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!.
“Yeah, they unfortunately had a nasty nightmare. It seems that even when they are older they have trouble sleeping through the night.” Marnie smiled in sympathy, "Don't worry, it really does get easier." She promised, her own children had gone through their phases with sleep, and now she was about to go through it all again with Kiara. Sometimes, she did wonder what her and Kyle had been thinking; until she looked at her newborn's face and was convinced all over again. "Nightlights definitely do wonders, and actually I used dream catchers too, to help the idea of catching bad dreams." She suggested, thinking of the one she had brought for Harper in particular.
“Please teach me this reverse psychology.” Marnie grinned, "Ah, not one you've learned yet? You just have to tell them to do something and they do the opposite, I've learnt that subtle can be useful but nudging them toward 'fine, don't clean your room' can encourage them to be insolent and want to clean it just to spite you." It was maybe not the best example off the top of her head but she'd played these came before. “Is it difficult having them be born that far apart? I only have these three and they were born minutes apart. I don’t think I’ll want any more after these three.” Marnie chuckled and her head tilted in consideration. "It's a little tough to go back to that lifestyle of night time feeds when we've already been through it and that part was over. She was quite the surprise, but having the others older is almost easier - they're so good with her, and they help out when we need. I hope they can still be as close to Kiara as they are with each other but I know that the age gap will likely make that difficult." After all, by the time Kiara was into her late teens, Jack and Sam would be approaching 40 and likely to have their own families and such.
She kept pace with him easy enough as they walked. “That must be hard on you but it’s what she will learn to know as she grows up....You must live in a busy house then!” She gave a shake of her head. "No, not hard on me really, though I am a little unsure of being into my 60's by the time we have an empty house again." She joked, as she had been a homemaker for so long she knew she wouldn't know what to do with herself without the kids. “These three just turned seven.” Marnie nodded, "It's a good age, they start to get over the terrible toddler stage and love you again - and I bet it's helpful that they play together?" She said. “That’s a beautiful name.” Marnie nodded, "Thank you, what are your childrens names?" She asked in return politely. “Hopefully it shouldn’t be too long of a wait. What have you had here before?” A slight smile as she glanced over the familiar menu - it was not particularly big but she preferred that, there was no need for half the choices these days. "I usually stick to a cappuccino - they really are good here, but the occasion Mocha if I'm feeling like chocolate. They do nice cakes too." She added, if he was thinking of the kids.
<3 KYLE MITCHELL O'HARA | ONE SON (JACK)| ONE ADOPTED SON (SAM) TWO DAUGHTERS (HARPER & KIARA)
“Perfect, lead the way. I could use a coffee after these three, waking me up at four in the morning.” Marnie gave the guy a sympathetic wince, "Ouch...though 4am is relatively friendly for children." She teased, thinking of the hours she had spent away at 1am, 2am and 3am when hers were growing up. Now it was time to do it all over again with Kiara, though so far she liked to mix and match her wake up times - it was like she didn't want anyone getting too comfortable. She nodded as he mentioned leading the way and she paused to pick up the oranges she had been looking for whilst he paid for something for his triplets. It timed just right as she saw him put away his wallet.
“I figured as much. But life would be boring without them. I’m so used to it now that it’s odd when my partner’s parents take them for the day.Though it seems if you tell them to go to sleep they won’t.” She chuckled at that and gave a nod, "Life would be very dull without them.. but you do have to use the old reverse psychology trick on them sometimes." She tapped her head lightly with a smile. She had unfortunately used it many a time - okay fine, don't do that... and then suddenly it was done. It still worked now, even as they'd gotten older. “Ah, yeah it wasn’t exactly planned but that doesn’t mean I don’t love them. Sometimes I do wish they were spread out a bit in age.”
Marnie laughed again and gave a nod as she led the way toward the coffee place. "My two eldest only have a few years between them but sometimes that almost feels too close.. and then there are fifteen years between Harper and my newborn." She laughed and shook her head. "It's useful to have them older, with a newborn, but I feel like Kiara may grow up without her siblings around her because of their ages." By the time Kiara was a teen, she imagined her sons and daughter would be long gone, moved out with possibly children of their own. “I’m sure you wish your older two were young again but last time I checked no one had found the youth fountain. How old are they? If you don’t mind me asking.” Marnie smiled as she thought of her children. "Sam is 21, Jack is 18 and Harper 16." She didn't care if Sam wasn't born her child, he was hers now. “Not all surprises are good but this one definitely sounds like it is. What did you decide to name her?”"Kiara, she is a very welcome surprise... here it is," She added as she announced the coffee shop.
