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!.
“See, it would feel weird for me. My family had dogs growing up but with my job and having Rosa, I don’t have time for a dog.” Cats were okay being home on their own most of the day. “I assume by your high rating of cats that you have one yourself?” His only real experience with them was when his mom had some acting as barn cats to get rid of the mice. They were cute enough but they had a job to do as well.
He nodded, someone else had told him that the local pet store had adoptions. “That was going to be my plan. Surprise Rosa while she is at daycare. Though, I don’t think she’ll know about it until she is old enough to realize we have a new addition to the family.” He glanced down at his daughter, who was still comfortable in her stroller. Jamie raised his head and let out a sigh. Being a firefighter was more difficult than people realized. “Thanks, it’s not the easiest job, to be honest. There are lots of moving parts and different personalities to deal with. And of course, all the work politics fall on me too.” That was the part he hated the most. The higher-ups always wanted something different. It was hard for him to keep them all happy.
“I do enjoy the rescuing people part. Not that I’m always the hero, but we work together as a team to ensure that as many people as possible can be saved.” He didn’t need anything to pump his ego - work did that more than he could handle. “I should consider joining social media to see if there is one here. I’m far too old for groups that go clubbing or something.” However, a night out sounded amazing. It was the problem having a young child - he did love Rosa a lot though. “Oh, so you get to travel for work then? That does sound fun.” Granted, he was allowed to drive around in the Fire truck, which was only entertaining to young children.
He laughed at her joke, shaking his head. “I know it’s an obvious one but, some men can be real gems. Not that I’m Mr. Perfect. Everyone has their flaws.” Jamie dealt with a variety of citizens in Hickstead during work. Admittedly, most of them were respectful. “I hope you do too. Sounds like you work too much.” He was one to talk though. Friends of his were pointing out that he also had a daughter at home to raise, but she was doing fine being with Cara during his shifts. “I think she’ll have a wild imagination. Her daycare is right at one of the barns, so she may want a pony before I know it.” It would be a problem he would have to face in a few years.
“I do actually. I think I need to make myself some time for myself. Get a babysitter and go do something, you know. I don’t ride either. My mother does but she lives back in the States. Have you thought about trying it out?”
CHARACTER'S NAME;;AURORA MEGAN SKY CHARACTER'S AGE;; thirty-nine WHICH STABLES;; BA HORSE'S SHOW NAME;; Phantom of Venice HORSE'S BARN NAME;; Phantom RPED BY;; me CLASSES WISHING TO ENTER;; freestyle to music dressage
CHARACTER'S NAME;;JONATHAN BRYAN TOEWS CHARACTER'S AGE;; thirty-five WHICH STABLES;; SOS HORSE'S SHOW NAME;; Slapshot HORSE'S BARN NAME;; Sunny RPED BY;; me CLASSES WISHING TO ENTER;; 001 - Handy Pony
CHARACTER'S NAME;;KAYLEIGH LEAH HAYDN CHARACTER'S AGE;; thirty-seven WHICH STABLES;; BA HORSE'S SHOW NAME;; CEO HORSE'S BARN NAME;; Boss RPED BY;; me CLASSES WISHING TO ENTER;; 001 - Intermediate Jumping
CHARACTER'S NAME;;KENDRA SOPHIA HAWKES CHARACTER'S AGE;; thirty-eight WHICH STABLES;; SOS HORSE'S SHOW NAME;; Cairo's Pyramid HORSE'S BARN NAME;; Cairo RPED BY;; me CLASSES WISHING TO ENTER;; 003- Barrel Racing
“Yeah, I can imagine with your job you are super busy. At least you don’t have to walk a cat, right?” His mother was a pro rider, meaning she had access to a farm where their various dogs could run around and get plenty of exercise. “I’m thinking about getting a cat though, any suggestions on where to adopt one around here?” He had heard about the local pet store, though he wanted to do his research before he chose where.
