Welcome to Hickstead, home to both Seven Oak Stables, and Blue Acre - two rival stables. Both offer opportunities for their clients to reach the highest level of excellence. Each stable differs from the other, so choose wisely and never forget, loyalty is everything... Meanwhile as the stables battle it out, there's trouble brewing at the university. Be careful, if you don't pick a side you may get caught in the cross-fire...
This is an chilled out rpg with a super friendly and relaxed atmosphere! Remember to sign up with your characters full name in all caps and don't forget to do your claims! Thank you and Welcome, we've been established since 10th March 2009 but unfortunately have had to close guest view of our boards due to multiple sites ripping off our hard work, such a shame! Come chat to us in Discord before joining if you like!.
Katerina had checked everything about three times already, but once more didn't hurt. She was nervous, incredibly so, and it showed in her anxious energy and the slight shaking her hands as she checked the casserole cooking merrily in the oven, and ran her clean hands over her pretty dress - smoothing it out... again. Everything had to be perfect. It was funny, at home, she had often run away from her responsibilities at home, spending days whittling away hours at the barn or in town, hiding away somewhere on a random hilltop painting the countryside where her parents couldn't find her, or laughing as her horses galloped along grassy paths and the wind whipped around her. Not caring how she looked or how she cooked. Her mother had dragged her in every night and forced her to learn things that her husband would expect her to be good at - play an instrument, sing, cook, clean. Very boring really, though she had come to enjoy some cooking now she was on her own with it. She liked to put songs on and sing along as she cooked, sometimes dancing.
She had cleaned the entire house from top to bottom, and she'd made fresh bread for the morning's breakfast, and a casserole for their evening sit down dinner, knowing her parents would like it and checking with Milo the same for his. She knew this mattered to her, and that was why she was scared. Milo's parents opinion of her mattered, this would be the first time they met. It mattered that everything went well with both families, that her parents were proud of her, and most importantly, it mattered for Milo. She didn't want to embaras him. It was why she'd made sure everything looked spotless, including herself- not a hair out of place, not too much make up. Her mother would pick holes in something, of that she was sure, but she would do her best.
Kat let out a quick exhale and glanced at the wall clock, running another hand over her hair and trying to rearrange her features into less of a 'bunny in headlights'expression. The doorbell went. She swallowed, and plastered a warm smile on her face, going to open the door to greet whoever was on time first. Her smile widened as she saw them, and she no longer needed to try so hard. "Mama! Papa!" She was enveloped in a tight hug first from her mother, and then from her father, melting a little into their embraces as their familiar feel and scent overwhelmed her. She had missed them, she couldn't deny it, even without their restricting hands around her neck. "Please, come in." She stepped back to allow them entrance. "Katerina," Her mother said warmly, touching her cheek and then removing her coat. "nascondi il viso dietro tanto trucco" She gave a quiet tut and then her father was in, shutting the door behind him. "e dov'è Milo"
Translation - "you hide your face behind so much makeup" and then "and Where is Milo?"
Of all the days that emergencies happened, it had to be today. Milo groaned and spun absently back and forth on his work chair, listening as the man on the phone rattled off his concerns and forecasts. Twiddling with a pen, the young man nodded his head, trying to keep his impatience at bay. It seemed that the day was off to a stressful start - his phone went off at nearly 6am, causing Milo to disentangle himself from his good dreams and rather attractive wife to haul himself to his office and deal with the crisis. By the time he was done and ready to crawl back under the heavy duvet, Kat was already in the shower. Sensing her nerves, Milo decided not to join her.
The rest of the morning was a blur - he went meeting to meeting, answering a few emails in-between and signing the few papers that needed to be authorized before his long weekend. It was promising to be quite the reunion with neither parental couple seeing their child's soon-to-be counterpart. He could sense Kat's desire to be liked by his mother and her nervousness that everything be perfect. It vexed him that he couldn't send everyone to hell and join her in the kitchen to take her mind off the upcoming stress. Frankly, he could picture quite a few ways he could take her mind off her parents, his lips involuntarily curling up.
"Paul, you seem to have everything under control," he finally had had enough, interrupting the continuous monologue with a quick phrase.
"But Mr. Jaeger, I haven't even mentioned the schedule-"
"Goodbye Paul, say hello to you misses," hanging up and closing all work applications, Milo leaned back and closed his eyes. Somewhere downstairs, he heard the echoes of the doorbell, the sounds eliciting another frustrated groan. All his plans at quick distractions disappeared, replaced by the need to be charming, cool and collected. Making his way to the bedroom to switch into a more casual black v-neck atop his jeans, he made his way downstairs.
