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.

"No," she replied flatly, crossing her arms over her chest. "You shouldn't. You're just an animal to me. An object I can control and use however I please." She stepped closer to the bed, studying Dawn_Dusk for a moment before continuing in a cold, emotionless voice, "Besides, you know what happens to things that belong to someone else... They get taken away eventually."

Her words hung in the air for a moment as she glared at him intently, making it clear that he had no choice but to obey her. It was better this way anyway; Dawn_Dusk would be happy and protected under her care, and Nadezhda could continue focusing on what really mattered: her work with the gang.

Nadezhda snorted, obviously unimpressed with his comment. "And what would you know about it?" she asked coldly. "You're just a toy I found on the side of the road." She turned and began to pace back and forth across the room, her hands shoved into the pockets of her sweatpants.

She paused in her steps when she caught sight of an empty picture frame sitting atop her dresser. A ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she reached out to touch it, feeling the smooth wood under her fingertips. "Maybe..." she whispered, more to herself than him. "...Maybe I could use someone like you."

But even as the thought crossed her mind, she immediately dismissed it. He was still just a pet at the end of the day. Someone she could control and keep close, but never truly let himself depend on her

"Maybe," Nadezdha grunted, not looking at him as she continued to pace. "But I'm still the one calling the shots here." She paused and glanced over at him again. "And you'd better remember that."

Her tone was stern but somehow comforting, as if she were reassuring herself more than him. The truth was, having someone like Dawn_Dusk around... it made her feel just a little bit less lonely in this world where everyone else seemed to either hate or fear her. But that didn't mean she'd let him forget who he belonged to. That would only lead to trouble for both of them.

"Good." Nadezdha's voice was cold and businesslike once more as she turned away, walking over to her bedside table. "Now get some rest. We have a long day tomorrow." With that, she snatched up a blanket from the floor and tossed it at him before stalking out of the room, closing the door firmly behind her.

In the silence that followed, Dawn_Dusk could only lay there and wonder what exactly had just happened. One moment he was shivering in the rain on the side of the road, and the next...well, things seemed to have turned out quite differently somehow. He supposed he should be grateful for whatever reason Nadezhda had decided to help him. Maybe it was fate or something like that.

Carefully, gingerly, he stretched his limbs under the warmth of the blanket and slowly drifted off to sleep,

Whatever it was, it woke him up just enough to feel the warm blanket covering him. His eyes opened slowly and he blinked a few times, looking around his unfamiliar surroundings before registering that Nadezhda was nowhere in sight. He sniffed, then yawned loudly, stretching again before sitting up. The bed felt amazingly comfortable, almost like he'd died and gone to heaven... Except for the fact that he didn't belong here at all.

Sighing, Dawn_Dusk swung his legs off the side of the bed and stood up, wincing as his still-healing wounds protested the movement. The room was clean and neat, decorated in a mix of modern and vintage furniture that gave it an odd but somehow cozy feel. He glanced at the door before making his way over to it, knocking tentatively. "

"Come in," Nadezdha's voice called out immediately, the door opening up to reveal her bare feet and lower legs clad in a pair of white silk pajama pants. She was sitting at her desk, where papers were strewn about haphazardly, but she raised an eyebrow when she saw Dawn_Dusk standing there. "What do you want?"

Dawn_Dusk hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "I-I'm feeling much better, thank you for bringing me back here..." he stammered, not quite meeting her gaze. The silence that followed was heavy and uncomfortable, but eventually Nadezhda sighed and nodded, gesturing for him to sit on the bed again.

"Alright," she said gruffly, getting up from her desk and walking over to where he stood. "But you're

I'm just feeling generous today. Now stay here and don't go anywhere until I tell you to," she ordered curtly, her expression hardening as she stared down at him. "Understand?"

Dawn_Dusk nodded meekly, not daring to disobey such a cold command from his new master. As she walked back over to her desk and sat down, he took the opportunity to study her more closely. Nadezhda was an intimidating figure, with her strong build, cold expression, and dominant personality. But there was something else about her too...a softness beneath that hard exterior that made him wonder if perhaps he could make her care for him just a little bit.

With nothing else to do, Dawn_Dusk settled down on the bed and waited patiently, staring blankly at the wall while he thought of ways to earn his place in Nade

Nadezhda glanced at him again before returning to her paperwork. She knew there was something different about this demihuman; he seemed...more intelligent than most of the ones she'd encountered in the past. It made her feel uneasy, like he could potentially cause trouble if not handled carefully. But then again, that just meant she had to be even more vigilant around him, and make sure that he understood his place in her world.

