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!.
Since dragging Cameron into the gang, he had yet to really challenge him. He had warned the boy that he would have to pass trials in order to stay in the gang and earn a proper place, as low as that place would be. For now, he was still just ..a pledge if you will. He had a place to sleep and he got a share of the food, albeit not as much as the top dogs did, even had the opportunity to wash. But, he didn't get to stay if he wasn't going to earn his keep. Everyone had a part to play in Daz's gang, and they'd all had their challenges to get there. To be gifted a spot. He smirked slightly as he seated himself at the back of the cafe.
He had told the kid what the deal was. He'd done a couple of tasks so far, small fry things really, just to wet his whistle. This was his first proper test. A hold up. Daz didn't do them very often, it drew too much attention and it was rarely a good idea to do them in his own town. He was mostly an observer today, this was Cam's show and he was here to sit back and watch it unfold - to see how he handled everything, how well he planned it; to score his attempt. Daz knew how he would do it effectively, he'd done it before. Now was the time to observe and see what the kid was made of.
Cam's nerves felt more shot than normal, and that was because of the pressure that he was under. Whilst he'd been told by Daz to expect some sort of challenge, he had never thought that he would given this task. Of all the things to charge a mute guy with, but he'd accepted it and began thinking things over. His first decision had been to see if anyone was willing to work with him - he'd never been explicitly told to do this alone, and he wasn't sure if his voice would fail him or not anyway. So he'd gone around to the lower ranking members, not so foolish to think that he'd be able to get someone higher than him to join in. Most turned him down with a sneer, but eventually he'd found two other boys in slightly better condition than he was that were agreeable to join him in this stint.
He'd only had a small amount of time to get things prepared, this had been dropped on him without much warning and he knew now as he approached that he should've found the time to check the place out and figure the layout rather than having a hope and a prayer that things would work out. He had no idea if there were cameras and where they might've been - sure, he had a guess on that if there was meant to be any, but that still didn't work in his favor. Instead, he'd spent his precious time fetching clothes that they could ditch. It meant a lot of stealing and double checking, but the plan was that if they could ditch or even better - burn - the clothes, there was less chance of being identified. At least, that was what he was hoping. He'd even managed to get his hands on some knives, they were common kitchen knives sure, but it was better than nothing, and one of the boys had found a baseball bat, so there was that.
He could feel his heart racing and his breathing picked up. He'd gone over the plan with the two other boys several times, he'd made it clear to them that they were only there for the money and nothing else - hurting people was very much a last resort. He was sure that all the blood was gone from his face but it was this or death. He wanted to be alive. He was shaking as he approached the coffee shop but somehow it stilled, steadying as he moved up towards the counter with his hood up.
"No body fucking move," growled one of the other boys, trying his best to put as much force into his voice as he could, "Otherwise someone will get their head caved in or their throat slit. Your choice."
Cam moved past the side board that usually stopped people from entering and moved towards the surprised cashier, angling his knife at them. He felt his stomach turn and drop but somehow he didn't lose his composure as he forced out bitter words loud enough for the cashier - "Open the til-ll... money in the bag."
His voice sounded alien and raspy from disuse. But for once he was glad it worked for him.
Flynn hadn't expected the cravings to hit her early on, but it had happened to her before with Liam and so she really should have seen it coming. Luckily, she wasn't in the mood for anything weird just yet - that would come later - but she felt like chocolate, and not just anything but a chocolate pastry. Starbucks seemed like the best option for that and so she'd dipped into the store on the way home from her shift. She'd started early today, and Bruce had kindly dropped Liam off to school; in thanks she had asked Bruce if he had time to meet her for food and have a little lunch date. He had said he'd be here shortly as she shot off a quick text to let him know she'd arrived and would source them a table.
For now she didn't grab her food yet, just ordering her and Bruce their usual choice of drinks and moving over to a table in the middle of the shop. Somewhere that Bruce could see her easily enough when he came in the door. She figured if they were going to eat together she was better off waiting to get her food until he arrived; otherwise it would be gone before he even got there. She sipped her drink - not coffee anymore sadly but a peach tea, refreshing and sweet enough to hit the craving of sugar. Flynn checked her phone again but was distracted by a sudden commotion up the front - a couple of young seeming boys were up by the counter, and it took her a minute to hear what was being said. As soon as she did, her blood ran cold and a hand subconciously settled on her still flat stomach in protection. "No body fucking move, Otherwise someone will get their head caved in or their throat slit. Your choice.....Open the til-ll... money in the bag."
er head hurt. Why did Dahlia stay up so late? Maybe it was because Moses had kept her up, calling her – worried if he was doing an okay job. Dahlia assured him he was going to be fine, and the next time he needed her advice – maybe call at 10 PM and not 3 AM.
