Alqati
Alqati are an alien species from a nearby planet. The species was taken by government workers many years ago, then locked in a dark basement and experimented on relentlessly. Hundreds of Alqati were trapped there. Out of the hundreds, only around seven escaped, one of them being Zinnia. (although it's likely there are more alqati and possibly alqati hybrids because of reproduction) The current whereabouts of the other Alqati are unknown, but it is likely that they are in Ebrya.
Due to the Lycaurican government experimenting on and killing them, they painted the species as "monsters," which still affects the alqati today. This is why most alqati reside in Ebrya, a place considerably more accepting than Lycaurica.
Most alqati look very similar to Zinnia. Their most common colors are dark purple or blue, unless they're albino, but that's very rare. They usually have three eyes (or more) with no visible pupils that are bright unnatural colors, the most common are purple to yellow-green to green. Despite their furry look, they don't have fur on most of their body, they have smooth skin and bits of feathers, but older alqati do get fuzz on their snouts.
Hybrids of alqati and other species do infact exist, and are surprisingly common, and unfortunately receive just as much discrimination. Hybrid examples include alqati-bunny hybrids, alqati-goats, and alqati-cats.
Some alqati have subtle differences in their appearances from evolving to have features similar to whatever animal they've interacted with or seen the most.
Alqati that've evolved a bit to slightly resemble animals they've been around the most. In order: Cat, Horse, Frog, and Goat.
The creatures live incredibly long, up to 500 years. In their teenage years (45 or less is considered 'teen' years) they age very fast, typically looking like adults at 50, but as the years go on they tend to age slower. Signs of aging are the fuzz that grows on their snouts and purple spots taking over their original eye color.
The life stage of an alqati.
Alqatis are usually very tall and can be intimidating. They have claw-like feet, however, they are closed together, so they appear as hooves. They have a very scarce amount of feathers, but they do gain a winter coat. This coat consists of surprisingly few feathers, but it is way more than the amount they have in other seasons, additionally, there is an abundance of feathers near their arms, legs, and stomach area.
Originally, before the hundreds of alqati were abducted, they looked very different. They had an abundance of feathers, different tails, and different hands and claw-like feet. But, when they were forcefully brought to Lycaurica and then escaped, most (if not all) alqatis appearances changed to adapt to the completely new environment.