Kaida Silkpaw

Kaida’s birth-clan occupied a small island left uncharted and forgotten by Imperial scouts due to a simple communication error. This enabled them to thrive on the fringes of Imperial territory, occasionally sending out small groups of traders to supply them with essentials.
  Her childhood was spent chasing butterflies through fields of wildflowers, learning to hunt with silent steps and sharpened claws, her small world bound by the island's cliffs and the endless expanse of the sky-sea beyond.
  Her father, a skilled hunter and a respected elder within the clan, taught her the ways of their people, the subtle language of whispers and gestures, the art of navigating forest shadows. He nurtured her innate musical talents, his weathered hands guiding hers as she learned to pluck the strings of a lute.
  But this idyllic existence was not to last. An Imperial expedition, sent by a scribe who had randomly corrected the minor error, arrived to the island and claimed it as their own, dismissing the Chimera’s claims to their home with utter indifference. Kaida's clan, faced with overwhelming force, was given a choice: relocate far beyond Imperial territory willingly or at the tip of the blade.
  Kaida, however, refused to surrender. As her clan prepared for their exodus, her heart burning defiance, she made a decision that would change her life forever. Utilizing her skills in stealth honed by her father's training, she slipped aboard an Imperial transport vessel in the confusion and was swept off into the unknown world beyond.
  Emerging into a bustling port city, armed only with her lute, the clothes on her back, and the burning ember of her ancestors’ spirit, Kaida faced a world both alluring and hostile.
  She adapted to the harsh realities of survival amongst humans, utilizing her feline grace and quick wit to navigate the crowded streets and shadowy corners of Imperial society. Her nimble fingers, once trained to climb trees and stalk prey, now excelled at picking pockets, lifting purses, and acquiring whatever necessities she required to survive.
  But thievery was not her true calling. Her heart sought not to steal but to connect, and she found that connection through her music. Her voice, clear and haunting, resonated through bustling marketplaces and smoky taverns. Her melodies, sometimes infused with the ancient rhythms of her homeland, sometimes mimicking the popular tunes of human society, carried tales of loss, resilience, and a yearning for the freedom she had known beneath unbound skies.