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!.
Time ticked by, and he felt a prick of nervousness come over him. He checked his phone after a moment to see if he'd had a text from Nulpi, as well as to try and calm himself down by distraction. He didn't think she was the type to stand someone up if she said she was coming. She was a reliable and trustworthy person, the kind of person he tried to be as much as he could. He hoped he could gain some of her trust back today, and if not he could understand - though it would hurt. He resisted checking his phone a third time, tucking it back into his pocket out of sight for now, glancing up hopefully as the door swung open each time.
The 100th time, it was actually her. She was just as gorgeous as he remembered - her sharp jawline, her large eyes. She looked as he felt - anxious - and he felt his stomach drop, knowing he was the reason for it. He tried a smile, wanting it to be comforting and not nervous. He didn't know if he succeeded. “Hello,” He stood as she approached, waiting until she was settled before he sat. "Hello," He said in return, his smile softening without thought. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting. It's nice to see you again.” He hated how formal it felt, like they hadn't been on multiple dates before today. Again, his fault - he had put up a barrier unintentionally, and now he needed to fix it.
"You look lovely," He complimented, his French accent curling the words slightly. "Would you like something to drink, eat?" He asked, knowing his stomach was too much in knots to think of eating, but a drink might help. Mostly he wanted to burst out with his explanation, but he didn't feel it was appropriate to just jump right into things. "Thank you for meeting me, I have missed you. I wasn't sure if you would want to see me, but I am glad you have come." He said honestly, hoping that might ease into the conversation a little more naturally. "I am sorry that I have been absent, I wanted a chance to explain myself."
Luc watched her face, looking for any hint of sign of her emotions or responses to his words. He wasn't trying to hurt her, he didn't want to upset her even now, but he wanted to clear the air and help get his brain in order. Her coming back and all that had happened - or rather not happened from her return - had scrambled his mind, and where he'd never really gotten to straighten things out with Kara, had just seen her and let it go, he couldn't do that again. He needed to say these things, and then it was out there and he could start to move on - they both could. He wished she'd meet his eyes, he knew she was trying to read his lips but he found it hard that she wouldn't look at him.
"I understand, I hope that you're happy now? That maybe eventually, we can be friends?" It felt wrong that he couldn't just make things right and normal, he had missed her, and what they'd had, but it felt different now. He felt sad that it had come to this, and that he couldn't just get over it like a click of his fingers, but he knew he would be able to in time. He nodded and gave her a flicker of a smile. "In time, I would very much still like to be your friend." He had always enjoyed her company and her humour, that wasn't going to change, she was the same person, they just needed to heal the hurt between them first.
Luc slipped into a corner booth toward the back of the room. He was hoping to have a little bit of space so that they had some kind of area to themselves for this conversation. He wondered if he should have invited Nulpi round for privacy but he thought a public space might be better so she had the option to leave without feeling awkward if she didn't like what he had to say. He was making it seem dramatic though, it wasn't really but he did feel he had some explanations to give. Luc was aware he'd been a little bit more distant recently, which was absolutely not his usual MO, and he'd had a few things to mull over. He hadn't wanted to put Nulpi in the middle of it, or make her feel that she was. With Emilie's return, he'd needed to get things straight - both with her and his head. Feelings hadn't exactly returned but they had been muddled, and he didn't want to mess Nulpi around.
He'd done that, he'd fixed his head, he'd cleared things with Emilie and he felt happy and confident with where he was, and what he wanted. He'd kept in touch with Nulpi, he hadn't gone radio silent, but he hadn't met up with her or gone too far into conversations recently, and now he wanted to clear the air and make sure she understood it was nothing to do with her, and that he had feelings for Nulpi and wanted to continue to date her, with intention of seeing where things went between them.. if she was interested of course. He'd sent her a hopeful text asking if she'd come meeting him for a coffee and lunch date, and she'd luckily accepted. He just hoped he hadn't messed anything up between them.
“Oh no worries at all, mate. We have a lot of new people coming and going around these parts. Classic retail spiel,” Luc gave a little laugh, his head nodding slightly in understanding. "I stick out just a little then," He mused, but there was nothing behind his words, even if he wasn't quite used to sticking out still. It was normal here it seemed, either people seemed to sense that he wasn't English or something about him seemed different.
