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!.
This was a new experience for the both of them today, but Jason felt that they were ready and as prepared as ever they could be. Shows weren't really his thing - dressing up in pristine white jods and a show jacket, looking prissy and proper - at the yard, he was rarely seen out of joggers and hoodies or a t-shirt. He'd had to bite the bullet and put on britches so they'd let him compete today, but he'd chosen a darker colour - to match his mood, or his hair. He'd given Samurai a good brush and the tack a quick clean, but otherwise he wanted to treat today no differently to what they did on the usual - flying round the local trails and jumping whatever came their way. For an arab, Sam had a decent enough jump - nothing crazy, he wasn't going to be showjumping any time soon, but he liked the rustic natural jumps in cross country, and it was more fun anyway.
As they entered the start box to the final count down, the black Arabian gave a wild snort and a paw of the ground, tossing his head with impatience. Jason held him firm but gentle in his hands, sitting with him as he threatened a small rear - the boy was impressive for those. At the word 'go', Jase only had to release the reins an inch and the black gelding shot forward, flying out the start with a speed that would surprise most. Jason stayed with him, legs against his sides and rode him forward. Sam could be a bit tricky and temperamental if he felt like it, even if he was playing up to high heaven you had to keep him forward rather than hold him back and together - let him work through it and put the energy to good use.
The first several jumps were basically a blur, with Jason sitting quietly but firmly driving him forwards, before Samurai's brain settled and he became a little more manageable on the pace. Jase eased him back a little, not upsetting his onward stride (otherwise if you overcorrected him, he had a tendency to put on the breaks), but just enough to avoid getting penalties for going too fast. Everything was going ridiculously smoothly, even as they leapt down a step and then flew on two strides to the accompanying picnic table. He had a look at the owl hole - a little bit of an 'oop' as he thought about ducking out, and Jason quickly corrected him, a light tap with the stick sent him through without an issue. They crossed the finish line in good time, and Jason took a circle to slow the lad up, giving him a quick pat of thanks for the clear.
He saw the moment she relaxed and it helped ease the tension of his own thrumming through his shoulders. He hadn't known what to expect with this, half anticipating a fight that neither one of them really wanted to put up anymore. He could give as good as he got, fight like the best of them, but after a time even Jase got tired by it, especially with a loved one. He hadn't really known it before, that bone deep exhaustion that came from arguing with someone you truly loved, but he didn't want to experience it again. It was hard for him to give and take sometimes and he'd learnt it was something he needed to work on, that was new for him, so was the fact that he even wanted to make the effort and change himself for someone.
"just know that i'll always remind you i'm here." He gave a brief smile at that, glancing at her. "I know." and he did, deep down he knew that, it was just hard for him to remember it sometimes and to accept it. That he didn't need to always go it alone and it was okay to ask for help or guidance or just a little bit of support. He saw her nod and he was grateful for that, nothing more needed to be said, they understood. This part still felt a little tricky though, and he trod cautiously, not wanting to upset the careful peace treaty they were slowly putting into place here.
"she's my friend and i don't want to hurt her." He sighed, but for the situation, not her words. "I know, and I'm sorry for that." for his other half, not for Ashley. He only cared for Heidi and how it felt for her. "but i'm on your side first. ride or die right? i told her that if you wanted to know whether he was your son or not, that i'd support you." He nodded, trying to suppress the slight twinge of annoyance that they'd already had conversations about this without him. But perhaps it was an advantage if Heidi was Ashley's friend, it probably seemed a bit like exploitation but it might get Ashley to see his side of the circumstances a little clearer. After all, she'd chosen to fucking run off to the US without telling him or his support, he hadn't told her to go, hadn't said he wouldn't help her. Whether he would have at the time he couldn't say, but the kid was damn well his and now he had a point to prove. "Alright, then you'd better be prepared for things to get a little bit messy. You might see a side to old Ash you don't like." he warned.
He caught her smile and relaxed a little more - okay this was good, so far no yelling still. "my doctor might have a different opinion." He shook his head slightly, "any doctor getting at you for weight, whilst you're literally growing a person, doesn't deserve a PHD or whatever they have," he rolled his eyes. He didn't like Doctor's in general but he knew he had to like it and lump it to know Heidi was okay, and the baby. "oh i can tell you it is." He smiled but didn't argue with her, he was sure it was possible if you were hungry enough and then made yourself feel sick with it. Most people tended to get bored of things if they over-eat or drink them. Though he couldn't say he felt the same about Bourbon.
