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!.
What exactly was she doing? Lara had no fucking clue, honestly. She had big plans of using her secret information, but then what? Lara had to do something now, didn’t she? She already flew, landed, and practically stalked Alexi around. Well, maybe not stalked. Not firsthand at least. Her secondary bodyguard did that for her.
Now, though, she was out on her own. Dressed as best as she could as a commoner one could say. In sweats or something. Weird feeling it was, not being in so-called fancy dress. It was probably her upbringing. Her parents knew she was traveling, but she didn’t tell them what for exactly. They heard London and politics and were all on board. It made her nervous how easy it was to let her go.
The image of their precious daughter in standing in the aisle of the city library, eyeballing a young man with a group of students – was not it. She had only seen Alexi two times. When they first met during their announcement, and when they ran into each other after excusing themselves to the bathroom on the same day.
He had grown since then. Taller, his jawline more chiseled, sexier. If she was interested in him, she’d go out there and claim him. But she wasn’t. She was, albeit secretly in love with his brother. Lara had been for a long time, way before she had met Alexi. It was that fateful day, she met Anthony. They had run into each other on a political trip. They both got lost in a hedge maze where they shared their woes.
A sigh escaped her, as she gripped the PI image of Alexi in her hand. Get it together, Lara. Feeling like she was there too long already, Lara turned, only to be hit by another body. The photo flew from her hands, and in a blind panic began reaching for the fluttering photo. What if this person saw it? What if he saw it?
Coming to Willow Bridge City had felt a little weird to Wynnie Moritary. Yeah, she had come before, but not in this context: delivering a horse show ticket to one Griffin Keller - former Captain of the Hickstead University Equestrian Team. Yet, here she was, pulling up to the city's library and doing just that. Wynnie reasoned with herself that the last major show of the season that was coming up. All of those show points had been collecting over the season were starting to add up, and Hickstead University had a chance to take it all. It had nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with the fact that the young woman sorta missed Griffin Keller, that texting him and the occasional hang out didn't feel like enough.
And why is that, exactly? The thought defiantly creeped into her head, and like always, she mentally stamped it out. Whatever feelings were there, Wynnie didn't want to deal with them. She had more important things to deal with, like this upcoming horse show, working with her horse, Firefly, all summer, and studying up for her final year of uni since she was graduating next year. Certainly not any baffling thoughts about strong jawed and sculpted body of an adonis Captain Posh himself. No. Thanking the Uber, Wynnie got out now and headed inside now.
She was making a beeline for the children's section, knowing that story time or whatever, would be finishing up. It was probably Beatrix Potter or something like that. Wynnie felt a spring in her step, like there was some sort of rush to get to Griffin and - BAM. Her small body slammed into someone, and bounced right off of them. There was a flurry of papers in the air, or perhaps it was just one paper. That paper was coming right for her, so Wynnie snatched it from the air, "Sorry," she started, "I wasn't watching where I was--" The young woman's words stopped in her mouth, lodged, as hazel eyes fell on the paper now. It was a photograph of Griffin. Her Griffin. And it looked like a candid, a stalker photo, the kind you hire some dirtbag private eye to look into. Or at least, that's how television made it look, "Why the heck do you have a photo of Griffin?" she hissed, trying to keep her voice quiet given that she and this girl were just yards away from the man in question and a pack of little anklebiters, er, children.
Hazel eyes looked at the other person now, a hard look. She was tall (well, everyone was taller than Wynnie), fit, skinny, with long red hair and pouty lips. Oh, and high cheek bones. Essentially, she was a model. A model girl to match a model man. Fingers, "And who are you?"
oh, all my nights taste like gold 'cause when i'm with you everything glows
thanks aofie!
TWENTY ONE . STUDENT . UNIVERSITY TEAM RIDER . CRUSHING ON GRIFFIN SKY KELLER
Lara thought she was Scott free until the girl became defensive. It wasn’t something that Lara was prepared for. She opened her mouth, but all that came out was a bit of a stutter. Her eyebrows knitted in confusion as she snatched her photo back.
