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!.
The blonde nodded as she began brushing the black hair - making sure there weren’t any knots or mats in it. “I have all sorts of different teas, though that one is probably the most popular. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to people preferring tea over coffee.” Her German ancestors would be shaking in their boots - most drank coffee like liquid gold.
She raised a blonde eyebrow as Camila chose her main station - she didn’t have it clearly marked, though there were personal photos of her family and of the most recent photo shoot with her and Pearl, her bay Morgan mare in the corner of the mirror. “I really don’t mind them, most of them are excited to be there. And it takes up most of my days on the weekends.” Tom hated her for it, but it was all part of being a salon owner. “What does your dress look like? Did you bring a picture?” That would give her a better idea of what look to go for.
Hope waved the comment off - not everyone in town needed to go to her for any beauty needs. “Oh, it was just a question. I don’t mind. You are here now, aren’t you? I have employees that offer other services, but I can do basically everything.” Doing manicures and hair were her two favorites, though if someone needed eyebrows threaded or a wax - she would do that too.
“Yes, I have. One of the bridesmaids I worked on recently had the same kind of hair as you. Can I ask what you usually do with it on a regular day?” Once the hair was brushed, she set the brush down on the counter and pulled out a bottle of mousse from her cabinet nearby.
Hope nodded, always wanting to make sure it was her next client just in case she was wrong. She had a variety of products and tools that people usually came in for, though she was always happy to help either way. "You are in luck, I have Yorkshire Gold. Feel free to have a seat at any chair, I'll just start the kettle and then we can get started." The woman headed back to the mini kitchen and filled the electric kettle with water before setting it on the base and flipping the switch.
The woman made her way back to the front of the salon. She raised her eyebrow, wondering if someone had canceled on the woman. "Oh how fancy. I've been doing bridal parties all morning so you seem to have come on the right day. Something like an updo? Did you have a photo of something similar or do you trust me?" She looked at the woman's hair - it was relatively long, which meant a lot of bobby pins and hairspray.
"That's perfect. Have you ever been here before? Let me get your tea and then we can get started. I'm sure you are in a rush." She had heard the kettle click, meaning that the water was done boiling. Hope hurried back and pulled down a clean mug from the station, flipping it over in her hand and putting a tea bag inside, followed by the hot water. She used her other hand and munched on another piece of peanut brittle, wondering who had dropped it off for her.
After delivering the tea, she pulled out a clean hairbrush - deciding that she would start brushing the hair while they decided what to do.
Hope got up from her chair, walking over to where the gel colors were. She was always thankful she numbered them all, putting the corresponding number near the sample as well as on top of the bottle. It kept everyone on the same page, though there were occasions where the colors didn't match up. "I do understand that. You'd be surprised that I have a few clients who insist on having the same color every time they see me." She herself loved a good change every three weeks - currently she was rocking her Valentine's Day nails, happy for the opportunity to practice her nail art. "What is your favorite color for your nails anyway?" The blonde would have to guess pink, but everyone had different tastes.
Once the color was chosen, she grabbed the base and top coat before carrying it over. She set the three bottles down before sitting back down on her chair. "Yes it really is. It's also nice having a variety of personalities too. Makes things fun around here. Do you know if Scout is off working a movie set now?" The blonde was usually pretty good about keeping track of her staff, though recently there were too many clients that wanted to see her - on top of all the new people that moved to Hickstead recently and wanted their hair done.
"Did you want them shortened? And what shape did you want?" The woman folded a nearby clean towel and placed it on Yuli's side of the table, acting as a wrist rest for her. She picked up the electric nail file and ran her hand down the cord, plugging it in to the machine.
The blonde nodded and pulled out the bottle of sparkling water from the fridge and pouring her client a glass. "Alright, coming right up." She quickly put the bottle back in the fridge and carefully carried over the glass of water - setting it beside her client before taking her own seat on the opposite side of the table. "I'll let you have a peek at the colors and I can defiantly do that for you."
Hope got herself ready, pulling out her nail file first and setting it on the towel beside her. "Did you have a specific flower in mind? We could do a daisy?" She suggested, nodding as the topic switched to her employee. "That she does, I do enjoy having her around. She usually enjoys a good chat with me between clients." The salon was starting to become busier, which was something Hope had always wanted.
"Why thank you, I honestly wasn't expecting to have this big of a group when I first opened the salon. I'll have to thank Scout for recommending me. Have you been coming here long then?" She knew how picky people were with their hair - finding a stylist who understood the wants and needs of their clients was important. Hope smiled when Yuliana decided on a color. "I do like that color, let me go get it. Going with something brighter to bring on the start of Spring?" Hickstead Winters were different than what she was used to - though they didn't seem as long as they were back home. She had expected Snow her first winter in the UK and was in for a slight shock when there was only rain.
