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.

"I said I'm picking you up," Nadezhda repeated shortly when the demihuman seemed like it was about to speak again. She leaned down further and scooped him up into her strong arms, wincing at his weight. He felt far too light, like a feather... That can't be healthy. "Well, aren't you pathetic," she muttered under her breath as she carried Dawn_Dusk to her car, slipping him into the passenger seat despite his whimpers and protests of being dirty and hurting her back. Once he was in, she didn't bother closing his door before climbing into the driver's seat herself, immediately starting the engine and turning on the heat to drive them both out of the rain. Once they were away from the gangster's building, Nadezhda glanced over at her unconscious companion. He was truly a pitiful sight

"My name is...Nadezhda," she grumbled. "And you're coming back with me." Even as she said the words, she knew it was probably a stupid idea. The last thing she needed was another mouth to feed. But that didn't make her feel any less possessive or protective of the whimpering demihuman at her side.

"Just shut up and enjoy the ride," Nadezhda snapped at him irritably. He probably wouldn't remember anything anyway. It wasn't like she was going to make a habit of rescuing random demihumans she found on the street. This would be a one-time thing. She made a mental note to sell off Dawn_Dusk later that night and get him out of her hair for good.

The rest of the ride back to Nadezhda's place was thankfully silent, both because Dawn_Dusk had passed out again and because Nadezhda refused to speak another word until they were safely inside. Once there, she carefully carried her new acquisition upstairs, not wanting him to get his paws dirty on the carpet. She placed him on the large bed in her room and began searching through a drawer for some fresh clothes to put on him while he slept off whatever

"Because I felt sorry for you," she growled as she roughly yanked a sweatshirt and sweatpants over his head and arms, ignoring his whimpers of discomfort. "And don't start getting any ideas about thanking me or growing attached. You belong to me now."

She snorted at the expression on Dawn_Dusk's face, clearly unimpressed. Even if he was grateful for her help, she didn't intend to keep him around for anything more than his looks and usefulness as a possession.

"Don't you dare," she growled as she turned away from him to grab a change of clothes for herself. "You don't mean anything to me, demihuman. Just something I can do with however I please." The truth was far closer to her feelings being hurt when he didn't thank her properly or acknowledge that she owned him... but she wasn't about to admit that out loud.

"Believe me," she muttered darkly as she pulled on her clothes, not bothering to glance at the little creature in her bed again. "I know exactly what I'm doing." Truthfully though, she had no idea why she was still even talking to him like this... it didn't make sense for someone like her to show any kind of tenderness or care, and yet here she was, arguing with a demihuman about his worth. Maybe it was just because he reminded her too much of her mom somehow... or maybe it was just the alcohol talking. Either way, she didn't intend to dwell on it for long.

"The hell you don't." She turned around to glare at him, her expression cold and unforgiving. "I know what I want, and what I'm capable of. And I don't need some pathetic excuse for a demihuman like you questioning me." She paused for a moment, the anger fading slightly as she realized how harsh she was being. "Look... just rest up, alright? Tomorrow we'll figure out what to do with you."

With that said, Nadezhda Khozyaikova | Owner turned her back on him once more and walked back to the bedroom door, closing it softly but firmly behind her. She was determined not to let Dawn_Dusk see just how much he was getting under her skin... even if a part of her wanted nothing more than for him to be there, at least for a little while longer.

Nadezhda stopped at the doorway, her hand hovering in mid-air for a moment before she finally turned around and glared at him again. "Don't you dare call me that," she growled. "I am not your master." And even as she said it, a shiver ran down her spine at how much the thought of being his master appealed to her, despite knowing better than to admit it out loud. "Just... rest," she repeated more softly. "Tomorrow we'll sort this all out." With that, Nadezhda Khozyaikova | Owner finally left him alone in the room, retreating to her own bed to get some much-needed sleep herself.

Nadezhda rolled her eyes as she heard his suggestion, the idea of it causing a strange fluttering in her chest despite herself. "Go to sleep," she muttered under her breath before settling down for what promised to be a restless night's slumber. Even though she knew better than to admit it aloud, there was something about Dawn_Dusk that called to her... made her want to take care of him, dominate him, mark him as hers in every way possible. But she refused to let herself fall for such foolishness. It wouldn't end well for either of them if she did.

"What do you expect from me?" she snapped, the words coming out harsher than intended. "I'm not your damn mom." Her cheeks flushed at her own words before she quickly rolled over and faced away from him again. It wasn't until she was sure he couldn't see that she hid her face in her hands with a sigh, hating how much his mere presence seemed to affect her. "Go to sleep," she muttered under her breath once more.

Even though she knew better than to admit it aloud, there was something about Dawn_Dusk that called to her... made her want to take care of him, dominate him, mark him as hers in every way possible. But she refused to let herself fall for such foolishness. It wouldn't end well for either of them if she did.

