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's not everyone's wedding .. it's ours." He had a point there, it was meant to be a day for them, after all it was their marriage and that was just between the two of them. It was just difficult not to get caught up in other peoples emotions and opinions - the excitement they felt over people getting married, the planning they wanted to assist with. It was nice to share the day with people that they cared about, to celebrate with those they loved around them. Her heart felt somewhat torn in two. "they'll get over it." and she knew that was true, knew that their friends and family loved them dearly enough to get over it - if they were really even mad at all. Disappointed probably, but hopefully not mad. Without much of a family of her own, these people - Avery's family, her friends - had become her family, they were important to her, incredibly so... but she couldn't help but be swayed by him. He was to be her husband, he was the love of her life, father of her children...
"i was thinking we'd get married in clothes. if we got married in the nude in england we might freeze to death." Holly rolled her eyes and raised a brow at him pointedly. "I feel like we'd be caught by the cops sooner than we'd freeze to death, even if it is cold in England." She warned, knowing he was only playing with her. "how about we just see if it's even an option..." Holly nodded slowly, her mind still ahead by a million miles, racing through their options. "Yeah... yeah that's probably the way to start." She agreed, heading over to join him to help get the boys ready for the day, whatever that might now entail. "What made you wake up with that in your mind?" She asked with a slight chuckle, feeling it was somewhat out of the blue.
"oh he knows i'll never think badly of him." Holly chuckled and shook her head slightly. "You say that now... There's a lot of years to go." She warned, knowing they would all be tested plenty, especially with how Avery had tested her at times. But it was a part of life, and also a part of motherhood. Her patience would take a fair bit but she was ready for it, as she had been before. At least now she knew what she was getting herself into. "he's going to use these looks for good and not evil, aren't you rocky boy." Holly raised a brow but her expression was soft as she gave a light warning of, "Now now, let's not give the boy any ideas at such a young age." She hoped he didn't use his looks for anything, though of course that was wishful thinking. At some point he would learn how to use them to his advantage - getting out of trouble, wooing girls ... Or boys. It was inevitable.
"it certainly is. though i'm hoping time slows down just a little." Holly gave a wistful smile, thinking of all the times she had wished for the same. "Until the terrible twos when you wish it would speed up just a little." She joked, keeping things light hearted in threat of the melancholy. It was hard not to dwell on the threat of time, she preferred not to if she could help it. Enjoying the little moments was a good way not to end up thinking on it too much. "it's become almost a habit for dean. he goes near water and he ends up in it. and i can't even be mad because it is always accidental....so it's be prepared." Holly had been about to make a comment about water babies but she glanced to Hayden in surprise at the words instead, checking in with her to see she was okay.
"it's so stupid. i'm going to put it down to stupid hormones and emotions and lack of pickles but." Holly frowned, giving her friend almost all her of her attention - she had to retain some for the kids, it was a natural habit. "What is it?" She encouraged, knowing Hayden would only feel better once she was talking it out. "i just can't help but keep thinking if it's a girl .. what sort of example i'd be setting for her." Holly rolled her eyes, but it was a gentle action, not dismissive. "Hayden, don't be silly." She didn't want to sound like she was waving away her friends concerns, like they weren't valid or something, but to Holly, she only saw a strong woman who had plowed her way through tough times and made it out the other side. Fierce and strong. "it's not like dancing for money is a career to be proud of. boys are easy, they have dustin to look up to and guide them, it doesn't get much better than that. but a daughter? she'll only have me. a former homeless kid who has nothing to offer her to help her grow up." Holly gave her a look. "No child is easy, regardless of gender. They have their difficulties in different ways." Because raising a kid wasn't easy, they had to accept that and remember it for the days they felt they were failing at being a good parent. "But you're being absurd. How can you not think of yourself as a good role model? Look at what you have made for yourself, look at what you have done. You have wisdom and knowledge unparalleled to help her grow into a well rounded woman, you are the elast judgemental person I know, apart from to yourself apparently. You'll help her understand the world, you'll show her just how strong a woman can be. To start with so little and end up with so much, and you did that on your own. You might see Dustin through your rose coloured specs but he's not a God, he has flaws. You are both great parents though and any kid would be lucky to have you both." Holly gave Hayden a stern look, daring her to disagree.
She responded to his hard look with a relaxed one of her own. Two could play at that game, she'd seen that look in many a patient's eyes before, she was nonplussed about it; it did nothing to upset or frustrate her. When she'd first started physio, she'd had to learn to develop a thick skin pretty fast, to not take their problems on as her own, to not feel that their words or actions were personal. Joe was not her patient - right now anyway - but she could still use what she knew and the skills she'd developed in life. She'd used them many times before and it had helped her plenty from not taking things personally where other people would go home and cry.
