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!.
Ivey hadn't found herself in Hickstead for fun and games recently. Well, she had her work with Cal and all that. But with transferring universities Ivey hadn't found too much time yet. It was June, now - and Teddy and Wynter had mentioned the Summer Fair was beginning.
She liked fairs, especially the State Fairs back home. Ivey didn't know if it was the same thing as that, but it was something to do. Cal had graciously given all the youngsters a short day to allow them to have fun. Ivey went home and changed into the dangerous sundress people warned boys about. She didn't know why that became a thing but she felt cute.
After a ride there, Ivey was greeted by the smell of deep-fried food and the heat of the crowd. Her hand got a stamp and a bright yellow band was attached, signaling to anyone that she was of drinking age.
She noticed someone with a corndog in hand, and it made her realize how hungry she was. “Woah, hey,” she smiled. “What stand did you get that at?” Ivey inquired.
“Constantly. While it’s not about a romantic relationship, but more of a platonic one. I guess a former one.” Her answer was a bit blunter than Ivey had expected. But it felt wrong in her eyes to pry Aria without giving truthful answers herself. “I look at Bambi and I want to strangle her to her death, but then I switch to wanting to hold hands like we did before.” Was it a hate-love relationship they had now? Ivey didn’t know. It almost felt like a toxic one, that’s for sure.
“Romantically, yes – I’ve felt it too. Sometimes you look at a boy and think they’re cute. Same with a girl. But then you realize, maybe you like one over the other. I realized I liked a person’s personality over their body parts. It’s hard, obviously – figuring it all out. We’re both young – we can always continue experimenting until you so-called feel right.”
Ivey had to take a deep breath, close her eyes, and release the breath before opening them again. She abruptly stood up and disappeared behind a door for a moment. Ivey reappeared with a tall, blonde-haired man. Her boss appeared to give Bambi a bit of a side eye before taking a seat where Ivey was.
The blonde woman walked around the counter grabbed Bambi’s arm and began dragging her out towards the parking lot. “If you’re going to start questioning me at work, you’ll do it while I’m at lunch.” She stopped short at her car and turned towards Bambi.
“I’m leaving, because of you.” She spoke. Her face was a bit flat, but she wanted to blow up so hard. She wanted to scream, but she was still on company property. “Do you know how hard my life has been since we split? The constant bullying from your stupid crew? My mental health and physical health have been almost a fucking crisis because of you and your stupid friends.” Ivey made sure to air-quote friends. Because were they even friends?
“I have a lot of new friends, but constantly seeing you around – is fucking me up, Bambi. Do I wish we were still able to talk to each other? Yes! I want to talk to you so bad, Bambi!” Ivey bit her lip, something she always did when she was near breaking point. “The stress is making me sick.”
“I mean, at least it wasn’t on the holidays. But still, that sucks,” Ivey frowned. Being dumped was never easy, no matter the day. When Aria brought it up as a secret relationship, Ivey wanted to smack whoever decided to keep it secret.
“Then I wouldn’t call that a relationship at all, really. I don’t believe in hiding something like that unless it’s for a safety reason. But even then, that’s a big lie to keep out of other people’s lives…but that doesn’t invalidate your feelings.” This wasn’t the time for Ivey to be in her soap box. If anything, it took a lot to hide her surprise. Aria wasn’t someone that Ivey thought would ever spill her guts to her, but there was something that apparently connected them. Some weird, thin, social thread.
“Why do think it was wrong? Because it was a secret?” Ivey asked, not knowing how much Aria would be willing to share.
Ivey shook her head. “No, I-what do you mean person? Are you serious right now?” For once, the pain ceased on her face to a bit of disappointment. But Ivey couldn’t blame Aria for it. Instead, she pushed her face into her makeshift pillow once more before her breathing managed to slow down.
The pain was gone as fast as it came, which made the pain even worse. Ivey removed her face from her sad, wet mess and managed to sit up, back against the bookshelf. “Goddamn, I just this stupid uterus out of me...” Ivey rubbed her face, eyes still puffy. She still hurt, but the sharpness was gone.
“Sorry, you had to witness that. What brings you up here? To cry over a person?”
“Well, you both can come to visit. I’m sure my mom won't notice her credit card missing,” Ivey joked. She considered frowning at Teddy’s comment about Bambi, but she wasn’t about to let that dampen the mood. Even if Bambi knew about it all, Ivey had a sinking feeling that she wouldn’t acknowledge her about it. And if she did, would she even visit? Ivey had Wynnie, Teddy, and so many more people now. It didn’t fill the Bambi-shaped hole, but it was better than facing this alone.
“Bedridden for a bit, but then I can start a bit of exercise. The incisions aren’t too bad, but I have to pay attention to the possible infections and all that kind of stuff. There are some weird special massages and also pelvic floor therapy I think? There’s this whole binder I have now. If anything, it will help keep some of my family off my back about asking about children. Urgh. I won’t miss getting asked that. I’m not even married yet. Jesus!” Ivey, let alone, wasn’t even old enough. Granted, there were people her age who were popping out babies, but Ivey – even capable, wasn’t going to ruin her career plans for an alien.
“I’m pretty sure that’s not why you came here,” Ivey said, giving a bit of scoff laugh. Bambi tended to only involve Ivey, at least recently, if it was to point at her for a joke. Or it was just bad luck that she was here when Bambi needed an actual thing for whatever her overlord asked of her.
