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!.
She wondered what his response was going to be when he pursed his lips - it could go either way. "When you do this, just make sure you film it, in case I'm not here." Her smile widened and she nodded as if she was serious. "Oh absolutely, got to have that proof." She teased back, despite the fact her phone was already full of videos and pictures of the puppy. It was scary to her, how quickly the dog was growing, with her photos the only proof that she wasn't imagining things. He was just too adorable not to take snaps of.
"Ah, really-well-done pizza, we've all been there before." Flynn chuckled, she'd be impressed if anyone hadn't burnt something in their life - especially something simple like pizza or toast that you tend to leave to it's own devices and then suddenly forget about it. "I like to think it encourages a healthy immune system, like eating dirt." She said, with some sort of seriousness. As a nurse, she was far from a germaphobe. If anything, she had always tried to encourage her son to play out in the grass and mix with different kids and try different foods. It wasn't always easy, but the more exposure to the world he got, the better it would be for him in the long haul. There was nothing worse than seeing kids wrapped in bubble wrap, as much as you loved to protect them.
She bit off another piece of pizza, unable to help but slowly finish off another slice. It was just too good. "I can't confirm or deny." Flynn narrowed her eyes, "Should I be concerned?" She asked, glancing around as if expecting someone to be floating above her head, watching them eat. "I can promise you that they don't float around the place, like the ancestors in Mulan's family temple." She pressed her lips together to avoid laughing - okay that answered that question. "Okay so they're all in your head? Like voices?" She was teasing now, unable to help herself.
Flynn raised a brow as Bruce patted his stomach. "I think I'm getting sympathy weight gain." She pretended to pull a face, "I didn't want to say anything but..." She looked at his stomach pointedly and then laughed - because one, she was joking and two, it was a complete lie... and then three, she wouldn't care if he did. She loved him, not what shape he was. "Can't say I'm looking forward to the sympathy cankles." Flynn blew out a sigh at that, "yeah neither am I." She admitted, not wanting to think too much about everything blowing up just yet. "Just remember, I'm here to offer a massage whenever you need it. And I'm always here to lift heavy objects." Flynn reached out to touch Bruce's arm, "I know, my love, and I appreciate it."
She was expecting some kind of 'he's a dog' rebuttal but clearly Bruce found this suggestion amusing instead. "Just make sure he doesn't confuse bucks with barks." She chuckled at that and gave the pup a quick look, as if expecting him to suddenly start howling. "I'll get the flip pad out and make sure he can recite them correctly." She teased, shooting Bruce an affectionate look.
Flynn automatically smiled when he laughed - she couldn't help it. "You're not that bad in the kitchen. Liam was hardly malnourished when we first met." Flynn considered it and then gave a small shrug, "lucky for me he has a pretty good appetite. He might moan about the occasional burnt pizza but it's not killed him yet." Flynn got comfortable as Bruce joined her. She'd learnt to cook a fair few meals on rotation - she'd never been a great cook but she'd been good enough to not poison her son. Mostly, she'd found it best to stick to easy and quick to cook meals so it didn't take up too much time with her never ending work shifts.
"I add things until I hear them say that's enough." Her lips twitched at that, "and is that the only time they speak to you?" She asked, thinking that perhaps someone looking over her shoulder might be useful at times. She began to pick at the huge meal in front of her. "How are you feeling, other than the need to get all the nursery finished before little one arrives?" Flynn smiled at that, finishing her mouthful before she replied. "Yeah, I'm feeling okay at the moment, I know the worst is yet to come so I'll enjoy being comfortable whilst I can." She laughed softly - before the ankles swelled, before she couldn't bend down properly or get comfy in bed, and all the rest that came with it. "I'm trying not to overthink and get ahead of myself, just one thing at a time... how are you feeling?" Flynn asked, knowing it wasn't just about her in this pregnancy.
She reached out and gently touched his lower lip, as if she could put the pout away, even if it was just in jest. She thought it was adorable but, even as forthcoming as they both were about compliments, she wasn't about to tell him that and give him more ammunition to make her heart melt. He was already far too good at that. His grin did exactly that anyway, giving her stomach that little swoop she always got when he smiled at her. She hoped those feelings never went away, even ten years in the future when they started to get grey and maybe a little bit cranky.
