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 was late morning by the time Ronan made it to the stables. One, he needed to assume proper caffeination levels before ever leaving the cottage and that required the brewing of coffee, much to to his grandfather's dismay. Two, by late morning, Ronan was certain that any morning work that involved loud sounds would be over, such as hay delivery. It probably had to do with the crisp autumn air, but his horse, Max, had been awfully frisky as of late which had nearly made training in the arena unbearable almost unbearable. Like all things though, this stage would pass, Ronan was certain of it and he couldn't neglect working with Max in the arena if they wanted to place in one of the last shows of the fall season before winter came and the snow with it.
"You're not going to kill me today, are you boy?" He murmured as he tighten the cinch. A gentle wicker came in response, like he knew what his owner was asking of him. Smiling to himself, Ronan finished up with the cinch, before undoing the halter and pulling the bridle over Max's face. There was little resistance in accepting the bit. After that, they were off, Ronan leading the way to the outdoor arena as Max followed along, his ears swirling about his head like little radars, listening for anything suspicious. That act alone made Ronan a little suspicious that he may be in for more of a ride that he initially thought. Darn this fall air, the only thing it was good for was making coffee and sweaters more joyful.
Once they were in the arena, Ronan checked the cinch one last time to see if it had loosen itself in their short trip. Before long, he was swinging himself up into the saddle and Max began to walk, hardly waiting for his owner to settle into the saddle. He was ready to work, ready to do something at least. The little act couldn't help but to bring a smile to Ronan's lips. Being in the saddle, riding Max, it always felt like the most perfect moment in the world for Ronan. Everything was at a still, and nothing mattered. He could check all the emotions at the gate. Asking to pick up the pace, Max rolled into a trot. As they did that though, the horse's ears to twitch again and even his head tilted slightly. He wasn't fulling paying attention and that certainly wouldn't do.
Right when Ronan tighten up on the reins a little and lean them into the right side of his horse's neck did it happen. A blast sounded across the yard, probably a backfire of something. So much for morning work being done. Everything happened in a split second. In truth, Ronan should have been prepared but he hadn't. One second, he was on top of Max, and the next, the saddle horn slammed into into his abs and a crown of a horse neck into his face. If that wasn't enough, Ronan felt the wind knocked out of him as he slammed into the ground. Dust kicked up for a second as Max sprinted off and Ronan did nothing more than roll into his back, coughing, “Fuck.” It wasn’t too long before he felt hot breath on his face and he managed to open his eyes now to see a rather large horse muzzle in his face, “Yeah, yeah. I still love you,” he muttered, “But you killed my pride.”
Leo was having a pretty decent morning, to tell the truth. It seemed unlikely, given that Lily had dumped some paperwork on his not theatrical plate earlier - he'd been in the middle of his bacon and all when she'd unceremoniously dropped it in front of him. He'd just about saved his breakfast. She hadn't seemed to care about dirtying the papers - apparently because they were his unfinished works, she was fed up of worrying about presentation, either that or she knew he'd save his food and therefore save the paperwork from getting grubby. He did love food... Granted, it was his unfinished works from last week but still - the audacity to ruin his favourite meal of the day. It hadn't dampened his spirit though. He wasn't even having a bad morning when one of the liveries horses trampled all over his damn feet (they were going to be hella colourful later), or when his horses nearly took off and pulled his arms out his sockets heading for the field. It was just one of those days where he was going to sing loud and proud and God save everyone's poor eardrums for the terrible attempt.
He had given his horses the day off, somewhat reluctantly, in order to sort out this paperwork farce for his sister. They could have done with the extra work honestly, Phoenix was particularly full of beans given the change in season, as he always felt the cold snap when October rolled around. Hotspur was less dramatic than his hot headed ginger friend, but no less excited about the change in weather. Leo battled to hang on to the prancing morons as he led them out to their fields and set them loose, giving a low whistle as they took off like a bullet from a gun, complete with tails over their backs and bucks that would threaten a rodeo bronc's career. As he was coming back along the path, he glanced in habit toward the arena's, spotting a lone rider working his horse outdoors.