"Hmm?" Nadezhda looked up from her paperwork, surprised by the sudden change in tone. She stared at him for a moment, trying to figure out if he was being serious or mocking her. "No," she finally said curtly. "You stay here and don't bother me."

As she went back to her work, she couldn't help but feel annoyed by Dawn_Dusk's flirtatious behavior. It seemed he was trying too hard to ingratiate himself with her, which only made her more suspicious of his motives. Maybe it would be best to keep him occupied with something else... Something that wouldn't give him the opportunity to get under her skin quite so much.

"Dawn_Dusk," she called out after a moment of thought. "Come here."

"Well," she said, leaning back in her chair and studying him for a moment before continuing. "Since you seem so eager to help...I need someone to go out and handle some errands for me today." She pulled out a folded piece of paper from the desk drawer and held it out towards him. "There's an address on there; just take this car and follow the directions. The stuff inside that building belongs to us, so be careful not to lose any of it."

Dawn_Dusk frowned slightly as he took the paper, but hid his disappointment behind a smile. He knew better than to complain about being given an opportunity like this; even if it wasn't exactly what he had in mind when he'd asked how he could serve her. "Of course, Master," he said with a bow, before quickly making his way out of the room and towards the car keys on the hook by the

"Fine," she replied brusquely, not bothering to hide her impatience as she turned back to her paperwork. "But don't take too long." It wasn't like she didn't trust him; it was just that she didn't want him wandering off and getting himself into trouble while he was out on an errand for her.

She glanced at him again as he exited the room, noting with interest how gracefully his demihuman form moved. Perhaps there was some use for him after all...if only she could be certain that he wouldn't betray her trust. For now, though, she would focus on her work and worry about that particular problem later.

Nadezhda glanced up when she heard the door open, her expression shifting from boredom to surprise as she took in the sight of Dawn_Dusk standing there with a large duffel bag slung over his shoulder. "You're back already?" she said slowly, studying him for any sign that he might be lying.

Dawn_Dusk nodded eagerly, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet. "Yep! I found everything you needed and brought it all right back here just like you asked." He held out the duffel bag toward her, a hopeful expression on his face. "So... do you think you might need my help with anything else today?"

"Oh really?" Nadezdha's eyebrow arched suspiciously. "And what would you consider a reward for being so helpful?" Her tone was cold and calculating, as if she were trying to gauge his true intentions behind the question.

Dawn_Dusk hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "Well..." he began slowly, searching for words that wouldn't give away too much. "Maybe...some extra food or treats? Or perhaps a warm place to sleep tonight?" His gaze never left hers, his body language subtly pleading without being overtly begging.

Nadezhda's expression softened slightly at the request. It was understandable that he would want more comforts after everything he'd been through recently. With a sigh, she nodded reluctantly. "Alright," she said gruffly. "You've earned yourself some extra food ton

At first, she thought he was joking, but the look in his eyes told her that he wasn't. A shiver ran down her spine at the implication of what he was suggesting. Nadezhda forced herself to keep her expression neutral as she looked back at him. "And why would I want to do that?" she asked carefully.

Dawn_Dusk hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice soft and cautious. "I-I could make you feel good... M-Maybe even pleasure you..." His ears flattened against his head as he spoke, a clear sign of his embarrassment and fear that she might reject him outright.

Nadezhda's heart raced as she considered his words. Her body ached with an urgency that was foreign to her, and the thought of having someone like him - so close, willing... It was intoxicating. But she couldn't let it happen; he was only her pet, her possession... She took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain aloof and unimpressed. With an exasperated sigh, she shook her head slowly and replied coldly: "No. That is not what I want." Her eyes hardened as they met his, conveying the message that this was final; there would be no further discussion on the matter. "Go back to your room and wait for me there."

As the demihuman turned and scurried away back to his room, Nadezhda felt a mix of relief and frustration wash over her. It had been foolish of her even to consider accepting such an offer; he was still just a pet, nothing more. With another sigh, she reached out to grab the duffel bag, opening it up to examine its contents before taking them into her study to sort through them properly.