Jamie nodded, his own optimism had gone downhill once his wife had died in an accident. Though being in the Navy really didn’t help either, people had been dying around him. “No, I get that. Honestly, to get through the tough calls I try my best to be optimistic, but I have seen things that make me think otherwise.” This was a trauma he didn’t want to discuss with a stranger, let alone his young daughter. When the topic moved to phone numbers, he nodded. “It’s not something I’m used to though. The first job being the Fire Chief, so I’ve always just given my personal number before this.” Jamie admitted the person who hired him had heard enough good things about him to trust him in this new role.
“I appreciate it. Maybe there is a group of single parents that meet around here?” It would be a good way to start making friends, children often enjoyed playing together anyway. Rosa was a bit too young to be of much company, but it was worth a shot. “Do you work with companies who aren’t in the UK then?” It would explain why work would be calling that early, though he also had his fair share of morning shifts. He really didn’t mind them though, as that meant he got to spend the afternoons and early evenings with Rosa. “Yeah, be careful of other men who say that. They really are often slimy.” Jamie chuckled. He didn’t like to talk badly about people who were of the same gender, but he knew there were some idiots out there. “It really is, though it has its downfalls unfortunately. Though, we are starting to get more help when it comes to the traumatic calls.” Therapy was something that was becoming more available to them, sometimes they saw things that no one would want to wish upon anyone.
Jamie nodded, thankful that Cara was also doing some teaching with her too. “That’s what I’m hoping anyway. She just seems so curious that I don’t want to take that away from her.” There was so much for the young girl to learn - both good and bad. “I do hope you take time for yourself though. Do you ride horses like I hear a lot of others do around here?”
"I assume people say that so people learn responsibility before the child is born? Though, from having a dog as a child I can tell you it's not the same." He shrugged his shoulders. His mother's horses didn't exactly count as his pets as his mother basically took care of them herself with the help of the barn staff. "Do you have any pets?" Jamie was in the debate to get a cat as extra company, but a decision hadn't been made yet.
He tilted his head in confusion, not taking the woman seriously. "Yikes. And why do you think everything is cynical then?" He did try to be an optimist about it, though the things he had seen both in the Navy and as a firefighter made him realize how terrible things could be. "Then it would depend. Realistically, I'm usually at the Fire Station or I'd give them my phone number. Depends on the stage of friendship though." Making friends since moving to Hickstead hadn't quite been a priority yet. "Most of my friends are back home though as I haven't been here long enough to make a new group of friends." Most of his coworkers were younger than him and they defiantly didn't want to spend time with him outside of work.
Jamie chuckled at her time comment, wishing that the arsonists or accidental fire starters waited until daytime to start their fires. "Not a early riser I take it? I'm not either, though with a baby and work, I've learned to be a light sleeper." It wasn't like Ivy was around to care for Rosa anymore anyway - so it was all up to him. "I do promise we aren't all jerks. Just depends on who you meet unfortunately." There were some people he had met that took the stereotype too seriously. His parents taught him quickly to be respectful - even if he was off representing his country somewhere else. "Everyone has their fair share though and as long as the victims get out alive, a house or building can be rebuilt." It was something he thought he would never get used to. Having to make those split second decisions wasn't for everyone.
"I do try to get her out to see things. I'm not sure how she learns best yet but experiencing things teaches a lot." He had spent too much on the flight over to the UK reading parenting books as he also wanted to learn as much as possible. "Sounds interesting actually. Lots of pressure and intense meetings? Or is it not too bad?"
"I did appreciate the joke." Jamie tended to scare some people off when they heard him yell out orders during a Fire. It was for the safety of everyone though - and the situations often required him to think on his feet, which left no time for nice comments. "I understand, they really do put a wrench in your plans. Don't tell Rosa though, I do love her to death." It was a bad joke for him to make considering his wife had died, but he often wondered what his life would be like if he wasn't a Father.
"Exactly and the hope is that others are more sympathetic towards people during tough times." He was a little optimistic when it came to that - though he had to be with what he saw on a daily basis. "If people need me, they tend to call 999 and get ahold of me that way." He hadn't made any friends as of yet, so there wasn't a need to give out his personal phone number just yet.