"No, I don't, Don't need help, never wanted help, didn't need it. I rely on myself, no point in dragging someone else down too." Holly gave a slight smile and a shrug, "Alright then," She said simply, not rising to his frustration but just dropping her hand instead and letting him get himself up. It was tough sometimes to watch people struggle, and this was where a lot of people would get flustered and try to help anyway. Holly did not. It often got her patients pissed; pissed enough to actually try harder- because she just stood there and watched them struggle and do it themselves without a care in the world for it. He made it too, but she didn't step back as he towered about her, she was not threatened by him. He was just a kid that needed help.
"You saw nothing. You know nothing about this." Holly paused for a moment, wondering what part he wanted to try and hide, but it was his choice and she was good at confidential. She gave a small nod. "I'll tell nobody, but I won't forget what I saw." She knew this was likely not going to be received well but she gave Joe a strong look. "I'm a physio Joe, it's what I do, and I've spent a lot of time with other officers - if you want help, proper sessions, let me know. It'll be private, we don't have to tell the others if you'd rather not. But if you want extra help figuring shit out, let me know."
She chuckled softly as her eldest tried to escape her waking hands. "and there you are." Glancing at Av she couldn't help but playfully roll her eyes at Levi's response. "Sorry kid, but it's that time." She said softly, going to run a hand over his hair gently to encourage him to wake. She remembered those days, back when she used to be able to sleep past 7am; nowadays that was considered a lie in, but she didn't regret it. Her parents had never been like her and Avery though, they had divorced when she was young and even before that had frequently argued - there were no sweet and fond memories of a gentle morning wake up. She wanted her kids to have that though, and Avery had defied all odds and all her pessimistic cynicism of relationships to prove that it was possible. She loved the man more than anything in the world; though her kids were up there alongside him.
"we bundle the boys in the car and we get breakfast on the way." She could practically see the wheels turning in his head as he spoke and she tried to pick up the image he was describing. "i think we should. we go, just the four of us and we make the day about us and the boys. then we have a big party in a few weeks, something everyone can enjoy when things settle down." She bit her lip as she let his words sink in. A part of her was excited about the thought of it, the idea - to just leave and come home married. It sounded half part ridiculous and half part magical. Like they couldn't hold on to their love for each other any longer. "Where would we even go to do it though? Like you said - this isn't Vegas." And she wasn't sure about hopping onto a plane with the boys still so young. It was a lot to ask of them, a lot of money to fly right now and a lot of stuff to prepare for; having kids meant having about six extra bags.
"i don't care what i marry you in sweetheart. like i said, we party later for them. we steal today for us." She had a feeling that Avery was very much not thinking about the consequences of this and she dithered, unsure if it was a good idea. "Everyone will be upset with us..." She chewed on her lower lip. She'd never quite been a 'throw caution to the wind' kind of woman and she had her reservations about his wild plan. "What will we wear? We can't get married in pajamas... and what if we get to wherever you have in mind and they won't marry us today?" Her lips twitched as he used their baby to try and persuade her. "marry daddy today mommy." Holly couldn't help rolling her eyes but it was in good humour. "I don't know Av..."
She gave a small laugh at Hayden's happy face, shaking her head slightly. "You may be delighted now, but just you wait.." She joked, though she was well aware that Hayden knew how it went - given the two kids playing a little way ahead. It was harder having too but there were some parts that were easier; having not killed off the first one by forgetting to feed him or burp him, she felt more confident with her new baby, and she knew what challenges would be presented to her and Av - but she also knew they could get through them together. There were still new challenges, because there were two and they weren't clones of each other, but she wouldn't change anything for the world. "hello there beautiful boy." Holly's smile softened, as her expression always did when she looked at her kids. "He certainly is that, and he knows it." She chuckled.
"i'm so sorry. i have babies on the brain and they refuse to leave." Holly shook her head, "No need to say sorry, it's getting to that time..." She grinned as she patted her stomach, looking at Hayden's protruding bump. "i have a spare set of clothes for each of them." A slight tilt of her head, "did you plan for this?" She jokingly demanded, an eye flicking over to the boys as they toddled about, playing whatever made up game they were into right then. "i'm okay, chugging along. i wish i could say i couldn't complain but i can't. but before i bring you down with that, how are you?" Holly watched her friend closely, noticing the change in her expression and she frowned slightly, laying a hand on her arm gently. "Hey, what is it, what's wrong?" She asked, sensing that there was something she was holding back.
"i doubt we'd need to jaunt as far as vegas." She raised a brow at his comment, "What's the UK equivalent? I like the idea of all the sparkles and glitter!" She joked, though she didn't care where they got married - terrible fake Elvis or stuffy old victor, as long as her and Avery were together and their family were around them, she'd get married in the back garden in the middle of a thunderstorm. It might be difficult to hear their vows and she might look like a drowned look but Avery did pretty good himself with the wet t-shirt look. Perhaps that was a bit extreme, but the sentiment was there. She loved Avery with every fibre of her being - along with their kids and the life they had together here - she felt so safe with him, like he and this life were all she was ever going to need.
