salt in my lungs

madison gallagher. 33. oldest of seven. demi-girl. ex-dolphin trainer. spokesperson for sharks and ocean rights. lasalle. biodome employee.

[madisongxllagher]

isabelxmeadows:

“Happy to help, then,” chuckled Isabel, holding up her hands a moment later. “Do you think you’d ever want to go back to it?” She smiled, genuinely curious about that. Working with animals had never been something she’d been all that keen on, but she could see how it attracted other people.

“Well”, Madison said, considering the question thoroughly. “I would love to work with animals again, but not in any way that imprisons them. Which makes it kind of hard, you know? Watching them in their natural environment would be awesome, being able to live with them even better, but the closer I get the bigger is my impact on their life. And I’m not sure whether I want that. Does that even make any sense?”

[madisongxllagher]

ryanxcasey:

“It’s just one drink –– What? You too good to be seen with a lowly officer of the law?“

“That’s what you said, you don’t get to blame that on me. But... I can never say no to a drink, so sure. Let’s do it.”

[madisongxllagher]

isabelxmeadows:

“I know how that is. I’ve been here for four years now and I still feel new,” answered Isabel with a small smile. “Most people have stopped in once or twice I think, just to try it. It’s chocolate, right? Can’t say no. The biodome? That makes total sense, with the dolphins and all.”

“Really? That makes me feel so much better already, you have no idea.” Madison laughed softly, shaking her head a little at this stupid feeling. “How could they not? Your stuff tastes great. Ah, yeah. I guess it does make a lot of sense. Although I kind of miss working with animals as much as I used to, even if I know it wasn’t necessarily good for them.”

[madisongxllagher]

elleholm:

“Oh no, ask away. I don’t mind. I moved to Uppsala in Sweden for my bachelors before I attended law school here in Montreal. It’s where I grew up, so I thought I was going back home when I traveled back there. But it turned out to not feel completely like home anymore after being there for a few years.” Elle explained, a light shrug of her shoulders following along with her words. “Australia? That must’ve definitely been a big shift. Especially in terms of environment. How’re you adjusting to the cold?” She mused in response. “And I never asked, what do you do, by the way?”

“Sweden? That sounds pretty cool. I’ve never been there, but I always wanted to go. I can imagine going back must have been weird. I think it would be the same for me if I went back to Australia after being here for a few years.” She smiled with a nod. “Oh, yeah, huge shift. But the things you do for family, right? The cold is kind of a bummer, but I’m dealing with it. I have a bigger problem with not being able to see the ocean every day. And I work at the biodome. But I also dedicate a lot of my time at work and of my free time to save the ocean. And sharks.”

[madisongxllagher]

isabelxmeadows:

“I’m definitely up for pretending that,” Isabel chuckled. “in fact, that’s probably something I need to learn to live by in the future.” She smiled then. “A newbie? How new are you? And I own Cacao 70, so lots of baking. What about you?”

“Well, not that new. But I still feel new. Somehow that feeling just won’t go away completely until now.” Madison admitted with a shrug of her shoulders. “Oh, wait, I think I’ve been there before. That’s so cool -- I love baking, even if I can’t do it. And I work at the biodome. I’m kind of... well, I don’t even know. Savior of the oceans, I like to think.”

[madisongxllagher]

elleholm:

“Lucky for you, I love any kind of small talk, so I don’t mind. But no. Not originally anyway. I moved her when I was eight, and then moved away for a couple years before I eventually came back. After everything, Montreal was simply home.” She explained. “And for your next question, I’m a defense attorney at A & E.” Elle added. “With my story out of the way, what about you? If you’re not from here, where are you from?” 

“Where did you move? If that’s not asking too much, otherwise, just ignore me. But I’m starting to understand why one would call this place home. It’s nice. And damn, defense attorney? That’s impressive.” Madison admitted, a smile on her lips. “Uh... Australia. Just moved here last year, because of family reasons. It’s been a few months now, but I’m still warming up to the place.”

[madisongxllagher]

isabelxmeadows:

“Yeah, I like to think that, too,” Isabel said with a small smile. “No idea how true it actually is, though. I’m sure you could find many who’d argue the point.” She nodded. “Really nice to meet you, too.”

“Oh, there’s always idiots who will argue any point. But for now let’s pretend there are none.” Madison chuckled. “So... what do you do around here? I still feel like such a newbie, I have to ask that kind of embarrassing question.”

[madisongxllagher]

elleholm:

“You’re very right. Many does tend to pick and choose what they believe in whether the situation is good or bad.” Elle agreed with a genuine smile, the idea new to her but it made a lot of sense when you thought about it. “Maddie, got it. And that sounds like an excellent plan.” 

“Exactly.” Madison chuckled, brushing her hair behind her ear. “So, Elle, you from around here? I mean, not that I would know, I haven’t been here for all that long but... that’s the kind of small talk I know. That and what’s your job.”

[madisongxllagher]

bambixdavis:

“The view is amazing isnt it?” She asked laughing, waiting for the reaction of the other woman before she looked around. Bambi was aware that it perhaps, or most likely wasnt what the other woman was referring to, but it seemed like a fun way to continue their conversation “And I am absolutley referring to this bar, I mean its gorgeous, isnt it?” Being new to town she really was surprised by the places she had gotten to know yet, most of them actually quite stunning. 

“Hm?” Madison echoed before focusing on the bar behind the other woman. “Oh, sure. Totally. It’s a great bar. Except I’ve never been in there, so I can’t actually tell if it is but... it looks like it could be. Want to try?”

