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!.
asper nodded - he knew how generous the family could be. "Oh, do you think she'd go overboard with the idea? She does know how much we make after all." He joked. Casper was thankful to have such a kind employer - they went all out during the holidays. The staff parties were always a hit - he dragged himself out of his house for the evening. As Casper didn't have a date, he usually asked one of his sisters to come with him.
"I do love a good strawberry. I'll pick up another knife and help ya." He picked up the paring knife and began cutting the stems off, throwing them in an empty bowl nearby. "Do you think they will send the pie filling to the new bakery on main street? Or does my mother have to beg Daisy to have some?" Casper knew his mother would be interested in whatever they were making together today. The woman was often baking during the Winter when her gardening business was a bit slow.
He continued working away as Taylor asked him a question. "My parents are good, they are trying to keep themselves busy with their work being slow. Sisters are also good, probably not happy about going back to school after the break." Casper sometimes missed being in school - there were less responsibilities back then. "Callie is at Willow Bridge! She seems to really enjoy it there. Her saddle club crew go there too and keep her busy. How's your family?"
e knew in at the bottom of his heart that his parents wanted grandchildren and as he was the oldest - the pressure was put on him. "I think they are wishing I'd go out and find myself a girlfriend. Or they are bored and want something to do." With it being the season of Winter, both his parents jobs were slow, giving them more time to think about their future. "Dang, I forgot about Danny. Well maybe there is a wedding you'll be invited to that he doesn't want to go to." He joked, knowing Danny was more her type. Casper didn't really know what his type was - he needed someone who could deal with his awkwardness - and with him working more than he should.
"Sounds like he really is a prince charming for you. Remind me where you met him again?" Casper was glad his friend was happy in a relationship - he was a bit jealous, but he was sure he would be in one when the time was right. He didn't know how he felt about an app tracking who you were talking to. Casper did use technology as it was helpful in his day to day job, but he was finding it could be a bit invasive. "Isn't that a bit creepy? Please tell me you meet these strangers in public." There went his big brother instinct. He cared about Mina as a friend and didn't want anything bad to happen to her on a date. "That would be fun actually. I enjoy building things in real life, Lego can't be that different." He hadn't built a Lego set since he was a youngster as it was something he would do with his dad.
Casper took another sip of coffee, realizing that he had clearly hit a nerve when he mentioned that Mina had the possibility of dating Ivan. "I thought you had a crush on him back in the day? Has that changed then?" He hoped it wasn't coming off as an interrogation. Casper just wanted to know how his friend felt about the various options. "You could start with that at least. Take it nice and slow and learn about how you two feel about each other." It felt odd that he was the one giving her advice about relationships - though people seemed to come to him about these things anyway.
"That surprises me. I thought he would be the type of person who would have someone. Do you ask him too many questions about it when you two work together?" He laughed, it seemed that Mina got all the gossip - despite being awkward herself too.
he man nodded, feeling silly for his gesture as his sister couldn't quite see what he was doing. He smiled as Callie opened her bedroom door, glad he was always taught to knock. Their bedrooms were all private spaces after all - it was common sense and respect.
"You mean at the Orchard? The Malloy's are happy to have me as an employee, but they've seen me work overtime too much so they are making sure I leave on time." He shrugged his shoulders. It was an odd feeling for him not to arrive home until dinner was served, but his family was missing spending time with him too. "Mom made kettle corn and hot chocolate for us to have while we decorate. Call it a bribe if you like. If you aren't chatting with your friends that is." He only vaguely knew about the Saddle Club, but it was nice to hear his sister was busy with her horse hobbies.
Casper took a step back as Callie stepped into the door frame. "I was thinking we could start with putting the leaf wreath on the front door and then work on the living room? I brought up the boxes already for us."
fter another sip of coffee, Casper was finally awake enough to get started on the work that needed to be done. There seemed to always be a snack available for when they had their break, making it hard to want to go back after great snack options. "Anyone promising yet or are you still in the checking out phase?" With his parents having their own businesses back home, he had heard the logistics of hiring employees and making sure they were a right fit.
