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!.
October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.
It took a lot for Aofie not to cry all the way home. Work ended on a note that she could never fathom dealing with again. The security couldn’t do anything, other than make sure she got to her car okay. How could a co-worker’s gambling addiction become a problem for those around them? Aofie knew Patrick was dealing with money problems, often snatching up extra shifts at work. Everyone knew his wife was pregnant with their first child which was due soon. But no one would ever guess that it was because he had entered a boiling cauldron.
Her instincts kicked in and she drove to the city police station, requesting an officer follow her home to make sure no one-tailed her. They thankfully obliged, and Aofie would write the station a lovely letter and send some cookies for their time.
When she got home, Aofie barely made it behind her front door. The adrenaline was wearing off, and the flight response was settling. Her body shivered and ached. The poor dogs knew something was up when Aofie slipped off her shoes and flopped onto the couch.
Her face was now all scrunched, wet, and becoming puffy. Her brother was out of town, but there was someone that could come over, right? Aofie picked up her phone and dialed. It wasn’t too late, and she wasn’t expecting him to answer anyway. “Jack..” she whispered when she was sent to voice mail. “Can you please come over after work? I..need you..please.” Aofie didn’t know if he could hear her sniffling, clogged-up nose, or if she was even understandable.
She ended the voicemail and told herself she had to get herself together. Warm. She needed something warm. Aofie started the kettle and sat back down. Her chest hurt from the heavy breathing.
The night was easy, far too easy and yet there was some unnerving prickle on the back of his name that made him restless. It was unpleasant and he was more fidgety than normal, but he was going to be off work soon and then go around to Aofie's to spend a couple hours with her. It was almost routine now, every chance he got was shooting her a text or dropping by. She was the highlight to dull nights and somehow kept him from drinking himself to oblivion every night.
He looked at his watch again for the thousandth time and was silently glad there was only a minute to go and the other man beside him could only smirk and joke about how whipped he was. He bantered back but didn't deny it, there was just something about Aofie Walsh that made him giddy and feel younger.
Called off the job when the clock struck time, he was brisk in signing off time sheet and picking up his belongings before heading out to the parking lot. He jumped into the driver's seat, seating a small rose bouquet he'd gotten earlier in the day, knowing that he would not be able to get them otherwise. He picked his phone from the glove box and noticed the voice mail, earning a tilt of his head as he held the phone to his ear to listen.
“Jack... Can you please come over after work? I..need you..please.”
That prickling turned into a cold, harsh chill down his spine and he found his blood boiling out of nowhere. She was upset, crying - he growled in rage; WHO DARED UPSET HER?! He had to ease his breathing to focus enough to shoot her back a text telling her he was on the way - he couldn't speak, too afraid his own anger would leech into the words and make her further upset. Tearing out of the drive, he broke every road rule available to him and sped his way over to her apartment, every tick over the speed limit bringing himself that bit closer to her and calming his rage slowly. He was still angry, but he had to keep that in check around Aofie - he didn't want her to think of him as a monster.
Pulling up out the front, he forgot the roses and raced up to her door, knocking on it - "Aofie? I'm here now."
October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.
The tea was shakingly poured. Time slowed down again, only to be picked up with the knocking. She jumped, scalding herself for a second when the tea leaped out of her cup. Aofie cursed at herself but was happy to see Jack’s barreling chest in her digital doorbell camera.
“Coming!” she called out and answered the door. Mere seconds after letting him in, Aofie had her arms around him – face into his chest. She was extra mousy now, just taking in his scent, his warmth. It was like every pulsating heartbeat that pounded into her ears and calmed her breathing. Aofie stood there, silent as ben, minus a few hiccups, of course.
She finally looked up at him, eyes red and most definitely looking like a raccoon. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Some men…” she choked. “They came into work, a-a-and started threatening everyone in there.” Her words were stammered, trying to hold back more tears that were welling up. “I’m afraid,” she wailed. “Th-they scared children...making them cry, and I—"Aofie’s attempts to hold back left her, like fresh air. Wet hiccups, snot. She released him, hands reaching for her hanker chief to wipe her face. The now slowly growing red spot from her tea, stinging.
