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!.
Jack answered the questions thrown at him - the lies rolling off his tongue so easily he wondered if Aofie could ever trust him if she knew that. How easily he was willing to weave a story, the power he had to make the narrative a reality. He would only need one phone call to set everything into motion, and he knew he would have to make a call anyway. There were larger chest pieces at play here.
“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. “He didn’t hurt you; I hope?”
The grip on his arm snapped him out of his thoughts, finally seeming to notice that the officers were gone and that now he did not have to remain so rigid. He didn't look at her at first, just absorbing the words she spoke, re-grounding himself in the present. He looked at her and offered a convincing smile even though his insides were lead lined and cold.
"No, he didn't hurt me," he spoke, his tone gentle, "Come on, let's go inside." Even if he was hurt, he was sure his tattoos would blur the bruising.
He was careful,picking up his bag and guiding her back into her apartment, drawing the door closed behind them - making sure the locks sunk home. He was most definitely going to have to do something about making sure that Aofie was safe. Even just thinking that made him frown slightly - Aofie was an adult and didn't need his protection so to say, and she certainly didn't need him to hover and become a Stonehenge in her life. It wasn't practical, nor fair to do so. He could've spoken to her about it now, but he refrained. It was a lot in one night, and her thoughts were probably a tangled mess. He looked at her now, pushing down that rage and fire, instead focusing on her.
“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?”
There was a split moment when Aofie spoke that almost broke him - it was not his name she used, he was happy to own up to bashing the shit out of the man but she was doing something? He just had to trust her. He let go of Patrick, letting the man drop like a sack of shit and put some distance between himself and the low-life scum that had brought on his rage.
"He could be better off," he huffed, frowning at the limp form before reaching up and pushing some of his hair back off his face.
“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?” “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.”
“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.”
Jack folded his arms and nodded, watching Aofie go on inside, "Yeah - started off by going back to mine, getting the dogs, figured I would be spending the night. So I rang Aofie, asked what she wanted for dinner and picked that up too. I was coming up the steps when that lump of shit was staggering about bashing on doors screeching something. Most of it was gibberish, but there might've been something about a wife? I don't know, trying to get a straight answer was impossible. Offered to take him to the hospital when he got mighty defensive and decided to throw hands. Never a good idea against a bouncer. The dogs got defensive as well, then you two officers turned up."
He kept it simple, and mostly honest. Hopefully the neighbor hadn't been watching him when he approached.
“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.”
“You’ll have to beat that info out of me; you freak!”
The kick landed, but it wasn't anything Jack couldn't ignore as the idiot continued to go on and on. His expression didn't change as the little man squirmed and threw a fit in his hands.
"With absolute pleasure," he barked as he drew back a fist and let the blow hit him square across the jaw, "You are a disgrace. You are filth. You are not fit to have a lady in your life, so I applaud your wife for leaving you."
Jack felt his adrenaline making his heart race and the thrill of it all brought back horrific memories of how good it felt to hurt others. He knew if he wasn't careful, he could very well end this all far too soon.
"Now," he growled, "Who are you loaned to?"
He threw another punch, this time going for the nose, not wasting time on pointless hits - he knew how to make a body sing, and his own was telling him that he was going to feel the repercussions tomorrow.
Jack looked down at the man, disgusted by the sight of him. How easily his facade was falling away.
"I'm the guy that makes people like you disappear permanently."
“Aofie has no man. That chick hasn’t had a boyfriend in years. You lost or something buddy?”
He moved closer, "See, that's where you are wrong. She does have a man, but she doesn't go around bragging about it. That chick is a Goddess and you are nothing but a fucking leech trying to get your teeth into something so pure. I ain't lost, I live here."
He was lying, he knew he was pushing boundaries, he understood that he might just push Aofie away with his tone and the way he was talking, but this guy... this guy had no place in Aofie's life. He looked at the spit and raised a brow.