"Katerina, do we have company?" he asked, approaching the small group with a practiced smile and reaching out his hand. "Milo Jaeger, senior De Luca."
Katerina smiled past her mother's make up comment; she had only dabbed on a little to make herself look fresh, and stepped forward to take their coats, reaching in to give her father a kiss on his cheek. "He will be with us shortly, he is working." She'd been disappointed when he'd pulled away to roll out of bed early this morning, but she'd gotten up to make a start on the day; reluctantly. Her father frowned and Kat bit back a sigh, wanting to get in quickly before her father could dwell. "How was your journey?" She asked, putting their coats up on the hanger, just at Milo appeared. She tried not to look relieved.
"Katerina, do we have company?" She turned to him, a sweet smile already on her face and she nodded. "Yes, please meet my father, and mother." She introduced, though they all knew each others names. Her father took the offered hand with a firm shake. "Milo Jaeger, senior De Luca." "Pleased to meet you," He took back his hand and then had a look around the entryway, as his wife was already doing. "You have a lovely home." Kat's mother complimented, her English a little more stilted. Both her parents spoke good English - her father was better than Kat, and she was better than her mother. "Would you like to come through?" She asked them, trying not to cringe at how awkward and stiff this felt. She was putting on a show, and she hated it.
"Thank you although your daughter did bring much more colour and comfort to it," Milo smiled, stepping aside to let the older De Luca couple to enter the door and nodding for the driver, standing a bit behind with their luggage to come forward and bring the array of suitcases and small accessories. "I hope that your trip was pleasant - may I offer you some refreshments? Coffee or tea? Some wine?"
It was strange seeing his future in-laws in person - her mother seemed to be a copy of her daughter albeit older, more mature but just as elegant and impeccable, her faded blonde hair set in a modern yet classical style to highlight her features and her dress underlining her lithe frame and high class. The man was dressed in fashionable clothes that Milo could have sworn were the latest season and, despite their bright details, they complimented him quite well, giving an air of success and pleasant retirement. His blue eyes matched his daughter's perfectly.
"Thank you although your daughter did bring much more colour and comfort to it," Her father gave Milo a slightly more appraising look, whilst Katerina's mother nodded and gave a polite smile in response, though her gaze was a little shrewd as she looked to Kat. As if she could already tell things between her and Milo were more familiar than they should be - honestly though, what could you expect putting two young people into the same house when they were expected to get married? She let her parents walk through first, shutting the door gently behind them once the driver has entered with their luggage and turning to take their coats.
"I hope that your trip was pleasant - may I offer you some refreshments? Coffee or tea? Some wine?" Her father nodded, "There were some delays getting through the security once the plane had landed, the incompetency of the staff at this airport-" Her mother neatly cut her father off before he could begin too much of a tirade. "But we are here now, and a coffee would be lovely." Her usual practiced smile back in place. Kat tried not to frown, copying her mother with the fake sugary sweet smile. God she hated it, she had not missed this - the pretending, the fawning, the effort it took to be so 'mannered'.
"The luggage can be left there, we will take it upstairs," Kat nodded to the driver once everything was inside and set down. Her mother frowned slightly, "Do you not have staff in the house?" As if her mother hadn't tried to train her to housework for her husband growing up. Katerina glance to Milo, a very slight look of 'help' that luckily her parents missed as they vacated the hallway in favour of the lounge.
"I didn't want extra people in our house while we were getting to know one another," Milo responded, frowning slightly as he followed the older couple. It was throwing him out of balance to see the elder De Luca's reacting to their daughter....not coldly but certainly in a way that made him raise an eyebrow. He could feel Kat stressing and to show his support, he squeezed her hand in his. It seemed as though her mother was trying to find every tiny fault in her decisions since she had come and they had found their peace. Well, they certainly found more than that but somehow, he wasn't confident that it would placate his soon-to-be in-laws.
"It makes no sense to hire before the wedding anyway - not with our plans to go on a honeymoon right after," giving the blonde's hand one more squeeze, he stepped to the counter, starting up the artisan coffee and grounding up an imported Italian blend. "Once we're back, Kat and I will return to the discussion of what kind of help we need around the house. It will depend if Kat wants to pick up her career here."
