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!.
A rather unlady like snort of laughter escaped Brooklyn at her best friend's sass about the money and lessons, "Exactly! So you do you." And honestly, that felt like the best way to carry on in life, no matter the country. Her gaze took in the changing colors on the other side of the pasture where a few trees lines the fence line, their green leaves looking on the last of their legs before the hues of reds, oranges, and yellows would take over. Cali was right, it would be beautiful, "Deal. I'm sure we'll get great grams as well." Nevermind that cellphones were needed for any ride from a safety stand point.
Brooklyn knew she probably had been dramatic about the boy, flopping over to stare at the sky certainly showed it, but it was hard to not be. Hopefully her best friend didn't think her too entirely immature to be obsessed with a moody eighteen year old boy. Either way, Cali seemed to be handling her well enough. And, by golly, did the other girl have a point. She forgot how good her friend was at internet sleuthing. Brooklyn shot up, or at least, quickly sat up on her elbows now, "Are you friends with Ronan on Instagram? Or the Ledor-Kita girls? I've been too chicken to creep on any of them and have my name linked to the follow" My goodness, why hadn't she thought about asking Cali this before?!
At least she had managed to ask her friend about her own love life before she got too self absorbed into finding out Ronan's and the answers that eluded her. Laughter escaped her at the other girl's explanation, "Cali! You've been holding out on me. Doesn't matter the age of the guys at work, who do you think is cute?" While it sucked that Cali didn't have much of a love life, Brooklyn couldn't help but to be secretly glad that she was single - mainly because the young woman was convinced she would be left behind. A thought did cross her, wondering if it was taboo, but this was Cali Talbot, who certainly was down to earth, "Have you ever thought...that any of the girls around here are cute?"
Brooklyn couldn't help but to laugh at the other girl's explanation about how her horse had been a bit of an impulsive decision followed by convincing her parents that she was up to the task, "Ha! That sounds a lot like my own story." Although, her's was more of a 'rehoming' verses buying, which meant even more convincing. But all of that was in the past now for both girls, and there was no need to dwell on it. However, she clocked that eyeroll that Janie had given at the mention of being 'responsible', and Brooklyn couldn't help but to grin, "Oh, I know. Neverminded we're practically adults." Okay, so maybe a little less than adults, given she herself was still 3 years shy of eighteen but come on, disney princess logic does not lie.
Janie's bird story actually made her eyebrows arch, "A hawk dove at you? That's wild." She actually couldn't decide what would be more terrifying. Coming across some wild cat or having a bird dive bomb her with its tallons. Both sounded a little terrifying, and utterly annoying, "Well, I'm sure with the two of us," Twilight gave a snort, "I mean, four of us, no wild life will dare take us on. Twilight and Darth will certainly keep us safe."
The pair moved along now skillfully on the trial, Brooklyn making sure that her mustang didn't try to crowd the unique colored horse in front of them. While Darth seemed nice and cute, she knew not every horse was a fan of having someone right up their ass, and this was certainly proving to be good schooling to Twilight that he didn't always have to be leader, "Oh really? Are there a lot of events between the two barns?" She was certainly curious now, given how some of the older riders and stablehands seem to consider Blue Arces their rivals, "I have to say - you don't look or seem like a snob." Wow, Brooklyn, "I mean, some of the people who have been at the barn for a while seem to have their biased opinions thanks to a rooted rivalry, but honestly, you seem pretty cool to me." And therefore, did not need to be a rival in the equestrian ring.
Laugh it off and let it go and when you wake up it will seem so yesterday
thanks aofie!
Fifteen . High School Student . LGBTQ+ . Single Seven Oaks Saddle Club
Othello certainly seemed easy going enough about helping her out, and Brooklyn would forever be thankful for that. She still wasn't sure about all of this mess though, and it would seem, neither did the other teenager. Her question about boarders stuff certainly prompted a look from him before suggesting an explanation about an earthquake. Laughter bubbled from Brooklyn now as she pushed herself up and grabbed the first box and began gently chucking things into it, "Earthquake huh? I think that will be our default answer for this," the young girl said with a grin, "And we'll just sort things into boxes by theme. Cleaning supplies. Care supplies. Etc." Hopefully, all of this belonged to Seven Oaks as a whole verses individual people.
