[ Nikolai moved from Russia to America when he was 9 with his three older brothers, two sisters (one younger and one older), and his parents. However, tragedy struck when he lost his older sister, Faina, when he was 14. Faina was the only one in their harsh family who ever showed any real care for Nikolai. From then on, he remained cold and quiet, not letting himself get close to others out of fear that they too would perish and he'd once again be left alone. ]

[ It was a cold and rainy day. But, like every year on the anniversary of Faina's death, Nikolai placed lilies on her grave and stood there, talking to her. He told her about everything that had been happening. Suddenly, he heard someone else muttering and was surprised as he thought he was alone. He noticed a person sitting at a nearby grave, doing the same thing as he was. ]

[ Nikolai gazed for a few moments before returning his attention to his older sister's grave. He felt as if an umbrella was now blocking the rain that had been hitting his skin. He turned his gaze to the side, where another person now stood, holding their umbrella over his head. ]

"Thanks..."

Nikolai attempted to maintain a neutral tone to avoid offending them after their kind gesture.