He took a bite of his cinnamon bun, it tasted like it was basically fresh out of the oven. "Let's start with the back and move to the front. There are a few trees that I think may need to be trimmed back. And one or two that might have frost damage from what I can see." Casper began walking towards the back of the Orchard, enjoying being outside so early in the year. "Did you have a good Christmas at least? We are almost there, the first tree I'd like you to look at is up ahead to the left." The holiday had almost been a month ago, but Casper hadn't seen Lindsay until today.
The man turned slightly left and stopped in front of a tree close to the back that he had marked with neon pink tape. "If you look at one of the thicker branches, I think this one has frost damage. Do you think it's bad enough for someone to come and cut the branch off? Or will it heal itself"
asper closed the door of his truck when he arrived at home after another day working at the Orchard. It was busy season, meaning there were plants that needed to be planted and the trees needed to be checked - insuring that they survived the cold winter months. He opened the front door, the smell of dinner was wafting towards him. The man called out to his family, letting them know he was home from work.
He headed to the kitchen and washed his hands. It seemed he had perfect timing as the family began sitting down at the dining room table. Casper was starving, starting with the salad course. It was times like these that he enjoyed - sitting down with his family to dinner. The Talbot family chatted away, each telling the group how their day went. After they had finished dinner, Casper and his father did the dishes - cleaning the kitchen afterwards, wanting to leave it spotless for whoever needed it next.
Everyone went off and did their own thing, Casper opting to watch a movie with Callie before getting ready for bed. After a shower, he pulled on sweat pants and a t-shirt, ready for some much needed sleep after a long day. It took him only a minute to fall asleep, dreaming of rolling hills and sheep. It was interrupted by a ringing noise, which at first Casper thought was part of his dream. His eyes flickered open, the ringing seemed to be coming from his bedside table. His arm reached out, hand fumbling around to find his pone. He blinked as he read who was calling him, pressing the answer button quickly after. "Tiffany? Did you get yourself in trouble again?" He said sleepily, not bothering to get out of bed until there was motivation to do so.
Casper is an introvert, preferring to work alone rather than with a group. He is a hard worker and doesn't fear it - he rather embraces it as it keeps him busy. He identifies himself as shy, which most people take as him being rude and selfish. Casper is the exact opposite however, he would be the first one to rescue anyone or any living thing in danger or in a sticky situation.
He tends to make friends though, mostly people that work at the Orchard with him.
enemies
This is a tough one, if you have any characters that have an idea - feel free to throw it my way!!
t wouldn't have been a Saturday if he wasn't working. Casper found himself being called into work in the morning as someone had phoned in sick. He didn't mind the extra hours so he told the Malloy's he would come work. The shift itself wasn't terrible, though the Harvest season was slowly coming to an end.
Once he was done work, he was relatively happy to get in his truck and drive off. It was late September, which meant he knew the time to decorate for Fall was just around the corner. He pulled into the driveway about ten minutes later, glad that the Talbot's lived relatively close. His parents were getting a little more interested in him being home, but work was something he truly enjoyed doing. Casper took a sigh as he turned the engine off - preparing himself for an interrogation about why he worked today. He found the front door unlocked, opening it as soon as he approached it.
His parents were in the living room, falling silent as soon as he entered. Casper said hello and chatted with the two before excusing himself. Callie was the one out of his two sisters that would enjoy what he had in store for them. Casper walked up to her bedroom door, surprised to learn from their parents that she was home and knocked on it.
"It's just me, Casper. I was going to get the Fall decorations out and start decorating. Did you want to help me?" He felt like he didn't spend much time with his sisters, but he was trying to be better.
e nodded, quickly heading inside. Casper brought out a Styrofoam cup with creamer and two cinnamon buns. He headed back out, not wanting to keep Lindsay waiting. "I managed to find some cinnamon buns and some creamer." There were always treats to be had - someone was always busy baking. This time it was from his mother - swearing it was her turn to bake for the crowd.
"Oh. Still dangerous. How long do they take for you to fix anyway?" Phewf, he knew he wasn't crazy - something like a robbery would be an event that would stick in his mind after reading the paper. "And how many people does it take?" Cutting trees was something he was sure he only hypothetically knew about. There was more too it than just using a saw. He held out the cup of creamer to Lindsay, waiting until he had a hand free before he offered him the cinnamon bun.
