Madeleine

She has woven through trees, darted under towering spires of rock formations and gnarled ancient roots, swam through running water, and slept in cold dens. Just to arrive here, tense with the knowledge that her children and mate could be anywhere in this strange land. Madeleine is tired and weary, having rested for only a few hours before something jolted her awake. A creature of the dusk by nature of her albino skin, she still vastly prefers the dawn where the sun dips in between the mountains and its light slices through the air. The majority of her time has been spent following trails, from one to the other, before she realizes she's chasing ghosts. Her children are not here and her mate has vanished into thin air long before she even came here. What little hope dwindles into dust and lost within time and disappointment. But Madeleine cannot turn back, she cannot go back to the land that broke her heart time and time again. Since she chooses to remain, she must find a home and pray that fate will be kind to her. So she stumbles onto this land scented by a pride, this land that seems to flourish with the scent of both adults and children. As she waits, she counts the number of skills she can remember — mostly about child rearing — and settles down onto the soft grass.

Art by dusk | Table code by Zodiac

Exhaustion has certainly played its part in the last week of her pregnancy and the weeks following her second birth. It felt a lot easier, of course, but she simply felt a lot more tired now that she was chasing after four children instead of three. With Morrigan spending slightly more time in the Cove since she was now a leader elsewhere, Talisa and Farrow were doing whatever they could to keep up with their duties as parents and their pride. Nymeria was, thankfully, a very good babysitter and since they were in such good hands it meant she was able to slip away from her nearly one month old babies to tend to the duties. Nymeria had done well in the last month to take care of what she could and Talisa was going to pay that back. Starting with greeting a very beautiful woman upon the borders -- what a treat. Was this a push gift? Welcome to Vermeda Brook, I am Talisa Valour. I am the Heiress here beneath my sister, Nymeria. An introduction filled with kindness and hopefulness, for she did enjoy greeting others on the border and that included the lovely @Madeleine. How can I help you? Was this another who wanted to join their luscious sanctuary?

manip & table code by k'sariya

Madeleine

Madeleine's nose picks up an incoming scent before her eyes can even see her. To her relief, the lion who comes is a woman slightly younger than her. But she's bigger, towering over the small woman by a few inches. She's also built fuller, with a kind face and rich brown fur. Feathers decorate behind her ear, causing Madeleine to lose her focus as she watches them glisten beneath the light. My name is Madeleine. In the past, she would use her husband's family name. But it feels hollow to say Rurik and that she's technically wedded. I am wondering if you and your sister would like a nursemaid? I haven't attended to any births or practiced but I'd like to...to help mothers and their little ones. Madeleine shifts a little, suddenly feeling whatever courage she worked up slipping a little. She shouldn't have mentioned her lack of experience. Prides may turn her away when all she will be is another mouth to feed. But she truly wants to join a pride, especially when it's women-led and the territory is so beautiful. @Talisa

Art by dusk | Table code by Zodiac

With a gentle breeze she can scent the woman, soft smells and an even softer voice that carried a name. @Madeleine, the name floated for a few seconds as she grasped onto a perceived hesitance afterwards but Talisa was quick to maybe think the woman was simply a little shy or uncertain. Perfectly acceptable when in a new social setting meeting someone new. Welcome, Madeleine. I, too, am a Nursemaid. I can assist and help you should you need it. In a way, accepting her easily into the fold for Talisa liked to believe she could sense this woman's agenda and light spirit. A good combination for those within Vermeda. I recently gave birth, so if you're up to it you can help me out? Talisa was well-handled, of course, given how many sisters that she had but taking on someone and helping them to learn the trade was a great attempt at bonding.

manip & table code by k'sariya

Madeleine

Relief overcomes Madeleine's form as a soft sigh slips out as a reaction. So many times she heard of prides running rogues away because they are perceived as weak. But weakness isn't always that bad, shouldn't it? It encourages others to build upon themselves and change for the better or worse. As @Talisa speaks, a certain flicker of hope floods inside the albino woman's breast. Having another nursemaid, and possibly an experienced one, would be beneficial. Even more so when Madeleine hears her talking about her newborn children. It's been such a long time since she's seen children, with her life as a rogue, flitting from one place to the next. Her children's faces are clear on her mind, as is Ruslan's, but now she has stopped trying to track them in exchange for shelter. She's selfish, acting no better than a woman who ditched her family for something else. But if she's here and there are mothers to help and children to look after, then perhaps she can be a little more forgiving. I would love to, Miss Talisa. Madeleine's not sure if it's appropriate for her to use the suffix (or act so happy), but seeing as the younger woman's an heiress then she assume it ought to do for now. Her words sound breathless as she speaks If I can find a den near yours then I'll look after the children whenever you want. To some, looking after children can be tiresome, dirty, and frustrating. But to Madeleine, the little ones bring her joy no others can.

