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!.
Brandon wasn't expecting New Year's Eve to be as wild of a party as it was. He packed a duffle bag, expecting to stay the night at his mother's house, in case he wanted to enjoy himself. It was always better for him to be safe, rather than sorry. He didn't realize that Eva had invited two boys over - the two boys she had mentioned the last time they had made breakfast together.
The fact that Lilith had agreed to come over had made him happy. The two of them chatted the night away, enjoying the food and drinks provided. Brandon was sad that she had to leave at midnight, though he understood she was a busy woman. It took him awhile to fall asleep, which usually wasn't the case. He was thinking about the dark haired woman, wondering how she felt about him. It was always hard to read someone's mind. This led to him sleeping in, waking up to the sound of shuffling around in the kitchen. His dark eyes blinked, adjusting to the light - despite having blackout blinds.
He stretched his arms over his head, letting out a yawn before he flipped the blanket off of him. His feet landed on the ground and he made the bed behind him, softly padding across the hardwood floor before his hand opened the door. The man made his way to the kitchen, finding his mom and sister in the kitchen. "Morning, how did everyone sleep? I'm next for a cup of coffee." He walked over to the cupboard and grabbed a mug before closing the door once he was finished.
thanks aofie!
thirty - part time firetruck mechanic & Sales Yard Stable hand - single (hetero)
AGE
30
SEXUALITY
Heterosexual
RELATIONSHIP
Single
OCCUPATION
Fire Station Mechanic and Part time Stable hand @ Sales Yard
Brandon let out a laugh at Eva's comment. "That's not really how genetics work. You get genes from your parents, not your siblings." The two siblings knew they weren't related, but adoption wasn't something he was going to discuss in front of Lilith. As far as he was concerned, he felt that he was biologically related to Eva.
The pandas seemed to be entertaining to Eva. He himself had to admit they were pretty cute. Brandon might come off as grumpy, but he did love animals. It seemed as if everyone had agreed they were hungry which shocked him. He was used to being the only one. The Pandas seemed to have quickly finished their feeding time and he turned himself and followed Lilith. "Do you know what bears the Zoo is thinking of getting as a replacement?" It was always interesting to him that animals were in rotation, almost like if it was a popularity contest.
The dark haired man shook his head when the two women were going on about pandas. "Yes, yes they are cute. I've never heard you squeal like that before. Maybe you are more girly than you think." Brandon wasn't much to crack jokes, but that was pretty close for him. He went back to focusing on finding the smoothie stand - it was something only another guy could relate to. "Lead the way! No, I'm paying. It's the least I can do after you take time out of your busy day. Which Zoo animal is your favorite?" The question was directed to both of them, giving them something else to think about as they walked along.
thanks aofie!
thirty - part time firetruck mechanic & Sales Yard Stable hand - single (hetero)
AGE
30
SEXUALITY
Heterosexual
RELATIONSHIP
Single
OCCUPATION
Fire Station Mechanic and Part time Stable hand @ Sales Yard
It seemed as if their sappy family conversation was over. Brandon knew neither of them expressed how they felt about each other, but that was as close to an I love you as he knew he would get. Part of him wondered if they were truly related as parts of their personalities matched up. “Are you sure? I don’t want to stir up any teen drama that might happen between the two of you. I feel like you’ll get along eventually.” Being a teenager was awkward and weird enough anyway - let alone needing to make friends with people who were equally as awkward.
He waved off her comment, knowing his sister should know him better by now. “No, no. It gives me something to do at the Fire Station. It keeps the firefighters off my back if they break something else. I swear they are cranky about having to use a French Press.” Realistically, Brandon was happy with just filter coffee. He was old-fashioned that way and there wasn’t any technology for him to deal with. “I’ll have to talk to Jamie about that. I don’t have proof it was B shift but I have a suspicion.” Brandon pulled out a kitchen towel and began drying the dishes - he actually enjoyed cleaning. He quickly discovered that Eva did not. His eyebrows raised as Eva actually answered him. “Ah, two boys then. When can we expect to meet them?” It wasn’t like his sister had admitted to dating or anything, but there was a thin line between being friends and being in a relationship. There was nothing wrong with having friends of the opposite gender in his eyes - he had Lilith after all. “Oh! I know Tanner’s family. You know I basically live at the hardware store after work. Does Tanner work there too?” It was a store he knew well by now, often not needing to ask for any help when he went there.
