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!.
Emilie was thankful that she had gotten out of the barn, with no issues today with her first trail ride of the day. She had been experiencing more and more of her stuff going missing, misplaced, moved around, and even had a horse unhooked from the crossties on her. She was sure it was just a misunderstanding but wasn’t sure exactly who was doing it. She hadn’t seen anyone doing anything yet, and of course hadn’t heard anything.
She made her way around on the trail, but as she looked around, she seemed to not recognize the area. She was sure it was because Seven Oaks used different trails than Blue Acres. She missed BA at times, but also couldn’t see herself going back there. Sure, she had assisted in getting all the horses out, but at the same time, she couldn’t imagine walking back into the barn that she almost died in. Although it was replaced, she was sure it was a total loss.
She looked around again and saw a few campers around. She was truly lost now, she hadn’t been in this part of town, and she didn’t know how to get back to her new stable. She reached into her saddle pocket to get her phone, which was normally on silent, to find nothing. Gone. She started to panic a little, she was completely lost and now without any form of communication.
The winter air circled around Emelia as she began working on the campground. She had a lot of people that were coming in, despite the chill and light flurries. Many of them were families, something Emelia loved. Seeing children enjoying the outdoors was always welcomed. Plus, with a small lake nearby – it meant some great ice skating and fishing.
As she was undressing a pheasant, her ears picked up her dogs barking at movement. It wasn’t the friendly, greeting bark they had. Almost as a warning. A frown crossed her mouth. After a quick wash of her hands, keeping the bloody and feathered apron on – Emelia followed her dogs.
She found them, Tommy and Lola -standing their ground at a woman on a horse. Emelia whistled and her dogs sat. Her face was calm, wondering why a rider was into her property line. Emelia was used to hearing horses trail by, but many often avoided the grounds. Maybe she was a newcomer or a tourist? Or the signs Emelia put up couldn't be seen or ignored.
“Hello,” she greeted, in both voice and sign. It was rare that Emelia ever talked, but she didn’t know if this person was hearing or not. “Are you lost?” Emelia hoped that was the case, though being covered in bird guts didn’t make her look any better than a stranger on a beast.
Of course to make matters worse she saw dogs coming up to her horse, and she gently led him back a bit before they got too close. She knew this was probably making a bunch of noise, and started looking around to see if anyone was around. Shortly after the dogs came, she saw a woman making her way towards her.
As soon as she saw her signing as well as talking she breathed out a sigh of relief. That may seem weird to others, but it was something that she hadn't experienced here yet, and to top it off the hazing and trouble from the other workers was starting to tear her down.
she smiled before patting the side of the horses neck and dismounting. She held his reins loosely across her arm before signing "Hello, I seemed to have gotten turned around. I'm sorry if I'm interrupting anything". It felt nice to not have to attempt to read lips, and hope that she got enough of what they were saying to understand.
She watched as the woman dismounted and settled for a moment. She signed back, making Emelia feel a wave of relief. It made things a lot easier. Emelia nodded. Oh, of course. No, nothing massive. I was just butchering a pheasant. Maybe that was a bit too much info, but she could at least explain why she looked the way she did.
Most of my patrons are out for the afternoon until dinner, so there won't be a lot of traffic to spook your friend there. If you give me a moment to finish what I’m doing, I can help you find your way. Do you need anything to eat? Emelia could at least offer some type of food. Traveling always made her famished.
Emilie crinkled her nose up at the mention of butchering an animal. She wasn't sure she could ever handle actually doing it herself, or being there when it happened, but she hadn't had to either. Stores were abundant and the need for butchering herself wasn't there. "Oh sorry for interrupting you then, I can attempt to make my way back if I'm in the way" she signed simply. She wasn't sure if this person would want her interrupting their already seemingly busy day.
"I don't want to intrude, you seem to be busy, I'm just supposed to be exercising this boy here for Seven Oaks, but I seemed to have gotten turned around on a trail. I'm rather new to this side of town. I also don't want to cause any issues for you". She was starting to get nervous, this was the first person that actually spoke her language, and yet she felt like she was intruding. She wasn't sure how this could go, and honestly being in strange places around strange people didn't help anything either.
Emelia shook her head. No, no it’s fine! I was almost done, anyway. She really didn’t allow the young woman to disagree with her any further, a signal to just follow her. Emelia turned and began walking towards the outdoor kitchen. Despite the butchering, it was clean. The carcass of the pheasant was in the sink and partially cut up. But the finishing work could wait.
Emelia carefully placed the bird into a large pot and slid it into the large fridge. So you work for the barn? Emelia asked, after taking off her apron and washing her hands. She took a seat on one of the benches. You’re not too far off from the main trail. Looks like you took a left turn if I remember correctly since you showed up on the west side. I do try my best to label my line so people don’t get lost. But I guess I should do a perimeter check!In all honesty, Emelia didn’t mind too much when people got lost. It was just when they got defensive and refused help. Do you remember what kind of landmarks you noticed while you were out?
