Pre-Wedding Meal in Officer's Mess (Kali, Ryder, Lahr, Twins, Ruth, Litt, Gohun)

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Officers Mess, Evening - 3 days before wedding]

[Officer's Mess - 3 days before wedding]

Soon enough he showed up looking rather 'hot' in leather.

"Damn, he did wear a shirt!" Katya said with mock chagrin.  It rather echoed Ruth's thoughts and she told herself to behave.

"Welcome Lahr... the topic is kinda 2nd chances, if I'm wearing a wire and unconventional ways to hook up!" the Captain answered trying not to let her eyes wander all over Lahr to take in the entire ensemble.

"And if we're gonna eat already!!" moaned Katya.

"Oh and if I should send Kat to Liv to have her extract the tapeworm!" Ruth giggled.  She got the attention of the waiter and made 'book' motions with her hands to indicate the menu.  He brought them over and passed one to everyone.

"Order what you like, I just want you all to enjoy tonight.  If anyone has any severe intolerances like you can't even sniff something and it'll have you in anaphylactic shock... speak now or never speak again or something, cuz you'll be d-e-a-d..." she intoned the last word in a prophet of doom sort of way.

[Officer's Mess]

The Counselor greeted the approaching Andorian with a nod, and an amused smile as the women bemoaned the fact he had gotten dressed. As the menus were passed around, Nathan asked the waiter, "Do you have anything in stock that has not been synthesized?" He knew full well that finding actual fresh food was not the easiest thing in space, but still he had to ask.

Lahr nodded at the Captain's reply of '2nd chances'.  He supposed that yeah she'd given him a second chance when she turned down his resignation her first day aboard.  And again not that long ago by not reporting him and Chloe in regards to his request to look into Commander Sukal's medical records.

For the moment he stayed quiet.  No need to bring up either instance - not with the counselor right there.

[Officer's Mess]

Kali put her coffee aside so she could tackle the cup of olives. She wasn't even drunk but she seemingly started playing with her olives as if she were. She popped the best looking olive she could find in her mouth when he lifted his glass in toast to her competence and felt oddly like she was a walking, talking contradiction.

The captain was generous, so Kali sucked on her olive as people talked over each other. Second chance was more of the fifth or sixth chance now, but she wasn't going to push her luck on telling the truth.

The olive fell from her mouth and bounced back into the cup as soon as she heard 'tapeworm' from the Captain and 'synthesized' from Ryder. What are the odds that this olive came out of the replicator? Her appetite was quickly squelched then and there. She slid the cup with the regurgitated olive back to Ryder and tried to fight down her coffee instead - which was probably also synthesized.

Kali squinted at Lahr.

"You!" she realized, pointing at him. "I'd recognize those nips on your head anywhere! Bombay Sapphire! Remember me? From the Night District? I joined your exotic dance class and you had abs for days. You called me Legs back then!" She eagerly shook Ryder's shoulder, almost sixty percent sure she got the right Andorian from Risa. "If you want to thank anyone for the Superman move, it's this guy!"

[Officer's Mess]
...

"But I'm HUNGRY!" Katya wailed.  "I need foooooood!  We were waiting for way sexier than should be allowed in an Ops officer to get his cute ass here.." she turned to Ruth.  "It can't be healthy having that much sexiness on the Bridge, him and Kyle!  It can't just be Ops officers... look at Will!"

Ruth just shook her head with pursed lips that were turned up at the sides trying and failing to hide a smile.
...

"Superman move??" Ruth queried when Kali mentioned Lahr and dance.  "If this is indeed the Andorian you are looking for, then Lahr dear, there are at least 3 spots on my wedding party dance card need filled with your name!"

Katya's hunger complaint and sexiness compliment earned a laugh from the Andorian.  That was until Kali, who had been squinting at him suddenly pointed a finger at him before making some outrageous accusation about his .. um... hmm .. yeah maybe they weren't so outrageous.

Lahr in turn squinted back at Kali.  He didn't recall the night in question, but it's quite possible he wouldn't given large volumes of alcohol.  "When were you on Risa?"  Damn, did he even remember half his visits there?

But then Kali made mention of something he'd never heard of before.  "Superman move?  Nah, I think you got the wrong blue guy.  I got a signature move, sure - but I would never belittle it to call it something so ridiculous."

[Nathan Ryder]

[Officer's Mess]
The olive fell from her mouth and bounced back into the cup as soon as she heard 'tapeworm' from the Captain and 'synthesized' from Ryder. What are the odds that this olive came out of the replicator? Her appetite was quickly squelched then and there. She slid the cup with the regurgitated olive back to Ryder and tried to fight down her coffee instead - which was probably also synthesized.

