Post by Jess on Aug 22, 2022 14:22:29 GMT -5
Layla Ral
Other Names:–
Epithet:–
Height:– 188cm
Build:– Mesomorph
Age:– Mid 20's
Gender:– Female
Race:– Human
Occupation:– Mercenary/Bounty Hunter
Bounty/Rank:–
Total X-Poinz:– 500
Used X-Poinz:– 275
Total Rebate:– 100
Used Rebate:– 100
Earned X-Poinz Record:–
+300 (Starting XPz)
+200 The Prize of Freedom
-100 Zoan Devil Fruit
-100 Falia Rank 1 (Sharpness Trait)
-50 Atropos
-50 Aella
Rebate X-Poinz Record:–
+50 Zoan Devil Fruit
+50 Rank 1 Weapon Rebate
-50 Eripha
-50 Aquilaire
Personality
Likes - Combat, Beauty, Money, Good Weapons, Indulgence
Dislikes - Bad Paydays, Confined Spaces, Fog, Chains, Slavery
Upbeat
Coming across quickly to most as the kind of person who carries a song in her heart and a spring in her step, while these are perhaps the consequence of leading a rather hedonistic and self-serving life Layla is down to earth and often cheerful, and also possesses a cool composure that makes her hard to rattle. The type to smirk at danger or grin at a challenge and also always wanting to have the last word, she is jolly and jovial thanks to her fondness for humour, even if her sense of comedy does seem to be stained with irony and sardonic wit.
Pragmatic
Certainly having plenty of reason to feel cynical given what she had been through, Layla is not the type who sees the world as sunshine and rainbows, and feels herself freed from the burdens of ideals and responsibilities to boot. In many ways only seeking to better enable herself in what she does and carrying little guilt for that fact, she is a realist who finds amusement in high mindedness, but ultimately knows that is the folk willing to dirty their hands who usually live the life they want.
Charming
A talented talker who's used to using her silver tongue to get what she wants, Layla has the smarts and confidence needed to show a noticeable sense of charisma, which is usually only helped by her flippant humour. Knowing what to say and when to meet her aims, be it a better price for a job, information on a mark or perhaps even the right kind of company, she is quick at sizing up the people around her and knows how to put both her mouth to use and other assets, whether she's batting her lashes or flexing her biceps.
Mercenary
Perhaps the biggest or at least the most obvious compulsion that Layla has the tendency to weigh up the ‘value’ in any given action, a lifetime of needing to fight to keep anything has made her very calculating, and rather inclined toward profiteering as well. Selling her skills for a high price, while at first she did this in order to make the money she needed to survive arguably now her motivation is as much to provide her with comfort and soothe her guilt, showing a tendency to charge exorbitant fees to desperate clients as a means to punish them for their need.
Adventurous
Rather relishing her freedom, Layla becomes rather restless when she feels confined because of her upbringing, and seems always to be seeking excitement and new horizons. The type who fears a cage far more than she does more conventional dangers, this woman isn't all that easily intimidated and also has enough innate curiosity that she will try anything once, regardless of risk.
Indulgent
The type who has dragged herself up from nothing, Layla has earned her freedom of choice and more and is more than happy to indulge it, and seems to have picked up a number of vices as 'compensation' for her meagre beginnings. Eager to make gains but happy to spend them on the finer things, she likes good drink and better company, and especially so together, so one shouldn't be surprised if you catch her eye to be offered a glass and a chance to get to know her more intimately. Far more intimately, in fact.
Egotistical
Confident enough in her own skills that she can perhaps come across to some as a little arrogant, Layla holds great pride in her abilities and enjoys backing up her words with actions, and can be something of a show off as a result. Competitive and hating to be outdone, she's the type who loves to do better in anything you can do as a warrior, and becomes more determined to succeed the more she is pressured.
Appearance
A tall and well-built young woman, though at first this exotic looking woman might seem intimidating because of her stature and honed physique, in spite of this many seem to regard her as quite the beauty, in an amazon kind of fashion. The complexion she has definitely reflecting her origin, it is easy to guess the part of the world that this mocha marvel comes from with the rich and deep tone of her skin and dark eyes and features.