She listened to Othello's explanation about where he had come from - like London but less smog and ravens. It was certainly a curious description. He must have lived on the edge of town though, based off what he said about his grandparents. Grandparents. It suddenly occurred to Brooklyn that he did not mention his actual parents, and while curious, she certainly wasn't bold or rude enough to ask about such private manners. If it involved horses, that was different manner, but the teenager knew enough to not be a nosey jerk about personal matter involving people, "Ah! Well, must have been easy to adapt to moving here then. This is very different for me, but I'm already liking what I saw in town, and obiviously, the stables, so I'm not too worried about my happiness." School would be a different matter, but the teenager was very good about ignoring that part of her life.
Brooklyn offered a warm smile as she saw the other teenager winced. He clearly understood what she was going through, "Thanks, I hope so too." And it was good to know about the temperatures. She was fairly certain that Twilight's tattoo traced him to nevada, which was cold enough, but she wasn't sure if living in Texas had made him soft, "Glad to hear it. Just stop me if I try to put more than one blanket on him," Brooklyn commented with a laugh. They worked together now with the sorting, everything getting put into its perspective box. She had to admit, this was going a lot more faster with Othello's help. The friendly conversation helped as well, "Oh! An Arabian? He must be beautiful. Do you find him hyper? I hear they're very smart." The only arabians she had ever seen were online or in the movies, so Brooklyn would be excited to meet his. Brown eyes met Othello's own now as she grinned, "Yeah! I'd love to ride with you - both with Twilight and without. Maybe I can ask the White's about leasing a horse for a short bit until Twilight comes so I'm just not being a weird girl and milling around the barn without a horse."
Laugh it off and let it go and when you wake up it will seem so yesterday
thanks aofie!
Fifteen . High School Student . LGBTQ+ . Single Seven Oaks Saddle Club
Brooklyn must have been jabbering on some nonsense because it almost looked like the blonde girl was only half paying attention to her, given her flip to the next page where said article on Lotta Beckmanns and her pony was. The fifteen year old didn't mind too much though, she often liked to think of herself as laid back (other would disagree) and not one of those people who needed the undivided attention of others (only when it came to horses). Now that Emma had finished the article now, her blue eyes locking with Brooklyn's brown eyes. For a moment, she almost thought she felt something, but then batted it away the second the word pony was mentioned, "Oh? Would you say that you're a good rider now?"
She was immediately intrigued even more, but figured she should pump the breaks. After all, Brooklyn was here to make friends and not conduct Army Intelligence grade interrogations. Although, if she had pulled that off, maybe her father would be proud. The question prompted her to think for a moment, "Yeah, I think I am excited to be here. Something new. It's our first time being posted overseas. Prior to that, all of my Dad's jobs took us to places in the states." Brooklyn had long since gotten used to moving around, her younger sister, not so much. But as far as the fifteen year old was concerned, that didn't matter too much to her, "Ooo Germany? I admit - I am hoping we go there next. There's a base in Frankfurt I believe. I'm sure it's not as flashy as Berlin or Munich, but I bet it would improve my riding." After all, Germany always seemed to be the country to beat in the Olympics, with Great Brittan being a close second. Gosh, maybe she was talking too much about herself now, "Do you like it here?"
It seemed it might have been that way as Emma went to flipping through the magazine again now, her gaze on the pages as she smiled to herself like she had a secret. Brooklyn felt herself rather intrigued, like she was being pulled into this girl's world. It was far more exciting to learn that Emma did confirm that she rode, unfortunately, just not at the stables that she would hope, "Oh. Blue Arces, huh? You're the second girl I've met now who rides there." And so far, no girls at Seven Oaks. They must be hiding from her. No, it was summer time, and summer vacation. Surely that would change once fall came around, "Yes! Well, my horse is finishing up quarantine. He's a mustang. So for now, I'm doing a month lease on one of Seven Oaks horses until Twilight is cleared. What about you?"
