Oke-dokey.

This is a Mau, a winged cat-pony creature!

They live under the rule of Bastet/Baste/Bast/Ubastat, the goddess of cats, and her son Maahes (god of war). They mainly live in the area of Egypt.

In order to gain their wings, the Mau must go through a right of passage similar to how ponies get their cutie-marks, usually going on a great pilgrimage(or Hajj) in order to bring something back to their people. The Mau can have any sort of markings or coloration as Cats have, limiting themselves to the usual, natural colors unlike ponies. The Mau are shorter than ponies by a good ammount, but their bodies are longer and more lithe. The Mau are notorious meat-eaters, but usually survive on a diet of fish in mainly herbivore areas.

The one we are looking at is Miw, a Mau that has just completed her pilgrimage. Miw is a shy Mau and found going away from home a very difficult feat, but she managed to gain some surprising self-confidience along with it, giving proof that the pilgrimage or Hajj is not only for their Goddess and people, but to connect with themselves. She was able to find irrigation technology in a pony town, along with new crops to plant back at home. She has sent these things home by pegasus, however her main feat is that she has become a sort of embassador for the Mau’s to the ponies, and must remain in Equestria.

The Mau also share a connection with Griffons and Hippogriffs, however the connection has been blurred along with history.

The kitten beside Miw is Qitta, a young relative of Miw’s. She was a stowaway on Miw’s ship, and eventually was caught, but luckily was able to stay, for the sailors did not want to turn back just for a meer kitten. So she travelled with Miw to Equestria to help her in her Hajj, and possibly her own. She’s excitable and spontaneous, having lived in a bustling marketplace with her family.