Kali squinted at Lahr.

[Officer's Mess]

"You're in luck, Sir... 90% of what is on the menu tonight is fresh since we've just taken on fresh supplies since we're docked at Innominatum.  Only the fish isn't, and one or two of the more exotic fruits in some of the desserts." the waiter beamed happily.

"The olives, Miss? They are not to your liking?  They are fresh.  I believe the Captain was joking about her sister needing a tapeworm removed since the young lady has been demanding food like a baby bird since she arrived here.  I'm not sure if anyone noticed but 3 bowls of salted peanuts, one of cashews and one of savoury cheese bites have been erm... ingested by her alone since she arrived 20 minutes ago!" he said with a small smile.
---
"Enough both of you, please.  Kali dear, the olives are fine I'm sure...may I try one?  And I'll have the Duck Pate on toast and the lasagne with a green salad, also taking a rain check on the dessert." Ruth answered.  "For all you're starving, you haven't ordered yet!"

"She means no offense," he said to the waiter. Far too used to Kali's occasional lack of class, Nathan casually fished the slightly chewed olive from the cup and wrapped it in his napkin. He also took the one it touched and popped it into his own mouth to keep from contaminating the rest of the cup. "Synthesized food really doesn't settle well with her," he explained as he offered the cup to Ruth if she still wanted an olive.

"Still, you're eating, Kal. He said they've got a bunch of fresh stuff, and you're taking advantage of it while you can, so look at the menu." Nathan's tone was firm, but in a loving way. After all, someone had to take care of her.

"You!" she realized, pointing at him. "I'd recognize those nips on your head anywhere! Bombay Sapphire! Remember me? From the Night District? I joined your exotic dance class and you had abs for days. You called me Legs back then!" She eagerly shook Ryder's shoulder, almost sixty percent sure she got the right Andorian from Risa. "If you want to thank anyone for the Superman move, it's this guy!"

"Superman move??" Ruth queried when Kali mentioned Lahr and dance.  "If this is indeed the Andorian you are looking for, then Lahr dear, there are at least 3 spots on my wedding party dance card need filled with your name!"

Before he could order his own food, Kali was shaking his shoulder. He simply arched a brow questioningly, and looked to the Andorian. He was mildly amused at the thought of how small the universe was if Kali's assumption was true, but had nothing really to say on the matter so he would let the two of them hash out whether they knew each other or not. To the waiter he said, "I'll just have whatever the special is."

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Officers Mess, Evening - 3 days before wedding]

Lahr nodded at the Captain's reply of '2nd chances'.  He supposed that yeah she'd given him a second chance when she turned down his resignation her first day aboard.  And again not that long ago by not reporting him and Chloe in regards to his request to look into Commander Sukal's medical records.

For the moment he stayed quiet.  No need to bring up either instance - not with the counselor right there.

Katya's hunger complaint and sexiness compliment earned a laugh from the Andorian.  That was until Kali, who had been squinting at him suddenly pointed a finger at him before making some outrageous accusation about his .. um... hmm .. yeah maybe they weren't so outrageous.

Lahr in turn squinted back at Kali.  He didn't recall the night in question, but it's quite possible he wouldn't given large volumes of alcohol.  "When were you on Risa?"  Damn, did he even remember half his visits there?

But then Kali made mention of something he'd never heard of before.  "Superman move?  Nah, I think you got the wrong blue guy.  I got a signature move, sure - but I would never belittle it to call it something so ridiculous."

"I've got to see these signature moves... those 'slots' on my wedding dance card are still available you know!" Ruth joked then dropped her voice to a whisper.  "If nothing else to stop Katya here getting her claws into you.  While I'm allowing real alcohol at the wedding, while she looks it she's not actually legal for um... other activities however much she wants to be.  I'm just warning you, notbecause I think you'd do that, but because I know she would try it!" she said with a slight roll of the eyes in Kat's direction.

"You're talking about me, I know you are... my ears are burning!" Katya said in mock terror.  "Is there a doctor in the house... hey Ryder, do Counsellors count as you know, blood and guts type doctors?" she asked.

"Sis... do you have to talk about blood and guts at dinner?!" Arya protested.  "I've always thought of counsellors as sort of half way between Medical and Science.  I'm interested to hear your take on that though Ryder."

"She means no offense," he said to the waiter. Far too used to Kali's occasional lack of class, Nathan casually fished the slightly chewed olive from the cup and wrapped it in his napkin. He also took the one it touched and popped it into his own mouth to keep from contaminating the rest of the cup. "Synthesized food really doesn't settle well with her," he explained as he offered the cup to Ruth if she still wanted an olive.

