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!.
Forrest couldn't help but laugh at Sam's reactions towards his playful statements. “Okay, and? Do you not know what your eyes do when you see Tenaya? It's called a sparkle. You're more dull with everyone else.” It's that meme Forrest saw the young folks talk about. How they wish they had someone like Eugene from Tangled look at them the way he did to Rapunzel. In reality, they had people looking but they never noticed.
He grabbed a bucket and squirted some soap into it, before finding a water source. “People talk. There's no secrets here,” Forrest responded, turning on the spicket. “And you two don't hide it well either. Or maybe we are just so used to paying attention due to the cattle. You're just lucky Dean could give zero shits about us. I think it could be way worse, but inter work relations are always happening. No matter where.”
He haule the bucket over, and poured some of it over the ground. Forrest grabbed a brush and began scrubbing. “I mean, she didn't say no, right?”
Forrest wasn’t expecting to be asked to join but might as well. Dolly was good around other horses and people. It was her job, after all. “Oh, sure. I’m not doing anything strenuous. More of a relaxing ride, if that’s what interests you for the day.” Granted, Forrest preferred the more advanced trails – this wasn’t his horse. He wasn’t about to dilly-dally on a horse he didn’t know too well. Also, the owner wasn’t around. On his own horse, he would absolutely push them to try new things.
When he was asked if he worked at the vet, Forrest wondered if people really did recognize his face. It wasn’t something that he was used to. Mainly because, in Texas, people still managed to forget – even if they were regulars. “Yeah, I sometimes come and make calls when a vet needs an extra hand. Or to just help the owner give some medication. Do you work there?” he asked, guiding Dolly to a slower pace.
“Yeah, sure…” Forrest stated, continuing to shift away. Once the wheelbarrow was full, he began racking what was left towards the entrance. What was supposed to be a simple clean, was now becoming a bit more difficult than he thought. But it ended up being quite the conversation.
“Are you sure? It’s a one-on-one adventure, no?” Forrest inquired, putting his tool down to move the full wheelbarrow to be emptied. Once it was, he moved it back to be filled with the debris and he moved closer to the entrance. “Let me guess…you asked to hang out?” Forrest snorted.
“Good, good…and his health check was recently done, correct?” Maybe it was the vet tech in him, wanting to make sure everything was up to check. If he was missing a few shots, then Forrest could easily get them done. Either during work or on his own personal time. It wouldn’t be his first time giving a shot to a horse, either.
He gave Leaguer a rub on the cheek, before moving down to the neck. “I bet you're excited to start working again, or close to it, aren’t ya?” It was pure luck that League was a former ranch horse. It would make Forrest’s job much easier when it came to this kind of thing. He had enough experience to train one, but with the work picking up in spring – experience was much needed.
“They’re spending time with their mom today. Even though I helped with candy and cards, she comes from the vein of baking cookies and something nice for the teachers, for any public holiday.” There was nothing wrong with it, but Forrest figured Juillian could handle that aspect. It was something she and the kids did, and things got more advanced as the kids got older. Like the time they insisted they had a cookie thon for Christmas.
“I’m just ready to be around for when they may possibly get rejected. They know that a strict No means no. I know they sometimes think they should chase, but I’m hoping Jillian and I hammered to not chase in their heads.” His kids were smart, but they were still teens. And teens sometimes didn’t think straight.
Forrest unlatched the empty pen and propped the wheelbarrow to keep the door open. He stepped in and began sifting out the old straw, hoping to get to the cement bottom to give a good scrub. “What about you? Finally, ask Tenaya out?” While Sam could pretend that no one knew, Forrest was a dad, and that made things easier to observe.
A day off from the vets. A day full of riding? Who would’ve thought? Forrest, having a chill day? Well, he wasn’t about to say no to just riding as long as he wanted. The ranch was slow, and some of the workers began taking out a few horses to ride. Since most of the horses were taken, he phoned Helping Hooves who had a few horses that needed a good walk. Forrest often gave some time to them anyway, since he worked a lot with them when traveling with some of the vets. And he appreciated their message and work.
Today, he hooked up with Dolly, an eleven-year-old Missouri Fox Trotter. Forrest hadn’t ridden the mare before but was informed she was easy to walk. Forrest gave her a quick groom and tacked her up before mounting. Since the property had easy access to the trails, Forrest made his way out.
Usually, he was better at keeping attention, the weather made him escape reality for a moment. He moved at a reasonable pace, getting used to Dolly’s gait. A very smooth transition, compared to others. Forrest ended up popping out from the entrance to the trail a lot faster than usual due to having to jump a log that was new from a recent storm, appearing in front of another rider. Thankfully, the rider was a bit of a way back, but it was still a bit rude of him. “Sorry about that,” he called out, hoping no one was scared.
He was getting a horse. Forrest was getting an actual horse. It was a big decision, something that he hadn’t expected to do. But with the urging of Jillian and his kids, he did it. His experience allowed him to find a horse that was fitting for the job. Violet had helped him as she saw this horse before but ended up passing at the time.
Forrest wasn’t one to set up great first impressions for a horse. If this horse was indeed a rancher’s horse, Forrest in his cowboy hat, jeans, and boots wouldn’t be anything scary or odd. He heard the trailer come up as he returned to the barns with some stock horse feed. They were a bit earlier than expected, but a cowboy was always prepared.
He dismounted the ATV, somewhat close. If Leaguer wasn’t used to the sound of one yet, he would be soon. “There’s my handsome boy,” Forrest smiled, walking up to the group of people that were handling Leaguer. “How did he do on the ride over?” Forrest lifted a hand for the horse to sniff, before offering a face scritch.