<3 KYLE MITCHELL O'HARA | ONE SON (JACK)| ONE ADOPTED SON (SAM) TWO DAUGHTERS (HARPER & KIARA)
“It’s the least I can do after the kids nearly barreled you over. Any particular place at the Market you enjoy to get tea from?” Marnie smiled and shook her head, "Honestly, I'm not fussy when it comes to tea - there is a nice place on the corner of the market.. and it's reasonably priced too." She added conspiratorially. She didn't mind, tea was tea, but there was a place she tended to gravitate toward and whilst price didn't really matter, she always liked to save a penny if she could regardless. Her and Kyle were comfortable, and did not worry about money but she didn't spend frivolously.
“And these three are a prime example of that. Any tips on how to calm them down without harnessing their spirit?” Marnie smiled and watched the cute-faced terrors and shook her head. "Unfortunately, the only way to do it is to send them to sleep. Or you let them wear each other out in a safe environment." She joked; play areas were very useful but she had seen Jack try to shove kids off from the top before - far too much alpha male energy. Sometimes, she was glad of the gap between him and Harper so she wasn't overwhelmed. "I'm impressed you went with three at once." She added with a small chuckle.
“Exactly. Some people want their children to grow up too fast. Or expect their children to be mature at such a young age.” She nodded at that, "I'll never wish for that again, you have to enjoy every little moment whilst you have it." Marnie thought back to how fast Jack and Harper had grown - they were good kids but sometimes she missed their cute baby faces. “Oh congratulations on the newborn. Do you enjoy being a mother?” Her expression softened as always when she thought of her kids. "Thank you, I do .. I love being a mother. She was a surprise, but a wonderful one."
<3 KYLE MITCHELL O'HARA | ONE SON (JACK)| ONE ADOPTED SON (SAM) TWO DAUGHTERS (HARPER & KIARA)
She could see the relief on the guy's face and she gave a warm smile in response to confirm she wasn't cross or anything of the sort. She knew how quickly people seemed to get aggravated in these times, as if they all had somewhere important to be and everything else was a huge inconvenience. Marnie had always been patient, and she would much rather spend her time slowing down as everyone else rushed, taking time to appreciate things and hear someone's apology before gong in all guns blazing. Kids were kids, why shouldn't they be running around laughing and playing? “So glad you are alright. At least let me buy you a tea as an apology?”
Marnie's smile widened, surprised at the offer but she gave an easy nod. "Sure, that would be lovely." She had no qualms with making friends with new people, you never knew who you might meet sometimes. “Usually at least two of them are quiet and shy but sometimes they get energy off of each other.” Marnie laughed and shook her head, "Honestly, get kids together and even the quiet one's have something to say," She joked, she strongly believed that Jack's influence had helped Sam come out of his shell - with the former being so outgoing. “I appreciate that you are understanding. Most adults don’t tend to know what it’s like.” She waved it off without a worry. "Of course! Everyone is far too busy rushing about these days, but children are children - they don't mean any harm."
She watched the exchange and shuffled her bags slightly as she felt them threaten to slip from her hands, evening out the weights. “Do you have children too?” Marnie nodded and gave a small laugh, it was always easy to spot who had children and who didn't. "Yes I do, two older boys, a newly turned teenage girl and a newborn." If her tired face didn't give it away.
<3 KYLE MITCHELL O'HARA | ONE SON (JACK)| ONE ADOPTED SON (SAM) TWO DAUGHTERS (HARPER & KIARA)
Marnie smiled to herself as she ducked down another alley of stalls, the scents of freshly grown produce a glorious way to start the morning. It was a wonderful way to wake the senses, the wafts of freshly baked bread and cheeses, along with pastries, fruit, vegetables and fish. The fish didn't smell quite as lovely, but the rest of it was right up her street. She was happy to shop at the local supermarket for a lot, but she preferred to pick up her fruit and veg from the farmers market. Not only was it guaranteed fresh and much better quality and size, the price wasn't and it meant she was helping the local farmers. Much better than shopping in a supermarket.
She had already picked up some peppers, mushrooms, green beans and potatoes, and she was on her way to the fruit sections, keen to pick up some oranges from a stall she often visited when a gaggle of kids suddenly came running at her. "Oop!" She exclaimed, drawing to an abrupt stop mid stride before they could knock into her legs. "Hey! Watch where you three are going." She heard someone call, assuming a care taker of the runaways in some form. She was already smiling when the owner of the voice came over. "I apologize. Are you alright?" Shaking her head slightly, her smile was easy going. "No harm done - they would make an excellent tag team," She joked - three at that age seemed quite a handful, that was for sure.
