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!.
Christian had insisted on giving Ama the morning off of looking after the kids. He knew they loved going to the market with him - knowing it often ended in picking up an ice cream or some sort of snack.
He kissed Ama on the top of her head and rounded up the kids in the car - making sure the three had their seat belt on before getting himself in the drivers seat. The triplets chatted away with each other as he drove off.
It wasn't long until they arrived, the car slowing down as he searched for a parking spot. It seemed busy which made sense as it was a Saturday. The man noticed someone was leaving and took the parking spot as soon as the car had left. A few moments later, the kids were out of the car and they started heading towards the booths - not knowing who they would run into. Christian allowed the kids to run ahead, keeping his eye on them.
The kids weren't looking where they were going and nearly ran into someone. "Hey! Watch where you three are going." Christian yelled, which made the kids stop. He sighed and walked over to the person they had nearly ran over. "I apologize. Are you alright?"
Marnie smiled to herself as she ducked down another alley of stalls, the scents of freshly grown produce a glorious way to start the morning. It was a wonderful way to wake the senses, the wafts of freshly baked bread and cheeses, along with pastries, fruit, vegetables and fish. The fish didn't smell quite as lovely, but the rest of it was right up her street. She was happy to shop at the local supermarket for a lot, but she preferred to pick up her fruit and veg from the farmers market. Not only was it guaranteed fresh and much better quality and size, the price wasn't and it meant she was helping the local farmers. Much better than shopping in a supermarket.
She had already picked up some peppers, mushrooms, green beans and potatoes, and she was on her way to the fruit sections, keen to pick up some oranges from a stall she often visited when a gaggle of kids suddenly came running at her. "Oop!" She exclaimed, drawing to an abrupt stop mid stride before they could knock into her legs. "Hey! Watch where you three are going." She heard someone call, assuming a care taker of the runaways in some form. She was already smiling when the owner of the voice came over. "I apologize. Are you alright?" Shaking her head slightly, her smile was easy going. "No harm done - they would make an excellent tag team," She joked - three at that age seemed quite a handful, that was for sure.
<3 KYLE MITCHELL O'HARA | ONE SON (JACK)| ONE ADOPTED SON (SAM) TWO DAUGHTERS (HARPER & KIARA)
Christian sighed in relief when he saw the woman didn’t fall. The triplets were now more interested in the fruit that was available for purchase. It didn’t take long for the large build man to catch up to them. “So glad you are alright. At least let me buy you a tea as an apology?” He swore that his children had too much energy - Ama had taken them to the park the night before and they slept the whole night through.
“Usually at least two of them are quiet and shy but sometimes they get energy off of each other.” Sometimes it was difficult to keep up with them and with the warm weather quickly approaching it was difficult to keep the kids in one area. “I appreciate that you are understanding. Most adults don’t tend to know what it’s like.” The harder part for strangers to understand was that the kids weren’t biologically his but he treated them no differently.
“Dad? Can we get some apples?” Juniper asked. Christian was always happy that his kids didn’t tend to lean towards sweets when they wanted a snack. “Sure, I think ten should be good.” He replied and soon after his daughter was close by putting in the order with the stall owner. The man turned to the woman and smiled. “Do you have children too?”
She could see the relief on the guy's face and she gave a warm smile in response to confirm she wasn't cross or anything of the sort. She knew how quickly people seemed to get aggravated in these times, as if they all had somewhere important to be and everything else was a huge inconvenience. Marnie had always been patient, and she would much rather spend her time slowing down as everyone else rushed, taking time to appreciate things and hear someone's apology before gong in all guns blazing. Kids were kids, why shouldn't they be running around laughing and playing? “So glad you are alright. At least let me buy you a tea as an apology?”