"I didn't want extra people in our house while we were getting to know one another," Kat relaxed a little, the tension easing from her shoulders at how deftly Milo stepped in - and he knew just the thing to placate her mother; who gave a small nod. "I see," She said, and then her gaze went to Katerina again, a little more knowing, and Kat tried hard not to look too guilty. "I know of a few local agencies that would be perfect for you," Her mother said in a tone that left little room for argument. Kat bit her tongue. There was absolutely no way she would use someone her mother recommended - it was likely the person would be in her families pocket, which meant they'd be liable to report back on the goings on in the house - the last thing Kat needed. Instead she gave her mother a small smile in response.
Milo's small squeeze of her hand sent her a pillar of strength and she squeezed back gently, a silent communication of thanks. "It makes no sense to hire before the wedding anyway - not with our plans to go on a honeymoon right after," She managed to avoid grinning as the logic stopped her mother from continuing with the topic, and she ran her thumb over the back of Milo's hand in a sweet gesture before releasing his hand so he could start on the coffee. She went to get the cups and saucers and a tray to carry it in. "Once we're back, Kat and I will return to the discussion of what kind of help we need around the house. It will depend if Kat wants to pick up her career here."
Uh oh. Kat's eyes shot to her mother, who frowned at the word. "Career?" She said in confusion and Katerina looked away. "Mama..." She warned, not wanting to get in on this when they had just got here. "Katerina, your career if to look after your husband, and your home...to raise your children." Kat nearly gagged but instead gave her parents a tight lipped smile. "I know, ma," She tried hard to hold in the sigh and luckily her father interrupted, touching his wife's back lightly. "A woman can have hobbies," Not quite what she had in mind but it took the attention of Kat for a second. "We should retire to the lounge," He added, and then looked to Kat, who nodded quickly. "Of course, let me show you." And she hurried a little to seat them in the lounge before returning to help Milo with the coffee, letting out a heavy sigh she had been holding.
"Of course, please make yourself comfortable," Milo's mouth twitched in a shadow of a smile that did not reach his eyes as he watched Kat usher her parents into the other room, her cheeks slightly flushed. Perhaps he should have dug deeper into the de Luca family dynamics when he had the chance and been more prepared. It wasn't as though he couldn't have asked or hired someone to find out, he simply didn't think it would have mattered. Groaning in frustration, he gripped the countertop, hanging his head. Apparently, he should have been a tad more curious about his in-laws if only to survive until the wedding day.
It wasn't exactly fair of him to think poorly of them - after all, Katerina loved them even if she seemed much more stressed than usual. She grew up with them and she was happy to see them even as her mother aimed to smolder her. The sound of Katerina's soft footsteps brought him back. Looking up at his bride, he cocked an eyebrow. "Anything else I should know not to mention in front of your parents?"
She bit her lip as she caught Milo's look, a little concerned as to his thoughts. She knew her parents were likely tired after their journey and a little touchier than normal, and her mother's worry tended to come out sharper than she intended but she still felt on edge about them being here. She had been settled enough back home, but she'd know what lines she could cross and where she stood. It was different here. She had come over, meek and mild as her mother had told her, in a strange country with nobody she knew, and had slowly discovered she had more freedom here than she'd had back home. It was difficult to reconcile the changes in her life, and that she had her own choices - things of which she knew her mother would not approve of.
"Anything else I should know not to mention in front of your parents?" She grimanced slightly, trying to ignore the way her heart sank. She hoped she hadn't frustrated Milo, her mother's stiff upper lip was nothing of his fault. "Es tut mir leid... I'm sorry," She apologised, the German was unnatural for her but she was trying to train her brain to slip into his language as much as her own. "I think she is just worried," It sounded silly, but Katerina understood her mother's logic, even if she didn't agree. "You could still back out if I have been anything less than perfect," Her smile was tight lipped, but now that she was getting to know Milo, she felt less concern over the idea he might do just that - and it was her heart that was just as horrified at the idea as her head. "Perhaps, we do not mention the bedroom situation. She might just have a heart attack," Though she was sure that went without saying, if her mother knew she had been intimate with Milo before their wedding, she didn't want to imagine the consequences of it.
"Zum Donnerwetter," Milo couldn't help a chuckle before looking at the door leading to the living room and, confirming that the couple could not be seen, pulled Katerina into a tight hug against his chest, digging his nose into her hair. "You silly girl - you think you can go anywhere now?" His arms wrapped tight, eyes closing as he inhaled her familiar scent, relaxing slightly. It wasn't that bad that her family was here really - he just hated walking on eggshells in his own house. The situation was bizarre enough as it was in the current time and age; an arranged marriage was not what he wanted and as much as he was falling for his bride, he simply couldn't relax around her parents.
