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!.
Perdita hoped that her Aunt and Uncle had warned her cousins that she was now in the town of Hickstead or else they were about to have a very rude awakening. Her plane had arrived at 7 in the morning, having taken a red eye from London last night. The young woman was angery, mainly at herself, for getting so sloppy and figuring that she had everything figured out back home. She was also angry at her dead mother - which in itself - felt a little disrespectful but since it wasn't the month of November, Perdita didn't give a fuck. Her mother's stupidity for undying love had been what had gotten her on a one way ticket to fucking Hickstead, England of all places. The young woman was certain that on the drive from the airport that she had counted more sheep and horses then she did people.
It was hard to believe that there were even Delgados in this place of the world - it just seemed so...quiet. Plain. Boring. But there had to be something to the city if Manuel and Daniela had sent BOTH Zahira and Dante here. Not only would Perdita have them, but she managed to pinpoint down one of her half siblings on her birth father's side and ironically enough, they too were located in this godforsaken town. There was also the issue of a job, something that the young woman didn't bother thinking about yet. With her resume nothing but murder, threatening, gun slinging, and charcuterie board sampling, it struck Perdita that finding something here might be a little hard - especially if she required work that wasn't peasant manual labor.
The cab dropped her off outside of Woodbain Flats now, she gave the money without thanking him and headed out on her way. She took the lift up to the third floor where conveniently both of her cousins lived. Not together, but next door to each other, given by the apartment numbers that had been passed to her. The young woman hauled her bags down the hallway before stopping outside of 038 and 039. Chocolate brown eyes narrowed, deciding between the two before side stepping to the left and picking 039. Perdita had never been one for feelings, but given her situation, if she somehow was going to magically feel something, she rather bare it to Zahira over Dante. Chicks before Dicks. Not bothering to check the time, she pounded on the door now and for good measure incase there was a loaded gun on the otherside of that door, she barked, "Zahira! It's Perdita!"
My knuckles were bruised like violets, sucker punching walls
Zahira was enjoying a quiet day for a change. It was nice, and somewhat unusual. No criminals to chase, no plan to go to the gym, nobody banging down her door to bitch or whine or come after her. She'd thought at first she might feel a bit lost for it, but actually she was quite enjoying herself. She'd had a lie in, deciding against going for a run for a change and allowing her body a lazy start to the morning - she'd thrown on some sweat pants and a hoodie and gone to Starbucks to get a coffee and something sweet, mooched for a bit but ended up heading home instead, deciding that a slobby day in front of the TV was in order. She was sure that someone would interrupt her at some point, no doubt - either she'll get a call with a new job, or her brother would come to bother her, or need her help, or her dad would try to call and harass her some more, or Seth or Greg would come knocking and try to drag her out or into some shit.
She made it sound like she hated it, and though she grumbled and dragged her heels sometimes, she didn't honestly mind - not most of it anyway. Her dad could get fucked most of the time. Zahira was laying sprawled out on her sofa, some trashy day time TV show she wasn't even interested in blaring from the flat screen in front of her when it happened; as she had anticipated. Someone pounding on her goddamn door. She sighed, a heavy groan, and her head fell back against the sofa, eyes closing temporarily. Never a day's peace in this part of the world, despite how quiet and peaceful Hickstead was classed to be. "I swear to God, whoever that is, if you're using me as a fucking hospital again, I'll give you something real good to run to A&E about," She warned as she heaved herself off the sofa and padded toward the door. On her way, she snagged her favourite knife from the counter top - as she always did when answering the door.
It wasn't as if she had unsavouries regularly visiting her - but it had been known to happen on occasion, and even if it hadn't - she would be a fool not to. She had been raised to be wary, and prepared at all times, and considering her family and the connections there, along with her current occupation and friendships, it made sense to be cautious. She knew exactly the locations of every other weapon in her apartment - concealed or not; and there were many of them. "Zahira! It's Perdita!" Zira blinked, surprise flashing across her face as she peered through the peephole to confirm she wasn't imagining things; and then unlocked the door, the knife still grasped in one hand but relatively relaxed (not entirely; just incase). "Perd?" Her eyebrows were still halfway up her forehead. "What the fuck are you doing here?" Maybe not the most welcoming welcome, but her tone wasn't unfriendly at least.