Marnie's smile widened, surprised at the offer but she gave an easy nod. "Sure, that would be lovely." She had no qualms with making friends with new people, you never knew who you might meet sometimes. “Usually at least two of them are quiet and shy but sometimes they get energy off of each other.” Marnie laughed and shook her head, "Honestly, get kids together and even the quiet one's have something to say," She joked, she strongly believed that Jack's influence had helped Sam come out of his shell - with the former being so outgoing. “I appreciate that you are understanding. Most adults don’t tend to know what it’s like.” She waved it off without a worry. "Of course! Everyone is far too busy rushing about these days, but children are children - they don't mean any harm."
She watched the exchange and shuffled her bags slightly as she felt them threaten to slip from her hands, evening out the weights. “Do you have children too?” Marnie nodded and gave a small laugh, it was always easy to spot who had children and who didn't. "Yes I do, two older boys, a newly turned teenage girl and a newborn." If her tired face didn't give it away.
<3 KYLE MITCHELL O'HARA | ONE SON (JACK)| ONE ADOPTED SON (SAM) TWO DAUGHTERS (HARPER & KIARA)
Not everyone understood that kids were busy so he was thankful. He wished he could steal some energy from them, but that’s what coffee was for right? “It’s the least I can do after the kids nearly barreled you over. Any particular place at the Market you enjoy to get tea from?” He usually wasn’t a tea drinker but he wasn’t going to say no. The kids could always get an Italian Soda at the place of her choosing.
“And these three are a prime example of that. Any tips on how to calm them down without harnessing their spirit?” He knew it was impossible and that thousands of parents would pay up for the knowledge. His kids were now busily chatting away to each other - glancing at the apples at the stand nearby.
Chrisitan began walking towards the triplets. “Exactly. Some people want their children to grow up too fast. Or expect their children to be mature at such a young age.” He was lucky that his parents allowed him to have a free spirit - even though he was the one standing up for his siblings when they were bullied.
“Oh congratulations on the newborn. Do you enjoy being a mother?”
“It’s the least I can do after the kids nearly barreled you over. Any particular place at the Market you enjoy to get tea from?” Marnie smiled and shook her head, "Honestly, I'm not fussy when it comes to tea - there is a nice place on the corner of the market.. and it's reasonably priced too." She added conspiratorially. She didn't mind, tea was tea, but there was a place she tended to gravitate toward and whilst price didn't really matter, she always liked to save a penny if she could regardless. Her and Kyle were comfortable, and did not worry about money but she didn't spend frivolously.
“And these three are a prime example of that. Any tips on how to calm them down without harnessing their spirit?” Marnie smiled and watched the cute-faced terrors and shook her head. "Unfortunately, the only way to do it is to send them to sleep. Or you let them wear each other out in a safe environment." She joked; play areas were very useful but she had seen Jack try to shove kids off from the top before - far too much alpha male energy. Sometimes, she was glad of the gap between him and Harper so she wasn't overwhelmed. "I'm impressed you went with three at once." She added with a small chuckle.
“Exactly. Some people want their children to grow up too fast. Or expect their children to be mature at such a young age.” She nodded at that, "I'll never wish for that again, you have to enjoy every little moment whilst you have it." Marnie thought back to how fast Jack and Harper had grown - they were good kids but sometimes she missed their cute baby faces. “Oh congratulations on the newborn. Do you enjoy being a mother?” Her expression softened as always when she thought of her kids. "Thank you, I do .. I love being a mother. She was a surprise, but a wonderful one."
<3 KYLE MITCHELL O'HARA | ONE SON (JACK)| ONE ADOPTED SON (SAM) TWO DAUGHTERS (HARPER & KIARA)
“Perfect, lead the way. I could use a coffee after these three, waking me up at four in the morning.” Christian laughed. He was used to getting up early to help fix boats at the marina but the weekends were meant for sleeping. The triplets waved their father over as they had found some apples that looked good. Christian walked over to them and paid for the apples - knowing that it was on their list of things to buy.