Casper took a sip of his own coffee, thankful for the fact it warmed him up a bit. "We do try our best, though there are somethings we need the expert for. Speaking of which, any new employees lately?" Whenever he was in charge of meeting one of Lindsay or his employees - it was usually Lindsay himself that came for the appointment.
asper really only knew rabbits as being pests - though he understood why some people kept them as pets. “How many do you have now? I’m sure the vets will be happy that you are keeping them busy though.” He didn’t know quite how many rabbits Taylor had by now, but clearly, it was a large sum. “That’s nice of them though, then at least you know they are going to a good home.” Casper couldn’t remember if Taylor got along with her students or not - but he knew the woman well enough to know that the rabbits wouldn’t go to a bad home.
“That’s a fun idea. Maybe I can bring the idea up to Daisy and we can do it at the Orchard too. My family isn’t big enough so we just buy each other one thing.” Or when it came to his parents, he managed to convince his sisters that they could get a group gift together. It tended to be much easier that way. “How many do you have in your class this year?” Casper nodded and followed Taylor, taking a sip of his coffee as he walked along. He chose the spot beside her and set his coffee in front of his cutting board. “Any idea what we are chopping first?” He cuffed his sleeves and prepared himself to help in any way he could.
You really are a lifesaver. I feel like my family is secretly planning something behind my back. Though honestly, I’m too busy and oblivious to pay attention if they said anything recently.” Even his parents were starting to complain that they barely saw him at home. There was always something to do at the Orchard, and being the nice guy that he was - he often offered to stay late. “Same goes for you though, in case your parents are bothering you.” He knew how it could be when parents expected someone to bring a date and he didn’t have one.
Casper nodded, he was hoping Mina wasn’t shallow. “I figured, that came out a bit more awkward than I intended. Oh? And what can you tell me about Danny? Are you interested in him enough to see him again?” He was glad to hear there were still men that knew they should be paying for the date. Chivalry wasn’t dead after all! “Those are too many names for me to comprehend. How do you keep track of all the guys you talk to?” Casper was just happy he knew how to text, phone people and look things up on the internet - that’s all he wanted his phone to do. He took a sip of his drink and smiled awkwardly. “Yeah, I had no idea you built Lego. Would have made getting gifts for you much easier.” It was already hard enough for him to buy gifts for anyone - even his immediate family.
“What happens if he wants to get to know you again? Maybe even date you?” Casper didn’t want to admit that he would be there to clean up the pieces of this Ivan decided to love her and leave her - that’s what friends were for after all. “Was that annoying though? We are just telling you the truth. I promise we don’t talk about you behind your back.” He didn’t talk to Gideon much - except wen he visited Mina at work. “Does he not have anyone either?”
Perfect. How do you take your coffee? You'll have to wait until the Fall if I remember right, those are a fan favorite. I swear they have their own fan club." There were rumors about them having a Facebook page, not that Daisy had it herself. Casper stepped away from the truck, glad that he was able to chat before they actually got to work. "I think we have just regular chocolate dipped doughnuts today, not that I ever say no to those." Casper's sweet tooth got the best of him. Especially when Daisy made something and brought it to work with her.
"Wait, someone vandalized someone else's windows? Where was this? In town?" He spent his breakfast time reading the local paper, enjoying the quiet time to himself. If it was big enough to be on the paper, he would have read about it. "Glad to hear your crew fixed it though. Nothing worse than a hole in the roof." Especially in the Winter, though Hickstead had seemingly mild ones compared to North Carolina. "Honestly, this isn't cold for me. Though I do have to layer up. What about you though? Or are you used to the weather now?" Casper had at least three layers on on the current day - though he often kept himself moving to keep warm.
"Yes! We all do our best to keep them happy. I mean, obviously it's a bit too early for flowers or leaves though I'm sure they'll come. I've marked the ones that need to be looked at with a neon yellow ribbon." It would make the morning more efficient, though if Lindsay noticed something else with other trees - he'd certainly assist how he could.
he man nodded, it was common that the locals with acreages had smaller gardens - leaving the industrial growing to the Orchards. "I appreciate you buying from the Orchard. Though I'm sure there was someone around here that could help with your pest problem?" He knew they often exchanged information - it benefited all the farmers in the long run. Zucchini wasn't exactly his forte either. "Speaking of the house, how are the renovations coming along?"