"Still, you're eating, Kal. He said they've got a bunch of fresh stuff, and you're taking advantage of it while you can, so look at the menu." Nathan's tone was firm, but in a loving way. After all, someone had to take care of her.

Before he could order his own food, Kali was shaking his shoulder. He simply arched a brow questioningly, and looked to the Andorian. He was mildly amused at the thought of how small the universe was if Kali's assumption was true, but had nothing really to say on the matter so he would let the two of them hash out whether they knew each other or not. To the waiter he said, "I'll just have whatever the special is."

"The special is Chicken Chasseur, Sir." the waiter answered.  "What would the young lady like, we have a selection of vegetarian options too, there's a nice nut roast or if there are nut allergies then the aubergine lasagne is nice.  I'm not a vegetarian and I had some for lunch so can recommend it."  he conveniently declined to comment more on Kali's actions but gave Ryder a nod in acknowledgement of the comment.

"And I can confirm that it's fresh.  This isn't a complaint, it's part of my job... but I had to help with the stock taking of the fresh stuff...that was a fun job!" he said with a grin that said clearly that it hadn't been!

Ruth noticed Ryder fish out the half chewed olive. While she thought it slightly impolite she'd seen worse and she had no scruples about taking a couple of olives from the glass and popping them in her mouth and chewing.  Had Kali had anything that might kill her, she was sure that Liv would have informed her before now!

"Mmm these are good.  So tell me, any of you have any interesting side projects you're working on at the moment?  Kali?? Engineers are always tinkering with things I'm told!  Not sure how much freedom Lt. Lek and Gianetti are giving you but if you have a project that is viable you want to do I'm pretty sure he'd let you so long as it's not interfering with stuff he needs you to do."

[Kali Reyes]

"She means no offense," he said to the waiter. Far too used to Kali's occasional lack of class, Nathan casually fished the slightly chewed olive from the cup and wrapped it in his napkin. He also took the one it touched and popped it into his own mouth to keep from contaminating the rest of the cup. "Synthesized food really doesn't settle well with her," he explained as he offered the cup to Ruth if she still wanted an olive.

"Still, you're eating, Kal. He said they've got a bunch of fresh stuff, and you're taking advantage of it while you can, so look at the menu." Nathan's tone was firm, but in a loving way. After all, someone had to take care of her.

Before he could order his own food, Kali was shaking his shoulder. He simply arched a brow questioningly, and looked to the Andorian. He was mildly amused at the thought of how small the universe was if Kali's assumption was true, but had nothing really to say on the matter so he would let the two of them hash out whether they knew each other or not. To the waiter he said, "I'll just have whatever the special is."

"I can eat synthesized food," she complained. "I just don't want to." And that was partially true. She's suffered from it plenty of times - this was a military-esque vessel after all - and she's known to just complain and eat whatever Starfleet wanted to give her anyways. And oftentimes her act of rebellion is just not eating at all. She was damn well good at skipping meals too until Ryder decided to captain her diet card.

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret

Lahr in turn squinted back at Kali.  He didn't recall the night in question, but it's quite possible he wouldn't given large volumes of alcohol.  "When were you on Risa?"  Damn, did he even remember half his visits there?

But then Kali made mention of something he'd never heard of before.  "Superman move?  Nah, I think you got the wrong blue guy.  I got a signature move, sure - but I would never belittle it to call it something so ridiculous."

"I've got dual-citizenship on Risa. I go every chance I get." After a searching squint in his direction, she scoffed with disappointment and returned to her coffee. "Ah, you're not him then. A pole dancer knows his classics."

Kali was of course trying to keep the waiter from her order. If she could turn the conversation into another direction, she was sure she could even sidestep Ryder in the process.

"Mmm these are good.  So tell me, any of you have any interesting side projects you're working on at the moment?  Kali?? Engineers are always tinkering with things I'm told!  Not sure how much freedom Lt. Lek and Gianetti are giving you but if you have a project that is viable you want to do I'm pretty sure he'd let you so long as it's not interfering with stuff he needs you to do."

And there was her opening.

"Oh yeah, always tinkering. I can practically recalibrate inertial dampeners in my sleep," she teased. "Building an aquarium in Dr. Ryder's office? Small peanuts in comparison."

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

"I can eat synthesized food," she complained. "I just don't want to." And that was partially true. She's suffered from it plenty of times - this was a military-esque vessel after all - and she's known to just complain and eat whatever Starfleet wanted to give her anyways. And oftentimes her act of rebellion is just not eating at all. She was damn well good at skipping meals too until Ryder decided to captain her diet card.

