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!.
Milo smiled pleasantly at Senora de Luca as he fixed the couples their coffees before making Katerina’s exactly how she liked it. Presenting it to her, he seated himself into one of the armchairs with his black expresso, subconsciously filling up the whole furniture and radiating his typical dominance. His eyes watched the interactions unfolding before him, trying to understand the subtle nuances between his fiancée and her family. As much as he hated the arrangement at his core - thankful as he was that the blonde was in his life - he wanted to tread carefully among the old-fashioned and to do that he needed information. A part of him roared to go protect his woman from the scrutiny that seemed to radiate from her mother however, he simply watched. He did not think that stepping in now would help the situation. Besides, once they married, scrutiny would come and it would not be as well meaning as this. The elite was a harsh place that spared no one, no matter how stunning or successful.
His eyes flickered back to the older woman as he heard a question thrown his way and his eyebrows rose in surprise as the question processed. It surprised him at the boldness of his Italian in-laws - money was not something that was ever discussed outside of a business setting, at least never in Germany and among the elite. Money was not a topic to discuss because everyone has it. If the Senora de Luca was bringing it up, it was only for one of two reasons - either she had no understanding of the German culture or she was treating her daughter as a business transaction. Frankly, he wasn’t certain which explanation made him more uncomfortable. Clearing his throat, he smiled. ”Business is always unpredictable Senora but it has been offering many opportunities. It really is a boring topic. Please, do you plan to do some sight-seeing while you are here?”
"Grazie, Milo," Kat thanked her future husband as he placed the coffee infront of her, making a point of taking a sip and smiling at him as a show that it was perfect - he had learned early on how she liked her coffee and he got it right every time. Her mother did not miss the interaction and one of the lines around her eyes seemed to soften, if but a fraction. Kat knew she was just worrying about things going wrong; but it was all unnecessary. At least once her mother took a breath from her questions, she also took a sip of her coffee and with only the slightest press of her lips, Kat knew that it was reasonable enough to her tastes - not bad for a first attempt, most were giving a tongue lashing on how wrong they had gotten it. Her father had less specific tastes and was already halfway through his drink, taking back seat for a moment as his wife drove the conversation.
"Are you tired, papa?" Katerina asked softly, not wanting to interrupt her mother but able to see the circles below her father's aging eyes. He smiled as he temporarily put down his cup, "Just a little," and she knew that even if her mother was not, that it would force them both to retire relatively early in the evening. Just the afternoon to get through. She gave her father a sympathetic smile and her ears tuned into the conversation of her mother and Milo, a little concerned that she may have insulted him despite the perfect mask he wore. She was getting more accomplished at picking up his subtle hints and a tightening of his mouth suggested maybe her mother had overstepped a line. It seemed likely, her mother often did.
”Business is always unpredictable Senora but it has been offering many opportunities. It really is a boring topic. Please, do you plan to do some sight-seeing while you are here?” Her mother pursed her lips but didn't comment further on the aspect of money - it wasn't a topic they talked about much in Italy either but they did not beat around the bush when it came to discussing if business was booming or if it was in trouble. Kat was well aware her parents would want to ensure that they were not about to send Kat off into a penniless marriage that her inheritance was going to save. Ah the complexities of families. She had always dreamed of romantic love as a teenager - the bump into someone and fall sweetly kind of love - she had come to learn that life often had other ideas. "Si, we are looking forward to seeing some of the beauty this country has to offer," It was her father who answered this time, "Though, perhaps something for after the wedding, there is much to prepare to ensure your big day runs like clockwork," Her mother intercepted; naturally. Kat just about refrained from rolling her eyes.
Milo debated giving in to the temptation of quietly returning to work and leaving Katerina to take care of the wedding preparations with their relatives. It was a cowardly move for sure but he couldn’t immediately let go of the idea. At the very least, he mused, once his own parents arrived with his sister in tow, Katerina would escape some of the scrutiny and criticism. Annaleise would not give up an opportunity to come to England and party, even if it meant that she was stuck with her mother for the majority. At seventeen, the young woman was ready for some fun and adventure of her own.
”My mother and sister will want to assist if you’ll allow them,” he smiled at Katerina and her mother. ”They are flying in this evening but I am sure they are excited to meet you. My father isn’t one for wedding details but I am sure he would love someone to go golfing with or fishing. He is on vacation here and plans to maximize his time away from work. Would you like to join him, Senor de Luca?”
”My mother and sister will want to assist if you’ll allow them,” How could Katerina forget? She was anxious to meet Milo's side of the family considering she had yet to do so with any of them. She wanted to make as good an impression as possible, and it would help to have her parents satisfied and more pliable, it would make her more at ease and able to hand just pleasing one set of parents at a time. "That would be lovely and I would be delighted," Katerina said with a soft smile - and she meant it too. She had heard a fair bit about his family but part of the reason she wanted to get to know them was so she could learn more about her future husband. The funny childhood stories that embarrassed everyone. Kat's mother gave an approving nod and a small smile, "I believe their assistance will be required," as far as her mother was concerned the more hands on deck the better. Kat would have preferred a small and cosy affair but it could never be that simple with her family.
”They are flying in this evening but I am sure they are excited to meet you. My father isn’t one for wedding details but I am sure he would love someone to go golfing with or fishing. He is on vacation here and plans to maximize his time away from work. Would you like to join him, Senor de Luca?” Lukas De Luca gave a brief smile and nod as he took another sip from his cup. "I would like that very much, the wedding planning will be best left to the women to arrange, and I will show up where I am needed at the right time." Kat's mother gave a little laugh at that and a look that made him amend his words, "I en-devour to, at least." Kat gave them both a warm smile at their typical dynamic, knowing that this meant they were beginning to relax. "Are you looking forward to the wedding?" Her mother returned to her nudging, though the question seemed to be genuine at least and Kat took the time to drink her coffee, thinking of the mental list she had left to complete before the wedding day arrived.