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!.
Cara sighed as she looked at her reflection in the mirror, turning this way and that in the silver-gold dress that hugged her frame and reached the floor, a slit on the side allowing for her to move comfortably and giving a teasing view of her long legs in silver strappy stilettos. She had pinned her dark hair up in an intricate updo, a simple diamond necklace around her neck. It felt strange, dressing up to act as Dallas’ date after all these years and although she was looking forward to it, something irked her in the back of her mind. It had been so long since they went anywhere as ‘Cara and Dallas’, would it be weird?
No, it wouldn't, she decided, turning defiantly away and crossing her arms over her chest. Her old feelings were well and truly stuffed somewhere deep, deep within, away from her mind and that is where she was planning to keep them. Dallas was her friend and although it was taking time for that friendship to become as easy as it had been, she was glad that he was once again in her life. It brought back a part of her that she thought she'd lost, a playful, carefree version that popped up around the man. A part she was convinced she had left back in Australia after her scandal. Though, then again, scandal was too strong a word. Misunderstanding, she smirked, grabbing her faux fur cover and clutch.
Walking to the door, she checked her phone, opening the unread message from Dallas that said he had arrived. Checking that she packed the essentials and spraying her favorite night perfume, she locked the door and headed outside, making her way quickly to the waiting car and trying to ignore the chill in the air. As she slipped into the passenger seat, she smiled at the man. ”It's good to see you tonight, Wood. Now remind me again, what is this event we're going to?”
Dallas wasn't so sure this was his best idea, which seemed mean given that this was his friend, his childhood friend who he had always loved dearly, just in confusing ways. It was just that, he didn't know if this was going to merge lines a little, and he didn't feel that was fair, or quite right just now. The last thing he wanted to do was blur this situation, given it had been so long without each other in their lives, and how good it felt to be back to how they once were. He didn't want to spoil that, was concerned about spoiling it, and he wondered vaguely if inviting Cara to this party had been a mistake and would threaten everything.
He'd been going to functions all his life, trussed up in a penguin suit as soon as he was old enough to walk, and paraded from charity dinner to charity dinner like a show pony. He'd left America barely an adult, hoping he was leaving that kind of shit behind him, but even now he couldn't quite escape the name and all it came with. He'd come to dislike the dinners a little less, they had decent alcohol and usually above average food, but he wasn't much for dancing or schmoozing the folks to spend their money, he also didn't enjoy the ass kissing from others encouraging him to spend a pretty penny. But still he spent it, causing all the more brown nosing because of it. It was for charity, how could he sit there and not reach into his pockets?
At least he should have a decent laugh with Cara looking gorgeous on his arm. He'd never taken her to an event before, he hadn't been old enough to be given a plus one. He hadn't used to like going on his own, as it tended to encourage vultures circling in the hopes he might pick them for the night, or depending on their age, they'd be trying to set him up with daughters or grand-daughters - always beautiful and intelligent and a perfect match. He might have been a cocky shit as a young twenty year old, and a bit of a womaniser, but he'd always been sure to take a woman on his arm to fundraisers, even if it was just for the night. For a while, he had taken Harlow, and since her, nobody at all.
He shot off a quick text to Cara once he'd pulled up out the front and parked. He took a moment to put on some music he liked whilst he waited - knowing how long some women tended to take to get their shit together. ”It's good to see you tonight, Wood. Now remind me again, what is this event we're going to?” Dallas rolled his eyes but smiled all the same as he put the car into gear and pulled away from the curb. "Good to see you too, you look lovely," Because you always made sure to compliment a woman. "This is an art auction for underprivileged kids... or it might be for cancer? Who knows." He shrugged, it was all the same in the end.
"Ooo, I love it when you act so mysterious," Cara teased, scrunching up her nose in the process. Typical men, never knowing where they were going or why but going none the less. Then again, some days she was no better. The only things she stuck to with a routine bordering on religion was her riding and the horses. Riding for a client meant that she could not simply disregard his asks and desires, especially when said client was a big name in and of himself within the show jumping world. And while Cara was a bit of a whirlwind in her life, she could never do anything that would put her charges or reputation in danger.
"I do hope they have those avant-garde paintings - they make for the best entertainment, especially when they have no meaning," She smoothed out her skirt before looking over with a seductive smirk. "I heard that one of the up and coming artists in Austria painted a blob with three colors. No one could guess what it was but when he said the painting's name, one lady fainted He called it unrequited desires of a virgin. Can you believe it?"
