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!.
"Thank you, you're too kind." Bruce grinned, pleased with her reaction. "I'm only speaking the truth." He knew from watching others, that lying was never the best way to talk about anything. "Just as much? That's quite a tall order," He shrugged. "Mum is going to adore you, and she'll take Liam under her wing as though he's always been part of the family." The woman always had a way of making people, no matter the age, feel like they were part of the tribe.
He chuckled at her reaction. "you've known me how long and you didn't realise I had a dirty mind? Terrible!" He shrugged, trying to look innocent. "In my defence, most of the time we're together as a family and our minds can't be in the gutter to set a good example, or we're too busy doing other things, that we don't need to have our minds in the gutter." He chuckled. "Don't worry hun, you're at the forefront of it most of the time." His brows rose. "Is there a Doctor McStudly that I need to worry about?" He teased back. "Careful, you might not like what you find." He laughed. "Now I really need to keep an eye on what's under your pillow."
"Nooo," He grinned at her pout. "Are you going to keep playing with me or are you going to be nice now?" He quirked an eyebrow with and gave her a warm smile. "I'm sorry, I'll behave. However, you're now thinking about what you want to do now, rather than worrying about things you don't need to worry about." He knew that he had been an unromantic prick, which he was sorry for, but that had been to get her mind off her earlier worries. "What can I do to... for you?"
"That's the kind of mum I aspire to be," Bruce gave her a soft smile. "That, my dear," he said as he kissed her, "is the kind of mum you are." Even a grizzly bear was soft at times. "I really hope so." He gave a reassuring smile at her worried look, caressing her cheek. "Don't worry, they are all going to love you as much as I do." The only person he was worried about, was his dad. Not because he was worried that dad wouldn't like her, but that he'd start going on about the best sheep breed for their rugged farm and boring everyone to sleep.
"And now I think I should be offended that you don't recognise me as quick witted!" He chuckled. "Oh, I know you are quick witted." He told her as he wiggled his eyebrows. "I just didn't know your mind was in the gutter as much as mine is.""alright, I'll allow a truce on this occasion - only because I'm not hiding anything under my pillow....right now." He laughed, pleased that he didn't have to fight with any dust bunnies, because that could have gotten ugly. "I'll have to keep an eye on what's under your pillow."
"I do like it when you remind me of that," He preened at her words, though she kept him just as entertained, as did Liam and all his ideas. "They're right.. perhaps the next rainy day weekend we should all cuddle up and watch it?" He grinned. "That sounds like the best way of spending a rainy weekend!" He preferred his classes outside, so the weekend ones didn't happen if it was raining.
"I need a little bit more than 'being here'," He gave a wicked grin and lay flat with his arms stretched out to either side, though couldn't hold back the laughter that bubbled to the surface. "It's much more fun with an active participant... but I am looking for more than sleep which you didn't seem so interesting in a moment ago.." He arched an eyebrow. "Shall I tell you what I want right now?" He grinned as she moved forward, though gasped as she pulled away before the kiss dropped and pouted. "I'm not at all tired, and would love to hear what you want."
"I can't wait to meet your mum, she sounds like one hell of a woman." Bruce smiled. "The family dragon." He said affectionately. "She would happily take on a grizzly bear with her bare hands - not that we have them in NZ - and come out on top." She'd never been one of those annoying side-line pony club parents who pretended they knew more than the instructor, but heaven forbid if the instructor said that one of her babies were riding wrong when she could see they were riding by the pony club standard. "Once you pass her inspection, you two will get on like a house on fire!" They should do a video call to the farm some time, and if the signal was good enough, he could show them some of where he'd grown up.
"I mean, I've got one of those under there too." He laughed. "It's always best to have one on standby for when I'm done with you." His laughter continued. "Part of me thinks I should be offended by that comment, but the rest of me is so impressed with how quickly you came up with that reply." And any guy who left a woman needing to use a toy afterwards should be ashamed of himself. "Alright then, on the count of three?" He gave a snort of laughter and shook his head. "Truce? I'll reach under the bed and end up embarrassing myself by pulling out some horse paraphernalia." He was great at putting hoof picks and things in his pockets and then then dropping out, most of which he found under the bed at a later date.
