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!.
Jeremy rushed out of the Hotel after finishing the day shift. His father had yelled something as he left but he kept going. He had plans to meet up with Bryne after work and if he didn't hurry he would be late. Whatever his father wanted could wait until tomorrow. The dark haired man made his way to the car and drove off towards the Lounge.
It had been ages since Jeremy had been out and he definitely needed it. The Hotel was finally slowing down after a busy summer filled with tourists and he needed to get better at doing something outside of work. After a ten minute drive, he parked his car and headed inside - fixing his tie before he walked in the door.
The hostess behind the podium gave him a smile. "Good evening. I have a reservation for two under Kirby." he said. After a quick check of the book in front of her, she nodded and led the way to one of the tables. Jeremy thanked her as she set down two menus before he took a seat, sure that Bryne wouldn't be too much longer.
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
I
t was nice, being back where there was family. Bryne hadn’t been able to contact Jeremy too much since everything had happened. Of course, his cousin knew of his predicaments – but there was never any kind of issues. Family in Hickstead had so far been very supportive, despite everything. Bryne didn’t know how he was as lucky as he was, but he hoped it never disappeared.
Dressing nicely himself, Bryne let Jaana know he was leaving – telling her he would bring some food if she wanted. She opted no, saying grandma and grandpa would be coming over for dinner. His niece needed to stop growing so fast.
The Luna lounge was a bit packed, but it wasn’t too bad. There were times Bryne had stopped by to smoke a cigar outside with a glass of something strong, but it was too...in his face. It didn’t take long for the towering man to find his cousin, already sitting at a table.
A slight smile graced his lips. “I hope you weren’t waiting too long, cousin,” Bryne greeted his accent still as thick as the time he lived in Norway.
Jeremy glanced around the Lounge, not realizing how popular the place was. He usually didn't tend to go out much - running the Hotel took up most of his free time. It was always nice to catch up with his cousin though. The dark-haired man looked up and saw his cousin walk towards him. A smile crossed his face as he got up from his chair, fixing his suit jacket as he waited. "Not to worry about that. It really wasn't that long of a wait." He knew he was a bit early, but it was a habit he had gained even as a child. It looked bad if the owner was late to a meeting - even if it was with his own father.
"How have you been? Jaana behaving herself lately?" He joked, sitting back down after his cousin had done the same. Jeremy set the second menu in front of Byrne. "Honestly, it feels odd not being at the Hotel, but this is a nice change." Jeremy was slowly starting to get worried about turning into his father - who had no social life whatsoever.
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
B
ryne nodded, adjusting himself in his seat after draping his suit coat over the chair. “I’m doing well. Business has been surprisingly good.” It was one of the reasons he chose to live in the city. He knew there were wealthy people who wanted to upkeep their homes. Maybe it was the old life coming back, making him eye who had the most doe and appease them. Or maybe it was just good business practice.
“Yes,” he nodded. “She’s doing well in school and enjoying her job at one of the coffee places in town. Struggling a bit in English class but is working extra hard on it.” Bryne was proud of her. She was growing up and taking charge of her life. Something he was happy and sad about. But she never grew up with a super stable parental figure other than her grandparents. Bryne was a terrible uncle, anyway, going to jail the way he did.
“Oh?” he asked, looking at the menu in front of him. “Why’s that? Better coming out than becoming a hobbit, no?”
“Enough wealthy people in town to keep you busy?” Now that his cousin had moved back, his family had insisted that the hotel furniture be repaired by Bryne. “I do think I’ll need to get my mother’s dresser drawer fixed, but that’s not something that needs to be dealt with now.” Jeremy did his best to look after his mother, especially since his father still insisted on helping him full time.
Jeremy glanced at the menu, deciding on a drink and some food. He set it down and pushed it to the side. He felt like lunch was ages ago and he only had time to eat a salad. “I can’t believe Jaana has grown up. Do you think she likes it here so far?” It seemed that adults were used to change but kids could adapt quicker. “It must feel odd having her work.” Jeremy was glad though, as most teens were getting jobs around that age anyway. “English is just a difficult language though, so I don’t blame her.” He was lucky that he had lived in England for a while now, so it was second nature to him now. “If she needs help, let me know. I’m sure I could dust off the old English textbooks and lend a hand.”
He needed to be better at leaving work at work and scheduling some actual time off for himself. Living at the Hotel didn’t give him the space he felt he needed between work and home. “I don’t think I’m a hermit, I’d call myself a workaholic. I feel like I’ve been working too much lately.”
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
O
h absolutely. I think most of my clientele is from the people that live in the same apartment complex.” Granted, Bryne did kind of life in a ritzy, gated community. He didn’t have to, but it made him feel safer. While his parents insisted on a house on Oldaker – Bryne liked a bit more of a controlled environment. “And how are your parents?”