Laugh it off and let it go and when you wake up it will seem so yesterday
thanks aofie!
Fifteen . High School Student . LGBTQ+ . Single Seven Oaks Saddle Club
It was kinda funny to hear Landon Collins pipe up upon needing further explanation to exactly what 'emergencies' meant and how the hayrides worked. Brooklyn supposed that she shouldn't be surprised, given that it didn't that England specialized in such Halloween activities. But everyone had to get their feet wet somehow when it came to the spirit of Halloween, and clearly, the Ledor-Kita Bash was the way to do it. Brown eyes watched as Piper mulled over how to explain what she meant before settling on a rather matter-o-fact answer before her explanation on the point of it all, "Why am I not remotely surprised that you appear excited to be scared, Piper?" Granted, Brooklyn was looking forward to this too, but she wanted to poke the older girl.
Besides her though, Landon piped up now in a friendly manner, one that the fifteen year old could not ignore, "Hey, Landon! I'm doing well enough, adjusting to secondary school year as been...interesting." Like, even just calling it secondary school. But she wouldn't get into the nitty, gritty details. Truth be told, the only sort of student activities that Brooklyn excelled in was at the barn, an actual school, well, lets just say the fifteen year old wasn't a star pupil, "I take it you've been busy with school? I feel like I see Mikayla riding Mary more often as of lately." She felt the lurch of they tractor, and the trailer beneath her. Looks like there might not be much time soon for small talk as Brooklyn already felt herself bracing for the scares of the evening with no crushes to cling onto.
Brooklyn felt her eyebrows arch and her eyes widen at the blonde girl's explanation, "Gorge?" She pulled out her map now, looking it over, "I don't remember anyone telling me anything ab out a gorge." Guess she really was lost and/or turned around then. Well, this was utterly embarrassing. The teenager made a mental note to not bring this up to her parents today when they asked her how her day went - it would get her nothing but a lecture from Major Eric Hazelton on how he taught her better than that for land navigation skills. At least, she seemed to be making a new acquaintance out of it, "Nice to meet you and Darth, Janie! I have to say, he is super cute." And rather unique.
A snort escaped her black mustang now, shaking his head - he was likely impatient with standing around now, but Brooklyn couldn't help but to think he was jealous too that she was fawning over something else. Laughter escaped her, as she gave him a good pat as she listened to Janie explain their situation, "Geez, your parents almost sound like my parents." She joked now, "I didn't realize the wilds of England could be so dangerous. Apparently I stand corrected." And Brooklyn really did mean that, she wasn't trying to be a snob about it. At the invitation for an accompanied ride, a smile quickly lit up her face, "I'd love that! I'm always excited to meet fellow horse girls. Why don't you lead the way while I pepper you with questions such as - I haven't seen you at Seven Oaks before...do you ride there? Or over at Blue Arces?"
She nudged Twilight to start going after Darth now, knowing this would be a curious ride given that her horse often didn't like to be second fiddle when it comes to being leader, but he was just going to have to deal. Hopefully, Janie would be able to bare with the pair, and wasn't a snob like she heard some of the Blue Arce riders could be.
Laugh it off and let it go and when you wake up it will seem so yesterday
thanks aofie!
Fifteen . High School Student . LGBTQ+ . Single Seven Oaks Saddle Club
Laughter escaped her at Cali's explanation of why she was so good at mucking stalls and being fast at it, "Leave it to a father and an older brother to find the most efficient way to do hard labor." She felt like her father could be the same way, even though he had a vastly different career. But she didn't dwell on the topic at hand, one because she and Cali came from different backgrounds, and two, because there were far more pressing matters in the fifteen year old's life such as riding and boys shed in mysterious air.
Her new best friend always managed to put a good spin on things though, at least when it came to riding, "You're right, Cali," Brooklyn admitted, "I bet they are pushing me because they know I'm ready - plus, with Twilight here now, he and I can go back to being the dream team. I swear, Skye was so moody, she affected my rides." The athletics mare was capable of many things, but being a cuddle bug, she was not, and Brooklyn was glad to give up the school horse for her own once the mustang had cleared quarantine protocols, "We should go for a hack sometime before the weather gets too cold." Although this was England, the cold probably didn't bother anyone.
