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!.
“It's calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion.”
O
rion was nervous but excited. He finally decided he would take the leap and begin horse riding lessons. While he had ridden a few times here and there, nothing structured. Gwyn insisted a lot of pictures be taken, so Orion told Yui to get what she could. The woman laughed and obliged.
He was told that he would be riding MiMi. Yui described the mare to Orion but was happy to ride any available. Orion was guided by Yui and he could feel the change in the ground.
“Hello, Amanda. I think we should be alright,” Orion smiled, adjusting his glasses.
“Let's get you on MiMi and Amanda will explain to you how her class is run. If you need any help with your cane, let us know.”
Orion nodded and after finding the block with his cane, mounted MiMi who stood still - used to having riders like Orion.
“It's calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion.”
I
think they would. I say it’s better to ask than to not. Opportunities are rarely always given. Sometimes you must create them for yourself,” Orion smiled. “It’s a university, there’s usually a scandal somewhere. Especially in a horse town like this. But don’t stress too much on finding the right title. Just write. I know that’s a hard idea to handle but write whatever interests you. It could be about a game, a fight you witnessed, or maybe a letter to your younger self. A letter to someone you love, maybe a crush?”
The older man finished off with a shrug and leaned back into the bench. He let out a soft breath, closing his eyes for a moment. “I’ll give you a prompt to get you started. The next time we meet, I want you to have written about something you experienced. Let’s say...something that evokes something from you. Anger, sadness, anything. Could be from something major or minimal, like seeing a squirrel chasing it's friend. Sound like a deal?”
“It's calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion.”
J
ournalism is and will never be easy. Sometimes, the best thing to do is just to do it for yourself. Self-publish and all that. You don't have to be shackled to a place where image matters. But you also lack that steady paycheck. But you have time to figure that out. Maybe start writing stuff for yourself? Things you observe. Like a private journal. Test out how you want to present yourself.” Orion didn’t know if he was spewing too much out, or not. He hadn’t expected someone interested in his journalism side, his so-called former side. But Orion wasn’t about to gatekeep either. Even if the information he provided prevented Stephen from pursuing journalism as a full. Honesty was better than a sugar-coated bush.
“So you want more investigative journalism, it sounds like. You could try meeting with someone at the police station. Or ask if your professor knows anyone who does that kind of work. I’m sure there’s a company or person that is willing to take on an apprentice. Get some more outside-world experience. You could always to the University letter, but it sounds like that isn’t your preferred route.”
“You could always volunteer? If you have the time, that is. They always need help with something or other. Barn maintenance is always in need!” Orion thought about Brandon’s question and couldn’t help but chuckle at the comment he made if there wasn’t anything else he wanted to see. “No, I think I’m okay, right now. I don’t have all the time in the world right now. But I’m sure I will later on.”
“My niece is doing well! The vet has been picking up steam lately, so she hasn’t been able to help me too much lately. She’s young and I want her to be able to explore outside of work. So it’s nice hearing about all her adventures. Human massages have slowed down, so I’ve been doing a few more Equine ones. How’s your family? I heard your sister is working with you here?”
“It's calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion.”
W
ell, I never was granted that title– if that helps.” There were times when outside people didn’t think that Orion should be at this meeting in general. Since he wasn’t someone who partook in the war in a way. But war trauma was trauma. Even if he didn’t kill anyone, Orion had witnessed plenty of death. Hell, the whole book of his last works – was death.
“I understand. Sometimes the noise is quite comforting. Less time to think about our own silence.” Maybe that sounded a bit too philosophical, but there was no judgment about it from him. “I’ll try my best to not chat your ear off.” Orion offered, with a soft chuckle.
“No, I haven’t had lessons in a long time. I’ve ridden a few times here and there, but most of the barns here haven’t found time or the right person to help me ride. But There’s a place up the way that works with people like me, so I’m thinking about starting one of their programs there. I’m not looking to be competing or anything,” Orion laughed, feeling Copper nudge him again. When Orion wasn’t fast enough, the horse began pressing again. Orion held up his hand and the horse began nuzzling his palm.
