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!.
October was in the air, and Aofie was living for the cooler weather. She didn’t have much today, other than a last-minute babysitting request from Daphne Anderson. Aofie had grown quite fond of the young girl. After meeting at the secondary school library, the two had become quite bonded. Not in a mom-and-daughter-kind of way, but like a cool aunt. More so, Aofie really had no idea if she wanted biological children of her own yet – but she was also okay with just helping the neighborhood kids.
Daphne had shown interest in sewing. Aofie wasn’t the one to do a lot of garment sewing, but she could at least help Daphne with a small quilt project of some sort. Something a 9-year-old could handle. After Chase had dropped Daphne off with Aofie, the two buckled up to head to Seven Siren’s.
Aofie was fond of the art store and all the lovely and kooky women and men she met there. It was a place that Aofie found herself smiling a lot at. After helping Daphne out of the car, the two walked in. “So, Daphne,” Aofie smiled. “Would you like to look at fabric first or browse a bit?” The older woman wasn’t in a rush. And knowing that Chase’s emergencies could take a bit – she didn’t think Daphne would mind. Even if Aofie had something to do, Courtney was a call away.
October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.
Aofie couldn’t exactly believe his words of him being okay. But maybe it was a Jack thing. They hadn’t know each other for too long, but Aofie told herself she was a bit too old to not enjoy herself. Maybe it was her brain state, but she wondered what Jack looked like undressing. How the clothes would slide of his broad shoulders. How much ink did he have under there? Was he fully covered; did he have chest hair? Thank God for the fact her dogs kept her in check.
She could feel Jack looking at her, wondering how she looked to him. Did she read attractive? She could technically slip off the robe she was wearing and be in her birthday suit. All damp with sweat. A familiar warmth rushed over her as she went into the downstairs bathroom to set up the bathroom. There were towels already, as Aofie was always prepared to host. The hamper was empty. Her hand turned the knob to start the water, letting it warm up – before turning it to the shower setting.
After closing the door behind her, she walked back into the open space. She didn’t know why, but she just found herself wrapping her arms around Jack once more. Her cheek pressed on his chest, as her hands explored his back. Fragile fingers gently massaged, almost to give him some comfort, before she pulled away. “Take your time,” she said. “I’ll get the dogs fed. I think I’ll need to freshen up again,” Aofie added, with a soft smile. “Can I get anything else set up for you?”
October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.
The questions weren’t hard, but Aofie wondered what she looked like right now. She couldn’t lie about how the man knew her, or all that. Aofie just agreed, when the officer asked if she knew him – claiming that his face was unrecognizable. Told Billings about his wife, but that was that. The officer didn’t show any kind of emotion on her face, but Aofie felt like the lump in her throat was just ever-growing. She didn’t know how people did this, being questioned in a manner like this.
Minutes ticked by on the sunburst clock, and after a brief silence – Billings held out a sheet of paper. “Thank you for the answers, Ms. Walsh.” Aofie nodded and stood up as well, reminding herself of the damp spot her hair created on the couch.
She followed the officer out, to see Patrick was already being hauled into the ambulance – and a cleanup crew for the blood working on the deck. A few neighbors were out and about – meaning something would happen tomorrow. Or the local neighborhood group newsletter on social media would be buzzing. It made her nervous, but there wasn’t anything she could do now. Aofie had given partial truth, something she would lose sleep over. But she had to keep telling herself, that he deserved it. Patrick was a monster.
“Thank you for your time, folks. I hope you have a good rest of your evening.” A quick snap of his booklet bled into the wind. “If anything else pops up, please give us a call.” A business card was handed off, and with the tip of their hats – the officers were off.
Not knowing, Aofie had blindly found Jack’s arm, her fingers death-gripping him out of nerves. Soon, the lights disappeared and Aofie released the breath that she was holding. Her head was pounding now, the smell of cleaner and the sound of brushes not helping.
“I’ll get a shower started for you. You can put your clothes in the hamper,” Aofie let out. “I’ll re-order something.” She released his arm from his death grip, but still held onto him – to help her keep her balance. Her body was numb. The adrenaline was wearing off again, and Aofie felt like she needed to be put out of her misery. “He didn’t hurt you; I hope?”
“Better than nothing, no?” she offered. Her eyes wanted to be glued on his hair whisps. The urge to brush one back was there. To feel it on her fingertips. The thought sent shivers over her body. Despite not being someone who sought out only physical relationships, didn’t mean Aofie avoided them. She was human and still had those urges to touch and be touched. While she had never done the full deed, per se – Aofie enjoyed the ghosting fingertips in a sensual kissing moment. She had to stop thinking about it, as she was sure her face would become a beet if she did. If anything, it just meant she would go home and read a dirty book to help…the urges.
“Do your dogs like being around other dogs?” Aofie asked before their drinks had come over. They were decently sized – glad she had someone to share them with. She gingerly opened the straw before placing it into the Mai Tai. “If they do…we could maybe go on a walk. I promised I won’t make you walk too far.” That was innocent enough. A walk was well, a walk. Unless it was some historical romance, where walks could be deemed courting, it never really led to anything.