At the side of the bang, his eyebrows shot up, and then he snickered. James' car must have been having some issues - again. When he was going to replace that crapped out old motor, Leo only knew. He wondered if he was waiting for someone to splash out on an expensive Christmas gift for him. Leo considered how amusing it would be to buy him a toy one instead and wrap that up. Even funnier if he first handed him a set of real keys and sent him outside to try and find a car that wasn't there. “Fuck.” He blinked as he heard a voice and looked over just in time to see the horse make an impressive ditch of his rider, and then shoot across the school by itself. Leo pressed his lips together - funny but also not funny. He knew Lily would have his balls if he didn't go and check on the kid. Changing course, he picked up a light jog to reach the edge of the ring, leaning against the top rail of the fence. "That look like it hurt!" He called out, chuckling as the horse returned to his owner to check he wasn't broken. "Excellent recall you have there." He joked, "You alright?" He added, eyes sweeping over him and seeing that all legs and arms were at the correct angles at least. Good start.
The young man had zero desires to move, still trying to remember what it was like to breathe. He was quite convinced he could just lay in the arena dirt while Max became slowly and slowly convinced that he had murdered his owner. Ronan thought he deserved that anyways after that dramatic dump. Never in his life had he experienced such a reaction from Max, not even on the range back home when he would spot a lost cow or wild horses that he might have known. Ronan could feel a trickle running down his mouth from his nose and he could feel the faint taste of copper. Quickly, his hand reached for his nose, thankfully finding it still in tact despite the blow to it. Thank god, he would not want to explain that when he got home to his grandfather or on video chat to his dad.
"That looked like it hurt. Excellent recall you have there. You alright?"
</s> The words cut through his thoughts like a knife. Somebody had witnessed the whole thing. If only Max had decided to lay down right next to him instead of hovering over him, maybe then it would have looked like they simply chose to pick the arena as a relaxing, impractical sunbathing spot. "I think my pride is broken," Ronan replied to the floating voice. Reaching up, he pushed Max's head out of the way now and the horse snorted in reply before backing up just a step or two to give his owner room to sit up. The young male felt like his body was groaning, his muscles and bones protesting the action. Once up, his blue grey eyes looked over to the owner of the phantom voice.
He wasn't sure if he recognize him however Ronan knew that that he wouldn't recognize many at the barn yet since that required him to be a social butterfly. For now, he was fine with people just approaching him, although Ronan preferred the next time he'd try and avoid a spill like he did. Bringing up a sleeved arm, he wiped away the blood as he best could before continuing, "Thankfully, he likes me enough that even when he dumps me, he'll come back to investigate." Also, maybe he should introduce himself, "I'm Ronan, he's Max." As if knowing he had been introduced, the chestnut gelding lifted his head and glanced over to the other man though before taking the few steps towards the fence line, craning his neck to extend and look for treats. This caused Ronan to roll his eyes, "He doesn't have anything for you." He muttered before turning his attention back to the blonde man, "I take it you ride here?"
"I think my pride is broken," Leo let out a laugh at that, "Well at least your humour isn't," He commented, tipping his hat to the amusement though - he could appreciate a person with a decent sense of humour, especially in the face of embarrassment. He hovered by the fence, not yet crossing the border of the school so that he being overly nosy. If he saw that the youngster needed help he'd hop over, but for now he was just a concerned citizen. He watched the boy sit up - and when he didn't immediately vomit or pass out, Leo figured that was another good sign. He could see the trickle of red from here though and he wrinkled his nose, "Is your nose broken?" He called out. He'd been presumptuous before and asked someone if their nose was 'always that crooked' and received a verbal lashing for it; so he remembered not to do that again next time. Lily had also told him off for it.