Art shows had never been her facorite events even as a child but she had grown to enjoy them as an adult. Most probably because she was finally allowed access to alcohol and expensive french champagne seemed to be a way to allow even the most artistically-limited to gaze into the mind of the artist and enjoy works from impressionists, cubists, minimalists and whatever other modern directions there were. Alcohol and attractive men, Cara scoffed inwardly, her eyes observing Dallas from under long eyelashes. It was always a rather pleasant bonus when a man trully knew how to wear a suit.
"Ooo, I love it when you act so mysterious," He gave a little chuckle, though in all honesty he should probably remind himself before they showed up at the door and he made a fool out of then both. "It's probably a bit shit of me not to know," but over the years he couldn't help but be a little cynical. These events might be flash and no expense spared, but it was all because they wanted money. Money money money - all things came down to it. If he wasn't rich, he wouldn't receive an invite, they wined him and dined him and kissed his ass to the point of chaffing just so they could hope to squeeze a few more thousands out of him when he already did his due-diligence and paid out plenty to charity. He couldn't send it all, he'd have nothing left to donate. He was tempted to boop her scrunched nose, but he figured she'd probably get pissy at him for messing with her make up, so he left off.
He checked his mirrors and then pulled away carefully into traffic. "I do hope they have those avant-garde paintings - they make for the best entertainment, especially when they have no meaning," Dallas glanced at Cara with a half smile, already glad that he'd brought her with him this time - better than sitting moodily at the back, staring at the alcohol he could not longer have. "There'll be plenty of them, all with a ridiculous price tag." He rolled his eyes. His house was also full of them, thanks to interior designers that loved his no expense spared, no limits gold credit card. "I heard that one of the up and coming artists in Austria painted a blob with three colors. No one could guess what it was but when he said the painting's name, one lady fainted He called it unrequited desires of a virgin. Can you believe it?" He caught her look and shifted a little in his seat, shaking his head. "Sounds about as disappointing as a virgin's first time normally is, so I guess he's halfway right." He commented, then regretted his words given current company and past experiences.
Pressing the button on the steering wheel to move the music along, one of his favourites - one that him and Cara used to enjoy as kids - came up and he couldn't help but glance at Cara with a small smile. "Remember this one?" He asked, turning left onto the motorway to head out of town. The event wasn't far, but it was in a place a little fancier than Hickstead and would take about twenty minutes drive. Plenty of time to try and cheer him up about doing this event before they got there.
”Just a wee bit but I promise not to tell anyone,” Cara smirked at his chuckle, rather pleased that she could still get him to smile. After so many years away from each other, every small step towards normalcy and friendship was a step in the right direction. They had been so young when their friendship - the one they had since they were children - blew up in a blast worthy of Hiroshima (fine, partially Cara's fault) due to one night (very much Cara's fault), some days she wondered if she regretted the past. It was extremely out of character for her to ever look at her decisions with anything but humour but seeing Dallas once again made her wonder. But she had been young and in love and, much like the man beside her, not afraid of going after what she wanted.
She bit her lip, turning for a second to look out the window. Oops, didn't think that one through, did you, she told herself angrily. When she mentioned the artist and his painting, she was simply teasing but of course he would remember…what? Did he ever wonder what that night had meant to her? How she waited for his call, for him to chase her, to reach out, to simply acknowledge her? They had an agreement and she did promise it was all business but somewhere between the beginning of the summer and her last day in the US, Dallas Wood stole her heart. She had trusted him because he was her best friend but weeks turned to months and then gossip came and….Cara shook her head. Nope, she was past that and besides, did it matter anymore?
”Of course,” she met his gaze with a smile, her lips curling up with disbelief. Cara could remember the two of them belting out the song at midnight on their sleepovers, sometimes off key and laughing at one another until his mother would come to tell them to be quiet and go to sleep. They ended up in giggles each time and any time one of them even hummed the song, off they went. After a while, it became a game when they trained, trying to see which one of them could maintain their cool even when both wanted to grin. Even now, she couldn't help chuckling. ”I don't even remember why we found it funny but the amount of trouble I got into thanks to this song and you. Do you know how many laps your dad made me run because I couldn't stop laughing?” She poked his arm with mock accusation.
”Just a wee bit but I promise not to tell anyone,” Dallas shot her a look, "I'll hold you to that," He promised, in case she had second thoughts and believed it might be amusing to put him on the spot at some point. If he was mean - or younger probably - he likely would have done it to her, put her on the spot infront of a group of the event organisers and watch her try to wiggle her way out of it, or pull him into the hole with her - that's what Cara would do. He didn't act like that anymore, even if the thought was amusing, but he had a reputation here to uphold and he couldn't afford to fuck it up. Yeah sure, he had the 'rents back home in cow country, but he didn't want to go back, especially not with tail between legs because he had fucked things up for himself here and no longer had any clients.