"No dice, I'm not playing. I don't need to live in the fear, I'll find another fun way to wake you up that still entertains me." His brows rose. "I was thinking more about you being intrigued on what I would do, rather than living in fear. If that's the case, if you need to wake me with a pillow smack, there will be no retaliation. Though, by all means, think of other ways to wake me that will entertain you. I am, after all, here to keep you entertained." He smiled at her, without a hint of sarcasm in his words. "That... we need to rectify." He pursed his lips and shrugged. "I've been told to watch episodes four, five and six first. But if you're going to be there to explain the parts I don't understand, I'll be happy to watch them in whatever order you think is best." He couldn't think of anything better than being cuddled up with her, Liam and Gizmo, binge watching a collection of movies. He'd need to look up some popcorn flavours to create for them to enjoy. "It's not good enough, you're just not putting in the effort," He laughed as he stopped her from rolling away. "I thought you were the one leading this dance." He teased back. "Didn't realise I needed to put effort in, other than being here."
"I have played the challenge game many a time, and I'm afraid I will beat you at it." Bruce chuckled but didn't challenge her on it. He'd played this game many a time with his siblings, and they knew not to challenge him as he'd often win, mostly by pulling the 'I can hold my breath longer than you' card, and run away laughing as his brother or sister passed out from holding their breath. No harm done though, as your body was smart enough to breathe again once a person was out cold. "Our mum was always better at that game too, so I know that you'll trump me any time."
"There's a bat under the bed? Damn, that almost trumps the shotgun under my pillow." His brows rose. "Is that what you have under the pillow? I thought it was one of your toys." He gave a cheeky grin. "I'll show you mine if you show me yours." He gave himself a mental kick, as he couldn't follow through with that. "I don't think that's fair, now it doesn't sound half as fun." He grinned and gave her a quick kiss. "It won't be an instant retaliation. I'd get you back at some point when you'd least expect it. If you hit me with a pillow once the baby has arrived, I'd be rolling out of the bed to see what bubs needs." He gave a boyish grin. "And after that, you'll always be thinking 'what's he up to?'"
"I didn't expect a Pokemon character of all things. I was wondering Princess Leia, golden bikini." He shrugged. "One would have to have seen Star Wars to get the Leia reference. I've seen pictures of her in the outfit, but never seen the movies.""How about...naughty nurse? With a short skirt?" He grinned. "I could totally see you as a naughty nurse!" It was the candy stripers in the movies that always had short skirts as they moved around the hospital, tending to the needs of the patients. "Mmm I've got my guy on speed dial, and you didn't seem so interested a minute ago... how can I know this is a genuine offer?" He grinned as he quirked an eyebrow Spock style. "I'm here now, and he's not?"
"And you do it well." Bruce grinned, pleased that he did something well. "It was definitely not a challenge, or I'll be making the challenge into something relating to 'how tidy can you be'." He pursed his lips with a quirked eyebrow and bowed his head. "I see you have played the challenge game before. And from your answer, I be thinking you have won it more than I, so I shall bow out while I am ahead... or behind, as the case may be."
"a great help you'd be if someone broke in," He grinned. "That's why I sleep on my non-dominant hand, so if anything does go bump in the night, I have my good one ready to reach for the bat under the bed!" Once upon a time he'd dreamed of having a baseball bat under his bed, along with a mitt, and then playing ball with his dad in the weekends. However, those dreams ended quickly as he grew up and realised how little time they had for things like playing catch, like the other kids at school. "Oh no, you said I could hit you, you never said there's be rebuttal!" He chuckled. "I remember saying you could smack me." He said with a grin. "I don't remember saying there would be no retaliation."
"Is that what you dream about?" He laughed and shrugged. "It's normally the first thing that comes to mind when guys think of short skirts." He said with a laugh. "Either a naughty maid or Nurse Joy from Pokémon." At least Nurse Joy was a popular topic around the field at lunchtime during high school.
He grinned at her eyeroll, enjoying this way too much. "I didn't have sleeping in mind, but as you're too tired I'll go find someone else to indulge me..." He rolled to sit up and grabbed her arm before she could get too far away, and pulled her onto the bed with him. "We evicted them, remember?" He said with a grin. "And I'm sure I can be as indulging as you want."
