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!.
It had been a long time since Beth had gotten dressed up for anything, let alone for a date. She stared at herself critically in the floor length mirror, eyes wandering from the top of her head down to her feet. It wasn't that she expected herself to look perfect, she was a country girl after all, she wasn't glamorous or all neat and tidy, but she at least wanted to look good. After washing her hair she'd let it dry naturally, and it fell to just past her shoulders in soft, natural waves. Her make-up was minimal and simplistic, just a little mascara and lipstick - an autumn shade. She wasn't one to cake her makeup on, it always felt stiff and stifling if she over-did it. Besides, it just wasn't her.
She'd stuck to jeans and a nice top, deciding to wear boots with a little heel. Nothing too out there, but better than what she threw on on a day to day basis. Giving herself one last appraisal she grabbed her purse, shoving it into a little bag - she wasn't going to assume that Logan would pay for everything, she wasn't that kind of girl. Her son was set up with his babysitter, and the dogs were all sorted for the night. She left her bedroom, pulling the door to, and was just kissing her son's forehead when she heard a knock at the door. Saying goodbye, she hurried to open it, smoothing her top down quickly and taking a quick breath, she opened it and flashed Logan a smile. "hey."
if there was one thing that made logan nervous it was dates. and this date especially was doing wonders to his nerves. he didn't know why, he'd dated before, not exactly countless times but enough to know what was probably going to happen tonight but it felt different with beth. he wanted it to be amazing, he wanted it to be perfect and he wanted everything to go off without a hitch. she'd already had one idiot in her life and he didn't want her to think that she was taking a chance on another one. he climbed out of his car, straightened the jacket he was wearing and grabbed the small bunch of flowers he'd gotten her. it was a simple bouquet but he was certain that's what she'd like. she wasn't the flashy kind of girl and while there was nothing wrong with flashy, logan preferred the simple.
he ran his hand through his short hair as he made his way up to the door. he wished they were taking ben along with them, he'd become fond of the boy that had taken to helping him out some days and he had to admit it was nice to be looked up to. but tonight was about him and beth. things were happening, feelings were stirring and they both deserved the chance to find out what they really were. hopefully they'd be able to bring ben on their next date. he lifted his hand to knock on the door and then he took a step back to wait for her to come to the door. when it opened he had to take a quick breath and it took a heartbeat for a smile to spread onto his face. "hey, you look amazing." he said as he stepped forward, holding out the bouquet for her. "here, these are for you." he said, taking in her face. she had always been a picture to look at but there was something different tonight.
She couldn't help it, she smiled when she saw him. So, they hadn't made the best start, and there were still things about him she wasn't sure about, it still felt like he was hiding things. Okay, maybe not hiding but he was being a little illusive about things. She wanted to trust him, especially as he'd been so good around the kennels, and Ben liked him which made her think twice, but at the same time she'd trusted people before and it had all gone to hell. There was something about him that seemed ...secretive. Not that he wasn't honest exactly, but like he wasn't telling her something, like he was holding part of himself back and she didn't like that.
She took a deep breath before she opened the door, unable to help but smile a little wider when he answered "hey, you look amazing." standing there looking rather handsome with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. "here, these are for you." She took the offering, giving them an appreciative sniff, unable to help the faint blush as she ducked her head, suddenly a little embarrassed. "Thank you, let me just put them in some water then we can head off," she said, leaving the door open so he could follow if he wanted. She made a quick dash to the kitchen, grabbing a vase and putting enough water in it to avoid killing the flowers whilst she was out, popping them in she turned back for the door with another quick smile. "Okay, let's go?"
25 - OWNER OF SPARKS KENNELS - CRUSHING ON LOGAN JAMES FAIRCLAW ONE SON | PREVIOUS MARRIAGE
he smiled as he watched her press her face towards the flowers so she could smell their scent. she looked amazing in the light that was coming from the house behind her, the soft glow highlighting the shine to her hair, the pink tinge on her cheek and the flecks of colour in her eyes. he felt a soft smile growing on her face as he watched her, nodding quickly when she ducked inside to put the flowers in some water. he took a step back from the door so she'd be able to walk out of it without hitting him and he rubbed his palms against his thighs for a second. he didn't want to duck inside and run the risk of seeing ben. he was probably settled with his sitter and if he walked in they'd get to talking and before he and beth knew it they'd be sitting on the couch with a pizza with ben. he hadn't known him for very long but there was something about being around ben and beth that made him feel calmer, more at ease with himself.
he held his hand out to her when she came back to the door and said she was ready to go. "yep, lets go." he had a reservation at a place in willowbridge, the bigger town close to hickstead because tonight he wanted to do something nice, dare he say it a little bit fancy because he was sure he knew beth well enough to know that she'd never take herself out to somewhere like that. her attention, focus and money went into the kennels and making sure ben had what he needed and wanted and he doubted that she took any time for herself, well not as much as she should anyway. "ben okay with being left at home?"