He nodded as he put his wallet away. “I figured as much. But life would be boring without them. I’m so used to it now that it’s odd when my partner’s parents take them for the day.” Ama’s parents had taken the three kids to the beach a few weeks ago and Christian felt on edge all day - the silence of the house was all too weird for him. “Though it seems if you tell them to go to sleep they won’t.” It was Murphy’s law after all.
“Ah, yeah it wasn’t exactly planned but that doesn’t mean I don’t love them.” He gave a soft smile. The death of his best friend in the Navy took everyone by surprise - let alone the fact that the man had left all three children in his care according to his Will. “Sometimes I do wish they were spread out a bit in age.”
Christian kept walking towards the end of the aisle, glancing at each stand along the way to see if anything piqued his interest. “I’m sure you wish your older two were young again but last time I checked no one had found the youth fountain.” It would be odd if no one really grew up as it was part of life. “How old are they? If you don’t mind me asking.” He was always happy to find someone who the triplets could play with - it was always good to make new friends.
“Not all surprises are good but this one definitely sounds like it is. What did you decide to name her?”
“Perfect, lead the way. I could use a coffee after these three, waking me up at four in the morning.” Marnie gave the guy a sympathetic wince, "Ouch...though 4am is relatively friendly for children." She teased, thinking of the hours she had spent away at 1am, 2am and 3am when hers were growing up. Now it was time to do it all over again with Kiara, though so far she liked to mix and match her wake up times - it was like she didn't want anyone getting too comfortable. She nodded as he mentioned leading the way and she paused to pick up the oranges she had been looking for whilst he paid for something for his triplets. It timed just right as she saw him put away his wallet.
“I figured as much. But life would be boring without them. I’m so used to it now that it’s odd when my partner’s parents take them for the day.Though it seems if you tell them to go to sleep they won’t.” She chuckled at that and gave a nod, "Life would be very dull without them.. but you do have to use the old reverse psychology trick on them sometimes." She tapped her head lightly with a smile. She had unfortunately used it many a time - okay fine, don't do that... and then suddenly it was done. It still worked now, even as they'd gotten older. “Ah, yeah it wasn’t exactly planned but that doesn’t mean I don’t love them. Sometimes I do wish they were spread out a bit in age.”
Marnie laughed again and gave a nod as she led the way toward the coffee place. "My two eldest only have a few years between them but sometimes that almost feels too close.. and then there are fifteen years between Harper and my newborn." She laughed and shook her head. "It's useful to have them older, with a newborn, but I feel like Kiara may grow up without her siblings around her because of their ages." By the time Kiara was a teen, she imagined her sons and daughter would be long gone, moved out with possibly children of their own. “I’m sure you wish your older two were young again but last time I checked no one had found the youth fountain. How old are they? If you don’t mind me asking.” Marnie smiled as she thought of her children. "Sam is 21, Jack is 18 and Harper 16." She didn't care if Sam wasn't born her child, he was hers now. “Not all surprises are good but this one definitely sounds like it is. What did you decide to name her?”"Kiara, she is a very welcome surprise... here it is," She added as she announced the coffee shop.
<3 KYLE MITCHELL O'HARA | ONE SON (JACK)| ONE ADOPTED SON (SAM) TWO DAUGHTERS (HARPER & KIARA)
“Yeah, they unfortunately had a nasty nightmare. It seems that even when they are older they have trouble sleeping through the night.” He sighed. It reminded him that the triplets missed their father and it bothered them from time to time. Christian carried the bag of fruit with him - not wanting his children to carry them.
The kids went back to chatting with each other, the oldest making sure that their dad wasn’t too far behind them. “Please teach me this reverse psychology.” He asked, wanting any advice on raising children. The circumstances were already difficult as Christian had been close friends with their father and when he died - he was devastated, which didn’t make raising the kids any easier.
“Is it difficult having them be born that far apart? I only have these three and they were born minutes apart.” Christian didn’t think he would want any more children but he would have to have that discussion with Ama eventually. “I don’t think I’ll want any more after these three.” He laughed.