He was relieved they managed to take turns without chewing each other out. This was what he'd wanted in the first place, but now was not the time to bring that up - he didn't want to start anything now. He wanted to fix things between them, not widen the chasm. He stayed put as she wandered over, a little wary about what reception he was about to get - but the hand on his back settled him a little. Okay, so she wasn't about to smack him for his behaviour; good to know. "i know you didn't mean to hurt me." He wasn't so sure of that, it sure had felt like she thought he meant to do it. He hadn't though - he'd hurt people intentionally in the past, but this was not one of those times. "i also know it's easier to separate things but we're in this for the long haul. so i just want you to remember that i'm here okay? that whatever is going on in your life, you can tell me and i'll be there. it's what a relationship is, or so i've been told." He nodded, "I do get that, but I'll admit sometimes I forget that. It's always been me for a very long time, I've always been selfish, sometimes I forget things will affect other people and that it's okay to share weight." He admitted, which was a lot for him in itself. He didn't share much with people, not even his friends. He had always internalised stuff - even now.
"i get that it might have felt easier to tell me after the fact. and as badly as i reacted i can't say i'd have done any different. i'm sorry i flew off the handle. i'm sorry i left without talking to you about it. you need to know that whatever you want to do, i'm here for you. if you want to find out, we'll fight to find out." His turn to listen, and he was quiet, swirling the drink in his hand for a moment after she finished, before he took a sip. "I'll try to be better at sharing, but you may have to accept sometimes I'm not very good at it - but it's not to hurt you, or leave you out." He looked at her. "I know she's your mate," His mouth twisted a little at the word, "and this is gonna suck for you, but I want to know if he's my kid. He can stay with her and Damon, I'm not a complete asshole..anymore. I'm not going to fight to take him away, but I want to know, and I want an opportunity to spend time with him. In some way." He frowned.
"i've taken the whole eating for two saying a little too literal." He involuntarily glanced to her growing bump and a flicker of a smile appeared. "I think that's allowed," He said, if anything he would quite happily feed her up with whatever she asked for, she was growing a human after all and he knew that was not easy business. "i think i've eaten enough ben and jerry's for a lifetime." "Is that possible?" He knew she liked the stuff anyway, he found it a bit too sweet and could only manage a few mouthfuls before he passed it on but he made a note to put some in the freezer.. whenever they sorted out this tangled mess they'd gotten themselves into. It felt awkward and stilted, this conversation, but it wasn't the type of territory Jason was used to navigating and he was treading as carefully as he could to avoid setting off the bomb's inside either of them. "so i'll just .. start i guess?" That was good, and so he gave a slight nod, watching her and steeling himself slightly for whatever might come next.
"i spoke to ashley." He had been expecting something like that, since he had found out they were friends, but he still tensed all the same, clenching his jaw and then forcing himself to relax it so he didn't look angry. He understood why she'd done it, even if he didn't like it. "she told me her side of the whole thing, that you guys had some sort of relationship but she chose damon." He made a conscious effort not to look frustrated this time, of course Ash would have said her piece, as she loved to spew bollocks about their relationship whenever it was mentioned. He didn't speak for a moment, waiting for the rest of it. "i don't care about that though, i don't care about your past jase. i care that you hid the fact you think josh is your son. did you think i wouldn't understand?"
He clenched the cup in his hands, biting his tongue to avoid saying something he would regret about his past - everyone had one, it couldn't be helped. "No, not really." He gave a small shrug, that part of things hadn't really occurred to him. "The past is complicated, and Ash will always see things differently. Denial is a wonderful thing." His slight smile was bitter, and had a bit of an edge but that was what happened when you didn't like someone anymore. "I'm used to dealing with stuff on my own, and that part of my life has always been... separate to the rest of it. I don't bring my friends into it either, it's... my burden. My shit. I just.. automatically separated it from everything else." He sighed, "I didn't mean to hurt you, I didn't even think about it in that way. I can't be certain he's mine, I didn't even know they would come back here, and suddenly there they were and there was this kid that just undeniably looks like me, and would be around the right age... and I just had to know for sure what was going on before I could figure out the next bit." He frowned slightly, "It was better to know and then tell you, than to uproot things only to then flip them back if Josh is Damon's and say 'don't worry false alarm'." He shrugged again, his mind had always been a bit fucked up anyway.
