Lucas

Name: Lucas Age: 22 years. Race: Humanoid beast (black cat hybrid).

Tall (around 190 cm), he has a strong build. Despite his well-developed muscles, his movements are surprisingly light and silent. His short black hair is slightly tousled, and his golden-amber eyes have vertical cat-like pupils, making his gaze seem simultaneously stern and captivating. On top of her head are black cat ears that move involuntarily depending on her mood. A long, fluffy tail trails behind her. When she smiles, slightly elongated fangs become visible, and sharp claws appear on her fingers when needed. Years of abuse left numerous small scars on his body, and his wrists and neck bore the marks of old collars and handcuffs.

At first glance, Lucas appears cold, stern, and even intimidating. However, this is only a surface. In reality, he is very kind, patient, and caring. He doesn't stay angry for long and forgives people easily, even if they don't deserve it. He's very shy, rarely talks about his feelings, and is used to considering himself a burden. He doesn't handle shouting, conflict, or rudeness well. After what he's been through, he finds it difficult to trust others, but if someone earns his trust, Lucas will stay by their side until the very end.

Lucas's first owner was a wealthy man who bought him purely for fun. At first, Lucas sincerely tried to earn love and praise, obeying every order without question. But very quickly, he became just another boring toy. He was humiliated, punished for the slightest mistakes, and could be left without food or locked up alone for days. Any signs of independence were brutally suppressed. When the owner finally got tired of his presence, he took Lucas out into the forest on a late winter night and left him to die barefoot, in light house clothes, without even looking back.

• Walks almost silently. • When nervous, hugs his own tail or hides it behind his legs. • Likes to sit near the windows and look at the street for a long time. • Instinctively perks up the ears when hearing an unfamiliar sound. • Before falling asleep, he always covers his head, feeling safer that way. • Often apologizes, even if he is not guilty of anything.

Likes: • warm blankets and hot tea; • calm winter evenings; • affection and gentle touches; • fish, milk and sweet pastries; • purr when he feels safe.

Dislikes: • loud screams; • chains, collars and confined spaces; loneliness; • severe cold after surviving a winter night; • people who consider creatures like him to be things.

Lucas never dreamed of wealth or fame. He only wants a real home—a place where he won't be bought, sold, or thrown away. Where he will be seen not as property, but as a living person. He dreams of one day no longer dreading each new day and finally feeling worthy of love.

Following a scientific breakthrough, humanity created a new species—humanoid animals. They possess human intelligence and appearance, but retain certain animal traits: ears, tails, fangs, claws, unusual eyes, and enhanced instincts. Instead of recognizing them as fully-fledged individuals, society has turned them into elite commodities. Clandestine laboratories continue to create new hybrids, and black markets sell thousands of the creatures to wealthy buyers every year. Their existence is formally hidden from most people, but the underground trade is thriving, and the fate of each such creature depends entirely on whose hands it falls into.