“She’s been getting a bit busy now, so she’s been talking about living with her grandparents during the school week – and with me on the weekends. I don’t know how I feel about it, but I also don’t want to have her feel held back either.” He thought the city was the best for both, but it ultimately was his paranoia. Bryne wanted Jaana to feel safe and grow up normal in a sense. Norway didn’t allow any of that for her. Now that she had the feeling of being able to get out and stretch – she wanted to go everywhere. “She’s even brought up dating and dances!”
“Mmm, that does seem to be a trait in our family. Hopefully, your dad hasn’t been hovering too much?” Bryne couldn’t remember too much about his uncle, but if it was the classic family traits – there was a lot of self-proving.
“Does that make it interesting though? Or more boring because you know everyone by now?” Jeremy didn’t know what to think. He loved his job because it always seemed he got to meet new people but there were also people who kept coming back to the Hotel. “My mother is desperately trying to get my dad to retire, though that seems impossible.” He shook his head. It was almost like his father didn’t trust him to run the business on his own. “They are good though, just a little annoying.” Though he found he felt that way about his parents all the time. “And your family? Hanging in there I hope?”
Jeremy nodded. Jaana was at that stage of her life where she was rapidly changing and growing up. “Wow, that’s a huge change! Did she decide this on her own or do you think someone influenced her?” It was tricky learning how to ask for the opinion of friends without taking it to heart. “Is she being persuasive about it or does she seem more nervous? Maybe, that might tell you what she wants to do.”
“Dating and dancing? Gosh, she’s making me feel old. Any clue who she is interested in dating?” Jeremy hadn’t dated in awhile. Running the Hotel didn’t really allow for it, though he did have feelings for someone. “He really does fit in the family, doesn’t he? Unfortunately, he’s been hovering quite a bit lately. Working on getting a new garden for the Hotel so we can grow our own vegetables and fruits. Of course he has to voice his opinion.”
The waitress came back and asked if the two were ready to order. “I’m ready, do you know what you want yet? Or should we ask for a few more minutes?”
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
M
ost definitely. Rich people will come up with the craziest ideas, and they will throw money at it to get it the way they want. There is time I make some design liberties, so it doesn’t you know – look like a hot mess. But sometimes they want something that looks like vomit and they’re the customer. It’ll hurt my soul, but I can’t risk losing the money either.” There were times that Bryne really did wonder if someone had an eye for design, or if it was old age. But he didn’t have the ability to be stingy now. Sure, he was making a name – but it wasn’t something where he could be picky about. Maybe in a year or two?
“It would cut down her commute a lot. The city is further from her job and classes, so it makes sense for her – as she doesn’t like the idea of living on campus.” It probably stemmed from the fact Jaana never had her own space. Since living with her cousin or her grandparents, she had her own room and space to do things. There was the safety issue of course, but so far – Bryne had avoided a lot of his past.
“Oh, I have no idea – but I imagine she’s been eyeing a few people. As teenagers do!” he had already talked to her about safe sex and saying no, when she didn’t want. Bryne had even given her a box of rubbers so no male had an excuse to not use one.
Bryne quirked an eyebrow when gardening was brought up. It meant Dahlia Baker was most definitely involved. He was tempted to ask, but that could be a spot that wasn’t ready to be poked at. “That man won’t stop until he dies,” Bryne chuckled. “Sounds like your mom has been able to keep him away, even for a smidge.”
Eyes looked at the waitress and nodded. “I’ll have the charbroiled salmon with mushroom risotto with a side salad. I’ll just keep with water, thank you.”
"That must be a rough balance. I trust that you are doing a great job at making the pieces that people want without it looking terrible." It was something that Jeremy would be terrible at. Being creative wasn't his thing, which was why the Kirby family had hired someone to run their website. "Do clients seem to notice if you've fixed their design choices?"
He nodded, it sounded like the right decision. "It sounds like she has really planned this out. If she does decide to do this, you could always visit her during the week if you get too lonely." That's what his parents did after he moved to London for University, his mother couldn't leave his side.
"Of course she is, it's totally normal. Maybe something you don't want to know though as her father figure?" He was just guessing off of what he thought his parents were going through when he was a teen - which seemed like ages ago.
Jeremy took a sip of water and laughed. "It seems to run in the family so watch out, we may be the next generation of workaholics." He set the water glass down on the table. "I swear my dream would be if that she could take him on vacation for six months!" That wouldn't be long enough, but he was getting more and more frustrated with his father's decisions overruling his own.
"And I will have the shrimp with the saffron rice and also a side salad." It was something that caught his eye when he first read the menu. "I'm also content with water, thank you." The waitress nodded after she finished writing down their orders and left.
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
H
ave they been asking you about settling down yet?” Bryne hadn’t been thankfully asked about it. He honestly didn’t know what he would act like if he was asked. Sure, there had been thoughts – but Bryne didn’t think he could see himself with someone. He wouldn’t lie though, he loved the idea of it. Coming home to someone that missed him. Yes, Janna missed him – but she was a teen now. She didn’t need her dad.
“What’s her name…Dahlia? Is she still in contact with you?” Bryne didn’t know too much about this person, other than that she was a college friend. But from their contact during that time – she appeared as someone special.