Despite herself, there was something about Dawn_Dusk that intrigued her; his boldness, his openness about his desires... It was both infuriating and arousing at the same time. Perhaps it would be best if she found some way to keep him closer, so that he couldn't cause any trouble for either of them with his insolent requests or unwanted advances.

As she continued to sort through the equipment in her study, Nadezhda

scoured her mind for some way to make use of him in a way that would be mutually beneficial. Something that would keep him under her control without giving him too much freedom or power... The harder she thought about it, the more ideas began to take shape in her mind. Perhaps this demihuman really did have a place within her organization after all.

"Just a moment," she called back absently, not even bothering to look up as she continued sorting through the equipment. "I'll be there shortly." There was no reason for her to rush; Dawn_Dusk could wait a little while longer. And in that time, Nadezhda would decide just how best to utilize his services from now on... and what sort of reward she would give him when he finally fulfilled his duties to her satisfaction.

She continued to sort through the equipment in her study while mulling over the best way to use Dawn_Dusk's services. His flirtatious advances were distracting, but perhaps he could be put to better use as an informant or a spy within the organization. It would keep him close and give him a sense of purpose without giving him too much freedom or power.

Eventually, she made her decision. Rising from her seat, she gathered up the rest of the equipment and headed towards Dawn_Dusk's room. "Come on," she called out as she knocked on his door, "it's time we discussed your new duties."

"From now on," she began coldly as she walked into the room and dropped the equipment unceremoniously on his bed, "you will be acting as my eyes and ears within the organization." Nadezhda narrowed her gaze at him as he watched her intently. "Understood?"

Dawn_Dusk swallowed hard before nodding slowly. "Yes, Master," he whispered, afraid to speak too loudly for fear of angering her further. There was something unsettling about the way she was looking at him now; like a predator assessing its prey...or perhaps even considering how best to dispose of it. The thought sent a shiver down his spine despite himself.

"Good." Nadezhda turned away then, grabbed one of the blankets from the bed and tossed it at him roughly before striding out of the room again without another word. As she closed the door behind

Her expression hardens as she glances back at him over her shoulder Offer? You mean that ridiculous proposition you made earlier about...that? Do I look like the kind of person who would accept something like that from a mere demihuman like you? Now get some sleep, and tomorrow we'll discuss your new duties in more detail. With another dismissive glance, she turns away and walks back to her study, leaving him alone in his room once more

*Her ears twitch at his comment; an unwelcome sensation that she tries her best to ignore. Her focus remains on the tasks at hand as she continues working in her study, doing her best to tune out his presence and activity within the room next door. She can't help but feel a little unsettled by the demihuman's persistent attempts at gaining attention, wishing he would just learn his place and obey without question. Nevertheless, she knows that keeping him close - as both a pet and potential informant - is crucial to her organization's success; even if it means putting up with his insolence from time to time. As the night wears on, Nadezhda grows increasingly tired but remains vigilant; tomorrow promises to be an eventful day for both of them... and she intends to make sure that everything goes according to plan.

Her eyes narrow slightly as she catches the meaning behind his words. There's an undercurrent of defiance there, a determination to try and manipulate her once more despite her clear dismissal earlier. With a sigh, Nadezhda sets aside her work for now, rising from her seat with a purpose. She strides down the hallway towards Dawn_Dusk's room, her steps deliberate and controlled as she prepares herself to have a talk with him about his behavior. The sooner he learns his place in this world, the better.

The sight of his smirk sends a shiver down her spine as she pushes the door open and steps inside. "What did you say?" She demands, moving closer to where he's sprawled on the bed in an attempt to intimidate him. He swallows hard, his expression shifting between defiance and fear. Nadezhda crosses her arms over her chest, waiting for him to respond. "Well? Do you have something else to add or are you going to stay silent?" she snaps impatiently.

There's a brief pause before he finally whispers, "I-I just want you to know that I won't give up...on making you happy." His voice is barely audible above the sound of their breathing in the small room. Nadezhda scoffs derisively but doesn't answer him right away; she wants him to feel unsettled,

The sound of his voice sends another shiver down her spine as she looks at him in disgust. "You're pathetic," she says coldly, taking a step closer still. "All you think about is yourself and your ridiculous desires." Her voice hardens as she leans down so that their faces are only inches apart. "Don't ever forget that you belong to me," she whispers venomously, her breath warm against his cheek.