He watched a young man and his son wander past, the young kid's arm stretched to full capacity as he dragged his heels and stared back over his shoulder at something. It made Luc chuckle a little at the behaviour, despite the tiny tug at the back of his mind about how much he wanted to be a father some day. “Was there anything in particular that drew you in?” Luc turned his attention back to the stranger, giving a little shrug. "I just wanted to give the fishing another attempt. I haven't since I was young and impatient. I thought it might be nice." His English had improved tenfold over the years here, despite the thickness still of his accent, but sometimes he knew he sounded a little stilted.
Hahaha yes they might have a little something to say about it that's for sure. Or perhaps it would encourage them to grow webbed feet? Thank you, glad to hear that.
"I don't think I regret helping the horses... I just regret the aftermath more. My parents freaking out wasn't in my to do list. I truly am afraid that they'll try it again. They're not wanting me to be independent again after that." Luc sighed quietly, his emotions all of a jumble as they warred with frustration over the whole situation and understanding, and compassion. It could not have been easy for her. "I'm glad you don't regret helping them, but it seems to have become some what of a mess..." He could understand her parents, as awful as it sounded, the fear they must have had, and fear made people do all sorts of things - stupid things and brave things alike. He'd seen it in war, both sides of stupid. But the common theme was always that people would do anything for the ones they loved, even if it wasn't in that person's best interests. He felt that maybe if the roles had been reversed he would have tried harder, but was that him being unfair? Possibly.
Her hopefully look broke him just a little, he wasn't good at this kind of thing. Not with the way he had been brought up to treat women. It was difficult to be mad, even with what had happened with Kara he'd struggled to be angry. Mostly feeling sad and at a loss when he'd found her happy with someone else, rather than furious she hadn't waited for him. "I'm sorry. By the time I healed enough to use my phone in their eyes, I didn't know what to say." He sighed again, a heavy kind of sigh as he listened to her, a slight shake of his head out of confusion and uncertainty rather than a flat out no. "I know, but it doesn't erase the last six months of silence as it's been from my side. The lack of acknowledgement of what we were or might have been by your continued silence even when you returned to town. I can't cut off the hurt or frustration right now from an apology." he bit down the impulse to say sorry himself at the end, because it was true and needed saying, and he shouldn't need to apologise for his feelings. His tone was courteous, he wasn't loud or cross, just ...sad really. It was going to take time to heal this.
It wasn't Luc's first time down on the docks, but it was his first time of popping into the fishing shop. It wasn't something he'd done much of over the years, in fact he had only been fishing twice in his life, both times with his father as a young boy, and it had been surprisingly short lived. He'd had patience, but not enough to want to sit there and stare at the stillness of the water, hoping for a bite. His head had been too full of dancing and Kara and her siblings to want to be beside his old man, waiting. He regretted those thoughts often, how quick he had been to run away from his family in favour of another who had managed to entice him so much, for a passion of quick feet and fancy costumes that consumed his waking thoughts. It was too late to turn back the clock, he would never get those quiet moments with his father again. No matter how much he regretted it.
He'd decided on a whim to try again. Not really for his father's sake, he'd done enough of that over the years that he wanted this to be for him. But a small part thought that maybe it would bring him closer to his dad's memory if he did it. He wanted some peace in his life. Good, honest to god peace, and be wondered if sitting on a river bank or a sea wall and just watching the roil and sway of the water might do it for him. He could be wrong but it was worth a try. He hadn't decided he was ready to deal with the fishing yet, instead he found a comfortable bench and took a seat, taking a few moments to watch the scurrying of workers back and forth. “Hello,” he hadn't meant to, but the voice startled him out of a reverie. It was a sign of how much the army was finally wearing off of him that he didn't jump in alarm at someone being able to catch him off guard. “Have you been helped yet?” Luc gave a polite smile to the older man, he certainly looked like a fisherman if ever Luc had seen one - grizzled and weather worn. "Good day, not yet but I hadn't made an approach to the shop yet anyway." He explained, wondering how the man had discerned that he might be a potential customer.
He watched her, noting the way she avoided his gaze. He didn't know what she was expecting him to say or do, but avoiding him wasn't going to change anything. His gaze flickered down to her hands when she raised them, turning them over. As they were brought toward the middle of the table, he took a better look at them. "Took a bit of time to be able to sign again. The burn on my arm is still rather tight at times, and I sometimes struggle with it, but I've dealt with it for a while." He frowned slightly, looking at the skin, his lips turning down slightly. "I'm still sorry it even happened to you," He said gently. He reached across and folded his hands over hers, a promise that he meant the words.