Starbucks wasn’t too busy, and it was needed after some long meetings. A yawn escaped her lips, as Dahlia went to the bathroom first. While she was looking okay, she felt the need to touch herself up first. In case she ran into Jeremy or something like that.
She didn’t really grasp what was happening outside until Dahlia left the bathroom. The door could be heard creaking behind her, as there was a thick silence in the shop. Some suspicious-looking people were at the register, things in their hands.
For the first time in a long time, dahlia could feel her heart pounding in what felt like a hollow body. Did they see her? She found herself creeping along the wall. Her eyes landed on the person next to the cashier. She peered, but the hood’s shadow and the angle she was at - not a lot could be seen. But from the sliver of hair, she could see, and how the person stood, it felt familiar. But how?
Mason stifled a yawn and rubbed a hand over his face as he stood in the line at Starbucks. He had no idea why he was tired considering he had only rolled out of bed a couple of hours ago, even after having an early night. The double-shifts and night shifts must have been catching up to him. They usually did. He gas lighted himself every time into thinking he'd be fine but ultimately he was always exhausted after a long run of them. It was his own fault for always volunteering for them. It was mostly the paramedic shifts he was doubling down on since the hospital was stretched thin at the moment and people just loved to call out an ambulance for the slightest of things. That's what 111 was for.
So here he was, grabbing a quick fix before he was due to start a shift at the fire station. He'd drew the short straw with his room/workmates and it was his turn to grab the two of them a coffee on his way in. Reaching the counter, he gave the cashier the order then tapped his phone against the card machine before stepping to the side to wait. His eyes glanced towards the shop door briefly as it opened, not paying much attention to who entered as his name was called by the barista. He took the coffees with a thanks then moved a few feet away to set the coffee down while he grabbed some sugar at the self serve station. "No body fucking move, otherwise someone will get their head caved in or their throat slit. Your choice. Open the til-ll... money in the bag."
He heard the voices as he finished adding sugar to his coffee, causing him to look up with a frown. He took in the three hooded figures at the till a few meters away, noting the knifes and baseball bat in their hands. Judging by the voices, they were young. Fucking youths of today. He pulled out his phone, hiding it behind his leg as he sent a quick text to whatever person was first on his phone. sos starbucks. He slid the phone back in his front pocket and glanced around the cafe to get a vague idea of how many potential hostages there may be before discretely turning his attention back to the three at the counter.
She had yet another night of drug running and burlesque dancing behind her. The brunette loved both of her jobs but they took up most of her evenings - which meant she was spending her days sleeping.
Feeling like a zombie on this particular morning, she drove off to Starbucks, needing a caffeine kick before going to the barn to ride Rosso. Everyone else seemed to have the same idea however, so she had to wait in line for a few minutes.
Kennedy scrolled through social media to kill time and lifted her head when she heard a commotion, something she was used to being sensitive to due to her line of work. She felt a shiver run down her spine - her fight or flight response starting to kick in.
She didn't know what to do - the money from her drug run was still in her car. The board money for Rosso was due and she also needed to pay for her lessons as well. Watching the robbers, she clutched her bag - thinking she could use it as a weapon if needed.
Ben wasn't supposed to be on this shift. It had been intended to be a day off, but at the last minute one of the other lads had asked if he wouldn't mind swapping a shift so they could take their girl out on a date. Being a soft touch, and given his recent relationship issues, Ben had willingly obliged. Anything to help out another couple - his day off hadn't been important, his co-worker was a stand up guy, he saw no reason why not to shift. He didn't know if it was a blessing he had, to save the other guy from being in this situation, or if it was a curse that the swap meant he was, when he wouldn't have been.
He was just finishing someone's coffee and turning to take another order, when it happened. There was a shift in the tension in the room, Ben had always been sensitive to things like atmosphere and he felt it. Then he heard them. "No body fucking move, Otherwise someone will get their head caved in or their throat slit. Your choice." A threat, and Ben immediately bristled, looking warily for the source of the noise as several boys stepped forwards with weapons held aloft. Ben paused, hesitating as he tried to assess the situation, glancing over the pale faces of the customers currently sat down. One of them approached him, and he knew what they were going to say. "Open the til-ll... money in the bag." He hesitated again, trying to read the guy, to figure out how serious this was, would he do it, could he talk him out of it. The till was shut at the moment and he swallowed twice before he found his voice, a wash of ice calm swept over him. "Can we let the others go, and then I'll give you everything we have."