She caught his quizzical look and gave him a sheepish grin. "We made a bet." she said, even though that much was quite obvious. "I'm sure you'll be able to settle that up later." Flynn chuckled and shook her head slightly. "I'm quite sure I'll never see it." She joked, but really what could you expect from an animal with no pockets. She ruffled the dogs ears again anyway, unable to help herself. Despite having been the most reluctant person of the family to keep him, she couldn't deny that it had been a great decision and so far, Liam hadn't faultered once worn helping to look after the young dog.
At fi st she thought he might protest or not even try and help her eat the feast he'd delivered her. She wholeheartedly appreciatd his care and devotion to her but she didn't quite have this appetite. Yet. "You know that I'm happy when I'm in the kitchen... And I can't be held responsible for what happens in there." Flynn gave a soft laugh at that and a knowing eye, "Oh I'm aware," She teased, "Thank God you're good at it or we'd all be in trouble." She laughed, though surely with that much time in the kitchen, you couldn't be awful. "I start making something small, and then I can hear my nga tupuna (ancestors), and... stuff happens." Flynn raised a brow as she chewed her mouthful, swallowing before asking. "Oh so the ancestors call to you, and force your hands into making a feast." She was teasing still and she grinned a little before digging in again to his huge platter.
She chuckled at the way his face turned serious and then it returned to his usual jovial spirit. She loved Bruce best when he was grinning at her - which was quite often. She loved him always but his smile always warmed her from the inside. "Same here," Flynn smiled at him, "And that's what I'm here for, to make sure you remember to put your feet up and get pampered." She chuckled at that and gave a good natured roll of her eyes. "And might I say you do a very good job of it too." She said with a pointed nod to punctuate the words.
As she settled on the sofa into a comfortable position, she couldn't help but start ruffling Gizmo's ears - it happened whenever he was in reach of her hands. They naturally sought out his soft fur and happy panting face. "I'll be right there!" Flynn smiled and took Gizmo's face in both her hands. "I bet you a tenner, pup, that he's gone overboard with lunch," She murmured to the pup with a soft expression. She knew Bruce couldn't help himself. "MiLady." She sat up a little to peer up and see the loaded plate then gave a gentle laugh. "Bed.""And you owe me ten pounds, Giz." She added jokingly, "Do you need anything else?" Flynn shook her head and gratefully took the plate. "Only the hope that you'll sit and share this with me? You've done entirely too much," She teased, though she did hope he would join her. "Thank you for this."
She heard the words blonde woman, and her eyes took a brief stock of the room, then she straightened, her spine stiffening as she realised what was being said. She didn't let the fear show, though it strained her eyes, and her lips thinned at the thought of what the kid was suggesting, she knew that it was better to stay strong, not to show weakness. She watched as the guy with the bat swung it in a threatening manor, but abruptly paused at the sight of Bruce drawing himself up to height. “If you want to leave here with both your arms still attached to your body, you may want to step away.” Flynn reached out carefully to squeeze Bruce's hand, in support and thanks to him for staying at her side.
Things were begin to heat up, she could feel it in the tension of the air, in the way that the gang were acting, the desperation of their behaviour. Things were spiraling, and it was only going to go one way or the other. She heard the wail of sirens and glanced to Bruce and then the guy at the front who seemed to be in charge, hearing him shout 'scatter' and causing a flurry of movement. Flynn kept close to Bruce, hoping they would all just rush out and by pass her. Her eyes went to Ben, keeping an eye on the moment she could go to help him until the ambulances arrived.