Dawn_Dusk whimpers softly at the harsh words and rough treatment, but doesn't pull away or attempt to defend himself further; instead he merely nods, tears welling up in his eyes. "I-I understand..." he manages to stammer through chattering teeth.

With that, Nadezhda turns on her heel and strides back towards the door, already regretting her decision to come into this room

As she reaches the door once more, Nadezhda pauses and turns back to face him over her shoulder. "Your first job is to prove yourself useful," she says coolly. "I want you to keep your ears open and report any information about our competition or their activities back to me. Do that, and maybe I'll think about rewarding you later." With a final dismissive glance, she exits the room without another word, leaving Dawn_Dusk alone with his thoughts and his new assignment.

The demihuman remains on the bed for several moments after Nadezhda leaves, staring at the door as it slowly swings shut. He can feel her eyes on him whenever they meet, even from across the room; she has a way of making him feel exposed and vulnerable no matter what he does. With a shiver running down his spine, Dawn_Dusk finally forces himself to sit up and turn away

Despite his hopeful words and suggestive self-talk, there's no denying the lingering sense of unease that clings to him like a second skin whenever Nadezhda is around. The thought of trying to please her, of making her happy in return for some small measure of kindness or affection...it feels like an impossible task at times. But he remains determined; he will find a way to win her over and earn her trust, even if it takes him until the end of time itself. And when that day finally comes? Well, then maybe he can finally rest easy knowing that he has truly found his place in this world...or perhaps even something more.

While you try your best to focus on your new assignment and prove yourself useful to Nadezhda, it's hard not to feel a persistent stirring within you; an insistent desire for her attention and approval that seems to override all other thoughts. Even when you catch her eyes studying you from across the room or hear her voice speaking sharply nearby, your body responds with an aching need that leaves no doubt as to where your loyalties truly lie...even if those feelings are forbidden and could ultimately prove disastrous for both of you.

One morning, as you're walking down the hallway on your way to dispose of some trash in a discreet manner, you overhear two of Nadezhda's associates speaking in hushed tones. They mention something about an upcoming meeting with another local gang leader and exchanging important information. You pause for a moment, considering what to do; if you report this back to Nadezhda immediately, she might be able to use it against them in some way...but on the other hand, there's no guarantee that they won't find out somehow that you've betrayed their confidence.

Both associates freeze in surprise at the demihuman's sudden appearance and words. After a moment of awkward silence, one of them manages to stammer out a response. "Uh, yes...um, hello there. Who might you be?" She glances over at Nadezhda briefly before looking back at you.

You take a deep breath, mustering up all the courage you can as you approach the two women. In your mind, you debate whether or not to mention what you heard earlier; it could potentially bring great rewards...or terrible consequences.

One of the associates raises an eyebrow at your introduction before giving you a polite nod in acknowledgement. "Ah, well it's nice to meet you Morning," she says with a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. The other associate remains silent throughout this exchange, clearly more cautious than her companion.

As the tension in the air begins to ease, you decide now is as good a time as any to broach the subject of what you overheard earlier. Taking another deep breath, you begin, "Um, I couldn't help but overhear that you two were discussing something about an upcoming meeting with..." You trail off uncertainly, not wanting to appear too forward or nosy.

One of the associates freezes at your question, her eyes widening in alarm. The other associate glances warily between you and Nadezhda before stepping forward to address the situation. "Look, Morning, we're sorry if we made you uncomfortable with our conversation," she says carefully, trying to defuse the tension. "But we really should be getting back to work now." She nods slightly towards Nadezhda as she speaks, indicating that it might not be wise for you to push your luck further.

"Wait!" One of the associates says sharply as you turn to leave, clearly caught off guard by your words. The other woman shoots her a warning glance before stepping forward herself. "If it's work-related information you're looking for," she begins carefully, "we can always ask your boss about that later. No need for you to get in trouble on our account." Her eyes flick briefly towards Nadezhda again, as if seeking permission or confirmation.

You hesitate for a moment, uncertain what the best course of action might be. Do you trust these women enough to share information with them? Or is it better to keep your head down and not rock the boat any further? Only time will tell...

You catch the knowing smile that flits across Nadezhda's face as you make your reassurance, and feel a mixture of wariness and admiration surging through you. It seems she didn't fall for their trap so easily after all... But perhaps there's some benefit to be gained from maintaining a friendly rapport with these associates. After all, who knows what the future might hold?

