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!.
Chris chuckled at his ass kissing joke as he threw the bottle cap in the closest garbage can. "Ah, I thought that was Bella's job and not mine. I promise to give you the royal treatment." He hadn't ever been someone who sucked up to other people - deciding that he should prove himself by his actions. "So, you won't admit that you missed me then?" His eyebrow raised as he busied himself in his area of the bar - the evening rush seemed to have settled down a bit for now.
"And how many bartenders have to scared off since then?" He knew from Harper and Tristan that there had been quite a few changes in staff since the Lounge opened - though that was something that tended to happen everywhere. Bartending wasn't a career people tended to keep their whole working lives. When the topic switched to his dating life, he scoffed. "Do you think women think I'm scary?" He tended to get enough dates, though no one who was happy being in a relationship with someone who was a bit of a goof ball. "You'd do that for me? I'm in. Do you know anywhere hip and cool we could go?" Chris knew he spent a bit too much time at work, but he also didn't control his own schedule. Duchess took up most of his free time as he rode the mare practically every day.
He noticed that the trail mix bowl was starting to get empty, picking up the bag and pouring another bowl full for his cousin. "They are lucky to have parents for you. Anything on the wish list left for me to get for them?" It would be nice to be able to spoil his cousin's children in person for once rather than having gifts sent over from America. "You bet! I'm in. What are the usual traditions anyway? Anything I need to be worried about?"
Chris chuckled with his friend, glad that she found his joke quite hilarious. What was funnier was Gwyn’s not very lady-like laugh - it wasn’t something he had heard come out of her mouth before, granted they hadn’t known each other for very long yet. “Hm, part of me doesn’t believe you. Some people like the scrubs. I think it’s the whole sexy nurse thing.” Chris shrugged his shoulders - no one had flirted with him at either of his jobs. He had been a bartender long enough to know the difference between flirting and being drunk. “I won’t disagree with you on that one. Horses take a lot of work, which doesn’t exactly leave time for a romance.” Somehow they all seemed to find someone interested in them - some of them being people who didn’t ride horses. It seemed to work out though from the stories he had heard.
He didn’t like the fact that Summer was coming to an end, though like every season it was inevitable and had to happen. “Though there aren’t many Uni kids left. Some must have gone home for the Summer and for that, I am forever grateful.” They were the rowdy bunch that got mad at him if he had to cut them off of alcohol - that was all part of his job after all. “Does it seem to be similar ailments or is it all different?” He wasn’t someone who believed in coincidences but animals tended to be more prone to illness with the changing of seasons. Willow Bridge wasn’t somewhere he spent his time - Hickstead was more his style. Chris was always up for a new adventure though, and the man never said no to food. “So you’ve dragged me out on a special occasion then. Does this solidify our friendship then?” Chris laughed - if he had known this he would have dressed up a bit more than what he was wearing currently. “Does that mean I’ll have to wear my sneakers barefoot then?" That might not be the best idea and it would make him look foolish.
The red head made himself comfortable in the chair across from Gwyn, slightly surprised that she didn’t protest his gentlemanly gesture. It probably made them look like a couple to the outside, but he knew they’d always stay friends. “Me too, don’t tell me we will order everything on the menu and share?” He didn’t know quite how this worked - other than choosing things off the menu of course. “So, you are working too hard then? Tell me about this University girl, I think you only mentioned her briefly last time.” He knew she was interested in her - though the feelings needed to be mutual if something was to happen there.
“Me? Ah same. I took Duchess in a local competition recently and getting settled into lessons. The Lounge has been a bit chaotic. Everyone wants to have their summer drinks to keep cool.” He didn’t really have anything else going on, which seemed quite boring. The waiter came and placed two menus on the table after greeting them - explaining how the restaurant week worked.
Christopher is the definition of a class clown. He loves making people laugh - even if it's at his own expense. Chris has a competitive nature - even against his own family members but only in the competition rings. He is a very family-oriented person, and some people describe him as loyal.
enemies
Someone who is against Seven Oaks or his foolish pranks with his cousin?
lovers
He is currently testing the waters with GALAXY BLUE WALKER - he is open for a final however depending on how it goes!
Chris was surprised to hear that his friend disliked the movie. Romantic comedies weren’t really his thing, but this particular one was a bit better than the ones he had seen previously. “Oh come on, it wasn’t really that bad. Alright, there wasn’t really a plot but there never is in those kinds of movies.” Chris usually ended up getting dragged to a rom-com by one of his previous girlfriends - they all seemed to have the same base storyline. “That is my secret. Only my coworkers know the truth.” His eyes gleamed at the joke. It wasn’t something he found appropriate to do - leaving the flirting for when he was off the clock. “You haven’t flirted at work, have you?”
As Gwyn drove around, he couldn’t help but be a bit sad. Summer was his favorite season and now it was slowly coming to an end. Even Duchess was starting to get more antsy with the changing of the weather. “Oh, definitely the college girls. Trying to tell them that they are cut off is honestly the worst. Just ask Harper, she’ll agree with me.” He was surprised that the two women knew each other, though there weren’t many people who didn’t if they came into R&R. “Are other animals at the vet clinic going a bit crazy too? Not just the horses?” He could imagine it leached over into all species - even the younger humans.