She smiled against his lips as they kissed, as always, everything seemed a little bit brighter afterwards. As if Bruce brought a little more light to the world. "You, my dear, are anything but average." Flynn flushed a little at that, as always somewhat stumped on a response to his compliments. She didn't think she'd ever be able to get used to him and how sweet he was to her. Until she'd met him, and even then until a few months in when she'd realised how genuine he was, she'd only thought men like Bruce existed in TV shows or movies. How she'd been able to bag a real life Prince Charming she had no idea, but she never could quit thanking her lucky stars for it. Both for her and for her son, and now their unborn child. Bruce was going to make such a fantastic father, after all, he was already smashing it with Liam.
She grinned at his laugh, he always had the ability to make her smile with his laugh, it was so full of light. "I was begging the universe. Surely there has to be some deity out there who will listen." Flynn raised an eyebrow, not being particularly religious herself either but believing in some higher power that had the means to influence - whether it was the direction someone took, or their luck in the day, she felt sometimes that there was someone or something that had a little say in the way life went. "God only knows." She teased with a small wink. "Happy and healthy, mum and bub, is all I want." and she loved him all the more for it, there were men out there she'd known who wanted a particular gender or particular traits for the baby to have. And it mattered. "Same here," She agreed. As a nurse she far too often saw the ugly side of life and everything that could be thrown at a person or family. She only hoped for happy and healthy for hers.
Flynn gratefully took Bruce's hand to help her stand. Bump was beginning to protrude enough now to be a hindrance in the normal ways of life. "I'll see you with your food." It was her turn to raise a brow, so he'd be keeping it a mystery then. Smiling to herself she watched him go, putting a couple of bits away - small bits so Bruce didn't have an aneurysm at her - before she followed him downstairs, following her nose in the end all the way to the lounge where an impressive platter awaited her. "I hope you plan to bell me with this!" She called out, hearing Bruce still pottering in the kitchen and wondering what culinary delight he could be adding to the spread. She took a careful seat, gently pushing away Gizmo's hopeful, inquisitive nose as she picked out a piece and cheese for tasting whilst she waited.
Things were escalating at an alarming rate and Flynn felt her heart begin to pound. Bruce's squeeze on her shoulder helped to settle her a little, but it wasn't enough. As people began to try and talk to the boy, to negotiate, to try and calm matters, she saw the switch flick in his expression. "No need for violence? No need? Since you seem so keen to gamble..." She flinched and let out a noise, unable to help it with the shock as the boy stabbed Ben. The rush of red was instant, and Flynn reacted on impulse, moving to stand, her heart in her throat. "Oh my God." She choked out, a hand going to her mouth to try and shut herself up. The nurse in her rose it's head, wanting to rush over and help him. She couldn't stand by and watch someone in pain, bleed out in front of her.
"His life is now mine on a whim. So - sit. The fuck. DOWN!" Flynn hesitated, still half standing, wanting to move over to Ben and knowing that she could be next if she did - and it wasn't for her she was worried, but the child she now carried. "He has pissed me off, Maybe move closer to the blonde lady there. We'll see if he's willing to gamble. Talk again sir, and I will have him beat the life out of that woman." Her blood chilled at the words and she swallowed hard as someone moved closer to her, the look in his face held no compassion, no mercy. She knew that without doubt, the guy would have no issue with hurting her if he was told to. She reached for Bruce's hand, trying to draw strength from him as her stomach turned, her eyes went to Ben once again and she hated to draw attention to herself but she had to say it. "Please, I'm a nurse.. let me help him." She cleared her throat. "At least let me keep him alive until you're out of here." She tried that angle, because God knew how else it would work.
She had a feeling he might like her response and she grinned back as he inclined his head. "And you are our wonder woman." She blushed and shook her head slightly, "Just your regular average woman," She responded with a small chuckle. She just did what any working mother would do, and did her best with it. Flynn gave another small chuckle at Bruce's look - of course he would have figured her out, he knew her ridiculously well and he thought about other people about as much as she did. It was amusing, and sweet at the same time; she'd be thinking about him and her son, and he'd be thinking about her and her son - she knew he did. He was more of a father to Liam than his own father was.
