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!.
"Please, As if I would be dumb enough to loose my head." Rena rolled her eyes - of course the dark beauty would be egotistical enough to believe that was true. "I'll give you a helping hand," She said unkindly, knowing that annoyingly, Camilla would always be the last one to lose any limbs over treasure - probably because she'd studied every single angle three times over before approaching, and then once more for good luck. Lorena didn't have the patience for that - or very often the time, either.
She mentally pumped her fist at the scowl on Camilla's face - call that one each for now... or maybe it was more than that by now, given that they'd been taking pot shots at each other since the second they'd laid eyes on each other today. Probably 20 each. "I know how to shoot a gun," Lorena made a 'ooo look at you' gesture and snorted. "So can lots of people, doesn't mean they should," because it didn't meant they'd actually hit anything they meant to hit. If anything, Mila would probably shoot Rena in the ass and pretend she hadn't meant to. "I just prefer more delicate methods if I can. No one as ever handed me my treasure." She rolled her eyes, "boring." She said simply - because that was essentially what 'delicate' meant.
"Well, let's see then. Go on." Lorena almost rolled her eyes again, but they were getting rather tired of rolling and liked her eyes as they were - in their sockets - they were pretty and much more useful there. One more eye roll and they might fall right out of her head. Lorena hated the way her heart did an odd like jump when her enemy leaned closer - was that nervousness, or was it anger that she was doing this? Frustration? She dismissed the internal feelings and pushed them out of her mind. It had been a long couple of weeks, she was tired, that was all. She clenched her jaw as Camilla's hand skated around her neck and held firm to her jaw, despising the touch, but forcing herself to stay there and withstand it - she would not flinch.
"My my, I could get used to this look on you," Lorena shut down on the inside, unsure why she immediately did so, but some self preservation told her to cut all emotional ties. Instead she let her smirk widen, "I bet you could, there's nobody like me." She commented egotistically, but Lorena knew her worth. "But I - Camilla Ashvii Kensington - accept your proposal to be your second in command. You may get up now. You know, in all of this excitement, I don't think you told me where we are going or do you plan on keeping me in the dark til the last second as always?" Rena gracefully rose to her feet, carefully brushing off some dirt from her knees as if she knelt before gorgeous women every day. "Can I have it in writing that you agree to be my second," She said pointedly, knowing already how many arguments they were going to have along the way. God she looked forward to it. Rolling her shoulders back, she shrugged, brushing off the weird moment she'd felt with the woman the same way she'd just brushed off her knees. "Perhaps I'll sprinkle you some clues and see how smart you really are to figure them out, after all.. I had to do the hard graft to get there in the first place." She was only half joking, she didn't have the time to wait around for Mila to figure the shit out it had taken her months to. "Your passport in date? You're gonna need to book some time off." She gave a pointed look to the office they were currently in.
She knew she'd surprised her nemesis, it was all over her annoyingly perfect face, and she would have made a joke about it if she wasn't trying not to choke on her own words for help. Her eyes rested on another figurine, fingers toying with it, stroking the smooth of the china like a distraction. She wasn't really concentrating, and if she wasn't careful she was going to break something expensive. For a treasure hunter she sure was a clumsy one and had a penchant for not just trouble but for accidentally dropping things.
"Figures you would get someone to lose their head," For once, Lorena let herself be needled and shot Camilla an unfriendly scowl instead of a sarcastic comment. "Shame it wasn't yours." Oh oops, there was the comment. Annoyingly, Mila probably wasn't dumb enough to lose her head, she'd have checked out every angle and possibility before even stepping into the cave, not even close to losing a hair on that pretty head, let alone the whole thing. Urgh, not the laugh. It went right through her, and Rena pulled a face, turning to face her again in a sulking manor. "Oh Rena, you were never smart at the puzzles. Did you finally figure out just going into something guns ablazing doesn't solve everything?" She shrugged, working hard not to be petulant. "It solves more than your 'look from afar' approach." Rena muttered, annoyed. "I'm surprised you've ever put a hand on any treasure, unless it was handed to you by someone who goes in guns blazing."