Cali's matter-o-fact statement about her trip made Brooklyn laugh along with her, just a couple of teenage girls enjoying their time. And perhaps too loudly, since Ronan actually shot them a look before getting back to his work. Even when he was grumpy, he was still awfully beautiful. Cali's question popped up in her ear now, and Brooklyn let out a sigh once more, flopping backwards so that she could stare up at the sky for a moment before her dark eyes looked to her friend, "No, but I think they're heading in that direction. I don't think I have a chance. But...well, he's not off the market yet." And that was the one sliver of hope she had, "Anything new in the love life of Cali Talbot?"
Sabrina Ledor-Kita appeared to be all knowing like the weird witchy aura that she sometimes gave off since the other teenager pulled a no bullshit card on her: "You know you're lying, right?" Brooklyn could feel herself hold in her breath, trying to be reasonable on how to deal with this situation. Her thoughts racing a little bit as she gently eased Skye back into the wash stall, glad that she at least had the grey mare to distract her gaze, "I have no idea what you're talking about, Sabrina. I am perfectly fine." Ughs, so lame. What a lame response and not remotely cool. Especially since she was stuck by the other teenager now, with no where to go.
She also didn't get why the older teenager was prying all of the sudden - although maybe her sudden change in attitude was all what had been needed to perk Sabrina's curiosity. Brooklyn could have handled the whole situation a lot better, she knew that. Yet, these feelings of jealousy, and not knowing what was really going on with Ronan Slade - after all, she thought he had been single, had been bubbling up in her. Turning on the hose to a gentle water stream, Brooklyn pointed it at Sky's hooves now to get the mare used to the water and the idea that she was about to get washed. Maybe she could handle this. And then Sabrina Ledor-Kita's words floated over the wash stall now: "You get rejected? Possible boy trouble?"
Brooklyn found herself sucking in her breath one more, tempted to aim the water over the wash stall as an accident to spray Sabrina and her horse, but the fifteen year old thought better of it. She would not be a bitch like some of those other barn girls, and she certainly wouldn't endanger a fellow rider and her horse simply because she felt catty. If the older girl was going to dig though, Brooklyn felt the need to dig right back, "I was coming back from my ride, and I saw the boy I liked with someone." It felt like just enough, but not enough to give anything away - Brooklyn didn't trust anyone outside of Cali and the Tom Boy with specific names quite yet, "If you must know, that is."
She still didn't know how the older girl made it back to the stables before her though, if she had been with Ronan. Unless she had left Lucifer in the cross ties when she went to go say goodbye, and unlike Brooklyn, knew the in's and out's of Seven Oaks. Once Skye was fully wet, Brooklyn cut the water and stepped out of the wash stall to grab the shampoo and brown eyes looked to Sabrina and her black Hanoverian now, "Did you have a good ride?" Brooklyn poked now, wondering if it would shed light on whether it had been with Ronan.
Brooklyn couldn't help but to laugh when the boy applauded her on finding the leather cleaner - after the chaos that had ensued just seconds earlier, it felt like an accomplishment to find it the mess. She was surprised on his lack of laughter, maybe it was an English thing even though he didn't seem the least bit stuffy to her. At his offer for assistance, Brooklyn's brown eyes looked around for a moment, weighing her situation before glancing back at him and smiled, "You know, I don't think I'll say no to help." While the teenager was often one who thought she could handle everything on her own, a mess of this size was a different matter, "Does the manager have a rhym or reason to how things are stuffed back into their boxes?"
She pushed herself up now and peered over the mess and winced a little bit, "Unless...all of this is partially boarders stuff." Oh goodness, what a living nightmare if she had somehow messed with the belongings to all the boarders of Seven Oaks. Someone was definingly going to kill her. At least introductions were pasted them now, "Well, it is a pleasure to meet you Othello! And thanks for bailing me out. Where's Exeter? Is it a cute, quaint country town like Hickstead?" From what Brooklyn could tell of the UK, it had big sprawling metropolitan cities and then a few stops later on the train, you could be in a nice little countryside hub.
