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!.
Ballroom dance wasn't a style Leona had practiced in a long time. She enjoyed it when she had done a few classes, but ballet overcame her life. Now that she wasn't dancing as much professionally, Leona was ready to pick up a few more classes in various styles. Ballroom was one she wanted to pick up again, with her secret interest in pole.
There was the large dance supply store in Willow Bridge, a store she had become quite known in. Mainly when she took students there to get pointed shoe fittings. Or for her own needs.
She was greeted by the sweet old woman, and Leona wandered to the shoe section - her favorite. Eyes caught a glimpse of familiar brands, like Supadance, Freed, and Aida. Most were top dollar and Leona wasn't ready to spend that kind of money yet.
There was another dancer there, she could tell by how she stood. Leona put on a polite smile. “Hi,” she started shyly. “Do you by chance have any recommendations on entry-level ballroom shoes?”
Kara was, admittedly, typically feminine in the fact that she liked to go shopping, and even more so when it was related to dancing. Growing up, she'd been lucky enough that her parents could afford to get her at least the barest essentials for dance, and when she'd started earning her own money and been able to splash out on herself, her favourite part of shopping had become about ballroom. She'd learnt early on that everyone had fancy outfits when competing, and she'd borne her way through a few before realising that she'd need to cobble something together if she wanted a hope in standing out. Now, she had a whole wardrobe full of them, and despite no longer competing, she hoped that one day she would get back to it, and if not... well, she couldn't bare to sell them. Perhaps Scarlet would try them on for size when she was older, if dancing was something she wanted to do. Kara didn't want to push the child into anything, it would be her choice what hobbies, if any, she wanted to start.
So, if not competing, why was she here? In this shop again, for the third time this month, staring at the somewhat limited dancer's options. They were still the best in town, though choices weren't exactly rife. She had stretched to buying online if she knew the store and seller were reputable, but it was hard not to get caught out by the sizing being off, or the colour not quite the same as the picture - or if it even showed up at all. Kara was still a dancer, though she spent a lot of her time teaching instead of competing, and she still wore out her shoes quicker than most people, and wanted new pairs of trousers or a new top or a dress. She just couldn't help herself. “Hi,” Kara glanced up in surprise, not having realised anyone had joined her. She automatically gave the stranger a quick smile. "Hey," She stood up a little straighter, realising more was coming than just a brief hello. “Do you by chance have any recommendations on entry-level ballroom shoes?”
Kara nodded, moving carefully over to the section the other woman was standing by - Kara had been looking at a particular pretty navy blue dress that seemed to be made of silk and was exceedingly pretty. "Sure thing," She promised with a warm smile, remembering those days of having no idea and not wanting to screw up. She tilted her head in consideration of what was on offer before pointing out a couple in a higher row, "these are super comfy, and the heel is nice and low so you can get used to dancing with one, without being on your tip toes," She explained, and then her hand moved to a few pairs lower down, "these have a little more heel if you want it, and I found they have better support than some others - for both your ankles and your arches." She looked over the whole lot of them. "Most dancing shoes are more comfortable than your regular going out heels anyway, but say, these ones, they're just a bit pinch-y in the toes, and these seem to wear out a bit quicker. Oh, and those have quite a smooth sole, so they're wonderful for turns but they won't give you much purchase if you're just starting out and not balanced yet." She laughed softly, "sorry, I'm talking your ear off." Like some kind of damn sales-person.
Leona was thankful that the other woman was gracious enough to answer. She listened intently as the information was pouring in. It was a lot, but Leona was thankful for it. The woman was well-versed in the subject, which was needed. A soft smile graced Leona as she responded to the woman’s apology. “No, no it’s okay! It’s much appreciated. I’m glad to hear that there are very knowledgeable folks here in town. Pinch isn’t too bad, but maybe that’s because I've danced ballet for many years so my feet are prone to some extra torture.” A bit of dark humor. Pointe wasn't for the weak-hearted.
“I guess I should go for more stability first then. It’s been a minute since I’ve danced..my name is Leona by the way,” she smiled again, grabbing a pair of classic character shoe colors. A nice warm nude color.
Despite how many words came out of Kara's surprisingly chatty mouth, she could see the stranger taking it all in, rapt with an attention that she admired - and was grateful for. Someone else would have told her to shut up by now or rolled their eyes, and that thought eventually brought her to her close. At the turn of a smile, Kara was quick to grin back - somewhat sheepish for how much she'd gone on and on at the poor woman. That was the thing about Kara and dancing, it was her passion and her life, she couldn't help but get over excited at times about talking about it, whatever that talking might be or lead to.
“No, no it’s okay! It’s much appreciated. I’m glad to hear that there are very knowledgeable folks here in town. Pinch isn’t too bad, but maybe that’s because I've danced ballet for many years so my feet are prone to some extra torture.” Kara gave a sympathetic smile, but she understood. She hadn't done ballet aside from the odd class to try it, but even as a ballroom dancer, your body took some beating - generally for her, her feet only hurt when she shoes were wrong, which was why she was glad she could help a girl out now. "There is a pretty decent dancing community here, much to my own surprise! I can't say I expected it when I moved here. We like to help each other out as we can though, which is nice. Some places can be so toxic." She added sadly, having seen it very much in the competition world before. "I hope your toes are doing okay." She added with a small laugh.
“I guess I should go for more stability first then. It’s been a minute since I’ve danced..my name is Leona by the way,” Kara smiled and gave her a small wave. "Nice to meet you, Leona - I'm Kara." She exchanged, unable to help thinking that her name was quite beautiful. "Are you local to here?" She asked, wondering if she was a stone's throw away or if the town was more of a trek.
