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!.
It looked as if they were finally done, shoving things back into regular boxes and tack boxes, back on display above the lockers now and in respective cubbies. Or at least, the teenagers could only hope it was their respective cubbies. Brooklyn took a step back, admiring their handy work. She wasn't quite sure how she'd spin the whole earthquake thing, but you know, small ones did happen on occasion and knock over a lawn chair. It was possible! And then, Othello piped up besides her: "We could also say nothing and hope that everyone else will think that this is another one of Leo's pranks." Well now, that was an idea. Brown eyes glanced over at him, "I haven't been here long enough to know all the quirks about the Whites'. Is that his thing?" If it was, it sounded far more plausible than a small earthquake.
The teenager wasn't surprised by her new friend's description of the town of Hickstead. She supposed it made sense, small town, small people. Everybody had to know everything. Every place was like a small school full of gossip. Barns. Towns. Army Bases. Brooklyn supposed she didn't care though, people like that weren't going to stop her from living her life. Still, she arched an eyebrow, a grin dancing across the place, "Hanging out with the bad kids at the basketball courts, huh? Guess you're a rebel." She listened to Othello lament about being the new kid, but it seemed that he was a good sport about it. Brooklyn smiled, "That's a good way to look at it. Plus, you're not a wiley American like me. Those Hickstead Secondary teachers won't know what hit them when I show up in the fall."
Laughter bubbled up, "I appreciate it. Can't have the other horses making fun of him with all of his blankets..er, rugs." After all, Twilight might end up looking ab it silly with three blankets on him if Brooklyn thought it was that cold. Her mustang probably wouldn't appreciate such things. She listened to Othello explain his horse now, "He sounds quite cute! I can't wait to meet him. Why'd you name him Harry?" Party of her wondered if it was because of Harry Potter, but perhaps that was too silly to ask. At the mention of the trail rides, Brooklyn nodded, looking to the map on the wall, "Yeah. I should do that. At the same time, I'm also tempted to just run off without the map. Make it a whole adventure, yeah?"
Laugh it off and let it go and when you wake up it will seem so yesterday
thanks aofie!
Fifteen . High School Student . LGBTQ+ . Single Seven Oaks Saddle Club
She couldn't decide if the blonde girl was being humble or not with that statement. Granted, Brooklyn didn't seem to have long to think about it though as Emma was now asking her the same question. Brown eye blinked, "Well, I have a bit of natural talent. Admittingly, sometimes I get too cocky for my own good." The teenager said with a laugh now, running a hand through her thick mane of hair, "So, when that happens, I tend to find that either my horse or my teacher will teach me a lesson to humble me a bit more." Hopefully Emma wouldn't think too poorly of her, at least she was being honest with her.
It was curious to hear that the other girl hadn't left England, but her accent seemed to suggest otherwise. As nosey as Brooklyn was though, she wasn't dumb enough to blow a potential friendship on curiosity. Texas had taught her those harsh lessons, "I don't think it's any different than living in a neighborhood in America. But I'll get back to you on that." The teenager said with a grin. She listened to Emma explain her thoughts on Frankfurt and Munich now, giving away her accent, "Oh! Well that makes sense. I thought you had a distinct accent outside of the posh british people here. That's good to know you like it here though and that there's stuff to do. Maybe I'll actually leave the barn for once." Brooklyn said with a joke now. After all, she tended to live there in Texas once she started horse back riding.
Oh duh. It would make sense that the girl before her would know some of the other people from Blue Arces, "I met Janie and her horse Darth. I'm not sure her last name...but, she actually saved our lives I think." Okay, so maybe that was a little dramatic, but for all Brooklyn knew, she and Twilight might have tumbled off a cliff if it hadn't been for them. Her eyebrows raised when Emma admitted to having three horses, that sounded rather nuts to her, "Three? How do you have time to do all of that riding?" She half wondered if the girl went to school or just did home schooling, "We do show jumping and some gymkhana for fun. What about you and your herd?"
