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!.
e could tell it was hard for Mina to keep back a laugh - though he thought that she would know that she was one of his only friends. It was hard to make friends when he worked too much for his own good. "Please, you know my sisters aren't interested in my non existent love life." They were too interested in their own, though if he brought a woman home he was sure they'd notice.
Casper was clueless when it came to dating apps, often using technology only when necessary. "Huh, any luck getting a date on that app?" He had heard of people having success finding a long term significant other on dating apps, just wasn't his thing. He didn't recognize the teen behind the counter, but he could tell she was frantically filling orders and serving customers as they queued. He shook his head at her question, the Malloy's were way too nice to him. "Oh no. I'd never say that to them. I was just slightly disappointed, that's all." In all honesty, the "labor police" were enforcing the fact that he was working too much overtime.
"Yes, they will. I need to start building them here shortly." He had ordered the wood for them from the local hardware store and would pick it up on his way to work the next day. "You can be quite intense in a good way. I assume this secret person is the friend that recently came back?" Or maybe it was a customer she had been expecting - either way she dealt with people a lot more than he did at work. "The antics of you hiding from people? That would be quite funny actually." He cracked a smile and the smell of freshly baked goods was wafting towards his nose.
Casper listened to the story intently, making all the right faces in terms of reactions. He had no idea this friend crush existed, not that he had feelings for her. "Crazy how small the world is, right? Do you still have feelings for him and have you seen him again since?" It was too big of a story for him not to ask questions. He was equally as startled with the palm slap against the counter - giving Molly an apologetic smile. "She has a bit too much energy today. I'll just have a black coffee and a cranberry muffin please." He pulled out his leather wallet and rummaged around for some cash to pay for their beverages and snacks.
asper had no idea when his next date would be. There wasn't really anyone he was romantically interested in. That, and he worked too many long days at the Orchard to have the time to go find someone - not that he felt that he needed a romantic partner at this moment. "I don't know who else I would tell. Don't take that the wrong way though." He awkwardly ran a hand through his short hair. "Well let me know when you hear anything of awkward people taking over the world. What on Earth is Bantr?" He assumed it was some sort of dating app, something his sisters knew more about than he did.
He continued moving forward, realizing now they were getting very close to the beginning of the line. Casper took a moment to decide what he wanted. A black coffee and cinnamon coffee cake sounded amazing, seeing as he took a quick glance of the pastry display case. "I said the exact same thing, though they weren't happy with me. Come the Spring, they'll need me more most likely. I don't want to know how many vacation days I have." He was lucky enough to work for a small business, where they really could keep track of when employees took a day off. "It's easier that we don't, though some days I have the same thoughts. They built some raised garden beds so hopefully that will cure the craving for farm work." He shrugged his shoulders, knowing that nothing would cure the need to farm, but he could only hope this would help.
"You are the only one that does. Though my family likes to see me around at home. I usually leave before they wake up in the Morning." Usually his sisters were awake early, though that was only because of school. "Why would he want to fire you? Did you do something?" It felt odd, he liked to think he knew Mina well by now - doing something to get herself fired wasn't something he thought she would do. "Oh? Do tell me more if you'd like." Casper stepped up, waiting for the next barista to take their order after realizing he was at the front of the line.
asper knew the coffee machine drew people in. Within a few moments, other farmers were chatting away in the background, a few glancing over at the machine to see it was free. "I see you brought the special coffee machine. Do you realize how much people enjoy it?" It was almost custom now, as if the farmers knew. They tended to make their coffee the old fashioned way.
"I'll just have caramel cookie pod. I feel like I need some sugar." Chatting with people made him feel exhausted, so both of the above mentioned things were needed in order for him to survive. He picked up the colored pod and set it beside the machine, glad that he would be able to avoid the crowd before they lined up for coffee. "That's great. I'll have to come by sometime soon. Got a family birthday coming up and I'll need a gift."
Casper smiled when he was asked about the Orchard. "It seems the produce we harvest in January is much different than back home. We would never get apples this time of year. That and the hens are quite happy, so the egg supply is great too." He was used to more of a harvest come the Fall, but the weather in England was much different. "Any suggestions on a gift though? I feel like you'd know better than I do."
A date? You know I'm too awkward for that kind of stuff. You'll be the first to know if I go on a date." Casper laughed, realizing that people rarely saw him outside of his usual farming gear. He tried his best to dress up on his days off, his parents having bought him nice clothes to wear when he went into town.
He wasn't expecting the side hug, but he reached the arm closest to her to return it before letting go. "Thanks for inviting me, it's always nice to catch up." His parents wanted him to work on making friends and keeping them. "Yeah, the Malloy's are saying I work too much so they are making me take more days off." He knew he needed to, spending too much time at the Orchard wasn't good for him either - though his employers were great company for him. They were chatty but knew when to leave him alone.
Casper followed Mina's lead, grabbing his wallet from the pocket of his jacket before leaving the table. "Where do I start? I mean with winter here, it's not really harvesting season yet. But the animals can't look after themselves, so they keep me busy enough." He swore they were like children, especially the hens who were constantly laying eggs for them to sell. "My family is good, I think my parents are a little sad that they don't have a farm of their own again but they are still enjoying their jobs." He shuffled his feet forward as the line grew smaller. "And you? How has it been working for Gideon and his family?"
The Talbot Family (WIP - Leoni and Elizabeth to be added later)
Clyde Talbot (54 years old) - Fisherman Clyde is the father of Casper, Leoni and Elizabeth. He is married to Naomi (how they met in Raleigh, NC, USA is up to the person playing him as well as his biography before then - though remember the family moved to Hickstead). His face claim is up to the roleplayer!