Honestly, it wasn’t a surprise that Bambi would know. Things moved around a lot in the university circle. Thankfully, Piper was smart enough to not drop the other half of the truth. She starched her arms and leaned back in her stool, teetering on the back legs. Ivey rested there for a brief moment before floating the front legs back down.
“I’ll counter you with this. Why do you even care?” Ivey said, showing no sign of fear. But deep inside she wanted to grab Bambi by the head and make it meet the glass display case. Not for the fact of the mean words or anything, just to knock some sense into her. “I mean.. wouldn't your school life be better anyway?” It felt that way at least.
Ivey couldn’t help but smirk at the comment Aria made. She would have to compliment her on it later, as talking about peers would probably be banned. Even if a breath was done at non-allotted times. Okay, maybe not that serious. She opened her notebook and began writing in that flourished cursive hand.
As the teacher continued, Ivey raised her hand when there was a pause. When she was called, she asked, “Will we only focus on solved cases or will there be some cold cases as well? And will there be fewer known cases, as well?” She did quite enjoy a lot of the true crime stuff. Not as much as some, but she knew there were a lot of cases out there.
It didn’t take long for the rattling boards of the dock to be heard. Ivey looked up and saw Wynnie and Teddy hauling ass toward her. She waved and soon enough, she was concerned about the warmth of her two friends. Ivey was about to say something but Teddy, and then Wynnie came crashing in.
“I’m fine! I promise, I just wanted to let you both know I’m going home for the summer. Obviously, not the whole summer season, but the month of July. The news is…I got approved! They approved me to get this wretched uterus of mine to be finally taken out.” She was maybe a bit more excited about it, but she was ready to be pain-free. “But I’m nervous, obviously. It’s a massive surgery to deal with and the recovery can be a bit brutal. It’ll suck ass not being here, but I’ll be more comfortable at home. Less stress…” .
Ivey let out some strong breaths before realizing that someone called out to her. She looked up from her damp, sad gathering of fabric. Puffy eyes blinked before they stopped the kaleidoscope. “Ah, Aria..hey..” she hiccupped. At least it wasn’t Bambi or any of that wretched crew.
“Was I too loud?” Ivey began to panic and sat up abruptly, only making the pain in her shoot through her again. She collapsed back onto the floor, hands gripping her abdomen. “S-S-sorry..it should pass soon.” And she really did hope it did. Ivey was doing so well, and this pain was a lot worse than the past few times. At least she caught it and it wasn’t necessarily in public. The worst was when it came over her while working the dock. She damn nearly almost fell over the boat.
January had been busy, more than Ivey expected it to be. She had been enjoying the work though, finding time to learn as much as she could from Cal and Christian. The two men, while more of the mechanical side of it all – still humored Ivey by allowing her to look over the barnacles and other critters that popped up. If anything, the job had allowed her to network with some amazing folks. One, being a future professor of hers.
She was texting her mom about the good news of getting a lot of her classes transferred. With a big grin on her face, Ivey was lost in her world before an ice pick came at her. Usually, Ivey would give a big greeting – all bubbly and welcoming. But the voice that greeted her didn’t welcome that kind of thing.
Instead, Ivey looked at her phone for a moment, before clicking the power button to turn the screen dark. She looked up, reading like some bored teen. “Hello, welcome to the bait shop. What can I do to help you?”
Ivey wasn’t expecting to have another introductory class in her second year, but the Uni she was transferring to would allow an extra social or psych class to transfer over. Being someone who wasn’t a fan of extending another year to herself, Ivey chose Social and Criminal studies. It would be an interesting one for sure, but she would be okay with it. All she had to do was pass.
She walked into the room after her Saltwater lab, smelling like the ocean without being near or close to the beach. Ivey had made sure to scrub herself well, as she knew not everyone loved the smell of seaweed. Hair up in a bun, Ivey got to class in time.
She picked out a seat and sat. The professor looked like Professor with his equally stern-looking face. His introduction was far from the warm ones that she had received from other teachers. But Ivey was good at sitting and listening. She had no reason to cause a ruckus.
Why did it have to hit her now? Ivey was thankfully on the fourth floor of the library where not a lot of people were active. Unless, of course, there were snogging sessions – but Ivey knew what areas to avoid in those cases.
Her cramping had gotten worse, and she wasn’t expecting such an early hit. Usually, it was on time. But with the added stress of Bambi and the looming transfer – her body must’ve been feeling it. Ivey struggled to stand up, hunched over, the weight of her book bag on her shoulders. Not being able to stand anymore, she went onto all fours and crawled behind some shelves. There was already a high chance of someone not finding her, but Ivey still liked the idea of hiding.
When she was in place, she slipped off her book bag and fetal positioned around her loose jacket. Face buried into the fluff, Ivey screamed into it. The noise was muffled but could be heard if someone was carefully listening. She couldn’t wait to get it out of her. She really couldn’t.
Ivey was nervous. There wasn't a reason for her to be, mainly because she trusted Wynnie and Teddy. Out of the people she had met so far in Hickstead, they were her closest people. She had other friends, too, but they were more of her confidants and people she trusted. Next to Natalie and Piper, as well.
She had told Natalie already, her big plans happening in the summer. Nothing exciting, but life-changing. Ivey had texted Wynnie and Teddy, saying to not worry -and she was fine. She knew texting someone that they needed to talk could mean a lot of things. Mainly bad things.
Ivey sat, looking at the rolling waves. The weather was sunny for once, making her Sunday morning shift a bit more tolerable. It allowed her to calm her nerves before the big announcement of life-changing surgery.