Laugh it off and let it go and when you wake up it will seem so yesterday
thanks aofie!
Fifteen . High School Student . LGBTQ+ . Single Seven Oaks Saddle Club
"Trick riding?" Brooklyn asked now, her eyebrows arching, "Now that is something I don't hear every day." And boy, did she just sound like a total bitch, "That's super cool though. You'll have to let me know next time you're over at Seven Oaks! I'd love to watch you." The teenager wasn't even sure the last time she saw such a display, unless one counted the circus when she had been seven or eight. She gave a bit a thought before asking, "What made you get into that? If you don't mind me asking that is."
Laughter bubbled up from her now at Janie's words, and Brooklyn just smiled, "Don't worry - you defilingly do. Any one who stops me and Twilight from walking off a cliff is more than cool in my book." After all, the other girl could have done nothing at all. Hopefully she wouldn't have, but Brooklyn knew that some people just didn't think it was their problem or responsibility when someone was lost.
Up ahead, it looked like the trail dropped off a bit, meaning a decline was coming up. Brooklyn pulled back on her reins now, allowing Janie and Darth to take the lead. Thankfully, Twilight didn't seem to have much thought about it as they came to the edge now. Leaning back in her saddle and giving the mustang his head, they slowly followed down after the other pair, "I ride with Mr. White...er, Logan White." After all, you throw around the name White and that could be any one of the coaches, "He's very nice, bit withdrawn though. I might be too much for him sometimes. She had a minor thought, "Are you at Hickstead or Willow Brooke? Cause if it's the former, I might need to get the skinny on it from you."
Laugh it off and let it go and when you wake up it will seem so yesterday
thanks aofie!
Fifteen . High School Student . LGBTQ+ . Single Seven Oaks Saddle Club
"Callie - you're the best, if I don't tell you enough." Ah well, between herself, Callie, and the tomboy, they made up the best club ever. But lately, one third of their club had been busy, so it had mainly been just her and Callie hanging out. It kinda sucked to be honest, but they were teenagers, things got in the way, she could only hope that priorities weren't changing.
Brooklyn couldn't help but to wiggle her eyebrows at the words 'college boys', "Oh my, look at you," the teenager giggled, "Maybe you can get Alana to allow you to teach a class." Callie Talbot did not miss a beat though when the teenager brought up girls, in fact, she hardly reacted to the question. God, she was so cool sometimes, Brooklyn kinda wondered why the sixteen year old deemed her cool enough to hang with, "Yeah, especially the equestrian girls." Brooklyn lamented now, mock sadness in her voice.
When the other teenager announced that she did follow Piper on the gram, Brooklyn about lost it. The weird sound and fail of her limbs echoed across the pasture, earning her a look from Ronan Slade himself as he walked past them, stalking back to to the barn now. Stupidly, brown eyes watched him before looking back one of her best friends now, "Tell me Calliope Talbot - what does the Gram foretell?"
She was surprised to hear the older woman's musings - did Rory not know about the stablehand's past? Brooklyn knew exactly why the man was grumpy, but she was also loathed to admit that she googled him. His face had looked so familiar to her, and the way he walked with a slight limp, it made he wonder. Sure enough though, Google had opened the flood doors, and the horse and equestrian obsessed teenager figured it out right away, "I mean...he kinda lost everything. I suppose I'd be grumpy too if I was a superstar one day and then a stablehand the next." Okay, so it was more than that, but Brooklyn felt like that was the gist of it.
It was interesting to hear Rory talk about her job, it sounded like there was a lot more to it than met the eye. Brooklyn decided to make a mental note of it. Apparently there were lots of opportunities in the equestrian world, not just competing, but clearly, one needed to know where to look, "Sounds like hard but rewarding work then." Brooklyn mused outloud once Rory was done, but then found herself making a face when Rory made the school comparison, "Honestly, I wish I could just skip school. There's nothing fun about it." Maybe she was being a typical teenager, but other than her friends, who she could also see at the barn, why hang out at Hickstead Secondary?
