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!.
As far as stallions went, Croatian was very well mannered and respected his owner both in the saddle and on the ground, but he could be a little tricky to handle all the same. He was opinionated, and liked to show off - but it wasn't always in the best way. The warm up had been a little testy, and as they headed down the centre line on their test, Kat could feel the energy beneath him like a bomb, ready to explode. He was holding it together though, and she stayed soft and gentle in her hands, keeping him calm and reminding him to stay soft and round over the back.
despite his age, they hadn't done many competitions together. She was still getting used to him out at events, but as they completed their circle in a shapely manner, Kat couldn't help but feel that there was some improvement. She pressed her lips together to avoid murmuring - not wanting to have points deducted on her own idiocy - as she changed the rein and circled again. He fell in a little, threatening to shrink the circle and she pressed her inside leg carefully to his side to discourage it. As they came to a stop and a salute, Kat smiled and quickly patted the stallion, walking out with a little bit too much energy still as she went to cool him off and find out her score.
Katerina gave the older mare time to warm up, spending time on the lateral movement to get the mare to soften, lot's of transitions to get her warm and moving. By the time they were called in - first to go, which was never Kat's favourite - she felt like Cal was in a good place. As they trotted the outside of the ring, the mare picked up a little tension, and Kat frowned, working on bringing the tension back down before they were called in, and they were turning down the middle line.
The test seemed to go well enough, though the slight tension never quite seemed to leave the mare. She could feel it through her hands, and Kat's face adorned a frown without realising, unsure why she wasn't as soft and willing as usual. Perhaps she was sore, or tired, or just not feeling it today. Her movement was smooth and as flowing as usual, but the neck was where she was unwilling. As they finished up and Kat bowed, she reminded herself to have the physio out sooner rather than later to check everything was okay for the mare. She let her stretch out as they exited the ring, patting her long neck and taking her off from the arena's to walk off the tension and cool down in her own time.
Kat saw the eyebrows go up and wondered if she'd just made things even worse. She had pretty English skills, but even she had to admit that sometimes it was tough to know the social norms. She had a good sense of humour and like their sarcasm and wit, but sometimes it took a minute to know if someone was joking, or if someone was just being polite. "Don't be daft, i've been thinking about it for a while, even before I got back home. . I've enjoyed doing my own thing out of the shadows of my brothers and I'm keen to continue. ." Kat gave her a small smile, still feeling somewhat guilty, even though it sounded like it would necessarily sway her. "I can understand that, I'm sure you have made your own mark on the world." Though she never felt in her brother's shadow she could see how people could feel that way.
Encouraged by the grin, her own smile widened. "Oh definitely! I have a do first, think later approach so by the time i'm scared of the jump, i've already gone over it." She gave a chuckle at that, "I like the idea, I can be that way sometimes, but get stuck in my dressage mindset in the school." She didn't like to overwork the horses, and once she'd worked them on their flat, she always felt bad with the idea of popping jumps - but as dressage was their forte, she didn't feel she could give much time to practice the jumping. "Ah it looks so beautiful there! Yep, born and raised." Kat gave a slight nod, "It is a beautiful part of the country, very quiet though, here feels busy." She admitted, the bustle was nice for her though, she just needed to get into the thick of it a bit more; be part of it. "It's equally beautiful here though," She added, having been surprised by the amount of green despite the concrete of the local cities and towns.
”Don’t tell my family but as much as I love it here, I may just be tempted by the new facilities.” Katerina felt a flash of guilt to hear the words and wondered if perhaps she had overstepped her boundaries - even if the woman was being kind and didn't seem to mind, she wasn't sure she should be tempting someone to go against their family. "I'm sorry, maybe I have spoken out of turn," She apologised. The last thing she wanted was to persuade someone to change barns and then have their family members come after her for tempting the woman across. The facilities were slightly more state of the art, even if Seven Oaks had the wonderful hacking and country charm. Each stable had it's own place and personality, she just felt more settled at Blue Acre and would feel glad to be back once it was ready.