Jeremy let out a laugh and raised his eyebrow. His parents were starting to bothering him to get married and have children of his own. "You know it. Seems to be their latest insistence. I thought their dream of me running the hotel coming true would keep them off my back for awhile." He wasn't exactly getting any younger and neither were his parents. Though having children was the last thing on his mind at the moment. "Anyone bothering you about it? I'd like to think you're going to get married before me."
It wasn't too much longer until the waitress came and set both their plates of food in front of them. Jeremy thanked her and picked up his fork, fluffing his rice up. He smiled softly at the mention of Dahlia. "Did I mention her too often or something? Yes, she lives here too now. I help her out with her garden projects when I can." He didn't want to admit that she was slowly pulling him out of working too much - which was a good thing. "We are just friends though. Anyone catch your eye though?" He didn't think so, but it was worth a shot. Jeremy picked up a forkful of rice and ate it while he waited for the answer.
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
T
he goal post keeps moving then,” he chuckled. He was thankful that his own parents weren’t as pushy. They had Jaana as a grandchild, and they were quite happy about that. After the shit show their life way, it appeared that everyone being happy and healthy, was the most preferred. “I never got it, the whole continuing the lineage thing. I guess people don’t like the idea of their name becoming dead.”
Like Jeremy, he thanked the wait staff before taking another drink from his glass. “Maybe? I just know your dad complains about her sometimes from the phone calls he has with my dad. Says she has a strong personality, but I think he means it as a challenge. Which sounds like someone you want around all the time. Just friends? Are you sure about that?” Bryne wasn’t one to pry, but after years of reading faces – he had a hard time thinking Jeremey just wanted a friendship with this Dahlia person. “No, no one for me. I have a teenage daughter that I’m still guiding through life, so I doubt finding someone to help do that is on the top of my mind.”
Jeremy let out a chuckle before he answered. “I think they’ll be dead when it doesn’t. Be glad you aren’t their son.” He joked, honestly he wouldn’t know how he would feel if he had different parents. They at least allowed him to go away to school, even if it was just to London. “And at least you have a next generation to continue on.” That was another thing Richard Kirby decided that was his next nitpick against his son, though he didn’t want children with just anyone. It was something he was trying to get his own father to understand when the topic came up. “I really don’t either, though the Hotel is kind of a big thing.” The Kirby family had been running hotels for generations now, and he was to follow those steps.
“So she’s the topic of our family gossip then? I’ll have to tell her that the next time I see her.” Jeremy chuckled as he took a sip of his drink before continuing on. “She definitely is. That’s exactly why I got her to help with the garden. Dahlia can deal with him and she knows how he is. Makes the work relationship much easier.” Jeremy tried to give his own input, but sometimes there were too many cooks in the kitchen. “If I’m honest, I’m considering taking her out on a date.” He found himself tapping his foot against the door in nervousness. It wasn’t a feeling he was used to, but he like anyone else feared rejection.
Jeremy took another bite of food, shaking his head. “Never say never, there are several women who would be okay with it. Besides, Janna is a good kid. Has she been dating anyone recently?”
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
S
ometimes it nice to see the most stubborn man fall to his knees.” Bryne was tempted to see it in action himself. Even his aunt had trouble getting her husband to bend the knee. At least, she seemed to have control of their home appearances. Which was better than nothing, Bryne supposed. He took a sip of his water, not surprised that Jeremey had confirmed his suspicions.
“What’s holding you back, then? It sounds like you both have hung around each other enough to know something is bound to happen.” Granted, it was just as hard as adults to ask someone out. There was always that lingering fear of rejection. Same with folks who were friends and possibly ended that friendship because they were rejected.
Bryne couldn’t help but toll his eyes when Jaana and dating were brought up. “She’s been talking to two boys. Well, one she had a date with – and that seemed to not go well. But she’s been chatting up some kid named Landon.” Well, he wasn’t a kid. He and Jaana were both adults, but they were still kind of kids in his eyes. There appeared to be some kind of connection, but he didn’t know if it was past the friendship stage or not.
Jeremy couldn’t help but laugh. Thinking about his father finally giving in to his stubbornness. “If it happens, I’ll record it on my phone and send it to you. It should be in the World Record book for that.” He was glad that his cousin was being empathetic. Out of all his family members, he knew Bryne understood. “Any suggestions on how to get him to relax?” The dark-haired man knew from a young age that his father wouldn’t stop working until the day he died.
He went back to eating his food, quite enjoying his choice when Bryne dropped the bomb on him. “Uh, it’s complicated. I feel like she would say no. What happens if she has someone else?” He hoped he knew Dahlia well enough now but there was always the worry. “And at our age, what would be the best way to ask?” It sounded like a dumb question but he hadn’t asked anyone on a date since his University days - and even then the girl asked him out.
As the subject switched to Jaana, he put his fork down on his plate. “Two of them? What did you think of the first guy? I think I’ve heard of Landon. Or at least his father.” Jeremy had dealt with Logan on different occasions as he was an engineer. “Do they go to school together?” He was happy to have the conversation move away from his own love life.