Flynn laughed at the look on his face, waggling her eyebrows playfully. "Have mercy!" She laughed again, watching him play out praying. "I'm not the one you need to beg to," She teased, though she had a feeling they could handle whatever it was that came their way. "But... if this one could be worse, does that mean there's a chance this one could be better too?" Flynn tilted her head in consideration and then conceded with a nod, "You do have a fair point there, I can't lie. Maybe we will get just that lucky..." She teased. She leant forward to kiss him gently when he wiped his forehead, unable to help but find it adorable how he was jokingly worrying about it.
"Then how about we head downstairs? You can get comfortable in the lounge, and I'll put something together for you. Any recommendations, or would you like me to surprise you?" Flynn smiled and gave a contended sigh as she considered what she felt like today. "Hmmm..." She hummed, cocking her head and pursing her lips for a moment. "Surprise me - but I'm feeling cheese needs to be involved in some way, please." She added, having a bit of a craving for the good stuff. Flynn gathered herself and went to stand, figuring they could carry on with the room later, now her mind was on food she realised just how hungry she was.
"Good thing I'm not Superman then" Flynn smiled, her expression softening as always when she looked at Bruce; she didn't even realise she was doing it. "You're my superman." Okay so to some it would be corny, and a joke, but she meant it. Bruce was her superman. So she might not need some hero swooping in to save her all the time, but he was always there for her, always had a solution, always at her side when she needed him. "In between thinking about everyone else?" Well if he didn't know her well. She laughed softly and nodded, "Yeah you got me there," She admitted, her brain already crammed with everyone else even in that very moment.
She laughed again at Bruce's expression, raising an eyebrow slightly. "All the fun things I have to look forward to?" Flynn's smile gentled and she leant over to kiss Bruce gently. "You'll be great, I already know it. Plus.. no baby is ever the same. This one could be worse." She teased, a hand resting on her slight bump. "At least we should have a few months before junior tries to break out of their cot." She nodded, "At least, so there's no need to panic just yet." She promised, and if they were lucky this one might not. "A break sounds good. Are you hungry, or do you want a rest?" She noticed Bruce's eye movement and raised a curious eyebrow. "Food would be good, I think I could eat. There's too much to do to be resting," She was only teasing really, there was no rush after all, she was just feeling a little like nesting - not usually something that happened so early for her.
She chuckled as he bowed, inclining her head gently in a playful response. "Well, Lois Lane eventually worked out who Superman was. Though, between you and me, she should have worked it out faster. I figured I'd save you the hassle and just tell you" Flynn laughed and wiggled her eyebrows, "I would have worked it out in a heartbeat," She teased, she had a knack for reading people, though she might have been wary about dating someone who was a magnet for trouble. "You think about you all the time too?" Flynn gave a dramatic sigh and nodded, "I really do.." She joked; a complete lie, she spent her time thinking about Bruce, Liam and now the new bub.. and then a tiny percentage was other things like friends and work. Perhaps that seemed harsh, but her family came first as always, and these boys and this unborn baby were her family.
Flynn grinned as they admired the cot - it looked good to her. "True, Liam wouldn't want to sleep in it all the time." Flynn gave a roll of her eyes, "Oh yeah, no chance he's staying in there - he took years off my life with me trying to get him to stay in his in the first place." Many nights spent putting him back into the cot until she gave in and got him a small bed instead. He still often got up to wander in the night anyway. "I think they are just extra bits of fluff that aren't needed, like doilies. There may have been a time and place for them once, but I don't think they are needed now. Cots are made so that the little ones can't get their heads stuck through the rails." She smiled and nodded, glad they were on the same page - though she wouldn't have minded if they weren't. "Right, what else is on your mental list of things that need doing?" Flynn laughed and put a hand on her hip, popping it with a quick exhale. "Well, firstly I think it's time to take a break, what do you think?"
She laughed at the expression he pulled. "I don't know, it's kind of like a super power gift, something that you try not to let anyone know about." She put a hand to her heart and gave him a dreamy sigh, "And you let me in on your secret? I truly am honoured." Her eyes twinkled with the same kind of mischief she also saw in his. It was no wonder they clicked so well together. "You, I'm always thinking about you." She grinned but her body flooded with warmth all the same, even if it was a bit of a joke. Bruce was the kind of man women dreamed about; a man comfortable in himself to just express how he was feeling, and who genuinely thought and cared about his partner. It was unbearably sweet, and she could happily hear it every day. "Well that makes two of us..." She teased, but honestly her thoughts were on fairly equal par between her son and Bruce, though their new child was now occupying quite a large slice.