The kid seemed to notice the blood too and wiped it away - it didn't seem to be gushing from Leo's distance, so that meant probably not a broken nose. Lucky guy. Leo had done so a couple of times, to the point where he didn't know what his original nose had looked like. "Thankfully, he likes me enough that even when he dumps me, he'll come back to investigate." Leo chuckled at that and leaned forward, resting his forearms casually against the top rail of the fence. "Come back to check he didn't kill you yet?" He joked. Both of his would eventually, and surprisingly Phoenix would be more likely to return quicker than Hotpsur. "I'm Ronan, he's Max." Leo grinned, his usual boyish beam. "Nice to meet you both - I'm Leo." As the kid didn't seem to know him, unusual for him. "He doesn't have anything for you. I take it you ride here?" Leo nodded, his hand diving into his pocket and returning with a couple of fibre nuggets. "I actually do, if he'd be allowed a treat? I have a share in the place so I take full advantage and also ride,"
"Thankfully, my nose seems to be in tact," Ronan responded, "Despite the blood. I suppose I should be an adult and get it checked out by a doctor to make certain though." All what he could think is that the visor of his helmet put just enough room to avoid a complete collision with with Max's neck. The next part would be standing up, but the young man didn't quite feel like doing it. He was quite content on the ground, his muscle and bones still recovering from the shock of it all. He also hadn't had a fall like that in quite some time, but Ronan knew that was part of the deal when you got up to ride a 1,000 pound animal with feelings and a mind of it's own, sometimes shit just happens that you couldn't control and that was neither his fault nor Max's fault. "Come back to check to see he didn't kill you yet?" the stranger noted, and it brought a smile to Ronan's face, "I would hope so after being my horse for nearly seven years."
As Max went to investigate the stranger, the young man decided that maybe he should finally get up and off of the ground now. As he pulled himself up, his body protested greatly but he just ignored it. There was no real pain, just soreness that no doubt would be worse tomorrow. Soon, he found himself shuffling over to the fence now to be the stranger and Max, just in time to hear his name and question. Leo. That name sounded awfully familiar to him, "He can have some. Honestly, Max probably wouldn't leave your pockets alone anyways." Blue grey eyes watched as if on que, Max started in for the pockets as hands disappeared only to repear with treats. The chestnut's ears went completely forward as he inched his nose towards Leo's hands now, nuzzling it before snatching one of the fibre nuggets. And just like that, it hit him, "You're Lilly's brother." Well, now he felt stupid, "I should have recognized the family resemblance. Sorry about that. Nice place you and your sister have. I think this has become my haven since moving here."
Despite the blood. I suppose I should be an adult and get it checked out by a doctor to make certain though." He grinned at that, and gave a slight nod, "If you ask nicely, they'll even set it straight for you." He joked. His was slightly off himself, but he felt it just attributed to his ruggedly handsome good looks. Not egotistical at all - clearly. He hated hospitals, he always had, and he would avoid at all costs if he could but there were some things you couldn't avoid. It was tempting, just to wrap a bandage around it and call it fixed but alas certain things needed certain care - broken arms and legs for instance were not the best thing to self diagnose and heal. "I would hope so after being my horse for nearly seven years." He chuckled at that, "I don't know, I've seen plenty over the years that just turn around and give a 'what did you expect' look when you fall." He laughed again; Phoenix did it frequently, well.. he didn't fall off frequently but he was not the most forgiving.
He tickled the horses' nose, seeing that he appeared to be a friendly sort. He glanced over at the guy to see he was up on his feet and shuffling over. He knew the feeling - you would loosen up after a couple of moments and then feel okay, until the next morning when your body reminded you that you weren't a child that bounced so well anymore. "He can have some. Honestly, Max probably wouldn't leave your pockets alone anyways." Leo chuckled again and nodded, "he's got a good nose," He observed as he offered over a couple of fibre nuggets for the animal, taking care to watch his fingers. "You're Lilly's brother." Leo wrinkled his nose, he should have been used to it by now but generally he was used to being known just from his name - and growing up, having been the most outgoing of them all, the others were generally 'Leo's sister/brother'. "That would be me." He admitted. "I should have recognized the family resemblance. Sorry about that. Nice place you and your sister have. I think this has become my haven since moving here." Leo smiled and nodded, "Glad to hear you're enjoying it, that's what it's here for." It was his home, and he couldn't see himself being anywhere else.
