---

Beyond beauty, beyond grace, I can't wait to punch you in the face!

What a sight she was, dressed in her best and covered head to claw in blood, skin still glistening with glitter from her stage makeup. On this fateful day, her patience had run out.

Bakal was renown dancer, her body light and her features beautiful. She was flexible and yet strong, able to hold her bodies weight with a single hand. She lacked the assets many men looked for, but she didn't do it for them. She loved the attention, she loved having all eyes on her twinkling form, she loved being alive! Nothing had given her the same thrill as performing, so she made it her lives work.

She was used to the vulgar cries, the unsolicited touch, the eyes tearing her apart. All parts of the show, or so she always told herself. However day after day of small annoyances, they were beginning to pile up. She was too well known, and people wanted her, and they would do what they can to have her. On the night of one of her grandest shows yet, she was attacked.

They attempted to restrain her, but she fought with tooth and nail. Her rage began to fuel her, a kick breaking the ribs of one of her assailants let out a crunch she had never heard before. But she wanted to hear it again, and again and again and then, she had no more bones she could break. Her assailants lay before her as mere piles of flesh, bone protruding where she had crushed them. Her hands were covered in blood, but underneath a layer of glittering scales had begun to climb up. Calming down now, she analyzed this strange new skill. The scales were shimmering beautifully under the gore, and they were remarkably hard, as if they were armor.

"Over there, that's where the screams came from!"

She jumped up at the voice and ran, even if they had attacked her first she had been the one to brutally end them. She ran until she came across a stream where she began to clean herself up. Getting the muck out from under her claws was taking most of her attention when she heard a voice behind her.

"Wowee lady you're a catch. But aren't you cold wearing so little?"

She jumped up and spun around to see two women standing behind her. A lass in a cute black and cyan dress stood closer to her, eyes sparkling with curiosity, and a more serious looking one stood behind. The smaller lass walked up and extended a gloved hand, "It's nice to meet you pretty lady!"

Bakal reached out and hesitantly shook her hand, the glove was of a high quality material and even though there was fabric between their touch it was. . .tingly.

"My name is Roma," she smiled "I heard there was a murderer loose and thought we'd check it out!"

Damn it. Bakal jumped back, they were after her! Before she could run she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders, she tried to look back but she couldn't move, but the other woman from earlier was no longer in front of her.

"Please don't try to struggle!" Roma approached, "We didn't come to hurt you. In fact i'm here with an offer! I would explain in detail, but we really need to move, they're tracking you strangely well." She dropped the large basket on her bag and rummaged until she found what she was looking for. A rather stylish but simple cloak with red lining. "Its not exactly stealthy but i'll be damned you'll look cute in it." Bakal felt the weight lift from her shoulders as they wrapped her in the cloak. Before she could take another step noises came from the forest.

"I heard voices that way! They must have headed this way!"

Bakal was suddenly thrown over the taller woman's shoulder as they sprinted off away from the voices. Roma was giddy and giggles escaped as she ran, "Ah they caught up to us, guess I shouldn't have stolen so much."

Bakals face dropped. "STOLEN?! So they're not even after me they're after you?!"

"Oh hush!" Roma gave her a electrifying pat and she was out.

---

Bakal would be introduced into the SV Mercenaries here. Blanco had found the scene of the crime and was in awe of the power she has displayed. But she actually been there to find Roma, who was a budding textile thief. After picking up Roma they had followed the smell of blood to her and decided that they might as well take her home.

Titus wasn't against it and simply asked her to work hard to deserve her keep. The gang would begin to teach her how to use her magic. Bakal's magic was able to crystallize mana on her body to create glistening scales like armor. Overtime her skill, experience and natural aptitude for fighting made her a valuable asset for the clan. She spent most of her leisure time with Roma until the quest that would bring Anthrus into her life. He was like no man she had ever met, and after being alone for so long, she could use a friend.

Her sly and quick tongued attitude came back as soon as she was comfortable in her new environment and shes as flirty as ever.

Her teaching methods are unorthodox but quite effective. Between her and Anthrus no member of the clan is left untrained.