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!.
Hazel was looking forward to the afternoon. She had left the bakery in the capable hands of two of her employee's, including some of the baking for tomorrow, but she would have to do most of it tomorrow. That wasn't unusual though, and she wanted to take this time to spend it with Tristan. With Tristan back on his feet now and the odd memory resurfacing for him, she was enjoying taking time off work again so that they could spend it together. She loved her bakery and baking in general, but she loved Tristan more. They'd talked about doing something together, a date kind of scenario - which might seem weird to ask why a husband and wife needed to plan a date together as simple as this, but given the past years and what had happened, it felt like the right thing to do.
Things felt comfortable at home again; settled. She was still taking everything day by day with Tristan, there were still times he felt far away, there were still times it hurt that he didn't remember their history together, but she knew it wasn't his fault. There was an element of sweetness in making these news one's with him though, even if she knew they would have made new memories without the blip of his accident - it was kind of like getting to know him all over again, have cute firsts with someone that was already her husband. Odd and adorable at the same time. Still, she felt things were good and she got the impression that Tristan was doing better too, and that she hadn't upset or pushed him too hard.
Today, she'd brought home ingredients to bake with him. She'd decided to go for something relatively simple and then she could display it for sale in the shop tomorrow, knowing that the cake had been made from love. They had cooked together before over the years but not really baked, that having been her job most of the time - but she was really looking forward to it. She'd gone and brought him his own chef's apron too, just to be adorable, and she grinned as she put the present on the counter and started getting the ingredients out ready for when he got in.
Tristian had agreed to work for a few hours in the morning. It seemed the Lounge was short staffed on that particular day, and with him feeling much better after the accident - he agreed.
The morning couldn't end fast enough, but it was busy. It seemed people wanted to meet up with friends and family during the month of December and the Lounge seemed to be the place to be.
As his time to clock out approached, he made sure his last customer had paid for their food and drinks before heading to clock out. He swiped his card and waved goodbye to his coworkers - putting his dark wool coat on before facing the cold.
He couldn't help but smile on the drive home. It was the afternoon he had planned with Hazel for a few weeks now. She was finally going to teach him how to bake. Tristian felt terrible that his wonderful wife did all the work in the kitchen, but he had always been worried he would mess it up.
After parking the car, he headed towards the front door, opening it when he realized that Hazel had beaten him home. "Honey, I'm home." He called as he took off his shoes and set them to the side. Tristan also hung up his coat in the front hall closet before going to find Hazel.
He walked into the kitchen and smiled when he saw her. Once he was close enough, he wrapped his arms around her. "How was your day?"
She heard the car in the drive just as she had finished getting the ingredients together on the side. It sounded silly, but she knew the sound of his car, a soft smile curling on her lips as she heard it pull in. Then went the front door, and the sound of her husbands voice as he called out. "Honey, I'm home." She turned her head toward the open doorway, though she couldn't see him yet. "In the kitchen, love," She called back so that he knew where to come and find her. She checked everything was good to go before she turned to see Tristan heading her way. Her smile automatically became a grin, even though it hadn't been that long since she'd seen him, her heart still lit up to see him coming home to her. It made her feel lucky all over again that she was his wife.
As his arms went around her, her eyes drifted close for a moment, soaking in the warmth of him, the scent of him - just him being there with her. She leant back into his embrace and placed her arms around him with a contended sigh. "How was your day?" She let out a long exhale as she pressed her face into his chest before answering. "Mmm it felt longer than usual, but I managed to leave early and everything was in order when I left. Hopefully it still will be tomorrow morning." She pulled back to look at Tristan, raising a hand to gently brush her thumb over his cheek. "How was your day?" She asked, and then she glanced over her shoulder and gave a slightly awkward nod toward the apron on the side. "I got this for you, I hope you like it." Her lips pulled into a grin again, knowing he would enjoy being part of this and having his own apron like she did.
He had a feeling that Hazel was in the kitchen. It was usually where she was if she was awake when he came home, which wasn't always the case. Working late nights at the Lounge meant she was often asleep when he got home. "I figured that's where you'd be." He placed a kiss on the top of her head, glad that his wife felt comfortable in his arms all over again.