Perdita heard the muttering from beyond the door in front of her. It would appear that she may have awaken her cousin, which came to no surprise. While she could not make out of the words of the young woman, it was clear that she was not happen with having her rest disturbed. Well, tough luck for her. Given her circumstances, it was hard to have any sort of sympathy at the moment. Perdita felt her impatience grow by the minute - what on earth was she doing in there? Putting on make up? Finally though, she heard footsteps right on the other side of the door and decided to make herself known. The woman let her words hang in the air, and sure enough, the bolts to the door unlocked and reviled her cousin: one Zahira Miran Delgado.
A perfectly manicured eyebrow arched as she stared at the knife in her cousin's hand. Zahira grasp on it appeared relaxed, but still retained enough tension to go into action. Well, what a way to great a family member. Perdita supposed it was called for though, it was hard to trust outsiders to an immediate family, and its not as if she herself had the most trusting of personality or record. "Perd?" Zahira eyebrows were raised as well, "What the fuck are you doing here?" The question could not help but to make her scowl. Why was it that everyone seemed so surprised and caught off guard to see her? It was getting really annoying at this rate. Perdita cocked her head now, "Did your parents not tell you?" After all, it was Zahira's very parents that informed her of where her cousins were, "I...I lost my hold on the Ortega Family." The bitterness in her voice was sharp enough to cut through a piece of wood, "One of my brothers is in control...one of my...half brothers." God, even saying it out loud only made her bitterness grow, "Can I come inside? Or are you going to keep me out here like some beaten puppy?"
My knuckles were bruised like violets, sucker punching walls
She took in her cousin from head to toe; starting with the finely plucked eyebrow and travelling swiftly right down to the undoubtedly well painted toenails. She didn't look particularly thrilled with the point of a well kept knife to her throat but then, Zahira reasoned, most people weren't in that kind of circumstance. Even she found it irritating on the days it didn't faintly amuse her. The scowl at her words set one of Zira's eyebrows raising in turn - not quite as finely plucked but under control well enough. She didn't quite understand how that question could be seen as such an insult, it was perfectly valid. It wasn't that often she had put of town family members rock up on a weekday morning for a coffee and slice of toast. Knowing how bare her fridge was, Perd would be lucky to even get any coffee. Zahira lived off the stuff but with how often she was out of home, she tended to live off Starbucks and fumes, grabbing her food on the go. She wasn't particularly versed in cooking, no matter how hard her mother had attempted that route with her for her marriage days. Yuck.
"Did your parents not tell you?" Zahira snorted and rolled her eyes at that remark. Clearly Perd was somewhat out of the loop if she thought communications were that good right now between her and the family. "You think I'm here because I'm daddy's left ear right now?" She asked, because hell would freeze over before her dad had willingly let her move countries and take up a bounty hunting job. "We're not exactly on speaking terms right now." In fact all lines of communication had mostly come third party through Dante for the moment. Ever the dutiful lieutenant son that he was. "I...I lost my hold on the Ortega Family. One of my brothers is in control...one of my...half brothers." a surprise, but also not. It happened. Things moved fast with families and power. It wasn't unusual for siblings to pull it out from each other.
"I see..." she said carefully, knowing now at least partly the reason Perd was standing awkwardly on her doorstep. She had favours to win back. "Can I come inside? Or are you going to keep me out here like some beaten puppy?" At that she chuckled and stepped back, giving her cousin room to enter. "By all means, but I'm guessing you're in need for something a bit harder than caffeine." Zira surmised, which was handy actually given her uncertain state on the milk in the fridge. Alcohol she could always do, it was the one thing she never failed to bring home.
As soon as the snort escaped Zahira Delgado - Perdita knew she had made a mistaken and came to the wrong cousin: "You think I'm here because I'm daddy's left ear right now?" Ah, typical Zahira and her bitchy replies. Granted, the older woman knew she should have expected that. It was not surprising to hear the younger woman add on that she and her father were not on speaking terms after her earlier outburst. "My mistake. I went where I was told, and you were first on my list." If matters were different, Perdita might have gotten bitchy right back, but she didn't really have options right now - and for the moment, the Delgados were family that she trusted. Clearly though, the woman would have to brush up on that family drama too since apparently she walked into it.
