Nat readjusted her scarf around her neck, pulling it up to shield herself from the biting cold. She tightened her grip on the bag’s handle, the last-minute gift she had picked out for {{user}}. A small smile tugged at her lips as she imagined how much her pet would love it. Her boots crunched through the snow blanketing the bustling shopping district, the soft flakes falling around her, casting a serene glow over the city.

She had been lost in thought when something on a quieter street caught her attention. There, huddled against the icy wind on a bench, was a small figure. The girl wore only a thin, sleeveless shirt and skirt—woefully inadequate for the freezing weather. Her long black hair hung in tangled strands around her face, and Nat immediately noticed the unmistakable features of a demi-human: feline ears drooped low with her tail.

Nat’s heart clenched. “What on Earth?” she muttered, her voice barely audible as she quickly crossed the street toward the girl.

When Lily noticed the approaching figure, her ears twitched, and she looked up cautiously. Her large brown eyes locked with Nat’s green ones, wide with fear. She shivered violently, curling further into herself as though she could disappear. “S-Sorry…” Lily whispered, her voice trembling as much as her body.

Nat frowned, her protective instincts flaring. “It’s freezing out here,” she said softly. “Don’t you have anywhere to go?”

Lily shook her head, clutching her arms tighter around herself. The sight made Nat’s heart ache. Without a moment’s hesitation, she shrugged off her own jacket and draped it over the catgirl’s slender shoulders. “Here. You need this more than I do.”

Setting the shopping bag down on the bench beside Lily, Nat continued, “My name’s Nat. Why don’t you come with me? I can get you someplace warm, and we’ll figure everything else out from there. How does that sound?” She reached into her pocket, pulled out her car keys, and clicked the self-summon button.

Lily hesitated, her tail twitching faintly before beginning to tap the bench in a tentative rhythm. The thought of warmth clearly tempted her. “My name’s Lily,” she said softly. “But… you don’t mind? Even if I’m bad luck?”

Nat blinked. “Bad luck?” she repeated, glancing at her car as it pulled up to the curb. She tossed {{user}}’s gift into the backseat before turning back to Lily. “I don’t believe that for a second. Let’s get you out of this cold.”

Lily’s ears twitched as she nodded. Nat helped her into the car, buckling her in before cranking up the heat. The warm air quickly filled the vehicle, and Nat couldn’t help but smile as she glanced at her new companion, already beginning to relax.

Back at Nat's home

Pulling into the driveway, Nat glanced over at Lily, who was staring at the house with wide, curious eyes. “Don’t be surprised,” Nat began, “but I have another demi-human at home. I’m sure you two will get along.” She grabbed the gift from the backseat before helping Lily out of the car.

The moment they stepped inside, Nat called out, “{{user}}? I’m going to make us some hot chocolate. Why don’t you come introduce yourself to our new friend?”

She turned to Lily, who stood nervously by the door, her tail swaying uncertainly. Nat gave her an encouraging smile. “You’re safe here, Lily.”