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!.
t was Casper's least favorite day. He enjoyed the canning parties, but he hated having to be social. Most people enjoyed being able to catch up and chat with the members of the farming community, but Casper enjoyed working alone.
He pulled up his truck and parked it in the usual spot, giving himself a few moments to gather the last bit of energy he needed to get him through the day. With a push of the car door handle, he got out and placed his feet on the ground - heading towards the large building where the cooking was going to happen. He enjoyed watching the whole process of things being made that he had helped grow - and this was the final step in the process.
Casper pushed the door open and flashed a smile to the group who had arrived before him. He noticed Taylor right away, always enjoying having a conversation with her. As it had been a few weeks since the last session, there was quite a few to catch up with her on.
"Morning Taylor, can I get you some coffee before we start?" He could smell the coffee brewing in the corner of the large hall-like room. "How have you been as well? Hope the Alpaca farm is doing well."
Ah, shit, here we go. Taylor was pumped. Mainly because she would be leaving with two wagons of preserved food. Pickles, Jams, eggs…just thinking about it made her drool. Even though she did all these things on her own, there was something about doing it as a group. Plus, she got to sell some of her yarn after the canning party.
She was dressed to get messy, which at this point, was everything. Taylor sat at her table, where she had plugged in the Nespresso machine. It too was a hit at a place like this – which was why she bought one specifically for this event, instead of lugging her personal one around. Though, there were plenty of people who flocked to the restaurant-style coffee maker.
As she was planning on what pod to make, Taylor heard a familiar voice call out to her. She looked up and smiled. “Ah Casper, hello! I’m about to make myself one. You can pick your flavor if you want.” She poked at her contraption and the various pods it came with. “It is, actually! A lot of people come to tour and buy. And how is the Malloy’s? I assume they have contributed quite a bit of produce this month.”
asper knew the coffee machine drew people in. Within a few moments, other farmers were chatting away in the background, a few glancing over at the machine to see it was free. "I see you brought the special coffee machine. Do you realize how much people enjoy it?" It was almost custom now, as if the farmers knew. They tended to make their coffee the old fashioned way.
"I'll just have caramel cookie pod. I feel like I need some sugar." Chatting with people made him feel exhausted, so both of the above mentioned things were needed in order for him to survive. He picked up the colored pod and set it beside the machine, glad that he would be able to avoid the crowd before they lined up for coffee. "That's great. I'll have to come by sometime soon. Got a family birthday coming up and I'll need a gift."
Casper smiled when he was asked about the Orchard. "It seems the produce we harvest in January is much different than back home. We would never get apples this time of year. That and the hens are quite happy, so the egg supply is great too." He was used to more of a harvest come the Fall, but the weather in England was much different. "Any suggestions on a gift though? I feel like you'd know better than I do."
She nodded and popped his in before hers, a strong espresso type since she needed that extra kick. Taylor placed one of the mugs under and started the machine, and listened to it whir. “Well, it’s better than people smoking inside,” Taylor snorted. “And oh yeah? That’s fabulous. Whose birthday?” Not like Taylor knew Casper and his family well, but it was a polite thing to ask. Plus, it opened to some type of bartering.
“They have quite a production over there, that’s for sure.” Taylor was a bit envious of it. While she had a small garden over at her place, she could not see herself handling all those trees and bushes. It just made her life interesting. “Well, how old are they and are they allergic to wool?” she asked, pulling his mug out and handing it to him. She emptied the pod and placed hers in, putting her llama-shaped mug under it. A finger pressed start, hoping it would end fast. Since she could feel the stares of people waiting.
asper thanked Taylor before grinning. "Don't get me started about smoking. My grandfather used to do it and it annoyed the hell out of my parents." That and the man was quickly diagnosed with lung cancer but still refused to quit. It was becoming more popular now with the introduction of vaping. "My Mother's birthday. She'll be fifty-three this year but of course you never ask a woman her age." Naomi Talbot kept insisting she was turning 20, though none of her children believed her anymore.