"i knew i was in there somewhere." Holly laughed softly, glancing at her fiance and then to their sleeping son, "I'm pretty sure you're in there in other ways - like how much food you can both put away." She teased, though she never berated any of the kids about food. It sounded silly but with her OCD, she knew it had been hard growing up with other people constantly hovering over you, monitoring you and it made things worse. She just wanted the boys to be healthy and strong, and to never feel that they had to watch themselves in such a way.
She was gentle as she shook the child awake, it was almost a shame she had to wake him - he looked so sweet and peaceful before his mouth opened. That was unfair, he was a good kid and he had a wicked sense of humour, often making her chuckle. "elope with me today holly." Holly gave a light laugh and raised a brow at his joke, "Right now? Or can I get breakfast first?" She teased. "we'll get the boys ready, get some clothes and find somewhere you can make an honest man out of me today." Holly's other eyebrow rose to join the first, suddenly aware he might not be joking. She looked at him for a moment, her gaze holding his. "You're not joking, you want to elope?" Her voice rose on the end word in surprise. "What about everything? ... your friends and family, and the venue and.. the flowers and our clothes and well.. everything!?"
I've seen it many times before, Avery was not a walk in the park ball of sunshine when I met him, it took time. I can't comment on how he was at home. I just want there to be peace; they all deserve it after everything.
I still can't believe you got away with that either, surprised Kara didn't have you sleeping out back. I'm worried to get too involved, I don't want to take any sides.
"well it has to be a good beach." She shivered slightly at the touch of his fingers, her back arching naturally beneath his touch. She turned her face toward him to give him a heated look - they didn't have time now, as tempting as it was, and he was teasing her. "nice and calm, wind blown would ruin the look." She laughed as he fluffed her hair, gently pretending to bat his hand away - it didn't honestly matter right now, having just woken up her hair was not exactly tidy. "why did no one tell us that planning a wedding too so much effort?" Holly chuckled as he let his head fall back, and she took the opportunity to reach forward and kiss the base of his throat. "some days i swear it would be easier if we just eloped." Holly laughed softly and tilted her head, "You know that's really not a bad idea.. we could just put on our fanciest frocks and whip off the Vegas?" She laughed, she was an organised kind of person, but even she hadn't gotten that far with the wedding details; having been so busy and with things at home a bit tremulous she was behind in planning and a few things had already gone wrong and caused delays.
She glanced back over her shoulder as she heard Av follow, smiling to see him leant in the doorway. It sounded corny but she cherished every day with him. There had been a time when they'd gotten lost, and it had been the worst couple of weeks of her life. After that, she vowed never to over think again. There had been trying times, and she'd been concerned for him when he'd landed back in the chair, not that she cared whether he walked or not, but she cared for him, for how he had felt. She would love him regardless, no matter what. But she was so proud of him for how far he'd come. A lot of people would have given up, to learn how to walk again - twice - she had never known a stronger man.
Holly chuckled to see that Levi was still fast asleep, and she raised a brow, glancing at Av again, "Well, we can't pretend he's not related to you," She teased, seeing the similarities in the way her son slept like her future husband. "well we'd have both lost the bet." Holly smiled and nodded, "yeah we would have," She stepped over to Levi and gently shook his shoulder, not wanting to startle him but aware that he could sleep like the dead at times. "Wakey up sweetheart, it's breakfast time and if you don't hurry, you'll miss the good stuff." She joked.
Probably best we don't listen, sometimes it's easier just to be the impartial one and offer the odd advice nugget without having heard it! Oh I'm thinking we'll need a proper padded room and a mediator for it! Just to be on the safe side.
"hey." She smiled easily enough, checking once more on her little one before she felt okay to take a seat herself. It was funny how your life revolved around them in the end - you swore it would never happen, not for a bad reason but more that you didn't want your whole life to change. And then they were born and your whole life changed, everything was for them, your whole life revolved around them. Avery still had a very solid part in it too, naturally but that was a different kind of love and need to protect. "as soon as he wakes up, can he be mine?" Holly chuckled at that as she took up her place beside her friend. "He is all yours!" She said, gladly handing over the young child for a moment's peace. He was a good child to be fair to him, but it was still tough at times to have two young children to handle at once.
Her attention turned to the boys, already stuck into playing together. They were very sweet together, Levi was such a good kid anyway but it shone even more so with others around him, his good heart and kind nature was even more obvious - not that the other children were not so, but more that he was even more good. "how much do you want to bet that one of them walks out into the water before we eat." Holly laughed softly and nodded, raising a brow, "and that is the exact reason why I brought a spare couple of towels." She admitted, shaking her head a little. "anyway, how have you been? How is everything in your world?" They lived together and often ate together and the like but sometimes living together meant you had even less opportunity to talk frankly.