"and then there's just me who needs the constant reassurance," Bruce gave a bright smile. "And I'm here to reassure." He told her gently. "You do love to find loop holes - maybe you should have been a lawyer?" He pulled a face. "though honestly how much messier can it get?" He chuckled. "That's beginning to sound like a challenge." He warned her playfully. "And I'm not one to turn down a challenge." He'd been brought up to always be ready for visitors, so he did his best to keep the place as tidy as possible. "so it is actually possible? I don't think I've trained him anything so far other than when I unfold the blanket and put a glass on the table it's time to cuddle." He smiled. While the Collie would never make a good herding dog, it seemed that the pup had decided that the family was his herd to protect and look after, and he did it well.
"I doubt either of us will be awake enough to know how to form any of those options." He laughed as he tried to picture them, half asleep, and trying to work out how to do paper, rock, scissors. "Especially if either of us has pins and needles." He knew he had a habit of tucking his hand under his cheek when he slept. "Trust me, I won't let it be me all the time. I need my beauty sleep," He tried so hard to hold back a snort of laughter, and failed before his brows rose in innocence. "I will take you up on that pillow threat though." He grinned. "You can smack me with a pillow any time you like, but be prepared for retaliation." He warned with a boyish grin.
"Very nice... best show I've seen in a long time," He grinned "Why thank you." He said with a small, and rather ungraceful. curtsy. "I can wear a short, short skirt for you anytime. You just have to ask." He grinned. "Maybe I can get you one of those naughty maid outfits..?" He suggested as he rubbed his chin in though, which just reminding him he'd forgotten to shave that morning.
He fell backwards when she pushed, landing on the bed. "I was thinking the bed might be a comfier choice, but we can rearrange the kitchen if you'd like." He nodded as he stretched his arms above him. "A nap is a wonderful idea!" He said with a grin and a fake yawn. "You have the best ideas!" He quirked a brow. "Are you joining me, or are you just going to stand there?"
"Phew, I was getting concerned there for a second." Bruce chuckled, knowing that she wasn't worried about his feelings for her. "But just know that I do, love you too." He nodded. "I know, but I am getting old and my memory isn't as good as it used to be, so I need the constant reminders. Just so I don't forget."
"Would I do that..." He quirked an eyebrow. "I mean you could be messier... it would be tough but it's possible." He grinned. "What I'm taking from that is that I have your permission to be messier." He teased, though he knew with a baby on the way, he'd really need to work at being a lot tidier than he was now. "And to use the toilet too?" He pursed his lips, brows dipping as he tried to picture it. "I've heard of people toilet training cats, not sure how it would work for dogs though. Gizmo would need really good aim, but you're welcome to try and teach him to use the toilet."
"I mean, I am not going to say no to that.." He grinned and returned the kiss. "but we'll take turns with that. I can't have you doing all the night feeds either, that's not fair.""Paper, rock, scissors?" He shook his head in amusement. "We'll take turns." He agreed. "Whoever gets up first tends to the baby, but not you all the time. Even if you have to smack me in the face with a pillow to make sure I'm awake."
"I don't know, handsome, you have pretty good legs to me." He stuck his leg out to one side, striking a pose. His moleskins were tight, just not as tight as breeches, and while casual enough to wear to town, he could ride in them too. "Mmm now that is an intriguing idea...""I know someone else in this room that would look damn hot in a short, short skirt." He chuckled as his eyes moved down her body and he wiggled his brows. "Oh really? Hours?" He nodded. "Well in that case I say we should definitely make the most of it..." He allowed her to maneuver him, while he tried to pretend that he had no clue as to her intentions. "Yeah, it would be the perfect time to rearrange the kitchen and pantry."
"Hmmm, no I don't think I've heard it enough today." Bruce smiled as he gave her a gentle kiss. "That could be because there aren't enough words to describe just how much I love you." He said with a smile and another gentle kiss. "Just know that I do, love you, that is."
