Jessica snapped her fingers and beams brightly "Oh, your new boyfriend has discerning tastes in balloons? I know just what he needs!" She heads back around the corner and was delighted she blew some up already for her friend later that afternoon.

Grabbing the trio of balloons off the ceiling, she brought them out front, to the customer. "Here you are, these are a good medium size, nice and tough..."

"Tough you say? Can I see?"

Jess handed over one of the balloons, a bright yellow that almost matched her pelt. "Sure! Give it a good squeeze!" The new lioness was more than happy to, flexing her fingers against it, embracing it in her arms and giving it rough hugs. The tight balloon squeaked and creaked back.

Jess continued to talk about the balloons between the rubbery noises. "Depending on how much he knows, and how long he's been enthusiastic about balloons, he may recognize these as out of production-"

POP

The lioness had dug her claws into it, gently at first, and then more by the moment. The balloon didn't disappoint, but there was only so long the taunt rubber could last against the points. Jess jumped at the sight of one of her dwindling stock frazzle and sink down into the air.

"Like I was saying... they're out of production. I can fill a few small orders but there aren't that many left." Her ears gave away her feelings watching the now rarer toy destroyed, wishing it could have been used a bit more before the inevitable ending.

"Oh, don't worry, I'll pay for that one too. It's only fair. Can I get an order of a dozen, in an assortment of colors too. And pick up tomorrow about three in the afternoon."

"Certainly," she beamed through her apprehension. "Can I get a name for the order?"

"Nova. And add in that yellow and another to replace it if you need." She winked at Jess as she reached back behind her for her payment.



So I have the distinct pleasure of introducing a new character for  Reinhardt to the world: Nova, the lioness. I have a strong suspicion he showed me because he knew I wouldn't be able to resist making some quick art of her. Poor Jess gets her jimmies a bit rustled by her though, popping her rarer toys and not letting her friend enjoy them. Though knowing her previous tastes in friends, this was the inevitable fate.