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!.
Courtney looked at his watch, wondering if he should’ve waited a bit longer to go. Maybe it was his training, where being on time was late. Nevertheless, he had no issues waiting. After all, it had been years since he and Phoenix had a good sit down to chat. The two knew each other from way back, and even though he had been back for a bit – the timing was difficult. They at least we're able to phone call and text, better than most.
He found a cushy area in the store, looking at the puzzle in front of him. The shop was new, a puzzle and coffee place. Like a book café but for puzzles and board games. It gave Courtney something to do instead of constantly checking his phone.
Phoenix was running pretty well to time - for a change. She had always had a little issue with her time keeping, a factor she knew had a habit of irking Court, but not one that had changed much over the years. She couldn't help herself, she always found she was getting lost in something and suddenly the time flew, or she was helping somebody and just kept saying yes. It was a bad habit really, but she was old enough now that it was just the way she rolled. She had made a concerted effort to be on time for her friend though, not wanting to make him wait. She'd missed him, it had been too long since they'd hung out and sometimes the phone calls and texting just didn't cut it.
She had made an effort to dress nice, with the weather being so glorious she'd showered after the yard and donned a pretty blue sundress, turning her face to the sun like a flower as she stepped out the car, reveling in the warmth of it. She loved summer. She hadn't been to this shop before, but it wasn't too difficult to find - she was curious about his choice but when she entered and saw the puzzles, she grinned. Court knew her too well. Phe sashayed over to where she spied him at a lone table, looking a little tense as he waited, a wide grin pulling at her lips. "Hey, stranger," She said with a laugh, going to envelop him into a friendly hug.
A familiar voice broke his train of thought. If he wasn’t expecting her, Court would’ve jumped a bit. Phoenix gave him one of her famous bear hugs, and he couldn’t help but wrap her tightly back before they let go of each other. “Long time, no see...buckaroo. Is that what they say, now?” he laughed. “You look great! Haven’t aged a bit.” Maybe it was that witch magic or something. Every one of the Lovecraft family looked frozen in time.
“How have you been, Phe? How’s your summer been?” She sounded busy, from what she told him a bit ago. Summer always meant a lot more horse activity in Hickstead. Competitions especially.
Her grinned widened as she pulled him from his revere - wondering briefly where he had gone off to in his mind. She gave a warm laugh as he wrapped his arms around her in return, and she squeezed him gently, feeling that familiar settled feeling to be back with her good friend. Phe released him after a long moment and took a step back before going to slide into the seat beside him. “Long time, no see...buckaroo. Is that what they say, now?” She gave a light snort and shook her head, "I think that's something you just made up, but I'll roll with it?" She teased, with another easy laugh.
“You look great! Haven’t aged a bit.” Phe couldn't help but give a faint blush at the compliment, even if her friend was just being kind. "I try my best; being ginger and pale it's only natural for me to avoid the sun," She teased, though she did have to be more careful than some about the rays. She burned if the moon was too bright for goodness sake. "But so do you, looking very handsome," and it was true, he really had grown more handsome since she'd last seen him, if that was possible. “How have you been, Phe? How’s your summer been?” Phoenix settled into her chair, hanging her bag on the back. "I've been good! Run off my feet a little with the horses and work. What about you?" She was keen to hear about what he'd been up to that had kept him too busy to see her.
“Gosh darn...I guess I’ve aged myself terribly then, haven’t I?” he responded. Courtney was sure it was a saying, but maybe not a Uk thing. Either way, he would have Phe have this one. He didn’t want to start an argument, even if it could’ve been a playful one.
Courtney quirked an eyebrow at the pale skin joke. He could’ve added another line to it, but he knew how she felt about red-head jokes. Even if someone said she was a devil, Phe would always be an angel in his eyes. Maybe that was the friend in him, but Court never fell for those weird stereotypes or assumptions. “I wish I could avoid the sun, but the kids always beg to go to the park. How dare they! And thanks. My mum I’m sure is adding something to her cooking to keep us all looking young.”