"If you ask nicely, they'll even set it straight for you," joked Leo now and Ronan couldn't help but to snort a laugh, which might have been a terrible idea with the blood and his nose. It was a stupid joke, but it got to him nonetheless. "I'll try and be on my best behavior then when I go to the doctor's," the teenager replied before turning a dramatic glare towards Max, "Unlike someone." It was almost as if the chestnut horse knew he was being guilted, since Max just went back to nosing Leo now, even though one of his ears remained firmly cocked in Ronan's direction. Little butt nugget. He thought to himself, figuring that his father had also felt these same feelings about him when growing up. When the other man commented on how horses were always like that, the whole 'what did you expect', the teenager just shrug now, glancing back to the blonde, "I don't know. Guess I am not used to it. I have to keep on reminding myself that we've only been here for two months so stuff's different." He also wasn't sure if he sounded like some brat just then, so Ronan added, "Not his fault though, I should have been prepared for anything."
The chestnut horse had paid him no mind now, clearly distracted with his prize. Ronan just shook his head a little bit, blue grey eyes rolling, "I think you have a new best friend," he commented now now before gently grabbing the reins. When Leo commented on how Max had a good nose, he couldn't help but to laugh, "As in it's shape or his ability to find treats just about anywhere?" The teenager shifted now, leaning against the fencing. His ride might be done, mainly because he wasn't sure if he could get back up on the horse without sounding like a box of rice crispes. When Ronan had pointed out the obvious fact that Leo had been Lilly's brother, the teenager wish he could have backtracked: "That would be me." Those words went along with a nose wrinkle. He wasn't even sure if the conversation had been saved with the following statement, "Glad to hear you're enjoying it, that's what it's here for." For all his anti-socialness, he figured he should still try and salvage his mistake, "Sorry man, I didn't mean to stick you with a tag line." What a shitty recovery, "For what it's worth, I can already tell you're the cooler sibling." Slightly better, and then an idea hit him as well as motivation for getting back up on the horse, "I haven't hit the trails here yet really, did you want to go for a ride?"
He grinned when the kid laughed, he struggled to remember some people didn't always find his jokes funny, and he often insulted people more than he made them laugh. He was usually halfway through a laugh himself by the time he realised he'd upset someone too, which always made things worse. At least he was the best person to use to sound out if someone had a good sense of humour. "I'll try and be on my best behavior then when I go to the doctor's, Unlike someone." It was Leo's turn to laugh as he imagined the scene at the doctor's, "as long as you don't intend on throwing the doctor across the room like your horse here, I think they'll be kind enough." He chuckled, shaking his head slightly.
"I don't know. Guess I am not used to it. I have to keep on reminding myself that we've only been here for two months so stuff's different. Not his fault though, I should have been prepared for anything." Leo's smile was warm, he wasn't the kind of guy to judge people, if anything he was probably the last to do that, too busy cracking a joke or something similar to think about what someone looked like or if they were doing something odd. "I think you have a new best friend," Leo smiled as he offered the horse a little treat, giving him a scratch beneath his chin. "I am always open to new best friends," He chuckled, dropping his hand to let his owner take control of the horse. "As in it's shape or his ability to find treats just about anywhere?"
Leo chuckled and his hands returned to his pockets in a casual manner, seeing the way the teen changed position, Leo took it as an invitation to carry on chatting. "Sorry man, I didn't mean to stick you with a tag line." Leo waved a hand, nonplussed. "Nah you're good," He said, waving it off easily enough - things bounced right off the guy. "For what it's worth, I can already tell you're the cooler sibling." Leo straightened a little, puffing out his chest on habit whenever someone complimented him. "I know right? You've got good eyes kid, not many people see it so fast." He grinned. "I haven't hit the trails here yet really, did you want to go for a ride?" A slight surprise on the invite but Leo was quick to nod. "Sure, let me lasso a horse, and that'll give you time to check you can get back up in the saddle?" He joked, forgetting all about the paperwork he was supposed to be doing.
Ronan couldn't help but to allow a laugh escape him at Leo's further joke. That guy was on a roll with the cracks, and for some reason, Ronan found them utterly hilarious. Maybe Seven Oaks and Hickstead really was starting to rub off on him, "With my noodle arms? I think those doctors will remain utterly safe from throwing abilities. I'll leave that job to Max." Speaking of the horse, he was still enjoying the attention that he was receiving from Leo, especially that little scratch followed by the other man's comment: "I am always open to new best friends". Max had snorted, as if he were agreeing with Leo. Blue grey eyes rolled, Ronan shaking his head slightly, "I swear Max, you're acting like I pay you no mind ever." But as soon as Leo placed his hands back into his pockets, and the brumby realized that there were no more treats to be given, Max quickly turned his attention back to his horse now. Stretching his neck ever so slightly to bop his muzzle against Ronan's helmet in greeting.
