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!.
Tanner couldn't help but snort at his uncles retort. There was a hard line between how he and his mom were like, personality wise, as well as interests. Of course, they both had the ability to do what each other did - but Elliot often did his best to avoid any and all home improvement questions. Well, from what Tanner witnessed.
“I guess so?” He replied, closing the door behind his uncle. “Or Grandpa is stoo tired to do it himself.” Which wasn't a full lie either. Grandpa was getting up in age and wasn't able to do all the heavy lifting like he used to. “It does feel weird though, not having her home as much. But the hotel seems to be okay with her taking more building work on.”
Binky tapped over, still a small thing - but a lot bigger than she was when Tanner first got her. She sniffed around and panted before Tanner sent her off with a rope toy. “Well, we could out run her..” The joke could've been seen as a bit horrid, but if she heard it - she'd laugh. “I'm doing okay. Working at the pet shop is really nice! All the animals are fun. But I think I prefer the customers of the hardware store sometimes. Both are just as bad…but I can point to a sign about nuts and bolts, versus someone questioning me about a breed of cat!”
Tanner grabbed some plates and silverware. “So, what'd grandma forced upon you? And what about you? Any new projects for you?”
The danger of adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort. ― Paulo Coelho
“Yeah, she’s worked on a few things there. Mainly fencing or something with the roof. I know most of the barns around here can fix most by themselves, but my mom and uncle will come out when they need more experienced eyes.” Tanner could build something if he wanted, but there was something dope about having to brag about his mom’s skills. The new display case she did for him for his gear was top-notch. There were a few things he could do, but nowhere near the level of the Scott elders.
“Ah okay. I’ve seen a few practices here and there when I’ve walked past the outdoor arenas. Nah, probably not. I have a lot on my plate already. I don’t need another expensive interest.” He gave a nod and grabbed an extra pair of ear covers for himself. The high-velocity dryer was never fun. Though Tanner did have to admit that seeing the animals in their happy cozies was pretty stinking cute.
The danger of adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort. ― Paulo Coelho
“I have a dog, but that’s it. I’ve considered a cat, too – but I think one animal is enough for me. I already get to be around a lot of them. Plus, I’m busy enough that having more would be unfair.” Thankfully, Binky was around the hardware store then she was stuck at home. She had become a small but mighty mascot of Scott’s. Tanner honestly wondered if she was his dog anymore. But she was getting a lot of socializing and attention, which she loved. It often made sure she was tuckered out at the end of the day. Despite what everyone thought, Binky was another small sliver of happiness to everyone. Well, maybe not his uncle.
The danger of adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort. ― Paulo Coelho
“My friend’s mom owns her own graphics studio in the city. I offered to pay, but since I walk her dogs – she sees it as an equal trade.” Tanner didn’t, but he wasn’t going to argue it. He knew they were the lux version and cost a good penny. Tanner learned long ago that it wasn’t worth saying no to the parents of his friends who wanted to give him food and such.
Tanner shook his head. “Nah, I haven’t. I think there’s a good amount of people that do that already. I could, if someone asked me to – for their specific competitor, but no one has approached me yet.” His mozz sticks came out and Tanner thanked the person who brought them out. He gingerly touched one, feeling that it was still piping hot, and let it cool off for a minute.
The danger of adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort. ― Paulo Coelho
“No, she mainly works there fixing whatever needs fixing. She’s more of a look at horses versus riding kind of person.” To be truthful, he was the same way. Tanner wasn’t scared of horses, but he wasn’t made of money. Even lessons could be a huge cost on a lease or lesson horse.
“That sounds fun. What kind of lessons?” From what he heard, there were a lot of classes in both English and Western. Both had different types of needs, and it was entertaining to see what both did. Tanner, if asked to explain, would be ballet versus hip hop. Both are beautiful, but not too different in certain aspects like strength and mindset.