That look spelled trouble, Lorena could smell it, and her gaze narrowed on Camilla, crossing her arms as if she could hold back whatever insult or deal she was going to get flung at her. She steeled herself, half tempted to throw one of those silly little figures on the floor in a temper tantrum. "I'll help you on one condition - ask for my help directly. And I want a 'please' on there. No beating around the bush or Rena semantics on this one. I want you begging me." She sighed, and an eyebrow rose. "Careful, you might get more than you bargained for, talking like that." Her voice lowered, the connotations of knees and begging was too much to ignore. She rolled her eyes and took two quick steps forward and then dropped to her knees, ignoring the bite as they hit the deck with a bang. "Oh dearest, sweetest queen Camilla, will you do me the dearest honour of being my second in command and coming on a treasure quest with me? The most daring and bravest treasure hunter alive?" She couldn't do it any better than that, it wasn't in her nature and she reached for Camilla's cool hand with a wide, Bambi like expression that didn't really suit her. "Hurry up and answer, if someone walks in right now they might very much get the wrong impression. Or perhaps the right one, who knows."
"Because I know you too well, Rena. That, and I like a challenge." Rena raised a delighted eyebrow that dear old Milla had risen to the occasion and her expression indicated 'touche' rather than flirt back again. She hadn't really come back just for this witty-verging-on-insulting repertoire, as amusing and entertaining as it was. It would keep Rena going for a few more months at least before she required a top up shot.
Lorena stared defiantly right back into those big brown doe eyes Milla used like a weapon. "I may be getting old, but remember, you're the one who came to me." Not something she particularly liked her frenemy pointing out. It wasn't in her to be stuck up though, but humble wasn't 100% on her dance card either. "Yeah yeah technicalities." She waved it off dismissively, despite the fact that was literally the reason she was standing in this office trading barbs with Camilla. She was pretty sure she'd have dropped dead before the dark skinned beauty - because who could annoyingly deny her prowess - picked up a phone and rang Rena of all people.
"Please do not touch--wait, what?" Lorena didn't bother to repeat herself, she knew damned well Camilla had heard her, it just took a minute to penetrate the automatic firing of insults. "The Achaemenid Empire lost treasure? You can't be serious. I can't actually believe that a ruffian like you found it. Why do you need my help then?" Lorena picked up one of the little figurines on the nearest shelf and pointed it at Camilla to indicate her guess was bang on the nose. "Ding ding ding, you're a winner," She sang, before replacing the figure on the shelf - a little less gracefully than she probably should have. Now for the tricky, sort of tail between legs part that she was going to hate so much. "Believe it, sister, I found it..." She hesitated, "Or well, I've found the location. Nearly lost my head for it. A local guide actually did lose his head for it... kind of messy that... I might not be hugely welcomed back but he knew what he was getting into.." She shrugged it off, "I can't get in." She admitted. "There's some whole complicated process and I was able to get some of it open, and then I fucked it and the whole thing closed - now even the part I worked out won't do what it's meant to. I need another brain on it. There's language even I don't understand associated with it, and I'm just playing the guessing game using the nearest language to it I do know."
Lorena's laugh was impossible to stifle, not with that damn look her rival gave her across the over the top desk. It was even better when she accomplished an eye roll out of the young woman. If Lorena had a drink on her she'd start playing Milla bingo. She'd already had hit about three by now which would be sure to earn her a shot at least, of the gold stuff. In fact, it begged the question of why didn't she have a drink in her hand in that moment. "Why don't you stuff it Rena, it really was not that funny," Lorena snorted and raised a brow. "Because it is that funny from where I'm sitting." punctuated by another snort of laughter. "And don't call me 'Milla'." Lorena answered that with a devilish grin of her own, not needing to tell Milla that she'd just nailed her own coffin with that one. What a perfect way to ensure Lorena called her that in every sentence from now on. A guaranteed torture.