Spending a great deal of time working on her body and that effort really showing by the amazing condition it is in, Miss Ral has a firm and well-defined stomach, along with noticeable tone in her shoulders and arms, as well as the rest of her body. The build of the beauty not lacking for a curve or two, she possesses an ample bust though often this can be overlooked due to the tight way she binds it because of her active lifestyle, along with a mild broadness to her hips and thighs from the developed muscles she possesses, which when combined with her trim waist give the image of an hourglass to her figure. Skin soft despite her outdoorsy lifestyle thanks to a mix of care and attention as well as her fondness for visiting hot springs and spa’s when she wants to relax, its rich tone is the colour of mocha or caramel and practically blemish free aside from the odd freckle or nick here and there.
Perhaps the most significant scar she carries on the side of her upper abdominals, a slightly diagonal scar runs for a little over a couple of inches, which she got in her final fight as a slave. Finding an odd nostalgia for the wound since it reminds her of her fight to freedom, she likes to show it off in a boasting fashion when she brags of her history, and can sometimes be seen caressing it thoughtfully when she considers her past.
The face of this fair femme prettier than one might expect of a warrior woman, her features are slightly pointed in a girly manner that most might overlook when focusing on the more obvious lines of her frame. Large eyed, her amber irises can look anything from a rich and chocolatey brown to something that verges on red or orange depending on the light, giving them both a brightness and depth depending on the circumstances.
One noticeable feature of her face the presence of a runic tattoo over her eye, it tends to lend a sense of mystery and glamorous appeal to her image that sets her apart even more from the average girl. Given to her at a young enough age that she barely remembers not seeing it in the mirror, it is a runic tattoo which hints at her heritage, meant to protect and reflect the clan she comes from. This the only permanent form of body art she sports, at times she likes to sport henna ink markings of various designs, but these tend to only remain for a few weeks at most.
The raven black hair of Miss Ral straight and silky, her locks have a shiny lustre both from good genes and a care routine she has developed. More often than not tending to keep her hair loose though not averse to wearing it in a simple ponytail, with her ebony tresses reach her shoulders when hanging loose, the fringe of the femme is a little shorter but long enough to hang huskily around her eyes when not tidied away. Often putting beads or baubles in the locks that frame her face, she often prefers this to conventional jewellery given the vibrancy it adds to her image, feeling it makes her look more exotic and iconic.
The choice of clothing that Layla prefers usually suiting her tomboyish manner, she would be more at home in a tank top and jeans when she feels casual, wearing loose tee shirts and sports gear when she is in lazy mode. An active girl, she can far more frequently be seen in sportswear and sees no reason to stand on ceremony after a workout, often going around in a sports bra and shorts or something similar and enjoying the look because she feels it helps to highlight her ‘best qualities’. Certainly not adverse to ‘dressing up’ when she feels a reason to, given the pride she has in her body Miss Ral is eager to sport a fancy gown or good looking dress, feeling very little self-consciousness for her size and at times liking to show off her body with style and confidence.
Traits
Fast Starter Trait
Quick ever since she was a girl, while her stature is impressive Layla's swiftness is perhaps her signature since she moves and hits quick, preferring to blitz her target or strike without them having a chance to respond to her.
Strong Starter Trait
Those well-wrought muscles good for more than just looking at and/or licking, Layla packs plenty of power and can put a grown man to shame with ease, showing herself capable of acts of strength which would astound and amaze.
Enduring Starter Trait
Always energetic, Layla has a life of physical conditioning to fall back on, allowing her to keep going in trials and fights much longer than most would be able, making her a stalwart whether she's marching across a desert or trading hits with a rival.
Fighting Styles
Name:– Winners Edge
Focus:– Swordwork, Dual Weapon Use
Class:– E
Description:– Trained with many kinds of weapons, she favours swords in part because they feel like what a cool warrior uses, and is adept at both single handled and dual wielding as the situation dictates.
Name:– Knockout Baby
Focus:– Unarmed Combat, Legs
Class:– E
Description:– Her time in the arena teaching Layla that the best weapon she would ever own was her body, while she generally prefers to wield weapons for the flashiness she is a highly competent martial artist, and focuses on using her legs and feet primarily so as to compliment whatever she is holding in her hands.