He said nothing to Max, but returned the hello with a scratch now, allowing Max to then dip his head into the scratch and barrel his head into Ronan's arms as best as he could. The young man was relieved when Leo brushed off his 'Lilly's brother' comment like it was nothing, Ronan supposed that the other was quite used to it now. It appeared that his follow up recovery also worked, since the blonde was puffing out his chest just so, "I know right? You've got good eyes kid, not many people see it so fast." Laughter left Ronan as he grinned, "I've been honing my observation skills since getting here." He replied, as he worked to put the reins back over Max's head and neck now. While for a spit second, Leo seemed surprised at the invite, he was quick to accept, "Sure, let me lasso a horse, and that'll give you time to check you can get back up in the saddle?" Ronan assumed that he may have just offered the perfect excuse to get out of whatever work he should be doing with running the stables.
"Yeah, we'll just be waiting just outside of the arena for you," he said now, nodding towards the gate. Ronan was feeling confindent about getting back in the saddle, despite the soreness, it wasn't as bad as he thought now that he was shuffling about. It must have been the shock that had really winded him. With the chance at a trail ride on the horizon now, he went to work rechecking his saddle and tighting up what he needed to do, "No rush on tacking up, it's not like we'll be going anywhere without you."
His grin came easily, as it usually did - especially when someone laughed at his wise ass remarks. Finally, someone that appreciated his wicked sense of humour. He liked this kid. "With my noodle arms? I think those doctors will remain utterly safe from throwing abilities. I'll leave that job to Max." Leo gave a little snort and a chuckle at that. It was true, the kid was a tall glass of water - but there was nothing wrong with that. Leo wasn't particularly tall, at 5ft10 his brothers overshadowed him a little, though thankfully his sister did not - but he was broad to make up for not being 6ft tall. Partly genetics and partly from lugging around shavings and hay bales all day, but he was well aware having muscles or not having them didn't make you strong or weak. "I don't know, I've made the mistake of underestimating people before; you'd have a great opportunity to surprise them." He joked.
He continued to scratch the horses head, giving his dirty nails over to the horses fur, coating his hand in a new later of dust and grime that all horses came with. "I swear Max, you're acting like I pay you no mind ever." Leo grinned and gave a small shrug, "Ah no sweat, I know an actor when I see one; and his innocent look is far too innocent to be real." He chuckled. "Phoenix makes an excellent 'hungry' face even when he's literally just finished breakfast and has a stuffed haynet. I've caught him begging many a treat off soft hearted ladies." Not that Leo minded, the chestnut still had decent manners and he wasn't fussed about the extra sugar. Phe would be hyped whether he had it or not. It still made him laugh though, how many people were suckers to the animal's cute little face. "I've been honing my observation skills since getting here." Leo grinned and gave an appreciative nod. "You're doing well so far - brownie points for you." He joked.
"Yeah, we'll just be waiting just outside of the arena for you, No rush on tacking up, it's not like we'll be going anywhere without you." Leo nodded, "Sweet, won't be a sec." He said as he left Ronan for the moment to seek out a horse. With his having the day off and only just turned out, he knew there was not a hope in hell he'd get close to them yet. Instead, he glanced briefly at the board just inside the stables to check who was in need of exercising. They had a good team of riders who did the majority, but Leo and his siblings joined in to assist from time to time. Ironically, Lily had put Adonis down for a hack today and she he figured what would be more appropriate than to steal his sister's ride. He tacked the big bay up in record time, giving him a hearty pat as he lead him out the barn and grabbed his hat on the way, jamming it onto his head. "Come on you big lughead," He muttered as the horse snorted and dragged his feet all the way to the mounting block. Leo barely had the stirrups down before he was in the saddle, and the horse tossed his head and gave a few jig jog steps forward. "Easy there fella, this ain't that kind of ride," He warned, knowing the horse could be somewhat of a handful. He settled him on the walk back to the arena and gave Ronan a friendly wave. "I've stolen this beast, let's go before they call the police and come running after me."
