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!.
The bar was heaving. Whilst it was often busy, particularly on the weekends, it was a rare occasion that the place was so packed people could barely move. Bri knew she shouldn't complain, the taps were flowing, the cash was flying in, and everyone was having a good time - someone had picked the good music on the juke box (not that there was really any bad in her bar) and people were chatting, laughing and a few even dancing, but it was the typical day that she had a barmaid off sick, and her and her only other emploeye were run off their feet.
"Here's your change!" She shouted over the din of people's voices and 80's music booming in the background, handing over the coins to a waiting patron and then turning to the next waiting person... of that there seemed to be hundreds. Bri had almost pasted the smile onto her face at this point, and she raised a hand to wipe her perspiring forehead. "What is going on tonight?" Bri called to her co-worker with a slight incredulous laugh. Her employee shrugged and gave her a look that said 'God knows' with both her hands full of bottles of liquor as she poured out shots.
Bri finished pouring another pint when suddenly a shout went up - then another, and then the crowd of heaving bodies began to sway and she knew that a fight had broken out. "OI!" She shouted, her voice carrying over the noise as people were pushed and shoved, caught in the middle of the drama. "Take that shit outside!!" She frowned, craning her neck to try and find the culprits.
"Guess it's my lucky day then." Bri pursed her lips and hummed slightly, a noise of non-committal. She wouldn't exactly go calling it that - was he expecting a free drink for old times? If anything, Tre was more likely about to be charged double for the fun of it. It wasn't like things had ended poorly, not really, but there had been a bitterness on her side for the dumping. She'd grown older and wiser since then, moved on, but she didn't see the harm in just a little reminder that this was her domain, and his ridiculous mega-watt smile would not get him special treatment in this bar.
An eyebrow quirked at the laugh - but the smile remained. Stubborn bloody bastard. "What? My smile?" It took effort not to roll her eyes, instead she kept her firm gaze on him, that being the confirmation enough he would need to know that yes, she meant his smile. "The smile is worth zero currency here, I only deal in cold hard cash," she said simply, knowing how often he had used the damn thing over the years to get what he wanted - especially from her. It was like some kind of snake charming magic, a big old grin from him and her mind would empty of everything but whatever he'd asked her to do.
"Ah, I have no doubt I will." She did not, and she felt Tre would be in for a surprise if he thought things would slip right back into how they used to be, Bri wasn't a love struck teenager anymore, and she'd learned a lot from the trials and tribulations of her life. Her daughter had given her many a life lesson too - patience and standing firm, being some of those. Her eyes roved over his trademark lean - was he trying to put moves on her? "Grey? I don't know what you're talking about - maybe I'm just distracted by someone," Bri made a point of smoothing her features - definitely trying to put on moves. "I see the years haven't made you any wiser," She commented. "I think I'll have a Guinness and...maybe some more time with you?" Bri sighed and turned to grab a clean glass, then moved over to the taps to pour with practised ease. "That'll be £8.50 for the Guinness." She instructed, "as for your other.. request.. if it ain't on tap, it ain't on offer."
At least she wasn't the only one who seemed completely floored by finding themselves in this situation, so there was that. It made her feel a little less idiotic to be staring given the way he stared right back. Part of her wondered if he'd turn tail and walk right back out, but that didn't really seem like his style, not the Tre that she knew.. or well, had known - if she was going to be honest. It had been a good number of years since they'd seen each other, so much so that they'd gone on to live more of their lives apart than together - realistically, they were strangers to each other.
It helped her straighten herself out at least, and as Tre blinked, she knew he was righting himself too. Shake it off and get on with it. "Your bar?" Her eyebrows rose a little, the tight lipped smile loosening a little in place of one more coy and a tiny bit smug. Not in a mean sense, but more a pride in herself and the humour of it too - because yes of all the bars he could have picked in all the land, he was in hers... where she was all the more welcome to throw him out on his ass if she so desired. Not yet though. Yet.... "My bar." She agreed in a warning voice. As in... yes, my place so don't you damn going making a mess in here...