"Gah," Nadezhda muttered as she opened her eyes groggily, glaring at the little demihuman perched on the edge of her bed. "What do you want?" Her voice was rough with sleep as she stretched out beside him. Dawn_Dusk looked... adorable like this, all wide-eyed and innocent, but she knew better than to let that fool her. He would just use it against her later on.

"Hn," was her only reply as she got out of bed, walking over to her dresser and beginning to get dressed. "We need to figure out what to do with you today," she said absently, not really looking at him. A cold chill ran down her spine at the thought that this might be the last time she saw him... but she forced herself to push those thoughts away. There were more important things to worry about right now.

Once dressed, she turned back to Dawn_Dusk and quirked an eyebrow, waiting for his response. Her expression was still cold and impatient, but there was something else in her eyes... a tiny flicker of uncertainty that she couldn't quite hide. Part of her really didn't want to give him up, even though she knew it would be better for both of them if she did.

"I never said that," she replied shortly as she walked over to the door and opened it, revealing her living room beyond. "Let's go discuss our options." She paused for a moment before turning back to him, a hesitant expression crossing her face. "You can come with me if you want... for now." Even though it went against every instinct in her body to make such an offer, she couldn't help but feel slightly... pleased that he was even considering staying with her. Maybe there really wasn't any harm in keeping him around for a little while longer...

Nadezhda let out an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes heavenward as she followed him into the living room. "I never said that," she muttered, taking a seat on the couch before looking at him expectantly. "Look, I'm not your slave or anything like that. We can be together if you want... for now. But it's not going to last forever." Her expression softened slightly as she watched him carefully, wondering what he would choose. Would he stay with her of his own free will? Or would he prefer to find someone else who could offer him a better life?

"Don't make promises you can't keep," Nadezhda said, narrowing her eyes at him. "But... I suppose we can give it a try. For now." A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she watched him reaction to her words, hopeful that he was truly happy about his decision. "So what do you say?" she asked softly, offering her hand for him to shake or take in whatever way he wanted.

It was strange how much having him there meant to her... even though she knew deep down that it probably wasn't a good idea. But denying herself the chance to enjoy his company now seemed wrong somehow. Maybe spending time with him would help ease some of the loneliness and isolation she felt inside, even if only for a little while longer.

The ball was in Dawn_Dusk's court now. It was up to him how this story

Nadezhda snorted softly at his response. "I guess I can make an exception," she said with a shrug, though the truth was that the idea of putting a collar on him sent a thrill through her body she hadn't expected. She forced herself to focus on Dawn_Dusk's expression instead, trying to gauge his reaction to her offer.

"So what do you say?" she repeated gently, still holding out her hand in anticipation. "Do you want to stay with me... be my pet? I promise to take good care of you." Her voice was soft and soothing, almost melodic as it flowed over him, making it hard for him not to believe her words were true.

The choice was his. For now, at least. Nadezhda couldn't help but hope he would choose her... even though she knew better than to let herself get attached too deeply. Not

As much as she hated to admit it, the thought of having a collared and leashed demihuman like him at her side was incredibly appealing. The idea of being able to dominate him, to make him hers in every way possible... It sent shivers down her spine and made her heart race with anticipation.

With a sigh, she finally nodded in agreement. "Fine," she said reluctantly. "You can stay... on one condition." She paused for dramatic effect before continuing, enjoying the way his eyes widened in expectation. "I get to collar you myself... and you belong only to me from now on."

Her voice was stern yet somehow still managed to sound alluring, like honey poured over her words. It left no room for argument or hesitation; this was her ultimatum, and he would have to accept it if he truly wanted what she was

Nadezhda raised an eyebrow as she studied him for a moment before finally nodding in agreement. "Very well," she said softly, feeling a strange sense of relief wash over her at his acceptance. "Let's go get your collar then." Standing up from the couch, she walked purposefully toward her bedroom, beckoning for him to follow with an imperious wave of her hand. The anticipation of finally claiming him as hers both excited and unnerved her in equal measure; she had no idea what would happen once he was truly bound to her, but some part of her knew that she wanted it more than anything else in the world.

Nadezhda shot him a warning look over her shoulder before responding curtly, "It's not like you haven't seen them on other pets," she said dismissively as they entered her bedroom. "Now hurry up and get undressed; I want to put this collar on you before we go any further." Her voice was firm but not unkind as she moved to sit down on the edge of her bed, awaiting his compliance with nervous anticipation. Once he was naked and ready, she would finally be able to claim him as hers in every way possible... and she couldn't wait for that moment to arrive.

"Hurry up now," she growled impatiently as she watched him undress. Her eyes lingered on his naked body with barely concealed appreciation, taking in the way his muscles rippled and shifted beneath his pale skin. Once he was completely naked, she leaned forward, running her hands over his back before reaching around to unfasten the collar from its perch around her own neck.

The collar was made of shiny black leather with silver trimming, adorned with several small bells that would jingle merrily whenever he moved. She fit it snugly around his neck, securing it in place with a click before fastening the leash to the collar's D-ring. "There you go," she purred, stepping back and admiring her handiwork. "Now you belong to me."

His cheeks