"You're going to regret that," he snarled, lurching forward to grab him by the shirt and lifted him off the ground, slamming him back against the nearest wall, "Now, before I remodel your face and make it so you have to eat with a straw for the rest of your days, tell me who you borrowed from for your fucking addiction."
Getting his stuff together was simple, he'd mastered the art of packing only what was necessary into a small bag neatly. And the dogs were oddly co-operative in getting into their harnesses and into the car. He rang the pizza joint in advance and had to wait a little longer than he'd like normally, but he was patient and picked it up with little issue. His temper was settled for the time being, more than ready to just sit and relax the rest of his evening away with Aofie as per his original plans.
Pulling up out the front, he juggled everything but hearing screaming put him on edge. He moved quickly with the dogs up front straight to Aofie's level when the screaming was clear. His expression darkened as he approached.
“Aofie! I know you’re home. I see your fucking light.”
“Aofie!”
"Game. Set." He growled at the dogs as he dropped their leashes to the ground, both standing there growling. He set his bag and the pizza down before he strode over.
"Got a fucking problem do you?" he snarled, "Do you delight in terrifying women? Do you get off on it? You must be Patrick, the prick that caused my girl a lot of distress today."
He rolled his neck and loosened his shoulders, cracking his fingers as he glared.
“Well, I’ll never say no to more dogs!” she smiled.
"Alright, I'll bring the boys over for a little added security tonight," he nodded, smiling.
“I will, I promise,” she nodded.
"Good."
“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.”
He raised a brow and shook his head, "You are not even remotely like a Hag, Aofie. I'll be maybe an hour to get things together, and get food, but I'll be back as soon as I can be."
Jack reached over and gently ruffled Tilly's head and ears, "Yes, the boys are coming over for a sleep over Tilly, I imagine you'll love that."
After a moment, he stood up, fixing his pants slightly before he reached out and gently tilted her chin to look at him, "You lock the door behind me, and answer to no one ok? I'll text you when I am back and parked out front, ok?"
“Yes. Only if you want to, of course! I know you have two dogs at home.”
He smiled gently, "The dogs will survive, though if you'd prefer the extra protection they give, I can go home and get them together. They'd enjoy some company. I can grab some night clothes too."
Whilst he was notorious for falling asleep in whatever he was wearing, he knew jeans were an uncomfortable experience and he knew his button up would end up coming off.
“What? You want to see your boyfriend. Or boyfriends I should say?”
Jack could only chuckle softly, leaving the offer on the table for her.
“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?”
He nodded, "It's alright. If you do remember, you remember, just be sure to tell me ok? Now, enough of that for tonight. How about I order dinner for us, hmm? I can grab or have it delivered, my treat hmm? Then we can relax and chill out for the rest of the evening. Sound good?"
“My co-worker Laura was with me when it all happened. They were looking for my co-worker, Patrick. We knew he was having money issues, as his wife is very pregnant. We were all thinking he was a bit stressed and wanted some extra hours before his baby was born.” Aofie stopped, catching her breath – fiddling with the fabric in her hands. “The men were very intrusive about their questions. Claiming he owed them a lot of money. We thought it was because his wife couldn’t work…but it was because he had gambled and borrowed money he didn’t have.”
“I told them, I didn’t know where he was – or his schedule for the next few days. My adrenaline must’ve made me a bit braver, as I threatened them back. Saying I would happily identify them to the authorities…Then they reached for Laura, and I…shoved him. After that...it was all a blur. Witnesses said they left, annoyed.”
Jack listened to her, his blood churning under the surface in anger, though he kept it from showing on his face. The fact someone had the nerve to do that in broad daylight, in front of children - he needed heads to roll. And that was in his power too, if he called the right people and exercised the right cautions that came with that unfair level of power. And the man at the heart of it, the one that brought that danger would also receive a taste of his anger despite the wife being with their child. He'd pay too in some way.
