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!.
Damon swirled the remaining beer in his bottle before taking another swig. It was almost empty, and had started to get a little warm, not his favourite taste in beer. He wondered about ordering another, or whether he should switch to a soft drink. He didn't have the best tolerance, and he had a heavy day on tomorrow, but it was nice to sit here with a drink with James, and he wasn't ready to call it a day just yet. "i think the only one i have right now is rory." Damon looked up curiously, wondering why he would think that. "she's still my girl .. but the boys are being sucked into the superhero world." Damon chuckled a little. "I think you'd be surprised - when you're on the outside, you see a lot more." He could see how much the kids adored their dad, even if maybe James only saw the temper tantrums and tears these days.
"then you my frie.. almost brother ... are royally screwed." Damon chuckled at that and nodded in agreement, "oh I'm well aware," He agreed, but he would happily be screwed if it meant having a happy family. "have you decided when and how you'll ask her?" Damon nodded, he'd given it a lot of thought, being someone that couldn't help but overthink every situation and worry about it. "I was thinking the beach, at sunset... a nice dinner first to really sweeten the deal." He figured it would help if she wasn't hangry at the time. "if you want, lexi and i can have josh for the night or a few days when you do. give you two some time." Damon looked at him hopefully, "oh would you? That would be very helpful, not having to worry about childcare." He'd owe James of course, get him something in return for doing so, and Lexi of course.
He raised a brow at her snort, fully expecting some kind of rebuttal in one form or another. He loved her for it though, for the fire she had compared to his own cool and quiet nature. She said all the things he wished he could sometimes, never let anyone stand over her or get in her way. He loved her tenacity. "I love you, of course I was always going to say yes." He chuckled, pretending to topple a little when she nudged him. "You know how my brain works .." Was his only defence as he grinned back at her.
He felt her snuggle into him and his arm wrapped a little bit tighter, wanting to keep her secure again his side. When she chuckled, Damon looked down to her, still feeling that anxious and excited little course of energy through his veins that she'd agreed to be his wife. "I'm far from perfect" Damon's grin widened just a little at that and he gave her a wink. "I know," He joked, not meaning a second of it. "But you're perfect to me." He amended so she couldn't get offended - not that she would, she knew his jokes and she knew he thought the world of her.
"in some ways i'm glad, it means i might be able to fool my kids when they're teens and i'm telling them something." Damon laughed at that and took another swig of his beer, anything to help calm the nerves a little as he relaxed from what he'd thought was trouble. "Oh I have no doubt. Not only because your poker face in on point, but I'm sure they already look up to you like you're God." He hadn't known James all that long, or at least not had that much time with him, but he was pretty sure his kids thought very highly of him, even as young as they were. No doubt that would only increase as they got older and grew up. He could only hope that he was doing as well for his son and could continue to be the dad he needed as his son grew.
"oh god, no don't make that mistake. i trust you when you say you'll be there for her." Damon gave a serious nod, feeling another sip of beer to keep his anxiety at bay when he noticed James' harder look, wondering what was coming. "but never, ever, ever tell her she can have anything she wants. unless you hate having money in the bank." He relaxed again, damn it was hard not to feel like a yo-yo with this back and forth nervousness. "Unfortunately I think she's already well aware I'd give her the world, no matter what it costs me." it was the kind of love he'd always hoped to have and he wanted to hold on tight to it.
He didn't want to pull away from her really, he loved being close to her, always wanted to hold her in his arms, have her close to him. It was hard to let her go, but he wanted to look at her - to talk to her now he could finally take a proper breath. He smiled when she did, a natural reflex, and kissed her forehead, unable to help himself. "I was wondering why you were getting nervous as the night went on but other than that I was oblivious. . and clearly James can keep a secret when he needs to." Damon gave a small laugh and his cheeks flushed a little at her words. "I was hoping it would be a yes, but there's always that little seed of doubt that you'll surprise me and say no. I thank your brother for keeping it quiet though." He wouldn't have minded too much if Ash had been told, it wouldn't have spoiled things, but he would have been a little disappointed.