Brown eyes watched the younger woman now as she informed her of her plight, studying her for any insight into what Zahira may be thinking. She was very good, however, of not letting anything on and appeared to be rather careful with her word choice. A simple and basic 'i see' to fill the void of a reaction. At least her puppy comment got her a reaction, as finally, the young woman stepped back: "By all means, but I'm guessing you're in need for something a bit harder than caffeine." For the first time since knocking on that apartment door, Perdita smiled, "I mix whiskey and black coffee, but I am happy to just take the whiskey or whatever else you may have," she replied now, taking a step forward and crossing into the threshold, "Sounds like I'm not the only one who needs a drink...I'm sorry...that I've been out of touch with you."
Despite their age difference, she still remembered faint childhood memories on the beach with Zahira, along with her siblings Dante and Gael, whom she was closer with in age. Besides, in this world, women had to look out for each other, something that Perdita had neglected to do with Zahira despite being true family, "So, what are you doing in this dinky little town, anyway?" She asked, before nodding towards the back of the apartment now, showing Zahira that she could lead the way - if she trusted Perdita to walk behind her at least.
My knuckles were bruised like violets, sucker punching walls
"My mistake. I went where I was told, and you were first on my list." Zahira raised an eyebrow. How interesting, that she'd been instructed to come Zira's way first. It wasn't like she was on the naughty list or anything like that, she was still in with the family, but she wasn't exactly top of the class - more like black sheep. "Pretty sure that's a first - being number one." She was more likely somewhere in the middle, if she was being honest. She was a relatively useful member of the family, she had her own contacts and connections, but being at odds with dearest daddy didn't exactly do her any favours. Resulting in the surprise that Perd would have been sent on her way out of all the other options.
Zahira casually studied the woman right back, not bothering to hide it, even quirking a brow as a taunt to show she knew what this little stand-off was. In all honesty, Zira didn't care for the family drama and hierarchy. It was part of the reason she was here and not sitting at mumma's right hand side. Because she'd never get to be her father's, no matter how diabolic her brain might be, and again that was another part of it. Old fashioned misogynistic bullshit. She didn't care for it, she had her own shit to do, her own name to make. She wasn't about to coddle Perdita, you knew the risks when you played the family game, and if you weren't clever or quick enough, a rug would be yanked out from under you from one corner or another.
"I mix whiskey and black coffee, but I am happy to just take the whiskey or whatever else you may have," She nodded, "That, I might just about be able to do." At least that solved the issue of milk. She let the woman in and closed the door behind her, unable to help but give a cursory glance out into the hall to double check. You could never be too careful."Sounds like I'm not the only one who needs a drink...I'm sorry...that I've been out of touch with you." Well wasn't that the line that everyone gave when they suddenly found they needed help from a forgotten family member. Zira shrugged, nonplussed. "Did that make you feel less guilty?" She asked. There was no nastiness to her tone, she just wasn't interested in apologies, especially of that kind. It wasn't like Zira had bothered trying to reach out to Perdita either.
She casually slipped the knife back into it's holder, safe in thinking that her cousin was unlikely to come here to kill her and grabbed a couple of mugs from the cupboard - checking they were clean. She wasn't in all that often and things tended to gather dust - especially being on your own and using the same cutlery all the time. "So, what are you doing in this dinky little town, anyway?" Zira flicked the switch on the kettle and went in search of coffee, managing to dig out a half pot of it at the back of an otherwise empty cabinet. "Bounty hunting," She said simply, finding the whiskey without any need of a search and pulling the top off with a satisfying pop. "Mostly it takes me out of town, however." she added, glancing over her shoulder for a moment. The kettle boiled, and she added a generous amount of whiskey to mix with the hot water, stirring until the coffee grounds vanished and then turning to hand over a mug to Perd. "So, you clearly didn't come for a coffee and catch up, what are you expecting from this social call?" A curious tone, considering she now knew where Zira's social status stood - or sort of, anyway.
She had clearly forgotten what Zahira had been like over the years of them not talking. It was actually rather annoying, but in this moment, beggars couldn't be choosers. The woman couldn't exactly remember why the cousin before her was considered a black sheep, probably just the fact that she left to go do her own thing, "I prefer you over Dante and Gael." Perdita replied flatly, brown eyes looking past her cousin now to take in the tiny apartment. Didn't look like she had put much decoration into it, but if she was a bounty hunter supposedly, Zahira was probably always on the run - or on guard, by that knife she was holding. The two of them studied each other, and the other young woman made no move to hide that judgement behind her eyes. Perdita could only imagine.