“That’s great. Yeah, there isn’t a shortage of horses around here, that’s for sure. Always horses coming and going.” Orion didn’t know if he had been in an area that was so condensed with horses. Sure, there were probably plenty of places, but not as horse-driven as Hickstead. It was an exciting area, as a non-horse person was a bit of a minority. Most of the tourists who came through were those traveling for a competition. Orion often had a bunch of people on competition days, as someone was tense or had fallen off and needed something massaged out.
“It's calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion.”
T
hank you, sir,” Orion smiled. His hand found the back of the chair and he maneuvered into it. He felt a bit of a strain, causing a frown on his lips. Then, he remembered he didn’t unbutton his suit jacket. What a silly mistake. Orion adjusted himself, and unbuttoned his jacket, allowing some more comfortable movement.
His ears picked up the lack of echo in the room. “A lot more people today. Must have a few more new members. The noise is a bit more mute,” Orion commented, turning to the man next to him. “Is this your first time, or are you one of those silent – try not to participate continuos members?” Maybe that was a bit rude, but there was no judgment behind it. There was plenty of those here. A lot of them came in, just for the company.
“It's calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion.”
I
wouldn’t say regret, but it alters how you view things. Alters how you take in information, and how you think. Sometimes finding the truth made me realize how corrupt even the most innocent-looking things can be. Especially a story I did about a church, where there was a seemingly high amount of abuse happening there. No one would believe the church community could do that, right? Christians could never hurt their own, as God is watching. But that wasn’t the case. The fear of God was used in a way, there was so much trauma. I was told by the current company not to release the story, but I did it. Cost me my job, but sometimes you must make that decision. What secrets are you willing to hide? And the secrets you want to release…what are you willing to sacrifice?” The religious trauma Orion faced growing up, was what probably drove him to release this information. The church ended up being shunned and shut down. A charity ended up taking over the building, making it into a music hall.
“Yeah, sometimes families let you down like that. But in the end, it’s always up to you to decide why. Sometimes that reason changes, and that’s okay, too.” It was a part of growth, really. He learned that in both easy and hard ways. When he lost his sight, he wondered if there was anything he could do to continue his stories.
“University gave you an inkling, and there are times you can go in. A few riots happened and students that were part of the university paper could go in if they had the right credentials. It was sheltered, sure, but only to the amount you wanted it to be. In the real world, it’s the same. It just depends on how safe you want to play it. What kind of journalism are you interested in, per se? Finance? War? Drug Addiction?”
“I do yes! I met him first at his leather shop. That is me, a pleasure to meet you,” Orion smiled, holding out a hand. “Ah, is that so? Well, I’m not exactly looking for anything heavy-duty myself.” Gosh, what would Gwyn say if she heard he was looking? But the description of Copper sounded nice. Plus, if he were to have a horse, Helping Hooves would board any horse he chose. Which didn’t help his current predicament. There were already a lot of signs.
“Not as long as some people have around here. I started a few years ago. Learned how to ride first, blind. Didn’t ride before that,” he smiled. “Maybe it’s because I can’t judge them by looks, and I already have a load of patience. What about you? Have you been around horses for a long time?”
Orion could pick up the upcoming footsteps. He figured he was acting weird. A man in formal athleisure, and some interesting glasses. It was rare for him to have his guide stick out, but with Gwyn leaving, she insisted he takes it from the car. But it was hidden a bit, so he didn’t expect anyone to know unless they were searching.
“Too lazy, huh?” Orion gave the horse one more healthy scratch on the cheeks before turning his attention towards the man. A small smile crossed his lips. “Ah, no – I just finished giving a few horses their massages. Mr. Flores said I could wander around a bit before he was able to take me home.” The name drop wasn’t out of bragging but in a friendly manner. He and Auggie had developed a good relationship, platonic and business. Discounts for the yard, and discounts for furniture. It was a win-win.
Orion could feel Copper sniff his hair and he held up his hand again, the velvet nose sniffing at his palm. "So, what deems him too lazy?"
“It's calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion.”
O
rion hadn’t been to a meeting for a minute, mainly because the holidays were picking up which meant work was crazy. He didn’t mind it, actually – going to the meetings. It was one of the few socializations thins he attended. While the meeting was hard, it was the after that was nice. Meeting people that had a similar background of sorts. But it was also in a different setting.