Jamie nodded, working at the Fire Station meant he had odd and long hours of work. "It's not like fires just happen during the day, though my sleep pattern wishes they would." Just like other first responders, he learned to sleep in the oddest places. It all depended on when the fire bells rang - signaling there was an emergency. "Most people take offence to the American accent, though it may be the places I've visited before." The fact that he was in the Navy didn't exactly help either - though those days were long over.
"Especially when the town relies on you to keep the town safe. No pressure there though, right?" He chuckled. Jamie wasn't one to take credit for something his firefighters had done - though if he had burn out that would be bad and not just for him. "That's fine, she gets enough activity at her daycare. They do so many things, I can barely keep track." Even though Cara had given him a calendar of what days certain things were happening - he didn't often check until the night before to make sure his daughter was dressed appropriately for the days activities.
Jamie had dealt with enough borderline criminals to know that it was the truth. He quickly found the tell tale signs of lying and deception. Thankfully, he had quite the solid upbringing to not second guess himself. “I mean, the mere fact that you made sure we were okay makes me think otherwise.”
He noticed the smile from the woman as Rosa settled in with her teddy. “Do you have kids?” Jamie knew that most people enjoyed them, but there were some people who hated them. He didn’t ever think he would be a father - especially when he was in the Navy. “It’s true, the world isn’t an easy place. Even though, I wish it was.”
After carefully taking the phone, he put in his name and phone number. “Thank you, I don’t have a business card. A business card is not something the Fire Chief carries around with him.” He smiled. Usually, if someone needed his rescue services they called 999. “I am both of those, new and alone. I probably work way too much to get to know people.” It was something he wanted to work on, but he felt terrible leaving Rosa with Cara more than he had to.
“Of course, I feel that I’ll always have the accent to give it away.” He would always have his accent, but Rosa would hopefully have a British one once she started talking. “I’m right there with you, I also am a workaholic. It’s something I want to work on though, having more free time.”
“Thank you, I’ll have to check those out. I’ve taken Rosa to the Zoo and she has several outings with her daycare. I swear she’s seen more of the town than I have.”
“That is true, some people do tend to hide their true motives later on.” It was something he learned working with different police officers over the years. The pattern also tended to show up in people committing arson as well. “So, what you are saying is I should be careful?” He played along with the joke. Jamie did try his best to be nice to people, it was part of being good at his job.
He reached down and got Rosa her teddy bear from the basket near the wheels. After gently placing it next to his daughter, allowing her to have a toy while he was still talking away. “Definitely, some parents think it’s a tough way of raising a child but it did teach us to be nice quickly.” Even though Jamie was mostly raised by his nanny, she still taught him a lesson or two in being kind. “I mean, obviously abusing a child over their behavior is a little too far.” There was a fine line with that kind of parenting.
Jamie started rocking the stroller back and forth to try and lull his daughter to sleep. “Oh of course. Do you have your phone on you? It might be easier for me to type it in.” He was usually old school, but he wasn’t sure if a pen and paper were anywhere handy. “I’m not sure how much the police can do. It’s worth a shot though right?”
“It’s nice to meet you too. It’s always nice to meet new people. I feel like I’m always meeting new people when I’m out and about.” Jamie tried his best to remember everyone’s name, it came in handy when the fire trucks got called out for a fire. “Is it the accent that gave it away?” Jamie smiled. He wouldn’t know if he ever would get a British accent or even if his daughter would once she could talk. “I’m from Ohio and Rosa was born there too.”
“What’s your favorite part about living in Hickstead? I’m always looking for new things to do around here.”
“We don’t know many people in town yet, so it’s nice to know there are some decent people here.” Jamie was truly thankful. It was rare to find someone who was kind nowadays, he knew he would have to try and protect Rosalie from as much as possible.
Rosalie finally stopped crying and Jamie set her back in the stroller. He shook out her blanket and gently placed it around her - making sure she was covered from the wind. “She’ll need a bath tonight anyway; I’ll have a better look at her then.” He tucked the used Kleenex in his pocket.