Chris nodded, continuing to walk forward towards the coffee stand. “That must be hard on you but it’s what she will learn to know as she grows up.” He was sure his own siblings felt the same way as he was the oldest, having moved out before his siblings were old enough or even born. “You must live in a busy house then!” At least her kids were old enough to somewhat look after themselves if needed.
“These three just turned seven.” He couldn’t believe they were already growing up. “That’s a beautiful name.” The man smiled as he took a spot at the end of the queue.
“Hopefully it shouldn’t be too long of a wait. What have you had here before?”
“Yeah, they unfortunately had a nasty nightmare. It seems that even when they are older they have trouble sleeping through the night.” Marnie smiled in sympathy, "Don't worry, it really does get easier." She promised, her own children had gone through their phases with sleep, and now she was about to go through it all again with Kiara. Sometimes, she did wonder what her and Kyle had been thinking; until she looked at her newborn's face and was convinced all over again. "Nightlights definitely do wonders, and actually I used dream catchers too, to help the idea of catching bad dreams." She suggested, thinking of the one she had brought for Harper in particular.
“Please teach me this reverse psychology.” Marnie grinned, "Ah, not one you've learned yet? You just have to tell them to do something and they do the opposite, I've learnt that subtle can be useful but nudging them toward 'fine, don't clean your room' can encourage them to be insolent and want to clean it just to spite you." It was maybe not the best example off the top of her head but she'd played these came before. “Is it difficult having them be born that far apart? I only have these three and they were born minutes apart. I don’t think I’ll want any more after these three.” Marnie chuckled and her head tilted in consideration. "It's a little tough to go back to that lifestyle of night time feeds when we've already been through it and that part was over. She was quite the surprise, but having the others older is almost easier - they're so good with her, and they help out when we need. I hope they can still be as close to Kiara as they are with each other but I know that the age gap will likely make that difficult." After all, by the time Kiara was into her late teens, Jack and Sam would be approaching 40 and likely to have their own families and such.
She kept pace with him easy enough as they walked. “That must be hard on you but it’s what she will learn to know as she grows up....You must live in a busy house then!” She gave a shake of her head. "No, not hard on me really, though I am a little unsure of being into my 60's by the time we have an empty house again." She joked, as she had been a homemaker for so long she knew she wouldn't know what to do with herself without the kids. “These three just turned seven.” Marnie nodded, "It's a good age, they start to get over the terrible toddler stage and love you again - and I bet it's helpful that they play together?" She said. “That’s a beautiful name.” Marnie nodded, "Thank you, what are your childrens names?" She asked in return politely. “Hopefully it shouldn’t be too long of a wait. What have you had here before?” A slight smile as she glanced over the familiar menu - it was not particularly big but she preferred that, there was no need for half the choices these days. "I usually stick to a cappuccino - they really are good here, but the occasion Mocha if I'm feeling like chocolate. They do nice cakes too." She added, if he was thinking of the kids.
<3 KYLE MITCHELL O'HARA | ONE SON (JACK)| ONE ADOPTED SON (SAM) TWO DAUGHTERS (HARPER & KIARA)
"I really hope so. I hate hearing them cry, it just breaks my heart." Knowing that there wasn't really anything he or Ama could do to help made it worse. "I'll have to try that with them. Maybe there are ones that are considered cool for kids that are a bit older." As they weren't babies anymore, the triplets were only interested in things that were cool. "Thanks for the advice."
Christian laughed. The triplets tended to listen pretty well, but they had their rebellious periods. "I'll have to try that one on them. I assume it worked on your three?" It was always an enjoyable experience chatting with other parents, as most of his friends hadn't had children of their own yet.
"Ah yes. The difference in sleep schedule must be rough." He was almost out of the woods with the triplets, and he couldn't wait to be able to sleep in. "I'm sure it's much easier knowing the older three get along with her."
"I'm sure despite the age difference they will want to come see their little sister." He was the oldest in his family and always made time for his siblings - even if they weren't in the same country. He was a family-oriented person.