He leant back in his chair after a moment, releasing her hands and looking at her again. "Are you still mad at me?" Luc's brow furrowed again and he went to shake his head, and then hesitated and shrugged. "I don't know what I am," He admitted, shock was still the forefront of it that was for sure. "I'm not mad though," He said softly. "Confused, I guess, and surprised... glad you're okay, I was worried. It's more hurt than anything, that I wasn't included in anything and then suddenly... you're back, all without a word." He sighed, and ran a hand through his hair. What a whirlwind.
He couldn't look way from her - half afraid this was all a lie and she'd disappear from him again. He wasn't ready for her to vanish just yet, and even if things had changed between them, he still couldn't help but care for her. A slight frown adorned his face as she looked down, wondering what had happened for her to be so down about it. She was avoiding him still, even now, when he was sitting right in front of her. "Somehow my parents found out about the fire, sent my brother here to bring me back home. Since according to them I obviously couldn't handle living on my own." His frown deepened. It wasn't hard to figure out how they'd found out about the fire if they had any insight into the life here, or any social media regarding it. The news crews had been all over it; local or course but it was still a big deal. He also did not like the words 'bring me home', as if she'd had no choice.
Luc wanted to ask, but he stayed quiet, letting her get it all out. If he stopped her now, he was worried she might never explain everything. "For the first few months I wasn't allowed to do anything because of my hands, and then essentially I was a child to them again. I couldn't do anything, or go anywhere for the first year or so. Because of my injuries they didn't let me sign, didn't let me do anything on my own, and honestly it was the worst. I've never hated being deaf so much than I have the last few years. Up until last year I wasn't able to go anywhere alone, and I finally said enough. I opted to leave, without fully telling them again, and I hope they don't suspect Hickstead again. I've never considered getting a cochlear implant before these past few years, never felt so useless than these last few years"
He blinked, trying to take in everything she had said. It took a minute to sink in before he shook his head. "How can they have so much control over you? That is ridiculous, you are your own person." It wasn't something he could quite understand, having always been told by his dad to stand up, to be the man of the house. He had been conditioned to join the army, despite never wanting to, because of his father. "How are your hands? Did they heal?" He glanced to them in concern.
He relaxed somewhat when Emilie nodded, he trusted her enough that she wasn't going to a runner now that she'd nodded. Hopefully she could understand where he was coming from. He needed the truth, even if hurt him in some way. It was closure, which insinuated an ending and he didn't know if that was what he wanted, but it would at least help close that confusing chapter of his life. He wasn't looking to start anything up again with her, but he at least needed to know she was okay, happy and that he hadn't done something to upset her.
Her hug surprised him, thoroughly. He thought he'd upset her by asking her to stay, and suddenly her arms were around him. It was natural for him to reciprocate, for his arms to go around her in response, to let her rest her head on his chest. He couldn't pull away, though a part of him thought it was ironic that she had chosen to throw her arms around him when she hadn't even wanted to call him after she'd left. He had to admit he was confused, but he tried not to puzzle over it too hard, just allowing it to happen- she needed it in that moment, and she'd said she was sorry.
"Should we sit down?" Luc nodded and released her. "Yes, I think that would be appropriate." He agreed, following her over to one of the tables and sliding into a seat, the rest of his day completely forgotten about. "Well, I kind of have a question to ask you before I start.... Did you contact my family? About the fire?" Luc sighed and shook his head. "No. I tried but... I didn't know where to start on how to do that. I used the knowledge I did have, but didn't seem to get anywhere. I kept hoping you would contact me, knowing where I was when I didn't know where you were." Maybe he could have tried harder, there was that, but it was hard when you only had minimal information.
He couldn't help but stare, he had honestly never expected to see her again. When she'd disappeared without a trace, he'd had to give up and just hope she was okay. Now she was here, in a place he hadn't expected to run into her again. His hold wasn't tight, he didn't want to hurt her, he just wanted her to give him a chance - he needed to understand what he was missing, if she was okay now and happy at least. He was fast to release her wrist, not wanting her to feel trapped if she really couldn't handle talking to him. "Sorry, I just... I can't see you walk off again, not like this." He didn't want to say the words 'you can't' either, because if she needed to, he'd let her go. It would hurt, but whatever she needed.