“What you think I’m a firefighter? I feel like if a woman had feelings for me she better hit me with her car first.” He shrugged his shoulders - not even knowing if anyone had those kinds of feelings for him. Everyone else he worked with seemed to feel differently after meeting Lilith, though he continued to wave it off as if she was just being friendly towards him. “Just making sure you don’t do anything illegal in terms of your romantic relationships.” Okay, that might have been a bit harsh towards someone who did go to juvie, but he hoped Eva would take it as a joke. He busied himself by putting the clean dishes away before returning to the cooking task at hand. The dark-haired man nodded, poring the zest in before giving it another quick mix. “Listen, cooking takes time. Not everything gets made in a microwave. How toasted do you want yours?” He asked, before putting the first two slices of French Toast in the frying pan.
“Why peanut butter? I honestly just put butter and maple syrup on mine.”
thanks aofie!
thirty - part time firetruck mechanic & Sales Yard Stable hand - single (hetero)
AGE
30
SEXUALITY
Heterosexual
RELATIONSHIP
Single
OCCUPATION
Fire Station Mechanic and Part time Stable hand @ Sales Yard
It wasn't something Brandon had thought about. He admired his own handy work - often fixing things around the apartment when needed. "Really? You'd think they'd just need people to paint a fence or fix a stall?" Brandon had learned that the best gift was a person's talent. It was worth a shot calling up the stable and seeing if it was a possibility. He was busy enough between his two jobs, but he didn't really have much of a social life anyway. "Do you tend to spend a lot of time there?" He assumed that Orion worked on their horses. It seemed to make them feel better if any of them had any pain issues.
Brandon nodded, he knew Gwyn was busy. "That is thoughtful of you to let her be on her own. You aren't working all your appointments by yourself are you?" He knew he was the one to talk, though no one had commented about how exhausted he looked. The dark circles under his eyes were something permanent now. "Both are doing well. My mom is busy running the bed and breakfast, it seems like working runs in the family. As for Eva? Where did you hear that?" He needed to remember that news spread fast around a barn like this.
"She is also good, seems to be hanging around two boys. I definitely didn't have any girls chasing me when I was her age. I just hope she is careful." His sister didn't need three lectures a day about how school was the most important thing. He also knew what the dating world was like - teenagers could be trouble.
thanks aofie!
thirty - part time firetruck mechanic & Sales Yard Stable hand - single (hetero)
AGE
30
SEXUALITY
Heterosexual
RELATIONSHIP
Single
OCCUPATION
Fire Station Mechanic and Part time Stable hand @ Sales Yard
Brandon is someone who is stubborn and independent. He dislikes asking for help as he was raised to be independent. Other than that, he is a complete gentleman. One could use workaholic as a word to describe him, as he rarely allows himself to have a day off. Brandon is someone who is trustworthy though once people get past his rough edges.
He tends to make friends with people who he works with - though anything is possible!!
enemies
Brandon tends to stick to himself - though maybe someone gets angry that he works too much? Or an angry horse owner dumps their horse at the Sales barn?
Brandon needed someone to scream that they wanted to go out on a date with him. He knew that he and Lilith were getting closer, but like anyone else he was scared of rejection. It seemed as if Eva was a bit jealous - Brandon chalking it up to be that she was acting like an attention deprived teenager. "I do spend time with her when I can. It's not like I ignore her or anything. I know that I'm not cool in her eyes anymore. Am I missing something here?" Did Eva know something he didn't about his friendship with Lilith? Sure, he invited her to events going on at the Fire Station, Bed and Breakfast or Sales Yard, but there were other coworkers that decided to bring friends too.
The man could feel the rain starting to pelt, picking up speed shortly after Auggie. He watched as the horse laid down to roll - the horse would need a bath once things dried up a bit. "Yep, we can leave the horse rolling last. I think he'll be busy until we catch the others. I'll go left, you go right and first person to the horse just use the lead rope around it's neck and the other can put the halter on." He ducked under the closed gate, heading towards the one who whinnied, going to the left - acting casual to see what would happen next. The halter and lead rope behind his back so the horse wouldn't see what was coming.
thanks aofie!
thirty - part time firetruck mechanic & Sales Yard Stable hand - single (hetero)
AGE
30
SEXUALITY
Heterosexual
RELATIONSHIP
Single
OCCUPATION
Fire Station Mechanic and Part time Stable hand @ Sales Yard
Brandon took his time, starting to look at the intricate embossed saddle bags - knowing he would have to get one once he got a horse of his own. "That makes sense. Horses can be a lot scarier than bugs. If you ever want to inspect horse flies, come to the Sales Yard. We have enough of them there." He didn't know if that was an exotic bug that Lilith was interested in studying, though someone needed to know their life patterns by now - bugs were annoying to him, especially mosquitos.