Tristian lowered his arms and smiled. "It always feels like the days are long when we work." People always said distance made the heart grow fonder. "I don't think your employees will leave the Bakery in a mess, it hasn't been before!" Tristan couldn't imagine what it was like leaving the bakery - he felt like it was Hazel's child sometimes, which he was proud of her for.
"The morning shift was alright. Busy though! People seemed to want to get together before the Holidays and I helped with the prep work for the rest of the day." He knew his coworkers didn't enjoy getting things ready but it was something he enjoyed. They often played music in the Lounge while they prepared, which Tristian found calming.
Tristian looked over Hazel's shoulder to see something in the corner of his eye. "You got me something? What is it?" He walked over to the edge of the counter, a smile coming to his face when he saw the apron. "My own apron? Just for me?"
"I figured that's where you'd be." Hazel smiled, the expression softening at the touch of his lips on her head. God how she had missed this with him, and she would never take it for granted again. She had learned her lesson the hard way, almost losing him twice - the accident and then his memory. "It always feels like the days are long when we work." Hazel gave a small smile at that and nodded. "Perhaps it's time to play the lottery and become millionaires so we can retire?" Although she did love her job, and as her job had always been her dream she didn't think she'd be able to give it up too easily.
"I don't think your employees will leave the Bakery in a mess, it hasn't been before!" Hazel smiled and touched her husband's arm gently. "I know, I trust them.... But there is a first time for everything." She joked, adding a quick laugh so he didn't think she was serious. She was lucky in that her employee's all took the job seriously and looked after the place, there wasn't a single person on her small staff she had any doubts about. If she did, though she was fair, she probably wouldn't have them work on days without her. The shop was her baby as well as her livelihood. She didn't know what she would do if something happened to it. It was what had kept her sane throughout Tristan's recovery, what had kept food on the table when it was just her wage coming in. She had a lot to thank for that bakery and it's people.
"The morning shift was alright. Busy though! People seemed to want to get together before the Holidays and I helped with the prep work for the rest of the day." She smiled and nodded at that. "That doesn't surprise me I guess, though hopefully it made the time go quicker for you."
[/s] She found that the busier the day was, the quicker it went. Which was only generally a good thing until you were trying to fit everything it at once and ran out of time. "You got me something? What is it?" She laughed and then a blush followed, worried he might find it stupid. "I did... I hope you like it." her smile softened to see his expand. "My own apron? Just for me?" Hazel nodded, taking a few steps over to him. "I thought it was about time you had one too. As my sou-chef." She grinned. "Try it on!"
Ever since the accident, he had started to realize not to take anything for granted. Spending time with Hazel was something that took a while for him to remember after the fact. “Yes, though you do know the statistics on actually winning? And after doing nothing for those few months, working again feels like a miracle.” Bartending again brought a sense of normal back. He knew how serious it could have been, so he was very lucky to have recovered as well as he did. “Besides, you do love your job too don’t you?” He always wanted to make sure Hazel was happy with her life.
He rolled up his sleeves and washed his hands in the kitchen sink, ready to help and wanting them to be clean if he was going to be in charge of baking. “The bakery really means a lot to them too. It’s almost like they are our adopted family now.” Having the bakery meant a lot to him too - he was thankful for it. “Any new employees speaking of the bakery?” He had seen a few new faces behind the counter when he visited not that long ago.
“It did, though they keep us busy enough even if there aren’t customers to deal with. Always something to clean there.” Or the shipment of products that needed to be sorted and put away in their right spots. The Lounge was busy enough though, they always at least had just one customer. He smiled again at the apron, nodding as he unfolded it. “It’s great! I think you have one similar to this don’t you?” Tristan put the apron on, tying the ties in the back before looking down on it. “Thanks! You didn’t make this did you?”
“Yes, though you do know the statistics on actually winning? And after doing nothing for those few months, working again feels like a miracle.” Hazel flushed slightly, realising how stupid her wish probably was, given what had happened to Tristan. Okay, so he hadn't won a load of money but he'd been unable to work, and she knew how frustrated he had felt by it. Money had been tight, not that she'd let on as much as she could so he didn't worry, but it wasn't quite the same as winning the lottery. "We'd go jet setting though, go see the world.. you'd have no time to think about being bored." She joked, trying to keep things light hearted. She knew they'd both get homesick soon enough and be quick to come home, she loved their home here and her little bakery, she would struggle to give it up for long.