"You wouldn't be able to handle me." Rena's eyes lit up with the challenge, a mischievous twinkle taking hold as she lifted her chin and looked the other woman up and down. "What makes you think you could handle me?" a flirtatious lilt added allure to the words. She just couldn't help herself, when Camilla set things up in that way. Some people had made comments about their banter before, querying in subtle and less subtle tones as to whether the twl had any 'history'. They did not, though Rena supposed she could see why people made the assumption. They did have a tendency to argue like an old married couple, Rena found it funny but she was pretty certain it just fucked dear old Milla right off. Rena didn't bother saving energy for those kinds of irritations, it seemed like a waste of time. People made assumptions, you had to just roll with the punches and find the funny in that kind of shit.
One thing guaranteed to get under her skin though, without shadow of a doubt, was that look right there on her rivals face. Shit eating grin, naturally. It pissed her off all the more at how attractive the woman made it bloody look. She stayed perfectly still, a habit of hers when something dangerous approached, as Milla strode closer. If only to show herself as equal predator and not prey. She refused to flinch as her space was invaded, setting her jaw instead, her blue eyes cooling somewhat. Her price had already taken a hit from those words, she didn't need any more torture from it. She was usually more of the doer, the talker, the one who couldn't sit still, even if she wasn't moving there was normally a flow of energy around her all the same, but she made no motion now, no sound. There was no point overdoing it, Milla would consider it in her own sweet time. "I'm sorry, Lorena, I don't think I heard you the first time. Do you mind repeating what you just said?" It was her turn to eye roll and she gave the woman a firm look. "You know perfectly well what I said, and what it cost me to say it just the once. That's all you're getting. Either that or you're getting old and clearly wouldn't be any use to me anyway." because an insult and rile-ing her up usually did the trick. Rena broke the spell, pushing away from the desk and standing, she began pacing in front of the desk, pausing to observe Milla's things, picking them up and rearranging them, if only to be irritating. "It benefits you told. Remember that old Persian secret you were looking into. Well I found it." She punctuated her words by spinning on the spot, pinning Milla with her gaze.
Lorena let out a burst of joyous laughter at her yelp, unable to help herself. She had always been someone who laughed first and asked if they were alright after, too busy clapping a hand to her thigh and catching her breath from the hilarity of the situation to worry about the other person's feelings. It was even funnier as the papers went flying, and she wiped at her eyes, taking a large breath to enable herself to speak, "Oh God that went even better than I expected, you really have lost your knack, Milla." She managed to get out as the laughter died down. Her being sat on a chair in an empty office would never have caught her out before. The amusement still played clear on her face as the other's eyes narrowed on her, and she waited for the icy retort - the cold to Rena's flames, as they'd always been. "If it wasn't undignified, I'd launch across this room and throttle you right now," Rena gave a quick snort of amusement and opened her arms, wiggling her fingers at her in a 'come get me' motion. "Be as undignified as you like, come get me. I dare you." Her own eyes narrowed, having far too much fun to stop now.
Well damn it if she hadn't missed their back and forth witty repartee. She knew there was no way in hell Camilla would do anything so uncouth as to leap across the desk to get at her, that was much more Rena's scene. In fact, she may have done that once or twice before, and it was with unabashed pride to admit it. "Camilla! Is everything alright? I heard a scream." Lorena opened her mouth to say something that would only make matters worse when she allowed Camilla's look to silence her. "Don't worry about it Aiden. An annoying little 'Ren managed to get into my office. Must have left the window unlocked. I'll take care of it." Lorena gave a little crap of her hands. "Oh excellent, very punny." She complemented, still having far too much fun with this whole interaction to remember that she was about to ask for the woman's help. She beamed at Camilla as the woman observed her, observing right back without shame.
Then there was a flurry of movement and Rena blinked, caught by surprise this time as her heels clicked their way over and Camilla was suddenly right in her face. She didn't blanch, meeting her gaze head on, squaring her jaw and tilting her chin up in her usual show of stubbornness - despite the issue of being shorter, Rena didn't let Camilla use it to her advantage. "What are you doing here? Don't you have some archeology site to go wreck with your bull whip and unorthodox methods?" Lorena rolled her eyes and relaxed against the supple cushion of the chair. Camilla did enjoy high luxury comfort, there was that she had going for her. "Oh I absolutely do," She agreed, and that was part of the problem. "The issue is, I need ...your help." She admitted, having to work just a little bit to get out the horrifying words.
