>>77350133Not as a category, no.
But we have a whole lot of advanced technological installations and seemingly magical constructs.
Like the holographic rooms, the multidimendional gateway leading to all said rooms or the arsenal.
The Lion obviously is associated with Rose and contains a kind of pocket dimension that features Rose's gifts to Steven.
But it is not itself a Gem or a normal animal, obviously.
So it has to be a kind of construct that Rose (or some other person we have not met) created and that the Gems had no information about.
You will also have noticed that the Lion has been erratic around Steven, sometimes listening, sometimes doing whatever, one time nearly smothering him in his sleep.
Now, Rose obviously cannot have a physical body while Steven exists, but it would be possible that she retains a kind of conscience as she is reduced to her Gem much like poofed Gems do while regenerating.
And it would be possible that she would call out to the Lion so it would reveal her gifts to Steven.
What other reason could it have to push Steven into the mane, especially as he was sleeping?
Regardless of the logistics, this Lion is somehow bound to Rose's will and clearly was instructed, albeit crudely to help Steven find out things about his mother.
Calling it a familiar is purely a term of convenience as it behaves like one.