He smiled slightly hearing her on the other side of the door, wondering perhaps if a text before hand was better but there was no turning back the clock on that one. The hug was instant and he let her hug him before hugging her back, just wanting to be there and give her the reassurance that everything was ok.
"I'm here baby girl," he said softly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, "I'm here."
The words were out before he could stop them, but he did not regret them in the slightest. He had wanted to say words like that before, but never had been a right time and he knew now wasn't great, but he let it go. He could apologize when she was of more sound mind.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Some men…” she choked. “They came into work, a-a-and started threatening everyone in there.” Her words were stammered, trying to hold back more tears that were welling up. “I’m afraid,” she wailed. “Th-they scared children...making them cry, and I—"
He had been about to ask her what happened when she let it all out. His heart broke and sank for her, hearing her admitting to the fact she was afraid. And at the same time, furious that someone scared her so badly. He wanted to hit something, but instead he gently picked her up off the ground like a bride, and moved over to the lounge and sat with her in his lap. Carefully producing his own handkerchief he offered it to her.
"It's alright sweet-heart," he said gently, "I'm not going to let anything happen to you, ok? Nothing. Take a nice deep breath, try relax a little bit cause there isn't a single thing in this world that is going to come at you again, ok? I'll beat it back to wherever it came from and make it afraid to ever rear its head again, hmm?"
He gently brushed back strands of her hair, tucking it gently behind her ears. He needed to know who did it, who caused her this distress so he could very well make good on his desire to beat it into a bloody pulp and know that that danger was gone. It might've sounded stupid, even a little possessive, but Aofie was worth offering that loyalty and protection to.
October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.
She was a bit embarrassed, feeling jack lift her as easily as he did. To be fair, she was almost a quarter of his size. But even then, it was odd but also comforting. Aofie just hoped her dress didn’t do a weird flip, even though she had shaved just yesterday.
The two were an interesting sight, especially to those that didn’t know them. A small, delicate kind of woman and a man, painted like a Grecian God. Jack’s words were soothing, lulling Aofie to lean into him. She took his handkerchief and dabbed her eyes. She would clean the mascara and eyeliner off as soon as she could. Her lips were feeling dry, cracking from the cold weather and heavy breaths.
Aofie sat on Jack’s lap, silent for a moment. She allowed herself to follow his heartbeat again, calming her chest. It felt like ages before she felt herself finally get back to a feeling of normal. Gosh, she could only imagine what she looked like now. But…he was still here. He didn’t run or show any disgust. Jack really did manage to catch Aofie in some of her worst moments. It reminded her of how they first met, in the rain – needing to replace a tire.
An exhaled breath was let out before she continued. “My co-worker Laura was with me when it all happened. They were looking for my co-worker, Patrick. We knew he was having money issues, as his wife is very pregnant. We were all thinking he was a bit stressed and wanted some extra hours before his baby was born.” Aofie stopped, catching her breath – fiddling with the fabric in her hands. “The men were very intrusive about their questions. Claiming he owed them a lot of money. We thought it was because his wife couldn’t work…but it was because he had gambled and borrowed money he didn’t have.” Aofie frowned, angry at Patrick for putting not only his family but everyone else around him in danger.
“I told them, I didn’t know where he was – or his schedule for the next few days. My adrenaline must’ve made me a bit braver, as I threatened them back. Saying I would happily identify them to the authorities…Then they reached for Laura, and I…shoved him. After that...it was all a blur. Witnesses said they left, annoyed.”
Aofie sighed, pressing more into Jack if it was scientifically possible. “We closed early. I made sure Laura got home safe. Her husband picked her up. I drove to the police station and had an officer follow me home...I just...” Her head ached, and she winced at the sudden twinge of pain.
Eyes looked at Jack’s face, as Aofie blindly reached for a hand. “Stay with me tonight?” she asked. Her words lingered, not quite knowing if it was the correct thing to say.
