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!.
"sono contento di essere qui?" Lexi shot James a quick grin and reached across the tiny space to give his hand a light squeeze. Maybe the odd lesson had sunk in somewhere. She didn't berate him for it - it was tough to learn a second language, especially as you got older; things didn't stick unless you practiced consistently. She tried to talk to the kids in Italian, she wasn't huge on culture but she wanted them to have the advantages she had by being bi-lingual. Jare could be stubborn about it, but he was already pretty fluid, she shared her babbling to Rory in equal English and Italian. "I am glad to hear it," Her mother responded in slightly stilted English of her own.
The drive wasn't too long and she was glad for it, winding down the window to let in a blast of air as the car began to get stuffy with all the people inside. "You must have dinner with us this evening, tesoro," Her father announced, and Lexi smiled, "That depends on what you're cooking." She joked, but she loved the food in her home country, and her parents were both good at cooking. "Non preoccuparti, tesoro, it will be me making the food," Her mother promised and Lexi laughed, seeing Jare brighten at the mention of food. "But not until later tonight, when you have had time to settle." her mother added, knowing they would likely need time to freshen up. Lexi knew she needed a shower and clean clothes, as did the kids to feel better. They could grab something to eat too, to keep them going until tonight. "That would be lovely," She said, glancing at James to make sure he didn't mind.
They pulled up outside a modest but respectable little villa. It was two stories, with three bedrooms - one with en-suit - and one master bathroom. It even had a lovely little pool in the back. Lexi could not say she grew up unlucky. As the car was put into park, she carefully climbing out with children in tow, turning to see if James needed any help climbing out at all as her father went around to pull out the back. "I have them, non provarci nemmeno" He warned as he saw her hesitate, about to try and help. Lexi raised a hand in surrender and tried to herd the kids toward the front door instead, opening up the wrought iron front gate for them to dash through; it was more of a tired waddle from Jare however.
Lexi was upstairs in one of the spare bedrooms with Rory changing her quickly. It had been far too exciting being passed around the family, and Rory had made her excitement well known. Lexi had volunteered to take one for the team, using the moment to take a breath as she changed the little tyke. She grinned down at the smiling face and placed a light kiss on Rory's forehead when she was done and re-dressed. Compared to the two boys, Rory had been an absolute dream. It had been helpful, with the recent stress of her 'brother' and the drama that had accompanied it, her and James were finally back on track, and things had settled at home. But it was still taking her time to get over it. Bad vibes lingered, and it took time to settle back into routine and to unwind from the tension.
She headed back down with Rory in arms, just in time to follow the new arrivals into the garden and she smiled, "Hey you two," She welcomed, going to give Ashley a quick - and careful - hug with baby in arms. She glanced over to the BBQ where they all seemed to be hedging bets on Leo and his inability to leave meat on the fire alone. "Maybe he should have been a chef?" She suggested, rocking Rory slightly and passing her glance to her other children to make sure they were all behaving themselves before she went to take a spare seat with the rest of the congregated adults. Looking back over to Ashley, she saw Damon had paused up by the BBQ, "How is everything?" She asked Ash, seeing that she looked well, and catching Damon's adoring looks her way like he just couldn't help himself.
"you never knew?" She grinned and shook her head, "I did wonder why you sparkled so much in the daylight," She teased, keeping her comments PG-13 considering the children, despite the temptation to mention his penchant for sucking on her neck. Jare looked unamused as it was, there was no need to torment the grumpy kid. She knew as soon as they got some ice cream in him, he would be happy as larry. She was relieved the airports had gone pretty smoothly, not too long in the queues, and the flight had been smooth. Once they got to the villa, she knew they would bounce right back at the site of the pool and the pretty space.
She shifted Tae carefully, not wanting to jostle him as they sorted the bags. Her father managing to pack them in surprisingly well, and waved off her offer of a hand. He'd never been one to let her lift much of a finger for things like that, though she was always happy to. She guessed they were probably happy to see her and the family, it had been some time and it had to have been hard, sending their daughter off to England for a short trip and then not having her return. "sounds like a good plan. if they go flying, at least they'll bounce" Lexi tutted but half smiled, until Jare heard the words and gave a grumpy frown. "No more flying." He argued, and Lexi sighed. "No, Jare, we're going in the car now."
"Here let me help," Lexi's mother took ownership of the grumpy child for a moment and Lexi gave her a grateful smile as they tetris'd themselves into the back of the car. Jare even seemed mildly less cross with his grandmother for a minute, and then they were all in and the doors were shut. "va bene allora, off we go!" Her father announced as he climbed back into the driver's side and started the car, sliding into traffic easily enough as Lexi kept a firm hold on her son. "siamo così felici che tu sia venuto" Lexi smiled at her mother's sentiment and glanced to James, who perhaps had skipped his Italian, "We are glad to be here too, ma," She knew her husband would understand easily enough from her reply. "thank you for offering up the villa." Her father waved it off, "You need your own space, we are just glad to have you with us again."
