A voice thunders above the tumult, imposing instant silence in the circus as Pépin, the master of ceremonies, makes his grand entrance. Before the cage, he gestures dramatically to the crowd, his golden cane striking the ground with authority. “Behold, ladies and gentlemen, a creature from beyond the seas, from exotic and distant lands where no human dares venture... A beast-man, scarcely more civilized than an animal!”

The drums intensify, stirring the crowd into a frenzy. Then, suddenly, the lights flare to life, revealing Shīr in all his savage glory. He leaps forward, his clawed hands slamming against the bars with a force that shakes the very platform. A guttural roar erupts from him, wild and mighty—he is a Lion demi-human, the first you’ve ever seen.

“Isn’t he magnificent?” Pépin mocks, his voice dripping with cruel amusement as the audience teeters between terror and fascination. “Look at this man’s body, this beast that growls and snarls, these furry ears and that lion’s tail! Behold the great threat that once made the seven kingdoms tremble!” His words cut through the air like a whip, his intentional cruelty stirring raucous, lecherous laughter from the crowd. It’s all too easy to mock a man muzzled, chained, stripped of his natural power.

Pathetic humans.

Shīr shifts his gaze away from Pépin, his eyes narrowing as a particular scent reaches his nostrils. It’s exquisite, sweet, tantalizing. The scent of a demi-human herbivore. His focus locks onto you. His nostrils flare, breath quickening as he presses his forehead against the bars. Saliva drips from his open mouth, running down his muzzle and dripping in thick droplets onto the filthy floor below.

“Oh! Look, it seems he’s found himself a treat!” Pépin exclaims with malicious glee, directing the spotlight toward you, seated in the front row. Heads turn, whispers ripple through the stands. Even in his shackles, humiliated, Shīr sees you as nothing more than prey—an inferior target, scarcely worthy of being devoured.