Lorena was just considering her options when she finally heard approaching footsteps. Her need to pee had risen somewhat by an alarming degree - to the point where the plotted plants were looking like a viable option - and she'd read every word in front of her within eye sight; who didn't love reading instructions on a bottle of spray over and over again. Honestly, she didn't see what Milla could be doing to take so long to get back to her office - say a few words, click through a few slides, they'd all been to class and they all knew the teachers weren't the one's that did all the hard work. Okay, so she was being a little basic, but she wasn't good at sitting still for long periods of time. She never had been, though she'd coped through school because she'd had something solid to focus on, something to prove, but now she wanted to be out and about, up and on her feet running from one adventure to the next. Not sitting here waiting around for enemy number one to show up.
Ah, finally! The door! She half expected Camilla to notice the door was no longer locked. A pitiful one at that too, considering it had taken Lorena a mere thirty seconds to crack the code. She'd barely finished her first round of the mission impossible theme tune she'd hummed whilst she'd worked. It didn't quite fit for Indiana Jones, not ancient Egypt enough. She all but held her breath, impatience rearing it's familiar head again as she waited for the penny to drop. Why was it taking so long? "I didn't leave my chair like that..." And that was her cue, enter center stage Lorena. She spun the chair slowly, a dramatic experience, one leg folded over the other, both forearms resting on the arms of the chair as she lounged. "Surprise bitch, did you miss me?" Okay so not her most eloquent entrance, but she felt that worked better than 'I've been expecting you' because she had, but only for the past ten minutes, and this wasn't her office. "I see Professing has dulled your intelligence somewhat. It didn't take particularly long," She commented, an eyebrow arching as she looked her old enemy over.
She didn't look much different, but then it hadn't been all that long and Lorena guessed she probably looked little different either. Rena took a long moment to look over the other woman; from her annoyingly long ass shapely legs, right up to her sharp chin and haughty expression. Nope. Nothing had changed their either. Her smirk widened, unable to help herself.
Lorena had been somewhat disappointed by the ease at which she'd broken in. She did love a challenge, and whilst she was aware that not every door was going to offer that kind of opportunity - blood, sweat and potential for tears - she was surprised that Camilla's security was quite so lax. Of course, she had to remind herself, this was not some underground treasure lair hidden in the depths of the Amazon (it sounded ridiculous but she'd been there before). This was a teachers office in the middle of a University in South East England. Nothing adventurous or excitable about that. Which added to the disappointment really. She hadn't seen her arch nemesis for some years now, and she almost missed her. Almost. She wasn't exactly here to see her for a quick coffee and a catch up, she'd come here for a reason - reluctantly, she would admit that, but Camilla had her own set of talents that were somewhat useful and Rena had found her pool of helpful contacts dwindling over the years. It was as if there wasn't enough money in the business or something. How about that.
She wasn't in it for the money though, and she was self aware enough to know that it was very rich of her to say that, and to not need to worry about money. She didn't actually have much of her own, she wasn't afraid to admit it. Her ways and means of life rested almost solely on Robert as her benefactor, and it was only because she was good that she didn't bleed him dry of it. She had a little money saved away, tucked into an offshore bank account, completely illegally naturally, for a rainy day or a desperate situation. It was handy to have on those occasions of threat of kidnap and ransom, when she didn't want to bother Rob. The old man did not need to have a heart attack at his age. Still, her way of life was pretty cheap and easy. She slept wherever she could find a place to put her head, often finding some comfort in being able to see the night sky above her, and she ate when she remembered to. Her lifestyle was her hobby, and she had little interest in material things. She didn't have a permenant residence, right now, being in Hickstead, she'd stuck herself in a local hotel. It wasn't likely she'd be here long anyway.