From the corner of her eye she could feel him looking at her, the flowers luckily hiding the faint blush to her cheeks. It felt weird, being looked at like that again, in that way, and she thought she liked it, but it still felt... different. It made her feel different too, not so much like just a mum anymore, or just a boss... but maybe a woman, something more than. Embarrassed a little, she excused herself to handle the flowers, glad she had a moment to collect herself. She felt ... she wasn't even sure what she felt, light hearted perhaps, or as if she'd had one glass glass of champagne too many - a little dizzy, a little tipsy, light and full of bubbles. Was this was the interest of a man did to her these days? Jeez.
She allowed herself one quick moment once the flowers were in order, to take a breath and slowly release it, before she gathered what was left of her wits and be ready to hit the town. "yep, lets go." he agreed and she smiled, the feeling surprisingly natural as they headed to his ride. She still wasn't sure what to think of him, or whether to trust him, but he'd really wiggled his way into his life and somehow, her feelings. The least she could do was entertain those feelings a little and see what developed. "ben okay with being left at home?" Her gaze flickered involuntarily to his dark bedroom window, and she nodded, pulling her eyes away reluctantly. "Yeah, he's already out like a light. Tired himself out today." she doubted he'd wake up whilst she was out, and she wasn't planning on being late anyway. Hopping into his truck, she strapped herself in, not sure if she was ready for this or not.
25 - OWNER OF SPARKS KENNELS - CRUSHING ON LOGAN JAMES FAIRCLAW ONE SON | PREVIOUS MARRIAGE
there was some twinge of regret that he hadn't asked her in advance if they could bring ben along. as bad as it sounded ben was a buffer for both of them. someone to talk to to break ice, someone to talk to when things started feeling to intense or someone to use to brush off certain feelings. plus there was also the fact he didn't want to make ben feel like he was only interested in getting to know his mother. he couldn't imagine anything worse for a kid than to see someone growing closer to a parent and feeling like they were being pushed to the outer. he thought as they walked to his truck, that if he and beth were going to figure anything out between them and make sense of what he was feeling for her, they needed to spend some time without that safety of someone else in the room.
"i'll leaving him at home up to him tomorrow." he said with a slight grin and a little twinkle in his eye. "maybe i'll let him drive that old tractor around for a little." he said as he climbed into his truck and pulled the door closed. the drive to town didn't take too long and he was glad that it didn't seem too awkward between them, that's something he found with first dates, no matter how well you knew a person it always felt .. a little odd when you moved from regular conversation to date conversation. he pulled up at the restaurant and jumped out of the car so he could walk around to open her door. "allow me, ma'am" he said, trying to put on his best southern drawl and failing miserably with a grin.
"i'll leaving him at home up to him tomorrow. maybe i'll let him drive that old tractor around for a little." Beth smiled as she hopped into the truck and focused on buckling herself in - safety first. "I'm sure he'd like that. Just be careful." she warned, the mother in her unable to help it. "I don't want my son taking on any trees..." she was slowly getting to know this man and he didn't seem like the irresponsible type. Unlike what she'd first thought, this stranger turning up with no car, no money and barely any belongings, he'd seemed to be running. Now, she wasn't sure what his story was yet, but she'd watched him enough to see a quietly strong, silent man, with endless patience and a calm head. It was why her son was so taken by him, so drawn... such the opposite to his quick tempered father.
The drive was quick and though it was quiet it didn't feel too weird. She wasn't sure yet what topics to tread, and what she couldn't say, what he might not want to answer yet. It was different going from one kind of relationship to enough, and she didn't know what this was, or if it was anything or even a good idea. "allow me, ma'am" She smiled at that and climbed out the truck, following him toward the restaurant. Luckily it was a small town and she knew this place pretty well, nothing too scary there. The waitress saw them to a table and she sat down, shredding her jacket on the back of the chair and settling in. She let out a small breath, trying to do so without him noticing, the nerves were dancing about in her stomach, she'd be lucky if she had enough room for food.
