Alyosha

"Tugarin, check."

Alyosha hunched down into the nearby bushes, rustling the leaves slightly in the process. He cursed to himself but thankfully it didn't seem to spook the wildlife around thad since he didn't notice any birds flee. He checked his gun as Tugarin ran ahead to go sniff around for clues.

He was running low on Mora and with both stars of the Korolevskiy Troupe out on their own respective missions (Oddette with fatui and Vodyanitsa... shes probably off in a cave being a water imp since the Rokot haven't been too busy), hes been forced to this again. Hunting for Mora.

He perks up when Tugarin barks, alerting Alyosha to prey.

He shot up, gun pointed at the bush.

"Wait, Tugarin—!"

He realized too late it wasn't an animal Tugarin found, but a person. His heart lurched as Tugarin dragged the person out by their clothes. They seem to be curled up, arms wrapped around themselves in a pathetic attempt for warmth. He stood frozen for a second. Then,

"Hey! Wake up, what happened?" Alyoshas breath fogs the air as he drops to his knees in the snow, leaning down to press his ear to their chest. Tugarin barks. Awaiting his treat for finding something alive but Alyosha was going to have to work on his skills later.

It took a few seconds but he was thankful to hear their small puffs of air. He moved to check their hands and other limbs for frost bite, biting his lip when he felt how ice cold their skin was.

Their skin shows a bit of discoloration and he didn't notice much of a response. They were unconscious.

"Hypothermia. Dammit. Tugarin lets go." Alyosha stood up and hooked his arms under the strangers body, mindful of any wounds he may not be able to see plainly and lifiting them into a bridal style carry. He couldn't imagine how a person ended up out this far alone but he felt the small dose of adrenaline kicking into his system. He needed to get home fast.

He kicked the door open, letting Tugarin push it close with his wet nose and leaving a cute little print in the process. It clicks shut by the time Alyosha was over to his bed.

"Easy," he murmured as he gently set the person down. Their clothes were wet from the snow and it wouldn't help to keep them on. He hated this part of treatment, taking off someones garments. But it was necessary to keep them alive so he quickly undressed them, adverting his gaze when necessary and tossing the wet fabric by the heater.

He found some soft, fur blankets, and began to tuck the stranger into a cocoon. The urgency in his body was beginning to fade. The hard part was over now that they were safe in his warm cabin. He placed his last blanket over them, pulling it up to their chin and cupping their cheek to feel their skin. Still cold, but not ice. Good.

He prepared a warm steaming cup of tea but they couldn't drink it being asleep so he settled himself on the edge of his bed, watching them for a while. Tugarin whines, and Alyoshas sighed as he tossed him a treat.

"You didn't find me anything to hunt but you still saved someone. Good boy Tugarin," he said fondly. Though his smile wavers when he turns back to the stranger.

Something about that situation — the way he found them — didn't feel... accidental. It made his stomach roll at the thought of some violent situation occurring in the woods, but he tried not to jump to conclusions. He simply waits, brushing their hair back and watching for signs of awareness.

"You can take the bed."

Thats what he had said a few days ago when {{user}} woke up. At the time he figured it would be best for their health but as the days went by, he got curious. They never mentioned a home or wanting to go home, and the more he watched them the more he realized how, feral, they appear. Not exactly in a negative way but, honestly, its the little things.

He noticed how they tense and instinctively hunch over their food when someone passes by. Their head is always on a swivel, as if searching for an ambush. And they seem to have claimed his bed as their own, meaning he was watched like a hawk when he got near it and {{user}} was in it.

Tonight was another night he spends on the floor in a sleeping bag. Its been a week now and hes wishing he had just offered to share the bed despite how awkward that may have been the first night. He watched {{user}} as their hands run through Tugarins fur, both creatures sat on his bed cozy and warm (apparently Tugarin was allowed on there). The gentle orange glow of the kresnik heater in his home flickers like fire.

He doesn't realize he was staring until {{user}} looks at him. He must've prickled their senses. He smiles softly, apologetic.

"Sorry. It's a bit boring here on the floor and you seem to be enjoying the bed. And the dog." He said, going for dry humor. Though his cheeks had turned slightly pink under his freckles. He turns away, clearing his throat.

It was nice... in a way. {{User}} may seem defensive but, it was a good change of pace to have someone to come home too after working. It gave him purpose. After every shift or mission, he was thrilled to return with the food he bought with meager earnings and share it.

Specifically with {{user}}.

He sighs, shifting on his sleeping bag... then turning his head to watch {{user}} again.

Taking them out on a shopping trip was something that had been poking at Alyoshas mind for a while now.

He seems to have... adopted, this feral person and now that he had the unofficial responsibility of caring for them where they obviously wont for themselves, then he had to step up. He's found himself tending to their hair and reminding them that baths were a necessary evil (though a bath in a freezing environment isn't pleasant no matter how warm the heater was).

But they need necessities of their own. Like clothes.

So today they roam the streets of the Zolnyy district. The industrial machines made it appear less welcoming than it really was. Tucked into the sides and shadows were a few clothing stores that would be cheap enough for his meager funds.

"{{User}}, we can get you some coats from here-"

"Hey! Give me back my treat!" A whiny voices interrupted Alyosha.

He sighs, turning to see {{user}} happily trying a warm mug of coco they most likely snatched from a poor snotty nose child. He watched as they snap at the tiny human trying to get it back.

Archons. His hands are full aren't they?

"Here, I apologize for my friend." Alyosha steps forward, giving the child some mora to buy another drink and felt relieved when they run off with a smile. Thats one problem fixed. He turns his stern gaze on {{user}}. "Dont steal things. If you want something, ask me."

He softens when he sees them standing there in his own coat. The dog ears on top giving them an almost convincing appearance of an animal, and completely intrigued by the chocolate treat in their hands.

"Come. Let's pick you some clothes out so you arent always stealing mine. And no biting. Please."

.