Hope had no idea what to expect from the appointment - all that her receptionist told her was that the woman needed her hair styled for some sort of event. She glanced over at the computer, raising her eyebrows when she realized it was a new client. She stood up straight and nodded. "That's me, I'm Hope. Camilla, right?" The blonde left from behind the counter and flashed the other woman a smile.
"Come on in, make yourself at home. My chair is the first to the left. Would you like something to drink or a snack?" She turned her hand towards her chair while she turned to grab a cape. The woman rummaged around her station to get her brushes ready, if this was for a fancy event she was getting ready for - Hope was ready to help. "What is the hairstyle for? Something fancy or just something casual?" Hope plugged in her heat tools - not knowing what the woman was going for, but it was better to be prepared. She headed off to the mini kitchen, getting herself a bottle of iced tea and stuck a piece of peanut brittle in her mouth - needing a rush of sugar to keep her going.
"Tap water or would you prefer sparkling, I have both on hand and cold." She tended to keep a variety of drinks on hand - never knowing what her clients or staff wanted to drink or eat. There were a few clients who brought their own drinks and snacks, even a select few who brought her coffee or tea as a thank you. The blonde organized her nail brushes, setting them off to the side before folding a smaller towel and placing it by Yuliana for her wrists. "Alright, I'll bring the neutral samples over and let you pick. Maybe a french tip kind of look?" It was the most basic kind of nail she could think of - though people made it their own in various ways.
Hope got up and brought over the sample ring from a counter nearby, setting it on the table in front of Yuliana. "Oh, I'm Hope. You probably knew that from booking the appointment with me. You usually see...Scout, right? I think I've seen you around before." The woman was thankful for her staff - they did a great job and brought all kinds of people in. She walked over to the mini kitchen and pulled out a glass, waiting for her new client to give her the answer about what kind of water she wanted.
With wedding season in full swing, Hope and the rest of the salon staff were busy. There was always a gang of bridesmaids and brides in the salon, either there for a run through or the morning of. She was lucky her boyfriend was also busy with his new job now but she still felt terrible not having time for him unless they both had time off together.
Hope finished off the last bridesmaid's makeup with a few sprays of setting spray, making sure that her work would stay put even in the hot English sun. The brunette she had worked on had a huge grin on her face and clapped. "I look amazing! Let me get your card, I'll have to come as a regular client!" She said, clapping her hands together in glee. Hope nodded and took the cape off before heading towards the register. The women one by one paid for their services and headed towards their limo. Once they had left, Hope could finally breathe. Doing that many services at once took serious planning, but the results were well worth it.
After she cleaned her area, she checked the computer, seeing that someone had booked a haircut. She didn't recognize the name of the client, so she assumed it was someone new. Hope put away her cleaning supplies and heard the front door open.
The woman headed over to the manicure area, glad that it was usually kept in order by herself and her staff. "Perfect, welcome to the salon. Make yourself at home, would you like something to drink before we start? Hope pulled out both chairs which were across from each other before bringing over the color samples over. She made herself over to the mini kitchen, filling her water bottle with water from the tap after she realized it was empty.
"What were you thinking of doing today? A solid color or did you want some nail art as well?" She set her bottle on the floor beside her chair, wanting to have it on hand in case she was thirsty - knowing she hadn't had enough water to drink during her busy day. Hope turned and made sure she had her nail tools and brushes before sitting down, knowing she would have to get up to pick the colors out for her client. "Whenever you are ready, have a seat and we can get started." Doing nails was something she was getting better and better at - she was happy to get more practice in as most of her clients were wanting a haircut or color of some sort.
The salon owner stood behind her chair, finishing off a cut and color. Her client happily chatted away, giving her the latest gossip at one of the local schools - which is where she taught. Hope nodded, listening as best she could over the loud sound of the hairdryer. Using the round brush, she gave the brunette a blow out - turning off the hairdryer as soon as she was done.
She seemed ecstatic with her new hair - standing up and playing with it while Hope put down her hair tools. The two women headed over to the front desk, Hope picking up the debit machine and punching in the amount - passing it over to her client. The woman quickly paid and left, waving goodbye to Hope before the door closed behind her.
"Phewf, only a few more clients to go before the day ends." She was glad that Tom was off helping Lindsay with some trees that needed trimming, but he was usually pretty good at keeping himself busy if she was working. With quick work, the area around her salon chair was cleaned up and the brushes were back in the barbercide.
As if like clockwork, the front door bell rang. The blonde turned around from putting the broom and dust pan away to see who she assumed was her next client. "Hi there, are you Yuliana?" She didn't want to assume, though with a quick glance at the clock - it wasn't rude of her to think that's who had just entered the salon.
thanks aofie!