Bruce had never been so glad that he always kept a change of clothes in his car, as he could hardly go on a lunch date smelling too much like horse. After a quick change and a 'shower in a can', he was on his way to Starbucks.
Walking through the door, he spotted Flynn right away, flashed her a smile and headed toward the table. "Sorry I'm late." He said softly as he gave her a kiss. He was about to sit down when he heard the words that no one wants to hear, anywhere. "No body fucking move, Otherwise someone will get their head caved in or their throat slit. Your choice." He couldn't help one eyebrow raising, partly in question and partly in amusement. Who the hell would hold up a coffee shop? They'd be lucky if there was more than a couple of hundred in the till. Remaining where he was, he placed a protective hand on Flynn's shoulder, squeezing lightly to let her know he wasn't going anywhere. Nor did he have plans to do anything stupid.
An eyebrow raised slightly at the shouting of the guys. He knew that Cam's inability or unwillingness to speak would create a problem at some point, it was partly another reason he had put him into control of this to see how he handled it. Threat did not just come from voice, but it was a lot less threatening to see someone scribble their words on a piece of paper to say 'stick 'em up'. He could allow the use of other's voices, but at some point Cam would need to use his. "Open the til-ll... money in the bag." Daz's expression darkened. It would suit the mood of the room, given the other people's expressions, and with his hood up and cap low it was hard to see his face, but that kind of opening line? Tsk, it just wouldn't do.
He took the moment to look around the room, catching the varying reactions of the customers. They ranged from shock and concern, to downright disbelief and one even seemed amused. What the fuck was this? So far, unimpressive and likely to fail. He watched the cashier hesitate - he wasn't going to give up the money, he didn't even seem like a difficult personality, but Cam wasn't being commanding enough. It was weak, and lackluster, and the boy was going to need to do something drastic to bring the attention of the room.
"Can we let the others go, and then I'll give you everything we have."
Cam's eyes flickered under his hood between the people in the room and the man behind the register. Thirty steps to the door, more people than anticipated. His eyes went back to the man behind the register, who spoke. He listened and narrowed his eyes. That wouldn't do. He knew Daz was in the room, he'd seem him when they'd come in. He felt that weight sink more on his shouldered. This or death.
He didn't answer the man, feeling a cold numbness rush him. He didn't feel like himself as he moved forward, grabbing the guy by the hair and kicking the backs of his knees so he folded to the floor and held the blade to his throat.
"No," he growled, pressing the blade a little harder against his neck, "You'll do as I say. Open the till, or you'll be meeting your Gods early."
He was steady despite how he felt. He didn't want to kill someone, he didn't, but he was far too calm. He'd felt this way before and he never wanted it to return, but here he was threatening to take a life to keep his own. There was an unsettling power knowing he held the balance right now, but it chased away that little bit of fear long enough for his body to react right.
He tightened his grip on the man's hair and pulled up, "Now stand and behave."
"Sorry I'm late." Flynn heard Bruce's apology and returned the kiss, and as the situation developed, she was partly glad that he was with her. It would be terrifying to be alone, and she felt protected with him at her side, feeling his warm and comforting hand on her shoulder. She was worried though, that he might be put in a position to protect her or someone else. She raised a hand up to his and squeezed it gently, a silent plea for him to stay with her as she sent out a silent prayer that everything would be okay.
"Can we let the others go, and then I'll give you everything we have." She held the cashier speak. Normally you wouldn't have heard it across the way, but it was so silent with fear, that it was easy to pick up the words. She didn't even know his name, and she felt a stab of guilt for it - didn't even know his name and he was trying to get them all out and safe. "No, You'll do as I say. Open the till, or you'll be meeting your Gods early." She could help letting out a small gasp and a flinch as the guy suddenly shoved the cashier to his knees, a knife pressed to his neck. She swallowed, trying to switch on her calm nurse's brain to avoid panicking. She didn't dare speak, not wanting to draw attention to herself or Bruce and put them into fire either.
hen the person spoke, it wasn’t the person she was thinking. He could never demand attention like that, let alone grab someone by the hair like that. Dahlia’s lips remained pursed and she stood for a moment. Did she risk taking out her phone? Of course, there were security cameras – but Dahlia knew there was something about getting better close-ups.
