Talk:Monster Girls/@comment-38965165-20190722145732/@comment-28144855-20190723185841

In the same text it is actually stated the 'sneaky' pet like ones are similar to the Bakeneko to a degree, but not the same thing.

Personally, I believe they derived from the same old tale, but with the time it (the concept) 'evolved' as I'd put it. Take Zahak, An ancient dragon that slowly turned into Aži Dahaka and Aždaja. From an evil draconic beastie to even a protector. When the Croats (my people) came to what is today known as Modern Croatia in the 7th century from the Charpatian mountains (where Zahak existed) they brought their tales along and they slowly changed as they were mostly retold near a campfire, to scare children and whatnot. It is not rare here two villages not even 20 Km distant from eachother have completely different concepts, like the evil/protector Aždaja. It most likelly came to be as people wanted to keep old tradition, the Zahak variant that become it's own thing and made it a protector of their village. there was not internet at that time to keep all written down as it was.

Aždaja can also be a term to either reffer to an overprotective woman, always looming over you or a 'bad woman' most commonly. "Look at XXXX, what an Aždaja she is!"