Art by dusk | Table code by Zodiac

Perhaps in another lifetime if she were not brought up in the grace of Maua, Talisa and @Madeleine might've chased after the same ideals and fantasies. The woman looking back at her could have very well been her because if she wasn't so full of faith in her Creator, she would surely dive headfirst into her nursemaid position. Obviously that wasn't possible for Maua was still an important figure in her young life and would continue to be so long after she was dead. Though she was happy to have found another that wished to put that job first and foremost. It might make the absence of Morrigan a little easier on her and Farrow, perhaps on her sister's as well. Even if she was certain they didn't mind babysitting when the parents needed a good stretch or time alone. Come in, come in. For she trusted this woman now, as a member of Vermeda, to uphold her position here. Before I gush about my own children, you should know that this pride has been in my family for many generations. My older sister has held it for a few years now and it is a place built on sanctuary and community. Your voice is just as well heard as any other. A great cloud loomed overhead as she deigned to explain that they had lost someone close to them recently and that Vermeda was not without its troubles but she couldn't bring herself to speak on such a sensitive topic. Not even when she had done something that she'd heard no other could do.

manip & table code by k'sariya

Madeleine

Madeleine takes one step forward, followed by another until all four of her paws are beyond the border. The air smells fresh and sweet, with a lingering scent of herbs and lion scent. Tall pines spiral up into the sky, forming a great wall that surrounds them and the curving brook that cleaves through the territory. It truly is a sanctuary like @Talisa described. Madeleine thinks back to her pride, a home placed against the backdrop of sand and beach, with its very own small woodland nestled against the border. She had wanted Izalith to be a sanctuary for children and adults. And against all odds, Madeleine was able to hold onto it for a good year before she left and the dangers of her enemy lurking against the edges of her mind. She can't count how many times she wants to say her thanks to Talisa for inviting her in. I've attempted to build one just like yours. Her voice breaks a little as the image of her Izalith came into view. Once she had returned just to see if her former home still existed, only to stumble upon a ruin, filled with filth and blood from invaders who struck the land. Madeleine had stayed for weeks, searching desperately for her husband and her pride mates. Perhaps Vermeda reminds her of Izalith more than she can admit, but Madeleine realizes she can't just leave this pride without good reason. Thank you, I promise I won't cause trouble for you or your sister. Madeleine thinks that maybe she ought to have responded to Talisa with something else. Something eloquent and graceful, befitting the ears of an heiress. But all she can say is another 'thank you'.

Art by dusk | Table code by Zodiac

Be it by her duties, Talisa felt that despite the outsiders having caused quite a lot of upset in the first few months and then recently, Talisa still had a soft spot for a few. Wishing more than anything to believe that the good could outweigh the bad in any one individual, @Madeleine included. A gentle soul that simply wanted a home much like Talisa did, though most were not quite so lucky as she that Vermeda was such a safe haven. A place where no one was shunned or ridiculed; they were humble and they were inclusive. Perhaps you are exactly where you are meant to be, then? Talisa turned her head to smile at the pale woman, hoping that the thought might soothe any lingering worries. She didn't wish to dive into what might've become of her attempts at building such a place but those paths usually came out twistier than one might hope. I have little doubt that you would, Madeleine. For if they were anything alike, they wanted peace, a home and a family. Even that small portion somewhere that craved what they did not yet know.

I have three older children: Cassandra, Khal and Ori. You can't miss them, they've got a few of my own markings. Talisa slows just enough to point out at her nose to indicate one of many, My newest bunch have slightly more range in their colors and marks. Tormund, Arden, Renly and Nienne. They're nearly a month old. Obviously, their appearance meant little to Talisa as they were each hers in every way imaginable. Just as she knew that Cassandra wasn't all that pleased with the changes but Talisa could only hope that she could learn to accept them beyond tolerate them.

manip & table code by k'sariya

Madeleine

A lingering smile brushes against Madeleine's face as she listens to @Talisa speak. Now she knows why that the feathered woman is an heiress - and not just because of her relationship with the leader. While she's seen the worst, Madeleine still wants to trust others, especially those who will be in her life for more than a glimpse. Yes. is her only response, accentuated with a small nod of her head as she and Talisa move forward at a leisured pace. As they reach inward, more and more lions of all ages and sizes start to show. Madeleine spots some of the children Talisa is indicating, but the current situation gives little for her to properly talk to them. Even the adults seem pleasant, or rather what she hopes to be. A part of her is glad that there's little pause right now, as she's enjoying the scenery around her. It's a slice of heaven, perfected by decades of habitation. Will they be alright with a new smell? Madeleine worries that the little ones may grow sick and stressed out when their mother's scent is replaced by a new one. She has little experience with cubs under a month old, even less with one-month-olds. The ones she interacted with were either her own or attended to by someone else. It was so easy raising Arcania and Moses when they were just tiny little budlings. But the thought of someone else's under her care causes Madeleine to grow anxious all of a sudden. Doubt lingers again in her mind.

Art by dusk | Table code by Zodiac

This sanctuary had proven itself time and time again to be everything and anything for those that came through. It had been only within the last half year that they had begun to take in those that had come from the large arrival. It was still difficult to discern friend from foe but she had reason to believe that her open mind and open heart was one of many reasons why Nymeria had chosen her to lead beside her. Everyone that was here was meant to be her and had their place, small or large -- they were loved and appreciated. Just as @Madeleine would surely find her place here and if not, she would be free to go wherever she pleased just so long as someone was told so that they didn't go searching for her. A few months ago, my immediate answer would have been no. They're very open to having lots of pride members come and go. Though, Cassandra I can't be sure of. Skeptical of you, maybe, as she is my husband. My second mate. A quick clarification without going into more detail than that -- for the next information would've been an introduction of explaining Maua and how she and her wife had a litter. Not that she minded, but now was about adjusting to a life in a new pride.

manip & table code by k'sariya