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!.
Malachai rolled out of bed in his dorm room around mid-morning, his head slightly pounding from the alcohol he had consumed the night before. He would be forever greatful for his lack of a roommate. He didn't have the patience to share with anyone. He could just about tolerate people. He prefered to use and abuse people. He got what he needed then cut them off. He had a few friends of course but they were a selective bunch. After having a quick shower, Kai moved over to his wardobe and pulled out a clean pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a hoodie, all black to match his soul.
Scooping up his phone, wallet and keys, he walked out of his room, not bothering to lock it behind him. He didn't have much to steal and if anything did get taken, he'd have fun tracking them down and beating the living daylights out of them. As he walked through the campus, he stopped at the little cafe and bought himself a coffee and some sort of pastry. He needed something fatty and sugary to get him through the day. Biting into the pastry, he began his walk to work. He really needed to invest in a car. Walking everywhere in winter was starting to piss him off.
Reaching the tattoo shop, Kai pulled out the keys, shoved the rest of the pastry in his mouth and threw the bag in the bin. He opened up the shop and walked inside, flicking on the light switch as he passed by before spending the next few minutes setting everything up. Once the shop was ready, he moved over to the front desk, dropping down onto the chair and looking at the appointment book. It wasn't a busy day so he had some time to kill. He grabbed his sketch book from the draw and flipped it open to the page he had been working on yesterday. He sipped his coffee as he sketched with his other hand. Getting lost in his artwork, he didn't even hear the bell ring as someone entered the tattoo parlour.
Adalia had been mulling over the idea of a tattoo for some while. She'd always been on the fence about them - some of them looked like beautiful artwork, otherwise looked interesting or she had to admit - hot - and some just looked awful. She knew it depended on the artist, as one herself she had seen people submit their work to galleries that looked downright distasteful, but it also made her quite critical. The person drawing on her would have to be pretty damn good for her to relent. She'd seen a couple of designs though that she liked, and then she'd worked on them herself until she was happy. At least being able to draw meant she could design her own tattoo, as long as the tattooist could copy well enough.
She decided to throw caution to the wind and go for at least a consultation. She wasn't worried about the pain, but it was more how permanent a tattoo was, and she didn't want to become an illustrated woman. She didn't want to get something she would regret in three years time. She had settled on something relatively small and pretty, something that felt true to her. She heard the ding of a bell as she entered the local shop. She had done her research and not only was the shop properly licensed, the artists available had decent portfolio's and good reviews - she knew she would have to wait months to book in - if she didn't, she would be worried - but there was no harm in discussing.
Someone sat behind the desk, the picture of bad-ass ease. He was sketching and seemed so absorbed, that he didn't look up from his work. A half smile on her face she quietly stepped forward and being nosy, tried to peak at what he was working on. "Hey there," She tilted her head and realised she knew his face - his ridiculously good looking face. "Mal, right?"
Mal continued sketching on the pad, moving on to shading after he’d done the outline of a lion’s face and a woman’s eye. "Hey there," He snapped out of his trance like state and lifted his feet from the desk in a somewhat more professional manner. Drawing was one of the only rare times he let his guard drop completely. He hated feeling vulnerable but it was hard to keep a front up when he was completely engrossed in his artwork. He looked up from the book to see the brunette, recognising her from the valentines ball a couple of weeks ago. He racked his mind quickly, searching for a name. She’d definitely given him one. ”Indeed, Adalia?” He remembered it was an unusual one, he just hoped he’d picked the right one. ”What brings you here? Come for the tattoo tour I promised?” He teased.
She wasn't sure he'd even heard her still at first, so absorbed in his drawing, and the little she could see of it was fantastic. Perhaps she should ask him to do her tattoo - she didn't know if he was the main artist here, the only one or if there were several people, but she was curious to see more of his work at least. She laughed as his feet snapped down to the floor, "At ease, soldier," She joked, figuring he must have been miles away to not hear her come in.
There was a slight hesitation for a moment and she wondered if he might not remember her. She wouldn't blame him - a brief chance encounter at the ball among countless over female encounters he must have every day looking as ridiculous as he did. ”Indeed, Adalia?” He'd surprised her and her lips rose in a half grin, "well done," She teased, she wouldn't have been offended either way. ”What brings you here? Come for the tattoo tour I promised?” Now she laughed lightly, looking over those that she could see curiously. "Tempting as it is... how about discussing a tattoo for me?"
"At ease, soldier," He snorted and rolled his eyes with a slight smirk. ”Alright you caught me in my own little world.” He placed his sketch book down onto the desk while he searched his brain for her name. "well done," His lips turned into a half smile half smirk at her surprise. ”I try.” He sat up more in his chair as she let out a laugh whilst checking out his tattoos. ”Maybe we can get to the tour later” He said, a teasing tone to his voice. ”Sure, what type of tattoo are you thinking?” He gave her a once over as past tattoo designs flashed through his mind, wondering what type of thing she was into.