25 - OWNER OF SPARKS KENNELS - CRUSHING ON LOGAN JAMES FAIRCLAW ONE SON | PREVIOUS MARRIAGE
he didn't plan on letting ben drive himself into any trees. the last thing he wanted was that kids injuries on his hands, plus he had a feeling that ben would just think anything like that was cool and he could see him trying to replicate it, not because he would misbehave but because it was adventure and excitement and sometimes the temptation of those two things made any consequence worth it.
the drive was both really quick and really long. he wasn't the most talkative person at the best of times but he was worried about saying the wrong thing. normally he didn't care what people thought of him, he said his piece and that was it. what they thought was what they thought but beth? she was different. he wanted to keep her captivated with his words, he wanted to have deep and meaningful conversations with her, to get to know her down to her soul because he craved that knowledge. he craved being close with her but he was afraid of pushing her too fast and too hard, they both had their pasts and he was sure while they were both attracted to each other, they frightened each other just as much. because it meant putting faith in someone else.
once they were in the restaurant and having taken their seats, he took a moment to take his jacket off so he could shrug it over the back of the chair. the more layers he had on the more restricted he felt and tonight wasn't a night to feel restricted, he didn't want to give off any feeling like that to beth, lest she think it something to do with her. "do you think they'd judge if i ordered steak, chips and a beer?" he said with a smile as he glanced at the menu so he didn't stare nervously at her.
Beth took a little look around at their most local companions, but though she recognised the odd face - probably just in passing in town - she didn't see anyone she knew well. Not that it would have mattered, but this town was surprisingly close, despite being fair in size, and people talked and put their noses in things that didn't belong. She wanted a little corner of the world for herself - she was a private person, and she didn't want her personal life in everyone else's mouth. This night was for her - and for Logan - but it wasn't for anyone else.
"do you think they'd judge if i ordered steak, chips and a beer?" Beth laughed lightly at that, picking up the menu that had been placed in front of her. "If they do, just ask for some ketchup as well." She joked, taking a look down the drink selections. She hadn't any alcohol for quite some time, and she chewed her lip thoughtfully, glancing at the beer options. "What if I had the same?" She grinned across the table to Logan. She had always been more of a steak and beer girl than wine and salad. "I think we should do it," She said with a shrug, closing her menu, her gaze playful as she dared him. The restaurant was nice but she didn't see the need to change who they were or what they wanted to eat.
25 - OWNER OF SPARKS KENNELS - CRUSHING ON LOGAN JAMES FAIRCLAW ONE SON | PREVIOUS MARRIAGE
he didn't do very well in crowds. not that this was a very big crowd they were in but it was still more people than he was comfortable with. but for some reason, he felt more relaxed than he normally did in places like this. the only difference was that he was here with beth and he was going to give her the credit. she was this calming presence for him and while they were still new, he was going to run with it because she was the first person who had allowed him to feel some sort of normalcy since he'd come home.
"ketchup? oh no. BBQ sauce all the way." he said with a light grin as he folded the menu and set it to the side of the table. if they were getting steak, chips and beer then he didn't need to look at the menu anymore. he was glad she'd offered to eat the same thing as him, though he'd have been fine if she'd wanted something fancier. he'd just been worried about the sort of food they might have, it wasn't like he had any fancy tastes. he was happy with meat and veg. "lets do it. we'll see if they cook a steak as well as they dress a table." he said as he watched her with a smile.
She took a look around the restaurant but didn't bother to look too closely. She enjoyed people watching, and she liked to get a look at what was on offer for food before she made a choice usually but as they'd already made their decision, and she didn't want to be rude by looking around, she quickly returned her attention to Logan, seeing him grin as he re-folded the menu and put it aside. She had wondered what he would be like in this environment, he always seemed to keep to himself at work, and not the type to out on the town. Dinner was different, but it was still busy.
"ketchup? oh no. BBQ sauce all the way." She pretended to look offended, "What?!" then laughed to take any sting from the words. "BBQ sauce is good and all, but it's got to my ketchup with chips," She argued, the more they talked about it, the more she hoped they could do it, she hadn't had a good steak and chips for ages, and it was always better when she didn't have to cook it. "lets do it. we'll see if they cook a steak as well as they dress a table." Beth gave an easy smile, "hopefully they have a spare cow in the kitchen," she joked, seeing a waitress threading their way over to ask them what they wanted. She noticed the way the woman's eyes alighted on good looking Logan but her lips simply twitched, fighting to hide a smile rather than be annoyed.
25 - OWNER OF SPARKS KENNELS - CRUSHING ON LOGAN JAMES FAIRCLAW ONE SON | PREVIOUS MARRIAGE
he hoped he was putting up something of a good front. he wanted this date to go really well. after all he'd been attracted to her from the first moment he'd stepped foot onto the property she owned. but being in public wasn't a strong suit of his, at least not at the moment. it hadn't been since he'd come home and the civilian world had thrown him for a loop and into a spin. he was much more at home in the wide open spaces, the quiet of the country and with mostly dogs for company. beth was the first person who had managed to become that important to him that he found himself craving her conversation. he was just afraid he'd never have enough things to say to her, he'd never been much of a talker even as a child.
"oh so your a ketchup girl? well i don't know about this .." he joked a little as he glanced around at them, a habit he'd brought home with him that he'd never been able to break. being on alert and ready for anything that could come at him. "although i am partial to mayonaise on chips." he said as he waited for her reaction, normally that freaked people out when he told them that. "hopefully they have a cow each." he said as he leaned back into his chair as he raised his hand to wave the waiter over so they could order.