She thought she might have seen the slightest motion of a face at the word dressage but Kat only smiled - she was well aware that most preferred the thrill of jumping, and though she enjoyed it, she just felt more in harmony when dancing across the school with her horses. It was why she loved hacking so much too - that sense of freedom and that they could do anything together. ”I’m an eventer. . maybe you can give me some pointers on how to stay focused in dressage, my mind always wanders” Where are you from originally?” Katerina's smile widened, "I would like that, if you in turn will give me courage for jumping." She said, knowing that her weaknesses lay with the coloured poles. "I am from Tuscany, in Italy. Are you from here?"
”My mother and sister will want to assist if you’ll allow them,” How could Katerina forget? She was anxious to meet Milo's side of the family considering she had yet to do so with any of them. She wanted to make as good an impression as possible, and it would help to have her parents satisfied and more pliable, it would make her more at ease and able to hand just pleasing one set of parents at a time. "That would be lovely and I would be delighted," Katerina said with a soft smile - and she meant it too. She had heard a fair bit about his family but part of the reason she wanted to get to know them was so she could learn more about her future husband. The funny childhood stories that embarrassed everyone. Kat's mother gave an approving nod and a small smile, "I believe their assistance will be required," as far as her mother was concerned the more hands on deck the better. Kat would have preferred a small and cosy affair but it could never be that simple with her family.
”They are flying in this evening but I am sure they are excited to meet you. My father isn’t one for wedding details but I am sure he would love someone to go golfing with or fishing. He is on vacation here and plans to maximize his time away from work. Would you like to join him, Senor de Luca?” Lukas De Luca gave a brief smile and nod as he took another sip from his cup. "I would like that very much, the wedding planning will be best left to the women to arrange, and I will show up where I am needed at the right time." Kat's mother gave a little laugh at that and a look that made him amend his words, "I en-devour to, at least." Kat gave them both a warm smile at their typical dynamic, knowing that this meant they were beginning to relax. "Are you looking forward to the wedding?" Her mother returned to her nudging, though the question seemed to be genuine at least and Kat took the time to drink her coffee, thinking of the mental list she had left to complete before the wedding day arrived.
"Grazie, Milo," Kat thanked her future husband as he placed the coffee infront of her, making a point of taking a sip and smiling at him as a show that it was perfect - he had learned early on how she liked her coffee and he got it right every time. Her mother did not miss the interaction and one of the lines around her eyes seemed to soften, if but a fraction. Kat knew she was just worrying about things going wrong; but it was all unnecessary. At least once her mother took a breath from her questions, she also took a sip of her coffee and with only the slightest press of her lips, Kat knew that it was reasonable enough to her tastes - not bad for a first attempt, most were giving a tongue lashing on how wrong they had gotten it. Her father had less specific tastes and was already halfway through his drink, taking back seat for a moment as his wife drove the conversation.
"Are you tired, papa?" Katerina asked softly, not wanting to interrupt her mother but able to see the circles below her father's aging eyes. He smiled as he temporarily put down his cup, "Just a little," and she knew that even if her mother was not, that it would force them both to retire relatively early in the evening. Just the afternoon to get through. She gave her father a sympathetic smile and her ears tuned into the conversation of her mother and Milo, a little concerned that she may have insulted him despite the perfect mask he wore. She was getting more accomplished at picking up his subtle hints and a tightening of his mouth suggested maybe her mother had overstepped a line. It seemed likely, her mother often did.
”Business is always unpredictable Senora but it has been offering many opportunities. It really is a boring topic. Please, do you plan to do some sight-seeing while you are here?” Her mother pursed her lips but didn't comment further on the aspect of money - it wasn't a topic they talked about much in Italy either but they did not beat around the bush when it came to discussing if business was booming or if it was in trouble. Kat was well aware her parents would want to ensure that they were not about to send Kat off into a penniless marriage that her inheritance was going to save. Ah the complexities of families. She had always dreamed of romantic love as a teenager - the bump into someone and fall sweetly kind of love - she had come to learn that life often had other ideas. "Si, we are looking forward to seeing some of the beauty this country has to offer," It was her father who answered this time, "Though, perhaps something for after the wedding, there is much to prepare to ensure your big day runs like clockwork," Her mother intercepted; naturally. Kat just about refrained from rolling her eyes.