"It is - never been out here before, although, my mom is from around the UK, but she's lost most of her accent." Brooklyn didn't know the full story, but she did have one Uncle Silas hanging about town. It took everything in her power to not squeal at the invite into the stalls - trying to be mature adult was hard. Carefully, she undid the latch and came into the stall, hovering next to the lithe and petite Rory, "Oh! Thank you!" Suddenly though, she didn't know what to do. Brown eyes looked to her, "What's best practice here?"
Laugh it off and let it go and when you wake up it will seem so yesterday
thanks aofie!
Fifteen . High School Student . LGBTQ+ . Single Seven Oaks Saddle Club
Brooklyn caught that look that the older girl gave her, arched high brows and all, and the fifteen year old did nothing but grumpily stare back at her. She didn't care what Piper thought of her now, the fact that she was dating Ronan Slade made her public enemy number one as far as she was concerned. Truth be told, Brooklyn didn't understand where this deep seated annoyance over the boy came from - just a few weeks ago, boys were nothing but annoying and only horses mattered to her. Now, it was different.
It would appear that Piper would not humor her boy talk, not at the moment at least, as she distracted herself with testing the water before showering her horse, and began to speak. Brooklyn impatiently listened to her talk, and talk, and talk. It was all about shows and horse connection, nothing about Ronan, "Oh...well, I am sorry to hear about Lucifier. I hope he feels better." If there was one thing that could soften the teenager, it was a sick horse. She mulled over Piper's words a bit more before asking, "Ah...I hate hard lessons. Like, I get the point of them, but they still frustrate me. I always have to vent to my friends afterwards. Don't you?" Okay, it was a little more forceful prod now, but Piper wasn't giving her a lot of wiggle room, and unfortunately, Brooklyn tended to be more of a bull in a china shop than eloquent investigator.
As the tables turned towards her though, she just shrugged absent mindly, "I think Ms. White was in the mood for some fun today so she took us on a trail ride instead of jump lessons. That was fine with me though. Silver's nice and all, but she's not my horse."
A rather unlady like snort of laughter escaped Brooklyn at her best friend's sass about the money and lessons, "Exactly! So you do you." And honestly, that felt like the best way to carry on in life, no matter the country. Her gaze took in the changing colors on the other side of the pasture where a few trees lines the fence line, their green leaves looking on the last of their legs before the hues of reds, oranges, and yellows would take over. Cali was right, it would be beautiful, "Deal. I'm sure we'll get great grams as well." Nevermind that cellphones were needed for any ride from a safety stand point.
Brooklyn knew she probably had been dramatic about the boy, flopping over to stare at the sky certainly showed it, but it was hard to not be. Hopefully her best friend didn't think her too entirely immature to be obsessed with a moody eighteen year old boy. Either way, Cali seemed to be handling her well enough. And, by golly, did the other girl have a point. She forgot how good her friend was at internet sleuthing. Brooklyn shot up, or at least, quickly sat up on her elbows now, "Are you friends with Ronan on Instagram? Or the Ledor-Kita girls? I've been too chicken to creep on any of them and have my name linked to the follow" My goodness, why hadn't she thought about asking Cali this before?!
At least she had managed to ask her friend about her own love life before she got too self absorbed into finding out Ronan's and the answers that eluded her. Laughter escaped her at the other girl's explanation, "Cali! You've been holding out on me. Doesn't matter the age of the guys at work, who do you think is cute?" While it sucked that Cali didn't have much of a love life, Brooklyn couldn't help but to be secretly glad that she was single - mainly because the young woman was convinced she would be left behind. A thought did cross her, wondering if it was taboo, but this was Cali Talbot, who certainly was down to earth, "Have you ever thought...that any of the girls around here are cute?"