Aofie sighed, pressing more into Jack if it was scientifically possible. “We closed early. I made sure Laura got home safe. Her husband picked her up. I drove to the police station and had an officer follow me home...I just...”
Eyes looked at Jack’s face, as Aofie blindly reached for a hand. “Stay with me tonight?”
He looked down at her, a gentle smile on his face, "If that is is what you want of me, I will stay the night."
He knew his dogs would be fine whilst he was out, they had plenty of food and wouldn't need to go out any time soon. He gently rubbed her shoulder and was more than happy for her to stay where she was, but she was free to leave if she so wanted. He wouldn't do a thing she didn't want, and perhaps that was one of many things that set him apart from the animals. "I know it was an awful day, but could you describe these men to me?"
He knew it was an odd and tough ask, but something prickled his brain enough to want to know. He had his ways and means of finding them, and if he knew them, well it would be a one way ticket to a very violent message.
He smiled slightly hearing her on the other side of the door, wondering perhaps if a text before hand was better but there was no turning back the clock on that one. The hug was instant and he let her hug him before hugging her back, just wanting to be there and give her the reassurance that everything was ok.
"I'm here baby girl," he said softly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, "I'm here."
The words were out before he could stop them, but he did not regret them in the slightest. He had wanted to say words like that before, but never had been a right time and he knew now wasn't great, but he let it go. He could apologize when she was of more sound mind.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Some men…” she choked. “They came into work, a-a-and started threatening everyone in there.” Her words were stammered, trying to hold back more tears that were welling up. “I’m afraid,” she wailed. “Th-they scared children...making them cry, and I—"
He had been about to ask her what happened when she let it all out. His heart broke and sank for her, hearing her admitting to the fact she was afraid. And at the same time, furious that someone scared her so badly. He wanted to hit something, but instead he gently picked her up off the ground like a bride, and moved over to the lounge and sat with her in his lap. Carefully producing his own handkerchief he offered it to her.
"It's alright sweet-heart," he said gently, "I'm not going to let anything happen to you, ok? Nothing. Take a nice deep breath, try relax a little bit cause there isn't a single thing in this world that is going to come at you again, ok? I'll beat it back to wherever it came from and make it afraid to ever rear its head again, hmm?"
He gently brushed back strands of her hair, tucking it gently behind her ears. He needed to know who did it, who caused her this distress so he could very well make good on his desire to beat it into a bloody pulp and know that that danger was gone. It might've sounded stupid, even a little possessive, but Aofie was worth offering that loyalty and protection to.
The night was easy, far too easy and yet there was some unnerving prickle on the back of his name that made him restless. It was unpleasant and he was more fidgety than normal, but he was going to be off work soon and then go around to Aofie's to spend a couple hours with her. It was almost routine now, every chance he got was shooting her a text or dropping by. She was the highlight to dull nights and somehow kept him from drinking himself to oblivion every night.
He looked at his watch again for the thousandth time and was silently glad there was only a minute to go and the other man beside him could only smirk and joke about how whipped he was. He bantered back but didn't deny it, there was just something about Aofie Walsh that made him giddy and feel younger.
Called off the job when the clock struck time, he was brisk in signing off time sheet and picking up his belongings before heading out to the parking lot. He jumped into the driver's seat, seating a small rose bouquet he'd gotten earlier in the day, knowing that he would not be able to get them otherwise. He picked his phone from the glove box and noticed the voice mail, earning a tilt of his head as he held the phone to his ear to listen.
“Jack... Can you please come over after work? I..need you..please.”
That prickling turned into a cold, harsh chill down his spine and he found his blood boiling out of nowhere. She was upset, crying - he growled in rage; WHO DARED UPSET HER?! He had to ease his breathing to focus enough to shoot her back a text telling her he was on the way - he couldn't speak, too afraid his own anger would leech into the words and make her further upset. Tearing out of the drive, he broke every road rule available to him and sped his way over to her apartment, every tick over the speed limit bringing himself that bit closer to her and calming his rage slowly. He was still angry, but he had to keep that in check around Aofie - he didn't want her to think of him as a monster.