Her face lit up when prompted about her horse, "I believe he's doing great! He'll be finishing up quarantine real soon and heading here - less than a week. So I am looking forward to his arrival. I think the cold might shock him though - we'll see. I've been riding the lesson horses with Twilight absent." Then something dawned on Brooklyn, "What about you? Do you own a horse here? I must admit I don't think I've seen you around before." And it felt a little bit embarrassing to admit that, seeing as she was here all the time. With that thought, Brooklyn got to work on cleaning up.
Laugh it off and let it go and when you wake up it will seem so yesterday
thanks aofie!
Fifteen . High School Student . LGBTQ+ . Single Seven Oaks Saddle Club
The teenager found it awfully hard to concentrate on the adult when there was the distraction of a baby horse, but she did her best to keep eye contact. There was something about the look she was giving her made Brooklyn felt like she had to behave. Plus, its not as if she hadn't been guilty of giving that same exact look to suspicious people who showed up at the barn back in Texas. One never knew what a stranger could do. Once it appeared she was in the clear, and invited into the circle of trust, her brown eyes looked back to the little foal now, smiling, "Ah...yeah. I think River knows me on a first name basis by now, and probably not in a good way," she said with a laugh, "I think I'm still on Maddie's good side though." At least, from what she could tell, but Brooklyn being the motormouth that she was - it wouldn't be surprising if she had annoyed the woman as well.
Her gaze returned to Rory now who informed her that the job was more than just hanging out with mares and foals, the teenager was willing to beg to differ, "What else do you do then?" Brooklyn asked now, hoping there wasn't quite a stubborn challenge in her voice, given that she was honestly curious about it. There were just so many jobs in the horse world it seemed, and the teenager wanted to know them all. Not that she knew what she wanted to do with her life, just that it would contain horses. She did smile when Rory gave her a formal welcome, and nodded enthusiastically to her question, "That is indeed him. I got him in Texas." As for where she was from, "Well, we moved here from Texas. Before that, it was North Carolina...actually, no, it might have been West Virginia? I'm a military brat, so we move around a lot."
She wasn't sure if Rory would understand that, given that the woman sounded very English to her, "May I come in with you? Is that allowed?" Might as well push her luck, Rory Way seemed friendly enough unlike the stable hands who were always busy and a little grumpy to deal with her.
Laugh it off and let it go and when you wake up it will seem so yesterday
thanks aofie!
Fifteen . High School Student . LGBTQ+ . Single Seven Oaks Saddle Club
Brooklyn Hazelton could not believe her eyes when she had been coming back from a class trail ride. Given that her own horse was recovering from a hoof absest, Seven Oaks had befitted her with one of their school. The fifteen year old had been feeling rather confident on the young mare, but she still was no Twilight. All thoughts of horses vanished though when she caught sight of Ronan Slade near the front of the barn, wishing farewell to a girl, a girl who oddly looked like Sabrina Kita-Ledor.
Brown eyes squinted as she stared at them the closer the trail group got to the barn, trying to figure out what was going on. And while Brooklyn may be fifteen and starting to discover these weird feelings about boys, the teenager had watched enough movies to know what was going on. And that didn't please her at all. If dark clouds could become miniaturized and hang over her head, they certainly would be flying all over her now. The class leader nor teacher seemed to notice that chatty Brooklyn Hazelton suddenly got quiet as they stopped to dismount now.
As she slid off Skye, she noticed that Sabrina and Ronan were gone now. But that didn't shake the unbelievable hauty and huffy anger that Brooklyn felt herself feeling. She wasn't sure on how she felt about it, other than she needed to cool off: "Brooklyn. Please give Skye a good wash before you put her out to pasture. Looks like the two of you managed to get more muddy than the rest of us." Great. Just great. Her gaze tore away from the empty parking lot now to look back at Mr. White (she honestly wasn't who was who yet other than their last name), "Sure. I can do that."