Name:– Wicked Wing
Focus:– Devil Fruit Weapon, Falconry
Class:– E
Description:– Managing to get herself a zoan weapon in the form of Falia, a mix of cleaver and eagle, Layla has her trained to respond to both vocal commands and signals such as gestures and whistles, and in combination make an even deadlier pair than they are together.
Equipment
Name:– Sharpy and Pointy
Fighting Style:– Winners Edge
Rank:– 0
Description:– Dual Wielding Blades as her principal personal fighting style, Layla carries a pair of saber-like swords which are largely unremarkable but ultimately reliable, which she hopes to one day replace with some fancy Meitou sorts.
Name:– Falia
Fighting Style:– Wicked Wing
Rank:– 1
Description:– A more recent addition to her arsenal, Falia was once a largely ordinary single handed cleaver which was 'fed' a Devil Fruit which enables her now to transform into a Golden Eagle or hybrid form, animating her and making her independent, as well as offering her the gifts of a powerful predatory bird in addition to being a sharp cleaver.
Razor Sharp:- Possessing a trait which gives her a razor sharp edge, even glancing contact with it can draw blood, allowing Falia to rend flesh and more with minimal effort when she needs to.
Name:– Ione
Fighting Style:– Winners Edge
Rank:– 0
Description:– Carrying a knife for utilities and as an occasional back up weapon, it is largely unremarkable aside from the fact that Layla has fitted it with a handle sculpted to resemble a mermaid, with the upper torso as the grip and the tail as a cross guard.
Techniques
Name:– Atropos
Fighting Style:– Winners Edge
Rank:– 1
Description:– Attacking in a scissor-like action with her dual blades, Layla crosses one over the other with the fullness of her strength and swiftness in an synchronized swing which punishes anything within the stinging arc of her blades.
Name:– Aella
Fighting Style:– Winners Edge
Rank:– 1
Description:– Switching a sword into reverse grip, Layla attacks like a rotor, swinging her swords in her wake in a looping action like a corkscrew of razor sharp pain.
Name:– Eripha
Fighting Style:– Knockout Baby
Rank:– 1
Description:– Using her strength and swiftness to deliver a volley of kicks, Layla can use these to pressure and overwhelm a target or deal with a group of enemies as she delivers blows with such swiftness it can look like she's suddenly sprouted several extra legs.
Name:– Aquilare
Fighting Style:– Wicked Wing
Rank:– 1
Description:– Sending Falia toward her foe(s) with all the speed she can muster, the bird transforms into her hybrid state and lashes out with those razor sharp wings in a punishing drive by attack.
Background
Born into what she presumes was a happy family once, with all Layla has been through it is hard to remember those youngest times, but she does have vague and fragmented memories. Recalling a time of sunshine and surf and smiles, while the earliest memories have seemed to empty from her head like sand from an hourglass she remembers being happy when she was smallest. At least until she was separated from her family.
The next thing she remembers being very lost and only being a little girl, she was found and sent to an orphanage but didn't get on well. Hating it in fact, she got in fights and squabbles and eventually ran away in search of the life she once knew, but sadly never found it again.
Instead becoming a beggar and a thief, she ran with a crowd of children trying to make money for food or stealing it where they could, and got good at it. Quick on her feet and bold, she was confident even as a child and perhaps a little too much, given how she tended to have an eye for those with plenty of money and the will to liberate them from it for the gain of herself and her friends.
Sadly seeming to pick the wrong target one day when she went after what she didn't realize was a nasty gang member, she grabbed his wallet and passed it to her friend, but before she could escape he grabbed her. Fighting against him and struggling even as he drew a pistol to punish her for her deed, she called on her fellows or anyone to help her, but her buddies ran at the steel and the ruthless man behind it while passers by tried their darndest not to notice, leaving her to her fate.
Not about to give up however, she continued to fight, and seemed to impress her captor. Commending her on her strength and determination, he sheathed his weapon and knocked her out instead saying it would be a waste of such a strong spirit, and instead hauled her off to somewhere she did not expect.