"Yes you can.. can't you," His eyebrows shot up with a laugh. "Anyone would think that you are insinuating that I'm messy." Though he was man enough to admit that he wasn't always as tidy as he should be. He could get so caught up in a recipe that the kitchen could look like a warzone until he'd finished cooking and then cleaned up everything. "muddy paws aside, he could also be worse.""We'll teach him to wipe his paws before coming inside." He chuckled, and he knew that if they all exaggerated wiping their own feet when coming inside, the pup would quickly pick up on it, even if the humans did leave their footwear in the laundry.
"No, I want you to help with the decisions, this is a 50/50 situation. Me and you together. My ex left me with everything in the end...alongside dealing with his sorry ass. I want us to do this as a team like we say - but that means you get your own input too." He chuckled as he kissed her. "And I will be there, offering suggestions every step of the way. Doing all the night feeds so that you can sleep, and learning as I go." From the stories he'd heard of himself and his siblings, it had been his father who had walked the halls at night with the babies, letting their mother either sleep or care for the newborn. "Not even in the bedroom? A private show sounds very interesting..." He chuckled then pursed his lips. "I really don't think I can pull off the short skirt with my legs. If I was a dancer or a gymnast, sure, but these legs aren't designed for short outfits." He gave a wicked grin. "You know that I'd do anything for you though. If you find me the outfit, I would put it on just for you." What happened in the bedroom, stayed in the bedroom. He grinned when she didn't resist being pulled back against him. "Because otherwise I'll never let you go and I'll start getting ideas of what to do to you now I have you here..." He looked at his watch. "I've got a couple of hours before I have a class of youngsters to teach. We've got time..."
"really really hard," Bruce's brows rose in amusement, feeling that he needed to stop giving her ideas. "No I can't do it, go back to smiling." He chuckled as he grinned. They had their serious moments, but he couldn't think of many times that they had been without smiles. "Have I told you how much I love you?"
"Hmm probably not much more mess than you make in a day when you're bored." He released a huff at the insult. "The difference is that I can clean up after I've made a mess." He retorted with a grin. "Gizmo on the other hand, would just sit there, looking as pleased as punch, waiting for us to clean the place up as though it was our fault." And really, if they left the dog alone for that to happen, it would be their fault, so the dog would be justified in his blame.
"Well, this baby will be ours to make all the decisions on," He nodded, pressed his lips together to hold back a laugh. "What you mean is that you'll make all the decisions and I'll nod as though I have any idea what we're talking about." He said with a grin. Sure, he'd make the odd suggestion, but he was happy to follow her lead. "Just don't start getting out pompoms and making up cheers," He chuckled and shook her head. "Don't worry, I have no aspirations of becoming a cheerleader... well, I'll be your cheerleader any day, but don't expect me to wear a crop top and short skirt - I don't have the legs." At least he'd need to have a shave first. "I guess I should let you go now." He pulled her close again. "Why would you want to do that?"
"I will try to make it more interesting for you, so you can bring out the big guns every once in a while." Bruce's brows arched in amusement as it seemed Flynn was doing her best not to smile. "Nope, not possible." He pursed his lips as he tried a gruff serious look and had a feeling he was failing miserably. "Tough customer, huh?" He asked with a nod. "I'll need to work harder then."
"he's rarely on his own, when you and Liam aren't here I usually am and he's always good." He gave a small laugh as he pictured the images of houses that had been destroyed by a bored dog who had been left alone for too long. "Probably a good thing too." He shook his head in amusement. "I could only imagine what he would do to keep himself occupied." Yes, the pup was crate trained, but he also knew that Gizmo could let himself out of the crate. Plus, he knew that the pup would cry if he was alone for too long, and that thought alone was enough to melt Bruce's heart.
"I think having had Liam that might negate the advice.. for me anyway. If I'm lucky. But I'm sure everyone will have something to say to you." He shrugged. "People always have unwarranted good advice. Even for horse owners who are buying the first pony for their children." He rolled his eyes with a laugh at that thought. Seasoned horse riders being told how to find the perfect pony. "We've got this, go team parenting.""Go team us!" He said with a grin, and pulled a face as he hoped he would be as good Flynn thought he would be. Yet, they already worked well as a team, so at least thy had that.
