None of her words had been offered with any thought of gaining sympathy from the other. Lena did not want pity from @Nymeria and she did not seek to deliberately pull on such emotions. It was a simple, honest truth about how she felt and that just about summed the young creature up. No ulterior motives and no manipulation. But as Nymeria stepped forward and painted a picture of a sanctuary, Lena was pierced with a longing that made her chest ache. "a safe place sounds like a dream right now." Lena admitted, firmly pushing aside the recent memories of all the nights she'd curled up tight in a hollow to try and hide herself away from anything in the darkness that could hurt her.

She blinked slowly as the offer was laid out, surprised at the generosity of the near stranger. Nymeria did not know her, but she was willing to offer her a home, even just a temporary stopping point. "I - You would -" She stuttered briefly before snorting a laugh at her own surprise. "You are so kind Nymeria. And I cannot deny that a safe place to rest my head is not tempting." She nodded softly, similarly taking a step forward as hope surged in her belly. "I am no skilled hunter or fighter -" That part was likely obvious but she offered it none the less. "But I adore looking after cubs - I would be very grateful to call Vermeda Brook my home." It was certainly something she had missed since she'd been gone - her younger siblings had still be young when she'd left and she missed their playfulness.

code to ivy

there was always that moment of pause when conversations like this transpired -- but it was that moment that gave room for opportunity and for friendship beneath the gaze of commonality and community. it was a feeling that nymeria knew well, and one that she cherished with the deepest parts of her heart, even now. "if i can give you even a little bit of peace while you settle, that's more than enough for me." she offered, a little more quietly than before, albeit the truth to the simple words. she had learned to love and trust the newcomers for their differences and for their empathy, and @Lena was certainly no exception to that rule. as it turned out, many lost souls came to amaryllis for the same reasons, which included the desire to start fresh and see what the world had to offer. and so, who was nymeria to deny them of a helping hand?

the druid could not withhold, however, another small chuckle at lena's adoration for children -- for, certainly, this was a sign from maua that this encounter had been meant to be. "you're in luck then, because my sister has just given birth, and we have two older litters that, i'm sure, will keep you busy." she joked brightly, eyes lighting up at the edges. but, be careful what you wish for lena! those seven could be quite the handful! "here, i can show you the way, if you'd like ~" nymeria offered in conclusion, unsure if lena would be interested in scoping out the new pridelands now, or divulging in the beauty of the caverns for a little while longer.

"You are incredibly kind, Nymeria." The plush creature replied gently to the Brook ladies words. In reality, the welfare of a stranger rarely mattered and many did not look upon such encounters as a way to help others. Yet, there was a lion who was offering her a chance, a start at something more solid and secure than just wandering around and looking in awe at everything she saw. The low chuckle from the High Sovereign perked the younger girls ears and then big blue eyes widened and a gasp of pure delight came from her. "Oh, truly? I so look forward to meeting them!" @Nymeria asked if she wished to leave and the excitement that rushed through her body had the girls head nodding eagerly. "Yes please - thank you." She angled her body, ready to follow Nymeria out of the caverns and towards her new home.

/exit with nymeria

code to ivy

and just like that, things were signed, sealed, and delivered -- nymeria was grateful to have lena accept her offer, and anticipated the bright future that they would hopefully have together. the woman's grin cracked wider as they indulged in a moment of laughter, before it was finally time for them to return home to the brook. nymeria had originally come to the tundra to wallow in her lonesome and escape within the depths of her own thoughts, but, in a unexpected change of events, she had found something so much sweeter waiting for her here. and so, with a light nod, the valour would spin on her heels and face back towards the direction that she had come, aiming to lead lena back towards the folds of vermeda, and perhaps learn more about each other on the way. exit.