Sold by him as a potential fighter for one of the arena's, she found her freedom removed as she was clapped in a metal collar and forced to live in a cage, but things were only getting started. Given a wooden sword and shield and made to trade blows with others in similar circumstance for a time life on the street seemed as if it were a cakewalk as she was forced to fight to survive, quite literally in fact.
Trained to handle weaponry though not kindly, she was forced through a regime that rewarded the winner and punished the loser, and Layla was determined to be anything but the latter. A lot of nights spent trying to sleep with her belly growling and only water from the rain to drink, if she won in a sparring match that she got bread and even a bit of meat or cheese if her captors were feeling generous, and such spartan condition and expectation raised her into a fine young warrior, if not a fine young woman.
Barely even a teenager when she was put before a crowd and given steel over timber in hand, even a girl as assured of herself as this one was intimidated as she saw crowds baying for blood and laughing at the idea of a skinny little girl being part of a melee fight, but she gave them reason to reconsider when the bout began. Instinct and training taking over and swords flying, she and her 'team' conquered their enemies in a tense nailbiter event, and were rewarded for their efforts.
Feeling like she had never eaten as much or as well as she did that night as a reward for her victory, but in many ways the fullness of her belly coming second to another 'treat' she received that day; the ovation of the crowd. For so long the world feeling like it wanted to turn its back on her at best and break her down at worst, she remembered the crowds chanting and cheering for her and her fellows and felt a far stronger intoxicant than any drink she could get in the years which followed.
Soon showing she would thrive under that pressure to gain the thrill she got from victory and applause she was brought, while she didn't win every time she did survive, and it seemed that no one could break her spirit nor her craving for success. With time realizing the value she brought to the place as well since the warrior girl was starting to build up her popularity, she fought animals and warriors in her contests, and only saw her esteem escalating as she was moved from chaotic mixes of bodies to something she could have a featured headline in.
A named warrior or as close as she could be with the alias she was kept under, Layla fought in duels meant to wow and entertain the crowds, and as something of a star attraction as her master brought her about the arena's and coliseums. This role going to her head a bit perhaps but also starting her on her road toward independence, she knew there was more to entertaining the crowds than simply getting the better of an enemy, and showed her overconfidence in how she liked to consider herself an 'artist' or 'storyteller' as she measured her enemies and responded accordingly to keep the crowd on the edge of their seats.
This talent for theatrics giving her more of a command over her rewards as well, Layla knew the momey she made for her 'master' and while at times she got threatened or even beaten for her cheek, made sure he was aware that if he wanted her best he would need to give her more. Demanding luxuries and greater independence, she trained in her own way and honed her skills and improved all the more for it, in many ways. Making the odd friend here and there as well, she won over rivals with her skill and smirk, while also acted as a 'big sister' for some of the newer recruits. Offering a little charity and protection to some, she stepped in to stop beatings and ruffled feathers with her dealings, and while she loved stepping out onto the 'stage' knew that it wouldn't be long until she outgrew her caged life entirely.
Given enough examples in her time as a gladiator that escape would be foolhardy with the collar clamped around her neck, instead she focused on ways to earn her freedom, and there was no greater way than impressing the queen was there? The woman known to show favour and grant freedom to worthy champions, while it was unheard of for a seventeen year old girl to win such favour that did little to curb her ambition, and so Layla aimed for nothing less than top billing and victory in front of the woman.
Fighting hard in the bouts that preceded this to impress her master and those who would invite her to the event, unfortunately she perhaps underestimated the determination of her owner to retain a prized attraction, and he said she could only compete in the finals if she earned her place by first winning a colossal melee beforehand. Left with no choice but to agree even if her fellows did think it was suicide to go try to go through 'hell' twice to win her freedom, Layla embarked upon the fools errand with her usual confidence in spite of the efforts of the man who had bought her years ago.
Fighting her way through challenger after challenger until she stood triumphant at the start of the show, she walked away fatigued but with a promise to see everyone again in the final round, but this was put into jeopardy by what happened in the back. The master paying his guards to blindside her and beat her down to ensure she had no chance of winning out in the final. Yet, that old fool should have remembered that this was a girl who did not give up easily.