“I’m glad to hear you’re still riding! And how has work been? Any new students?” Courtney was always amazed by Phe’s and her family’s abilities in whatever they do. Even though they weren’t related by blood, he didn’t know if he met another group of thick thieves. “Summer has been running me up the wall! A lot of kids to watch over, which don’t get me wrong – I’m very grateful for. But I think the summer has been bringing in the tourists, which also means their kids. The school year will slow things down a bit. I don’t know how many trips I’ve had to take to the barns just the past week. Or even the pool.”
“Gosh darn...I guess I’ve aged myself terribly then, haven’t I?” She chuckled at that and made a show of looking him over, gently taking his chin so she could turn his head a little to the light as if inspecting for wrinkles and aging spots; her eyes narrowed critically. "Hmmmm, oh yes I can see many grey hairs.. and oh dear look at all those wrinkles." She teased, letting him go, though really he had nothing. She was lucky being ginger that her grey hairs would take some time to come through.
“I wish I could avoid the sun, but the kids always beg to go to the park. How dare they! And thanks. My mum I’m sure is adding something to her cooking to keep us all looking young.” Phoenix grinned at that, "And you're such a softie you just can't say no," She teased but she thought it was sweet how good with kids he was. Sometimes she wondered how he could still be single - why was there no line of available women trying to get his attention. "I need whatever your mum is cooking," She pulled a face, but she didn't actually have any worries about aging - it was a part of life, and if anything it was a gift. Some people never made it to 20 let alone 30.
“I’m glad to hear you’re still riding! And how has work been? Any new students?” She nodded as she thought to her new client base, "I have a couple! I've been trying to work on some new tricks whilst the summer is here, but really I've been lazy about booking shows." She shook her head at herself, she really should have been getting into clinics and such by now but she'd not gotten her act together and the time was slipping away. “Summer has been running me up the wall! A lot of kids to watch over, which don’t get me wrong – I’m very grateful for. But I think the summer has been bringing in the tourists, which also means their kids. The school year will slow things down a bit. I don’t know how many trips I’ve had to take to the barns just the past week. Or even the pool.” Phe nodded, "I guess the parents are looking to entertain them whilst school is out? I don't know how you do it - I mean, kids are cute and all but having a hoard of them to look after I'm not so sure about," She had interest in having her own some day, but more likely one or two, not a football teams worth.
“She’ll probably claim it was all the Filipino love.” It wasn’t hard to admit that there was plenty of love in the cooking at his house. His mom’s love language was food and feeding people. The neighbors always knew when it was Sunday as she would cook what felt like vats of food and share with those around her.
He let out a laugh and nodded in agreement. “What can I say? Must make the kiddos happy so they keep coming back.” There were times that the parents were frustrated, often claiming things that Courtney didn’t agree with. His sister had fired a few parents already, or some were turned away. It wasn’t like there were other places to take their kiddos. Courtney’s sister managed a good spot as Oldaker had a lot of families. There was a convenience about the location which made them well known and sought after.
“What kind of tricks are you working on?” Courtney asked, looking at the small drink menu that was on the table. Some of them were a lot, ingredient-wise – but the cinnamon latte sounded promising.
“They are for sure little energy takers, but I think growing up around child care – it was bound to happen.” While dealing with children wasn’t something for everyone, Courtney realized that he would rather look after children in a childcare setting than what he had done for years. Pediatric care took a toll on his emotional and mental health, and while he missed caring for the children – it was a different type of drain. “It could be my sister, too. She can wrangle those kids up so fast. Oh! Talking about sisters...how are yours? I’m sure your mum has been busy too?”
“She’ll probably claim it was all the Filipino love.” She chuckled at that as she thought back to his family and then gave a serious nod. "You know, it probably was too - there's some real power in that," She warned, but the smile still teased the edges of her lips. “What can I say? Must make the kiddos happy so they keep coming back.” Phe's smile was wide and genuine, pleased for her friend that his business was going so well. "How could they not? They'd be idiots not to see how good you were," Which was true. If you wanted someone trust worthy, honest and good with your kids then look no further. Court knew what he was doing, and how to handle even some of the most unruly. "I'm surprised you don't have your own mini-me's pattering about after you, trying to help." It was a harmless comment, she had always thought with her friends love for the little people that he would have been one of the first of her old pals to get settled and start popping out sprogs.