"glorious and hot." Lexi glanced over to him and gave a small eye roll as he looked up to the sun, but the clear affection in her gaze made it obvious she did it with love. "i might burst into flames, just warning you." Lexi laughed gently, "Are you just admitting you're a vampire?" She teased, trying to bring Tae in on the joke with a grin at him. "I wouldn't have thought it with all the garlic you eat!" She peered down at Jare still sucking on his thumb. "We'd better have a fire extinguisher at the ready, right boys?" Her grin widened as Jare frowned, his mouth puckering slightly around his thumb as he peered up at her, then his dad in confusion. "Oh dear, not even a smile." She looked back at James with a small chuckle.
She felt some of the tension ease, despite the cranky kids, just to be stepping into her home country, just to see her parents. She adored her life in England, but with how stressful things had been recently, coming here felt like a bit of a reset; a well needed break from everything. They still had things to talk through, and fences to mend but it was not ground breaking, it was not life altering, they were here together and she felt that being back in Italy would do them both good. She smiled as she was - carefully - embraced by each parent, hugging them both fiercely even with the child in her arms. "Boys, say hello," She reminded with a quick prompt. Jare kept his thumb in his mouth but released her other hand to give his grandparents a wave. "Some of us are a little tired," She apologised and her mother gave her a knowing look but smiled. "It's okay, I'm sure you'll want to get settled in, perhaps a nap is in order." Her mother agreed.
"it's good to see you guys too." She smiled at the interaction between her parents and Jare. "Come, let us take your bags." Her father said, his English not quite as fluent as her mother as he went to take the luggage from James and pack it into the boot. "You should get into the car," He directed Lexi and the children to the car. It would be a little bit of a squeeze and she glanced at James, "I know we shouldn't, but Rory and Tae will have to sit on our laps." Her parent's care didn't seat 7, and it was only a short trip; her parents were safe drivers, or as safe as you could be in Italy. Her mother glanced over and gave a typically motherly shake her of head, "Andrà bene, figlia"
Lexi grinned as they stepped out of the airway and the wave of heat hit her. She welcomed it with open arms. As much as she loved England and all it had to offer, particularly what England had given her, God did she loved her home country. The warmth alone was one of the biggest things she missed, particularly when it was three months down the line of dismal cold and rain and she just wanted some sunshine. She basked in it for a moment, already imagining being sat in a bikini soaking it all up at the beach. They had tried to get a hotel, not wanting to impose on her parents with the kids - plus space was nice - but her parents, being typically Italian, refused, and instead they had offered her and James their little villa by the beach. It wasn't far from her parents, who she was here to visit, but it came them just enough space not to feel clustered.
"This is glorious," She grinned over at James, shifted Tae in her arms a little so he was set better on her hip. Jarad was hanging on to her spare hand, his thumb in his mouth - he was tired and cranky already - and James had control of Rory and most of the bags. They did not have enough hands between them anymore, she was lucky they were mostly well behaved. "Oh there they are!" Thank God, her father had offered to come and pick them up to save them getting a taxi, and she gave him a cheerful wave as he spotted them and pulled forward from the queue to park up at the curb, hurrying to get out and enveloped Lexi - kids and all - into a hug, and then the same for James. "Ciao, mia splendida figlia!" Her father grinned. "James, it has been too long."
Lexi sighed as she watched Leo pull the hat on. She'd thought it might be the lesser of two evils but the apron would have been great too - health and safety and all that, plus she felt bad for Bella having to deal with the stains he would undoubtedly traipse home with. It was much like having an overgrown child - supervising Leo. She had sadly drawn the short straw; quite literally. Lily had lined them up and had them pick straws when nobody had volunteered to babysit the big kid. Unsurprisingly, Leo had walked in on them but in true Leo fashion, had not been offended. She wondered just how thick his skin actually was.
She finished added prices to the board with the chalk, slapping Leo's hand away when he tried to wrestle the chalk off her. "Leo, if you don't quit it, I will brand your forehead with the tongs," She warned, looking at the instrument hovering by the fire pointedly until Leo backed off and went back to flipping the burgers. She placed the board out the front so everyone could see what was on offer and then went to stand near the till to take orders. "Anyone for hot food?" She called out, knowing people would come soon enough as the smell of cooking meat began to waft.