“If I acted like that, my parents would have sent me to boarding school!” Despite being raised by a nanny due to his parents' professions, he still had manners drilled into him. “Shame because if you did, I’d use my Fire Chief powers to press charges.” He was sure nothing could be done as no one was truly hurt but it was worth a shot as the town was small enough.
Jamie nodded and began pushing the stroller through the sand. “It’s nice to meet you, Roxanne. I’m Jamie and this is Rosalie.” It felt nice having the company, he had gotten used to being with someone who couldn’t talk yet. “Have you always lived here?” He was sure people could tell from his American accent that he wasn’t from the UK.
He considered running after the guy and tackling him but the fact that Rosa was crying took priority.
Jamie took a deep breath and continued to rock the baby to sleep. "Thanks for checking on us. I do appreciate it." He felt like not many people in Hickstead knew who he was which caused him not to have a lot of people to look out for him. Working the Fire Station and looking after Rosa kept him too busy to have some sort of a social life.
The man gave the baby girl a look over to make sure she wasn't bleeding. "She is a tough girl. I'm sure she will have a bruise somewhere in the morning, but I don't see any blood." Rosa's cries started to die down - more sounding like a sniffle.
"It seems like the younger generations are always in a hurry. You would think they would teach people manners in school." Jamie shook his head - he was trying his best to teach his daughter manners, but she was a bit too young for that now. "Do you know him by chance?"
He let out a sigh of relief when the woman said she was fine. "Glad to hear you are alright. Did you want to walk with us? I don't think I'll run until later now." The father set his child into the stroller and pulled out a Kleenex - wiping the tears off of her face.
Jamie kept a decent pace - every so often checking on his daughter. Even at such a young age, she was used to her dad pushing her while she slept. It was almost like the movement lulled her to sleep.
He found his mind wandering - thinking of being a widow. It had been quite a few months since his wife had died but it was a topic that his mind often wandered to.
All of a sudden, he felt something or someone run into him. Jamie was quickly snapped out of his thought process and went into protective mode.
"Do you mind?" He raised his voice as the teen fled. The man checked his pockets to make sure nothing was taken, letting out a sigh when everything was where it was.
Rosa let out a scream and began crying. The man sighed and picked up his daughter gently - holding her close to his chest and gently rocking her.
He turned to face where the second voice was coming from. "I'm alright thanks. Doesn't seem like he's taken anything."
"Did he end up running into you as well? Are you alright?" Jamie asked, continuing to gently rock Rosa in hopes she would stop crying.
Jamie had arrived to the fundraiser, placing his daughter in her stroller before locking up the car. Rosa was asleep - Jamie glad that he had caught her during her nap time. It would make it easier for the man to enjoy the outing.
He pushed the stroller along, taking in the sights and smells of what was going on. Jamie stopped at the horses - smiling at another man and child. "Look at the horses, Rosa." He knew his daughter couldn't talk but Jamie couldn't help but talk to her. "Your paint is very stunning." He said to the man who was standing beside the horse. His mother would be proud that he remembered his horse breeds.
Jamie carefully placed his sleeping daughter into the stroller, having gotten it ready first. He tucked her carefully in a buffalo plaid blanket before he put his navy colored windbreaker on top of his grey hoodie.
He lifted his fitness watch and with a few taps with his pointer finger - it was ready to track the statistics on his run. After checking on Rosa, he pushed the stroller towards the beach.
Jamie started at a brisk walk as he reached the pier - waiting to run until he was more warmed up. He pulled the canopy so that it kept Rosa out of the sun. Despite it being Spring, the sun was out and shining brightly.
As they reached the sand, Jamie began picking up the pace and allowed the movement of the stroller keep Rosa asleep.
Right now Jamie has no friends in Hickstead. He's a recently single dad with a baby. Truthfully, he does not get out much due to his job and his daughter. Obviously, everyone needs friends right? Jamie was in the Navy and has a pretty tough outer shell but he's truly a nice guy. If anyone has ideas let me know!!
enemies
I'm sure being the chief of the fire station means you have enemies right? Though he just moved to England from the States he hasn't had a chance to make any yet but I'm sure there will be one or two.
lovers
His Wife died recently so he isn't ready to love again just yet.