“Griffin? Who the hell is that?” Lara whispered back; her accent strong with each syllable – evident she was not a native English speaker. “You mean the person in this photo? That’s Alexi, not whoever you claim it is. And who are you?” Lara didn’t know why she was getting so defensive. She didn’t love him, but who was this – claiming whoever this person was? Was Alexi living a lie? Granted, it’s not like she would rat him out either. Years ago, maybe she would’ve. But not now.
Realizing that the girl asked her who she was first, she answered. “Lara, Alexi’s arranged fiancée.”
Wynnie watched as mystery girl's face sort of contorted, and the young woman couldn't help but to take that as a little bit of a win that she had elected such a look. What she hadn't been expecting was the photo evidence to be snatched out of her hands so fast, it was a little shocking that it hadn't ripped. If this was suppose to get Wynnie to back off though, this girl had it coming - beautiful model or not. The redhead's words though caused her to frown, puzzlement playing across the young woman's face: who is Griffin? And then the follow up happened: "You mean the person in this photo? That’s Alexi, not whoever you claim it is. And who are you?”
She was rather annoyed by this girl's tone and her wild antics, and in the back of her mind, her brain was registering that mystery girl's accent was mildly on par with Griffin's. Still, what she was saying didn't make any sense, "No. His name is Griffin, Griffin Keller, and I know that because I have known him for two years now at University. I think I would know his name, and it's certainly not Alexi. I think you're mistaken. You have a shitty private eye or stalker doing your research for you." It was getting a little harder though for Wynnie to keep her anger in check, and it was coming through in her harsh whisper. There's no way Griffin could possibly be this Alexi, because...he would have said something, right?
But her certainty waned just a little, merely because of the photograph and mystery girl's certainy. Oh, and she wasn't a mystery girl any more though since she promptly provided identification: “Lara, Alexi’s arranged fiancée.” She wasn't sure what happened in that moment, but Wynnie was certain that her jaw fell off and hit the floor. Not only that, the young woman also forgot that she was in the library, the children's wing of the library, "What the fuck to do you mean 'fiancé?'" If the library had been quiet before, it was a graveyard now. Wynnie could actually feel the heat and anger rising to her face, "I'm Wynnie, and I am his friend. And there's no way he would lie to me or keep a secret like this so you clearly have mistaken him for someone else."
That had to be the logical piece of evidence, right? There's no way someone to know someone, ridden with someone, teased someone, for two whole years and just...just not know who they really were. There's no way Wynter Moriarty could have been falling for a lie of a person. Or could she have been?
oh, all my nights taste like gold 'cause when i'm with you everything glows
thanks aofie!
TWENTY ONE . STUDENT . UNIVERSITY TEAM RIDER . CRUSHING ON GRIFFIN SKY KELLER
Lara peered at the woman. Goddammit, fine. Lara fished through the bag that she had in hand and the news clipping that she always had. It was the front page of a Liechtenstein newspaper. Even though the language was different, it was easy to see the picture of Alexi…well Griffin in Wynnie’s case.
“I’m pretty sure he’s been lying to you, Wynnie,” Lara said in a low hiss. There was no denying who Griffin was or is the friend of Wynnie. However, Lara was sure that this so-called friendship was about to end or have a massive blow-up. But that wasn’t her fault. The common issue here was the goddamn runaway royal.
The look that Lara was giving her was rather displeasing - it almost looked like pity because she was about to ruin her day even more. Although Wynnie wasn't sure how much more possible this day could be ruined given that she was dealing with this delusional girl. Perhaps being this stubborn was not helping the young woman's case though, but it was hard, she just couldn't fathom that Griffin Sky Keller was anyone but Griffin Sky Keller. This was someone she had known for a good two years, someone who she rode under and, annoyingly, looked up to on a team sport. This was someone whom she had spent time and time after again in witty and snobby arguments and teasing. None of this was computing.