Emilie let out a breath before nodding when the other woman led her towards what looked like a kitchen. She was unsure of what to do with the horse she had with her. She loosely roped his reins around a tree branch that was low enough and followed slightly behind.
Yeah I just started recently after a time back with my parents she signed with a smile. Although her time there was rather suffocating, she was glad to be back. Emilie looked back from the way she came upon the the woman stating that there were signs, but she didn't recall any. But with the stunt that was pulled with her phone, she wasn't sure it couldn't be chalked up to more sabotage to get her lost and unable to call anyone for assistance. She was sure that the others at Seven Oaks knew that she wasn't that well versed in their trails or their anything yet.
I remember a big rock, then a log across what kind of looked like a path. I wasn't set up to jump it, so I went around, that might have been when I was turned around. she signed before shrugging. She was going to have to start checking her stuff way more carefully and making sure that she always had access to things she needed.
Emelia took note of what the young woman was giving her. She was headed south then, but then turned west onto her property. Despite not being someone who had been around too long, Emelia still had a decent sense of direction. The skill was needed for what her lifestyle was.
A soft smile crossed her lips. Okay, I know exactly where you came from then. It shouldn’t be difficult to get you back where you’re needed. She would happily give a map out since she liked having them accessible.
Do you like it? Working at the barn, I mean? she asked, a bit curious. Emelia hadn’t really interacted with horses that much but liked the animals enough. Being near the trails, Emelia knew the correct order and way to handle riders. Nothing to spook, and to let them pass. Her dogs had been quite good as well.
Emilie smiled when she said that it was easy to get her back to where she was coming from and sighed. Oh thank god. I was hoping that it was an easy ride, and of course I get lost she signed simply.
I enjoy spending time with the animals. The people on the other hand can be a little bit of a pain she signed with some hesitation. Sure people were always a pain in some way, but at least she was able to read lips. She was sure that others would struggle even more when dealing with hearing people if they couldn't handle reading lips.
She looked around a bit before returning her attention back to the woman in front of her. You have a nice place here, I'm Emilie by the way
Emelia nodded in agreement. Sometimes you just must find the right people, she responded. She knew all too well the importance of the right people. It was one of the reasons she was able to escape the person she did. Her family never left her, they never judged her. They were there, holding her – helping her. The professional ice world probably could care less, but that was behind her now. Emelia was happy, albeit still a bit jumpy, but could anyone blame her?
Nice to meet you, Emelie, I’m Emelia. Thank you, it’s been a labor of love – but it is well-visited. Hopefully, you can come and explore when you get your bearings, Emelia smiled. Can I get you anything to eat or drink? It may take me a moment to get the map situated.
Emilie nodded when it was simple advice, and would seem easy, she seemed to be struggling with it this time around. Previously at Blue Acres she didn't struggle as much as she did at Seven Oaks, but she was sure that eventually it would be better. I hope it happens sooner than later
She smiled and nodded when she said that it was a lot of work, it seemed like it, she couldn't imagine running and owning something like this, and she hoped that one day in the future to just be doing more of what she loved, spending time with the horses and training if it ever got to that point. I'd love some water if you have some ready, if not don't feel pressured, a map would be amazing, does it mark all of the trails around here? Or just more of the area around the campground? she asked just in case it had more.
If she had a map to the trails it'd help her immensely and would be greatly appreciated, but she wasn't entirely sure what all was available from this woman who was nothing but extremely helpful thus far.
Sure, I’ll get you water. Emelia, had plenty to give, and the water here was crisp and refreshing. I have maps of both, so I can bring you both. Emelia walked off to the kitchen to grab the young woman her water. Once it was delivered, Emelia walked to the office where she found the maps. After grabbing a pen and a highlighter, she walked back out to the table where she had left Emelie.
Okay, she started, grabbing the map of the campground first. You walked in through here. Emelia marked the entrance where the young woman came in through with an x with the pen. You came in off the Cotton tail loop. Emelia took a highlighter and highlighted the trail on the camp map since it was on the border. She also took the highlighter and used it on the trail map as well.
The Cottontail loop comes off the meadow loop called Foxglove. Does this all make sense so far?
Emilie smiled as she signed that she'd get her water. She awaited her return, and looked around the comfy cabin before taking a simple drink upon her bringing in the glass.
As she spread out the maps and started highlighting them and marking them she smiled and nodded. "Seems simple enough now that you showed me the maps. she signed simply. It must have been from the spring. She must have thought something that wasn't a path, was, and ended up here on the campgrounds.
"Seems simple enough, I should be able to get back with these" She signed with a smile. "If I just follow the trail back to the Cottontail Loop, I'll end up back at the barn shortly, or I could go the Meadow loop back to the Cottontail loop, seems simple enough" she said pointing them out as she signed where she was talking about.