Dallas took a left and then a right, realising that they were almost there already; the journey had taken no time at all. Ignoring the awkward quiet for a moment, at least it passed quickly. He figured they'd have to talk about that particular elephant at some point, but now wasn't the time. Not just before they were about to go to an important charity event and play nice with the beggars. ”Of course,” Dallas caught her gaze for a moment, before returning his eyes to the road, his smile widening a little to hear her chuckle. ”I don't even remember why we found it funny but the amount of trouble I got into thanks to this song and you. Do you know how many laps your dad made me run because I couldn't stop laughing?” He laughed at that, gently waving off her poking ministrations.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Dallas teased, pulling up into the parking spot out the front of the hotel - the valet began to walk towards them. "I have no idea why it was funny, but your dance moves certainly made it worse," He reminded her, turning off the engine. "Are you ready?" He asked as he collected his coat from behind his car and got out the car door. He made sure to head round to Cara's side to quickly pop open hers, and handed over the keys to the valet with a quick 'thanks'.
”Oh please, my Michael Jackson impersonation was spot on,” Cara scoffed though her lips remained in a content smile. Seeing how her mother had ensured that Carolina Jones learned all the arts necessary for a young lady - at least in her eyes - the atrocious dance routine the girl had created for their iconic song was more so an act of rebellion than any lack of ability on her part. It was these kinds of small moments of freedom that allowed Cara to show her personality before she was finally given more freedom to express her full personality. Frankly, that was exactly what got her into a little bit of an awkward situation or, rather, situations. Not that anyone ever had to know now that she was in the furthest part of the world from her shamefull past.
As Dallas turned off the engine, she quickly flipped down the visor mirror, double checking her makeup and applying a fresh coat of gloss, while the man got his jacket and stepped out of the car. By the time he walked around to her side, she was ready, offering him her hand to be helped out of the lowseater, her eyes lighting up as she took the building. Regardless of whether she liked art shows or not, they did know how to choose the most incredible venues. This was was no exception - a massive building with a breathtaking facade that must have been some sort of neoclassical architecture, the material a soft beige that could turn grey in specific lighting or caramel in the sun. Glancing at Dallas, she started up the stairs to the door, the man a hald step behind.
Inside, soft classical music resonated in the background while a few people stood behind the coat check, accepting various items in a quick and efficient manner, the patrons moving to say their names to a handsome young man in a blue suit and an ipad. Women moved in flowing dresses, men in their tuxes, a few servers moving in vests and bowties with trays of champagne. Seeing them, Cara grinned, anticipating the bubbly even as she stopped to remove her jacket, allowing Dallas to assist her and taking her marching clutch.
”How long do you think before the first beggar comes to you for money?” she whispered into his ear, hooking her arm with his as they walked towards the man with the ipad. ”I’ll bet you anything, it will be less than 10 minutes.”
”Oh please, my Michael Jackson impersonation was spot on,” Dallas gave an unattractive snort and roll of his eyes. "That's what I let you believe. Sometimes I'm nice." he teased, though he'd seen both better and worse impersonations, so there was that. He was well aware of the young woman's talent in that area, having seen it multiple times over the years as children. "Do you still dance?" he asked curiosily, wondering if she'd given it up with less pressure from her mother or whether that pressure still remained. It was part of their unspoken understanding in each other, the bullshit of parental pressure and all the shit that came with it, like the fact he still loved and wanted to make his parents proud as well as push back and make it on his own. How fucked up was that.
A hand extended to him and he took it gently, offering Cara as much support as she needed to exit the car. God knew how women could strut around in heels like that without tottering over. He let her dictate the pace but there was no hurry to get inside other than to escape the chill of the wintry night air. It was a lovely building and in the right mood and circumstances he could appreciate architecture, but for now he wasn't interested. It was just another grand building used in attempt to con Dallas out of a grand sum of money.
A light hand on her back, Dallas gave a careful steer in the right direction as they entered, giving their names to the man in power and seeing the spark in his eyes as he realised which guest of honour this one was. Dallas just about refrained from rolling his own. An offer to take their jackets and he helped Cara out of hers before his own. Let nobody ever say Dallas did not have the manners of a gentleman. It was one of the first lessons his mother had instilled in him.