He was running a bit late, mainly because his ride share was stuck – but Orion knew that running late wasn’t necessarily a problem. A few people could show up when they needed, or just not show up at al. No one was particularly forced to go. But there were a few that were told to do so, by families or the government treatment.
His cane worked the tile, his ears following the sounds of rustling feet and chatter. Orion found the room and was greeted by the lead. A few hellos were passed, and Orion could tell he would be forced into the back. He preferred the middle of the front, the action per se, but he would deal with the consequences of poor planning.
Orion guided his cane, a few greetings coming from familiar voices. He made his way through the rows and his cane hit a chair that obviously had nobody in it. Being polite, he asked. “Do you mind if I sit next to you?”
“It's calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion.”
I
’m pretty she would only shank you if she was in scrubs. I don’t think she would ruin her wardrobe over a mistake,” he replied. Honestly, he doubts she would shank anyone. Maybe if he was in trouble – she would, that herd protection mentality. But this was a conversation that would easily derail, so Orion pressed forward.
Orion nodded again, intrigued by the tone change. Almost like a surprise. “Fact searching is always a great trait, but sometimes the facts and the truth can lead to very dangerous outcomes. It’s the ability to learn what is worth finding out. Has no one ever asked you why? Why you chose this path?”
“It was more of a secret obsession for me,” he smiled. “My parents didn’t like me watching and listening to the news or being interested in it. Newspapers were hidden from the children, so as not to scare us. But they forgot that libraries were a thing. We didn’t have the internet then when I was growing up – but if you found the right library and librarian, I figured out what was happening in the world. I managed to keep it from my parents until I was in college. They didn’t like it, wondering what they did wrong. So maybe it’s an act of rebellion as well. I think the main thing was the emotion I was able to capture in both words and writing. There’s a way to photograph and write emotions and scenes that make other people feel. Kind of like those ads for cancer charities for children, or homeless animals. Being able to provoke emotions, bad or good – felt like a weird superpower.”
Orion told himself he was here to look. Okay, well..not look per se. But he was here on business, his morning at least. Gwyneth had to go in for an emergency so he was on his own after he finished his two clients at the yard.
There were services that could pick him up and he knew Auggie well enough that the man would drive if needed. It was odd, kind of. Having such a supportive group of people around. Not that it was a bad thing - but it was good having people other than his niece.
Orion had finished writing a few things and packing his shoulder bag. He made his way down the aisles, hearing the horses. It didn't take him long to feel a velvet nose poke out at him. Orion held up his hand and a whoosh of warm breath hit his palm. A smile crept across his face. He wondered what the horse looked like. It had a longer face, thin and muscular. His hands explored more - feeling that an ear was cropped. Like a Doberman almost. It made him frown. "Are you a survivor?" He asked, hands resting on the cheeks. The horse didn't seem to mind. Almost allowing Orion to continue holding its face.
“It's calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion.”
T
he hardest part is keeping myself entertained,” Orion joked. He had thoughts about going to this area where single gay men went to meet someone. Orion hadn’t dated since he had become blind those years ago, a bit nervous to dip his toe back in. “But I’m also thinking of taking riding lessons. Nothing crazy, obviously – but just to ride again would be nice.”
Orion paused for a moment, adding more lotion to his hands before sliding them under Cal’s right shoulder blade. Fingertips dug around the blade bone, stopping at knots to work on them gently before moving side to side to help ease them out.
“It's calm under the waves in the blue of my oblivion.”
O
rion lifted his eyebrows, but his smile was calm. He could hear the different breaths coming from the young man. It was evident he was nervous, from the changes in tone. Orion didn’t blame him, though. He knew all too well the feeling of meeting someone important like this. The older gentleman smiled again, knowing that his niece told Stephen how to butter him up. “Is that so, I guess I’ll be the judge, huh?” he teased, trying to make the situation not as tense - as he held out his hand to receive the warm beverage.
Despite what had happened to him, Orion still loved talking about his previous field. Sure, there was the pain from it – but it was a hard lesson learned now. But there were risks with everything now, it didn’t matter. “Oxford, you say? Quite the accomplishment, so congratulations on that front. But real life does come first sometimes, chosen or forced. May I ask why you chose journalism in the first place?”