Brooklyn couldn't help but to laugh at the other girl's explanation about how her horse had been a bit of an impulsive decision followed by convincing her parents that she was up to the task, "Ha! That sounds a lot like my own story." Although, her's was more of a 'rehoming' verses buying, which meant even more convincing. But all of that was in the past now for both girls, and there was no need to dwell on it. However, she clocked that eyeroll that Janie had given at the mention of being 'responsible', and Brooklyn couldn't help but to grin, "Oh, I know. Neverminded we're practically adults." Okay, so maybe a little less than adults, given she herself was still 3 years shy of eighteen but come on, disney princess logic does not lie.
Janie's bird story actually made her eyebrows arch, "A hawk dove at you? That's wild." She actually couldn't decide what would be more terrifying. Coming across some wild cat or having a bird dive bomb her with its tallons. Both sounded a little terrifying, and utterly annoying, "Well, I'm sure with the two of us," Twilight gave a snort, "I mean, four of us, no wild life will dare take us on. Twilight and Darth will certainly keep us safe."
The pair moved along now skillfully on the trial, Brooklyn making sure that her mustang didn't try to crowd the unique colored horse in front of them. While Darth seemed nice and cute, she knew not every horse was a fan of having someone right up their ass, and this was certainly proving to be good schooling to Twilight that he didn't always have to be leader, "Oh really? Are there a lot of events between the two barns?" She was certainly curious now, given how some of the older riders and stablehands seem to consider Blue Arces their rivals, "I have to say - you don't look or seem like a snob." Wow, Brooklyn, "I mean, some of the people who have been at the barn for a while seem to have their biased opinions thanks to a rooted rivalry, but honestly, you seem pretty cool to me." And therefore, did not need to be a rival in the equestrian ring.
Laugh it off and let it go and when you wake up it will seem so yesterday
thanks aofie!
Fifteen . High School Student . LGBTQ+ . Single Seven Oaks Saddle Club
Othello certainly seemed easy going enough about helping her out, and Brooklyn would forever be thankful for that. She still wasn't sure about all of this mess though, and it would seem, neither did the other teenager. Her question about boarders stuff certainly prompted a look from him before suggesting an explanation about an earthquake. Laughter bubbled from Brooklyn now as she pushed herself up and grabbed the first box and began gently chucking things into it, "Earthquake huh? I think that will be our default answer for this," the young girl said with a grin, "And we'll just sort things into boxes by theme. Cleaning supplies. Care supplies. Etc." Hopefully, all of this belonged to Seven Oaks as a whole verses individual people.
She listened to Othello's explanation about where he had come from - like London but less smog and ravens. It was certainly a curious description. He must have lived on the edge of town though, based off what he said about his grandparents. Grandparents. It suddenly occurred to Brooklyn that he did not mention his actual parents, and while curious, she certainly wasn't bold or rude enough to ask about such private manners. If it involved horses, that was different manner, but the teenager knew enough to not be a nosey jerk about personal matter involving people, "Ah! Well, must have been easy to adapt to moving here then. This is very different for me, but I'm already liking what I saw in town, and obiviously, the stables, so I'm not too worried about my happiness." School would be a different matter, but the teenager was very good about ignoring that part of her life.
Brooklyn offered a warm smile as she saw the other teenager winced. He clearly understood what she was going through, "Thanks, I hope so too." And it was good to know about the temperatures. She was fairly certain that Twilight's tattoo traced him to nevada, which was cold enough, but she wasn't sure if living in Texas had made him soft, "Glad to hear it. Just stop me if I try to put more than one blanket on him," Brooklyn commented with a laugh. They worked together now with the sorting, everything getting put into its perspective box. She had to admit, this was going a lot more faster with Othello's help. The friendly conversation helped as well, "Oh! An Arabian? He must be beautiful. Do you find him hyper? I hear they're very smart." The only arabians she had ever seen were online or in the movies, so Brooklyn would be excited to meet his. Brown eyes met Othello's own now as she grinned, "Yeah! I'd love to ride with you - both with Twilight and without. Maybe I can ask the White's about leasing a horse for a short bit until Twilight comes so I'm just not being a weird girl and milling around the barn without a horse."
Laugh it off and let it go and when you wake up it will seem so yesterday
thanks aofie!