Once his own coffee was done, he gently took the mug from Taylor and carefully carried it to the smaller table nearby. "I agree. How is your garden at home doing? Growing anything fun this year?" His mother seemed to be on an English garden theme kick for the coming Spring, she was hopeful it would turn out. Casper put a splash of milk in his cup, watching it turn a creamy brown color. "She is not allergic to wool. I was wondering if I got her some nice socks to keep her warm in the garden? Or is that a dumb idea?" His sisters were always better at giving gifts. He usually ended up giving them money to contribute to a group gift, but this year he was going to try on his own.
He noticed her mug, smiling at the alpaca shape. "How did I know you'd have one of those. Where did you end up buying it? Or did you make it yourself?"
“Nothing too crazy. I have a few tomatoes, attempting some peas, and hoping for some pumpkins. I gave up zucchini, the pests get to them too fast. If my home was complete, I would do something bigger. But it just means, you get more of my business, right?” Maybe that wasn’t the best segway into it, but it was common knowledge now. Farmers around these parts rarely exchanged money.
“Nah, socks are the best. I don’t think anyone has ever said no to socks.” They were also one of her better-selling items anyway. Both machine or hand knit. “It just means they’ll be used all the time. Plus, they’re easy to patch to make them last longer if they get super rubbed down. I can make yah pair of your color choice if I can finagle some help with a rabbit coop.” Some people would see it as a fair trade, but Taylor wasn’t inexpensive. Handmade took time and if it meant that she didn’t need to build a rabbit shelter, she would happily make it work.
“Oh, my llama mug? It was a secret Santa at work,” Taylor snorted. It was so cheesy, but she loved it. “My students convinced me to run a secret Santa, and some poor soul got me. I try my best to use it at work all the time. Makes it easier to tell if someone snagged it or something!” Taylor took a sip of her coffee once it was done, and put some cream in before finally standing up.
“I guess we should figure out what station they want us in?” She was hoping for chopping. It always got way too hot near the stoves. Even in the wintertime.
he man nodded, it was common that the locals with acreages had smaller gardens - leaving the industrial growing to the Orchards. "I appreciate you buying from the Orchard. Though I'm sure there was someone around here that could help with your pest problem?" He knew they often exchanged information - it benefited all the farmers in the long run. Zucchini wasn't exactly his forte either. "Speaking of the house, how are the renovations coming along?"
Casper took a sip of his own coffee before shuffling to the side, allowing the others to make their coffee. He didn't realize until recently that people around here took their coffee seriously. "Clearly, I'm behind the times. It's for my sister, so probably pink?" His one sister in particular was very girly, everything she had was pink or a shade of pink. "Of course, did the rabbits get out or is it just worn out?" Building a rabbit cage was something he'd gladly do in return. Working even outside of work kept him busy - and the Talbot family was thankful for it. "That is too funny. Have you done a Secret Santa with them before? Or was this your first time?" It was something he was considering doing with his own family, though the numbers had shrunk since moving to Hickstead.
"You should find out where the student found it just in case it breaks or something." Though with a small town like Hickstead, there were enough artisans with unique things for sale. "What station were you thinking of doing? I really don't mind which one."
“None of the above. I just want a new one. I need more space to separate them soon since rabbits tend to…make multiple copies of themselves. I’m starting to get a bit too many, so I’m hoping to separate them to figure out who I want to spay, and who I want to keep as my breeders. Thankfully, I have a few people interested in a few babies. Mainly former students of mine.” The weaving community in Hickstead seemed to be growing, and Taylor liked to think she helped in it. Not as a brag or anything. But with all the lovely raw material around being produced and made, it was hard to not have it be a thing. Plus, her yarn barn – as well as Seven Siren’s carried a lot of foot traffic.
“Nah, the first time. I usually give them treats or something. But I usually have a small class, so I can afford that.” Truthfully, she made it that way. Taylor didn’t think she could handle any more than six students max. It did make it an interesting time, as her class had gotten a bit more popular. She never thought a waiting list would be a thing, but she had multiple classes going. Those that didn’t make her university class, still did private times with her outside of school. For a discounted price as well. Taylor wasn’t that greedy of a person.