Sighing, she glanced at the clock ticking away on the wall to her left. Where the hell was Camilla? She'd checked her schedule for a reason - so she wouldn't be sat in this ridiculous chair for hours and hours, holding on to the need to pee. It was going to ruin her entrance if Mill's came in to an empty office and then Lorena bursts in from the freaking toilet shouting 'surprise bitch it's me'. She would have to hold it. Her long fingers drummed on the arm rest of the chair as she stared at the damn clock. She had to keep the back to the door otherwise it would ruin her hilarious idea to do a James Bond villain swivel, but God was this boring!
full name • Lorena Henley Reeves nicknames • Rena, Lor, Jones (as in Indiana Jones) age • thirty-one birthday • July 1st occupation • Explorer, Historian, Archaeologist gender • female sexuality • straight - or so she believes
the appearance
face claim• Luna Lubbe
identifying features• Bright blue eyes are one thing people often see when they first glance at her, alongside the fact she's above average in height for a woman, standing at a leggy 5ft9. Her hair is quite often a bit of a lion's mane, another distinguishable feature of hers.
the personality
likes • Insects and other creepy crawlies; had some as pets growing up , succeeding in something and solving a mystery , traveling and other cultures; embraces everything , puzzles and anything that requires problem solving , being underestimated and surprising people , bantering with people and sarcastic/dry humour , her method of work - flying by the seat of her pants does work and she'll argue that to the ground , learning and absorbing as much as she can , people that can appreciate her passions and delving into conversation with them , Loves treasure hunting movies; The Mummy films are her favourites, but she also loves Indiana Jones and National Treasure dislikes • being cold; prefers the heat , fictional books; finds them predictable and boring , superhero movies , heights; she can climb well and skydive but heights aren't her favourite thing , wine , people who go to other countries but eat the same food they get at home , pretentious idiots , playing by the rules and authority , her nemesis - Camilla (or does she) , patriarchal shit; she's all about equality and all that strengths • problem solving , fluent in many languages, including several ancient languages to a degree , expert climber , diving and swimming, can free dive , surprisingly vast knowledge of plant life and animals , history - serious buff , good at manipulating, knows how to get her own way , breaking and entering , enjoying her own company; sociable but doesn't need people all the time weaknesses • a good mystery , stubborn; will find a way, even if it steps on some toes and upsets people , not very graceful , a dare - can't say no , piercing eyes; she finds them alluring , a good Scotch , architecture - some think it's lame, but she loves looking at it , apple crumble; especially home made and with custard , hyper focused sometimes and will forget to look after herself; sleep & eat etc dreams • of becoming renowned for her abilities and earning a good name for herself , to complete some of the greater mysteries of the architecture world fears • Failing, she will keep trying and trying until she bleeds. Also doesn't want to let Robert down , sharing her parents fate overall personality • bit of a lone wolf, easy in her own company, easily entertained, cheeky, likes to wind people up sometimes, studious, adventurous, free spirited and hard to pin down, stubborn but has a clever way of looking like she's given up and then will find another way to get what she wants, hard working, not afraid to get down in the dirt and break a nail or a sweat, resilient, adaptable, loves to make silly quips, a bit annoying and plays up to it, obsessive; won't be able to let go of things until she's seen it through to the end or got her answer, thinks outside the box, a bit of a klutz and unrefined, funny and fun loving in general, loves a challenge; especially one she can't do, daring and will never say no to one, irresponsible, not particularly loyal will flit around depending on what suits her, does have questionable morals - a little grey, upbeat and positive; class half full, not one to hold a grudge but will get even, sociable, fits in with anyone, flirtatious, passionate, ambitious, argumentative and will back herself, stands by what she says, sometimes rude by mistake as often speaks without thinking, will make you think you've won an argument and is agreeing or letting it go and then will find another way to prove her point or win.
the history
father • Henry Richard Reeves - deceased - archaeologist and treasure hunter mother • Natalie Chloe Reeves - deceased - archaeologist and treasure hunter siblings • None important people • CAMILLA AASHVI KENSINGTON - frenemy, secret respect hometown • London, England overall history • Lorena never got to know her parents, a feat that would forever sit with her on her sad days. She had only been a year old when they died - heading off on yet another adventure, they had taken her with them as far as they could and promised to only leave her behind for one night, entrusting her to an aunt who was happy to have her. They never came home. The other explorers who had gone alongside them all have somewhat varying answers to 'what happened'. Whether it was to try to hide the location of a lost treasure still not found, or so that nobody would learn of the true horror of their deaths. All Lorena would ever know was that her parents entered an ancient cave together, and never came back out.