“Besides, you do love your job too don’t you?” She smiled softly at that and nodded, "of course, it was just a silly joke." She promised, not wanting him to think she didn't enjoy what she did - she wouldn't do it otherwise, and it was why even at home after a long day, she'd still be found baking or cooking, unable to help herself. She made sure everything was set up ready whilst Tristan cleaned himself up. “The bakery really means a lot to them too. It’s almost like they are our adopted family now. Any new employees speaking of the bakery?” Hazel nodded, "Yes, young Molly came to speak to me about employment the other day, and I gave her the job. She's young, but she's passionate, I think she'll thrive."
“It did, though they keep us busy enough even if there aren’t customers to deal with. Always something to clean there.” Hazel nodded at that, checking the oven was at the correct temperature so it had time to warm up for when they needed it. "I guess it's the same in any job, there's always something to do if you look hard enough," She chuckled, knowing not everyone had the same opinion. “It’s great! I think you have one similar to this don’t you? Thanks! You didn’t make this did you?” She watched him put it on with pride, grinning to see how it fitted well and seemed to suit him. Shaking her head dolefully, she reached out to touch the apron slightly, checking the way it sat. "Sadly no, I'm only good at baking, not sewing, but I'm glad you like it.. it matches mine." She added with a grin, hoping he wouldn't mind.
He knew after his accident he needed to rest, often wondering if it was a sign from a higher power that he needed to stop working so much. However, he was adult enough to know that they needed the money. “Where would you want to go if we won the money? Somewhere tropical like Mexico maybe?” The couple hadn’t gone on vacation since their honeymoon - so it was about time. Even though his entire family had moved from California, there were some rainy days in Hickstead where he missed being able to go to the beach every day.
“I was just checking. I know people change their minds about their careers. I can see how happy it makes you though. Have you and your staff started making Christmas goodies then?” He assumed that they did, but to him, all the baking smells smelled the same. It was something he looked forward to coming home after a day shift working at the Luna Lounge. He quickly dried off his hands with the tea towel hanging off of the bar on the oven before putting it back. “Molly…that name rings a bell. She rides at Blue Acres doesn’t she?” He seemed to be able to remember the younger riders, though they tended to be always around unless they had school.
Tristan noticed there wasn’t a recipe for them to follow. “What are we making today anyway? Or are you keeping it a surprise until it comes out of the oven?” He knew he was pretty much useless without a recipe, but Hazel was always good about guiding him in the right direction in terms of how he could help. “I don’t know why people are sometimes so lazy. If I don’t have anything to do, I feel like my bosses are watching me and would give me something to do. And I don’t mean something fun either.” He joked, rather doing something that needed to be done without someone asking him - he knew he wasn’t a child anymore.
“Thank you for getting one for me. Now we don’t have to deal with any food stains on our clothes.” He tried to be as careful as possible with it, but there was always going to be some sort of mess when it came to cooking or baking.
“Where would you want to go if we won the money? Somewhere tropical like Mexico maybe?” Hazel contemplated it for a moment, picturing somewhere wonderfully hot with a beautiful stretch of white beach. "Mmmm Mexico sounds nice, or maybe the Caribbean?" She hadn't travelled much at all, and once she'd committed herself to the bakery, it had sort of set her life - she'd poured all her money into it, and whilst it had thrived and was doing well, it wasn't a get rich quick scheme, or even a get rich scheme at all. It paid the bills and kept them afloat, they didn't have to scrape for every penny, but she would have to save to afford a holiday like the Caribbean, rather than just be able to disappear tomorrow. "Somewhere hot where we can lay on a beach and bake together," She grinned, thinking of how relaxing it would be not to worry about anything for a while.