Damon shifted with her, and wrapped an arm around her, tucking her in close to his side and kissing the top of her head. "tonight was perfect." He smiled again, a soft smile, feeling a moment of easy contentment as he looked across at their view. "I'm glad, it's hard to get perfect but I wanted it to be close as - because you're perfect to me, and you deserve nothing less." He knew it was cheesy and corny and everything else, but he loved the girl with all his heart and he wanted nothing more than for her to know it whole heartedly.
"i am messing with you." Damon let out a small breath and relaxed, deflating a little as he allowed the tension of panic to release from his shoulders. It was one of those things where you didn't really think they would say no, but there was that little bit of possibility and Damon was often pessimistic over optimistic. He gave James a look of relief and then shook his head slightly with a little chuckle. "Well, thank God for that." He admitted, giving another small chuckle as he relaxed further and took a few hearty swigs of his beer again. "You had me going there for a moment," He admitted, feeling comfortable enough to say it. He usually tried to hide his embarrassment but he had known James for long enough now that he minded less about the guy knowing his weaknesses.
He hadn't expected anything further, though he had to admit to himself he would have more anticipated a joking response from Leo, rather than James. Perhaps the humour was part of the family, or Leo's had rubbed off somewhat over the years. He had gotten better at handling it, though sometimes he still prickled on instinct or took a moment to work through the joke, but he did it for Ash. "it's a big brothers job." Damon gave a slight smile in response and a nod of understanding. "I get it," and he did, even if his own sibling relationship greatly differed from james' and Ash's. "I'll take good care of her though, anything she wants, I'll always be there for her." He swore, wanting James to know that he was serious about this huge commitment, and it wasn't just some whim or an empty gesture.
He grinned wide as she laughed, the sound was light and joyous, not laughing at him exactly - though he could forgive her for anything in that moment, even laughing at him. It sounded silly, to think that she might say no given the family they had and the life they had built together, but it was just one of those little insecurities he knew every man had. Because this mattered, and he cared about the answer, of course he was going to be nervous regardless of everything that he knew. Like how much he knew she loved him, as she proved that every day time and time again.
It was a relief that the ring fit well, and he already liked the way it looked there on her hand, feeling the cool band against the skin of his hand when she placed hers over his. ”You and Josh are my world.” He couldn't quit smiling, even as they kissed his lips were stuck in a stupid grin. He pulled away eventually and let out a long breath, content in that moment, feeling that nothing would ever beat that moment in time. "Well, I can sleep tonight at least." He admitted, "I thought for sure you would figure out something was up soon enough... I was even surprised James didn't give the game away." He shook his head, looking a little sheepish.
"sorry, no matter how hard i try i can't turn into her." He raised a brow, "that's probably a good thing - might be a little weird." He admitted, though he smiled all the same at the joke. Sometimes, he wasn't too sure how to go about jokes, he often understood them but was not always as quick witted as some people were, which he found hard to avoid looking stupid or saying the wrong thing. "if you ever piss ashley off, whisk her away to italy. it'll work wonders i promise." Damon gave a nod and another small smile, "I will make sure to take note of that, though I work hard not to piss her off, she's quite terrifying." He admitted, not afraid to say it. Strong women used to scare him, but something about Ashley had drawn him in instead, and he loved that about her. He was glad Italy had been good for James and his family though, he knew how it felt to be at odds. "Sometimes, just the break of another country can be exactly what you need - get away from it all." He would know, considering he had dragged Ash away to America.
He took another sip of his drink. "if you could find him, i'd ask you to shoot him." Damon shook his head slightly but didn't comment. He could understand, given his own family history, and it wasn't his place to comment on it. Would he do the same in the same circumstances? He couldn't be sure. He had never been strong enough to stand up to his own father after all. "sorry, but no." Damon blanched slightly, his face draining. It wasn't as if he couldn't ask her anyway, but he thought him and James got along, and he couldn't see what he might have done to upset things. His mouth opened and shut promptly as he tried to work out the appropriate response to that. "i mean of course you can ask her, like she'd listen to me if i said you couldn't." Damon frowned slightly, confused when James then grinned and grabbed his hand. He shook it, if only to be polite, but he was still half in shock as he tried to figure out what the guy was getting at. "i'm fairly confident i'll know what her answer will be so i'll just shake your hand now and congratulate you in advance." He finally let out a breath as he understood, flushed red and feeling stupid for it. "You're messing with me..."