”How long do you think before the first beggar comes to you for money?” he hooked his arm around hers and sighed quietly. ’ll bet you anything, it will be less than 10 minutes.” Dallas watched an older woman clack toward them in stilettos and a sleek black number, a grin already fixed on her face. Wonderful, he came the special treatment. "I'd say less than that. In five...four...three..." his murmur trailed off as the woman approached to hearing distance. "Mr wood, wonderful to see you, thank you for coming." as it he could turn down the invite without being a dick or sending a considerable amount of money to apologise for his absence. "Would you and your guest like to follow me this way, please." Dallas gave a slight frown. "Miss Jones" he reprimanded, for the woman not even having asked of Cara on his arm. The woman took a moment, blinking comically and then began to profusely apologise. Dallas waved it off and offered Cara a seat first as their designated table before taking his own. He waved a hand at the champagne to signal no and only breathed properly once the host had buggered off. "Urgh I hate it." He complained.
Cara hid her amused smile as Dallas corrected the woman who came to greet them, giving his arm a quick squeeze in thanks and support. It had been some time since she found herself at such an event and although her family was nowhere near as well known as Woods, she had worked her ass off - quite literally - to be well known around the world. Maybe, she smirked to herself, known in the wrong circles. The equestrian world was exclusive and demanding - while she had made quite a splash in Australia, England was still to know of her. And although she had appeared in a few various advertisement campaigns, it wasn't as though her name was signed on every billboard. Or every magazine. As Dallas held her chair, she smiled up at him - one thing never seemed to change and that was Dallas’ unquestionable gallantry. The small gestures, even though she had grown up with them, made her stomach fill with tiny butterflies.
”Thank you,” she smiled as he sat down beside her, her eyes finding his. ”I keep up with some of the social dancing but I haven't had time to go in Hickstead. And,” she bit her lip. Of course there would be more to it, when wasn't there? She was, after all, Carolina Jones and for whatever reason it seems that her life never was simple. She had loved to dance - as she got older and started social dancing, it was a way to express herself - her pain, her passion, her desires and her attitude. She competed, she trained and she absolutely loved the nights spent at milongas and fiestas. That is how she met Stanley - there were both involved in the equestrian world down under but their romance sparked on the dance floor. The chemistry, the connection was so instant, it shocked her. When they danced, it seemed that nothing else mattered. And when she ran from Australia after their affair became known, she didn't dare pick up dancing again. [/b]”And I haven't had a good partner in years.”[/b]
Her eyes followed the champagne wistfully - there went her plan of enjoying the evening but with Dallas sigh, it seemed rather rude to tease him about it. She knew a bit of his story with alcohol and seeing him complaining, it would mean that the temptation may be greater. Rolling her eyes at his comment, she leaned a bit closer. ”Fine, you win - it was way less than ten minutes. So, victor, what do you want as a reward?”
He felt the arm squeeze but didn't respond, there was no need to - she shouldn't have to thank him for politeness. It was rude of the host for not having asked for Cara's name, it was bad enough she hadn't known it, given that Dallas had marked who his guest would be - as required - in advance. He pursed his lips in displeasure, these were the kind of things that annoyed him; so desperate for his money that they zero'd in on the one with the cash like vultures. He put it out of mind for now, he had brought Cara to have a better time, not a grumpier one - not that he was blaming her in any way for this - but at least they had been left to their own devices for a bit.
”I keep up with some of the social dancing but I haven't had time to go in Hickstead. And,” Dallas glanced to her curiously, wondering what she was going to say but hesitant to. He hoped their friendship was still intact enough that she would still open up to him in that, still trust him to understand her. He took a sip of his water, allowing her time to think about it. ”And I haven't had a good partner in years.” He raised a brow at that, both were understandable reasons, and he thought easier to fix than she might think. He tilted his head slightly, "you always found time before.." he wasn't accusational, just an observation. "Are you sure that's the real reason? You're not putting it off?" He could get why, he knew how it felt to finally have the freedom of choice, sometimes you didn't want to choose it at all, until you feel like you loved it again, or not at all. "I would offer, but I am a terrible dancer." He added with a wink. He could do a slow step for a formal dance floor but that was about it, and he hated it.
He noticed her look at the champagne and felt a stab of guilt. Just because he wouldn't indulge didn't mean she should suffer this event sober. "Sorry, feel free to partake." He promised, he could cope with seeing her drink, he had a handle on things now and he wouldn't tip over the egde, not with Cara. ”Fine, you win - it was way less than ten minutes. So, victor, what do you want as a reward?” He hmmmed as he thought on it, contemplating all the ways that he could lord it over his friend, chuckling a little. "I want you to make an outrageous bid, on the worst piece of art you see tonight" before she could panic, he smiled, "I'll be funding the bid. Call it my charitable contribution to whatever cause it is tonight." That would keep people happy, and he would hang the crap up in his hallway just for the sake of it. He liked art with a story.