“I was just checking. I know people change their minds about their careers. I can see how happy it makes you though. Have you and your staff started making Christmas goodies then?” Hazel nodded and gave her husband a quick kiss on the cheek. "Absolutely, I had to trial what we were going to make as our special - as you know," She grinned, having given Tristan the taste tests, "and we also did some christmas shaped cookies," which really went down a treat. “Molly…that name rings a bell. She rides at Blue Acres doesn’t she?” Hazel bit her lip as she thought, "I want to say yes but don't quote me on it," She joked, riding at the barn herself but at the kind of times when others were usually done for the morning and sometimes before people finished work. She didn't mind, she liked the quiet time with her horses, but sometimes she missed being able to ride with company.
Running a hand over her apron to smooth it, she began to grab a baking tin and set it down, quickly lining it with some parchment paper so it was ready once they were. “What are we making today anyway? Or are you keeping it a surprise until it comes out of the oven?” Hazel placed a big mixing bowl in front of him and then brought forward the scales. "We're making a Victorian Sponge cake. Nice and easy I promise, and I know the recipe by heart, so no need to have one open." She held the sugar out to him, "It's going to be on display in the shop tomorrow," She added with a grin. "Okay so 200g of sugar to start," She instructed, letting him measure that whilst she got the butter.
“I don’t know why people are sometimes so lazy. If I don’t have anything to do, I feel like my bosses are watching me and would give me something to do. And I don’t mean something fun either.” Hazel smiled, watching him measure things out. "Most bosses probably would," She agreed, "but some enjoy doing nothing," she'd seen enough of it in her years to know it just didn't bother some people and you couldn't change their minds. “Thank you for getting one for me. Now we don’t have to deal with any food stains on our clothes.” Hazel grinned, a faint blush on her cheeks. "I love it on you, you make it look good. And you're welcome," She added, waving off the thanks - he looked too damn cute in it.
Tristan loved the idea of going somewhere warm with his wife. His big travel was when his family moved to Hickstead from California, though that was several years ago. “I’ve only really gone to Mexico because it was a convenient choice when I was back home.” The family had decided to drive there - though it was an adventure. “Either would be nice, as long as it’s with you.” Tristan winked, he was enjoying this playful side of their relationship - all over again. “You would want to bake? Let’s make sure they have air conditioning though first.Heat was something he knew how to deal with. Even years after the move, he still wasn’t used to the torrential downpour of rain in England.
The dark-haired man raised his eyebrow - Christmas was only around three weeks away. The flat was already decorated for it after all. “Oh good, I always knew you were on top of these things. What did you and the staff decide as a special?” He always looked forward to the taste-testing portion - often bringing baked goods that Hazel made to his coworkers at the bar. It made him quite popular - not that it was something that he wanted. Tristan felt his stomach grumble at the mention of Christmas-shaped cookies. “Gingerbread or sugar cookies? Not that I’d say no to either.” He’d have to make a note and go downstairs to the bakery during one of his days off to buy some - it always made a good gift for coworkers.
As the topic changed to horses, he nodded. “There are too many people at the different barns to keep track of. I know for sure she doesn’t ride at Seven Oaks.” He grinned - he rode there himself and could keep track of the younger riders that rode there. Though like Hazel, his riding times changed depending on when he was working. He watched as Hazel effortlessly moved around the kitchen - he could tell it was truly somewhere she was happy. “Oh! I think you made one before didn’t you?” He couldn’t quite remember the names of all the baked goods, though he knew it would be tasty.
“Alright, let’s get going.” He nodded, rolling up the sleeves of his sweater before starting to measure the sugar. Tristan’s eyes glanced at the scale, putting the bowl on top before pressing the tare button and making sure it was on the grams setting. He took the scoop inside the sugar container and started measuring it out. “Is this right?” He was starting to remember watching Hazel measure out ingredients before. The red head chuckled - there were too many Bosses who tended to be lazy - and employees that would take advantage of it. “Do you often wonder why? I mean if you are the boss, it’s your job to give out work. Not just sit on your lazy bum.” He was lucky that Moses was a great boss - always giving out work to those who looked like they needed it.
Tristan smiled at his wife’s blush. “Oh shucks, well now we can be cute together. Did you make the apron?” He knew there were very talented craftspeople in Hickstead - the Farmer’s Market was full of them - selling their things.