Fifteen . High School Student . LGBTQ+ . Single Seven Oaks Saddle Club
Brooklyn must have been jabbering on some nonsense because it almost looked like the blonde girl was only half paying attention to her, given her flip to the next page where said article on Lotta Beckmanns and her pony was. The fifteen year old didn't mind too much though, she often liked to think of herself as laid back (other would disagree) and not one of those people who needed the undivided attention of others (only when it came to horses). Now that Emma had finished the article now, her blue eyes locking with Brooklyn's brown eyes. For a moment, she almost thought she felt something, but then batted it away the second the word pony was mentioned, "Oh? Would you say that you're a good rider now?"
She was immediately intrigued even more, but figured she should pump the breaks. After all, Brooklyn was here to make friends and not conduct Army Intelligence grade interrogations. Although, if she had pulled that off, maybe her father would be proud. The question prompted her to think for a moment, "Yeah, I think I am excited to be here. Something new. It's our first time being posted overseas. Prior to that, all of my Dad's jobs took us to places in the states." Brooklyn had long since gotten used to moving around, her younger sister, not so much. But as far as the fifteen year old was concerned, that didn't matter too much to her, "Ooo Germany? I admit - I am hoping we go there next. There's a base in Frankfurt I believe. I'm sure it's not as flashy as Berlin or Munich, but I bet it would improve my riding." After all, Germany always seemed to be the country to beat in the Olympics, with Great Brittan being a close second. Gosh, maybe she was talking too much about herself now, "Do you like it here?"
It seemed it might have been that way as Emma went to flipping through the magazine again now, her gaze on the pages as she smiled to herself like she had a secret. Brooklyn felt herself rather intrigued, like she was being pulled into this girl's world. It was far more exciting to learn that Emma did confirm that she rode, unfortunately, just not at the stables that she would hope, "Oh. Blue Arces, huh? You're the second girl I've met now who rides there." And so far, no girls at Seven Oaks. They must be hiding from her. No, it was summer time, and summer vacation. Surely that would change once fall came around, "Yes! Well, my horse is finishing up quarantine. He's a mustang. So for now, I'm doing a month lease on one of Seven Oaks horses until Twilight is cleared. What about you?"
Laugh it off and let it go and when you wake up it will seem so yesterday
thanks aofie!
Fifteen . High School Student . LGBTQ+ . Single Seven Oaks Saddle Club
Brooklyn felt her eyebrows arch and her eyes widen at the blonde girl's explanation, "Gorge?" She pulled out her map now, looking it over, "I don't remember anyone telling me anything ab out a gorge." Guess she really was lost and/or turned around then. Well, this was utterly embarrassing. The teenager made a mental note to not bring this up to her parents today when they asked her how her day went - it would get her nothing but a lecture from Major Eric Hazelton on how he taught her better than that for land navigation skills. At least, she seemed to be making a new acquaintance out of it, "Nice to meet you and Darth, Janie! I have to say, he is super cute." And rather unique.
A snort escaped her black mustang now, shaking his head - he was likely impatient with standing around now, but Brooklyn couldn't help but to think he was jealous too that she was fawning over something else. Laughter escaped her, as she gave him a good pat as she listened to Janie explain their situation, "Geez, your parents almost sound like my parents." She joked now, "I didn't realize the wilds of England could be so dangerous. Apparently I stand corrected." And Brooklyn really did mean that, she wasn't trying to be a snob about it. At the invitation for an accompanied ride, a smile quickly lit up her face, "I'd love that! I'm always excited to meet fellow horse girls. Why don't you lead the way while I pepper you with questions such as - I haven't seen you at Seven Oaks before...do you ride there? Or over at Blue Arces?"
She nudged Twilight to start going after Darth now, knowing this would be a curious ride given that her horse often didn't like to be second fiddle when it comes to being leader, but he was just going to have to deal. Hopefully, Janie would be able to bare with the pair, and wasn't a snob like she heard some of the Blue Arce riders could be.