"No mentioning the sleeping situation," he murmured in her ear as the expresso machine hummed beside them. Involuntarily the corners of his mouth twitched up, remembering just what the sleeping situation was and how much sleep they truly had been getting. He had planned to show her something completely new that night but suddenly his plans were changing. Yet another reason he was a little on edge - who the hell cared if he was fucking someone? Especially when he wasn't straying, wasn't cheating, wasn't doing a last 'hoorah' like many others in his situation. He was sleeping with his own future wife!
"Zum Donnerwetter," She smiled slightly, feeling better to hear his chuckle - she was always a little at a loss of how to pull him from his darker moods, though she was learning a lot about him and how to encourage him to switch from business to pleasure, she still felt there was a lot to know about Milo. Her smile widened to a grin however as he pulled her close, and she let herself be tugged, automatically winding her arms around his neck in a return hug and pressing close. "You silly girl - you think you can go anywhere now?" She bit her lip but delight spread through her chest. "I would not want to," She admitted, relaxing easily into his familiar embrace. It was so strange to think of how they had spent months barely touching each other, and now every time he wasn't near, she craved him. Just the sweet touch of his hand, or being in his arms, let alone the rest.
"No mentioning the sleeping situation," She couldn't help the light shiver from the murmur of his voice. She especially love it when he was close in this way, he elicited responses from her she didn't know were possible. She smiled, but she trusted that he would help this go smoothly, after all - he was excellent in the business world and as awful as it sounded, this was just another business deal, except she and their marriage was the product. She turned her head and raised slightly to press a gentle kiss to his neck. "Thank you," She said softly, and then her own lips tilted up and she pulled back slightly to look up at him, "I will thank you properly later," She teased, hearing the machine begin to wind down. This little moment of reprieve wouldn't last long, but she hoped she could continue to steal moments with him despite her parents stay. "Once we are married, things will be easier," She hoped anyway.
"You promise?" Milo raised an eyebrow as he let her pull away and turned back to the coffee. Regardless of the annoyance in the back of his head, he hoped it would become easier once his own family was around to distract and entertain the de Lucas. He was certain his mother would instantly wrap Siniora de Luca into wedding plans and - he smiled wickedly to himself - he hoped they ran it past Katerina before making them final. Although, if that allowed him more private time with his bride, he wouldn't complain. His father and, most importantly, his uncle could discuss a variety of topics with Senior de Luca - was there any marriage details to finalize? A contract? His head started to hurt.
"Do you think they will want anything with the coffee? Do we even have something in the fridge or pantry?" he raised an eyebrow, moving two new cups to be filled and moving to grab a tray along with sugar and cream.
"You promise?" Katerina smiled softly up at him, it was normally her asking for his reassurance, unsure of where she might stand or if she might be doing the wrong thing. She was getting better at being sure of herself, of having confidence in not only him but herself, but he rarely asked of her the same questions. "I promise," Her smile blossomed a little more, "and I will find a way to make it up to you later," She would allow his imagination to play with that as he liked. Since their relationship had crossed that mind, she'd found it impossible not to keep going back for more. She knew they would need to be wary with her parents here, she did not need her mother to find out - she would never hear the end of it - but she didn't want it to ruin what they had, things were good and she was happy, and she knew that things were going to be stressful enough without falling into bed and being unable to touch each other, to pull Milo close and chase away the worries of the day.
"Do you think they will want anything with the coffee? Do we even have something in the fridge or pantry?" She nodded as she dug out the little treats she had made earlier for this occasion, "I thought ahead for this," She half smiled, trying to hold onto the way Milo made her feel as the tension threatened to return. "Here we go," She took out a plate of what was mostly Italian finger food - little brushetta's with tomato and cheese, folds of prosciutto with mozzarella, Caponata with freshly made bread to dip into. She was too nervous to eat right now but she offered it to Milo with a flourish. "Would you like to taste test, future husband of mine?" She tried for some humour, working up the energy to return to her parents.