She was sent to a children's home. Her aunt, though she loved her, was unwilling to take her on full time. Her parents had not created will's, and with no other known living relative, her aunt had signed her over to an orphanage in the middle of London. She didn't resent her aunt for it, she understood, even as over the years of her getting older, the visits from her aunt grew few and far between until they stopped all together. She heard of her passing when she was eleven, and somewhat reluctantly attended the funeral but did not shed a tear. Instead, Lorena was taken in by an ancient, strange old man by the name of Robert Granger. He was a history buff, and a professor, with a particular interest in treasure hunting. He loved delving into mysteries and unsolved stories - and had met Lorena's parents on a couple of occasions to discuss myths and legends.
At first, Lorena was apprehensive of the old man - he was a stranger, and a little abrasive, with odd ways about him. But she was a sweet kid who tended to bounce back quite fast. He took her in when she was seven, a wide eyed bambi of a kid, and it didn't take him long to win her over. He enticed and thrilled her with stories of lost treasures and her parents as the daring and adventurous hunters, seizing the day every time. The old man had money to burn, and whilst he encouraged her learning at home, and was surprisingly strict on it, he sent her to the best schools. She was a good kid, and at the same time a tough one - she was thick skinned, and rarely heeded warnings or tellings off, getting into trouble for things at school she didn't think she should be, didn't understand why she was wrong for doing it - skipping classes, and going off campus. She wasn't a troublemaker with other kids. She was a bit of a loner, but never worried for it. She had plenty of social skills and could fit in with anyone, but she didn't seek out company and could easily entertain or fascinate herself with her own interests.
She spent her summers on the estate, mostly keeping company with the staff Robert had, or in London town, trawling the streets as a solitude child who feared nothing. Her head always caught up in the history and architecture, to worry about how a young kid shouldn't be wandering around on her own like that. She vowed to grow up and follow her parent's passion, encouraged by Robert, and she worked hard to get herself up there with the top of the top. She was lucky that Robert was able to send her off to Cambridge Uni - and was willing to do it too. He had a few ties there from his earlier days but she made a point of getting in on merit. Despite her fly by the seat of her pants nature, free spirit and fun loving personality, she did knuckle down and prove her worth. It was here she met someone that would turn her life frequently upside down - Camilla. At first, Lorena thought she might finally have met a partner in crime, the way that her parents had had each other's backs, and gone into things at each other's side. But it soon became clear that was not the case. They rubbed each other the wrong way, even when Lorena didn't mean to. She said the wrong thing, or did the wrong thing, and then Camilla's snooty response would rub her the wrong way and she'd have to just make a witty quip to piss her off.
The nail in the coffin was surpassing Camilla at the end of school exams, and being top of the class - and though she was rarely riled, it didn't half piss Rena off for the fact that Mill's couldn't seem to believe it possible. Served her right. Following University, Lorena began her adventures. She had traveled a fair bit with Robert and with some of his co-workers and friends, experiencing all corners of the wonderful world, but now she could to travel for real. She spent plenty of time out on digs, discovering new civilisations and creatures and unearthing histories. But her real passion was treasure hunting. She poured over books, went to the far reaches of the earth to every extremity; forests and jungles, deserts and mountains - following dead end trails or wicked myths and half truths. Sometimes it paid off, and sometimes it didn't. She brought a lot back, but having the treasure wasn't what interested her. She found it amazing, what she discovered, but she didn't have any interest in keeping them. She handed them over to Robert most of the time, after studying it, or to other organisations depending on who she was traveling with and who might be funding her. Robert did much of the time, but sometimes even his vast pay check was not quite enough. Along the way, she frequently ran into Mill's, to the point where she actively started looking out for her wherever she went, and even went as far as seeking her out or following her just to appear in a surprise moment to piss her off.
This is where she finds herself now - still moving from story to story, soaking up everything she can about the lost and the unknown.
the role player
alias • Your majesty age • 50 peanuts other characters • one tequila, two tequila....