"I've got dual-citizenship on Risa. I go every chance I get." After a searching squint in his direction, she scoffed with disappointment and returned to her coffee. "Ah, you're not him then. A pole dancer knows his classics."

Kali was of course trying to keep the waiter from her order. If she could turn the conversation into another direction, she was sure she could even sidestep Ryder in the process.

And there was her opening.

"Oh yeah, always tinkering. I can practically recalibrate inertial dampeners in my sleep," she teased. "Building an aquarium in Dr. Ryder's office? Small peanuts in comparison."

"I quite agree, I eat synthesised food as a necessity... so if I'm at or close to a base I'll eat fresh as much as I can.  And make sure that the Challenger is stocked with as much fresh as will keep.  How are you on tinned and preserved, dried... as in natural stuff but preserved in old Earthen ways that keep them fresh longer but not like 'picked off the tree/plucked out of the sea/just shot' type fresh, but not far off it?  If you'd prefer that to synthesised I'll do my best to get the Mess Hall Manager have you something sent down to your Quarters, or you can request it at the Mess Hall daily, as far as those rations last out.  If we have a particularly long spell away from a base, and if it's not Innominatum then I can't guarantee supply, but I'll take what I can... I like to keep my crew happy.  If I can do that by getting as much fresh food on board and making sure people with aversions to certain foods or whatever are catered for then... yeah I will!" the Captain said with a shrug.

When Kali moved to 'safer ground' for her in the conversation way she smiled and said "OK, allowing for the restrictions of the space to set up such a project but if you could do your dream, smallish, project, anything that would say fit in one of the shuttlebays... what would it be?"

She nodded her thanks as the waiter brought her starter and she started spreading the pate and nibbling.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Officer's Mess]

"I've got to see these signature moves... those 'slots' on my wedding dance card are still available you know!" Ruth joked then dropped her voice to a whisper.  "If nothing else to stop Katya here getting her claws into you.  While I'm allowing real alcohol at the wedding, while she looks it she's not actually legal for um... other activities however much she wants to be.  I'm just warning you, notbecause I think you'd do that, but because I know she would try it!" she said with a slight roll of the eyes in Kat's direction.

"You're talking about me, I know you are... my ears are burning!" Katya said in mock terror.

"I can eat synthesized food," she complained. "I just don't want to." And that was partially true. She's suffered from it plenty of times - this was a military-esque vessel after all - and she's known to just complain and eat whatever Starfleet wanted to give her anyways. And oftentimes her act of rebellion is just not eating at all. She was damn well good at skipping meals too until Ryder decided to captain her diet card.

"I've got dual-citizenship on Risa. I go every chance I get." After a searching squint in his direction, she scoffed with disappointment and returned to her coffee. "Ah, you're not him then. A pole dancer knows his classics."

Kali was of course trying to keep the waiter from her order. If she could turn the conversation into another direction, she was sure she could even sidestep Ryder in the process.

And there was her opening.

"Oh yeah, always tinkering. I can practically recalibrate inertial dampeners in my sleep," she teased. "Building an aquarium in Dr. Ryder's office? Small peanuts in comparison."

Lahr was enjoying the attention he'd gained from Kali's mis-identification of him as some mysterious ... pole-dancer? from Risa.  Interesting.

However when the Captain commented on being interested in seeing his signature moves... the Andorian got a little flustered.   She wasn't supposed to say things like that!  Especially not in public!  Now he was damn glad he hadn't taken her up on her offer of a shower...  Sheesh, he was gonna find himself working a garbage scow if the Commander ever got wind of the Captain's attention.

But the Captain seemed oblivious to his being stupefied by her remark because she just continued on by offering 'slots on her dance card'.  Lahr had no clue what that was referring to.  It had to be a human slang for something but he couldn't figure it out.

He was still puzzling that as she continued on saying she was trying to stop Katya from getting her claws into him... and the while Katya was being allowed alcohol that she wasn't legal of other activit... Oh! By Uzaveh's Antenna!

Lahr's antenna shot up in alarm and he glance to the cadet in surprise before shaking his head emphatically. "That would never happen Captain..I swear!" he whispered back.

He was never so grateful when the discussion turned to food preferences and by-passed him entirely.  Maybe coming to this thing had been a bad idea.