The man raised his eyebrow, he needed to realize that the woman needed a bit more assistance when it came to horse gear. "So think of a halter like a dog collar. It's only really used to lead the horse places. A bridle is what people use when they ride. That's made of leather too." Some people did decide to ride in a halter, using rope reins to ride. Though, if this person was a traditional rider - a bridle was the way to go. "Technically the rope halter, but do you know if he does in hand shows or not? If he does, you need a leather halter then." He didn't even know if this person rode English or Western, but usually riders that competed in trail riding meant that they rode Western. It was the discipline he knew more about anyway.
"Before we get any farther, do you know what kind of riding he does?" His eye landed on another saddle bag, one with leaves and more of a forest scene on it - his hand tracing the impressive leather work.
thanks aofie!
thirty - part time firetruck mechanic & Sales Yard Stable hand - single (hetero)
AGE
30
SEXUALITY
Heterosexual
RELATIONSHIP
Single
OCCUPATION
Fire Station Mechanic and Part time Stable hand @ Sales Yard
Brandon didn’t know what kind of reaction to expect from Eva. He knew she wasn’t the showing affection and gratitude kind. The answer he got from her came as a bit of a shock to him. “Oh, thank you. I like to think I knew we’d be a good fit for you.” He didn’t want to admit how hard he had to fight after Brandon found out about Eva’s situation. He was relieved the day she moved in with them.
“I don’t think it’s a secret. You know him, if you ask I’m sure you can get his secret recipe.” Auggie was kind enough of a person to show one of the employees how to make the coffee at the Yard better. Brandon had never asked as he was usually always there when Auggie was. “Ugh, don’t get me started. I think the second shift broke it. I’ll have to look at it next time I’m working there.” Yet another thing for him to fix, as if there was nothing else for him to do. The Fire Engines kept him busy enough - though there was promise of hiring more staff to help him out.
Brandon began gathering the dirty dishes as Eva worked away. He would rinse off the dishes and put them in the dishwasher when they were done eating. “The two of you are really stubborn. Not that I think the two of you need to be besties or anything, just curious if you two had hung out or anything.” He felt like he barely knew Eva some days, though he didn’t know Izzy that well either. The other teen seemed nice enough though, only seeing her when she came by for a visit. “Who do you hang out with anyway?” He felt odd using the name, but it seemed to be what the kids were saying these days. The man now took a sip of his own coffee, trying not to spit out his coffee after the romance comment. “No, I don’t think so either. Though for me that’s the last place I want to find a partner.” He only really went out when Jamie invited him, and even then the conversation usually revolved around what needed to be done around the Station. “Yep, that sounds about right. I’ll find someone eventually. I’m not in a huge rush.” Brandon shrugged his shoulders as he set down his coffee mug.
He raised his eyebrow after Eva had mentioned who she found attractive. “Hm, interesting choices. They are all too old for you and cause chaos. Okay, maybe not Jamie but the others.” The Fire Chief had been through way too much lately to cause chaos - but the man certainly was way too old for Eva. “Huh, I didn’t think about that. I think I’ll stick to fixing things and taking care of horses for work.” He also knew there were people who made French Toast better than he did, leaving the professional cooking to his mother. “You could do it though if you wanted.” Brandon would be happy to help, though he’d leave the cooking to her. “If you don’t like it we don’t have to put it in. It just adds a different flavor than just vanilla.” Once it cooked, it wouldn’t have the bitter taste either.
“What do you usually have in French Toast then? The bread is ready to be dipped and fried now.”
thanks aofie!
thirty - part time firetruck mechanic & Sales Yard Stable hand - single (hetero)
AGE
30
SEXUALITY
Heterosexual
RELATIONSHIP
Single
OCCUPATION
Fire Station Mechanic and Part time Stable hand @ Sales Yard
Brandon heard Eva’s protest behind him, deciding to ignore it. He knew teenagers could be temperamental and she was no different. As soon as he was punched in the bicep, however, he turned his head and gave her a glare. “Really? You think you’d be nicer than that to me.” It’s not like he saved her life or anything, but he did manage to get her a new home. “I’m just making sure before I drag you into petting a tarantula or something.” They weren’t exactly his favorite either, but he’d go along with it.