I think you'd have to try harder than that I'm afraid - even without voiceboxes I have no doubt they'd all shout louder. And I resent the comments on innocence and duress, I couldn't have dreamed of such a family when I was a kid - it would have been amazing.
It had been tough, coming back to England after they'd been away - especially coming back to the place things had all gone wrong. But he understood why, and her need to come back. Unlike him, she got along with her family, and they were all here - the one's that mattered anyway. They were a good family too, and Damon had always found it crazy how in each other's pocket they were - how much they all talked and how they could comfortably just walk into each other's homes with a shout hello and be welcomed. It was daunting, becoming a part of that. He'd grown up with rarely a kind word in the house between his family. There had been odd moments of sunlight through the storm before it soon returned. Nobody would ever know that once upon a time his asshole of a brother used to protect him from their asshole of a father, used to take the beatings for him, used to look after him... used to care. But there was no point worrying about that now. It was what it was.
"and i'm better company? are you trying to flatter me or butter me up?" Damon gave a light hearted chuckle and shook his head. "No, I was hoping my girlfriend might suddenly appear." Which was only half wishful thinking. He loved her, and even more so when they surprised each other with a visit, but he needed this conversation to be private - between him and James. "i promise i'll have more than one." Damon smiled again and nodded, he hoped James would want to stay for another one after he said his piece. "can't complain. everyone is still kicking. it was brilliant. just what we all needed." Damon smiled again, "That's good, glad to hear it." He wasn't in the know enough to know what had happened but he had known something wasn't right.
"has my sister driven you crazy yet?" Damon laughed and took a swig of his drink for courage. That was a good opener. "Not just yet - close but I brought it back from the brink," He joked and then he cleared his throat. "Speaking of Ashley, I uh..." He shifted in his chair. "I know that tradition speaks I ask her father but given the circumstances I.. didn't think that appropriate. So I wanted to ask you instead, as her eldest brother." He tried hard not to fidget. "I would like your permission to ask Ashley to marry me."
”I’m not going anywhere. .you’re stuck with me forever.” Damon smiled at that but he was glad to hear it. He didn't want her going anywhere without him, and he didn't think that would ever change. He'd loved her since they were teenagers and that love hadn't gone, even with everything that had happened between them, and he knew it never would. His eyes searched hers as he bent on one knee, trying to gauze her reaction and the answer she might give him. She didn't look appalled or horrified or that she might throw the champagne and run away, she seemed shocked but he thought there was a slight smile on her lips, some excitement in her eye. He could have sworn he even saw a hint of a tear in her eye but he could have been seeing things. Ashley wasn't a crier.
It was his turn to hold his breath as he waited for her response, watching her put down the glass. Okay so she wasn't going to throw that at him, that was a good sign. The squeal of excitement was even better and his expression turned hopefully as she leant forward to kiss him. He returned it quickly, but he still needed an answer - to be sure. ”Yes, hell yes!” A quick rush of relief and he let out a harsh breath he hadn't known he was still holding; finally able to breath. ”I’d love nothing more than to be your wife.” Damon let out a quick laugh, "Oh thank God," He admitted, the rush of his own emotions almost swallowing him as he made to take her hand, his own trembling as he slipped on the ring and then took her face in his hands, "I love you so much, Ash," He murmured and then went to bring her in for a kiss, his lips crashing against hers in the whirlwind of his emotions.
"he doesn't have the attention span to be a chef. a child sure, but not a chef. though i'm not itching to end up in hospital again, so i wouldn't mind if leo took over the BBQ." Damon's eyebrows rose and he gave Luke a dubious look and then turned his gaze warily to the meat sizzling away above the flames. Maybe it would be best if it was charcoaled, as interesting as that would be to eat. "Maybe I should be a vegetarian for today..." He shot Ranger a curious look, "How did you end up in hospital exactly?" He raised an eyebrow but then took a swig from his drink and headed over to where the rest of the adults had set up a camp before he could get in too much trouble with the chef.
He chuckled as the kids flew past, pausing awkwardly mid-stride to avoid knocking any of them over. It was always a mad house here, though he thought it was quite sweet how well they all got along. He would have given anything to have been brought up in the way these kids were. There had been a brief moment in his childhood where his older brother had actually stood up for him, had cared for him, and then it had all fallen apart to dust in his hands. Him and his brother would never be the way this family were - ridiculously close, could tell each other anything and still stand strong at each other's side. It was the kind of thing he wanted his son to grow up surrounded by - and his unborn child.