She could practically see his mind turning over in his gaze and her cheeks warmed, a soft rose blush to the apples. As his gaze fell to her lips, her mouth parted, her breath quickened just a little. There was an absurd tiny thought, a small ridiculous scene that he might suddenly grab her and have his way with her right there. Stupid because not with her parents right there, and she knew he wouldn't, but just for one moment it popped into her head and her expression darkened with desire for it. Milo had proven to her that he was a passionate man, surprising beneath that cool exterior she more often had seen. She swallowed and cleared her thought, anything to cool herself down. His passion had raised one in her, and she still wasn't quite sure how to handle it.
”I will hold you to it in every respect,” She pressed her lips together but the small smile broke through all the same as she dipped her eyes a little. "I look forward to it," She murmured back with honesty. She was enjoying getting to know him - the real him - as some of their most intimate moments are the first times she's gotten to see him fully beneath his mask. There was much more to Milo Jaeger than he let on. She let out a quiet playful squeal and quick laugh at the drops, flinching away. ”How unfair of you to make me suffer alone, mi bella.” Her heart swelled at his sweet endearment, "Who is to say that you suffer alone, meine Liebe." She arched a perfect brow. But as his persona changed, she allowed hers too as well, sinking into dutiful, demure daughter as best she could.
She waited for his nod before feeding him a bite, grinning at the tantalizing nips of his teeth and it was her turn for her eyes to flick to his lips, "You tease me," She accused with a slight pout as he eyes narrowed just a little, but now really wasn't the time. Perhaps later she could steal a kiss from him or something. Her parents were early to bed, and they would likely be tired from travelling. She stepped back and picked up the nibbles she had made, following Milo into the room. ”Apologies senora and senior, I have been meaning to upgrade the coffee machine for a while but, It never makes the priority list. Crème, sugar?” Her mother met Kat's gaze and she tried hard not to let anything show, if she gave an inch her mother would know, would practically smell the attraction coming from Kat and box her ears for it. Her father asked for cream, and her mother both, and as she placed the food on the table carefully, before taking a seat opposite them. This felt like an interview, it was absurd. "How are the wedding preparations coming? Is everything in order?" Kat went to open her mouth but her mother cut across her with her own answers, "I'm sure you are in need of some help to make sure nothing is amiss... I will help tomorrow, where is your list?" Kat floundered a little, surprised but also not as she bode her time by taking a sip of water. "And how is business, Milo? Going well I hope?" Again her mother, checking in on the income no doubt as her father simply allowed it.
Her answering smile to the woman's grin was bright, she immediately liked her. ”Of course. . ” Katerina chuckled slightly, giving her a look as if she pretended that was true. Riley seemed like an easy person to chat with, it was a shame that Kat would be heading back to Blue Acres once it had been rebuilt. She might have liked to invite the woman for a ride at some point. ”Ah that’s good. . I’ll have to come check the place out when it’s done. . I’ve heard great things about the place.” Kat nodded, "You should absolutely come to take a look. I am sure they will only improve upon the place with rebuilding but the facilities were top of the range, and the people are nice." She didn't want to oversell it, but she liked the stables, and she was happy to sing it's praises.
”So what’s your speciality? Do you compete?” Katerina nodded, "I have not yet competed since arriving here, but I plan to. I specialise in dressage." She enjoyed jumping, and had loved going on long hacks back home, popping logs and such that got in their way, but generally her passion was dressage. "What about you?"
"You promise?" Katerina smiled softly up at him, it was normally her asking for his reassurance, unsure of where she might stand or if she might be doing the wrong thing. She was getting better at being sure of herself, of having confidence in not only him but herself, but he rarely asked of her the same questions. "I promise," Her smile blossomed a little more, "and I will find a way to make it up to you later," She would allow his imagination to play with that as he liked. Since their relationship had crossed that mind, she'd found it impossible not to keep going back for more. She knew they would need to be wary with her parents here, she did not need her mother to find out - she would never hear the end of it - but she didn't want it to ruin what they had, things were good and she was happy, and she knew that things were going to be stressful enough without falling into bed and being unable to touch each other, to pull Milo close and chase away the worries of the day.