Blue grey eyes watched Leo leave to go get himself a horse - whether it was his actual horse or perhaps a different one - Ronan wouldn't know until he reappeared. This was turning into quite the morning, meeting the young co-owner of the Seven Oaks Stables. Truth be told, had he been back in Australia, he probably wouldn't have even given the blonde male a shot at friendship. He hadn't been very good at making friends back home, falling into the role that his fellow classmates had assigned him and thrived in it. Despite Leo being a few years older than him, he still looked the part of what might have been a popular kid in school. Blonde, muscular, that charismatic personality. It was strange to think that moving across the ocean would make Ronan a bit more open to the thought of people talking to him, especially people who he would have thought wouldn't have given him a second glance.
A snort escaped Max. Hello, earth to my human the horse seemed to say with that delievery and the young male couldn't help but to laugh, "Sorry. Shall we get ready then?" While a true school master probably would have preferred that Ronan would have gotten back on the brumby to work him after that shake up of the fall, the young male was no school master and neither was his horse. They were born and bred for the wild. So Ronan could hardly fault the refusal that Max had given him, even as annoying as it hard been. Just getting back on the brumby after a fall like that was a win in his book. Seeing as the arena would no longer hold their interests, he opened the gate and lead his horse out. Rechecking his cinch and saddle, Ronan quickly remounted the brumby now who decided to stand still for him - probably as an apology for earlier.
No sooner was he up on Max and sticking his feet back into the stirrups did he hear approaching hoofsteps. Glancing over, he saw Leo give a friendly wave from ontop of a large large and muscular horse. Ronan couldn't help but to let out a low whistle and a snort escaped Max, who tossed his head just slightly, "I know you can take him but that isn't this sort of ride," he muttered to the chestnut brumby now before waving back. Squeezing Max just ever so slightly to send him forward, they soon were walking step in step with the other horse and rider, "I've stolen this beast, let's go before they call the police and come running after me." A grin fell onto Ronan's lips, "Well, I guess we can't be having the police coming after us. Good thing our horses are fast and I assume, where we are going, they cannot follow us." Without missing a beat, he then added, "Criminal business aside, your horse is quite the looker."
Leo chuckled as Ronan gave a whistle, glancing down at the horses' great neck as he came into view. "Yeah he's a looker alright," He agreed. Adonis wasn't generally the kind of horse he would have picked, but that was why he didn't own him. He was still a nice horse, and he had to admit he had some admiration for his sister handling the animal so well- he was a big beast, the kind that seemed like more of a man's ride than a woman's, especially a small woman like his sister. They seemed to get along well though, so it was no skin off his nose. Leo enjoyed challenges, and the friskier the better. He had a knack for dealing with the difficult, and enjoyed the excitement and rush of it. His youngster was surprisingly relaxed for the kind he normally picked up, but there was something about Hotspur that he'd been taken with, even if he was yet to let out much of a buck compared to his chestnut companion, Phoenix.
"Well, I guess we can't be having the police coming after us. Good thing our horses are fast and I assume, where we are going, they cannot follow us." Leo chuckled and gave a faux glance over his shoulder, crouching lower as if he was trying to hide. Adonis snorted and gave another jog, throwing his hind quarters out slightly like a stupid banana. Leo settled him easily enough, a light squeeze with his legs to push him on, a half halt on the reins to bring him back to a walk. "I hope yours can keep up, otherwise they'll be catching you first." He joked, though he wasn't actually the type of person to leave a man behind; one for all and all for one and all that.
He patted the horse again when he settled, turning onto one of the more interesting trails without checking in with Ronan - he figured the kid wouldn't mind him choosing. It would keep Adonis' brain occupied with the sights a little at the very least, even as he felt like an unexploded bomb beneath the saddle. "Criminal business aside, your horse is quite the looker." Leo grinned and gave a small shrug, "he's all flash and no cap," His grinned widened and he shook his head, "Nah that's not fair I can't lie like that, he's not one of mine so naturally, he's not the best horse on the yard. He's my sister's - Adonis. Nice ride, takes a lot of riding but he's got one heck of a ping on him." He admitted, having only jumped him a handful of times, the horse needed a lot between hand and leg, a lot to keep him focused on the job, but if you could hold him together and not let him get a run on you, the beast had one heck of a lot of power. "So how long have you been here?" He asked curiously.