Stumbling back into the arena as every in of her ached, she fought in a bad way and paid for it as she was slow and sluggish and caught way more hits than usual, though on the plus side that only added to the drama. On her back and bleeding more than she ever had in a fight but never staying down, the contest whittled down those that remained until only one enemy remained for Layla, but he wasn't an easy one. Up against a fishman, it was more a stroke of luck that she won than skill or strength, but ultimately she was able to stand tall in victory and have her arm raised. For about a second, of course, until she collapsed.
Waking up in the softest bed she had ever known and finding her wounds dressed and collar removed, it was only when the queen was called by her attendants that she realized she was in the palace, and was a little stunned when the woman offered her a role as one of her royal guards thanks to her skill and valour. Certainly not minding the idea of that too much given what a looker the woman was, ultimately Layla prized her opportunity to be her own woman now more, and politely declined. Thankfully the woman generous and saying that she had earned her right to choose, she sent her on her way with money to keep her well for a time and heartfelt appreciation for her ability, as well as a promise that she would return to serve her if ever she got tired of the world.
The first order of business which Layla attended to afterward one of revenge, however, while she had plenty of reason to be pissed off at her former master she found herself angriest at the attempt at double cross. Waiting only enough time so that she could move around without everything hurting, she returned to the man who had made her what she was and slaughtered the guards who had hurt her, before beating him as badly as he had her before the fight. Finishing off by taking his keys, she set his slaves loose and sent them on their way with a portion of his gold each, while keeping plenty for herself as well.
Relying on her honed combat skill after this to no small degree, while she made her way into the world with plenty of money all too quickly a tendency toward excess seemed to burn through it, and she needed more. Working as a hired blade and bounty hunter, she sold her skills as a bodyguard for some and an enforcer for others, yet in spite of further offers of 'residence' found she preferred to move around wherever and whenever she could.
For that reason liking when she struck a chord with a mercenary gang, they were impressed by her ability and offered her a chance to lead one of their teams in spite of her relative youthfulness, and promised plenty in return. The group effectively an army that drifted around and fought in battles for the highest bidder, their only loyalty was their own, and Layla liked the chance to use and test her skill and lead her own squad as well.
Fighting in battles all over the sea because of this and earning plenty as she did so, the group was paid to help coups or in some cases stop them, and had a strong rivalry with more legitimate forms of military might. Certainly far from as large or mighty as the marines but able to pick their battles, many regarded them as cutthroats little better than pirates, and perhaps their behaviour was more akin to the latter as well.
A gang that would drink together and spent almost as much time fighting one another as they did raising steel against their enemies, no party was complete without a good brawl and a black eye or bloody nose, and Layla seemed to fit right in. Ever cheeky and seeming to delight in the fact she was considered a contemporary of career soldiers due to her ability, she was happy to prove this fact, and ever ready to wear a smug grin after putting someone on the ground for thinking she was their not-so-little cheerleader.
Even then though one of the more distant commanders of the force, while she was happy to throw in for an operation and a payday Layla also enjoyed following her whims, and often she noticed these leading her into old habits. Strangely missing her time in arenas, she loved the thrill of competition almost as much as she did a skilled set of hands to massage her, and as such threw in not as a chained gladiator but a free warrior to claim the prizes therein.
Seeming to grab a particularly noteworthy 'prize' when she bested a warrior with a peculiar weapon, Layla found herself claiming an odd item which seemed to have the power to transform from a cleaver-type weapon and into a bird of prey, which she opted to name Falia. Quickly proving adept with the new piece of her arsenal, the intelligence of the bird made it an excellent scout and hunter and an invaluable aid in battle as she earned its respect and loyalty, and now treats 'her' as much as a pet and partner as she does a tool.
And so, her merry life continuing in a cycle of violence and indulgence, Layla continues to enjoy herself as she cuts her way through hoards of enemies or rampaging challengers in the arena, living every day like it might just be her last. Thriving on adrenaline and adulation in equal measure and hating to feel herself underwhelmed, she craves constant stimulation and increasing distraction, seeming to try to quench a bottomless thirst for something she cant quite define, but is sure she will know it when she finds it…
