Mardi Gras was considered one of the more popular holidays in Animalia, especially since the Meat Market had its influx of "bimbos", though they were well on their way to "higher intelligence" so to speak, though they still talked like bimbos during working hours. However, it wasn't just the Mardi Gras party that was going on. Some were coming to Animalia to convert as part of new beginnings.
"I don't recognize her." said Miss Fabina, pointing at the other lioness dancing on stage with King Andrew and Kinjara. She was clearly a converted lioness since she had ruby red hair grown down to nearly her butt. "Is she new?"
"Actually, yes." said Tim, the salamander working on his latest Mardi Gras-themed cocktail. "She told me before she went up on stage."
"She told you what?" asked Miss Fabina, interested.
"She didn't tell me everything because most of it is between Dr. Jones and herself, due to being diagnosed with RHS, but there was this." said Tim, "According to her, she's already over 100 years old, and outlived both her children and husband. Because of this, she originally stated in her will, ten years ago, that, upon her death, all her possesions were to be sold and the money split between her three grandchildren."
"So..." said Miss Fabina, both confused and intrigued.
"The problem was that, ever since then, her oldest grandson has been demanding that the majority of the money go straight to him, for no reason other than greedily claiming it was rightfully his."
"Oh, the 'lion's share', eh?" realized Miss Fabina, now grinning.
"It's getting better," confirmed Tim, "This week, she rewrote the will to include not only her three grandchildren, but also her six great-grandchildren, and a share going to Andrew, her new husband." At that, Miss Fabina said an Italian word that was synonymous with 'Zing!' (but I wouldn't know any such word since I never learned Italian). "Even better, 'Ruby' (her stage name) has invited her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to an introductory dinner with Andrew and the others."
"Hopefully nobody will be in danger." said Miss Fabina, while also sending word to have someone have cameras ready for the event.
"Don't worry." confirmed Tim, "Andrew and Kinjara are already in on the surprise, and Kinjara is already treating 'Ruby' as a sister and fellow co-wife."
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Of course, with Mardi Gras being primarily part of a Christian celebration, there wasn't much that carried over to Heiya Island. However, with the new influx of people with obesity problems, and one meaning of the word carnival was 'a farewell to the flesh', so it was decided to add some spiritual/religious tones to their conversion.
While most of the information on them were withheld as part of patient confidentiality agreements, there were some things that were officially shared, with some internet weirdos proclaiming that some of the shared information was actually Communist Chinese propaganda. It had confirmed that those who had converted had varying degrees of obesity, and the fat they once had had indeed fueled the muscle growth of the subjects. While their transformation had been recorded for research and analysis, most of it was considered classified due to almost everyone's new physiques tearing through their old clothes.