Casper took a sip of his own coffee before shuffling to the side, allowing the others to make their coffee. He didn't realize until recently that people around here took their coffee seriously. "Clearly, I'm behind the times. It's for my sister, so probably pink?" His one sister in particular was very girly, everything she had was pink or a shade of pink. "Of course, did the rabbits get out or is it just worn out?" Building a rabbit cage was something he'd gladly do in return. Working even outside of work kept him busy - and the Talbot family was thankful for it. "That is too funny. Have you done a Secret Santa with them before? Or was this your first time?" It was something he was considering doing with his own family, though the numbers had shrunk since moving to Hickstead.
"You should find out where the student found it just in case it breaks or something." Though with a small town like Hickstead, there were enough artisans with unique things for sale. "What station were you thinking of doing? I really don't mind which one."
asper nodded, truly thankful for Mina's friendship. "Are you saying that if I need a date to a family function that you would say yes?" He was sure his family was secretly planning a reunion behind his back, though he was oblivious to that kind of thing - work took too much brain power. "Well, I don't have any romance gossip." It wasn't like he heard anything to gossip about anyway - he found it was rude.
"Is it always about the free food with you? And anyone in the running for a second date?" Casper wouldn't dare ask if there was anyone creepy. That was the most unnerving part for him - even as a man. "I'll let you know I promise. Which ones have you tried?" He tried to never say never, but dating apps were just a weird concept to him. "I really can't be the only one? I'm a worker bee who can't say no to helping someone who needs it." It was the mindset he grew up with - both of his parents worked hard to get where they were now.
Casper felt his eyebrows rise. "With or without instructions? I feel like I could probably figure it out though. Since when do you build with Lego?" He used to build a lot with Legos as a child, always wanting the newest set. Casper nodded, picking up his black coffee as he listened. It wasn't a situation he had been in himself but he would try his best and help. "That does sound complicated. The best thing to do is talk to him about it. I know it'll be awkward at first, but then you'll know how each other feels?" He was trying to think the situation though, but at least there would be some clarity between the two of them. "Wow, that guy knows you pretty well. Did he give you some sort explanation of why he is here as well?"
Casper handed Molly his cash, glancing to the side as he saw Mina handing the woman cash as well. "Sorry Molly, you've got the awkward crew today." He shrugged sheepishly and headed off to find them a table. "Like I said, just talk to him and see. It's better than living in the shadows."
e didn't have to wait long until Lindsay approached him after the truck engine turned off. "Always nice to see you too. Yes, it's just some apple trees that need a good trim before the Spring." He had them marked off with bright neon pink tape so that everyone knew what trees were being worked on.
"I have doughnuts and coffee if you'd like before we start?" He left it up to Lindsay, not minding either way. Casper had his coffee already but wouldn't say no to another cup. "How have you been? I feel like it's been awhile since we've caught up." Lindsay was someone he hadn't worked with much, but he felt that they worked well together. It tended to be random depending on who was working when the tree company arrived.
He glanced at the trees behind him, wondering to himself if more of them needed a good prune - though the Malloy's were very good at keeping on top of it and calling for help when they needed it.
asper thanked Taylor before grinning. "Don't get me started about smoking. My grandfather used to do it and it annoyed the hell out of my parents." That and the man was quickly diagnosed with lung cancer but still refused to quit. It was becoming more popular now with the introduction of vaping. "My Mother's birthday. She'll be fifty-three this year but of course you never ask a woman her age." Naomi Talbot kept insisting she was turning 20, though none of her children believed her anymore.
Once his own coffee was done, he gently took the mug from Taylor and carefully carried it to the smaller table nearby. "I agree. How is your garden at home doing? Growing anything fun this year?" His mother seemed to be on an English garden theme kick for the coming Spring, she was hopeful it would turn out. Casper put a splash of milk in his cup, watching it turn a creamy brown color. "She is not allergic to wool. I was wondering if I got her some nice socks to keep her warm in the garden? Or is that a dumb idea?" His sisters were always better at giving gifts. He usually ended up giving them money to contribute to a group gift, but this year he was going to try on his own.
He noticed her mug, smiling at the alpaca shape. "How did I know you'd have one of those. Where did you end up buying it? Or did you make it yourself?"