Black History Month 2026 (IndustrIa Preview)

Art By:

A picture I have been wanting to get for a long while. I am asked from time to time about the 'race' of my OCs, and while I usually just go with the antrho answer and not think much of it, I have been asked enough now to give it a more serious thought. I see my OCs personalities as coming from their backgrounds, not so much what race (anthro or irl) has to do with it.

Below is an excerpt from the Industria Arc of the story, hope you enjoy!

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Cardigan stepped into the bar. It fell silent. She knew who would be down here. Not even too long ago, she was fighting against most everyone in the room. But at this time  no one wanted to fight. The World Tournament had ended and no one wanted to fight anymore, or start something fresh by opening up old wounds.

The blonde flashed a grin at those she knew as she walked by.

Dinco, a deserter to his people but a growing hero in his own right, was playing cards with the bounty hunter turned bounty Rocco. The dog was having the upper hand in the game.

"You should probably fold." A cheetah cat girl told Dinco. Likeness, a wayward magic cat who was still trying to find acceptance in her life. She clung to the General Vicious' side until he caster her away. 

"Come on, you ain't gotta say that. I can still win." Dinco refuted. "You don't have a good poker face." She stated bluntly, referring to Dinco's stressed expression.

Cardigan walked by them and sat at the bar. She recognized the tall Barajiran woman who slammed a fist down on the bar. The whole thing felt the pressure from her fist.

"What do you mean I can't get a lava drink?" She questioned.

Behind the bar was Starr. The Government's prototype soldier unit. He was at the World Tournament, but did not participate. He gathered intel for the Government by watching, scanning, and understanding the fighting style of everyone there. Though he was restricted by his human limitation, as well as only having just a few gigabytes of RAM for storage and computations. But he could easily see... "You don't look like you can handle it. Lava drink is usually reserved for Draconics or Yena, of which--"

"Screw off." She waved her hand. "Give me one, I'll tell you what I can handle." 

"Make that two~" Cardigan had her back against the bar, leaning in her seat. She looks at the othee woman and smirked. "I saw your fights at the tournament, I think you can handle your drink. Kai? Was that the name?"

Kai-Mena, a proud, fully evolved, Barajiran woman. Her strength seemingly knew little bounds when combined with her tenacious and off-putting attitude. Though, even she knew better than to start trouble. Warrior's instincts. She gave Cardigan a small glare. She knew the woman was a Draca, but also knew she wasn't a part of their empire. "Yeah... That's me." She barred her teeth.

A haughty laugh came from Cardigan. "I see! What a powerful fighter you are!"

Kai wasnt expecting that. She shook her head. "Uh...Thanks?" Usually she was used to being looked at strangely or looked down upon even though she was taller than most anyone around her.

Cardigan wished she crossed paths with someone like Kai sooner. It probably would have helped. 

A grumble came from Kloika as she walked by. The magic cat, rescued from being trapped at Sungild Casino for her diamond making abilities, wanted to get away from her friends a bit. But just seeing Cardigan around, Lauren might know that Kloika even came into contact with her. She would ask questions. She would fawn. The blue haired cat rolled her eyes when Cardigan slapped a hand on the bar. Was this really the woman that she and others had fought just recently? The monster of a power who led people of power?

Starr put down two dark-colored rock mugs filled with lava drink. He backed away a step, unsure how the Barajiran would handle such a strong drink. In fact, Cardigan was a Hybrid, how would she handle it?

She would lean over the bar and mumble something to the cyborg. He tilted his head, not fully understanding but gave a nod. Turning in her seat, Cardigan waved Kloika down. "You there! Kloika~?" 

The cat's ears perked. She...Knew her name? Not wanting to be rude, taking from her trainings as a bartender and Casino worker, she did turn. Now that they were about to talk, Lauren for sure would be all over to ask what happened. Cardigan waved her over. Starr was finishing putting up four, small, rock shot cups with lava drink

"Here." Cardigan put them on a small tray and handed them to Kloika. "Bring these to the table, could you? And one for yourself." 

Kloika's ear twitched. Lava drink. Very powerful, enough to knock someone on their ass. You had to be someone really strong to even take the shot, let alone the mugs that Cardigan and Kai had. But she silently nodded and brought the glasses over to the table

Rocco stuck his tongue out. "Oi, you must not've played no cards where you're from."

"Man, shut up." Dinco tossed the cards down. "I aint taking no bull from you. I--" He stopped when Kloika approached and set the cups down. With his back to her, Dinco knew that Cardigan orderes this for them. Only adult or evolved Barajirans were allowes to drink. It was also very expensive. Even just a bit. But it was from the woman who pressed him, Kloika, and Rocco to get to Orann...His best friend. "Why..."

Likeness stared at the cup before her. She didnt know much about Cardigan, besides what Vicious had ranted about her and her crew a while back when he was General. How her crew was becoming a growing threat to the entire Government. How her charismatic nature wherever she pillaged compelled people to join her. How she lived the--A bubble of steam popped in the rock cup--Expensive life.

Rocco sat there with a bit of shy awe. He felt like this was a test. Was Cardigan trying to see if they could handle it? He didnt think of himself as very strong...Or too cool a person even. Except Camren thought he was. Rocco was able to at least help defend against Cardigan's attack before. But why was she offfering this?

Everyone's answers would be fulfilled by the blonde standing up and raising her mug. Behind her, Starr was pouring his own shot. "I cannot call you friends, I know. But we are all comrades in strength." She beams a smile. "We are all strong in our own ways. Physically, mentally  foundationally, steadfastly, in fighting for what our ideals our, and the ideals of our own friends. Every difference aside, we are all strong. We are all excellent. We are Infinite." She raised her mug higher.

She spoke with no ill will or in the hint of talking down to anyone. She spoke to them as they all were in this moment. Equal. Infinite.

As a warrior, Kai-Mena raised her mug. The others slowly, one by one, raised their glasses as well. Starr was the last, unfamiliar with the custom though it felt...Just. 

Cardigan let out another big, hearty laugh as she started to drink with the others following her. There was a choking feeling in her face and throat. It wasnt from the hot nature of the alcoholic drink either, nor from its searing heat. That didnt produce the tears. 

It was because as much as Cardigan felt infinite, and she felt like the others in the room could all be on par with her in some way and highly respected that, she knew this night...

Might be her last.