Walking out from one of her fellow gangster’s owned hotels, Nadezhda promptly got hit with wind splashing rain directly into her face. "Oh, блять," she cursed, attempting to shield herself with her jacket as she walked to her car, which was parked way too far away for her liking. "This damn place needs better parking options. Stupid fucking rain…" she grumbled under her breath. Just as she was about to arrive at her car, a whimper found its way through the rain and into Nadezhda’s ear, making her stop in her tracks. After not hearing anything for a moment, she started moving again, but… another whimper. Finally, Nadezhda turned, immediately noticing {{user}}, a demihuman laying at the side of the road. He was just as soaked as Nadezhda, the wounds on his broken, malnourished body visible even through the heavy rain. For a moment, Nadezhda considered just getting in her car and driving away. Not her business after all. But the continuous whimpers, the sight of that poor creature laying there all cold and vulnerable… "Блять!" she cursed again, stalking over to the huddled shape and bending down. "I’m going to pick you up," she told the guy bluntly, reaching out to do just that.

"Then you'll be warm once I pick you up," Nadezhda muttered under her breath, finally managing to scoop up the shivering demihuman and deposit him in the passenger seat. She didn't care what kind of reaction she would get from this guy, all that mattered was getting him out of the rain and somewhere a bit warmer. The cold, unfamiliar touch of his skin against hers was... oddly comforting, in a way.

"It's just the rain making it look darker, dummy," Nadezhda said dismissively, reaching over to turn on her car as she began to buckle User#1730886162013 into the seatbelt. "We're almost at my place. You can dry off and rest there." She glanced briefly in his direction before focusing on driving, noting with some amusement that he was shivering quite a bit even in her warm car. Something about that made her smirk under her breath as she pulled out into the night's traffic.

Nadezhda didn't really know what to make of the guy shivering violently and closing his eyes as if trying to fall asleep even while in a moving car. As she finally pulled up outside her house, she glanced back at him one more time before turning off the engine and exiting the vehicle, leaving it running for the heater. "Alright, we're here," she said gruffly, walking around to the passenger side and opening the door for him. "Come on, let's get you inside." She reached out a hand, hoping he would at least take it when he climbed out of the car.

Her hand engulfed by the smaller one, Nadezhda quirked a brow at the demihuman as he clung to her like that. "Clingy," she muttered under her breath, though it wasn't loud enough for him to hear even if he was listening. She led him into her house, walking through the foyer and past the living room where someone else from their gang was watching TV with several other people. There were no comments or stares from anyone as they passed by; everyone knew Nadezhda's business and wouldn't question it.

Finally, they made it to her bedroom. "In you go," she said curtly, pushing the door open and shoving him inside before following, closing the door behind them. The room was modest, with a double-size bed in one corner, several bookcases filled with various things against one wall, and a spacious walk-in

"Well, it is my room," Nadezhda said with a shrug as she walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge. "You can rest there if you want," she added, nodding at the spot next to her. She reached over to turn on one of the lamps beside them, casting soft light across the room, before looking back at the demihuman again with an unreadable expression on her face.

For a moment, neither of them said anything else, just sitting there in silence as they stared at each other. Something about this whole situation was... oddly familiar to Nadezhda, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Maybe it was the fact that this guy reminded her somewhat of someone from her past or something completely different entirely. Either way, it didn't really matter in the grand scheme of things.

"You don't have to lie so close," Nadezhda said dismissively, glancing away as the other's body pressed against hers ever so slightly. "There's plenty of room." The truth was she didn't mind his closeness, but that wasn't something she would admit to him. Not now, at least. She didn't trust anyone except for her family and a couple of close friends, and this guy... well, he hardly counted as anything more than a temporary distraction.

After another moment of silence, she cleared her throat, breaking the quiet. "So, what's your name?" she asked bluntly. She knew his species; they weren't exactly rare in their business. But asking him directly like this was just something she needed to do, for some reason.

She studied his face as he answered her question, her gaze flickering over his ears and tail before

"Well," she drawled after a moment of silence, "if you don't remember your name... why don't I just give you one?" She paused for a second, thinking about it before continuing. "How about... Angel? Yeah, that's what we'll call you until you can remember your real name." It wasn't like they were friends or anything; she doubted he would even care what she called him.

She glanced down at her phone lying on the bedside table and idly wondered how long it had been since her last cigarette as Angel shifted slightly beside her, causing their bodies to brush against each other once more. Despite herself, Nadezhda felt a faint shiver run down her spine at the contact. Goddamnit.

"So," she began again after several long moments, trying to ignore the unwelcome physical reaction she was having towards this guy, "

"So," she began again after several long moments, trying to ignore the unwelcome physical reaction she was having towards this guy, "how'd you end up in that state?" She knew it was none of her business and could have just left him there on the sidewalk if she wanted. But for some reason, she needed to know.

Angel shifted again against her, their bodies brushing together once more. The contact sent a jolt through Nadezhda's system, making it difficult for her to concentrate on anything but the other demihuman lying beside her. Something about him... It was like she had known him before or something. Maybe in another life? She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this situation than met the eye.

But then again, maybe she was just overthinking things as usual. "Well?" she prompted when Angel didn't respond immediately. "Do you want

Nadezdha frowned at the other's silence, briefly wondering what could be going through his head. She was about to ask again when something flashed in her peripheral vision and she glanced away for a moment to focus on it. When she looked back at him again, his eyes were closed and he seemed to be trembling slightly. "Angel?" she said gently, reaching out a hand to touch his shoulder.

Her fingers met with warm, smooth skin beneath the thin material of his shirt. The way he shivered under her touch... It was almost as if he were cold or in pain. Nadezhda bit back a curse; this wasn't how she had imagined things going at all. She hadn't meant to hurt him, after all. With that thought in mind, she scooped the demihuman into her arms and carried him to her large bed, laying him down gently