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!.
"Be somebody who makes everyone feel like a somebody!"
After the saddle fitting was done, Kayleigh had thought her dealings with River were over. They had texted back and forth, deciding finally that they would hang out. Kayleigh felt odd at first, leaving him on read until she made up her mind. It was one of her employees that replied to his text, saying that she would agree to meet him.
It was finally the day. She left Skye and Violet to run the store for her, getting ready in her apartment before leaving for the Rage Room. It wasn't something she had heard of before, but she did have quite a bit of anger to let go of. She fixed her blonde hair in a low ponytail and headed in the car - driving off towards Willow Bridge City.
Thirty minutes later, she parked her car - finding it easily with the use of the Map app on her phone. She got out of the car, grabbing her purse and headed inside. Kayleigh glanced around once inside, smiling when she saw that River was already there. "Hey, long time no see in person. How have you been? The saddle fitting Parkour right still?" She wanted to smack her head after talking about work, though it was too late now for her to take her question back.
River Bloom had decided that he liked the tack shop owner, to what extent though, he didn't really know. He wasn't really looking for a relationship at the moment, sometimes he was lonely, but that was just it. The man couldn't decide if he craved comfort that came with a committed relationship or he had just wanted someone to share his bed for the night. The latter didn't suit Kayleigh Haydn at all, and given that she ran a business and had several clients at the barn that he worked at, River settled for getting to know her just a bit more. They hadn't exactly gotten off on the right foot, but she had keep up with his tongue and cheek so it had been hard to ignore.
He hadn't seen her again since she came to fit Parkour and met Raven on the way out. But they had spoke, after he took the plunge to reach out to her via text in an attempt to get to know her just a little bit more beyond the 'im a business woman' façade. It hadn't been going very well, which lead River to invite her out on a hangout at the Rage Room. The man had been surprised to learn that there was an axe throwing pub in Willow Bridge, thinking this more of a London thing, but given all the bumpkins out in Hickstead, maybe he shouldn't have been so surprised.
Ordering himself a water, along with pretzel sticks and pub cheese, he waited around at his assigned alleyway. When met with a few flirty smiles from various patrons, River simply offered a cool smile back and nodded his hello. But he never spoke, never beckoned them closer since tonight only had his goal of Kayleigh Haydn. And speaking of her, blue eyes just caught the woman just walking in now. He grinned, waving her over and waited as she made her way through the crowds. Before he could even open her mouth, she spoke and somehow it was unsurprising it was about work. He laughed, "Kayleigh, we're not here to talk about work. But if you must know, the saddle working out great with Parkour." Somehow, he wasn't surprised that this was her first topic of choice, "Thanks for coming out though. I was beginning to think you were going to keep me hanging forever."
it must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero
thanks aofie!
Thirty Three . Professional Equestrian . Stable Hand - SOS . LGBTQ+ . SINGLE
"Be somebody who makes everyone feel like a somebody!"
The bar seemed to be busy, people were giving her smiles as she approached River. She knew what axe throwing was - and was totally ready to be competitive about it. Kayleigh knew to keep her cool, River hadn't actually said it was a date or anything - they were just two adults hanging out, right?
"Oh come on, I have to do my due diligence and make sure I did a good job." It was odd as River wasn't speaking in his usual snarky tone - almost as if someone had flipped a switch in the personality section of his brain. "I'm glad it fits, hope both horses are doing well." She nodded, glancing at the bar in front of him and stealing a pretzel bite, dipping it in cheese before popping it in her mouth. "You really think I'm that kind of person? I hate being late. It would be bad, especially given my job." She finished chewing her snack and nodded.
"Did you want to drink first and then go in? Or how does this work exactly?" She waved down the bartender and ordered herself an iced tea as soon as she realized that River was sticking to water. Mixing alcohol and axe throwing would be a bad idea - it could prove to be a hazard. "Can I ask what made you invite me out here? Kind of sounds like a guy bonding time thing to me." She laughed as the bartender set a glass of iced tea on the bar in front of them. Kayleigh raised her glass and took a sip before setting the glass down again.