"Do you think they will want anything with the coffee? Do we even have something in the fridge or pantry?" She nodded as she dug out the little treats she had made earlier for this occasion, "I thought ahead for this," She half smiled, trying to hold onto the way Milo made her feel as the tension threatened to return. "Here we go," She took out a plate of what was mostly Italian finger food - little brushetta's with tomato and cheese, folds of prosciutto with mozzarella, Caponata with freshly made bread to dip into. She was too nervous to eat right now but she offered it to Milo with a flourish. "Would you like to taste test, future husband of mine?" She tried for some humour, working up the energy to return to her parents.
”Exactly, I love a challenge.” Katerina laughed, thinking that she quite liked this woman and her sense of humour. She hadn't met many people in Hickstead, but branching out by having the horses now had helped. "Are we still talking about the horses?" She grinned, unable to help herself. Though it wasn't as if she could say she'd had much experience in courting, she knew that some confident women liked men who weren't as easy as they looked.
She shifted her weight slightly, encouraged to stay and talk with the girl as she reclined easily against the stable door. ”Well hopefully they get to the bottom of it. . any idea on how long the rebuild will take?” Katerina shook her head with a sad smile, "They are not sure at the moment, but with such a wonderful fundraiser and with everyone that helped clear the site, there were rumours the building would start next week." She was so glad that people had come together so well to help, without everyone's aid she knew it would have taken twice the time to get the rubble cleared away in preparation for the building; and she knew the additional funds had to have helped.
"Zum Donnerwetter," She smiled slightly, feeling better to hear his chuckle - she was always a little at a loss of how to pull him from his darker moods, though she was learning a lot about him and how to encourage him to switch from business to pleasure, she still felt there was a lot to know about Milo. Her smile widened to a grin however as he pulled her close, and she let herself be tugged, automatically winding her arms around his neck in a return hug and pressing close. "You silly girl - you think you can go anywhere now?" She bit her lip but delight spread through her chest. "I would not want to," She admitted, relaxing easily into his familiar embrace. It was so strange to think of how they had spent months barely touching each other, and now every time he wasn't near, she craved him. Just the sweet touch of his hand, or being in his arms, let alone the rest.
"No mentioning the sleeping situation," She couldn't help the light shiver from the murmur of his voice. She especially love it when he was close in this way, he elicited responses from her she didn't know were possible. She smiled, but she trusted that he would help this go smoothly, after all - he was excellent in the business world and as awful as it sounded, this was just another business deal, except she and their marriage was the product. She turned her head and raised slightly to press a gentle kiss to his neck. "Thank you," She said softly, and then her own lips tilted up and she pulled back slightly to look up at him, "I will thank you properly later," She teased, hearing the machine begin to wind down. This little moment of reprieve wouldn't last long, but she hoped she could continue to steal moments with him despite her parents stay. "Once we are married, things will be easier," She hoped anyway.
She bit her lip as she caught Milo's look, a little concerned as to his thoughts. She knew her parents were likely tired after their journey and a little touchier than normal, and her mother's worry tended to come out sharper than she intended but she still felt on edge about them being here. She had been settled enough back home, but she'd know what lines she could cross and where she stood. It was different here. She had come over, meek and mild as her mother had told her, in a strange country with nobody she knew, and had slowly discovered she had more freedom here than she'd had back home. It was difficult to reconcile the changes in her life, and that she had her own choices - things of which she knew her mother would not approve of.
"Anything else I should know not to mention in front of your parents?" She grimanced slightly, trying to ignore the way her heart sank. She hoped she hadn't frustrated Milo, her mother's stiff upper lip was nothing of his fault. "Es tut mir leid... I'm sorry," She apologised, the German was unnatural for her but she was trying to train her brain to slip into his language as much as her own. "I think she is just worried," It sounded silly, but Katerina understood her mother's logic, even if she didn't agree. "You could still back out if I have been anything less than perfect," Her smile was tight lipped, but now that she was getting to know Milo, she felt less concern over the idea he might do just that - and it was her heart that was just as horrified at the idea as her head. "Perhaps, we do not mention the bedroom situation. She might just have a heart attack," Though she was sure that went without saying, if her mother knew she had been intimate with Milo before their wedding, she didn't want to imagine the consequences of it.