As they headed on out, it was funny to see the differences between their horses. Max, his scrappy little brumby being utterly complacent while Leo's big, flashy show horse appeared rather discontent with the idea of taking it slow. The horse certainly tried to make his displeasure well aware with a few sporting antics. Ronan's chestnut let out a snort beneath him, shaking his head as if Adonis was being utterly childish - at least, that's what the young man thought that's what Max would be commenting on if horses could talk. The trails always brought out a different attitude for the brumby though - for him, that was real work, not running around in circles in the arena with flat terrain and a lack of cows. Leo's voice cut through his thoughts though, "I hope yours can keep up, otherwise they'll be catching you first."
Ronan couldn't help but to feign an insulted look, jokingly of course, "I'm a little insulted that you're insinuating that you wouldn't come back for us if we were caught. And here I thought we were shaping up to be friends." And perhaps more importantly, "Max may be small, but he is mighty and fierce. So I am sure we can keep up with the two of you." As if on cue, the chestnut's horse flicked forward, looking like he was ready to rumble now and take on whatever and left no rock unturned. Ronan's kind of riding. They followed Leo and Adonis as they turned towards one of the trails now, which was looking to be a rocky shake up. At the given compliment, Ronan thought the bragging rights would come on from the energetic guy, but Leo appeared humble enough about it.
"He's all flash and no cap," a snort of laughter escaped Ronan at that line, "Nah that's not fair I can't lie like that, he's not one of mine so naturally, he's not the best horse on the yard. He's my sister's - Adonis. Nice ride, takes a lot of riding but he's got one heck of a ping on him." Blue grey eyes looked at him curiously, "Your sister's okay with horse-napping him?" Although as soon as he said it, it felt silly. If you had t hat many horses to exercise, might as well let your siblings lend their asses to help with that chore. Probably did Adonis some good too to have a different hand. And then the tables had turned. How long had he been here? Ronan shrugged, "About a month maybe? I got in trouble at school back home in Australia, thankfully they didn't expel me but they didn't want me back either. And then, my grandmother here passed away, and my dad thought it'd do me some good to come be here with Grandpa so he wasn't lonely and maybe get to know my mom's side." Damn, that was a lot of talking he just did, "Sorry, wasn't my intention to overshare."
Leo gave a chuckle at Adonis and his behaviour, amused by the difference between him and the grumpy Brumby next to him. Adonis had a habit of thinking he was better than everyone else, the kind of attitude Leo generally found displeasing in horses, but he didn't mind this one all too much. Adonis was funny about it, very much the snooty young lad who would actually be rather put out if the scrappy outcasts didn't invite him to their party. Leo likes a challenge, and be liked it when a horse had something about it. But he'd done his fair share of kickalongs too, they only made you a better rider, as his sister liked to remind him whenever he lamented about something not going fast enough. Adonis chucked his head again at his companion's snort, equally unimpressed with the responding attitude he had received. He often seemed to think himself above the rest of the riffraf, which Leo thought amusing given he had little proven track record when competing. Of course it wasn't all that but to think yourself a winner you had to win, not throw ridiculous shapes and have a tantrum every time your toes touched a pole (as was this animal's general MO when Lily had the time to take him off yard).
"I'm a little insulted that you're insinuating that you wouldn't come back for us if we were caught. And here I thought we were shaping up to be friends." Leo chuckled in response, putting on a mock reproaching look. "Friends we may be but at the end of the day I've got a very pretty face and I couldn't risk it for anyone." which was hilarious because Leo was the absolute first person to jump in on a fight and defend someone. It was almost like some twisted case of FOMO - except for violence. "Max may be small, but he is mighty and fierce. So I am sure we can keep up with the two of you." Leo gave an approving nod. "Well then I can't wait to taste your dust." unable to help the fighting talk. Some people wondered if he ever left the playground with the silly crap he spewed, Leo always shrugged those comments off with a childish 'nope'. "Your sister's okay with horse-napping him?" It earned another chuckle from Leo and he shot Ronan a sly look. "Guess we'll find out when we get back." though he enjoyed a prank and was liable to swapping horses for the fun of it he wasn't completely moronic (contrary to other opinions) and he had sort of made Lily aware of where the horse was being he got a panicked/pissed off text or phone call from said sibling. "About a month maybe? I got in trouble at school back home in Australia, thankfully they didn't expel me but they didn't want me back either. And then, my grandmother here passed away, and my dad thought it'd do me some good to come be here with Grandpa so he wasn't lonely and maybe get to know my mom's side.... Sorry, wasn't my intention to overshare."