”Alright you caught me in my own little world.” If she'd had her camera she would have taken a picture of him, she loved capturing people in moments like that - when they were outside of the world, in their own bubble, their most natural and their most beautiful. But now wasn't the time or place anyway, and he would probably think it weird if she suddenly snapped him with her phone. ”I try.” Adalia laughed and rolled her eyes, "I bet you don't have to try that hard," Considering his looks and his chat up lines, she was pretty sure he found it easy enough to catch tail; but he seemed so nice, which surprised her.
”Maybe we can get to the tour later” Adalia raised an eyebrow and a smile played on her lips. "Perhaps... as long as there's dinner involved," She wasn't usually the one to just jump into bed with someone. She liked to get to know someone first, and she'd been burned before, but dinner was always a decent prelude. ”Sure, what type of tattoo are you thinking?” She glanced some of the artwork on the walls, her eyes flicking from one to another with interest and then she awkwardly went to show him the sketch she had done. "It's probably not your style but something like this...." She bit her lip, she'd always been a dreamer and she liked the idea of a tattoo to represent that and her passion for art and books. "It's not a dark and edgy skull or rose, but I don't know.. I like it."
"I bet you don't have to try that hard," He tried unsuccessfully to hide a smirk and he half-shrugged. ”On some occasions I do. .” It was true, he didn’t have to try to hard most of the time, but that was because half of the people he hooked up with were found in the club, drunk and ready to have fun. He enjoyed that type of hook up but he also enjoyed the challenge of making someone fall for him. "Perhaps... as long as there's dinner involved,” He pretended to think about it for a moment before shrugging with a smile. ”I’m always down for food.” He’d never turn down an opportunity for eating. "It's probably not your style but something like this.... It's not a dark and edgy skull or rose, but I don't know.. I like it." He sat up and looked over the drawing she put down in front of him, taking in all of the details. ”You drew this? It’s brilliant.” He said, glancing back up at her. He didn’t often compliment people genuinely but he was impressed. She had talent.
She caught the smirk, but she wasn't surprised - pretty privilege was a real thing and he absolutely got in on that - there was no way the guy didn't flash a handsome smile to people and get gifted things, or get away with things other people wouldn't. But, why not use what you had, there was no difference in him doing that when women used their gender to get extras. She was not ashamed to admit she'd played that came before too. ”On some occasions I do. .” She jokingly gave him a disappointed look, "Mmmm, that's what I thought," but her smile made it clear she was teasing.
Adalia didn't hold much stock to her suggestion of dinner, imagining that he probably wouldn't be interested, but he surprised her with his answer. ”I’m always down for food.” Her eyebrows rose slightly, "Okay, food it is." She tried to tamp down on the grin threatening her face; she didn't want to look too keen, but she was secretly pleased he was interested. Plus, it was less likely he was just looking to get her into bed if he wanted to go out for dinner with her. She was distracted by a little bundle of nerves as he looked at her drawing - silly really, she drew regularly and was used to people judging her artwork. ”You drew this? It’s brilliant.” Now she allowed the grin and nodded, "Yeah, artist - if you didn't know already," She pointed at herself with a wink, a blush adoring her high cheekbones. "Thanks though, I'm not the best, I'd never feel good enough to ink someone, but it'd be good if something could be used that was by my own hand. Did you draw yours?"
, "Mmmm, that's what I thought," He couldn’t help but smile at her look as he shrugged his shoulders. It wasn’t his fault he’d been blessed with decent looks. It was his choice to flaunt what his parents and grandparents had passed down to him. His looks, along with his ability to charm and manipulate people had gotten him along well in life when he’d needed it. It was how he’d managed to swindle his way into the university dorms without a roommate for so long. "Okay, food it is.” He nodded in agreement. ”It’s a date.” He said, his previous smile turning into a slight grin. Not too big to creep her out, but enough to keep drawing her in. Like a venus fly trap. "Yeah, artist - if you didn't know already, Thanks though, I'm not the best, I'd never feel good enough to ink someone, but it'd be good if something could be used that was by my own hand. Did you draw yours?" He gave an impressed nod, his lip twitching as she winked. ”I didn’t but looking at this, I can clearly see that. . yeah I designed every tattoo on my body” He grinned a little, his thoughts going to the many stupid tattoos he also had.
She laughed slightly at his shrug but he had a fair point, even if unspoken. When you looked like Mal did, you couldn't ignore it or not notice it - nobody was so naive or modest enough to not look at themselves in the mirror when they were so insanely good looking and think they were ugly. But, she was absolutely the kind of person to poke someone for using their good looks to their advantage. Naturally, not everyone went as far as to use what they had, but that was a rare occasion. ”It’s a date.” An eyebrow rose slightly at his choice of words but her answering smile was bright. "It's a date," She echoed in agreement, encouraged by his grin. Maybe he was one of the nice guys after all, he just happened to be incredibly handsome.
