Elberta

Elberta is a lioness with a mane, and is a scout for Targin's wilder regions to remove herself from the social scorn of both being a crossbreed and a "mixed-gender" (she isn't, incidentally - her mane growing in is entirely unrelated to her sex) person in her small home village. Elberta wants to be loved and appreciated, and she's found it on the border patrols that keep a watchful eye on her nation's canine neighbors. Her speed, while a tad lower than a standard cheetah's, is more than compensated by a much stronger pair of lungs and heart from her lion ancestry, making her a far better "chaser" than you might expect, and a favorite as a rapid messenger. Recent troubles along the border (mainly an increase in larceny against trans-border merchants) has put everyone on edge, and the dogs are rattling sabers, as usual. Elberta just wishes thing could go back to being simple patrols again - a war is a scary thing.

Elberta is fairly straight, but most cats find her mixed heritage off-putting (in an uncanny valley sort of way, though social norms also Do Not Help). This has led to her bedding down with a lot of people (including a few women) based on apparent kindness and a willingness to help her scratch her personal itch (emotionally and physically) - leading to a fair number of heartbreaks.

Technically, Elberta is an Evolt - certain chemical changes (like an increase in adrenaline) cause the inside of her mouth to subtly change color and develop patterns or markings - but its an aspect that no one really is aware of, including Elberta, as it is rarely easily visible - no time to check a mirror to look at the inside of your mouth while fleeing in terror from a monster, you know?