Her eyes narrowed on the smile. That freaking award winning smile, could melt the pants of a woman from seven feet away - eight on a really good day. It wasn't without it's effect on her, but she was older and wiser and was able to stand firm against it as she raised an index finger. "And that can go right back in it's box." An eyebrow rose, pinning him in place like a naughty school boy. She knew exactly what he was up to with that number one trick. "Well, I consider myself lucky then I walked into this bar, Bri Loates, cause I get to lay my eyes on you." She couldn't help but crack a grin in response. "Let's see if you still feel that way in a little while." When she wasn't hanging off his every word and swooning at his smile like she used to. "Really though, I can't believe you're here. In the flesh. I hope you're still willing to sell me something on draft." Brie pursed her lips as she glanced over to the taps, inclining her head to the shining labels on display. "Eyesight not what it used to be?" She asked, "That's the trouble with getting old and grey." Not that she was one to talk.
"Well, that's great about your electricity bill, but more importantly," The voice didn't register at first. It had been a good many years since she'd heard it, and they had both aged since then - her ears weren't always quite what they used to be, and his voice had changed ever so slightly; a rougher, lower tone to the smooth. Something in her brain picked up, a little straightening of her spine before she even realised she'd done it. She was already turning when he started to ask what was on tap, and then he abruptly stopped. "What do you have on-" It stil didn't quite register, it had been so many years, but she frowned slightly, aware that she knew whoever it was she was about to see, already trying to put a face and a name to the voice.
It clicked just as he said her name, her eyes landing on his as surprise flooded through her. Never in a million and one years could she imagine Atreus of all people appearing at her bar. The chances were up there, it was possible, but not exactly probable.. right? Or was she wrong on that count. Her brain flew at a thousand miles an hour, and she tried hard to rein it in. He looked older - obviously, he was older - but he wore it well. Of course he did, he'd always been frustratingly handsome, and even more so with a salt and pepper spray of grey. A small part of her was annoyed at that, at how he seemed to suit the wrinkles and the crow's feet. "Bri?"
She realised she was standing there, staring at him like a moron and she blinked, bringing herself back out of it. It took her a second, to steel herself, but she did it. Without really even thinking about it, her walls came flying up, a little on guard as she gave him a slightly tight lipped smile. "Of all the bars to step into... you decide to choose mine." She joked, raising a fine eyebrow.
It had already been a loooong day for Bri, and God only knew that it was only going to get longer. Mel had hit the teenage years with full force and was really living up to the reputation, having thrown a completely uncharacteristic tantrum over her punishment for being late home the night before. Bri wasn't stupid or naive, and she remembered well her own teenage years - or just about at least - and so, rather than lock her daughter up until she was 18 - which scarily wasn't long away now, just a few months - she let her out to play with strict rules in place. One of them, was a curfew. She as going to go out with her friends, and lose track of time, and perhaps have a cheeky drink, Bri knew that, but she still expected her to be home at a reasonable time. School was a priority, as was getting a proper night's sleep and having boundaries. So when Mel had come home almost an hour late, Bri had not been best pleased. Removing her phone from her for the day may have seemed unnecessary, but at least her daughter might take her threats seriously.
Whilst she was sulking, having refused the dinner Bri had cooked for her, Bri was working hard at the bar. One of her staff had called in sick and though it was meant to be her day off, she'd come in to take the brunt of it and help the others. She didn't have a day off very often, she didn't feel she could afford to, but when she did it was usually to spend time with her daughter. Perhaps it was better today they had space from each other given that Mel was hardly speaking to her - only enough to ask if she could have her phone back yet if Bri wasn't going to be in. Bri had refused, inciting more tantrum and feet stomping from Mel.
The bar was already booming when she got down, and only continued to expand into absolutely heaving. She spent hours pouring pint after pint, laughing with the patrons - most of whom were regulars that she knew quite well - and having the odd shimmy to a particularly good Juke box tune someone had picked. Regardless of how many times she'd heard the song this week alone. The hours rolled on and things finally began to slow, enough so she could wipe her brow and lean against the bar for a moment's reprieve. "Well damn, at least we'll be able to pay the electric bill this month," She jested with a co-worker.
identifying features• The kind of woman that would call herself plain - jet black, long hair that has never been anything other than straight as a pin, with piercing blue eyes that appear to see everything. She has a fair complexion that does surprisingly hold a tan well. She thinks her chin is a little too pointy, her jaw a little too sharp to be feminine, and she has a plethora of tattoo's on her thighs, up her sides and back, and across her shoulders.