“Oh, the lounge? That place is lovely. It’s not for everyone, but it’s great for a lighter atmosphere. I’m attending their piano bar in a few weeks. Some new and upcoming jazz pianists and then a local that is known. I haven’t really seen anything else there, but the burlesque shows I hear are fun.” Aofie wasn’t a prude or anything, but it just made her conscious. From the posters and images on their Instagram, there were a lot of fuller-figured women. While Aofie was a fit woman, she was tiny in all aspects.
“I’ve been floating around the city a bit. A lot of new bookshops and cafes have opened. Also a lot of new events. I never really plan anything really. If it looks like something I can attend for an hour or so and then disappear, I usually end up there,” she laughed. “My dogs are looking forward to the last day of the pool being open. They let local dog owners come in and have a pool day with them.”
October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.
Patrick could feel the blows on his face. Iron dripped into his mouth and down his throat. He was motionless by the second hit, almost like a rag doll now. It didn’t take a lot for someone his size to be pummeled, even by someone closer to his weight. The swelling was happening, but he could still kind of breathe. He lost now. Lost his ego. Lost everything.
Saliva and blood gurgled in his mouth, as bruising began slowly creeping on his face. He knew his nose was broken now. “E-Er-yx..” Patrick choked out. He didn’t say the last name. There were probably a lot of people with that name, right? Patrick wriggled more, attempting more movement but he hurt now. Was it all worth it?
Any further movement was broken when the front door was opened. Aofie stood there, in her bathrobe. Her hair was wet, puddling at the neckline. Her eyes examined the scene in front of her. She wanted to wince at the sight of Patrick’s bloodied face. The porch light caught some of the splatters on her house and the two men.
“Jacob,” she started. Lying wasn’t in Aoife’s blood, but she wasn’t about to drop Jack’s name out like that. “I heard some - Oh my god! Is that man, okay?” Aofie could feel her grandmother scolding her for lying. Aofie was aware of what had happened. She had seen it all. Her hand was about to pull out her cell phone to call the police, but it appeared they were already called as a cruiser had pulled to the end of her driveway.
Aofie gave a glance to Jack. It was a bit of a stern look, telling him to let her handle this – and to also let go of Patrick. Gently. In her slippers, she went out and met them – as if she was going to lead Julius and Caesar into the house. “Hello, ma’am. A neighbor called and said there was a suspicious car parked a few blocks away. They said it was one they had seen before, driving slowly – especially around this house. Have you seen anything out of the ordinary?” That sentence made Aoife’s spine shake. Was Patrick...watching her?
“Yes,” she started. “A man just showed up at my house a few minutes ago. My boyfriend, Jacob, got home and tried to help him, but he became defensive. He must’ve gotten into a gnarly fight before he stumbled up.” One of the officers looked over her shoulder to see two figures. He nodded slowly and began walking up to the porch, Aofie following, signaling the two pit bulls to come inside. Her ears could pick up the other officer calling for an ambulance.
“You were in quite the fight, mate. Jacob, I presume?” the officer nodded toward Jack. “Can you explain the events that happened when you got home? And Ma’am?” he looked at Aofie. “Do you mind waiting inside? Officer Billings will be in shortly to ask you some questions.” Aofie nodded and didn’t look at Jack. Not wanting it to be caught as suspicious.
Once the dogs were in, Aofie – kept the front door open. She was nervous, but Patrick deserved this, right? He deserved to be pummeled for scaring her. It was a good thing that she hadn’t eaten anything. It would be all over the couch now. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for Officer Billings to walk in and begin her slew of questions for Aofie.
October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.
Patrick could his body want to shrivel even more. But he remained strong. He was close. More words would’ve slithered out of him, but he felt himself be picked up like a rag doll. Dress shoes were lifted off the porch – as if gravity wasn’t there. Hands gripped at the wrists of the man. If it was true, then Aofie had a fucked-up interest in men. This guy was huge. Patrick, being nasty, could only imagine the train meme. He couldn’t help but let out a giggle at his toilet humour.
But his emotions were cut short again. It was as if he didn’t have time to process anything. Patrick didn’t know who was more threatening. The man in black, or the person in front of him. His finer nails began to dig into flesh. “And why would I tell you that? A man can’t have hobbies. It’s not an addiction. You sound like my coworkers and my stupid wife.”
Patrick struggled as if the pressure on him was mounting. Even though he was upright, his chest hurt. The flight wasn’t in him. Did he risk fighting him? What else did he have to lose? “You’ll have to beat that info out of me; you freak!” Patrick swung a leg, foot scraping at Jack’s left side. He didn’t even know if it hit. If Patrick was loyal to anyone, it was the shark that put him in this place. Because...who else would fund him? His eyes ran crazy, almost becoming little voids. He was crashing. Any ounce of humanity was gone.
October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.