Christian nodded. "That's many years away, just enjoy the baby phase for now." So many people wished for their children to get older and then wanted to turn back the clocks. "Though that must be odd to think about. Maybe she will never leave." He laughed.
He moved up in the queue as people were being served at the beginning and moving off to the side. "It's helpful for sure. Though one of them is very shy and tends to keep to herself." The other two were rambunctious and tended to spend so much time together that the shy one got her alone time. "Their names are Juniper, Aspen and Logan." He pointed to each child as he said their names.
"Both of those sound lovely. I think I'll go with the Mocha. The kids will probably want hot cocoa and I could convince them to share a slice of cake with me."
"I really hope so. I hate hearing them cry, it just breaks my heart." She smiled in understanding, having felt the same herself with each child. It never got easier. "I'll have to try that with them. Maybe there are ones that are considered cool for kids that are a bit older. Thanks for the advice." She smiled again, "You're welcome, anything to try and get a couple of extra minutes, us parents have to stick together." and she was always happy to help others with things she had learned over the years. "I'll have to try that one on them. I assume it worked on your three?" She made a 'so so' motion and laughed, "Some of the time? It has backfired on the odd occasion but for cleaning their rooms and similar it often did the trick."
"Ah yes. The difference in sleep schedule must be rough. I'm sure it's much easier knowing the older three get along with her." Marnie nodded, "Yeah, they really are good kids, so I know they'll be help not hindrance." Not that her kids had always generally been good eggs and she was grateful for them every day. "I'm sure despite the age difference they will want to come see their little sister." She smiled and nodded, "Oh absolutely, we're quite family orientated so I have no doubt they'll still make good relationships." Her and Kyle made a point to do family game nights and to eat together, to find time for the family together - she knew it would be harder as they grew older and moved away but she aimed to keep bringing them together anyway.
She grinned as Christian, "That's many years away, just enjoy the baby phase for now. Though that must be odd to think about. Maybe she will never leave." Marnie chuckled softly, "I am definitely enjoying the baby phase, the only time this will happen again will be with grandbabies so I am making the most of it." She admitted, though she was much happier when she got a full night's sleep. She shuffled along with him in the queue. "It's helpful for sure. Though one of them is very shy and tends to keep to herself. Their names are Juniper, Aspen and Logan." Marnie smiled, "They're lovely names, I'm sure she'll come out of her shell when she's ready," Every kid was different but it was tough growing up for sure; trying to figure out who you were. "Both of those sound lovely. I think I'll go with the Mocha. The kids will probably want hot cocoa and I could convince them to share a slice of cake with me." Marnie grinned, "I'm sure it won't take much to convince them right?" She shuffled up again as they reached the front and went to place her order.
<3 KYLE MITCHELL O'HARA | ONE SON (JACK)| ONE ADOPTED SON (SAM) TWO DAUGHTERS (HARPER & KIARA)
It was difficult being a first-time dad to three kids at once. At first, it was a learning curve for the two of them, but they were handling it well. “I hope my kids didn’t hear that or else I’ll have to reverse the reverse psychology.” Christian smiled. He didn’t often get the chance to chat with other parents, so he was enjoying the rare opportunity.
“Anything to get them to clean their rooms. Why does that seem to be the bane of their existence?” Granted, he didn’t exactly like cleaning his room either, but it was something that needed to be done and he would hate to allow Ama to do it all on her own.
Christian smiled; it was always much easier if the other kids helped out. “I’m glad. Is it too early to tell if the older kids enjoy having a baby around yet?” He was the oldest sibling and had heard mixed feelings about older children learning that they were going to have siblings. He himself remembered being very excited about becoming a big brother.
“Glad you are able to. Ah, talking about grandchildren already? Isn’t it a bit early for that?” Christian wasn’t ready to talk about being a grandfather yet, the triplets were much too young to even think about dating let alone marriage. “Thanks. I know they are unique, but it makes it easier calling them in a crowd somewhere.” He didn’t want to say that they came with that name - even though their father was his best friend, and he practically was their father since their biological father died when they were young.