the personality
likes • * Hard boiled sweets - Ruhbarbs and custards * A cold beer at the end of the day * Having a tidy house - keeps a tidy mind * Sunny days when she can take her motorbike out * Clear skies at night so she can see the stars * Finding fashion bargains in charity shops * Fixing things: she's a surprisingly decent handywoman * Learning: she absorbs knowledge like no tomorrow * Old black and white movies * Chatting to her bar regulars
dislikes • * People trying to take advantage of her, especially for being female * Guys trying to smooze her, she ain't got time for it * Pizza's with BBQ sauce for a base * How fast her kid is growing up * Things being out of order or disorganised * Arguments, especially with her daughter (Mel) * Modern music - it's alright but she has to admit she's a sucker for 70s/80s * Politics * Sitting in front of a screen for too long, she gets headaches * Having cold feet
strengths • * Handywoman, has decent DIY/mechanical and plumbing knowledge * Versatile and adaptable, able to accept a change in situation and overcome it/fix it * Calm, she doesn't rile all that easily but don't mistake her for passive * Hard working, will keep slogging away until a job is done * Businesswoman, she's run a successful business for many years by herself
weaknesses • * Head strong, can be stubborn * Used to being on her own, makes it difficult to let people get a foot in the door * A nice bare of boots, she's a sucker for leather boots * Her ex, he knows how to push her buttons * Her daughter's pleading/sorry expression
dreams • * To give her daughter the world, and know that she is happy and safe * To pay off her debts * To see more of the world
fears • * Letting a man into her life and ruining what she's built * Her daughter being unhappy * Losing her bar
overall personality • strong willed and hard headed, stubborn when she needs to be, has a bit of a free spirit but has always been very grounded - especially once she had her child and knew stability was important, responsible and good with money, intelligent, dry sense of humour, surprisingly does enjoy a good practical joke, loyal and a solid friend to have in your corner, will go the extra mile for a cause she believes in, firm but tries not to be unfair, closed off to protect herself at times, very settled in herself - knows her own mind, confident, willingness to try new things, brave, passionate at times, has a touch of wildness about her and restlessness which seems a conflict to her solid and dependable, responsible nature - has build a stable foundation for her daughter to grow up in and set an example to.
the history
father • Francis Evan Loates, deceased, former scientist
mother • Giselle Marian Loates, 73, aristocrat and etiquette couch
siblings • William Henry Loates, 53, lawyer
important people • ex-boyfriend - ATREUS KAIDAN CONSTANTINE Melissa's father - Richard Harvey Tremaine, 51, aristocrat
hometown • London, England
overall history • Bri was born the second daughter to a surprisingly odd family. Her mother was born of blue blood, with parents who had the typical stiff upper lip approach to life, and in particular dating. They could never quite approve of Giselle's match to Francis, though they didn't quite go as far as to cut her off. Bri's mother took after her parents in a way - though softer, sh was a bit of a stickler for rules and manners, and expected her children to behave accordingly. Bri grew up knowing which fork to use for which course, among many other useless things. Her father, on the other side of the line, was a complete disorganised mess of a man. How he had won her mother over, Bri never did quite understand, but when she saw them together it seems to suddenly make sense. He was eccentric, a typical Disney Scientist type, always trying to find cures for obscure diseases or inconveniences. He worked a lot, and growing up, Bri didn't often see him. Her memories of him were mostly a mismatch of the occasional bedtime story or Sunday afternoon dinner, where he would make her laugh and her mother would give her a disapproving look.
She was a good kid though, who went by her brother's example of being a good kid - both were top students who worked hard and put in the effort. Her brother had high ambitions to work in law, but Bri was never quite sure what she wanted to do. Every time she thought she'd settled on something, she would look into it and change her mind, or lose interest. It drove her mother mad, who hoped she would simply do the old fashioned thing and marry another Aristocrat, and spend her time raising babies and household chores. That didn't sound for filling enough for Bri though, but it didn't help her settle on a job. She picked up odd jobs as she grew old enough to, trying her hand at a multitude of things from - from waitressing and temping, to flower arranging and mechanics. She picked up a wide range of skills growing up, finding some that she liked more than others, and tucking away a tidy sum of her own money that didn't involve mother's say so.