[madisongxllagher]

phoebesmatthews:

“Trust me, you’re making those small goals. And honestly, I like to think that people are aware of this sort of thing. They know how the world should be and they agree with people like you and I. However, it’s the motivation a lot of people lack. We gotta find a way to get them out there and help make a difference. Even if it’s small. If we all make a small difference then that’s more than enough.” She continued on, getting into the conversation more than before. “Wait, really? I guess I just don’t hear of a lot of elephant stories. But hey, the more you know. People are probably just scared because Hollywood made a movie about them… and let’s face it, they don’t make movies about elephants killing people. Hmm, I guess I never saw it like that. But that actually makes a lot of sense. They eat us, or well take a bite of us, because what else are they supposed to do? We took their food.”

“Motivation, you’re right about that one. Most people are just incredibly lazy. And I don’t even blame them, some days I’m nothing but lazy as well, but that still doesn’t stop me from trying to change the world a little bit day by day. Small differences definitely count.” She smiled with a nod. “Me neither. I googled some after I read that statistic, and I was shocked. Oh, right... not just one movie. I mean, all those shark tornados or whatever that movie’s called. Elephants just aren’t as scary, or exciting on the screen. But yeah, it makes plenty of sense. Most people just don’t understand it, or don’t want to believe it.”

[madisongxllagher]

bambixdavis:

“I’ll call you later, I gotta go!” Bambi hung up the phone while her eyes were focused on the person in front of her, a small grin on her lips. “Do you see something you like? Or do I have..like lipstick on my teeth? You were kind of gawking!” 

“Gawking?” Madison echoed, feeling her cheeks heat up a little. She hadn’t really been gawking, had she? “No lipstick on your teeth, no. I did see something I like though -- how could anyone not like that view?”

[madisongxllagher]

liana--hunt:

“Australia? You have to tell me everything” Liana squeaked having originally not wanted to ask were the accent was from so as not to offend her. Who knew her reasons for coming here or what had caused her to leave and Li believed everyone had a right to secrets and reasons. Yet she’d always been saving for trips abroad and something would always come up and Liana had always longed to see Australia. “I can tell you for sure some of the best places yeah”

“Everything, really? Because I have no clue where to start.” Madison joked, the corners of her lips lifted up in a gentle smile as she looked at the other. “I take it you’ve never been there then?” She added curiously, head tilting to the side. “Oh, that’s wonderful, because I honestly need some recommendations.”

[madisongxllagher]

elleholm:

“I’ve never really though about it that way. But when good things happens, fate isn’t all that bad I guess.” Elle motioned with a quick smile. “Oh, I’m Eleanor. Elle for short. What about you?”

“Exactly. I mean, sure, no one wants to believe in fate when awful things happen, but it’s not all that bad when it’s something good, right?” Madison grinned. “Madison. Maddie for short. And now let’s get some sushi.”

[madisongxllagher]

isabelxmeadows:

“Oh, well, if that were the case – you pretend you know nothing about it,” said Issy with a laugh, shrugging her shoulders. “It would be… I don’t know, you tell me, it’s your life. I really can’t guess. Could go either way, right?”

“That just means I’d want it to not be the case one way or another -- no movies or books about this, even if it’s the best love story in the world.” Madison joked. “Yeah, possibly. Right now I’m not really looking for any big changes, be it career or life, so I’ll just stick to telling strangers about it who won’t believe me.”

[madisongxllagher]

phoebesmatthews:

“You’ve stolen the words right out of my mouth. I couldn’t agree more, honestly. But the world is changing. Accepting may take awhile, and it sucks that it does, but we will get there. I have faith that we will.” Phoebe assured, offering up a small smile to solidify the assurance. “I think you’re capable of it. You have this way about you, in my opinion. You’re smart, you clearly know what you’re talking about. You’re passionate and you definitely have won me over in this conversation. So I think you can do the same for others.” At least, that was how she saw it. Though Phoebe was certain she wasn’t the only one to feel that way. How could she be? “So you got bit by a shark while surfing? My god, that’s crazy. I’m glad he didn’t like it. Cause that means you’re still here with me.” She quipped. “And you’re still not scared of them? Even after all that?”

“I’m trying my best to do that. Obviously I don’t want to spread false facts, so I have done lots of research in the past, and still read whatever new information I can find on the topics. But we have to act now rather than in ten years, so if I’ve already changed your mind on it, that’s a small goal for me.” Madison smiled happily. “I did, yeah. But no, I’m not scared. I have respect for them. Huge respect, and I think everybody should have, because they’re majestic and dangerous animals. But if you read up on it, it’s more likely to be killed by an elephant than by a shark. Does that mean I should be scared of elephants? Because I’m not. And besides, most of the times sharks don’t actually kill -- like the one who attacked me did, they just take a bite to see what we are. And they do that because they’re hungry. And they’re hungry because we’ve taken most of the fish they eat right out of the ocean. So it all comes down to the mistake humanity made, as always.”

[madisongxllagher]

liana--hunt:

“Why aren’t you sure you’ll be staying here? If you need a guide I’d be more than willing to help - if anyone knows the best places that’d be me. Veritable tour guide I am. I know all the hole in the wall places for the best food, crazy things to do. I should really be a travel brochure - that should be my professional career” Liana nodded “Depends on what you like”

“I don’t know. I guess I’m still so new, I still feel kind of homesick. I’ve never been away from Australia for this long, it’s kind of weird. But thank you for the offer -- it’s very much appreciated. And I wouldn’t mind knowing where you can get the best food around here, I’m still trying to figure that one out.” Madison smiled, gratefully. “I like most things, really. I’m not that picky.”

[nataliedormersource]