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!.
“Well, it comes with the territory unfortunately,” she smiled. She had a false image way back, that because her face wasn’t so prominent in the world – Penny would remain a faceless fame. But she didn’t expect people to take photos of her and do PR on her. It was silly at the time, now she just allowed it all to happen. At least, she wasn’t an A-lister.
“Nice to meet you, Teddy! I’m here for a gallery show,” she half lied. “It’s mainly in London, but I also like to do small showings too. Figured I’d travel a bit and so far the local art scene hasn’t disappointed. You seem like a local, any details on any hot spots for artists?”
Penny lifted her eyebrows, surprised, but also not. That seemed to be a theme happening, with some of the younger people she found. “Ah, trying to get all up and personal then?” she teased. “Who knows, maybe you’ll actually learn something from it, too,” Penny added, giving a small shrug.
She eyed a plate that had some glaze, mimicking the color of a peacock. It was shiny, with a lot of variations of swirls. It would be a cute décor piece in her room, but she would think about it – after the accents. Penny gingerly placed the plate back, already planning a trip back when she had the time.
“Hey, being multi-talented is always good. Nothing like being a bit of Jack of All Trades,” she commented, hoping it came off in a bit of a supportive way. “We’re always learning in art anyway!”
Penny couldn’t help but smirk when he attached her name to her career. “Yep, that is indeed me,” she laughed. It made her desires clam up though. Granted, she should've known she would be recognized at some point. She had a decent enough name out there, so Penny had to be a bit careful.
“Oh? Well, I hear the local art scene is quite nice. I haven’t touched ceramics in a while, either. I like it though. I wonder if they teach classes here?” Not that she would exactly get anything done if there were so many beautiful people involved. More in the sense of wanting to take pictures than flirting. Though, sometimes it led to that. Penny was quite active in that manner, but she knew how to respect boundaries. “And are you enjoying your class?”
“Teddy...I’m Penny. Oh, gosh yeah. Not in the sense of the scene here, but I do enjoy art. I do illustration, but my focus now is photography. Film...to be exact. Different and challenging, which I like. I wish I connected with things like markers and clay though. Some things kind of transfer, but rarely. What about you?” Granted, she had a feeling the illustration work would be popping up soon. It would be consistent soon, and it was like the universe was lining up for her. She had a massive new space to do art – and the silence of nature was welcomed. Since a lot of her deals would be for adventure-type books and stories.
There was something about seeing another artist’s studio. Penny loved art of all kinds, and she wished that she could do more multimedia. But watercolor was her preferred, with something like pencils or markers. Ceramics was a whole other thing though. Penny didn’t mind it but there was a different thing about ceramics. Which is why she was happy to spend money on it. Maybe she would take a class or something, too.
She walked into Avalon gallery, a maker’s space of sorts. Penny didn’t know the artist in charge – but Instagram brought her here. So far, she was impressed. But that was easy since Penny couldn’t do what was presented. Okay, she could, but terribly.
Her eyes browsed the rows of glazed pots and mugs. They landed on another figure browsing. He looked like someone who had been around here a bit. Plus, he was cute – maybe Penny could get more from the conversation.
Penny carefully made her way over and stood next to the person she was eying. “They’ve got quite the collection here!” she said, in a tone that wouldn’t scare the person. “I’ve never been here before. Have you?”
full name • Penelope Rose Shepherd nicknames • Penny, Rosie (only Jax is allowed - any other person or sibling will get shanked) age • twenty-eight birthday • May 15, 1995 occupation • Illustrator and Film Photographer gender • female (she/her) sexuality • pansexual
the appearance
face claim• Maya Hawke
identifying features• Penny stands a 5'-8" with a thin, pale frame. Her skin would almost rival Edward Cullen's sparkle whenever the sun hits her pale legs. Despite this, she loves the sun - so landing in Hickstead was a bore. She always wears her hair in a bob-like style and with bangs. It's kind of become her signature look, but it will change sometimes. Her clothing choices vary from a young woman that hates her life to a person that looks like a children's book illustration.
the personality
likes • Jax - obviously, claims to be his favorite (no one has gone against so far), film photography (especially sheet and medium format), watercolors - is her main form of media when doing illustrations, dogs of all kinds (all animals really - but dogs preferred) dislikes • her oldest sister - is highly suspicious of her for some unknown reason, her father - even though she didn't grow up around him, an event in the future sealed the deal, the rich - even though she is one (but she's different, y'know?) strengths • watercolors, film photography, cooking and baking, weaknesses • loose tongue - will happily voice her opinion, especially at family (is more controlled in front of clients), wanting to play happy family (def has daddy issues) dreams • retiring mom early, taking over the mansion and making it a dog sanctuary (to spite her older sister mainly - but for the dogs too), her brother getting his happiness and cheesy hallmark ending fears • her older siblings forgetting about her, eating bad fried chicken (she doesn't want to believe it exists), her mom leaving the world too soon overall personality • Resentment and daddy issues are the picture-perfect description of Penny. You wouldn't think the person that got fame from her brightly colored children's and young adult illustrations and aesthetically pleasing film photography, would have such issues. But hey, the best artists often had a crap ton of turmoil, didn't they? Despite her rigid exterior, Penny knows how to manipulate her face and personality to fit something a bit more comforting.