Her world tipped somewhat in High School. Of course it was a boy that turned it for her. She hadn't gone looking for love, but it had clearly been looking for her. At first it was just a silly crush on the boy sitting on her left, and then she found herself looking for him outside of class, seeking him out with her eyes on the school field during Sport, or scanning the tables at lunch time - for no reason other than to just look at him again. Then came the talking, the conversation that started as a trickle and became a flow. She had worried at first that it would shatter her illusions to talk to him, because they'd have nothing to talk about, or he'd just be yet another jock. He wasn't though, and she found all her time taken up by him, her entire world absorbed by him. Naturally, her mother disapproved, as Bri expected. Her father barely knew Tre, with how little he was home and present, and her brother was busy at college, trying to impress everybody.
Some of Bri's friends expressed concern for her and how much time she was spending with Tre, but she waved it off, the proof of her dismissal in the several years that they were happy together. Right up until Tre left. He went with a promise that they would make things work, though she had heard all the stories that came with long distance relationships before. At first it did. Bri got stuck into Uni life at Cambridge, putting all her suddenly spare time into her academics. Though still unsure on her path of life, she took an array of classes: Maths, English Literature, History and Business. It was a demanding case load, and her social life took a hit, but with half of her life having been entwined with Tre for the last couple of years, his sudden absence made things tough for her. For a while it worked, and then not even halfway through her degrees it all fell apart. Tre began to grow distant. At first, she put it down to him being busy, and though it niggled at her, she gave him his space and just sent him supportive texts. But when he began to screen her calls and not return her messages, she knew something bigger was afoot.
It hurt like hell, but she was miserable and her work began to suffer, which made her resent Tre all the more. The breakup sent her into a spiral. Even though he hadn't been there for her for a while, it still hurt to cut herself off from him for good. Healing took time, but she threw herself back into her work, and gave herself time to get hobbies, finding a balance between work and play, and finding things she actually enjoyed. After her degrees, she went against her mother's wishes and took some time for herself, to find herself. She brought a motorbike, got her licence, and took to the roads. It was there she found herself a sense of freedom, but it didn't last long. Reality came knocking. Feeling lonely, she allowed her mother to coerce her into a romance with an aristocrat who was of high enough rank to be deemed 'worthy'. He was charming, flattering, and he ran a successful business. Bri, still heartbroken, allowed herself to be wooed, even when something at the back of her mind resented it.
The rose tinted glasses didn't last long. Once Richard had bedded her, he began to lose interest. It didn't take Bri long to realise that he never really wanted her, just what she could provide him - a pretty face on an arm, a trophy wife, status and money... everything she's always fought hard against. There was just one issue with detangling herself from him - pregnancy. It had never been on the cards for her, but once she'd learnt of the child, she couldn't do anything about it. She thought about leaving without telling him, but it felt off, and so she sat Richard down on an evening she could finally pin him down and told him of the situation. Like the coward he was, Richard pulled back. If ever there had been a more apt show of 'running with their tail between their legs', it was him. He told her that either the child had to go or she did, that he wasn't ready to be a father, that she was doing it to trap him, that she was lying. Everything under the sun that he could use to try and excuse himself. In disgust, Bri happily left, vowing never to ask him for a damn thing.
Surprisingly, her mother did not turn her away from the family for having a child out of wedlock, and when she told her mother the truth, she received only open arms and an apology. Naturally, Giselle wasn't thrilled, and she at first attempted to fix things between Bri and Richard, but when she found Richard so resistant, she understood her daughter's difficulties and let it go. Bri meanwhile, decided on a life for herself. She had a child to worry about now, and an idea she had been toying with for some time came to life. Her own bar. Her mother hated it, but it wasn't her money to spend, and Bri put everything she had into a lovely little spot in a corner of the world. It took months to get things up and running, and even after the birth of her beautiful daughter, she didn't have a moment to spare. Ivy's Poison took hard work, elbow grease and a fair bit of sweat and some tears, but eventually it began to start pulling in punters and making money. She set up a home for herself and her daughter Mel, above the bar, and has been there ever since. Not much has changed over the years, aside from watching her daughter grow up far too fast. She hadn't bothered dating since Mel's father, just taking in the odd companion to bed when she needed, and felt a sense of calm come over her from the solid ground beneath her feet.
the role player
alias • the boss bitch
age • the amount of miles Frodo Baggins walked to deliver The One Ring to the fires of Mount Doom