“I really haven’t gone out much. The only places I’ve been is Starbucks, Parker’s and the Pizza place. I’ve been working or riding.” His family members also wanted to see him and hang out - not just while the ones that rode were at the barn while he was working. Chris also wanted to get better at cooking at home now that he had given himself time to move in and get settled. “I am prepared to be amazed. That does sound like a good deal. How often do they do this week?” If it was worth it, he would have to come back - even if it was just for getting takeout for him to take as a meal for work. “Actually, I’m starving. What about you?” He had worked the late shift at the Lounge the night before, meaning he really only had toast and coffee for breakfast.
Chris followed Gwyn into the restaurant after she had locked her car. From the sight of the parking lot, he could tell that it would be quiet - though maybe it was still early in the day. “Maybe? I do tend to just eat when I can unless it’s my day off. How have you been since we saw each other last?” Chris pulled out Gwyn’s chair before he sat down on the chair across from her.
Chris stopped the tap, setting the beer glass in front of his cousin making sure there was a coaster underneath. “Well, I guess that’s true. You do pay to drink here and pay me for working at the barn.” It felt odd for him to say that he was so independent when he was away in America. “You will say when you’ve had enough of me right?” Chris chuckled, he was enjoying being closer to his family. Hickstead had felt like home as soon as he moved in - his mare even enjoying the different scenery.
He got a bowl from a cupboard close by and pulled down a small snack bowl, filling it with trail mix before setting it in front of his cousin in case he wanted a snack. Chris mockingly wiped his forehead with his hand in relief. “No, honestly I’m sure they know you are a good customer by now. How long have you been coming here anyway?” He felt slightly silly for not asking Harper during his training about how long Moses had run the place, but there were more important things to discuss.
“I just moved here! Dating someone right now does sound nice, but I’d like to settle in first.” Chris wasn’t dating anyone, having briefly had a relationship while he was away from family, but it didn’t work out. “Did you have anyone in mind though?” He was always curious to hear what his cousin was thinking. Chris picked up his cloth and started wiping down the area around the beer tap. “Thanks.” He knew Amber was a touchy subject and decided to end the topic there. Chris got the debit machine ready, letting Leo tap his card before the receipt was printed and he set it back off to the side.
He nodded, having children meant the Holidays felt different than as an adult. “Oh really, is there this year's most popular toy under the tree?” Chris couldn’t wait to buy gifts for them. It would be nice to give them in person rather than having to mail them off. “I mean, I wouldn’t say no. Those Nerf guns always seemed fun.” He knew he was still a child at heart and enjoyed playing with toys from time to time.
Christopher nodded, working on keeping Duchess underneath him. The mare did well if her mind had something to think on. "I understand that, I lived in a small town in the States for a bit. Can't see myself living in a big city either." Though everyone quickly figured out that he worked for Boyd Martin. It was easy for everyone to know who worked for the Olympian. He moved back into the posting trot, starting to serpentine down the arena, listening to Emilie as she talked again. "You really aren't. Though one day, we won't be the new employees anymore. Which one is Sky again? Does she belong to a boarder?" As a stable hand, he really only paid attention to where the horses needed to go - especially since the property was proving difficult for him to get used to.
"They really do. I feel like people take them for granted. There was this one competition where Duchess shifted her weight for me when I lost my stirrup in a show jumping class." He was thankful he had a good position in the saddle - knowing that balance was important when it came to riding. "Why didn't he like the idea? Too dangerous or something?" Motorcycles weren't really his thing - he was more a car kind of guy. He knew how dangerous they could be - though a few of his old coworkers had one and swore they were fun. Christopher finished his serpentine and was now going the other way - asking the paint mare for the canter.
Chris felt odd being dragged out to a movie and dinner. It was more something he associated with a date - though Gwyn wasn't someone he was interested in romantically. Being the person that he was, he allowed her to pick the movie. He should have know better as they ended up watching a romantic comedy. "It was quite funny though if you think about it. Hollywood has always thought that's the way romance goes." He shrugged his shoulders as he got into her sports car. Chris had offered to drive, though he lost the battle. "What was your least favorite part?" The red head buckled his seatbelt as Gwyn drove off.
The man laughed, hoping secretly that the food at Dino's would be better than the movie they had seen. "I have to admit, I haven't been to Dino's yet. Please tell me it's good, I'm starving." Chris worked all day at the barn and barely had time for lunch. The horses at Seven Oaks caused chaos - the cooler weather getting the best of them. As he watched the scenery of Hickstead turn into Willow Bridge, he noticed the similarities - though it seemed to be a bit more industrial looking. The car pulled into the parking lot and Chris unbuckled his seatbelt once the car was safely in park. "Yeah, that sounds like a plan. What is restaurant week anyway? Are you saying there will be a lot of people?" He opened the car door, closing it softly behind him and started heading towards the front door of Dino's.