“What kind of tricks are you working on?” Phe tilted her head, propped her chin into her hand as she thought of what she'd recently been working on - her hair spilled forward over a shoulder, tickling the surface of the table. "I've been working on drags recently - I won't lie they kind of freak me out... make me think too much of the time I was genuinely dragged." It had been a long time ago now, and a freak accident. A spook had turned into an over reaction of the horse she'd been riding, and then he had suddenly throw himself up into a rear, overbalanced and fallen with Phe still on board. He'd scrambled to get up but the awkward position had left Phe's foot stuck in the stirrup as the horse bolted across the field. She'd broken her leg that day but been lucky it wasn't her neck.
She took another look down the drinks menu and decided to pick out a milkshake; childish perhaps but she liked what she liked. “They are for sure little energy takers, but I think growing up around child care – it was bound to happen.” Phoenix laughed softly and gave her friend a sweet look, "as long as you are happy, that's all that matters." She didn't feel that people had to be anything because of their pasts though she understood how people felt differently. “It could be my sister, too. She can wrangle those kids up so fast. Oh! Talking about sisters...how are yours? I’m sure your mum has been busy too?” Phoenix nodded, "yeah they're doing good! I haven't seen so much of them recently but Phrynne is local now and it's been nice having her so close again."
“Well, she does use a lot from your mom’s shop,” Courtney teased back, knowing full well both their families were suspicious in multiple ways. Nothing wrong with it, as it was entertaining to see what his mom would do after and before guests came into the home. Mainly the sage and the incense and asking for protection. Courtney himself didn’t particularly practice anything – but he never yucked someone’s yum.
He snorted at her comment. “Yeah, but I can hand these kids back. I don’t know how teachers do it. Work with kids and then come back to kids.” Maybe later in life, he would consider, but he hadn’t found the person to want to make a child with. He wasn’t a believer in a one-parent household. Court liked the idea of his children having both parents there, to care for and give love. Of course, this could all change later in life - but for now, he liked the idea of a wife or husband.
“Oh yes. I remember my sister calling me when it happened. I was traveling then, and she was crying for you. It made me panic a lot since I wasn’t there.” He was thankful the leg was the only thing that got broken. Courtney was sure that it had been worse than it was, but his sister was a bit dramatic. Since he had been back, it made him happier to know that he was closer to now. Maybe it sounded odd, but Court didn’t know if he could handle Phe getting hurt and him not being there to take care of her. Yes, she had her family and friends…but he was a nurse at heart.
“I am! It’s nice to be finally settled in one place. I enjoyed all the traveling I’ve done in the past ten years. But I’m ready to enjoy the time with y—my friends and family more.” That was close.
“That’s great! It’s always nice to have more people in your area to see. Makes meeting new people a bit less intimidating.”
Wait staff came over and took their orders. Court got green tea and a salad. Despite eating earlier, he was famished with nervous energy. “My mom said you’re teaching works shops now?” he asked, picking up a piece of the puzzle and placing it into space after staring at the space for a minute.
“Well, she does use a lot from your mom’s shop,” She chuckled in response to that, she knew a lot of people didn't get it, and she'd always been a little skeptical but things had grown on her over the years. There was that small little 'logical' part of her brain that made her naturally question things, but she was an open minded person and felt that she'd seen the genuine effects of remedies and such over the years that other people claimed as bullshit. “Yeah, but I can hand these kids back. I don’t know how teachers do it. Work with kids and then come back to kids.” She tilted her head as she considered his words. "I guess it's probably different when you have your own? Or that's what they all seem to say, anyway!" She let out a laugh and slight shake of her head. She knew it was something she'd have to think about at some point as she inched into her 30's, but for now she was content. She wanted to do the whirlwind romance first, the swept off her feet part before knuckling down to pop out sprogs.