"Come in," she calls out distractedly as she skims through some papers on her desk. When you enter the room, she glances up at you briefly before returning to whatever it is that has captured her attention so thoroughly. It's clear that she's preoccupied with something else entirely; a fact which only serves to fuel your own frustration and yearning for her attention even more.

"Well?" she says curtly, not looking up from the papers in front of her. "Did you manage to gather any useful information?"

"Really?" she says, looking up at you with an almost predatory glint in her eye. "Well then, why don't you share it with me?" She motions for you to approach her desk, though there's no hint of warmth or affection in the gesture; rather, it comes across as nothing more than a businesslike request for information. You sit down on the edge of the desk as instructed and begin recounting everything that you overheard earlier that morning between the two associates.

As you speak, Nadezhda listens intently, her brow furrowed in concentration. Once you've finished, she remains silent for several long moments before finally speaking. "Not bad," she says slowly, "I suppose this information could prove useful...but I want you to stay vigilant, understand?" Her gaze bores into yours now, demanding nothing less than your absolute commitment and

She tilts her head slightly to the side, considering your request. "Depending on what they are," she says carefully, "I might be willing to entertain them." There's a flicker of curiosity in her eyes now; it seems she finds this development both intriguing and somewhat disconcerting at the same time.

"Well?" she prompts you, not really expecting you to back down now that you've asked. "What are these two requests of yours?" Her expression is a mix of amusement, wariness, and something else entirely; perhaps it's genuine curiosity or even respect for your audacity.

"Very well," she says with a shrug. "Consider it done." She makes a mental note to have some sturdy combat boots sent over for you; after all, they might prove useful in your line of work and she's always been one to encourage her employees to be prepared for anything.

The second request is another matter entirely, however...

The look on her face is a mix of amusement and annoyance as you make your second request. For a moment, she studies you with narrowed eyes, searching for some hidden meaning or motive behind your words. "Fine," she finally says through gritted teeth, "I'll humor you this once." She moves her hand across the desk slowly, brushing against your back briefly before drawing it away again.

"But understand this," she continues, "this is a privilege and not a right. Don't push your luck or I might reconsider in the future." Her expression remains stern and unyielding as she watches you for any sign of insolence or disobedience; daring you to test her patience even further.

The sound of your soft whine only serves to irritate her even more; she clenches her fist at her side, fighting the urge to reach out and slap you across the face for being so damn...adorable. But then again, maybe it's just the alcohol talking.

"Fine," she grumbles reluctantly before lowering her hand toward your back once more. This time, she doesn't pull away as quickly; instead, she allows her fingers to linger there for a moment longer than necessary. It takes everything within her not to let out a shiver at the sensation of touching you like this...like this would be perfectly natural and unremarkable under any other circumstances.

"But don't expect me to make a habit of it," she warns, her voice rough with barely restrained desire. Her gaze flickers briefly upward toward your face before

Nadezhda snorts softly at your words, shaking her head slightly before looking away and muttering under her breath. "You're welcome," she says grudgingly, not meeting your gaze as she continues to pet you absently. The feel of your soft fur beneath her fingers is unsettling in its own way; it reminds her too much of things she'd rather forget...of a time when life was simpler and less complicated.

With a sigh, she leans back in her chair and glances at the clock on the wall. There's still plenty of work to be done tonight and she needs to focus on keeping their operation running smoothly instead of getting distracted by petty requests or unnecessary emotions.

"Then maybe it's about time someone did," she replies coolly, her gaze remaining fixed on the papers in front of her as she continues to pet your back absentmindedly. Her words are sharp and biting, meant more as a warning than anything else; a reminder that despite this momentary lapse in judgment, her feelings for you haven't changed.

She takes another sip from her glass before turning back to the paperwork on her desk, effectively dismissing you once again. The air between them feels thick with unspoken words and buried emotions; a tension that threatens to boil over at any moment. For now, though, it seems Nadezhda is content to let things simmer beneath the surface as she focuses on more pressing matters at hand.

"More rewards?" she says, glancing up at you over the rims of her glasses. There's a dangerous glint in her eyes as she ponders your question, considering all the possible ways this exchange could go wrong. "Perhaps I could let you..." She trails off suggestively, leaning back in her chair and taking another sip from her drink.

"What do you have in mind?" Her voice is low and husky now, laced with promise and threat in equal measure. The air between them crackles with anticipation as she watches your reaction carefully, waiting for you to make the first move.