It became clear to River that he must be being too nice for once in his life, since it felt like the woman was giving him a look. Never in a million years would he had thought that it would be weird for him to sound like a nice, normal human being. Although if she subtly giving him permission to be snarky once more, River would gladly take it. Even just his earlier comments were a bit draining, "Parkour is doing well, settled in nicely. Raven...well, I think she liked being my only horse prior to his arrival." He had actually forgotten that he had introduced his mare to Kayleigh, must have been an off day when she came to do the saddle fitting.
Blue eyes watched as she snagged herself a pretzel bite now, and he soon enjoyed himself to one as well along with the beer cheese - deciding that despite the name, the alcohol must be baked or cooked out of it and shouldn't give him any issues. At her question, he just smirked and shrugged, "It's not like we got off on the right foot, yeah?" River commented now, "Maybe I'm just used to people getting even when I piss them off. Need I remind you that you're just as snarky as me. Being late would have just been extra salty."
He was a little caught off guard when she prompted him on what she wanted to drink. Blue eyes looked down at his iced water, shaking the glass a little to let the ice cubes rattle. What River wanted was something more, the invite to order whatever he wanted tantalized him. River closed his eyes, and took a deep breath in for four seconds, held it, and then released it before glancing back at Kayleigh now, "Just water. I can be your DD if you want something stronger." He was certain this place new well enough when to cut people off, and River supposed he could look out for the woman if she needed it. The axes were dull enough to not kill, but he wasn't certain about maiming. At least there were lanes to keep parties separate.
Kayleigh's question broke into his thoughts. Funny. He had been pondering the same thing earlier. River just smirked at her now, "Because I thought we had a connection," he teased, his snarky tone back now. He finished off his water now, asking for a refill and once it was handed to him, River gestured for the woman to follow, "Really, I just don't have friends here. And I'm not pathedic enough to do axe throwing by myself."
it must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero
thanks aofie!
Thirty Three . Professional Equestrian . Stable Hand - SOS . LGBTQ+ . SINGLE
"Be somebody who makes everyone feel like a somebody!"
Kayleigh was surprisingly shocked that River wasn't being snarky towards her. She was fully expecting some pushy banter between the two of them - similar to what happened at the tack store. The blonde needed to simmer it down though - not wanting to push any buttons. She let out a scoff at his comment about his horses. "Of course Raven is feeling that way. I know I don't know you that well but I feel that Parkour gets all the attention." It was hard for anyone to go from number one BFF to number two.
She watched him grab a pretzel bite - stealing another one as it didn't get a negative reaction from him. "Okay, okay. I'll play nice but only if you will. Though once we throw axes I can't promise not to be competitive about it." She did come from a competitive family after all - and her ex boyfriend wasn't ever happy if she won anything but 1st place at a horse show. "Why do you think that is anyway?" People were becoming more and more rude - though usually there were at least a few decent people in the world.
Kayleigh took a sip of her iced tea. She watched his facial expression after she had offered to order a drink for him. "Oh no, I don't feel like drinking tonight either. A hangover isn't something I need for tomorrow." She was booked solid at work - there seemed to be a show coming up soon and everyone competing wanted a saddle fitting beforehand. "And with there being weapons involved, I really need a clear judgment. I am a bit clumsy, so I need all the help I can get." Kayleigh laughed softly after setting her glass down on the bar gently.
"What kind of connection are we talking about?" She gently bumped into him with the arm closest to him. Kayleigh wasn't one to assume that a guy wanted a relationship with her - they had just started hanging out after all. She had heard of too many relationships going too far too fast. "You would think a guy like you would have friends. Especially in the riding world. But yeah, friends would be nice." One of the room attendants approached them, telling them both that their room was ready.