She didn't rush him for a response, having seen first hand how long it could take for people to come out of their dreams. The thing was, these were not just random thoughts or ideas of the subconscious, not an odd mingling of random and fantasy or hope - they were not just dreams. They were memories, traumatic memories, rife and thick with strong feelings and emotions. They were all mingled together, the emotions and memories, made things feel real, like they were reliving it again. It also made it hard to resurface from them, to get their bearings. She didn't have them, shed never been to war, but she understood it from what she saw of Avery.
"In future, ignore it, Best that way." Holly gave a wistful smile at that, "if I could, I would, but it's not in my nature to ignore cries for help." She admitted. Unfortunately with her job, she was used to being shouted at and insulted - it never got too far, and she was good at being firm and not allowing them to overstep the mark too much with the frustration - but harsh tones and words were not one to put her off. She had always had a penchant for helping people and now that she could in some respect, she did. "Can't stay on the ground, I don't like it, can't stand it, I have my issues with being on the ground. I'm not exactly rushing - you'd know that if I was. I'm just.. trying to orientate."
Holly nodded at his explanation, "Well that's fair enough," She agreed, nobody liked being on the ground really - she knew it made a lot of people feel weak. Besides, it wasn't particularly comfortable. "Do you want a hand up? I'm stronger than I look." Considering she spent her working days manipulating muscles and such that didn't want to work properly, she had a good grip and was pretty strong. She offered out a hand as she stood, there if he needed, but there was no offense taken if he decided against.
She saw the change in his expression, the flare of recognition when she spoke - so he was with her now, that was something. She relaxed a little, no need to worry he was about to lash out at her now he was awake and aware, and he knew who she was - friend not foe, or she liked to think she was in his eyes. She honestly had no idea what he thought of her, or most of them - he was a tough one to read, but most of her thought that he just wanted to fit in really, and was maybe struggling to know how. "How would you know?" It took her a minute to realise what he was questioning, the tone didn't bother her, she had been barked at plenty over the years. "You know nothing."
Holly thought on that for a moment, not reacting in either way - not jumping to look after him but no temper rising in her either. "I don't know much, that's true - about what happened to you, anyway," She gave him a quick smile, even if he didn't want it. "I know plenty about other things. Physiotherapy for instance," She said pointedly. "But you were talking in your sleep, some French but even my French is good enough to pick up what you were saying." Her voice softened, not wanting to push. She watched him stagger as he stood. "What's the rush? I'm not here to chase you off, I just wanted to check you were alright out here with the yelling."
"you know it." Holly laughed softly and she turned her head, stretching slightly onto her tip toes to kiss his neck gently. She lingering. It was tempting. He was tempting... and she made a small noise, unable to help herself - later, there would be time for it later. "You know that I think you're handsome really, even if other people don't." She teased, but she meant it too - the bit about him being handsome. She saw other people look interested at times, but she never felt jealous for it - she knew that he loved her and she was secure and comfortable in their relationship, she didn't worry about him straying. She made sure to show him what he meant to her every chance she got - he'd have to be mad to walk away now and she knew deep down he wouldn't.
"well there was sun .. sand .. no tan lines." Her eyebrows raised a little higher with each word. "Oh yeah? Do go on..." She encouraged as his hand slipped lower down her back and then lower still, teasing her. "you walked out of the ocean .. all salty and wind swept and ... then you ruined it." She pouted slightly, giving him a sympathetic look as she realised it must have been her waking him up that had ruined it. "I'm sorry babe, I'll be sure to make it up to you later," She promised, even if she couldn't quite replicate this dream just yet. "well i think we just decided on where to go for our honeymoon." Holly chuckled slightly, "Somewhere with a beach? That narrows it down." She teased, though she had assumed they would go somewhere relaxing so they could chill out. "We have to get married yet for us to have a honeymoon," She reminded him. She had no problem with being engaged long term, but she did want to become his wife at some point in the future.
She touched their son's cheek gently, her heart melting all over again, and then she glanced over at the door at Av's returning words. "i'll bet we have less than a minute." Holly couldn't help but agree, half expecting the door to push open any moment now - he was not good at knocking either. "or should we cut our losses and go in and get him and share breakfast duties." Holly pretended to think about it for a moment and then nodded, "I guess it's the lesser of two evils.. just incase I lose," She joked, going to open the door as she was already dressed. She padded across to Levi's room, seeing a couple bedroom doors already open, meaning their occupants were already up. Noises came from downstairs - she might end up battling for space in the kitchen. "Are you up, sweetie?" She called to Levi as she gave a knock then pushed open her other son's bedroom door.