[Kali Reyes]

"I quite agree, I eat synthesised food as a necessity... so if I'm at or close to a base I'll eat fresh as much as I can.  And make sure that the Challenger is stocked with as much fresh as will keep.  How are you on tinned and preserved, dried... as in natural stuff but preserved in old Earthen ways that keep them fresh longer but not like 'picked off the tree/plucked out of the sea/just shot' type fresh, but not far off it?  If you'd prefer that to synthesised I'll do my best to get the Mess Hall Manager have you something sent down to your Quarters, or you can request it at the Mess Hall daily, as far as those rations last out.  If we have a particularly long spell away from a base, and if it's not Innominatum then I can't guarantee supply, but I'll take what I can... I like to keep my crew happy.  If I can do that by getting as much fresh food on board and making sure people with aversions to certain foods or whatever are catered for then... yeah I will!" the Captain said with a shrug.

When Kali moved to 'safer ground' for her in the conversation way she smiled and said "OK, allowing for the restrictions of the space to set up such a project but if you could do your dream, smallish, project, anything that would say fit in one of the shuttlebays... what would it be?"

She nodded her thanks as the waiter brought her starter and she started spreading the pate and nibbling.

Kali thoughtfully pursed her lips as she considered the Captain's question. "I don't know," she admitted. "Pickled, stored, fresh - haven't really considered much about any of that. Hybrid diets are fickle, so I just let the doc stick me with nutrition stims and send me on my way. It wouldn't be fair to accommodate one crewman anyways. Word gets out and then you start getting messages to set aside cargo space for crates of Georgia's peaches - mark my words!"

"I use Dr. Ryder's quarters for my tinkering!" she continued with a grin. "He's got a half done engine sitting somewhere in his closet. I build old fashioned motorbikes in my spare time, so it'll be up to him if he's sick of having it in there."

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Officer's Mess]

Lahr
Lahr was enjoying the attention he'd gained from Kali's mis-identification of him as some mysterious ... pole-dancer? from Risa.  Interesting.

However when the Captain commented on being interested in seeing his signature moves... the Andorian got a little flustered.   She wasn't supposed to say things like that!  Especially not in public!  Now he was damn glad he hadn't taken her up on her offer of a shower...  Sheesh, he was gonna find himself working a garbage scow if the Commander ever got wind of the Captain's attention.

But the Captain seemed oblivious to his being stupefied by her remark because she just continued on by offering 'slots on her dance card'.  Lahr had no clue what that was referring to.  It had to be a human slang for something but he couldn't figure it out.

He was still puzzling that as she continued on saying she was trying to stop Katya from getting her claws into him... and the while Katya was being allowed alcohol that she wasn't legal of other activit... Oh! By Uzaveh's Antenna!

Lahr's antenna shot up in alarm and he glance to the cadet in surprise before shaking his head emphatically. "That would never happen Captain..I swear!" he whispered back.

He was never so grateful when the discussion turned to food preferences and by-passed him entirely.  Maybe coming to this thing had been a bad idea.

"Relax, I didn't think you would!" Ruth whispered back.

"You seem a little confused about the dance card thing..." she said in a normal voice.  "I'm joking to an extent.  Back in the days of ladies in big flouncy dresses and balls back on Earth, the 1800s and earlier, as well as their fans, young ladies at balls carried little cards and a pencil - also hence the term 'I'll pencil you in...' - done in pencil so that it could still be erased if say the cavalry division was called off suddenly to war, a young lady could still 'fill her dance card' .  You'd know the order of the dances, so if you wanted to keep Grandfather happy but knew he couldn't do much more than shuffle, you'd put him in to do a simple waltz with you, but that dashing gentleman whom you'd been fancying from afar for the entire season wanted to do the gallop with you or a polka... someone you could see being able to sweep you off your feet... why you'd save him 3 dances!!  That's where the term came from.  So if you are to show off these signature moves,... I'll need to dance with you!" she said with a grin.

"Nothing nefarious!! And here endeth the history lesson" she winked.

The main courses arrived soon and she tucked in.

Kali thoughtfully pursed her lips as she considered the Captain's question. "I don't know," she admitted. "Pickled, stored, fresh - haven't really considered much about any of that. Hybrid diets are fickle, so I just let the doc stick me with nutrition stims and send me on my way. It wouldn't be fair to accommodate one crewman anyways. Word gets out and then you start getting messages to set aside cargo space for crates of Georgia's peaches - mark my words!"

"I use Dr. Ryder's quarters for my tinkering!" she continued with a grin. "He's got a half done engine sitting somewhere in his closet. I build old fashioned motorbikes in my spare time, so it'll be up to him if he's sick of having it in there."