Milo chuckled as his mind raced forward in time, painting a rather vivid picture of what kind of ‘thank you’ he was expecting from his fiancée. They would have to be quiet, he supposed, mostly. Why had he never considered soundproof walls before was beyond him - of all the useless modifications that had been made to the house over the past few years while he was enjoying his bachelor lifestyle, surely he could have spared some time to think of such a convenient luxury. Alas, as an old proverb from one of his managers went, good thoughts come late. So, as things stood now, they would have to be quiet. Now, how they would remain quiet was an entirely separate - and rather creative - topic on itself. His eyes fell onto Katarina’s lips and for a second he considered his options before having to abort his thought process, all too aware that his pants were a little tight.
”I will hold you to it in every respect,” He threatened, turning to the sink and running cold water. Splashing some on his face, he flicked a few droplets in the young woman’s direction playfully. ”How unfair of you to make me suffer alone, mi bella.”
Turning off the faucet, Milo leaned back, wiping his hands on a towel and gathering his composure. The mask came back too easily unfortunately, the relaxation turning into coolness, the playful teasing into composure. Within a few second, Herr Jaeger, the heir to his uncle’s vast fortune and power was back, Milo disappearing into some dark corner. It had become easier to slip into his softer, more relaxed state around Katrina in the past few weeks especially once they broke the physical barrier, but he still worried each time the mask came on that he would frighten her off. Their connection, their bond, was still so fragile and they were still just learning about each other. Today, however, required them both to play their roles - the same roles they would need to show to the world whenever they were seen in larger, more blood-thirsty company.
Even his dark thoughts couldn’t keep him from refusing his fiancée's food offering. Smiling and nodding in affirmative, Milo allowed her to feed him a piece of the snacks, teasingly biting her fingers as she did. Shaking his head, he turned back to his coffees, savoring the delicious fresh food. Having freshly made meals on the regular was definitely a perk he was not about to take for granted, especially since Katerina seemed to make very detailed notes about what dishes and flavors he preferred, slowly catering her cooking to his taste. Giving her one last encouraging smile, he led the way back.
”Apologies senora and senior, I have been meaning to upgrade the coffee machine for a while but,” he placed the tray on the coffee table before his future in-laws, flashing them a practiced smile. ”It never makes the priority list. Crème, sugar?”
She could practically see his mind turning over in his gaze and her cheeks warmed, a soft rose blush to the apples. As his gaze fell to her lips, her mouth parted, her breath quickened just a little. There was an absurd tiny thought, a small ridiculous scene that he might suddenly grab her and have his way with her right there. Stupid because not with her parents right there, and she knew he wouldn't, but just for one moment it popped into her head and her expression darkened with desire for it. Milo had proven to her that he was a passionate man, surprising beneath that cool exterior she more often had seen. She swallowed and cleared her thought, anything to cool herself down. His passion had raised one in her, and she still wasn't quite sure how to handle it.
”I will hold you to it in every respect,” She pressed her lips together but the small smile broke through all the same as she dipped her eyes a little. "I look forward to it," She murmured back with honesty. She was enjoying getting to know him - the real him - as some of their most intimate moments are the first times she's gotten to see him fully beneath his mask. There was much more to Milo Jaeger than he let on. She let out a quiet playful squeal and quick laugh at the drops, flinching away. ”How unfair of you to make me suffer alone, mi bella.” Her heart swelled at his sweet endearment, "Who is to say that you suffer alone, meine Liebe." She arched a perfect brow. But as his persona changed, she allowed hers too as well, sinking into dutiful, demure daughter as best she could.
She waited for his nod before feeding him a bite, grinning at the tantalizing nips of his teeth and it was her turn for her eyes to flick to his lips, "You tease me," She accused with a slight pout as he eyes narrowed just a little, but now really wasn't the time. Perhaps later she could steal a kiss from him or something. Her parents were early to bed, and they would likely be tired from travelling. She stepped back and picked up the nibbles she had made, following Milo into the room. ”Apologies senora and senior, I have been meaning to upgrade the coffee machine for a while but, It never makes the priority list. Crème, sugar?” Her mother met Kat's gaze and she tried hard not to let anything show, if she gave an inch her mother would know, would practically smell the attraction coming from Kat and box her ears for it. Her father asked for cream, and her mother both, and as she placed the food on the table carefully, before taking a seat opposite them. This felt like an interview, it was absurd. "How are the wedding preparations coming? Is everything in order?" Kat went to open her mouth but her mother cut across her with her own answers, "I'm sure you are in need of some help to make sure nothing is amiss... I will help tomorrow, where is your list?" Kat floundered a little, surprised but also not as she bode her time by taking a sip of water. "And how is business, Milo? Going well I hope?" Again her mother, checking in on the income no doubt as her father simply allowed it.