He thought this night was off to a pleasant start. He was being well behaved, nice even, and so was Kayleigh Hayden. She didn't quite seem snarky like she had back at the Tack Store. Perhaps the saddle fitting and day of professionalism had some them some good. But then, River made a comment about Raven, and just like that, the woman scoffed at him. Scoffed! The man could feel a scowl coming on his face now, and he rolled his blue eyes so hard it was shocking they hadn't gone into the back of his skull, "You're just saying that because Raven's a mare and you're taking her side." Actually, he was probably a liar, Parkour was getting more attention, but fuck him if he was going to let Kayleigh Haydn be right.
At least there was food there to distract him, even if the woman was reaching over a poaching some for herself. He allowed it to happen once, but as her hand honed in for a few more, even River couldn't help but to tease, "Yer not my girlfriend," his manchester accent coming in thick, "Who says you can steal my pretzel bites?" He was willing to bet that Kayleigh would say that she gave herself said permission, but he wasn't about to put words into her mouth. As she proclaimed that she would play an axe game with him, but only if he were 'nice', River couldn't help but to chortle, "Oh, you don't think I can be nice to a lady? I can be a fancy gentleman and not let the competition get the best of me. I try to save that for the show arena." And arguing, but he didn't feel like bringing that up.
His shoulder shrugged at her next question, "I'm too sober to get into the semantics of why I piss people off." And perhaps, it would be the only insight River would offer into his past for the evening. Blue eyes still watched her though, sipping her tea like she may or may not own the world. How could someone look so coy when they were just drinking a bloody cup of iced tea? River shoved the thought out of his head though, "Ah yeah. I suppose booze and axes don't mix well at all. Neither to hangovers for a work day." They never quite fit him well either and his 'work' day had revolved around working out and riding back when he had benders, "But you? Clumsy? You didn't strike me as that. Am I gonna have to worry about catching you like in some fairy tale?"
River was caught off guard by her playful but gentle bump, her arm knocking into hers. Blue eyes actually glance down at it, just for a fleeting moment before his eyes locked back onto her grey ones. Damn, she got his bluff there, "The snarky kind." He replied now, smiling wryly before pulling his arm away from hers now - putting some distance between them. River doubted that Kayleigh wanted to date him, too classy for that, and he wasn't looking for a relationship quite yet. The man thought best about saying anything though, it was too early to make the night awkward, "Me? Have friend? You haven't talked to those kids at Seven Oaks yet then. They're terrified of me. Rightfully so." Out of the corner of his eye now, he caught the room attendant now. Pushing himself up from the bar, he held out his hand in case Kayleigh wanted to take it for lifting herself up, "Ready to try and beat my ass at axes, Kayleigh Haydn?"
it must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero
thanks aofie!
Thirty Three . Professional Equestrian . Stable Hand - SOS . LGBTQ+ . SINGLE
"Be somebody who makes everyone feel like a somebody!"
Kayleigh was pleasantly surprised by River’s personality. It seemed he truly wanted to get to know her on a friendly level. She admitted to herself that she was a bit snarky, but she was only giving the attitude back to him. The woman did stay professional though and did the saddle ordering and fitting process - River got what he wanted and they came up with a solution. “No, no. I do believe in girl power but I can tell the liver chestnut gives you that twinkle in your eye. He’s the shiny new toy.” Kayleigh hoped that she wasn’t overstepping her boundaries. It was something she had observed during her time visiting Seven Oaks. “Not that you don’t give Raven any attention, it was just something I noticed.” She took another drink of her iced tea, hoping that the conversation topic would shift.
“Thanks for the clarification on our relationship status. I’m just making sure these aren’t poisoned. I wouldn’t want the famous River Bloom to die of poison on my watch.” She scoffed and flipped her hair over her other shoulder. Kayleigh didn’t hide her grin at his facial expression afterwards. “I’ve really only heard that you are a bit of a playboy but maybe you’ll prove me wrong.” She shrugged her shoulders before getting a refill on her iced tea. The bartender gave her a weird look before walking off to serve another customer. “I hope you saved some for axe throwing.” She honestly had no idea what she was doing, though she had an idea there would be some sort of tutorial.