"Oooh motorbikes, my father had a couple of old Nortons and a Triumph... Earthen classics.  They're still in lock up down on my farm in Norway.  Sometime when we get down there again, if you fancy playing with them and bringing them back to working order - by my guest! Next time we get a chance to go down there I intend hopping across to see my tenants that tend my late... well my farm now, as there's a few things I want to pick up!  You could come have a look at them at least and if you want I'd let you bring one up to the Challenger to play with potentially, if you might enjoy that?" the Captain enthused then waved a fork almost like a conductors baton.

"Actually, since you are part of my crew but with the exception of Lahr not really what I'd call long-standing friends like the Briggs.  And no, unless it coincides with your Easter vacation you're not allowed time off!" she added to the twins.

"I'd say spoilsport but I don't know what you're going to say!" Katya said between putting food away like she'd worked a 12 hour shift down a coal mine.

"I think I can guess but only because I'm thinking that Ruth's not going to get much of a honeymoon with this Leyton business." Arya remarked.

"Actually yes, Arry you're closer than you think.  Will and I are having a week before we set off for the Black Cluster to smoke out Leyton once and for all.  But, and I've not floated this to Will in it's entirety yet so no leaning on him..."

"As if we would!!!" Katya said in mock outrage.

Ruth pursed her lips and let out a short snort of disbelief.

"Anyhow, IF things go well in the next mission, as in we manage to capture Admiral Leyton, there is the chance that we'll be asked to bring Leyton to headquarters in San Francisco, and potentially we'll be wanted to make statements.  That being the case, they can only do so many statements at a time, and so, Will's never been to Earth, but owns Waring Manor in England.  We were thinking of spending the time that we need to be on Earth there.  It's a big estate, there's lots of rooms in the manor itself, as well as cottages and dwellings in the grounds, and plenty to do.  Horse riding, fishing, quad bike racing, dirt bikes, go carting, shooting, country walks... and can commute in a shuttle any time we're required in very very little time, but when not needed it's a good chance for some R&R for everyone and I promise to throw some parties and barbeques and things like that for social get togethers as well as letting people have the freedom to explore Earth in general just using the Manor as a base of operations/hotel.  What do you think?!" she asked, not adding that there was going to be every possibility that Lek, Gianetti and Kali were going to be practically crying over the fact that they'd be limping back to Earth if their recent encounter when Leyton hadn't been prepared for them was anything to go by.  The Black Cluster was the last identified stronghold of Leyton, all the firepower would be there.  It would be carnage.

[OOC: This is the planned March mission... there will be main mission part which will be the Leyton/repairs thing BUT loads of potential for more social holodecks! ]

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret

"Relax, I didn't think you would!" Ruth whispered back.

"You seem a little confused about the dance card thing..." she said in a normal voice.  "I'm joking to an extent.  Back in the days of ladies in big flouncy dresses and balls back on Earth, the 1800s and earlier, as well as their fans, young ladies at balls carried little cards and a pencil - also hence the term 'I'll pencil you in...' - done in pencil so that it could still be erased if say the cavalry division was called off suddenly to war, a young lady could still 'fill her dance card' .  You'd know the order of the dances, so if you wanted to keep Grandfather happy but knew he couldn't do much more than shuffle, you'd put him in to do a simple waltz with you, but that dashing gentleman whom you'd been fancying from afar for the entire season wanted to do the gallop with you or a polka... someone you could see being able to sweep you off your feet... why you'd save him 3 dances!!  That's where the term came from.  So if you are to show off these signature moves,... I'll need to dance with you!" she said with a grin.

"Nothing nefarious!! And here endeth the history lesson" she winked.

Lahr was glad that the Captain had been just joking, but he afterwards he kept a watchful eye on Katya.   Ruth's explanation of the dance-card saying had been way more in-depth than he would have expected but the history lesson was kinda cool.

When the talk moved on the food and engineering the Andorian zoned out and turned his attention to taking a seat and finally getting around to ordering.

"Since it seems that this is a celebration... I'll have a Krill-beast steak.. done blue with a side of mashed tuber root, and I'll have a glow-ale to start." he informed the wait-staff who was taking orders.

He was glad his ale was brought immediately.  He sipped at warm glowing amber liquid and took the opportunity to quietly observe the counselor.

(ooc source: https://memory-beta.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Andorian_foods )

The main courses arrived soon and she tucked in.

"Oooh motorbikes, my father had a couple of old Nortons and a Triumph... Earthen classics.  They're still in lock up down on my farm in Norway.  Sometime when we get down there again, if you fancy playing with them and bringing them back to working order - by my guest! Next time we get a chance to go down there I intend hopping across to see my tenants that tend my late... well my farm now, as there's a few things I want to pick up!  You could come have a look at them at least and if you want I'd let you bring one up to the Challenger to play with potentially, if you might enjoy that?" the Captain enthused then waved a fork almost like a conductors baton.