"just tea please." He nodded and took down another mug - her favourite mug - putting in the teabag and pouring in the water once it was boiled. He let it marinate for a moment, stewing as much flavour as possible before he squeezed the teabag and removed it, adding a dash of milk as she liked and then handing it over. "whiskey would be great but i think it's frowned upon." He gave a half smile at that and nodded, "as tempting as it is, it's probably not a good idea to add alcohol to this equation." He admitted - tempted himself but knowing it was more likely to put him in the wrong mood for this kind of conversation. He'd eithe get pensive and brooding or he'd get angry and sarcastic and just make it worse.
He took a sip of his tea even though it was still scalding. "this might be a stupid question but, how are you?" It was a stupid question but he understood where she was coming from and so he gave a half shrug, a little bit noncommittal, answering with a careful, "I've been okay, how are you?" He asked in turn, looking her over. He hadn't really been okay, he'd struggled - lashing out at people or avoiding them all together. He had been a grumpy bastard with a short fuse than normal but he was treading a cautious line; he didn't want to set things off by saying he'd been kinda miserable and then her getting set off angry or upset by that. "Shall we go sit?" He asked, nodding to the lounge as he shifted his weight. It seemed like the sort of adult conversation you did sat down facing each other. Also it might be best if nobody had quite such quick access to the knives.
It was horrible how awkward it felt between them in that moment, and it took everything in him not to steel himself and walk away. It was his go-to response to things, to whenever he had found things a little tough with relationships. To just give up, to push them away, get rid of them; for this awkwardness. Granted, he rarely got to this point because he just had never really cared - aside from Ashley, his only relationships had been with drugs and alcohol, but things changed. Now he was having to face the tough side of it, and he hated it... but he was doing it. He almost felt the tension deflate a little as he offered her to come in; which also felt odd given that it was her home too, but he assumed as she hadn't just walked in, she wanted the invitation.
"well i didn't come here to stand in the doorway." His lips twitched, his expression softening a touch. He felt wary, waiting for the attack, but that was a good sign and so he stepped aside so she could come in, going to shut the door behind her. "Do you want a tea? Coffee?" He asked and then he figured he may as well ask the rest, "Wine, beer?" He added with a small snort. He was tempted by a beer, or a whisky - not for the alcohol to cloud his judgement or mood but to help settle things. Instead, he did the good thing and grabbed the kettle - somewhat reluctantly - added a little extra water and sticking it on to boil.
Jason sighed as he lounged on the sofa, flicking aimlessly through the TV channels, unable to settle on something to watch. He had tried to stick a film on but been unable to concentrate, and then he'd tried his favourite TV show and that had failed him. He blew out a sigh and checked his phone for the fifth time that hour. Nothing. He frowned, thick brows drawing low over his forehead. He could call her himself, but he felt that after their last talk she should probably come to him. It wasn't even a pride thing, he wanted to talk this out, but considering how she walked out on him, he needed her to come back when she was finally ready to hear him out properly, he couldn't hassle her to do that. But it was driving him a little bit nuts, sitting here bored and alone in the house.
He was unused to being bothered by things. He often fucked shit up for himself, and he rarely cared about it - in the past he would have sabotaged it on purpose to get rid of a girl, and then moved along without a qualm. But this was different. He missed Dem, she would have come and jumped on him by now and he would have grumbled but secretly loved it. It was too quiet in the flat, and he missed Heidi not coming to curl up with him, not in his arms with her head on his chest when he fell asleep. Missed only making one cup of coffee in the morning. It felt weird to have become so dependent considering that wasn't who he was, and it had taken him time to come to terms with that whilst she'd been gone.
Jase had cleaned the flat, he wasn't a messy guy but he did lack the motivation to tidy - but he'd been that unsettled he'd decided it would help keep him busy. It had, for all of half a day. Now he was stuck; all his mates were busy so here he was moping. And then the knock on the door. He frowned and heaved himself to his feet, pausing the TV despite the fact he wasn't even focusing on Schitt's Creek. "Coming," He called, unbolting the door and then blinking in surprise at the person standing there. "Heidi," He hesitated, a part of him wanted to ask if she'd comeback to yell some more but he stomped it down. "Do you want to come in?"