“Let us go wrestle our way to the chopping station. I can get into a mean rhythm!” Taylor took one more sip of her coffee before bringing it to the chopping area, claiming two spots. If someone wanted her place, then….she could elbow a few people if needed.
asper really only knew rabbits as being pests - though he understood why some people kept them as pets. “How many do you have now? I’m sure the vets will be happy that you are keeping them busy though.” He didn’t know quite how many rabbits Taylor had by now, but clearly, it was a large sum. “That’s nice of them though, then at least you know they are going to a good home.” Casper couldn’t remember if Taylor got along with her students or not - but he knew the woman well enough to know that the rabbits wouldn’t go to a bad home.
“That’s a fun idea. Maybe I can bring the idea up to Daisy and we can do it at the Orchard too. My family isn’t big enough so we just buy each other one thing.” Or when it came to his parents, he managed to convince his sisters that they could get a group gift together. It tended to be much easier that way. “How many do you have in your class this year?” Casper nodded and followed Taylor, taking a sip of his coffee as he walked along. He chose the spot beside her and set his coffee in front of his cutting board. “Any idea what we are chopping first?” He cuffed his sleeves and prepared himself to help in any way he could.
“Yeah, it’s fun. Though, I think Daisy would ignore all the limits for pay. Or not have the right poker face.” There were a lot of things about Daisy that Taylor wondered how the young woman became the way she was. Taylor sometimes wished she had the work ethic the Malloy family had. Maybe it was the family dynamic they had and wanting the best for everyone around them. It kind of made Taylor jealous, since she and Rory didn’t have that kind of family.
“I see a big stash of strawberries coming over from the wash station. So I’m guessing strawberries first since they’re the most commonly requested. I hear we may have some fruits left for some extra pie fillings or a mystery batch,” Taylor grinned. This really was the only time she was sociable and happy about it. Outside of her sister, of course. There was something about being surrounded by older folk that have been on the land for ages, and them lovingly telling the younger folk to chop faster.
It didn’t take long for a large strainer of strawberries to be placed in front of them. Taylor grabbed her pairing knife and began chopping off the greens. “Other than farm life. How’s your family? Calliope is at a fancy private school, right?”
asper nodded - he knew how generous the family could be. "Oh, do you think she'd go overboard with the idea? She does know how much we make after all." He joked. Casper was thankful to have such a kind employer - they went all out during the holidays. The staff parties were always a hit - he dragged himself out of his house for the evening. As Casper didn't have a date, he usually asked one of his sisters to come with him.
"I do love a good strawberry. I'll pick up another knife and help ya." He picked up the paring knife and began cutting the stems off, throwing them in an empty bowl nearby. "Do you think they will send the pie filling to the new bakery on main street? Or does my mother have to beg Daisy to have some?" Casper knew his mother would be interested in whatever they were making together today. The woman was often baking during the Winter when her gardening business was a bit slow.
He continued working away as Taylor asked him a question. "My parents are good, they are trying to keep themselves busy with their work being slow. Sisters are also good, probably not happy about going back to school after the break." Casper sometimes missed being in school - there were less responsibilities back then. "Callie is at Willow Bridge! She seems to really enjoy it there. Her saddle club crew go there too and keep her busy. How's your family?"
“Good for her, Willow Brooke is a very hard place to get into. Let alone a full ride. I’m sure your parents are happy they don’t have that price tag looming over them.” Despite being in education, well kind of, Taylor often wondered why certain students paid so much money for university. She didn’t judge or anything, but it just caught her off guard constantly when she saw how much people were paying a semester.
“Rory is good. I think she’s been wanting to expand the family soon, so I think she’s trying to convince Nick. No idea how that’s going since I don’t want to pry. We are kind of getting up there in age, so I think she’s worried that her biological clock is about to shut off,” she added, hands moving expertly through the piles of strawberries. Taylor was thankful at least one of the sisters liked the idea of having a baby. Taylor heard all the terrible stories that pregnancy gave women. While the baby was amazing, the gestational diabetes and losing teeth was not it. Also the recovery. Taylor was completely okay with adopting a kid or maybe she would remain single for life.
