quickly tried to backtrack from his question "I'm sorry. I don't want to open any old wounds. I was just being stupid me again."

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Quarters]

Will was speechless and only managed a look of surprise. After a few moments he managed to construct a sentence "I'm so sorry. I didn't know" Was all he could say as he pulled her in and gave her a kiss to the forehead.

For the first time that he could remember, someone had revealed something that deeply affected them. He realized he wasn't the only one who had been affected by a tragic event.

He was a little worried about how quickly she went back to being her normal bubbly self. "Yeah. I guess we should go one step at a time." He gave a nervous laugh and shifted in the bed. "Did they well..." He paused for a moment as he tried to tiptoe through this subject "You know..." He was clearly embarrassed and nervous for asking this question and he didn't know why he did. He quickly tried to backtrack from his question "I'm sorry. I don't want to open any old wounds. I was just being stupid me again."

Ruth laughed "Will, you aren't stupid, just concerned!, and no.  That was one of the earliest things my Dad and Uncle Nils taught me.  Please don't wince but well... he was singing falsetto for a while after.  Waiting for the opportune moment and put the knee in.  I couldn't physically keep off 3 of them with attacks of a non-sexual nature but that's why they beat me up, because I fought back.  Still stood me in good stead for the unarmed combat training in the Academy! And ah..."

She fought back another giggle, "... I once used such a tactic on Alex Wu once.  When I turned into a juvenile delinquent due to alien influences.  Thankfully for him he was quick enough to deflect the blow and turn so I hit his leg.  And Will,..."

Ruth leaned gratefully into his arms and sighed.  "...don't be so shocked that I can get through this.  My way of thinking I've done my crying over this and if I keep crying over it those guys have won."

[William Waring]

Ruth laughed "Will, you aren't stupid, just concerned!, and no.  That was one of the earliest things my Dad and Uncle Nils taught me.  Please don't wince but well... he was singing falsetto for a while after.  Waiting for the opportune moment and put the knee in.  I couldn't physically keep off 3 of them with attacks of a non-sexual nature but that's why they beat me up, because I fought back.  Still stood me in good stead for the unarmed combat training in the Academy! And ah..."

She fought back another giggle, "... I once used such a tactic on Alex Wu once.  When I turned into a juvenile delinquent due to alien influences.  Thankfully for him he was quick enough to deflect the blow and turn so I hit his leg.  And Will,..."

Ruth leaned gratefully into his arms and sighed.  "...don't be so shocked that I can get through this.  My way of thinking I've done my crying over this and if I keep crying over it those guys have won."

[Quarters]

Despite the warning, he winced and shook his head. "Guess I still haven't recovered from that Away Mission yet." He bent his head back and let out a sigh "It's just that, you are always so bubbly and happy all the time even with what happened to you. I wish that I could be like that but I guess I can't be that lucky." He could help but laugh "Luck. Luck hasn't treated me right yet. Well besides you of course. Some days I just wish that I could go back to before everything took a dive. Or if I could just forgot all the bad things so I could be happy. Truly happy. I love you more then anything but some things just keep me from being truly." He lifted his head back up "I didn't mean to make this into a pity party but this is me. I'm not sunshine and rainbows all the time." He rubbed his eyes "Guess I need another coffee. Sleep wouldn't be coming tonight."

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Quarters]

Despite the warning, he winced and shook his head. "Guess I still haven't recovered from that Away Mission yet." He bent his head back and let out a sigh "It's just that, you are always so bubbly and happy all the time even with what happened to you. I wish that I could be like that but I guess I can't be that lucky." He could help but laugh "Luck. Luck hasn't treated me right yet. Well besides you of course. Some days I just wish that I could go back to before everything took a dive. Or if I could just forgot all the bad things so I could be happy. Truly happy. I love you more then anything but some things just keep me from being truly." He lifted his head back up "I didn't mean to make this into a pity party but this is me. I'm not sunshine and rainbows all the time." He rubbed his eyes "Guess I need another coffee. Sleep wouldn't be coming tonight."

"If we can't talk openly with one another then we wouldn't get very far relationship wise.  I don't expect it always to be sunshine and roses so to speak.  And I'm cheaper than a therapist as they say."

Ruth gave Will a quick hug.

"As for me being bubbly and happy.  A lot of it is an act.  I don't see why other people should suffer for something that happened to me years ago, and if I live in misery because of it, those ingrates that did it win anyhow. In a roundabout way I mean!"

She crossed to the replicator and got two mugs of Ratkajino.

"Your coffee sir!  I presume you didn't want a Foster special! You know ex-CSO Foster that is!!" she giggled planting a kiss on Will's cheek.  "Cheer up you have me, for now, for the next 3 hours or so before I have to get some sleep or I'll be zombied on the Bridge in the morning and I don't think Capt. Lafayette would appreciate that!"

[William Waring]

"If we can't talk openly with one another then we wouldn't get very far relationship wise.  I don't expect it always to be sunshine and roses so to speak.  And I'm cheaper than a therapist as they say."