Flynn glanced to Bruce, waiting for his approval on whether the cot was looking okay so far or not. A smile hinted at her lips to see the concentration look on his face, to see him focusing so hard on making sure everything was perfect. It looked good to her, though he probably trumped her in the DIY department. She could put some shelves up, having been an independent woman for so long she'd had to learn on the job, but Bruce definitely had an eye for it that she did not. She chuckled when he laughed, knowing what Liam was like - especially if given full rein to cause mayhem. "You have a good point. We'll let Gizmo test it." Flynn raised a brow, "I think Liam was a better option out of the two," She teased, though she had to admit Giz was one well behaved pup. "What are your thoughts on cot bumpers?" She wrinkled her nose and then shrugged, "I never had them for Liam so I'm not particularly bothered - he survived without them. What do you think?" She asked, as he was as much a part of all this as she was and she wanted to make a point that he could have an opinion.
"There will be no doubt that Liam will get the chance to try it when we head to the other side of the world." Flynn smiled just at the thought of it, of flying half way around the world to see where Bruce had grown up. It made it even more exciting that it wasn't just a holiday trip to somewhere new and exotic but it was meeting Bruce's family, seeing the people he grew up with, the places from his stories he'd told both Flynn and her son. And depending on when this happened, their unborn baby would get to see it too. If not now then when they were older. She knew it was expensive and a long flight but she would like the make the effort across for the families sake - both Bruce's and their little family they had created.
"It's a gift." Flynn laughed softly at that. "Perhaps you should add it to your CV?" she suggested. "I'm all for matching, as long as it's with you." Flynn grinned back at him, damn saps...the pair of them actually. She was just as sappy as he was about each other. "Of course it's with me, who were you thinking about?" She teased, wondering if he was going to bring up the fake garage girlfriend again. She wasn't really that interested getting a tattoo, she already knew that her love for Bruce was forever and she didn't need some ink on her skin for proof. She didn't need him to get her name on him either, she was well aware that he loved her and had zero issues with trusting him, which had at first surprised her but now she just went with it. "Note taken, only compliments from now on. You look stunning today, not that you don't any other day."
Flynn laughed and looked down at herself, dressed in comfy clothes that she didn't mind getting messed up. "Thank you, that's exactly the kind of thing I was waiting for..." she said pointedly but her easy grin promised she was joking. She loved how sweet he was with her and how often he complimented her anyway, and she loved the joking too. The cheeky back and forth banter between them. She always had enjoyed it amd even more so now they knew each other so well. She managed to help him turn it upright without too much trouble or fuss and gave it am approving glance. "Do we get Liam to jump on it to make sure it's not going to fall apart as soon as we put weight in it?" Flynn raised a brow and looked at the structure in contemplation. "Hmmm I feel like we should test it fully before inviting him in to wreck the place, he will be the final test for sure!" knowing how he would likely leap up and down on it gave her trepidation to let him on it just yet - they didn't want to have to buy another so quickly.
"I will however draw the line at offal. Dad used to have lambs fry and bacon for breakfast every other Sunday." Flynn shuddered at the thought and shook her head, her stomach curling at the thought, "No thank you, there are other things that are on my complete 'no' list - as small as it is." She shrugged, never having been one to eat things like black pudding or whatever it was where they stuffed things in places that they shouldn't. Those kinds of things she could accept her son turning his nose up at, but simple vegetables or general meats she wasn't quite so tolerant with.
She watched him consider her question, "I don't know about tattooing your name on my arm though. I was thinking more across my heart." Ah damn him and his sweetness, her own heart melted just a little and her eyes softened as she returned his look, "Trust you to be able to turn a silly joke into something romantic." She grinned, though he could do it at any time, she'd always welcome it. "Sounds like yours might match the one I have of you already on my heart," she returned with a widening of her grin. It wasn't quite true - she didn't even own her heart anymore, it was firmly in the hands of the handsome man currently opposite her.