Naomi Talbot (52 years old) - gardener Naomi is the mother of Casper, Leoni and Elizabeth. She is married to Clyde. Born and grew up in Raleigh, NC, USA and her parents ran a farm (the kind of farm is up to the RP'er - though not a horse farm). Her parents died in a hurricane about five years ago, ruining the farm which caused them to move to Hickstead.
asper had a rare day off. The Malloy's had to practically force him to take time away from the Orchard. As he was a hermit and awkward, he much preferred being with the Malloy's - they understood his shy personality and left him alone for the most part.
The blond man had woken up at the crack of dawn, even though he was looking forward to sleeping in. His parents and sisters were still asleep and he was finally bored of staring at the ceiling in his bedroom. He pulled back the covers in defeat and got himself dressed, placing his glasses on instead of his contact lenses.
After that, he quietly made his way downstairs and made himself some breakfast, wondering if he should go into town for a walk afterwards. His sisters had said something about wanting to go to the library in town anyhow. Casper started reading the newspaper, eating his scrambled eggs and toast when he received a text message from Mina. Reaching over for his phone, he unlocked it and read the message. Replying with a "You've caught me on my day off, I'm on my way."
He left a note for his family members and cleaned up the kitchen - getting into the truck once he put his shoes on and left the house. It wasn't a long drive into town, though Casper enjoyed the distance in between - the Talbot family had always lived outside of a larger town so he was used to the quiet by now.
Casper found a parking spot easily and walked into the Pastry Shop, locking the truck behind him as he entered. A voice greeted him shortly after and he turned his head, giving Mina a soft smile as he walked over. "Hello, thank you for the invite. Have...you ordered yet?" Casper shrugged off his leather jacket and hung it on the back of the empty chair. He hadn't had his coffee yet, though he wasn't going to be rude and not buy Mina a coffee at least - especially since he was in desperate need of his own.
asper had been asked by the Malloy's if he could stay after his shift to help with trimming some trees. He spent the last hour of his shift putting neon yellow ribbon on the trees that needed to be worked on. That way there was no miscommunication of what needed to be done.
He checked his watch, seeing that it was almost time for the company to arrive. Casper had doughnuts that he had bought during his afternoon break as a snack for whoever was going to show up for a nice treat. Coffee was also available if anyone wanted it.
After he double checked the trees, the sound of a truck pulling into the driveway of the Orchard. Casper headed up to the house, waving at the driver. He smiled when he realized it was Lindsay, the two of them often got along - though Casper didn't do much of the talking. "Afternoon. Thank you for coming out. Let me know if I can carry anything to the trees." He stopped walking as soon as he reached the truck, giving Lindsay room to get out - not wanting to hover too close.
t was Casper's least favorite day. He enjoyed the canning parties, but he hated having to be social. Most people enjoyed being able to catch up and chat with the members of the farming community, but Casper enjoyed working alone.
He pulled up his truck and parked it in the usual spot, giving himself a few moments to gather the last bit of energy he needed to get him through the day. With a push of the car door handle, he got out and placed his feet on the ground - heading towards the large building where the cooking was going to happen. He enjoyed watching the whole process of things being made that he had helped grow - and this was the final step in the process.
Casper pushed the door open and flashed a smile to the group who had arrived before him. He noticed Taylor right away, always enjoying having a conversation with her. As it had been a few weeks since the last session, there was quite a few to catch up with her on.
"Morning Taylor, can I get you some coffee before we start?" He could smell the coffee brewing in the corner of the large hall-like room. "How have you been as well? Hope the Alpaca farm is doing well."
identifying features• larger shaped nose, chiseled jawline and chin. He tends to keep his light brown hair short. His eyes are bright blue - he wears contacts during the day and puts his glasses on after work. Casper's skin tone is pretty pale, though due to hard work on the farm - he gets tanned quite easily. He stands 6' foot tall and tends to keep in pretty good shape with all the farm work he does.
the personality
likes • working outside, making people laugh, his siblings, being with his friends and being in quiet spaces.
dislikes • loud noises, being startled, extroverted people, white chocolate, heights and rattlesnakes.
strengths • being helpful and adapting to new situations.
weaknesses • any sort of sweets and animals (he finds them all cute and will instantly gush over them)
dreams • to own his own farm.
fears • dying alone.
overall personality • 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.
the history
father • Clyde Talbot, 54, fisherman.
mother • Naomi Talbot, 52, gardener.
siblings • Leoni and Elizabeth.
important people • Jasper - his childhood friend.
hometown • Raleigh, NC, USA.
overall history • The Talbot family had been living in North Carolina for generations and Casper was no different. He grew up in a small bungalow on a farm, which was run by his mother's side of the family. Being the oldest grandchild on his mother's side, he quickly learned the meaning of hard work.
His school years went by with the struggling areas were outside of the classroom. Due to his quiet personality, it was difficult for him to make friends. His parents and teachers were concerned, but young Casper was content being friends with his animals at the farm. When his siblings were born, he was hands on when it came to help raise them as the rest of his family were busy working away.
When he graduated High school, it was time for him to work on the family farm fulltime. It was like a fish in the water, he caught on very quickly and enjoyed that every day was different. About five years ago however, everything changed. There was a hurricane in the area which ruined the entire farm, even killing Casper's maternal grandparents. With his parents and siblings surviving, they were devastated. With the business destroyed, they sold the land and left for the UK - deciding on settling in Hickstead to start their new life.
Casper's parents decided not to restart the family business, so Casper started working at the Malloy Orchard when they first moved to the small town.