Ruth gave Will a quick hug.

"As for me being bubbly and happy.  A lot of it is an act.  I don't see why other people should suffer for something that happened to me years ago, and if I live in misery because of it, those ingrates that did it win anyhow. In a roundabout way I mean!"

She crossed to the replicator and got two mugs of Ratkajino.

"Your coffee sir!  I presume you didn't want a Foster special! You know ex-CSO Foster that is!!" she giggled planting a kiss on Will's cheek.  "Cheer up you have me, for now, for the next 3 hours or so before I have to get some sleep or I'll be zombied on the Bridge in the morning and I don't think Capt. Lafayette would appreciate that!"

[Quarters]

Will felt his mood warm up when Ruth kissed him and the coffee was just a bonus! "Constance is a rigid Captain so no I don't think she would." He sipped his coffee and let out a sigh of pleasure "Remember when I mentioned my family's house, well my house, back on Earth? In those Subspace Messages we sent? Well I did some digging into some Old Earth Files and found it. It is somewhere in England, the name escapes me, and it is called Waring Manor! I figured should we ever go to Earth we could stay at the house. Still standing from what I could tell."

=A= Display File Waring-Personal-Zeta-One =A=

A picture appeared dated March 17th, 2137 from an old news artic appeared on the screen with the caption "Manor Gates Closed for Good; Jacob and Clara Waring Residents of Space"

Will was excited about his find. He never was to Earth but knew how much Ruth loved it. If she liked the picture he was sure she would love the Holodeck Simulation of it.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Quarters]

Will felt his mood warm up when Ruth kissed him and the coffee was just a bonus! "Constance is a rigid Captain so no I don't think she would." He sipped his coffee and let out a sigh of pleasure "Remember when I mentioned my family's house, well my house, back on Earth? In those Subspace Messages we sent? Well I did some digging into some Old Earth Files and found it. It is somewhere in England, the name escapes me, and it is called Waring Manor! I figured should we ever go to Earth we could stay at the house. Still standing from what I could tell."

=A= Display File Waring-Personal-Zeta-One =A=

A picture appeared dated March 17th, 2137 from an old news artic appeared on the screen with the caption "Manor Gates Closed for Good; Jacob and Clara Waring Residents of Space"

Will was excited about his find. He never was to Earth but knew how much Ruth loved it. If she liked the picture he was sure she would love the Holodeck Simulation of it.

As the picture of Waring Manor appeared, Ruth gasped.

"Wow!! I hope you retained, I dunno... via some latent legacy or something, the groundsmen and gardeners or that is going to look like something from The Sleeping Beauty story, where it's been left and overgrown for 100 years and Prince Phillip has to literally hack his way in.  Although..."

She chuckled to herself and gave Will a teasing jab to the ribs, not hard, more of a tickle.

"... I do have the throwing axes, they're pretty good for lopping through foliage too.  I'm pretty good with a machete too!!  But I don't think Lady?  The Right Honourable... I'm not sure what your title would be so I can't determine as yet what I would be but 'Mrs - I - Own - This - Property - With - My - Husband' should be going around hacking her way into one's property!"  she said the latter part of the sentence with as much of an affected upper class English accent as she could muster.

"It's nice though, and assuming we don't have to hack our way into it, would be nice for a visit.  You could always put feelers out and get it spruced up and so on...if it needs it I mean."

[William Waring]

As the picture of Waring Manor appeared, Ruth gasped.

"Wow!! I hope you retained, I dunno... via some latent legacy or something, the groundsmen and gardeners or that is going to look like something from The Sleeping Beauty story, where it's been left and overgrown for 100 years and Prince Phillip has to literally hack his way in.  Although..."

She chuckled to herself and gave Will a teasing jab to the ribs, not hard, more of a tickle.

"... I do have the throwing axes, they're pretty good for lopping through foliage too.  I'm pretty good with a machete too!!  But I don't think Lady?  The Right Honourable... I'm not sure what your title would be so I can't determine as yet what I would be but 'Mrs - I - Own - This - Property - With - My - Husband' should be going around hacking her way into one's property!"  she said the latter part of the sentence with as much of an affected upper class English accent as she could muster.

"It's nice though, and assuming we don't have to hack our way into it, would be nice for a visit.  You could always put feelers out and get it spruced up and so on...if it needs it I mean."

[Quarters]

"Well" he began taking a sip from his cup "The Manor is supposed to be handed down generation after generation to the eldest son of a Blood Waring or the Males of the blood line. My father was the oldest of three brothers and as such the Manor was his upon my Grandfather Waring's death. Since I am an only child and therefor the oldest I am the owner of the Manor. I have been for at least five years now since I was sixteen when my parents pasted." He paused again as he sipped his coffee "The Manor is kept up by many groundskeepers, gardeners and the like. We there are people inside, mainly because any member of the Waring Family can use the use when not occupied by the Primary Family, there are chefs and butlers and aides and such. It real is a bustling home everywhere except the private quarters where no one is allowed except for the Primary Family, You and I. There is a Master Bedroom with bath, two bedrooms with bath for any kids, a Study and a Library." He paused for the third time "I don't think anyone would mind having you in the house. As long as we don't disrupt anyone late at night, that is." He winked and gave her a big kiss "So, anything you want to know? There is plenty to this Manor to talk about and still not scratch the surface."