Well, she had thought to herself that she wanted to cool off, "Let's go, Skye," Brooklyn muttered to the mare now as she lead her away. Stopping by the tacking station, the teenager made quick work at pulling off Sky's saddle and bridle, switching out for the halter and leading her away to the wash stall. Her mood from what she witnessed continued to following her, but Skye didn't seem to mind. The mare knew her work was done for the day, and a bath was all that was stood between her and the pasture. As she lead the mare into to next wash stall, she heard a voice asking her what was wrong, "I saw Ronan with-" but Brooklyn stopped dead in her tracks, realizing now the voice belonged to neither of her two newly made friends.
Looking over, it belonged to the very girl whom she had just saw minutes earlier, "Oh. Sabrina. You're here." Brooklyn commented flatly now, uncertain what was going on with herself. Why did a boy matter this much to her? This was dumb, "Nothing's wrong." She replied now, but it was hard to not side eye the older teenager now, given that Brooklyn was just dying to know what was going on between her and Ronan Slade.
It had been a long afternoon of shoveling horse manure, dirty shavings, and loose hay, but Brooklyn Hazelton was finally done. She set the wheelbarrow done as brown eyes surveyed Twilight's stall - clean as could be, like he had never disturbed it just a mere twenty four hours ago. While the Saddle Club was currently split up, Brooklyn knew one trip out to the pasture meant that she would be reunited once more with one third of its members, Callie Talbot, their other member already getting dragged home by her parents. At least she had managed a goodbye before the tomboy had ran off.
"What do you say, Twilight? Shall we go join our friends?" Brooklyn asked her black mustang now, who gazed at her curiously, clearly unimpressed with the work she had pulled off around him. Laughing, she quickly put away the wheelbarrow and shovels, before returning back to clip the lead rope to his halter and taking him out to the pastures. The fifteen year old would have to ask what Callie's method was to stall cleaning, since she always seemed to get it done so fast nowadays, there had to be a science to it that she was somehow missing.
Putting Twilight into the pasture, she turned around and spotted her friend. Quickly, she ran off and comfortably flopped down besides her in the grass now, "Hey. Not all of us are stall mucking masters, Callie. Besides, I see you found the best viewing entertainment at Seven Oaks," Brooklyn commented with a deep, heavy sigh, as her brown eyes gazed out on the pastures now to see the one and only Mr. Cheekbones himself, Ronan Slade, putting away his own former wild horse. The fifteen year old had a major crush on him, she was convinced they were destined to be together, both transplants from another country and owned their own former wild horse.
The mention of her earlier lesson made Brooklyn grunt obnoxiously loud, "I don't think I want to discuss my lesson." she said, "This barn is kicking my ass. Good thing there are beautiful people here." Brown eyes glanced over at one of her best friends now, "I hope your drills today went better than my ride."
The pair were making their way through some brush and trees, the waterfall must be close since Brooklyn was fairly certain she could hear the faint sounds of rushing water. They had to be close to it now. Apparently, they were not the only ones though as the teenager heard a sharp whistle cut through the air. The sound gave both her and Twilight pause, as the mustang whickered lowly and tossed his head at the at the unexpected sound. Brooklyn sat deep in the saddle as he danced a little bit, and she did her best to regain his focus and attention before looking over.
Brown eyes caught the sight of a girl and her horse now. They made quite the good looking pair - the horse and rider, her shades of blue outfit balancing nice against her horse's almost complete white fur, "Turn around?" Brooklyn called out now, glancing back towards the direction in which she had been heading before looking back at the pair, who drew closer now, "But isn't that the way to the waterfall?!" Great, had it turned out she had been wrong? The fifteen year old had been so certain that she had been going the right way. Sighing, deciding that stubbornness wasn't going to win her any favors, redirected Twilight now to join the other two.
Upon closer inspection, Brooklyn didn't recognize either horse or rider, so decided it was best to introduce herself now, "I'm Brooklyn by the way, he's Twilight. And...I guess...we're lost."
Laugh it off and let it go and when you wake up it will seem so yesterday
thanks aofie!
Fifteen . High School Student . LGBTQ+ . Single Seven Oaks Saddle Club