“My co-worker Laura was with me when it all happened. They were looking for my co-worker, Patrick. We knew he was having money issues, as his wife is very pregnant. We were all thinking he was a bit stressed and wanted some extra hours before his baby was born.” Aofie stopped, catching her breath – fiddling with the fabric in her hands. “The men were very intrusive about their questions. Claiming he owed them a lot of money. We thought it was because his wife couldn’t work…but it was because he had gambled and borrowed money he didn’t have.”
“I told them, I didn’t know where he was – or his schedule for the next few days. My adrenaline must’ve made me a bit braver, as I threatened them back. Saying I would happily identify them to the authorities…Then they reached for Laura, and I…shoved him. After that...it was all a blur. Witnesses said they left, annoyed.”
Jack listened to her, his blood churning under the surface in anger, though he kept it from showing on his face. The fact someone had the nerve to do that in broad daylight, in front of children - he needed heads to roll. And that was in his power too, if he called the right people and exercised the right cautions that came with that unfair level of power. And the man at the heart of it, the one that brought that danger would also receive a taste of his anger despite the wife being with their child. He'd pay too in some way.
Aofie sighed, pressing more into Jack if it was scientifically possible. “We closed early. I made sure Laura got home safe. Her husband picked her up. I drove to the police station and had an officer follow me home...I just...”
Eyes looked at Jack’s face, as Aofie blindly reached for a hand. “Stay with me tonight?”
He looked down at her, a gentle smile on his face, "If that is is what you want of me, I will stay the night."
He knew his dogs would be fine whilst he was out, they had plenty of food and wouldn't need to go out any time soon. He gently rubbed her shoulder and was more than happy for her to stay where she was, but she was free to leave if she so wanted. He wouldn't do a thing she didn't want, and perhaps that was one of many things that set him apart from the animals. "I know it was an awful day, but could you describe these men to me?"
He knew it was an odd and tough ask, but something prickled his brain enough to want to know. He had his ways and means of finding them, and if he knew them, well it would be a one way ticket to a very violent message.
October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.
“Yes,” she said sheepishly, wondering where it all came from. Her cheeks were pink from blush and not raw from blowing her nose. “Only if you want to, of course! I know you have two dogs at home.”
Talking about dogs, her three were laying close. It didn’t take long for Tilly to rest her head on Aoife’s lap whining. Aofie smiled at her dog and gave her an ear scratch. “What? You want to see your boyfriend. Or boyfriends I should say?” If dogs could roll their eyes, Tilly most definitely did.
Aofie stayed put, not in a particular rush. She sat and pondered Jack’s question. “I, unfortunately, didn’t notice a lot of features sadly. But they were very well dressed. Kind of like the Men In Black. You know, the movies? I think one of them had an eyebrow scar. I know it isn’t a lot…I was just wrapped up. Maybe in the morning, I’ll remember more?”
She was tempted to ask why he wanted to know, but Aofie didn’t have the energy to question it. Her stomach growled, but she ignored it for now. It was probably going to be a frozen pizza kind of night, and maybe a massive mug of hot cocoa.
“Yes. Only if you want to, of course! I know you have two dogs at home.”
He smiled gently, "The dogs will survive, though if you'd prefer the extra protection they give, I can go home and get them together. They'd enjoy some company. I can grab some night clothes too."
Whilst he was notorious for falling asleep in whatever he was wearing, he knew jeans were an uncomfortable experience and he knew his button up would end up coming off.
“What? You want to see your boyfriend. Or boyfriends I should say?”
Jack could only chuckle softly, leaving the offer on the table for her.
“I, unfortunately, didn’t notice a lot of features sadly. But they were very well dressed. Kind of like the Men In Black. You know, the movies? I think one of them had an eyebrow scar. I know it isn’t a lot…I was just wrapped up. Maybe in the morning, I’ll remember more?”
He nodded, "It's alright. If you do remember, you remember, just be sure to tell me ok? Now, enough of that for tonight. How about I order dinner for us, hmm? I can grab or have it delivered, my treat hmm? Then we can relax and chill out for the rest of the evening. Sound good?"