The woman watched as River reacted to her arm bump. It was quite intentional on her part - wondering how he would react. “So, I’d have to get you drunk then to get that story out of you?” Kayleigh could only imagine what made people dislike him, though there was only so much she could read about him online. She didn’t exactly get the inside scoop from the stable hands, but she could tell they were scared of him. “Yeah, I’ll save drinking with you for another day.” She glanced over and noticed a staff member was going to approach them shortly.
“I’m more than capable of handling my own, thanks. I’m really not a Disney Princess.” She really was independent - especially being used to a long-distance relationship. It taught her a lot about herself during the process. “Hm? A snarky connection? I don’t think I’ve ever participated in that but we’ll see where it goes.” She laughed wondering if there was some sort of hidden meaning behind it all. “I mean, they seemed terrified of you. But that doesn’t mean they can’t break your shell of anger and make friends with you.” Kayleigh thought everyone deserved a second chance, depending on the situation of course.
She got off of her chair and nodded, waving the room attendant over. “You bet, are we making a bet on this? There’s gotta be some sort of competition with you.”
River just stared at the woman now, "Shiny new toy?" Maybe he had been more preoccupied with the stallion and hadn't realized it. He glanced away now, away from Kaleigh as his thoughts swirled. It wasn't that Parkour was more atheletic than Raven, in fact, he was out of shape compared to the mare. Either horse could take him back into the winner's arena in no time. But as a glimpses of his accident seemed to flash in snapshots in his mind though, River knew why he paid more attention to Parkour now. His blue eyes stormed over for a moment, "Whatever." Immaturely, he left it at that, as the man caught Kaleigh finicking over her tea bag. They clearly both wanted to move on from the topic at hand.
She scoffed, sassing him as she flipped her golden hair, and truth be told, he almost felt like she was just showing off. Talk about mixed signals. It didn't matter though, it's not like River was looking to sleep with her - tempting as it was with that mouth of hers, "Ah, so you admit that I'm famous now?" He asked with a grin, figuring she must have caved and finally googled him. Not to be full of himself, but River had been rather insulted that she seemingly hadn't known him back when they had met. Lifting his glass of water, the man was about to take a sip when Kaleigh said something that caught him off guard: "I’ve really only heard that you are a bit of a playboy but maybe you’ll prove me wrong.” Now, he hadn't been expecting that.
"Are you saying that you were asking around about me?" River asked now, incredulous but also egging, like a needle in-between the ribcage. He wanted to know more about this story of hers. Still, her comment about not being competitive for axe throwing made him roll his eyes, "I saved plenty. As for getting me drunk, you'll probably want to save yourself the hassle. I doubt I'm fun any more." He got up from the bar as her tea was finally refilled. Blue eyes had clocked that look that the bar tender had given her.
Now it was his turn to scoff now at the very idea of any of those kids at Seven Oaks trying to befriend him. Now that was a good joke, "Pigs will fly the day anyone from there asks to be my friend." Honestly, he didn't think he needed to be friends with anyone there anyways. Well, River supposed Skye was nice enough, but he spent more time nitpicking her jumping than he did having a real, honest conversation with her. None of that mattered though, there were more interesting things to discuss rather than his lack of friends. Such as this wager Kaleigh mentioned as they walked towards their axe throwing aisle now, "Sounds like you have a wager already in mind, Kaleigh." River countered slyly, prodding her again as a mischievous look crossing his blue eyes now as he set his glass of water on the axe table.
it must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero
thanks aofie!
Thirty Three . Professional Equestrian . Stable Hand - SOS . LGBTQ+ . SINGLE