Leo shook his head, "No need to apologise, man. Maybe you needed it to come out." He said, for all that Leo appeared to be a bit of a stupid pranking jock type of idiot, he had a surprising amount of feelings and was a good and pragmatic person to talk to about things. Probably because he was honest and said it how he saw things, and maybe because sometimes he wasn't particularly complex so often made things simpler, and easier to mull over. He didn't mind not being deep, it seemed like tough work to him. "Sorry to hear about your Grandma, and your trouble. Cliché though it is, a fresh start really can help. The town is so full of nosey busy bodies that you won't be able to stay an outsider for long, people will want to know you and then you'll just find yourself included without even realising. It's a decent place to put down roots. I was running from trouble myself when I came here and I wouldn't change it for anything." He shrugged, expression clouding over a little when he thought back to his past life. The ground changed under foot and the path opened to a glorious green field. Leo shot Ronan a cheeky look. "Game on." was his only warning before he leant forward in the saddle, throwing his hands up the horses neck and sending him from 0 to what felt like 60 in a moment's breath, letting out a whoop and holler as he did.
Ronan rolled his blue grey eyes at the young man's comment about his pretty face, although given his interactions so far with Leo White, it hardly seemed out of the ordinary. It was funny, guys like Leo White typically drove the teenager insane back in school and in Australia, but here, it seemed different. Probably because he wasn't being a dick about it, none of his words so far had been shrouded in hidden meaning or the need to try and bring Ronan down, and he appreciated it, "Well, if my life is ever in danger and I need to throw a pretty face at it, I know exactly who to sacrifice then." He replied now, grinning just a little bit.
Beneath him, Max seemed to settle down now and appeared perfectly fine with ignoring the young horse's antics besides them. He was certain had this been out in the pasture, the brumby might have handled the situation differently, but given he was under saddle and working, it was a different matter. Blue grey eyes couldn't help but to glance at the fiery horse again, and Ronan was still convinced that they could take the pair on in a race. He glanced up at Leo now, and noticed the sly grin that formed on his face like a Chershire Cat when Ronan had brought up Lily White: "Guess we'll find out when we get back." A small laugh escaped the young man now as he shook his head, "You're funeral. I think I value my life too much."
At least his verbal vomit of information hardly seemed to phase Leo unlike Ronan. He was still bothered that he had shared so much of his history, given that he hadn't even shared it with any of his friends at Uni. To them, he was just there like anyone else, not because of expulsion. It still remained a mystery to Ronan as to how his Grandpa and his Father managed to convince Hickstead University to take him, but he figured that was information he didn't want to know. His attention drew back to Leo now, who almost appeared solemn and mature as he spoke. Ronan listened with interest, mulling it over before finally saying, "Sorry to hear that mate. Guess if you can make it work though, I can make it work as well." He was a little curious as to what Leo White could have been running from, but knew better than to ask. Privacy is the standard, sharing is a privilege in time.
As the path opened up now to a lusciously green ocean, Ronan couldn't help but to smile and admire the view. Blue grey eyes took it all in before looking over to Leo, about to say something when he noticed that dangerous smile was back on his face: "Game on." And just like that, Leo and Adonis where gone, and Ronan and Max were promptly staring at their asses, "Well shit." He opened the inside rein and the little brumby didn't need to be told twice as he launched forward now. The teenage shifted in the saddle, giving Max as much rein while still making sure there was contact, as they followed after the other pair, gaining on them inch by inch before appearing in stride now, "That was dirty!" Ronan called out now, but couldn't hide the smile from his face. For the first time in Hickstead, the teenager had never felt more alive.