Work hadn’t been grinding his gears, due to the fact it was still winter. Forrest, if anything, was busier dealing with the possible heartbreaks of his children when they were probably rejected in two days. Valentine’s Day was never a fun time for kids their age. Nevertheless, he helped pick out candy and cards.
The ranch had been a bit boring lately, as the cattle didn’t too much move. His hours now were more about making sure all the stables were cleaned out and the cows fed. Since the temperatures weren’t terrible, Forrest figured he could deep clean one of the pens before he left for the day. The task would take him a bit, especially if he took his time.
He made his way to grab some of the supplies needed and saw Sam asleep against Daisy. Forrest smirked at the sight and was about to go on his way until Sam called out to him. “Ah, Sleepy Beauty is awake, eh? Nah, nothing is wrong. Just prepping to deep clean a pen.”
If you're interested in anyone, please PM me on discord or the site! You can find more info about the Palmer family here! - Aofie
NAME Jillian -- -- (up to the player if she wants to keep the name Palmer or go back to her maiden)
AGE 33 - 00/00/1989
OCCUPATION biomedical engineer
FACE CLAIM Emma Roberts, open
BACKGROUND Jillian is Forrest's ex-wife. The two met in college and she got pregnant during their second year of university. They married mainly because of their parent's religious upbringing. Jillian finished school and moved in with Forrest after school.
The two had an amicable marriage until Jillian came out as a lesbian when she was 25. They divorced at 26 after counseling.
Jillian was offered a job position in Hickstead when she was 28 and officially moved to Willow Bridge at 30 with Forrest and their children in tow.
Jillian and Forrest have a strong co-parenting relationship. She lives with them on the weekends but will come and help with the kids when needed during the week. Her main residence is Willow Bridge.
full name • forrest luke palmer nicknames • n/a age • thirty-three birthday • June 5, 1989 occupation • Vet Tech, Ranch hand gender • male (he/him) sexuality • bi-sexual
the appearance
face claim• Luke Bracey
identifying features• Forrest stands at 6', though sometimes 6'-1" if he's in his teasured cowboy boots. He's a rough and tumble-looking man, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, complimenting a leather belt and cowboy boots. Despite the roughness of his appearance, and casual manner - Forrest is always clean looking, with nothing out of place. Shirts are always pressed and steamed, and pants with the right amount of starch and stiffness.
the personality
likes • western riding, flying his personal plane, whiskey, sweet tea, small dogs, farm work dislikes • cities (finds them messy and loud), sweet treats (but will eat the occasional cupcake), strengths • born without a sense of smell (which make him handle his job well), calm demeanor towards animals, grilling and cooking weaknesses • baking, his children, fluffy dogs, English riding dreams • re-marry, make sure his kids are set for life fears • failing his family, losing his job, not fitting in overall personality • Forrest is the epitome of the southern gentleman, always calling someone ma'am, miss, or sir. He loves his sweet tea as much as his strong liquor. He's a loving but broken man, recovering from a strict religious upbringing. His children are his world, often putting their well-being over his. His love for his children has often prevented him from re-finding another partner to share his home with, despite them being young teens.
Forrest is a dedicated worker, making sure the patients at the vet's office are as comfortable as they can be. Even though they are animals, he doesn't like them feeling like they are in pain or scared.
the history
father • Tyler, 59, pilot mother • Lauren, 57, vet siblings • Stephanie, 38, doctor Beatrice, 32, teacher Liam, 32, police officer important people • Jillian -- --,ex-wife, 33, engineer -- --, 13 daughter -- --, 13 son hometown • Lubbock, Texas overall history • Forrest was born to Tyler and Lauren Palmer, in the typical religious household of Lubbock, Texas. It was always a church on Sunday and a good prayer at night. Ranch work and farm work were all that the Palmer kids knew. Forrest could help birth a cow before he even had his license.
Coming from a strict home, Forrest was prone to being a bit rebellious. Though, as the middle child – his behavior was often overlooked. Deemed as something for attention, and the Lord would guide his way soon enough. It prompted Forrest to have his fair share of underage drinking, and premarital sex.
As his parents predicted, Forrest cleaned up in time for college. Forrest attended The Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences to become a Vet Tech, as he knew the stresses of being a Vet were like watching his mother. Sure, the extra money would be nice – but the idea of more schooling and extra debt wasn’t his ideal life choice.
During his second year of school, Forrest met Jillian, a biomedical student. The two hit it off, but things came crashing down after months of unprotected sex. Jillian became pregnant halfway through the spring semester. After their parents found out, both were forced into a shotgun wedding – to become the perfect, Christian family.
Despite the marriage and the birth of twins – Jillian and Forrest finished schooling. A few years after finishing school, Jillian sat down with Forrest. She admitted after years of therapy, that she was attracted to women. It was something that she had realized during university but was afraid to act on her feelings due to her pregnancy and her parents.
While devastated, Forrest knew their marriage was out of convenience and to keep their parents off their backs. After counseling, the two divorced but remained living with each other for the sake of their children. Forrest learned during this time, his own sexuality - finding that the sexual feelings he had for men and women were normal.
When Forrest was 28, Jillian was offered a job position in Willow Bridge city with an engineering firm. It was another massive bridge for the two to walk over, as their current situation was working well for both. Seeing it to finally separate from his parents and Texas, Forrest agreed to move with Jillian. Their move was finalized when he was thirty.
He found work at the Hickstead Vet office while taking some part-time ranch work. Jillian stays in Willow Bridge in a small apartment during the week for her work schedule but lives with Forrest and the kids on the weekends. This sometimes changes depending on events and schedules. Their living situation is a bit odd for other people, but it works for them.
As a small investment hobby, Forrest got his pilot license. It's nothing fancy, but a fun activity that gives him a break from his family and his work.
the role player
alias • aofie age • yes other characters • -flips through history books-