Patrick could feel his stomach in his throat. The sound of growls in the dark made him wince. She did have dogs, three of them. They were massive and he knew he was screwed. But Patrick being Patrick, tried to play it cool. But that time didn’t come. The person who belonged to the headlights was not Aofie. It was a man, with two large dogs. His body was of a war god, painted in his battles.
He let out a laugh. “And who are you, huh?” The sound of bones popping made Patrick want to shrink away. This guy could beat him up if he wanted. But no. His meal ticket was inside, and Patrick, like a drug addict, would do anything for that ticket. “Aofie has no man. That chick hasn’t had a boyfriend in years. You lost or something buddy?” he sneered, making himself feel a bit taller – before spitting at Jack’s feet.
Patrick was a slender man, with well-kept hair. He wore glasses, making him approachable and kind. He knew how to make it work. Be kind and gentle at work – but inside, he was a menace. Darkness crept over his face, as he thought of his current plan. This man, whoever he was, was not going to get in the way.
October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.
Aofie nodded and watched Jack, her comfort, leave into his car. When he left, she closed the door and locked both the back and front door. She was feeling exhausted again, her head feeling light. Feeling like she couldn’t stand – Aofie opted for a bath. A nice, long soak in hot water with some bath salts.
She made her way upstairs, dogs following behind her. As she ran her bath, she noticed five missed calls from Patrick. Aofie rolled her eyes and didn’t even wonder. She didn’t care for what he had to say to her.
Once the bath was full, Aofie slipped in and let out a deep breath. Time slipped past her, and when she heard her doorbell go off – Aofie reached over to see if it was Jack. But it was Patrick. She was thankful that she had the volume low, but she didn’t need the loud sound to see his panic. He looked like a wreck, sweating and screaming. He was pounding at the door – screaming that he knew she was home. There was something about his wife leaving him and everyone dropping him. She wanted to look away but couldn’t. It was like a dark horror movie.
Aofie could feel her stomach churn, but she was safe, right? Patrick didn’t have a key – she was also on the second floor. He didn’t know the layout of her house.
“Aofie! I know you’re home. I see your fucking light.” Patrick continued to beat at the door. He couldn’t believe his wife was leaving him. That she couldn’t believe he didn’t have a problem. Why would he have a problem? She liked to spend money on home décor, so why couldn’t he spend money on gambling? He was angry now. All the rest of his co-workers turned him away. But sweet little Aofie wouldn’t right? That cute little thing. If he wasn’t tied down. He wasn’t now, was he? He could leech off her. Tell her a fake story. Borrow money and claim to pay it back.
Crocodile tears flowed after Patrick pinched his skin. If only she would open the door. “Aofie!” he screeched again. His attention was only turned when he felt the warmth of headlights on his back. Was it her? Maybe she wasn’t home. A snarl crossed his lips as he turned around. But things weren’t as they seemed.
October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.
Aofie looked at him again, eyes twinkling at the thought of five dogs in the house. “Well, I’ll never say no to more dogs!” she smiled. The bed might be crowded, but it was one of the reasons she had a king. Thankfully, her dogs often slept on the floor or on their own custom bed that Aofie had rigged up with a cradle pad. But with the upturn of emotions, she knew they would be close by. If anything, she was more nervous about having Jack beside her. There wasn’t anything wrong with it, of course, but she hadn’t shared a bed with someone in years. She already enjoyed the couch snuggles, but a bed was a more intimate matter.
“I will, I promise,” she nodded. Even if it meant keeping a notebook by her bedside table. Aofie was notorious for waking up suddenly and writing things down. Some of them often leads to some of her best children’s books.
“That would be lovely,” Aofie said, standing up. Her legs were tired, but she had to at least stand up for a moment. “I eat anything, so you choose? I’m sure I look like a hot mess, so I can shower while you’re out and maybe look a little less of a hag.” Tilly got up on the couch, not needing to jump, and pawed at Jack for some attention. Her brothers looked up from where they were sitting and just huffed back down.
October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter.
“Yes,” she said sheepishly, wondering where it all came from. Her cheeks were pink from blush and not raw from blowing her nose. “Only if you want to, of course! I know you have two dogs at home.”
Talking about dogs, her three were laying close. It didn’t take long for Tilly to rest her head on Aoife’s lap whining. Aofie smiled at her dog and gave her an ear scratch. “What? You want to see your boyfriend. Or boyfriends I should say?” If dogs could roll their eyes, Tilly most definitely did.
Aofie stayed put, not in a particular rush. She sat and pondered Jack’s question. “I, unfortunately, didn’t notice a lot of features sadly. But they were very well dressed. Kind of like the Men In Black. You know, the movies? I think one of them had an eyebrow scar. I know it isn’t a lot…I was just wrapped up. Maybe in the morning, I’ll remember more?”
She was tempted to ask why he wanted to know, but Aofie didn’t have the energy to question it. Her stomach growled, but she ignored it for now. It was probably going to be a frozen pizza kind of night, and maybe a massive mug of hot cocoa.