Laugh it off and let it go and when you wake up it will seem so yesterday
thanks aofie!
Fifteen . High School Student . LGBTQ+ . Single Seven Oaks Saddle Club
Laughter escaped her at Cali's explanation of why she was so good at mucking stalls and being fast at it, "Leave it to a father and an older brother to find the most efficient way to do hard labor." She felt like her father could be the same way, even though he had a vastly different career. But she didn't dwell on the topic at hand, one because she and Cali came from different backgrounds, and two, because there were far more pressing matters in the fifteen year old's life such as riding and boys shed in mysterious air.
Her new best friend always managed to put a good spin on things though, at least when it came to riding, "You're right, Cali," Brooklyn admitted, "I bet they are pushing me because they know I'm ready - plus, with Twilight here now, he and I can go back to being the dream team. I swear, Skye was so moody, she affected my rides." The athletics mare was capable of many things, but being a cuddle bug, she was not, and Brooklyn was glad to give up the school horse for her own once the mustang had cleared quarantine protocols, "We should go for a hack sometime before the weather gets too cold." Although this was England, the cold probably didn't bother anyone.
Cali's matter-o-fact statement about her trip made Brooklyn laugh along with her, just a couple of teenage girls enjoying their time. And perhaps too loudly, since Ronan actually shot them a look before getting back to his work. Even when he was grumpy, he was still awfully beautiful. Cali's question popped up in her ear now, and Brooklyn let out a sigh once more, flopping backwards so that she could stare up at the sky for a moment before her dark eyes looked to her friend, "No, but I think they're heading in that direction. I don't think I have a chance. But...well, he's not off the market yet." And that was the one sliver of hope she had, "Anything new in the love life of Cali Talbot?"
Sabrina Ledor-Kita appeared to be all knowing like the weird witchy aura that she sometimes gave off since the other teenager pulled a no bullshit card on her: "You know you're lying, right?" Brooklyn could feel herself hold in her breath, trying to be reasonable on how to deal with this situation. Her thoughts racing a little bit as she gently eased Skye back into the wash stall, glad that she at least had the grey mare to distract her gaze, "I have no idea what you're talking about, Sabrina. I am perfectly fine." Ughs, so lame. What a lame response and not remotely cool. Especially since she was stuck by the other teenager now, with no where to go.
She also didn't get why the older teenager was prying all of the sudden - although maybe her sudden change in attitude was all what had been needed to perk Sabrina's curiosity. Brooklyn could have handled the whole situation a lot better, she knew that. Yet, these feelings of jealousy, and not knowing what was really going on with Ronan Slade - after all, she thought he had been single, had been bubbling up in her. Turning on the hose to a gentle water stream, Brooklyn pointed it at Sky's hooves now to get the mare used to the water and the idea that she was about to get washed. Maybe she could handle this. And then Sabrina Ledor-Kita's words floated over the wash stall now: "You get rejected? Possible boy trouble?"
Brooklyn found herself sucking in her breath one more, tempted to aim the water over the wash stall as an accident to spray Sabrina and her horse, but the fifteen year old thought better of it. She would not be a bitch like some of those other barn girls, and she certainly wouldn't endanger a fellow rider and her horse simply because she felt catty. If the older girl was going to dig though, Brooklyn felt the need to dig right back, "I was coming back from my ride, and I saw the boy I liked with someone." It felt like just enough, but not enough to give anything away - Brooklyn didn't trust anyone outside of Cali and the Tom Boy with specific names quite yet, "If you must know, that is."
She still didn't know how the older girl made it back to the stables before her though, if she had been with Ronan. Unless she had left Lucifer in the cross ties when she went to go say goodbye, and unlike Brooklyn, knew the in's and out's of Seven Oaks. Once Skye was fully wet, Brooklyn cut the water and stepped out of the wash stall to grab the shampoo and brown eyes looked to Sabrina and her black Hanoverian now, "Did you have a good ride?" Brooklyn poked now, wondering if it would shed light on whether it had been with Ronan.