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Quarters]

"Well" he began taking a sip from his cup "The Manor is supposed to be handed down generation after generation to the eldest son of a Blood Waring or the Males of the blood line. My father was the oldest of three brothers and as such the Manor was his upon my Grandfather Waring's death. Since I am an only child and therefor the oldest I am the owner of the Manor. I have been for at least five years now since I was sixteen when my parents pasted." He paused again as he sipped his coffee "The Manor is kept up by many groundskeepers, gardeners and the like. We there are people inside, mainly because any member of the Waring Family can use the use when not occupied by the Primary Family, there are chefs and butlers and aides and such. It real is a bustling home everywhere except the private quarters where no one is allowed except for the Primary Family, You and I. There is a Master Bedroom with bath, two bedrooms with bath for any kids, a Study and a Library." He paused for the third time "I don't think anyone would mind having you in the house. As long as we don't disrupt anyone late at night, that is." He winked and gave her a big kiss "So, anything you want to know? There is plenty to this Manor to talk about and still not scratch the surface."

Ruth returned the kiss, pondered for a moment and then said "Horses?  Are there any stables?  And assuming that this relationship of ours continues on the path it seems to be, can we have dogs and cats?  If so what breeds would you want? The dogs mostly, tho I'd love to have a Norwegian Forest Cat, or failing that a Ragdoll which seem to be smaller versions of them.  Not too keen on slinky siamese - they are elegant and intelligent but boy do they make some racket if they are displeased.  Mentioning which... please tell me there are no peacocks!  I love looking at them but I stayed somewhere once and the peacock - well actually peahen started screaming cuz erm... her boyfriend was being amourous I was told... and it sounded like someone was being brutally murdered.  Then again I'd shout if I was being raped! Ah..."

She rubbed the back of her neck remembering what she'd not long ago told Will.

"I don't suppose peahens can kick their male counterparts in the knackers so to speak so screaming is probably their only outlet.  For all I know she was enjoying it!" she finished giggling.

[William Waring]

Ruth returned the kiss, pondered for a moment and then said "Horses?  Are there any stables?  And assuming that this relationship of ours continues on the path it seems to be, can we have dogs and cats?  If so what breeds would you want? The dogs mostly, tho I'd love to have a Norwegian Forest Cat, or failing that a Ragdoll which seem to be smaller versions of them.  Not too keen on slinky siamese - they are elegant and intelligent but boy do they make some racket if they are displeased.  Mentioning which... please tell me there are no peacocks!  I love looking at them but I stayed somewhere once and the peacock - well actually peahen started screaming cuz erm... her boyfriend was being amourous I was told... and it sounded like someone was being brutally murdered.  Then again I'd shout if I was being raped! Ah..."

She rubbed the back of her neck remembering what she'd not long ago told Will.

"I don't suppose peahens can kick their male counterparts in the knackers so to speak so screaming is probably their only outlet.  For all I know she was enjoying it!" she finished giggling.

[Quarters]

"Stables? I don't believe so but that doesn't mean we couldn't construct them if you want horses. And no, no Peacocks." He paused as Ruth continued and couldn't help but flinch when she mentioned the 'knackers'. "Sorry. Bit of a sore spot still." He gave a nervous chuckle and continued to speak "I quite like dogs. What about a beagle? Or a terrier, perhaps! They would be treated like Kings unless it's a cat. They give me the creeps. There eyes seem like they staring into my soul."

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Quarters]

"Stables? I don't believe so but that doesn't mean we couldn't construct them if you want horses. And no, no Peacocks." He paused as Ruth continued and couldn't help but flinch when she mentioned the 'knackers'. "Sorry. Bit of a sore spot still." He gave a nervous chuckle and continued to speak "I quite like dogs. What about a beagle? Or a terrier, perhaps! They would be treated like Kings unless it's a cat. They give me the creeps. There eyes seem like they staring into my soul."

Ruth chuckled.  "Not a good time to tell you I have a jet black cat back home in Norway then?  I wouldn't move him, he's like 15 years old and too set in his ways to move him out bless him, same reason I never brought him to space."

She smiled, "Dogs are fine, I'm a fan of larger dogs like labradors, border or bearded collies, lurchers, alsatians and sled dogs like huskies, but anything short of what my Dad calls 'hairy rats on strings with bling' aka stupidly tiny pampered handbag chihuahuas with diamond collars that are called 'Mommies little precious'... don't get one of them and you're fine you can have any kind of dog you like!!  I like spaniels, I like beagles too!"

Snuggling up against Will's chest she was getting sleepy "Either I've got to move to my own room soon or I'll end up sleeping here and that might cause... talk!  Oh and the horses, I love riding.  I'd like to find out the differences between Western riding and European riding.  I'm told there are different styles!"