<3 KYLE MITCHELL O'HARA | ONE SON (JACK)| ONE ADOPTED SON (SAM) TWO DAUGHTERS (HARPER & KIARA)
GENDER: female AGE: thirty-five D.O.B: 14th February SEXUALITY: straight STATUS: married PLAY-BY: erica durance HEIGHT: 5ft7 HAIR: brown EYES: hazel
"NO I'LL STAND MY GROUND, WON'T BE TURNED"
TATTOOS: none SCARS: none DRINK: the odd glass of wine SMOKE: nope DRIVE: yes GLASSES: none HOME: oldaker avenue, number three BORN AND RAISED: Minnesota, America
"AROUND, AND I'LL KEEP THIS WORLD FROM"
kind, caring, compassionate, gentle, soft-hearted, sweet, honest, stubborn but will compromise, protective, easily persuadable, unconfrontational, loving, maternal, wants to help everyone, thoughtful, problem solver - likes to have a solution, forgives easily, gives everyone the benefit of the doubt, do gooder, understanding
LIKES: looking after her family , cooking , alone time with her husband , coffee dates , family movie nights , paintballing , gardening , helping people , coming up with solutions to issues , rom coms , red wine , volunteering DISLIKES: having a dirty house , arguing with her family , having to pick up dirty clothes from her son's bedroom floor , when the kids fight , day-time tv , killing her flowers , having to put her foot down , rollar coasters - afraid of heights , watching the news; it's always depressing , pessimism STRENGTHS: cooking , motherly , understanding , good at problem solving , will stick her neck out to help someone WEAKNESSES: very protective over her family , can't stand seeing people suffering or struggling , her children's puppy dog eyes , triple chocolate ice cream FEARS: losing any of her family SECRETS: misses some of her friends and family back in minnesota
"DRAGGING ME DOWN, GONNA STAND MY"
STATUS IN SOCIETY: middle class OCCUPATION: home maker EXPERTISE: cooking , gardening , very good people skills - particularly with different/trouble children WEALTH: not bad PROUDEST MOMENT: She's has many and cannot possibly choose - her husband becoming a doctor, the birth of all of her children, the official day they adopted Sam - every time they did well at school or a sporting event etc. She's just constantly proud of her family and the people they're turning into. MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT: Telling her parents she was pregnant as a teenager - it was terrifying, and she knew what their reactions would be. She wanted to keep the baby much to her parents disapproval.
"GROUND AND I WON'T BACK DOWN"
FATHER(S): marlon arthur stevens - 67 - retired MOTHER(S): gwen julia stevens nee williamsons - 69 - retired STEP-PARENT(S): none OTHER HALF: husband - KYLE MITCHELL O'HARA - 36 - doctor SIBLINGS: none CHILDREN: adopted son (at 19) - SAMUEL DANIEL JOHNSONS - 21 - english literature/economics student/barista JACKSON WILLIAM O'HARA - 18 - student/barista HARPER JANE O'HARA - 15 - student Kiara - 3
Marnie's family was relatively close-knit and generally quite happy as she grew up. There tended to be very few arguments and so Marnie was lucky in the respect that her parents were happy together and she had a first hand view of how marriage was supposed to work. The only thing was that her parents were religious and therefore fairly strict and tradition. She grew up knowing how to cook and clean and generally take care of the house hold, alongside her usual school work. Her parents where firm on their views of dating and that there should be no sex before marriage, and Marnie for the most part agreed.
Her parents were apprehensive when Marnie met Kyle. They were young - attending high school, and Marnie had had eyes on Kyle for a while, but she'd never believed he'd like her back. She was popular, part of the cheerleading squad and had a lot of good friends, but she was the quieter, softly spoken girl of the bunch. She'd always blushed and ducked her head when she was caught looking at him. So she was surprised when he asked her out, though naturally incredibly pleased. He was the perfect gentleman, and over time, his charm and honestly managed to win her parents around to the point of approval.
Right up until she became pregnant with their first child - Jackson. Her parents did not approve in the slightest, were incredibly disappointed in her and though they couldn't condone an abortion, they tried to force her to give the baby up for adoption. Marnie was stubborn. She loved Kyle with all her heart, and she wanted the child - education or no education. She had Jackson and a year later they were married. Marnie was happiest than she'd ever been, and once Jackson was a little older she became interested in advertising, dabbling her hand in working when they were able to hire a decent sitter.
A couple of years later, Marnie became pregnant with Harper. She left her job, knowing it was going to be tough to have two kids with both parents busy working. Not long after she became pregnant, Kyle was offered a job over in England. It came as a surprise, she was still relatively young for such a position, but it was too good to turn down. They packed themselves up along with young Jack, and moved across the pond, settling into a modest house in England. She had Harper a few months later, and stuck to being a home maker so that she could look after things at home - Kyle worked long hours and she wanted to be home for the kids and to make hot dinners. She sometimes missed working, and picked up odd jobs here and there - often volunteering for local charities. When Sam came into their lives a couple of years ago, she accepted him whole-heartedly into the family, trying to help him heal from the past horror his life had been. Not long after he settled into their home, she fell surprisingly pregnant a third time and their little family was made complete with the arrival of Kiara.