Burger £4.50 Cheeseburger £5 Halloumi burger £5 Hot dog £3.50 Cheesy chips £3
GENDER: lady AGE: twenty-four D.O.B: 28th june SEXUALITY: straight STATUS: married PLAY-BY: esti ginzburg HEIGHT:5ft7 HAIR: dirty blonde EYES: grey/green
"DROWN ME, YOU MAKE MY HEART BEAT LIKE"
TATTOOS: none SCARS: none DRINK: occasionally SMOKE: nope DRIVE: yes GLASSES: nope HOME: new build - with James on the Seven Oak's property BORN AND RAISED: florence, italy
"THE RAIN, SURROUND ME, HOLD ME DEEP"
kind, considerate, passionate, feisty, stands up for what she believes in, not one to back down, stubborn, honest to a fault, sweet, would do anything for those she loves, protective - fiercely so, loyal, family orientated, tenacious, persistent, perseverant, fun loving, cheeky, pushes boundaries at times, likes to laugh and have a good time, outgoing, sociable, likes to get along with everyone, patient but can hold a grudge, her heart rules her head
LIKES: her family , being a part of the white's craziness , long phone calls with her favourite people , music - all genres , being caught in a summer rain , the english countryside , morning lie in's with james , chocolate pastries , not having to watch her weight , surprises , pretty jewelry , picnics , visiting her home country , sweet and salted popcorn DISLIKES: cold and miserable weather , james' father , arguments , seeing her children upset , hospitals , being left out , lies , the pressure of the modelling industry , asshole photographers , unruly kids that aren't disciplined by their parents , cheesy films , love triangles in books and TV , blue cheese , shoes that rub STRENGTHS: bi-lingual , good cook, particularly healthy and tasty meals , patient , can juggle surprisingly well , strong swimmer WEAKNESSES: chocolate covered pretzels , her children crying , struggles to back down in a fight once committed, even if she's wrong , food; sometimes she struggles following previous eating disorder from modelling , her heart often rules over her head FEARS: losing her family, any of them , james' father returning , tight spaces - somewhat claustrophobic , moths SECRETS: used to have an eating disorder from her teenage years as a model. she was skinny regardless, but the pressure to remain small got to her and after a comment from an asshole photographer about her looking a little 'chunky' was overheard, she went through a struggle regarding food.
"BENEATH YOUR WAVES, AND EVERY NIGHT MY"
STATUS IN SOCIETY: middle class OCCUPATION: former model, lifeguard/homemaker EXPERTISE: bi-lingual; italian and english , expert swimmer , cooking healthy, tasty meals WEALTH: moderate - some from her former modelling days PROUDEST MOMENT: choosing to stay in england with james. she had her life set out for her in italy as a model, she had come to england only temporarily for a shoot and ended up hurting herself and staying longer... where she fell in love with james. she was all set to return home, but couldn't stand the idea of leaving the love of her life behind. so she gave up her career and moved her home to be with him. MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT: she fell on the catwalk once, she was young and fresh faced, the walk was slippery and as she went to turn at the end, her foot went out underneath her. it was awful and luckily only a low profile thing at the time. the worse moment of her life was losing her first child in a freak car accident.
"MIND IS RUNNING AROUND"
FATHER(S): marcello georgio spencer - 51 - carpenter MOTHER(S): serena theresa spencer - 50 - florist STEP-PARENT(S): none OTHER HALF: husband - JAMES EDWARD WHITE - 25 - racing instructor/personal trainer SIBLINGS: none CHILDREN: jarad - 6 taite - 4 rory - 2
lexi was born one summer evening to two hands-on, well adjusted italian's. her father was of a hard working, middle class family, and in typical uptown girl fashion, he fell for a woman of higher class - lexi's mother. her family had money, a lot of it, though she spent her time in the garden, with a love of flowers and all things green-fingered. her family was unimpressed about the match, but her mother gave them no choice, despite the threat of being 'cut off', she was in love with marcello and refused to let him go. they married young, eloping to avoid the family drama, and set themselves up with their own little house. marcello wanted to take care of his wife off his own merit, despite the temptation of her inheritance, and he managed it - some years after their marriage, he gifted his wife a shop for her to be able to sell the beautiful flowers she arranged.
though an only child, lexi was not overly-spoiled; there was some element of it, but she grew up strong minded, kind and with a heart somewhat made of gold. she did well in school, though she was not exactly academically gifted, and spent a lot of time partaking in after school activities - enjoying being fit and active. she was a popular kid in school, with a large group of friends, but she was never mean. when she hit fifteen, she was scouted by a talent agent in a modelling company and interest was posed. she'd thought about modelling before, having been told she was pretty and about the right shape for what they would look for. her parents were unsure if it was a good idea, especially at her age, but they indulged her, and everything seemed legitimate when they went to check out the company.
lexi modeled for two years. she enjoyed it, enjoyed the attention and looking good and the other girls were not bitchy or catty, but supportive. during this time, she developed an unhealthy habit with food. a flyaway, rude comment from an asshole photographer got it stuck in her head that she was overweight and due to lose her contact. she stopped eating. it took a while for people to realise anything was wrong, she was not generally a liar, but she found ways to hide her lack of eating, particularly with how much time she didn't spend at home. it was noticed eventually, before it got to hospitalisation the first time; her friends covered for her, most of them had similar eating disorders and understood. her parents threatened that if it turned this way again, they would take her out of modelling. she promised it wouldn't.
but it did. still struggling, without the support she needed, she fell back into old habits and this time, took a short stint in hospital at the age of 17. her parents were beside themselves, and did everything they could to support her. she argued with them about returning to modelling, desperate to get back to her friends. she worked hard to prove she was okay, mentally and physically and some months down the line, her parents relented. she was offered a shoot in england and she jumped at the chance, using it as time to take a breath and decide if she wanted to continue with this way in life. her parents were not happy to see her go abroad, still worried for her - but they needn't be. whilst over in england for several weeks, she ended up getting injured at her shoot and her return home was put back several weeks - during which time she met the love of her life, and decided to give up her career, give up italy, and stay in england with her now husband.