“Alright, let’s go see the Pandas then. They eat bugs too right?” He knew they ate bamboo but they had to eat something else too, right? Brandon turned and followed Lilth, not knowing she could walk that quickly. He was able to keep up with her though, thankful for his jobs for keeping him in shape. “I’m hungry, I’m always hungry. It’s my treat though for both of you.” Lilith could have easily said no to the tour - she was at work after all.
Once they arrived at the panda enclosure, he smiled. The black and white bears always seemed like friendly creatures. He was slightly confused when the zoo keepers opened the door. It seemed as if they were able to get a front row seat to watching the pandas be fed. "Will the Zoo get different ones in return then? Or will the enclosure close forever after they leave?" He turned his head now to face Eva, curious as to why she chose Pandas of all animals. "Do you like Pandas even?"
thanks aofie!
thirty - part time firetruck mechanic & Sales Yard Stable hand - single (hetero)
AGE
30
SEXUALITY
Heterosexual
RELATIONSHIP
Single
OCCUPATION
Fire Station Mechanic and Part time Stable hand @ Sales Yard
Brandon needed a moment to realize what it meant. "You mean bugs? Do you enjoy teaching or would you rather be out in the field somewhere?" He was more of a hands on person - teaching someone about his jobs was the last thing he wanted to do. Though for some reason, he was always the one stuck training the new people. "I never grew out of my horse phase, I really think once the horse bug bites, you can't get away from it." He knew of so many people that learned how to ride when they were younger and still had something to do with it down the road.
"I don't want to assume, but I take it you don't ride?" Bugs and horses weren't that big of a stretch - there were creepy crawlies around the barn after all. "He has awhile to figure it out, I don't think anyone truly knows what they want to do." He didn't know he wanted to be a heavy engine mechanic until he started his schooling on it. Brandon felt himself walk towards the equestrian themed display as well. "If he does both, then a saddle bag would only be useful for a Western saddle. Maybe a halter? That would work for either discipline." He would get Eva one, but she didn't have a horse of her own yet - neither did he though.
thanks aofie!
thirty - part time firetruck mechanic & Sales Yard Stable hand - single (hetero)
AGE
30
SEXUALITY
Heterosexual
RELATIONSHIP
Single
OCCUPATION
Fire Station Mechanic and Part time Stable hand @ Sales Yard
“If I were to guess, they’d be in the closer one. More round bale for them to munch on.” He knew how food-driven horses were, though they always had water and food available to them. “We will have to move them to a different pasture and then fix the fence.” It would mean one more thing for them to do - though this would be priority number one.
He glanced up to the sky as he felt rain hit his vest as they walked along. Brandon usually paid attention to the weather, though he forgot his jacket in the truck. “Ah yeah, I’m sure both of them are having spring fever too? Itching for their break I can imagine.” He knew Eva was feeling the same way, school wasn’t something she tended to enjoy. It was something that ran in the family though. “What about you? Leather shop keeping you busy too?”
Brandon walked along, now looking ahead of him. He could already see a few extra horses in the pasture up ahead. “I’m alright, been busy between working here and at the Fire Station. Dr. Thompson? Oh, yeah she’s a friend of mine.” He shrugged his shoulders, there wasn’t anything else going on between the two of them. “Do you think Eva thinks there is something more going on?” Brandon now headed left towards the closest pasture to go check if his theory was correct.
thanks aofie!
thirty - part time firetruck mechanic & Sales Yard Stable hand - single (hetero)
AGE
30
SEXUALITY
Heterosexual
RELATIONSHIP
Single
OCCUPATION
Fire Station Mechanic and Part time Stable hand @ Sales Yard
"You mean Helping Hooves? I hear they have a great program there." Working at the Sale Yard, meant he dealt with many local equestrians - he often offered their barn if the Yard was full when it came to taking rescues in. He had spoken to Piper and Sabrina a few times when they had an emergency situation and they seemed kind and welcoming. "No pressure on competing there, if I wanted true lessons and had a horse of my own I may consider riding there myself." He hadn't ever competed and didn't really plan on it either - though he needed help with the training aspect of riding. There were many horses that he rode at the Sales Yard that needed some manners - either under saddle or on the ground.
"Did you have any other questions? Should I bring him out for you to get a better look at?" He didn't know if Orion wanted him to get on Copper - if he couldn't see then there wasn't really a point in that. "How is Gwyn anyway? Haven't seen her since she came out a few months ago with the vet." When he had first met her, one of the staff had to explain to him that the two of them were related.
thanks aofie!
thirty - part time firetruck mechanic & Sales Yard Stable hand - single (hetero)