"It certainly makes things a lot easier," Bruce chuckled, but held back the childish comment about not calling her easy, because that would just be rude, and he didn't want to spoil the moment between them. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of her fingers. "Forever is a very long time,""I know" He grinned. "And I plan to spend each moment together making you smile."
For how good Gizmo was with Liam, and how intelligent the pup was, he didn't have too many concerns that adding more people to their family would be an issue for the canine. "okay, that's good to know... I like to think he'll be okay, he's such a sweet pup." He grinned and nodded as she voiced his thoughts. "And he spends his nights in his crate, so we know where he is all the time." He'd heard about cats finding their way into bassinets and things, not so much dogs.
"Uhh I'm pretty sure it's men who like to blame our moods on our hormones," He arched his brows in innocence as he looked at her, all but placing his hand on his heart in a who me gesture. It was normally the actions of mares that he was blaming on hormones, not so much human female mood swings. "I would appreciate that, thank you," He grinned at the eyeroll, at least that had been the reaction he'd been hoping for. "I hope it won't happen but... you can never be sure," He nodded as he gave her a soft smile and a kiss on the nose. "I understand." He reassured her as he brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers. "I've heard that the longer you keep it quiet, the less likely you are to get that not so helpful advice everyone seems to have." He wondered if he could convince her to sit down with her feet up for the next however long?
"That sounds like a challenge..." Bruce grinned and gave an appreciative humm before returning the kiss. "And on the flip side... I can't get pregnant twice?" He laughed as he rested his forehead against hers. "Well, I guess that's a bonus." The not being able to get pregnant twice was often a line he'd heard from guys at the pub back home, stupid weekend cowboys. "And that is why I'm going to rock your world - to make sure you know that I love how much you look after me." He grinned and nodded. "You had better get used to me looking after you." He said softly. "Because I'm going to be doing a lot of that over the next... forever."
"Yes you can wear those traits with pride," He grinned again, as he knew that his traits tended to get under people's skin, and he was accused of over thinking things, and taking too long to make decisions. "I would never say that we should pass Giz on," The pup's nickname made him chuckle every time he heard it. "But I was just wondering.. if dogs were usually good with babies or not, I've no experience with it." He shrugged. "Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't." He said honestly. "Has nothing to do with the breed, but their personality. I guess we'll find out as the months go past." Gizmo's reaction to the growing baby would give them a good idea of what he would be like when the due-date arrived.
"Oh no not you too," He raised innocent eyebrows. "I can at least blame hormones," He laughed. "Typical woman! Blaming everything on hormones." He teased. "Uh oh, the poor child..." He pressed his lips together and nodded solemnly. "Oh I would love that! Yes please!" He nodded, he could even ask if one of his siblings could scan the photos for him and send them over on a thumb drive, if their mother didn't want to part with the actual album. He quirked a brow at the chewed lip. "I was thinking...maybe we should hold off telling people just yet.. until we hit three months? Just... just incase.." He nodded in understanding. "I'll tell the skywriters to stad on hold until I give them the word." He said with a teasing smile.
"I think I have a pretty good idea," Bruce raised his brows in amusement. He loved the sound of her laughter, it brightened up the whole house. "I hope you're ready to have your world rocked.""Promises, promises." He teased. "And do you not like doing all the work?" He grinned. "I love doing all the work, because then I know you have your feet up and are unwinding after a busy day." He wasn't an idiot, and he knew that her days were ten times more stressful than his. The worst that happened to him at work was normally self inflicted.
"Awe, it's okay handsome, I think planning and organisation are the sexiest traits a man can have." He beamed and puffed his chest out. What man didn't want to hear that he had sexy traits? He did know that his organisational traits tended to annoy a lot of people. "He will... wait, what about Gizmo with a baby?" Bruce chuckled. "If need be, I'll build a dog run for him. A lot of dogs, cats too, are great around babies. Of course we won't let him jump all over the baby, but let's give him a chance to see his reaction before we make any decisions." He'd heard of too many people making snap decisions about pets and pregnancies. Plus the fact that Liam loved the pup, and that would be his constant while the rest of the world changed around him as they prepared to extend their family.