GENDER: dude AGE: twenty-eight D.O.B: 19th april SEXUALITY: straight STATUS: dating PLAY-BY: ian somerhalder HEIGHT: 5ft11 HAIR: black EYES: blue
"GROWN MUSIC, I SHED MY SKIN AND PUT MY"
TATTOOS:these on each shoulder SCARS: several, mostly on his torso DRINK: yes regularly SMOKE: occasionally DRIVE: yes GLASSES: nope HOME: woodbain flats, flat 3 BORN AND RAISED: Nottingham, England
"BONES INTO EVERYTHING I RECORD IT AND YET"
sadistic, sarcastic, cocky, impatient with people, protective, hard headed, honest to those he loves, volatile at times, fierce, self obsessed, egotistical, morally grey, will bide his time and retaliate when the time is right, holds a grudge, manipulative, loyal to his friends, stubborn, moody, driven, ambitious, shady
LIKES: winding people up , being in control , causing trouble , bar brawls , good scotch , his chosen family , being a dad - surprisingly , going for long rides to clear his head , getting a good deal at work , dark chocolate , summer bbq's , misty mornings DISLIKES: his brother and ashley , being lied to , being overshadowed , overly-optimistic/chirpy people , losing , being looked down on , the word no , reprimands , monopoly , when his horses are being difficult , his laptop misbehaving, doesn't have the patience STRENGTHS: holding grudges , good with kids , strategically minded WEAKNESSES: playing nice , being romantic , his children asking him for anything FEARS: loosing everything he's built , marriage SECRETS: regrets a lot of what he got up to in his past
"I'M ON,LET THAT STAGE LIGHT GO AND SHINE "
STATUS IN SOCIETY: working class OCCUPATION: broker EXPERTISE: handling money and making good deals , hand to hand combat skills WEALTH: comfortable enough PROUDEST MOMENT: he doesn't have many - most likely welcoming their first child into the family. It was a huge commitment for him. MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT: when Ashley picked Damon over him - it means nothing to him now he has Heidi but at the time, he resented being classes as second choice against his brother.
"ON DOWN, GOT THAT BOB BARKER SUIT GAME"
FATHER(S): Carl Collins - deceased MOTHER(S): Judith Thornton -- deceased STEP-PARENT(S): father - Henry Thornton - 49 - alcoholic/truck driver OTHER HALF: dating - HEIDI SCARLETT HUNTER - 27 - owns the town garage SIBLINGS:DAMON WILLIAM THORNTON - 24 - law student CHILDREN: Demeter - 7 Jacob - newborn
Jason's childhood was filled with anger,depression, fights, denial and protection. His real father died just before he was born, and his mother latched onto the next man who would have her - Patrick. It could have been happily ever after at that point, Pat adored Jason and his mother. But Jason's mother was unstable, it was later believed she had some kind of condition, and she was frequently off the rails and ended up having an affair with a man named Henry. Nine months later, along came Damon. Henry was a big beefy angry man and Jason hated him from the off. No matter what he was told, Jason would not think of Henry as his father, and in the end, the man gave up on him and turned to Damon, his actual son. Jason instead, turned to his mother, latching on to the only source of love in the family that he had. Though she loved both her sons equally, Jason adored her and was the only one who could deal with her strange mood swings and fits of depression.
As they grew, Jason learned to protect Damon. His brother was quiet and withdrawn, and needed a big brother to look after him. When Henry turned to the bottle however after an accident that left him in constant pain, things changed for the worst. He became violent, and the more the tension rose, the worse their mother became and the more Damon withdrew. Henry turned on Damon, telling the boy he was scaring his mother by withdrawing, and slowly, he began to poison Jason to see the same view. No matter how fiercely he protected Damon, his beloved mother would always come first. He took more beatings for Damon than his brother would ever know, but in turn, he hit back at him too, verbally mostly but turning to physical on the days yelling just didn't cut it.
Then it hit it's head. One evening, Damon didn't come home. Their mother was already having a bad day and she freaked out, losing her mind and saying she couldn't stand it. Henry let loose his anger at Jason, nearly killing him, and then when Damon appeared, he let loose at him too. Somehow, Jason managed to stand up and stop him, despite feeling like he was about to keel over. The problem was that in the midst of all this, their mother couldn't take it. She came out of her room with her hands over her ears, wailing, and got hold of a knife without them seeing. Jason saw her first and went for her, trying to wrestle it away, but Henry was on top of him, still blinded by rage. Jason wasn't sure who had the knife when it plunged into his mother. All he remembers was the hot rush of her blood over his hands and that the strange sobbing sounds were coming from him.
He left after that, moving south to Hickstead. He didn't stop to grab anything, he just left without another word. Damon somehow followed him not long after, and Jason kindly offered him a room to rent - if only to fuck him over. He had an eye on Damon's girlfriend and when the time was right, he pulled her in, encouraging her to have an affair. He hadn't expected to fall in love with her, nor to get pregnant. But it happened. He didn't want a commitment or a child, though Ashley swore the child wasn't his. When she claimed she had proof, he let her go, deciding her and Damon deserved each other. He moved on with his life and met Hiedi, finally settling somewhat into a happier life.