”I didn’t but looking at this, I can clearly see that. . yeah I designed every tattoo on my body” Adalia raised both brows this time, "that's some trust you've got to have to let someone else tattoo your artwork on your skin," She teased, but she figured it had to be true - they had to do his art justice, it was almost like his portfolio in a way. "Do you ever get people who just offer you a canvas to do anything you want to them?" She asked, curious as to if people were that bold and what kind of thing he would do with it.
"It's a date," He smiled at her confirmation. That was easy enough. "that's some trust you've got to have to let someone else tattoo your artwork on your skin," He smirked slightly at her surprise and shrugged his shoulders again. "well I tattoo most of them myself whenever I'm bored. .but I trusted my old boss enough to do the start of my sleeve but he's gone now so I'll have to see if I can find someone as good to finish it." He didn't mind his new boss but he definitely wasn't that experienced when it came to tattooing people - he clearly preferred getting a tattoo. There were a few other tattoo artists in the shop but he wasn't sure if their style was something he wanted on his body. "Do you ever get people who just offer you a canvas to do anything you want to them?" He sat back in his chair while he took in her question. "I've had a couple actually. .its pretty interesting" He said with a slight smile. He'd been tempted to tattoo something ridiculous at times but he'd managed to control his impulsiveness.
She tried to hide her grin when he smiled but it was tough. The guy looked like he could model on the front cover of a freaking men's magazine and she had little doubt it could probably be something like one of the underwear ones. Not that she'd seen even a glimpse of below the t-shirt he was wearing but sometimes it wasn't hard to guess with guys. "well I tattoo most of them myself whenever I'm bored. .but I trusted my old boss enough to do the start of my sleeve but he's gone now so I'll have to see if I can find someone as good to finish it." Her eyebrows rose again, surprised. "You tattoo yourself? I guess that's easy enough for some parts but I'd like to see you twist yourself around to do your back? Or are you only tattooed in the places you can reach?" she said with a small laugh. She knew most people went for shoulders and back for big tattoos with all the canvas space available.
"I've had a couple actually. .its pretty interesting" Adalia's smile widened slightly as she considered it for a moment, her head tilting curiously. "What if I said you could have free rein on me?" Perhaps it was a bad idea but there was a little part of her that said to do it. "What kind of thing would you do?" Maybe it was a little flirtier than she intended but she went with it anyway. He was good looking and clearly interested, so what was the harm?
"You tattoo yourself? I guess that's easy enough for some parts but I'd like to see you twist yourself around to do your back? Or are you only tattooed in the places you can reach?" His face broke into a half grin, half smirk at her surprise. It wasn't uncommon for a tattoo artist to do a few of their own art pieces, especially when boredom hit. "Most of them are only small. . and mainly places I can reach but I used a mirror for some." He said, amusing himself at the memory of doing his butt cheek tattoos. "What if I said you could have free rein on me? What kind of thing would you do?" His eyes ran over her body as a smirk pulled at his lips. "Oh I'd do all kinds of things. ." He said, his eyes moving back to hers. "But tattoo wise. . I actually like your design. . but to bring homage to your passion, I'd frame the tattoo in like an old photo print frame." He said, flipping open his sketch book to quickly throw out a rough outline.
She tried to ignore the way his half smirk did something to the odd butterflies in her stomach. There was no way this guy didn't know exactly what he was doing, he was far too good looking not to realise the effect his grin had on women. "Most of them are only small. . and mainly places I can reach but I used a mirror for some." A slight raise of her eyebrows at that, briefly wondering which part he'd had to use a mirror to do before politely nudging that image away - best not to think about it right now. "That sounds like dedication," After all, if it wasn't comfortable he had to have really wanted to do it.
Adalia couldn't help it, she blushed at his look and then the rest of her body flushed with warmth at the travel of his eyes, and there was that damn smirk again. "Oh I'd do all kinds of things. ." Her cheeks darkened in another blush as she held his eye contact. Well that held some promise, and she tried really, really hard not to think about it anymore. "But tattoo wise. . I actually like your design. . but to bring homage to your passion, I'd frame the tattoo in like an old photo print frame." That was a safer topic of conversation and she leaned forward to peer over at his sketchpad, watching what appeared from the tip of his pencil and then nodding in approval. "I really like that idea," She admitted, a finger running gently over the edge of a line before she straightened. "I'll take it."
"That sounds like dedication," He smirked in response, lifting his shoulders up briefly only to drop them down just as fast. ”What can I say, I’m serious about my artwork.” He probably shouldn’t be keeping a tattoo gun in his dorm room as it was always tempting to add to his collection. His smirk widened at the sight of her blushing. It was almost too easy. "I really like that idea, I'll take it." He watched her face as she looked over his design, actually caring whether she liked it or not. His designs were something he took pride in and he’d never admit it but he was disappointed if someone didn’t like them. ”Great. . when do you want to be booked in?”