He felt a little guilty that he's made her cry, but they were happy tears. "Thank you, that means a lot." He smiled and bowed his head. "He grew up this way of his own volition though, I tried to steer him on the right path where I could but he's always been considerate and forged his own way. I'm glad for it though." He smiled and shrugged. "this baby is already so lucky, to have you as their dad." He placed a hand on his heart, his eyes misting up a little. "You say that now. I was the world's ugliest baby." He laughed and shrugged again. "I'll get mum to send the baby albums over so you can see what we could be looking forward to." At least he thought he looked like a potato that had been left in the back of the cupboard for too long and had gone all grey and wrinkly.
"Do you even know how?" Bruce's mouth dropped open in disbelief, then his lips pressed together as he tried to look affronted. "Or is it that you want me to woo you?""Do you even know how?" He quipped back. "Because I can do that..." He grinned. "I think I will enjoy having you woo me." They were well and truly past the wooing stage, but there was nothing wrong with going back to the beginning every now and then. He smiled into the kiss, enjoying the closeness. "Thank God for that," He chuckled as his brows rose. "You know I love it when you do all the hard work." He pursed his lips. "Well, that explains a lot." He teased back.
"Yep, with 'be spontaneous' at number one, right?" He pulled a face. "Maybe something closer to 'try and be spontaneous' at the top?" He laughed. "Or better yet; 'google how to be spontaneous'." Yeah, he couldn't 'wing it' if he tried, which was funny, since he still enjoyed playing the odd practical joke.
"We have Gizmo for that, after all." He laughed and nodded. "True, and Gizmo will always be full of energy." As the pup got older, he'd start taking him to the barn with him. "He's always been a little segregated, always taken himself off from other kids a lot of the time, but he's so creative with his play.. I think he might really like a sibling. Someone he can really be himself with, it might help him gain confidence too, to teach a younger sibling." He gave a soft smile, as Liam sounded a lot like he was as a child. There again though, Bruce grew up with endless acreage that he could get lost on, and didn't exactly have any close neighbours and they lived too far away from his classmates for sleepovers to be a thing, and he was often teased for turning up to school looking like he'd just come from the sheep-pens - which was often true, depending on the season. And then in the winter, he'd miss school because they were snowed in. "I think he will be a wonderful big brother." He said with a warm smile. "I'm proud of the fact that he is someone who isn't afraid to forge is own path in the world without seeking the approval of others, or the need to follow blindly what others are doing. And he's like that because he has an awesome mum who has shown him that it's okay to be himself."
"I'd be worried if you weren't," Bruce crinkled his nose after the kiss and chuckled. "I feel that I'm becoming predictable... maybe I need to start playing hard-to-get?" He pursed his lips in thought, pretending to give it a lot of thought, and then shook his head as he gave her a gentle kiss. "Sounds like too much work."
"You know, a playhouse might be a sweet idea... even for Liam too." He nodded with a grin, ideas already going through his head on how he could create a playhouse and a treehouse together, but make it in a way that the younger ones couldn't get up to where they would be in danger. And, of course, there would be swings, at least one slide and a climbing wall. "you don't strike me as the wing it type," His brows shot up in mock offense. "I can wing it... with lots of organisation." Yeah, he was a lists person. He liked to know what he was doing before he started on something, so when Liberty had arrived before Christmas, he had really been knocked for a six, then he'd grounded himself and took things one day at a time, handling the mare the way he would any other troubled horse that come to him.
"And I'll find that simply adorable, but I know you'll still be the calm one between us." He chuckled and shrugged. He knew that he had a tendency to internalise his emotions, while he tried to sort things out in his head, and this helped him with his work with the horses, as he never lost his temper with them. "I've not talked to him about siblings before, it's never come up.. you're the first man I could see myself spending the rest of my life with, so until then, it's not been a topic. I hope he'll be excited to be a brother, but I can't say whether he'll be upset or not." He smiled. "As long as he doesn't think a baby is going to be as exciting and playful as the puppy, we should be alright." Human babies had to be the worst form of evolution, as other mammals, excluding marsupials, were pretty mobile from day one.