“Oh yes. I remember my sister calling me when it happened. I was traveling then, and she was crying for you. It made me panic a lot since I wasn’t there.” She wrinkled her nose to think about it, as generally she tried to put horse accidents aside to avoid them getting in the way. It could be easy to be afraid sometimes. "Sorry to have worried you, but you know me - I always bounce right back!" She half grinned, knowing it was easy to say that now once it was in the past, but a lot scarier for people back when it had happened. It was why she was adamant about safety stirrups now though.
“I am! It’s nice to be finally settled in one place. I enjoyed all the traveling I’ve done in the past ten years. But I’m ready to enjoy the time with y—my friends and family more.” Phe missed the almost slip, completely oblivious as she often was about these things and she smiled. "Well, I'm glad to have you back. I'll have to drag you out and show you the night life.. or lack there of!" She teased. She wasn't much of one to go out and get drunk but she liked to enjoy a couple with friends and relax; plus it was always nice to dress up when she wore her riding stuff most of the day for work. “That’s great! It’s always nice to have more people in your area to see. Makes meeting new people a bit less intimidating.” Phe nodded in understanding, "it's definitely daunting, trying to make new connections, but there's so much happening here, you just have to put yourself out there a little bit and someone will take the bait." She promised, and she was more than happy to help him too. She liked the town, it was both homey and cosy whilst also having plety to see and do that would keep you busy and from feeling too much 'small town' life.
As the staff appeared, she ordered herself a strawberry milkshake and a brie, cranberry and bacon panini - having much of a sweet tooth she was craving a treat and this would do nicely. “My mom said you’re teaching works shops now?” She gave a small nod as she watched him, taking a look at the pieces herself and selecting one.. that turned out to be wrong. She sighed and tried another. "Yeah it's a new thing, I've hooked up with a guy called Pasha who is in a similar line of work, and also well versed, and it seems to be working out well so far. Trying to encourage some fresh blood to join the craze. It's becoming so much more popular now."
Courtney smiled. It was true, Phe did have an interesting way of getting up after an injury. He wished he had that bounceback, as a kid and now. When he was a nurse still, kids managed to bounce back after a broken arm. Oh to be younger. "Age changes us doesn't it?" he laughed.
"Night life, huh? I haven't been to the club in forever. Maybe we're just better lounging in onesies and watching cartoons?" It had been a long time since they had spent time together like that. Their families were close too, which made birthdays and holidays a massive event.
"There's a lot of stuff happening, like some mingling things. I don't know if I could do it..been out of the game forever! Probably why I understand kids better." Courtney had tried dating a bit, but no one really clicked. Maybe it was because they weren't looking for long term or his favorite line, he was too nice. Whatever the heck that meant.
Courtney couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. Who was this Pasha person? He knew he had no right to feel that way, as it could easily be a professional thing. Maybe it was the way she used hooked up. "That's great!" And Courtney was genuine. He looked over the pieces and failed agin. "Did it become an overnight sensation right away via social media?" Court asked in a teasing manner. That's what happened with the roller skating crowd. Same with some other interests like hand knitting.
"Age changes us doesn't it?" Phoenix's expression twisted a little in thought, her lips pursing and then she grinned, "Nah, I don't think it does that much. It's just a number and all that." How cliche of her, but she felt it was true. There were factors that made a difference of course, but generally she felt that you shouldn't let your age set you back or stop you from doing something you wanted to do - whatever way it took to get there. "Night life, huh? I haven't been to the club in forever. Maybe we're just better lounging in onesies and watching cartoons?" Phoenix grinned at the idea and gave a light laugh. "Perhaps I'll drag you out one night, come and dance with me." She teased, interested to see if he would still come out with her if she asked nicely. "And the next day we cuddle up and nurse the hangovers?" She proposed, as she did love the thought of monging out with her old friend and eating junk for the day.
"There's a lot of stuff happening, like some mingling things. I don't know if I could do it..been out of the game forever! Probably why I understand kids better." Phe raised a curious brow. "Mingling things? That sounds interesting though! Why not give it a shot, what have you got to lose?" She encouraged. She didn't understand why Courtney was single - though she knew people said the same about her and she waved them off.. she just wasn't bothered and she figured someone would come along when they came. Court though.. he was handsome, sweet, caring, good with kids, funny..she saw no down side to dating a guy like him.