October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.
Aofie looked at him again, eyes twinkling at the thought of five dogs in the house. “Well, I’ll never say no to more dogs!” she smiled. The bed might be crowded, but it was one of the reasons she had a king. Thankfully, her dogs often slept on the floor or on their own custom bed that Aofie had rigged up with a cradle pad. But with the upturn of emotions, she knew they would be close by. If anything, she was more nervous about having Jack beside her. There wasn’t anything wrong with it, of course, but she hadn’t shared a bed with someone in years. She already enjoyed the couch snuggles, but a bed was a more intimate matter.
“I will, I promise,” she nodded. Even if it meant keeping a notebook by her bedside table. Aofie was notorious for waking up suddenly and writing things down. Some of them often leads to some of her best children’s books.
“That would be lovely,” Aofie said, standing up. Her legs were tired, but she had to at least stand up for a moment. “I eat anything, so you choose? I’m sure I look like a hot mess, so I can shower while you’re out and maybe look a little less of a hag.” Tilly got up on the couch, not needing to jump, and pawed at Jack for some attention. Her brothers looked up from where they were sitting and just huffed back down.
“Well, I’ll never say no to more dogs!” she smiled.
"Alright, I'll bring the boys over for a little added security tonight," he nodded, smiling.
“I will, I promise,” she nodded.
"Good."
“That would be lovely,” Aofie said, standing up. Her legs were tired, but she had to at least stand up for a moment. “I eat anything, so you choose? I’m sure I look like a hot mess, so I can shower while you’re out and maybe look a little less of a hag.”
He raised a brow and shook his head, "You are not even remotely like a Hag, Aofie. I'll be maybe an hour to get things together, and get food, but I'll be back as soon as I can be."
Jack reached over and gently ruffled Tilly's head and ears, "Yes, the boys are coming over for a sleep over Tilly, I imagine you'll love that."
After a moment, he stood up, fixing his pants slightly before he reached out and gently tilted her chin to look at him, "You lock the door behind me, and answer to no one ok? I'll text you when I am back and parked out front, ok?"
October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.
Aofie nodded and watched Jack, her comfort, leave into his car. When he left, she closed the door and locked both the back and front door. She was feeling exhausted again, her head feeling light. Feeling like she couldn’t stand – Aofie opted for a bath. A nice, long soak in hot water with some bath salts.
She made her way upstairs, dogs following behind her. As she ran her bath, she noticed five missed calls from Patrick. Aofie rolled her eyes and didn’t even wonder. She didn’t care for what he had to say to her.
Once the bath was full, Aofie slipped in and let out a deep breath. Time slipped past her, and when she heard her doorbell go off – Aofie reached over to see if it was Jack. But it was Patrick. She was thankful that she had the volume low, but she didn’t need the loud sound to see his panic. He looked like a wreck, sweating and screaming. He was pounding at the door – screaming that he knew she was home. There was something about his wife leaving him and everyone dropping him. She wanted to look away but couldn’t. It was like a dark horror movie.
Aofie could feel her stomach churn, but she was safe, right? Patrick didn’t have a key – she was also on the second floor. He didn’t know the layout of her house.
“Aofie! I know you’re home. I see your fucking light.” Patrick continued to beat at the door. He couldn’t believe his wife was leaving him. That she couldn’t believe he didn’t have a problem. Why would he have a problem? She liked to spend money on home décor, so why couldn’t he spend money on gambling? He was angry now. All the rest of his co-workers turned him away. But sweet little Aofie wouldn’t right? That cute little thing. If he wasn’t tied down. He wasn’t now, was he? He could leech off her. Tell her a fake story. Borrow money and claim to pay it back.
Crocodile tears flowed after Patrick pinched his skin. If only she would open the door. “Aofie!” he screeched again. His attention was only turned when he felt the warmth of headlights on his back. Was it her? Maybe she wasn’t home. A snarl crossed his lips as he turned around. But things weren’t as they seemed.