Flynn made a show of catching his kiss and then, after a moment's hesitation, pressed it to her heart. "I feel that if I compliment and insult you at the same time, the compliment will outweigh the insults, and you know that I'm always honest when I compliment you." She tilted her head, watching him move and making sure to hold her piece steady for him to fix it at the right angle. "I think the compliments need to be bigger, to make sure they really outweigh all these insults." She decided. As he opened his hand, she bent down to pick up the bolt and placed it gently in his palm. "I'm pleased that my lack of a poker-face keeps me in on the straight and narrow." Flynn laughed softly and she reached out to touch his shoulder gently - considering there wasn't much in reach of her in that moment. "So am I."
"Ditto." She had anticipated him to be of the same cloth, she didn't mind people that were firm 'no''s on things but she did feel it was a little short sighted not to try something you had never had. Her argument was always, how can you tell you won't like it - though she could understand a little more when it was a combination of odd things than just saying no to a food you'd never tried. She made an effort to say yes to things infront of her son to prove a point that it was always good to have a go, rather than make an assumption. It worked in other parts of life aside from just food then too; being open minded about life and opportunities it might offer.
She narrowed her gaze on him at the look in his eyes, knowing that look all too well. "How about referring to out time together as a romp in the hay?" Flynn snorted and raised a brow, "Oh yes that sounds much more personal," She joked, tilting her head and pausing for a moment, "will you tattoo my name on your arm afterwards as a declaration of your love?" She snorted, as that was what all those movies seem to enjoy doing. Whatever happened to flowers, chocolates and a good old fashioned promise seen through?
"Nope, you're better. She was only practically perfect in every way." Flynn gave him an impressed look for his memory. "Sucking up to me now after insulting me? I'm not sure how I feel about this," She teased, though she'd accept him showering her with comments at any time of day. Particularly now when her hormones were already beginning to send her emotions ping ponging all over the place. She fell quiet for a moment as she watched him fix the cot, not taken in by his attempt to look innocent still. "Would I lie to you? At least not if I thought I could get away with it." Her answering look was pointed, "exactly," She half grinned, "and you won't get away with it - your face gives you away every time." She warned.
"I tell her that all the time, but she says I can't knock it till I've tried it, and I have no intention of every trying it." Flynn laughed softly, "Okay, I have to admit I have been there - telling people the same, but that was absolutely the cravings and un-pregnant me did not have the same taste buds." She shook her head, "I'll try anything once, but I may have to draw the line at the one," Flynn joked. She made a point of trying things in front of Liam, as she hadn't wanted him to grow up fussy - it worked most of the time, but he definitely tried to put his foot down about some things.
She smiled in response to his grin; she didn't understand people that said they loved each other but then tried to get them to change. She'd tried to change her ex, and all it had done was end up getting her hurt. That was different, as he'd changed who he was after they were married, or perhaps he'd always been that way and hidden it well to begin with. "Don't worry, I have no intentions of being anyone other than me." Flynn gave a firm nod at that to agree, she didn't want him to be anyone else. "Oh, don't worry sweetheart. Our time together has been so much sweeter than that." Flynn blew him a kiss for that, "glad to hear it," she teased, though she wasn't generally offended in that kind of way.
Flynn couldn't help laughing as he puffed out his chest, she found that to be one of her favourite things he did - feeling proud of himself, even if he was playing a little. "And you're perfectly, perfect." She flushed a little and wrinkled her nose, "I am certainly no Mary Poppins, but thank you." because he was always so sweet and giving with the compliments. She held the piece of wood steady as she watched him working on it, not wanting to be the reason things were messed up and the cot was wonky or something didn't fit. She raised a brow as he looked up at her, with that innocent expression he used so often. "Of course, this one on the side of the cot. What did you think I was talking about?" She looked back at him with a slight raise of her own brows. "Suuuure you don't.."