But as Lara dug into her bag, Wynnie could not help but to have a sickening feeling grow in her stomach as it twisted violently when she pulled out a stack of what looked like newspaper clippings: “I’m pretty sure he’s been lying to you, Wynnie." The young woman glowered, ready to argue back, but came to a dead halt when she saw the paper. Liechtensteiner Vaterland was printed up top, and while she had no idea what any of it said, there was a picture of Griffin, large, front, and center of it. He was younger, maybe sixteen or seventeen, but it was still him with those piercing eyes and rock solid jaw line. As her gaze stared though, the picture wasn't the only thing that caught her eye, for the name printed underneath was Alexi Sky Büchel.
The world seemed to stand still, and not in a good way. It went quiet as she stared at the newspaper and then her gaze looked back to Lara now - she determination on that girl's face. Holy fuck. She wasn't lying at all. The bubbling heat that had been waiting to be unleashed on the redhead disappeared, but it had a new victim in mind. Without warning, Wynnie snatched the newspaper right from Lara and she turned sharply on her heels and stormed right into the children's wing to where an unsuspecting Captain Posh was reading to children, only he wasn't Captain Posh to her any more, "Griffin! What the F-" she gave pause, "Fluff. What the fluff is this?!" And she just threw the newspaper right down in front of him as her hazel eyes narrowed as she spat out her next question with all of the venom in the world, "Or should I call you, Alexi?"
oh, all my nights taste like gold 'cause when i'm with you everything glows
thanks aofie!
TWENTY ONE . STUDENT . UNIVERSITY TEAM RIDER . CRUSHING ON GRIFFIN SKY KELLER
Griffin was happily reading the children a copy of Hansel and Gretel. He had just finished, about to ask the children if they wanted another book to be read or if they wanted to go off and play. Unfortunately, the decision was made for him before he got an answer from the children.
He looked up to see Wynnie and...Lura, the one woman he thought he wouldn’t see. Ever again, to be truthful. “Let’s all have a break, shall we?” Griffin gingerly closed the book and placed it on the table. His eyes fell to the article and picked it up. He carefully scanned it before standing up. Griffin remained quiet, walking away towards a small office of sorts – beckoning them to follow.
The door was quietly closed behind him. “Wynter,” he started before he moved his attention to Laura. “Lara. I see you spent some useless money to find me.” He continued, not bothering to switch to their native tongue.
“I can explain. Please.” Lara stuttered in her native tongue, not exactly knowing what she caused. If anything she wanted to not cause anything, but she bumped into the wrong person it seems. Griffin was feeling a lot of things. Anger, worry, anxiety. A massive emotional cocktail, but thankfully he was able to just lessen those thoughts across his face.
“Please, do. Or shall we have Ms. Morarity begin her slew of questions?” he asked, taking a seat at his desk.
As soon as the words 'let's take a break, shall we?' left Griffin Keller's mouth with the distinctive shut of the story book, Wynnie knew she was in trouble for loosing it in front of Hickstead's children population. But, she didn't care. It wasn't very often that the young woman had ever felt abashed from crossing the line with Griffin, and she was loathed to start now given what the beautiful red head besides her just dumped on her. Each second that passed was getting her more riled up too, probably akin to an angry chihuahua, as the young man beckoned both woman to follow to him to what she presumed was an office.
If it wasn't for the seriousness of the situation, she might have made a comment on the chair and whether it had good enough back support for the Prince. Prince. God, she couldn't believe that her friend was a Prince, and she never fucking knew it. She didn't know anything about Griffin...Alexi...fuck, she didn't even know what to call him any more: "Wynter." She cringed at his use of her real name, it sounded so foreign to her on his lips: "Lara. I see you spent some useless money to find me.” Well, at least she wasn't the only one in trouble at least. The redhead's need to speak in German or Dutch or whatever it was to cover their conversation earned her an ugly side eye. It was shut down though before she could even do it.
The next words uttered out made her annoyed though, "Miss Moriarty?" God, it made them sound like strangers, like she was just going to be brushed under this rug, "No, we can let Miss Moriarty ask her questions now. What the fuck is going on? Who are you, Griffin? Or is it Alexi? And!" she waved her hand now at the redhead besides her, "You had a fiancé this whole time we've known each other?!" Wynnie wasn't certain what hurt most - the fact that she really didn't know this stupidly handsome man before her or the fact that he was apparently engaged to an equally beautiful model of a Disney Princess. Hazel eyes looked to Lara now, her jaw clenching. She looked like everything that Wynnie felt like she wasn't, which only added to her anger, as she rounded on her, "And maybe, you can speak English because there's no point in hiding anything from me." The situation was too far gone for that.
oh, all my nights taste like gold 'cause when i'm with you everything glows
thanks aofie!
