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's calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion.”
T
he soft scent of lavender wafted through the rooms as some waterfall background music played. Orion fiddled with his cane as he heard Gwyn start up the hot stone oven. His clientele was expanding, both human and equine. While Orion expected growth, he didn’t expect it to grow as fast as it did. He was happy about it though.
As Gwyn continued to help set up rooms, Orion picked up some familiar footsteps after the doorbell went off. After starting the washer, Orion stepped into the lobby and smiled. “Cal, punctual as always! I hope you had a filled day today. Gwyn is setting up the room. What are we working on today?” he asked.
He'd taken the day off on purpose; he hadn't been able to sleep, that cough deciding that he was not allowed to sleep for more than what seemed to be an hour at best before it poked him in the ribs. And it was coupled with the worry that the cough brought, the news from the doctor - he wouldn't deny himself the fact that he was rattled by how sick he was, but alas, he took the day off and apologized to the clients he'd had to call that morning to let them know that they had to be shuffled over to tomorrow, as other pressing matters came up.
Most of them were very much understanding, though some seemed quite short with him on account that he'd just straight out pulled their day apart by becoming unavailable to them. He'd apologized profusely then before hanging up the phone. But sleep wasn't the only thing that was keeping him from work, more so the fact he'd managed to get an appointment with Orion - his back wasn't being kind to him either, so he needed this to keep going.
Stepping into the building, he was greeted by the smell of lavender and soft music. It was always so pleasant here that he managed to push his worries back for the time being.
“Cal, punctual as always! I hope you had a filled day today. Gwyn is setting up the room. What are we working on today?” he asked.
He looked up and smiled, "Yes, never pays not to be I find. My back today, upper mostly - it's been quite unkind this last few weeks and it hasn't stopped, so I figured it was high time to come in and see about getting the issue relaxed as best I can. And how are you Orion?"
“It's calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion.”
O
rion nodded and smiled. “Well, with all the dental work – I’m sure your back does need it. All the reaching up and tension. Me? I’m doing fine. It’s been a bit of a slow morning, but the evening will be picking up. Most people can only manage evenings during the weekday.” It all made sense to him, and it helped with his equine clientele. His days were all on rotation now, allowing things to switch. Orion didn’t quite have a day off, but his hours were limited that he wasn’t overworked.
The smell of Gwyn’s peppermint oil graced Orion’s nose and he smiled. “The room is ready Mr. Callahan,” the young woman smiled, beckoning him to follow her to the second of the two rooms. “We’ll give you a few minutes to undress to your comfort level.”
“Well, with all the dental work – I’m sure your back does need it. All the reaching up and tension. Me? I’m doing fine. It’s been a bit of a slow morning, but the evening will be picking up. Most people can only manage evenings during the weekday.”
Cal nodded in agreement, "Work along with some particularly unpleasant tests the doctor has had me do. But have to do what I have to do I guess."
The smell of Gwyn’s peppermint oil graced Orion’s nose and he smiled. “The room is ready Mr. Callahan,” the young woman smiled, beckoning him to follow her to the second of the two rooms. “We’ll give you a few minutes to undress to your comfort level.”
He looked over to Gwyn and smiled at her, "Thank you Gwyn, you're a credit to Orion."
He moved to the room that she'd gestured to for him and entered it without a second thought. He'd gone through this routine enough times now that he was more than comfortable. He began with his jacket, taking it and folding it neatly before proceeding to do the same with his shirt.
“It's calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion.”
I
do try my best,” Gwyn smiled. Caleb was right, Orion would be a bit off if his niece wasn’t around. It was something that bothered him a lot, wondering if he was holding her back in the career she wanted. He knew she would never complain, but he wanted the best for her. And if that meant getting another person, he would. He just needed to find the right person.
After a few minutes, Orion knocked and stepped into the room Caleb was in. He found his seat and sat down, squirting some lotion in his hands. “Any places I should focus on today?” he asked, slowly beginning on Cal’s shoulders and collarbone. His thumb pressed into a small pocket – adding some more pressure.
Caleb thought on it for a moment, considering it seriously before he replied, "Mostly upper body, doctor's have poked and prodded endlessly."
He decided not to mention the bruises - they weren't sore, but there was no reason to worry the man. The less he knew the better things would be, so he told himself. He knew his friends cared, but it still weighed on him that he was not deserving of that sort of consideration. What was one little secret? Not everyone had to know all of his personal affairs.
"So, how have you been Orion? Things been going well?"
“It's calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion.”
O
f course. Never fun being poked and prodded. Just let me know if I need to change my pressure.” He remembered what had happened when he was in the hospital. Orion never saw what was happening, but he could feel it. All the IVs, the burn treatment. It took a lot out of him, but the staff was amazing.
Soft music played in the background, and Orion squirted some lotion into his hands. He rubbed it in his palms to warm it up a bit before pressing into Caleb’s collarbone area. Palms pressed into the shoulders before gently turning Caleb’s head. Orion’s right thumb began pressing into his neck – finding the small areas that needed attention. “Busy as ever. I’m currently booked out for the next month. But I’m grateful for it. I have a week planned for nothing soon. It’ll allow Gwyn to have a week to control what she wants to be doing too. She does have another job.”
"Of course. Never fun being poked and prodded. Just let me know if I need to change my pressure.”
He allowed his head to moved to the side, not the slightest bit worried by the touch.
“Busy as ever. I’m currently booked out for the next month. But I’m grateful for it. I have a week planned for nothing soon. It’ll allow Gwyn to have a week to control what she wants to be doing too. She does have another job.”
"I'm glad that work is being full for you, and that you are taking some time for yourself. Last thing any one needs is for you to go down," he said gently, "It'll be good for you both."
“It's calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion.”
T
he hardest part is keeping myself entertained,” Orion joked. He had thoughts about going to this area where single gay men went to meet someone. Orion hadn’t dated since he had become blind those years ago, a bit nervous to dip his toe back in. “But I’m also thinking of taking riding lessons. Nothing crazy, obviously – but just to ride again would be nice.”
Orion paused for a moment, adding more lotion to his hands before sliding them under Cal’s right shoulder blade. Fingertips dug around the blade bone, stopping at knots to work on them gently before moving side to side to help ease them out.