The reasons above are what make her so good as an illustrator for young adults and children. A critic once said that her illustrations were comforting, something Penny never really had. She loves her family, in her own sort of way. Penny doesn't hide the fact she favors Jax -as he was the only sibling that granted her his time for the most part. While the second youngest did their best, it was obvious the family was still reeling over this allusive dad figure.
She's not someone that hides her feelings. If she hates you, she hates you - but will show love and happiness as easily as wanting to shank you.
the history
father • Jackson "Jax" Shepherd, Deceased mother • Abigail Shepherd, 60, Office Secretary siblings • JAX MERRICK SHEPHERD JR. Wisteria Maia Shepherd ----- Shepherd, 30, Sister important people • Mr. Thomas, Photography teacher Mrs. Kelly, Art Teacher hometown • Rock Hill, South Carolina overall history • Penny was born as the younger sibling of the Shepherd clan. Unlike her siblings, Penny only had their father in her life for a year before he disappeared in thin air. It wasn’t something she knew about until she was at the age of asking where dad was. Her mother, thankfully, was quite honest about it. Well, in a way that a toddler could understand. When she was a pre-teen, did Penny understand the full story. Mainly the part that their father left and she took it as that the man hated them all, and decided the responsibility of it all was too much.
She spent her teenage years, groaning and moping about – finding solace in the art room. Like almost every cliché of a suffering artist. Her teacher, Mr. Thomas, always humored Penny though. Allowing her to stay super late after class, or to hide away. While he did make sure that classes were met, and her grades up – he couldn’t help giving her some secret privileges. Mainly, the use of the darkroom for non-photo class-related projects.
Her siblings always seemed disinterested in what Penny was up to, mainly because their focus was elsewhere. Jax, the brother, did make sure to give Penny the older sibling attention. Either by teasing her, or telling her things would be okay. So when he left, Penny was shattered. While he had the right and choice to go off on his own, Penny felt a bit betrayed.
She was left with her older sisters, something that Penny kind of despised. They never connected with her, something Penny wished they had done. It may have made her view them a bit more kind, than a wannabe and possibly a sugar baby.
Penny had to find her own way – and she did. Mr.Thomas and the other art teacher, Mrs. Kelly – excelled Penny’s career in photography and illustration. She took to film like no other student they had seen in a long time, to the point of gifting Penny her own medium format Mamiya after high school graduation. Something she had been eyeing for years.
Art school was a given, getting a full ride to Rhode Island School of Art and Design – with a degree in photography and illustration. Penny worked hard, biting tooth and nail to get where she needed to be. Her work in university got her signed book deals and people wanting coffee table books of her images. The royalties and contracts made money flow in naturally – but at high amounts. She wasn’t used to it, and definitely blew a lot of it in the worst ways. But she’s better about it now. Penny likes to say that her fame and money came in the right way, and her sister, Wisteria, money came in a suspicious way. Something that Penny has voiced out loud on multiple occasions. Which has caused a few fights, but not like her oldest sister cared about her anyway.
Penny’s life was about to take another hard right – and then crash over into a ravine. When she was twenty-six, her collection of Europe in black and white was being presented in London. It’s where she met renowned gallery owner, Cordelia St. Lawrence, who introduced Penny to a woman named Frieda Augustine. Frieda was an older woman, a bit older than her mother – but polite and had a mass network. Despite Penny’s age, she made a good first impression – prompting Frieda to introduce her to her husband, Jack.
Even though Penny had never seen pictures of her father, at least super recent ones – there was something about Jack that felt eerily familiar. But Penny took it as the two glasses of wine she had earlier in the night. The conversation turned into Penny eventually being invited to see Frieda’s personal collection at her estate. Penny, still denying the possible truth, agreed. But the number of times people at the viewing mentioned how much alike she looked next to Jack, intrigued her.
Penny’s visit to Frieda’s estate was nice until she saw a printout of an article about Wisteria on a side table. It all came to head when Penny saw a professionally done portrait of her oldest sister hanging in the hall of importance. Being stubborn, Penny pressed and prodded. She was met with stammers from Frieda until Jack appeared. Her wrath was quickly switched, and a match of strong words began. Penny doesn’t quite remember what happened – but she knew wine was thrown in her father’s face and a steak knife making a massive X in her sister’s stupidly painted face.
Jack, a coward, did not press charges – because god forbid the family that he left to learn about his whereabouts. The fact he left his life in America for a woman that had money. It was sickening. Penny forced the image of her father’s face out of her brain until her mom called her. No explanations, just something about a meeting. Okay, weird.
Penny sat in the room, clinging to Jax and avoiding Wisteria – knowing full well she would strangle her if she had the chance. Her jaw had clenched hard when her mom presented the money and estate that the children would be inheriting. The same mansion Penny had seen and torn apart a very expensive painting. But it was well deserved. Being the good little girl, Penny kept her mouth shut and left the meeting without a word.
Deciding she wanted dibs first, she beat Wisteria and Jax to England. She claimed the keys first – not telling anyone other than Jax. Penny made quick work to claim her area – claiming the best rooms with the best views. She deserved it, didn’t she? All that was next, was to see what her siblings wanted from the estate. Oh and that painting and the articles? It was all thankfully gotten rid of. Even if it wasn’t, would’ve made a great fireplace starter.