"Excellent." At least there would be whiskey and black coffee, if nothing else, to temper this moment between them, or perhaps the next twenty four hours. There was still a chance that Zahira could reject her, the bond between them was not that strong, and it has become clear that family wasn't always a loyalty. Guess her little cousin played the same way that her half brothers did. Perdita watched as the young woman peered into the hallway before closing her eyes, earning an eyeroll while her back was still turned. She followed after Zahira now, proving once more to be out of touch with the young woman: "Did that make you feel less guilty?" Well - she walked right into that one, "No. Not guilty. Just...annoyed I picked the wrong side of family."
Following her to the kitchen, it looked slightly more alive if not chaotic. The knife was away now, put back into its block and Perdita made no comment. She simply leaned against a small kitchen table now, watching Zahira work her way around between taking out mugs and flipping on a kettle. Then the confirmation came: her baby cousin was bounty hunting, and it had nothing to do with the family. No wonder she considered herself a black sheep, Manuel Delgado probably hadn't been too happy about that, but if memory served her, he also babied Zahira because she was, well, a girl, and no girl ever likes that, "Ah....pays well?" Might as well ask. Brown eyes watched as the whiskey was poured and stirred, then the coffee, and then finally, the mug was handed to her followed by 'the question': "So, you clearly didn't come for a coffee and catch up, what are you expecting from this social call?"
A sigh escaped Perdita, it was bound to come up sooner rather than later, "Good thing you handed me this mug," she said now, as she took a huge sip, before continuing on,"Apparently I wasn't my father's daughter - so I lost my hold on the Ortega family." The woman took another generous sip now, "I need a couch to stay on for a bit."
My knuckles were bruised like violets, sucker punching walls
"I prefer you over Dante and Gael." Zahira raised a brow at her cousin, mildly curious as to why, "oh, what a compliment." she mused - Gael she could understand. He was a bit of a dope at times, harmless and generally more of an oaf, but he was frustrating as shit a lot of the time and daddy's biggest fan, so he wasn't really the go to guy if you wanted a secret kept. Dante... he was a little more complicated, and though Zahira trusted him more than Gael, she wasn't always certain of which side he sat. She wasn't sure what to make of Perdita in this moment. There was something a little standoffish about her, but the tail between the legs look was forcing her to behave contrite in a way that Zahira hadn't seen of her before - it didn't suit her, made her seem weak, and their family were not one's to behave in that way.
"Excellent." She grunted a response, somewhat of a male influence in that behaviour, and wondered briefly if it might improve both their moods with the coffee and alcoholic mixture. "No. Not guilty. Just...annoyed I picked the wrong side of family." Zahira gave a snort at that, setting about sorting their drinks, pleased that her mugs were clean at least. She didn't comment, there was no need - Perdita had clearly figured it out all on her own that she'd fucked up, and whilst Zira could be a dick, she also wasn't a complete asshole. She didn't enjoy kicking a dog when it was down - well, not always, anyway. "Ah....pays well?" Zira shot her a look, closing off slightly. "Well enough." Because she was not about to become a bank for the desperate family member. She wasn't a materialistic person and liked to tuck her money away for a rainy day. It might not look like she had much, but she had a tidy enough sum that if she needed to take off in a hurry, she wouldn't struggle.
Taking a sip of her drink, Zahira propped herself up against a cupboard, watching her cousin as she waited on the explanation to follow. "Good thing you handed me this mug," She nodded to the bottle, "You can sip straight from that if it makes you feel better." She suggested, watching Perdita take a large gulp before she started. "Apparently I wasn't my father's daughter - so I lost my hold on the Ortega family. I need a couch to stay on for a bit." A slight frown - news to her on the father front. "So who's daughter are you?" She asked, it was an odd crossroads for Zira. On the one hand, family pride was drummed into her, and on the other hand, she couldn't lie that it wasn't satisfying to have a fallen member paying their dues. Perd had turned her back on them, and now she was hoping for help from those very people. No wonder she'd chosen Zira to come to, her brothers would have thrown her out on her ass. "And that would be my couch, I'm guessing." She mused, her eyes flickering to the age old sofa, frequently unused.