TWENTY ONE . STUDENT . UNIVERSITY TEAM RIDER . CRUSHING ON GRIFFIN SKY KELLER
Lara could feel herself sweating in her clothes. She wasn’t expecting such a blowout and wondered what she had caused. Despite being a confident person, she had no such confidence now. Confrontation wasn’t something she liked unless she needed to defend herself. Lara felt like she looked like a wide-mouthed fish, with how much she felt her mouth gapping open and shut as she wondered what she could blab out. Her perfect, held-together exterior was starting to crack.
“I’m both Griffin and Alexi. Alexi Sky Buchel, legally – but Griffin Keller to those that aren’t my family.” Griffen could feel those words that Archie told him the first time that they ran into each other. It was true he knew it would blow up, and this was the moment. “Lara, here, was my betrothed until I decided I wanted none of it. So, as a coward, I ran like a dog between my legs. I won’t snitch on the people I live with, but know I was well cared for.”
“He’s telling the truth,” was all Lara could squeak out. “I’m here, Alexi…to let you know that your brother and I have decided to do the wedding ourselves.” Her comment made Griffin’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise, but a wave of evident relief was seen with it.
Hazel eyes merely watched the beautiful redhead, she truly was starting to look rather uncomfortable by everything. Wynnie didn't care, as far as she was concerned, that girl deserved it given how she marched right in. Lara didn't speak though, not in English and not in German, instead, it was Griffin to interrupted their silent battle: "I’m both Griffin and Alexi. Alexi Sky Buchel, legally – but Griffin Keller to those that aren’t my family." Those words held heavy in the air, and the young woman glanced at him now, staring as he continued to talk, giving facts but very little insight beyond that. At least...well, at least it hadn't been wanted. Maybe that was a plus, right?
She thought about saying more until Lara interrupted. Griffin's eyebrows weren't the only one that shot up, even Wynnie could feel hers arch as she looked back at her, "You could have fucking lead with that," she muttered under her breath. Still, the damage was done. Wynnie could feel it in her bones when it came to Griffin Keller. Still, that protective streak was still alive in her, "So...if you and his...brother are getting married, are you still going to drag him back to his royal family or are you just...going to leave him here?" Lara could sell him out for all she knew. Wynnie didn't really know much about royal families other than what she saw on Hallmark Channel and Royal Watchers in England, which meant squat, "Because, if you're dragging him back, you have to go through me. And, quite frankly, I think I can take you on."
oh, all my nights taste like gold 'cause when i'm with you everything glows
thanks aofie!
TWENTY ONE . STUDENT . UNIVERSITY TEAM RIDER . CRUSHING ON GRIFFIN SKY KELLER
Lara fidgeted her hands in front her, and if someone were paying close enough attention – her cuticles would probably bleed from the constant picking and rubbing. A bad habit she developed from years of pressure. If her mother saw her now, she’d slap the back of her hands. “What? No! No, I…I just wanted to tell you in person.” Lara was beginning to crumble despite being a figure of composure most of the time. She wasn’t expecting an easy meeting, but she also wasn’t expecting to be cornered.
Griffin softened his look, realizing Lara was in a similar boat. While she was more subtle with her marriage doubts, she was still scared. He, unfortunately, was more vocal about his disdain back then. “Good, because I have no plans on leaving. Mum and Dad can find me if they want, but they’ll have to kill me first to bring me home against my will.” Griffin wasn’t going to lie and say he didn’t miss home. The country was so beautiful, especially in the spring and summer. There was something about the smell of the air and greenery amongst the homes.
“I believe we’re done here, now. You said your part, Lara. I’m sure my brother is worried sick about you disappearing from under his thumb.” He stood up from his desk and ran a hand through his hair.