Risking it, she took out her phone. She crept closer – but with varying levels of attention, she felt decent about it. There was another station with caps, straws, and packets of sugar. Dahlia crouched behind it but gave herself enough room to take photos. Maybe a video would’ve been better, though photos could be zoomed in a bit better. Her chest beat and Dahlia could feel her blood pumping.
Other patrons had no idea what to do, same as she did. She felt brave though. If something were to happen, she felt like her legs were ready to leave the gate or something.
As Mason surveyed the room, he tried to get a read on people and how they were feeling. It was situations like these when people's flight or fight tended to kick in and he didn't want anyone doing anything stupid. Not until the situation was assessed properly. If the guys just wanted the money, they'd hopefully take it and leave. If they had something to prove then things could get dodgy. He clocked the couple at one of the tables who looked like they were keeping their cool. He noticed the stance of the boyfriend and figured he'd only jump into action if any threat were to come the girlfriends way. Next was a younger girl who looked ready to smack someone over the head with her handbag, not the smartest move but could come in handy to distract them.
His eyes landed on a solo male who seemed to be keeping a low profile from the guys at the counter which was probably best. Not far from him was a woman crouched down taking pictures. Hopefully the guys holding up the shop would be too distracted to notice her. "Can we let the others go, and then I'll give you everything we have." Mason turned his head back to the barista at the sound of his counter offer. "No. You'll do as I say. Open the till, or you'll be meeting your Gods early. Now stand and behave." His grip tightened on the coffee cup as things unfolded in front of him.
He didn't know Ben personally but he'd been served by him enough times to know he was a decent bloke who definitely didn't deserve what was happening to him. His eyes narrowed as he took a few steps forward, unable to stay quiet. "Oi, that's enough. He said he'd give you the money, there's no need for violence." He reasoned. He nodded towards the spectators who had gathered around the window to see what was going on. "The police will already be on the way, just take your money and go."
Kennedy was someone who tended to get in trouble, but this situation was different. Her eyes shifted to glance at the gang. They didn't seem to want anything from her, but she would be stupid to run for it.
She just wanted her coffee and then to head to the barn. Kennedy needed her bodyguard with her, but of course it was his day off. Her father trusted her enough to drive herself.
The woman would need to ask her father to sign her up for self-defense classes - if she got out of this alive. When the other people spoke, she continued standing still - wondering what to do. As it was a public place, she thought it was stupid to call the police.
Kennedy heard someone new talk and hoped that one of the spectators truly had called the police. They weren't the kind of people she wanted to interact with but today was different. Anything to get her out alive.
He stared at the guy, wary but calm, pushing everything down in him that was threatening to cause internal panic. It would be fine, he could fix this, he was good at fixing things. Ben summoned all his patience and endless calm that he usually managed in life to figure out this situation. The guy didn't respond at first, and Ben managed to stop himself from swallowing, trying to peer under the guy's hood to catch his gaze - if he could make some kind of connection to him, it would make Ben harder to kill. There was something to be said for giving personal details to shooters. The blade didn't move from his neck, and then it felt it press closer and he let out a careful breath, stamping down again on the rise of panic.
"No, You'll do as I say. Open the till, or you'll be meeting your Gods early." He hesitated. It was just money, and not that much of it either. It was Starbucks, not a bank, they didn't take in that much money, and though there was a worry that he might get fired for this, and he needed this job, he could handle losing it if it meant keeping his life. There was just that worry that if he gave the money, would the guy kill people anyway? The bargaining chip would be gone. He winced as he felt the guy pull on his hair, unable to help but follow the direction of the yank, his neck screaming from the action. "Now stand and behave." He stood awkwardly, trying to hide another wince. "Alright, I'm up." He said through gritted teeth. "I'll get you the money, but promise you'll let everyone go."
People were moving in the background, he could see the shapes from the corners of his eye - but he didn't know what they were doing, if they were friend or foe. Then someone stepped forward and made it clear they weren't part of the gang. "Oi, that's enough. He said he'd give you the money, there's no need for violence. The police will already be on the way, just take your money and go." He tried to glance at the brave person who'd stood forward, but he worried that they would be next in the line of fire. He didn't want anyone to get hurt.