She smiled as the waitress brought over their items, and she gladly took a sip of her strawberry milkshake, reveling in the sweetness. "That's great! Did it become an overnight sensation right away via social media?" She laughed and gave a slight shake of her head, "Luckily no, I know that sounds backwards but I feel that those end up being fads. We've had a lot of interest though and it definitely made a difference!"
“I think it’s a speed dating thing, which feels weird to me. How do you judge someone in a five-minute span?” he asked, putting a piece in – a small feeling of victory waving over him. “Then again, my job hasn’t allowed a lot of dating. If anything, I’m here to help people date and go out by looking after their kids,” Courtney added with a snort. “I’m at that age now where there are people deciding what they want to do about kids. It’s a bit of a deal breaker, you could say.” Courtney knew kids were a sensitive topic for a few people. He was always open about it, and a lot of dating runs ended that way. He never faulted anyone for that. It meant that they knew what they wanted.
Courtney thanked the staff for the food and he took a sip of his beverage. “Well, I guess being in an area full of equestrians, you were bound to find a group. I don’t know if I could get myself on a horse. I think I would like to try.” He was curious, but Courtney also liked the idea of having another activity to do that Phe liked. While they had other interests, it was something that he knew she loved.
"I think it’s a speed dating thing, which feels weird to me. How do you judge someone in a five-minute span?” Phoenix chuckled at that, struggling to find a piece to fit her little corner she was working on. Very frustrating when she tried three in a row and all were a no go. She shot Courtney a side eye as he fitted a piece, wondering how he was finding it so easy. "I guess it's just about getting a feel for someone? You know how you can get a .. kind of vibe off someone when you meet them? And if they have the same interests as you or not. I'd say it's a tough one though, I don't like to go off first impressions sometimes, it's too much pressure. People surprise you." She shrugged, having always been the type to give someone a second chance... And a third and fourth at times. “Then again, my job hasn’t allowed a lot of dating. If anything, I’m here to help people date and go out by looking after their kids, I’m at that age now where there are people deciding what they want to do about kids. It’s a bit of a deal breaker, you could say.” Phe gave her friend a kindly smile, she understood how it was, especially when you reached the age everyone was off getting married and doing the baby thing, and you were having trouble even getting out on a date. "Well then, we'll have to get you out there. How about online dating?" She suggested with a wiggle of her eyebrows.
She took a sip of her drink as Court did the same. “Well, I guess being in an area full of equestrians, you were bound to find a group. I don’t know if I could get myself on a horse. I think I would like to try.” Phoenix nodded, listening to him as she tried a different part of the puzzle and still struggled to fit in a piece. It had to be rigged. "There are quite the number of them here." She agreed, not having realised it was quite such a major capital of horse riding. "Well, if you ever fancy trying it out, I have my own collection of well trained beasties that I can at least lead you round on to decide if you like it or not." hers were not riding school or lessons horses, they were sensitive and quick off the draw, but she could at least lead someone around for a quick go, and then if he liked it she could help get him into somewhere he could start proper lessons.
“Online, dating, huh? I guess you’ll have to help me out then,” he teased. Courtney wasn’t quite planning it, mainly because the one he wanted was in front of him. Even at his age, Courtney still didn’t know how to voice his thoughts and emotions correctly. It should’ve been easier now, right? “Only if you make one, too.” It wasn’t out of malice, but Courtney wasn’t about to put himself out there unless Phe did too. It didn’t mean they had to commit to their apps, but things were more fun together, right?
His eyes watched as she attempted a piece a few times before she changed tact. Courtney grabbed another piece himself, attempting a few tries himself. A failure for him as well, causing a bit of a creased frown. It made him wonder how professional puzzlers were able to get pieces like this done in an hour or two. “Would that make a good dating profile picture? Or would that come off pompous?” Courtney asked, taking a sip of his drink. “Me being on a horse would look better than holding a fish, right?”