Christian nodded, it was easy to convince the three kids to share a snack with him. He allowed Marnie to order before he asked each child what they wanted. Once he reached the front of the queue, he ordered three hot chocolates, his Mocha and a strawberry shortcake to share. Christian paid, making sure Marnie’s order was on his bill as well.
“I hope my kids didn’t hear that or else I’ll have to reverse the reverse psychology.” Marnie laughed and glanced toward the kids then gave him a wink. "I think you're safe for now," considering their attention seemed to have pulled elsewhere for the moment. "Anything to get them to clean their rooms. Why does that seem to be the bane of their existence?” she gave a sympathetic laugh at that. "Unfortunately that never changes, they are either tidy or they're not I'm afraid. Though some of them improve a little work age." Sam was tidy but she understood where that came from..Harper was not too bad though has been terrible as a child, Jack was...well she couldn't say she was too impressed when she'd last seen his dorm room but for all she knew he was changed.
"I’m glad. Is it too early to tell if the older kids enjoy having a baby around yet?” Marnie hummed slightly in thought then gave a small nod and a smile. "I feel that they do, if only because we don't ask too much of them. Plus Jack and Sam used to help with Harper and so it's not much different to the with a new sister and I feel Harper is old enough now not to feel odd about mo longer being the youngest."“Glad you are able to. Ah, talking about grandchildren already? Isn’t it a bit early for that?” Marnie pulled a face and nodded. "It sure does feel like it but it does come around faster than you think. I was younger than my eldest when I fell pregnant." it felt like such a long time ago and also not at all since that scary day she'd found out. She had been ridiculously lucky with Kyle. Many others would have run. “Thanks. I know they are unique, but it makes it easier calling them in a crowd somewhere.” Marnie have a slight grin. I bet you still have to call it several times as they decide whether to listen though." she joked.
"Thank you again," She said politely as he paid for her order and she collected it at the other end once it was ready to go. “Would you like to pick somewhere to sit?” Marnie nodded, "Sure!" and she glanced around for a decent seating. She spied a corner table work plenty of room to spare for the kids and beelined for it, glancing back to make sure Christian was okay to follow with both his order and his hoard.
<3 KYLE MITCHELL O'HARA | ONE SON (JACK)| ONE ADOPTED SON (SAM) TWO DAUGHTERS (HARPER & KIARA)
Christian smiled, glancing at the triplets. It was obvious they didn’t hear the advice he was given as they were distracted by something else in line. “Thank goodness. I’ll use it against them next time.”
He put his card back in his wallet and placed it in his pocket. “Good to know. I was maybe hoping they’d grow out of it. But they aren’t too terrible, just need some extra encouragement.” His daughters liked to keep their rooms clean, but it was his son that needed a push or two to tidy up after himself. It seemed even though they were triplets, their personalities were all different.
“I’m glad they seem to enjoy it. I think I’d be worried about how to manage giving each child enough attention. Though, I feel I have that problem now.” It was a challenge having three kids that were the same age. He tried his best to divide his time away from work between the three kiddos. “I can imagine. I’m sure your eldest will have your first grandchild before you know it.” Christian didn’t really want to think about being a grandfather quite yet, as the triplets were just seven years old. “That must have been an odd feeling though.”
Christian picked up two of the hot chocolates from the counter. “Yes, you’d be surprised how many times I have to call them.” He often got odd looks when he called his kids over as their names weren’t exactly common.
“Not a problem, it’s the least I can do after my children nearly ran you over.” He nodded and followed behind the woman, setting the two mugs down on the table before heading back to get his own Mocha and the other hot chocolate. Once everything was brought over, he sat down.
“Have you been in Hickstead long?” He asked, once his children were settled at the table and ready to eat their snack.