Chris glanced over and gave Emilie a nod. "So you're from the big city. It must be a big change living here?" He felt he was starting to fit in nicely though, already being used to living in a small town back in the States. The small town he lived in had less than a thousand people in them. Duchess fell into stride with Cupid, almost stepping in sync.
He sat down, starting to work on his sitting trot. Chris slid his feet out of the stirrups and practiced his position in the saddle. "Trust me, I'm still there with you. I'm not a horse exerciser but I do struggle brining horses in from their fields. Thankfully there aren't too many horses with similar names." He was forever grateful for his coworkers for being understanding - and he had been a stable hand before. "Who is your favorite to ride so far?"
Chris was glad that Duchess was entertaining, most people recognized her back in the States by her personality, often caught bucking happily after going around a course. "It's just like people right? I swear she knows what her name is." He was sure to be careful as he circled Duchess in a large circle, keeping the sitting trot. "Summer camps are pretty fun. I helped with them before I moved here. Always entertaining helping kids learn how to ride." His eyebrows raised at her comment about motorcycles. "You ride them too? How did you get into that?"
Christopher went back down to sitting, moving Duchess into the trot with his legs. The mare almost leapt into the trot - always enjoying going faster. Christopher shook his head, bringing her back to the walk. Duchess snorted in annoyance, though she knew better than that. "Cool, and did you learn how to ride around here?" He made sure he was facing her, once again asking the paint mare for the trot again. This time the mare did her upward transition properly, making Chris smile. He posted the trot, glancing over to the other rider before doing a square turn and riding towards the other side of the arena.
"He looks nice, I don't think I've been here long enough to be able to name all the horses. This is my horse, Duchess." The mare flicked her ears forward at the sound of her name, knowing she was the center of attention. "It's like she knows her name or something, she does this at shows too." The man shook his head, wondering where the mare had gotten her personality from. He glanced over to the other rider again, changing direction at the trot now. "And what got you into riding anyway? Does a relative ride?"
Duchess kept straight down the quarter line, lowering her head as Chris added pressure with his legs. He turned her to the left and rode down the wall, continuing at the walk. Chris kept his eye out as not to run into the other rider. "Oh fun, I hope you enjoy it here." So far, Christopher was enjoying the new barn. There were a lot of differences between Seven Oaks and the barn he worked at in the States - but his cousins were great at helping him adapt.
"Have you been riding long?" He made sure to turn his head this time when he spoke. Chris wondered if she didn't hear him the first time, or if she had a hard time hearing in general. The man steered the paint mare across the diagonal to change directions. Duchess swished her tail, concentrating on her next hoofbeat. "And who are you riding today?" He was terrible at remembering the horse's names at the barn - except of course his own.
Christopher moved himself up into the two point, practicing his balance in the saddle. He pressed his weight into the bottom of his heels. It was something he knew he needed to work on - wondering if Lily or Leo could give him a flat lesson once he got more settled.
"So, are you saying you drink enough so that Moses can pay all the employees?" Chris was sure he didn't, but between his cousin and the rest of the regulars he was still getting to know - he was sure it had to be at least partially true. The red head set the beer glass down in front of him, while he continued to dry more glasses to put away in the cupboard above him. "I'm not accusing you of anything! I just know how prickly they can be sometimes and by the way you just waltzed in here like some royal prince, I had to assume."
He didn't know his coworkers very well yet, but they all assured him that the bouncers knew what they were doing - and that everyone was on the same team when it came to evicting someone from the Lounge. 'Are you sure it's your handsome face? I thought most people saw you and ran the other way." He wiggled his eyebrows jokingly as he put another clean glass away.
"She would! Glad to know you are still terrified of her. I haven't run into her yet, but with me working here that could all change." When he had first applied for the bartending job, he was worried that Amber would be the one training him, but he was pleasantly surprised it was someone else. "One beer coming up. How have you been? Getting ready to spoil those kids of your for Christmas?" Chris picked up the glass he had set aside for Leo and placed it under the tap, pulling the lever to release the amber liquid into the beer glass.
The paint mare walked on as soon as she felt her rider nudge her sides. Christopher had only ridden Duchess at Seven Oaks for a little over a month now, but the mare was still settling in to the new routine. "She got out of quarantine a few weeks ago, so I wanted to bring her back slowly." With it being Winter, there weren't many competitions - so it was the perfect time to slowly allow both of them to settle into their new life.
"Well, welcome to the barn! I haven't been here that long either. Moved here at the beginning of November." He was sure no matter how new she was that she would know who he was. The owners were his relatives after all - and he had the same last name as them too. "It's been awhile since I've jumped either. I'll probably just do a few small jumps after I've warmed her up." He would have to talk to Leo about signing up for lessons.
He started by allowing the mare to walk down the quarter line, practicing steering with his legs rather than his hands. "I'm Christopher by the way, but people around here call me Chris...among other things." He joked, sure his cousins had come up with some weird and crazy names for him behind his back. "How long have you been riding for?"