The danger of adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort. ― Paulo Coelho
“I do, yeah!” Business cards were something his papa told him he needed. Maybe it was because there were a few stacks in the back, making it easy for Tanner to get a decent idea. His stuff was a bit cleaner, compared to the old-fashioned version of his gramps. Tanner would never say that out loud of course.
ands rummaged for his wallet and when he found it, he opened it and pulled out a card. It was sleek, matte white with gold-pressed lettering on his logo. On the back were his name, email, and website. Tanner placed it on the bar top.
He shook his head at the horse comment. “No, I don’t ride. Take a lot of pictures of horses and their riders, though. I figure I’m a minority.” He was sure ninety-five percent of horse people filled the town. The city, maybe not so much – but there were still plenty of horse people. “I walk dogs, volunteer occasionally, and work at the local pet store.”
The danger of adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort. ― Paulo Coelho
“Same number!” he smiled. “Oh, gosh no,” Tanner smiled. “I can’t afford it, and I don’t think I could bare having to run more into my mom." It was all joking, of course. Tanner loved his mom, he did – but he didn’t want to see her all the time. She worked a lot at the barns too. There were times he would go out and drop off food or visit, but Tanner thought his mom could do her job better if she didn’t have to worry about him falling off.
“Do you like it?” Tanner asked, taking a few more shots before letting Savannah finish up. And to give himself a break as well. He had a few clients that wanted to be shot with their horses. Some are artistic, and others were a bit more professional, like a portfolio piece or something.
The danger of adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort. ― Paulo Coelho
Tanner had been enjoying the night at home, which landed him a long phone call with Eva. It was happening a bit more recently now, their communication. It had gotten to the point that even his mom was teasing him. Tanner could say the same thing about her and his…boss. Maybe Kas didn’t think that he witnessed it, but there was always this small smile that crept on his face when Tanner’s mom walked in.
After Eva was whisked away by her brother to prep dinner, Tanner turned on the TV – looking forward to vegging a bit before cooking anything for himself. His mom was still at work, something he was getting used to. She had been getting a lot of side gigs lately since summer brought her the business of it all.
As he was mulling over dinner, Tanner heard the door. Binky went off, hobbling on her bad leg to the door. Despite not being able to possibly save anyone, her bark was still a bit vicious if she wanted it to be. Tanner looked at his phone and saw it was his uncle, which made him pick up his pace.
He opened it and saw the big bag of food in Uncle’s hands. “Oh, hey, Uncle Elliot! Is that so, eh? Well, I guess good timing. I was about to heat up some leftovers. Mum’s finishing up a build a few blocks over. Riverstone shower floors...are a thing, I guess?” He let his uncle in, before locking the door behind him.
Tanner walked into the kitchen. “Should we lie and say you were with me all night?” The young man joked.
The danger of adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort. ― Paulo Coelho
“Hmm, think I’ll stay in the photography trail. I really enjoy it. It’s a fun thing. Working at the shop is great too. It helps fund the gear, same with the dog walking.” Sure, he could help at the hardware store, but that wasn’t as fun. Dealing with people in that setting was a bit more stressful. The animals were there as a buffer. Finding an excuse was harder at the hardware shop, but there were decent areas to hide. But he wasn’t there as an employee, so that helped. He would just call over Elliot or his mom.
Tanner changed the angle again, taking one more shot. But he stopped, allowing Sav to finish shampooing. He was waiting for the shot where the dog shook, which often happened when the shampoo was rinsed off. “So you horse ride, too, then?”
The danger of adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort. ― Paulo Coelho
“Honestly, anywhere. I know people like fields and parks. But there are some nice areas around the town too. Sometimes people like it for business, too. I’ve done a few things for vets and stuff. Same with the resources. Helps get funding and awareness.” At least, that’s what it felt like. Tanner always had a fun time, no matter what it was. Sure, there were some tough customers, but it was hard to be mad at animals that couldn’t keep still for a bit.
Tanner thought about the options given to him. The nachos sounded good but didn’t really fit the vibe he was going for. A bit heavier than he probably needed. Knowing his mom, she had probably started something in the crockpot. The spice of the jam sounded good, to offset the sweetness of the cider. “I’ll go with mozz sticks! Those don’t sound too heavy.”