"oh so your a ketchup girl? well i don't know about this .." She smiled at that, a mischievous twinkle to her eye as she pretended to look offended. "Oh, well in that case I'll have the most expensive things on the menu, and then I'll be leaving." She teased, though she wasn't the type to do that. She was easily pleased, happy to have fish and chips from the local shop or something else quick and easy rather than expensive four course meals with top of the range wine. She was looking forward to a beer though, as long as it was fresh and cold she'd be happy, and she glanced up, looking for a waitress so that they could place their orders.
She watched him as he cased the joint and her smile held a touch of sadness, it was such an army trait to have, it wasn't quite the casual glance that she had given - he was checking his surroundings. Her brother had done it too, and her heart gave a little sad beat for the thought of her sibling. "although i am partial to mayonaise on chips." She curled her lip slightly, giving her nose a wrinkle in disgust at the thought, "That's gross, and there's something wrong with you," She joked, though she had a number of friends who did the same - one of her friends put mayo on literally everything, from her toast to her pasta. "hopefully they have a cow each." She grinned, "Oh, so I take it you're hungry?" Beth chuckled slightly and saw a waitress hurry over, her smile widening in amusement as the woman gave Logan an interested look over, clearly keen on his handsome face. "What can I get for you?" Beth hesitated, looking at Logan and then to the waitress, who's attention was absolutely on Logan, "A beer and the steak and chips please."
25 - OWNER OF SPARKS KENNELS - CRUSHING ON LOGAN JAMES FAIRCLAW ONE SON | PREVIOUS MARRIAGE
he chuckled a little at her thread to order the most expensive thing on the menu before the cut loose from the date but he didn't believe she would. he could have said something about the most expensive item on the menu being the bread considering she paid his salary but that wouldn't have been a fair comment, even as a joke. she didn't pay him peanuts as it was and he wasn't in his job for the money, he was in it for the love of dogs, the love of quiet and now he was in it because of his attraction and connection to his boss. "that'd be the lobster." he said as he leaned forward with a grin and he pointed it out on the menu for her.
well he reaction was typical of what people usually thought of his choice of condiments for hot chips. he'd freaked his nephew out a few months ago when he'd dared a visit with his sister and his face had been one of the funniest things logan had seen all year. he hadn't quite worked up to eating it in front of ben yet, he wasn't about to do anything that might put beths son off of letting him date his mother. "speak for yourself, mrs ketchup." he teased as the waitress made her way over to the table. he felt the eyes on him the moment she stepped into his field of vision, the feeling was something he'd never be able to forget though he couldn't fault his bodies logic. he didn't really pay much attention to her, even though if asked he could tell someone the name on her badge, her hair and eye colour, what she was wearing, the colour of the stone in her necklace and the colour of the eyeshadow she'd painted a little too heavily on her eyes. those were just identifiers though, he couldn't tell anyone what her voice sounded like or anything else about her. "i'll have the same thanks, but with a side of ketchup and mayonaise please." he said as he winked at beth before he folded his menu and handed it to the waitress.
"that'd be the lobster." Beth leaned forward as if to check what he was pointing at and then gave a serious nod. "So it would seem," She tried to keep a straight face, "I might order two, I am feeling really hungry.. and then one for breakfast tomorrow," She teased, having no intention of eating a lobster let alone a second one - and fish for breakfast? God no. "speak for yourself, mrs ketchup." She laughed at that and gave a small shrug, "Okay, touche." She conceded, though she didn't honestly care what he wanted on his chips. She was just glad they were finally doing this, she hadn't been sure about taking that step - between her over-protective ex and her son, and the fact that Logan was a stranger and she didn't know that much about him, plus he worked for her and there was that line too. But there was attraction there, for the first time in some time for her she was curious, she wanted to dip her toe in the pool.
She only smiled at the way that the waitress eyed Logan; she knew it was bound to happen, he was a good looking guy and he had this strong, quiet order about him which was mostly what drew her to him in the first place. "i'll have the same thanks, but with a side of ketchup and mayonaise please." Her smile widened and a faint blush stained her cheeks at his wink - such a school girl thing, but she couldn't help herself. After the waitress had gone, Beth leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table and placing her chin in her interlaced hands. "I feel like I don't know much about you, even though we've been working together for months." She admitted, though it was his choice whether to tell her about his life or not. "Where did you grow up? What did you want to go when you were a kid? Did you always want to be a marine?" She knew it was a bit of an interrogation but she wanted to know about him.
25 - OWNER OF SPARKS KENNELS - CRUSHING ON LOGAN JAMES FAIRCLAW ONE SON | PREVIOUS MARRIAGE