"Actually, since you are part of my crew but with the exception of Lahr not really what I'd call long-standing friends like the Briggs.  And no, unless it coincides with your Easter vacation you're not allowed time off!" she added to the twins.

At the mention of his name, Lahr, whose meal had just arrived, looked up from cutting into his inch-thick krill-beast steak. The cyan blue of its barely warmed meat was tantalizing to the eyes and the pungent smell of the blue blood had him salivating.  To be distracted away from it was almost a crime!

"Hmm? What was that you were saying about me not being a long-standing friend, Captain? " he glanced over towards the red-head.  "The length of time a person knows someone shouldn't make a difference on how close they become friendship-wise." he remarked even as Katya interjected her own thoughts.

"I'd say spoilsport but I don't know what you're going to say!" Katya said between putting food away like she'd worked a 12 hour shift down a coal mine.

"I think I can guess but only because I'm thinking that Ruth's not going to get much of a honeymoon with this Leyton business." Arya remarked.

"Actually yes, Arry you're closer than you think.  Will and I are having a week before we set off for the Black Cluster to smoke out Leyton once and for all.  But, and I've not floated this to Will in it's entirety yet so no leaning on him..."

"As if we would!!!" Katya said in mock outrage.

Ruth pursed her lips and let out a short snort of disbelief.

"Anyhow, IF things go well in the next mission, as in we manage to capture Admiral Leyton, there is the chance that we'll be asked to bring Leyton to headquarters in San Francisco, and potentially we'll be wanted to make statements.  That being the case, they can only do so many statements at a time, and so, Will's never been to Earth, but owns Waring Manor in England.  We were thinking of spending the time that we need to be on Earth there.  It's a big estate, there's lots of rooms in the manor itself, as well as cottages and dwellings in the grounds, and plenty to do.  Horse riding, fishing, quad bike racing, dirt bikes, go carting, shooting, country walks... and can commute in a shuttle any time we're required in very very little time, but when not needed it's a good chance for some R&R for everyone and I promise to throw some parties and barbeques and things like that for social get togethers as well as letting people have the freedom to explore Earth in general just using the Manor as a base of operations/hotel.  What do you think?!" she asked, not adding that there was going to be every possibility that Lek, Gianetti and Kali were going to be practically crying over the fact that they'd be limping back to Earth if their recent encounter when Leyton hadn't been prepared for them was anything to go by.  The Black Cluster was the last identified stronghold of Leyton, all the firepower would be there.  It would be carnage.

[OOC: This is the planned March mission... there will be main mission part which will be the Leyton/repairs thing BUT loads of potential for more social holodecks! ]

Lahr's antenna perked at the Captain's news about the Manor house.  Really?!?  While the idea of getting to experience such a shore-leave was exciting...  the fact that it was Waring who was making it possible  put a bit of damper on things.  Go figure the guy would have an estate, he grumped silently before turning his attention back to his steak.   

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret

Lahr was glad that the Captain had been just joking, but he afterwards he kept a watchful eye on Katya.   Ruth's explanation of the dance-card saying had been way more in-depth than he would have expected but the history lesson was kinda cool.

When the talk moved on the food and engineering the Andorian zoned out and turned his attention to taking a seat and finally getting around to ordering.

"Since it seems that this is a celebration... I'll have a Krill-beast steak.. done blue with a side of mashed tuber root, and I'll have a glow-ale to start." he informed the wait-staff who was taking orders.

He was glad his ale was brought immediately.  He sipped at warm glowing amber liquid and took the opportunity to quietly observe the counselor.

(ooc source: https://memory-beta.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Andorian_foods )

At the mention of his name, Lahr, whose meal had just arrived, looked up from cutting into his inch-thick krill-beast steak. The cyan blue of its barely warmed meat was tantalizing to the eyes and the pungent smell of the blue blood had him salivating.  To be distracted away from it was almost a crime!

"Hmm? What was that you were saying about me not being a long-standing friend, Captain? " he glanced over towards the red-head.  "The length of time a person knows someone shouldn't make a difference on how close they become friendship-wise." he remarked even as Katya interjected her own thoughts.

Lahr's antenna perked at the Captain's news about the Manor house.  Really?!?  While the idea of getting to experience such a shore-leave was exciting...  the fact that it was Waring who was making it possible  but a bit of damper on things.  Go figure the guy would have an estate, he grumped silently before turning his attention back to his steak.