Pulling up out the front, he forgot the roses and raced up to her door, knocking on it - "Aofie? I'm here now."
full name • Santo Vittorio Casano [prefers first name, Jack] nicknames • Rio, Cas, BlackJack age • Thirty-Four birthday • December 23rd occupation • Unemployed currently gender • Male sexuality • Bisexual
the appearance
face claim• Kevin Creekman
identifying features• Strong, sharp features and distinct ink on tanned skin.
the personality
likes • Gambling, Flirting, Drinking, Exercising - especially swimming, Painting and Pitbulls dislikes • Police, Know-it-alls, Snobs, Animal Abusers, Drug Pushers, General Abusers and Complainers, Internal Rats. strengths • Incredible poker-face, Strong Fighter, Charming weaknesses • Booze, Pretty Faces and Bedroom Temptations dreams • Survive and keep a solid job fears • Cats overall personality • At an outward and passing glance, Jack appears and comes off as the guy that you don't want to meet in a dark alley to discuss unfinished business. A lot of people tend to be intimidated by him and the way he seems to look into your soul. But for those that can withstand a stare-down with him can find that he's actually kind of pleasant to be around. Sure he has a shady, dangerous vibe to him, but he can laugh and joke and be alright so long as you stay on the right side of him. He will always step in to defend a lady, and will bitch-slap would be attackers without a second thought about it. Those who find themselves on the wrong side of him best wish that they keep their heads down - he will find you, dig for any and all information about you and subsequently drag you down the road and splash your dirty secrets across town and the internet for all to see.
the history
father • Lorenzo Casano, 60, Casino Owner mother • Serafina Casano [Zarella], 54, Unemployed siblings • Younger Sisters [twins] - Alessia and Silvia [32] important people • Shad Cross, Taylor Bane hometown • Rome, Italy overall history • First born son of the Casano clan, Jack was born into an unforgiving world of criminals and shady dealings. He was given the best his parents could provide, his education full and his skills varied. He only began to deal with the criminal aspects of his father's empire when he was sixteen, and from there Jack would never be an average individual.
Between learning his father's trade with mobsters, and developing his own connections, Jack proved his worth. Learning the value of information, the art of mercy and manipulation, and con-man skills, he became a force within the Casinos - weeding out the liars and cheats, participating in beat downs on those who had debts and made frequent house visits to those try to escape. Yet in the midst of violence, he had found friends in two Americans - Shad Cross and Taylor Bane, that frequented the same gym as he did. It was quick to bloom, they shared many interests and as much as his father disapproved of them and warned him they were trouble, he could not shake his best friends.
Their closeness solidified during a night out on the streets, Jack was picked out and shot at in the hopes of crippling the competition within the underworld. If his best friends hadn't been with him, Jack would've bleed out on that street in Rome. Four of eight bullets lodged in his torso, Jack spent almost two months in hospital recovering from his injuries, with the two friends considered now family by the Casano's. Deciding Rome was no longer a suitable place to live on the account of how many times he'd been shot, stabbed and otherwise brought harm, Jack separated from his family and moved to England and integrated into other gangs around London. But a rat soon handed Jack over following a failed high-jacking and he was arrested. Spending several years in prison, Jack grew in his hate for authority, but also his hate for internal informants. Getting out early at the age of thirty, after silently handing over names and locations that would screw over the people who had handed him off so easily, he moved away from the major city to Hickstead.
Sure it's smaller here, and its not as easy to con people, but he still manages to do so and win games of poker and blackjack with ease. He's trying to stay straight, but old habits die super hard when its all you've known. He lives with his two black pitbulls - Julius and Cesare - Jack has grown use to the stares and the way people cross the street to avoid him, along with the infrequent police checks to his home.