Getting his stuff together was simple, he'd mastered the art of packing only what was necessary into a small bag neatly. And the dogs were oddly co-operative in getting into their harnesses and into the car. He rang the pizza joint in advance and had to wait a little longer than he'd like normally, but he was patient and picked it up with little issue. His temper was settled for the time being, more than ready to just sit and relax the rest of his evening away with Aofie as per his original plans.
Pulling up out the front, he juggled everything but hearing screaming put him on edge. He moved quickly with the dogs up front straight to Aofie's level when the screaming was clear. His expression darkened as he approached.
“Aofie! I know you’re home. I see your fucking light.”
“Aofie!”
"Game. Set." He growled at the dogs as he dropped their leashes to the ground, both standing there growling. He set his bag and the pizza down before he strode over.
"Got a fucking problem do you?" he snarled, "Do you delight in terrifying women? Do you get off on it? You must be Patrick, the prick that caused my girl a lot of distress today."
He rolled his neck and loosened his shoulders, cracking his fingers as he glared.
October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.
Patrick could feel his stomach in his throat. The sound of growls in the dark made him wince. She did have dogs, three of them. They were massive and he knew he was screwed. But Patrick being Patrick, tried to play it cool. But that time didn’t come. The person who belonged to the headlights was not Aofie. It was a man, with two large dogs. His body was of a war god, painted in his battles.
He let out a laugh. “And who are you, huh?” The sound of bones popping made Patrick want to shrink away. This guy could beat him up if he wanted. But no. His meal ticket was inside, and Patrick, like a drug addict, would do anything for that ticket. “Aofie has no man. That chick hasn’t had a boyfriend in years. You lost or something buddy?” he sneered, making himself feel a bit taller – before spitting at Jack’s feet.
Patrick was a slender man, with well-kept hair. He wore glasses, making him approachable and kind. He knew how to make it work. Be kind and gentle at work – but inside, he was a menace. Darkness crept over his face, as he thought of his current plan. This man, whoever he was, was not going to get in the way.
Jack looked down at the man, disgusted by the sight of him. How easily his facade was falling away.
"I'm the guy that makes people like you disappear permanently."
“Aofie has no man. That chick hasn’t had a boyfriend in years. You lost or something buddy?”
He moved closer, "See, that's where you are wrong. She does have a man, but she doesn't go around bragging about it. That chick is a Goddess and you are nothing but a fucking leech trying to get your teeth into something so pure. I ain't lost, I live here."
He was lying, he knew he was pushing boundaries, he understood that he might just push Aofie away with his tone and the way he was talking, but this guy... this guy had no place in Aofie's life. He looked at the spit and raised a brow.
"You're going to regret that," he snarled, lurching forward to grab him by the shirt and lifted him off the ground, slamming him back against the nearest wall, "Now, before I remodel your face and make it so you have to eat with a straw for the rest of your days, tell me who you borrowed from for your fucking addiction."
October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.
Patrick could his body want to shrivel even more. But he remained strong. He was close. More words would’ve slithered out of him, but he felt himself be picked up like a rag doll. Dress shoes were lifted off the porch – as if gravity wasn’t there. Hands gripped at the wrists of the man. If it was true, then Aofie had a fucked-up interest in men. This guy was huge. Patrick, being nasty, could only imagine the train meme. He couldn’t help but let out a giggle at his toilet humour.
But his emotions were cut short again. It was as if he didn’t have time to process anything. Patrick didn’t know who was more threatening. The man in black, or the person in front of him. His finer nails began to dig into flesh. “And why would I tell you that? A man can’t have hobbies. It’s not an addiction. You sound like my coworkers and my stupid wife.”
Patrick struggled as if the pressure on him was mounting. Even though he was upright, his chest hurt. The flight wasn’t in him. Did he risk fighting him? What else did he have to lose? “You’ll have to beat that info out of me; you freak!” Patrick swung a leg, foot scraping at Jack’s left side. He didn’t even know if it hit. If Patrick was loyal to anyone, it was the shark that put him in this place. Because...who else would fund him? His eyes ran crazy, almost becoming little voids. He was crashing. Any ounce of humanity was gone.