"I didn't want extra people in our house while we were getting to know one another," Kat relaxed a little, the tension easing from her shoulders at how deftly Milo stepped in - and he knew just the thing to placate her mother; who gave a small nod. "I see," She said, and then her gaze went to Katerina again, a little more knowing, and Kat tried hard not to look too guilty. "I know of a few local agencies that would be perfect for you," Her mother said in a tone that left little room for argument. Kat bit her tongue. There was absolutely no way she would use someone her mother recommended - it was likely the person would be in her families pocket, which meant they'd be liable to report back on the goings on in the house - the last thing Kat needed. Instead she gave her mother a small smile in response.
Milo's small squeeze of her hand sent her a pillar of strength and she squeezed back gently, a silent communication of thanks. "It makes no sense to hire before the wedding anyway - not with our plans to go on a honeymoon right after," She managed to avoid grinning as the logic stopped her mother from continuing with the topic, and she ran her thumb over the back of Milo's hand in a sweet gesture before releasing his hand so he could start on the coffee. She went to get the cups and saucers and a tray to carry it in. "Once we're back, Kat and I will return to the discussion of what kind of help we need around the house. It will depend if Kat wants to pick up her career here."
Uh oh. Kat's eyes shot to her mother, who frowned at the word. "Career?" She said in confusion and Katerina looked away. "Mama..." She warned, not wanting to get in on this when they had just got here. "Katerina, your career if to look after your husband, and your home...to raise your children." Kat nearly gagged but instead gave her parents a tight lipped smile. "I know, ma," She tried hard to hold in the sigh and luckily her father interrupted, touching his wife's back lightly. "A woman can have hobbies," Not quite what she had in mind but it took the attention of Kat for a second. "We should retire to the lounge," He added, and then looked to Kat, who nodded quickly. "Of course, let me show you." And she hurried a little to seat them in the lounge before returning to help Milo with the coffee, letting out a heavy sigh she had been holding.
"Thank you although your daughter did bring much more colour and comfort to it," Her father gave Milo a slightly more appraising look, whilst Katerina's mother nodded and gave a polite smile in response, though her gaze was a little shrewd as she looked to Kat. As if she could already tell things between her and Milo were more familiar than they should be - honestly though, what could you expect putting two young people into the same house when they were expected to get married? She let her parents walk through first, shutting the door gently behind them once the driver has entered with their luggage and turning to take their coats.
"I hope that your trip was pleasant - may I offer you some refreshments? Coffee or tea? Some wine?" Her father nodded, "There were some delays getting through the security once the plane had landed, the incompetency of the staff at this airport-" Her mother neatly cut her father off before he could begin too much of a tirade. "But we are here now, and a coffee would be lovely." Her usual practiced smile back in place. Kat tried not to frown, copying her mother with the fake sugary sweet smile. God she hated it, she had not missed this - the pretending, the fawning, the effort it took to be so 'mannered'.
"The luggage can be left there, we will take it upstairs," Kat nodded to the driver once everything was inside and set down. Her mother frowned slightly, "Do you not have staff in the house?" As if her mother hadn't tried to train her to housework for her husband growing up. Katerina glance to Milo, a very slight look of 'help' that luckily her parents missed as they vacated the hallway in favour of the lounge.
”Definitely! Horses with character are the best!" She grinned, glad the woman agreed. Whilst the mild one's were excellent for teaching and real troopers for putting up with things, she just enjoyed the unpredictability sometimes and being kept on her toes. She did demand respect from her horses, you had to especially with a stallion, but a little quirkiness was always good fun. "No need to have it too easy, right?" She joked, even if her two weren't particularly naughty - the odd buck but generally more likely to rear, it was always excitement and the very occasional one from attitude.
”Hopefully it was just a freak accident. .but if it was arson I hope they lock them away for good.” She nodded, her eyes glancing to the sweet mare behind her owner. "I hope so too, I don't think they know much yet about how it was started so it hasn't been ruled arson just yet." But it was looking a lot like it. "I never understand how people can hurt animals," it was like the dog shelters, full of all types and ages, she would save them all if she could.