"I don't know, everything, anything." Well that was something at least. He opened his mouth to respond and then promptly shut it, not wanting to interrupt her if she was about to speak more. Everything. That was quite broad. Sorry he ran into her again? Sorry she hadn't picked up the phone? Sorry for leaving? There was a lot she could be sorry for, but he needed something a little more specific than just that. "I don't even know where to start". Luc gave her an understanding smile, his hands awkwardly going to cross his chest and then relaxing again and finding his pockets instead, not wanting to appear standoffish. "The beginning is a very good place to start.." He said softly, or he supposed, the end for them. He cleared his throat and then rubbed the back of his neck. "Why did you leave? What happened? Did I do something?" He felt ridiculous for asking, but he felt the need to ask, worried he had scared her off from her home.
He wasn't capable of talking in that moment. How could she be here? This had to be some kind of trick, for sure. His brain was stuck, it couldn't concentrate on the idea that this was real, that she was actually standing in front of him. He had to look her over, as if to check she was alright. She seemed okay, she looked well - actually. That was good. He was glad. He was many things in that moment. "I um. I uh. I was just uh leaving. um Sorry again" Luc frowned, blinking and coming back to as she said the words. Well no, that just wouldn't do. As much as he didn't want to scare her off or anything, he also couldn't accept her just disappearing on him again without a word of explanation.
"Wait, don't go." He reached out to try and grab her hand, his touch firm, but gentle. He wouldn't force her to stay, but he couldn't just see her in a moment and then let her leave again. He'd spent a lot of time going over things with her in his brain and what had happened, where he might have gone wrong. She owed him her story, to explain herself and where she had been. Was she back for good? There were mixed feelings on that but he needed time to take in all of this situation and the implications, he couldn't figure it out in half a second. "I'm sorry" Luc's frown deepened, trying to work out what the words were for. "For what?" He asked, not letting her get away that easily.
Luc hadn't had a night off in a little while, and he was looking forward to it. Though he didn't have anything planned, he'd been working like a dog the last few weeks and it was nice to be able to just take a breath and relax. Things had been good, just busy - but secretly he was pleased for it. It felt fantastic, to feel like life was good right now. His jobs were going well and he had opened up a new dancing school, hiring a local studio in town that was surprisingly decent for the reasonable price he paid. He'd taken on extra shifts to start with to afford it, but dancing was his passion and he'd missed it. Now, he'd begun to pick up more students he had been able to reduce his shifts and take some time back for himself - as well as to open up more classes to try and entice more new students - and to help with the current one's.
He had considered texting Nulpi to see if she was around this evening. Since their first date; the blind one, which had been ironic in his opinion - he'd gotten to know her, and found that for the first time in a little while, feelings were stirring. He was cautious. He had been burned before.. several times now in fact, by women walking away from him and him holding out ridiculous hope. This time, he would tread carefully, and be sure before he took too many steps and ended up right back where he'd started. In the end, he'd decided tonight he would have for himself, and so he'd eaten a quick meal and decided to nip out for a drink at the lounge. It was more relaxed than the bar and he wasn't looking to get drunk, just have a tipple and enjoy himself.
Luc had just arrived, shrugging out of his leather jacket as he moved to step up to the bar to place his order. As he did, he happened to bump into someone, having been distracted as he removed his layers. Unlike him not to be observant enough to notice someone so close - which meant his thoughts were more preoccupied than he realised, and he was certainly becoming a real civvy again now. He reached out an automatic hand to steady the person without thinking, and turned to apologise. ”Oh I’m sorry” He smiled on instinct and shook his head, "No, I'm sor...." And then it twigged. That voice. He blinked, trailing off mid apology and turning fully to look at the young woman standing in front of him. A dousing of ice cold shock as he looked her over... twice.. and then up and down a few more times - unable to believe his eyes. "Emilie??"
So it is clear that you are a man that loves the sea! Don't tell me you also live on it too? I wouldn't be surprised. Sea creatures are somewhat fascinating, though open water makes me a little nervous I must admit.... perhaps you can ease my worries with all your experience and passion!
I don't think we ever truly get away from it. In the sea - that's quite impressive, you must have the lungs of a fish! I can't say I've spent much time on a boat myself.