”Things are great. .amazing even” He caught the tail end of the conversation, coming to stand behind Ash for a moment and gently resting a hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze and smiling down at her. He was glad she felt that way, he was always a worrier but he felt like things were as good as ever between them right now, and Josh seemed to be thriving despite the moving countries. He wondered if now was the time to announce their news, whilst everyone was together. "Should we tell them?" He bent down to murmur to Ash for a moment, his eyes glancing to her hand with the ring on full display.
He was just taking a swig of his drink when his company arrived. He hadn't notice him come in, swept away in his own thoughts as he tried to consider his options for asking Ashley to marry him - and then playing out the scenario in his head, his negative brain jumped to her rejecting him. There was that fear, though he didn't think she would, or at least he liked to think she wouldn't give how long they had been together, how close they were and the life they had built together. He knew Ash wanted to marry and he had made it clear he did too, so it was a natural step.
Damon looked up as James slid into the booth and he smiled automatically. James was one of the good ones, and he was easy to talk to. Hopefully he wouldn't think this was weird but he'd agreed to it and shown up - so that meant he was happy to come, right? Damon had gone a long way with his confidence over the years but sometimes, in times like this, it crept back up on him to needle in some doubt. "what's got a man like you drinking alone on a night like tonight." Damon chuckled and shook his head, "Waiting for better company." He said and took a swig of his beer. "It was meant to be my shout," he said when James beat him to the punch and ordered his drink before Damon could ask what he wanted. "But, how have you been? How was your trip away?" He asked, having known that James and Lexi had just returned from Italy.
Damon had to admit he had a little bit of nerves for the evening. He had known James for quite some time now, having met Ashley so many years ago and been subjected to the terrifying family dinners from an early age. He had grown up well and matured somewhat, coming into himself with a little more confidence than he used to have. Being away from England and his asshole of a brother, and all that history and pressure had given him a chance to grow; and he had. Uni had helped too, and finding a profession that he enjoyed and wanted to thrive in. But, even though he was older and somewhat wiser, he still felt nervous. It was only natural given the type of conversation he wanted to have.
He had arranged to meet James for a drink at the local bar, under the pretence of wanting to catch up. He liked the guy, and got on more so with him than some of Ashley’s other family – though Chris was her brother, he reminded Damon too much of Leo sometimes and it felt like a struggle to know whether he was being serious and how to handle him. What he wanted to do, was ask for his permission to marry Ashley. Again, he knew really he should ask Chris – or both of them – but he thought James might be more likely to take him seriously, and that Chris might make up some ridiculous joking tests to send him through hoops instead of a straight up answer. Settling himself at the bar, he ordered a beer. He wasn’t sure what James would most likely want to drink and didn’t want to assume, so he paid for his own drink for now and perched on a spare stool; it was relatively early for drinking and the bar was fairly quiet – plenty of space to sit and chat when James arrived.
”Stick around, there’s plenty more where that came from if you play your cards right.” He grinned and raised a bow slightly, peering down on her. "I intend on it, can't let you get away now." If only she knew his intentions - soon she would. Hopefully this wouldn't backfire on him. He smiled as she looked at everything he unpacked, knowing it was probably a bit out of the blue, but he was close to giving away the surprise now anyway so what did it matter if she was curious. ”Cheers” He returned the light kiss and took a sip of his champagne, liquid courage, before he placed it carefully in the sand beside him.
And then he steeled himself, reached into his pocket and turned to face her. "Ashley," His voice softened, his heart hammering as he brought one knee up, kneeling on the other as he looked at her. "I fell in love with you the moment I laid my eyes on you, and I know it hasn't always been easy, but I couldn't imagine my life without you there by my side. I want to wake up next to you always, I want to come home to you every evening, I want to work to be the man you deserve every day." He cleared his throat slightly as he popped open the top of the ring box. It was pretty, but simple, something he thought she would like. It had cost a fair bit, he'd put a lot of savings aside to get her something she deserved. "Ashley White, will you marry me?"
At least they do it because they care.