"That looks interesting!"  Ruth said indicating the drink.  "But what I meant, in answer to your question... you may not be long standing, but you're a close friend.  I wouldn't trust you to DJ my wedding otherwise!  The Briggs I've known quite a while.  However, they, and you are becoming like family now.  Please don't be alarmed.  I mean like Sven is a brother... potentially you could be like that, or a cousin." She blushed as she realised her thoughts were that of possibly having gone for a relationship with Lahr if she hadn't had Will come back into her life.  She had to try to bring her thoughts back to the room and her guests.

The Captain added the last bit, mostly to comfort herself.  She loved Will, but she couldn't deny the fact that she was more than a little attracted to Lahr.  You could marry cousins, and she didn't know why she liked Lahr this way, but in her head it was like having a devil and an angel on her shoulder.  One half was saying 'Watch it you're marrying Will in 3 days time! Stop flirting with other men and thinking about them.' the other half was saying 'Yeah, but Lahr is far more interesting, sexy...Not your fault you saw him half naked... and if things don't work out with Will probably good to have someone this good looking around to take your mind off things, besides, swapping him to Ops was probably the best thing you ever did!'

"How's the Krill?"

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Officer's Lounge](evening, 3 days prior to wedding)

"That looks interesting!"  Ruth said indicating the drink.  "But what I meant, in answer to your question... you may not be long standing, but you're a close friend.  I wouldn't trust you to DJ my wedding otherwise!  The Briggs I've known quite a while.  However, they, and you are becoming like family now.  Please don't be alarmed.  I mean like Sven is a brother... potentially you could be like that, or a cousin." She blushed as she realised her thoughts were that of possibly having gone for a relationship with Lahr if she hadn't had Will come back into her life.  She had to try to bring her thoughts back to the room and her guests.

The Captain added the last bit, mostly to comfort herself.  She loved Will, but she couldn't deny the fact that she was more than a little attracted to Lahr.  You could marry cousins, and she didn't know why she liked Lahr this way, but in her head it was like having a devil and an angel on her shoulder.  One half was saying 'Watch it you're marrying Will in 3 days time! Stop flirting with other men and thinking about them.' the other half was saying 'Yeah, but Lahr is far more interesting, sexy...Not your fault you saw him half naked... and if things don't work out with Will probably good to have someone this good looking around to take your mind off things, besides, swapping him to Ops was probably the best thing you ever did!'

"How's the Krill?"

Lahr sipped at his glow-ale and nodded in understanding at the Captain's various statement.   He knew that he was a charismatic type of guy, who tended to make friends easily, yet something in the way the Captain rushed her comments and flushed pink had Lahr wondering if he didn't just have the twins to worry about hitting on him.

His antenna swayed in deep thought as Lahr watched the Captain and chewed on a bite of his krill-steak.

Ruth's question as how it was, had Lahr blinking uncomprehendingly.  "Huh?  Oh the steak.  Yeah, it's great! Juicy!"

Then to be sociable and because he figured he may as well make the most of the shoreleave while he had, he asked.  "So this manor house...  any chance there's a rockin' pub nearby?"    Lahr's usual idea of a fun activity wasn't so pastoral.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Officer's Lounge](evening, 3 days prior to wedding)

Lahr sipped at his glow-ale and nodded in understanding at the Captain's various statement.   He knew that he was a charismatic type of guy, who tended to make friends easily, yet something in the way the Captain rushed her comments and flushed pink had Lahr wondering if he didn't just have the twins to worry about hitting on him.

His antenna swayed in deep thought as Lahr watched the Captain and chewed on a bite of his krill-steak.

Ruth's question as how it was, had Lahr blinking uncomprehendingly.  "Huh?  Oh the steak.  Yeah, it's great! Juicy!"

Then to be sociable and because he figured he may as well make the most of the shoreleave while he had, he asked.  "So this manor house...  any chance there's a rockin' pub nearby?"    Lahr's usual idea of a fun activity wasn't so pastoral.

"Is a fully stocked bar in the Manor not enough?!  I believe there is an Olde-Englishee type pub by the name of The Queen's Head or some such in the village... about a 2 mile walk one way, but we have bicycles, dirt and quad bikes if hoofing it isn't your idea of fun!" Ruth teased.

"I honestly thought you and Will would hide out in the basement - bar, gaming den... by which I mean full bowling alley, mini holodeck gaming, badminton court, roulette and poker tables, table tennis that sort of thing.  And vintage games consoles." the CO tempted.

[FYI if you look at Google, I have decided that Waring Manor would be about 2-3 miles east of the village of Kettlewell in Yorkshire]

Kettlewell, nearest village to Waring Manor, Yorkshire, England.

WARING MANOR - 3 MILES >>> THAT WAY!