Backstory
Growing up, Arcat lived in a strict household with parents who convinced her not to trust others, aside from them. Arcat was used to being refused when asking to see a friend, to even make them, because her schooling and successes were what mattered. But kids are kids, and oldest daughters tend to stray, so she naturally still did things behind their backs, especially cultivating her passion of singing.
Arcat often sang to and from school, in the hallways, very eager whenever she was in her choir class. She had a knack for it as is, knowing this may be her best skill, and the idea of excelling in something her parents didn't force her into felt great to her. No matter what they pushed her towards, she was certain she'd become a known singer one way or another. Of course, she expected hurdles along the way as long as she was at home, and having a little sister to watch over made her ultimately put her needs before her. She knew moving out without her would make her sister Verlin undergo the harsh upbringing in both of their steads.
When she was in high school, the time for college applications came, her parents already deciding where she would attend. Refusing to abide by their rules to go to a far away school, unwilling to sacrifice her passions, unwilling to let her sister follow an unfulfilling life as well, she dropped out early and took Verlin with her. With her allowances and work money saved up, money that wouldve been for an arts school, she used it for an apartment in the city. To be honest, she was very nervous about suddenly raising her sister, but the liberating feeling away from her parents was all she needed to keep going.
If she was grateful for anything from her parents, it was that they tried to prepare her somewhat for her future; making her work, get a car on her own insurance. When she moved, she was prepared to work a few jobs so her sister could attend a nearby school, but the tuition was certainly high given the nearby girls school was a prestigious one. The two sisters didn't mind though, Verlin already willing to help her sister out as soon as she could also work, even if Arcat often told her not too work so hard if she would. Luckily, one accident did lead to Arcat staying with one job rather than two at the same time.
At one point, Arcat got into a car accident with Joaquin Angert. Already very stressed financially, her car looking irreparable, she went to his car to see if he was okay when he didn't come out. By some stroke of luck, he was fine, but he'd also had flyers for job applications that caught her eye. Visiting him in the hospital, befriending him, she offered to work for him to repay her moral debt. He allowed it given her circumstances, training her even without her having finished school, very flexible if she had to care for her sister anytime. With this job, and his generosity in handling her sister's schooling (as his daughter went there too), Arcat felt more at ease.
Nowadays she does her best working in Joaquin's company, sometimes messing around with her coworkers with the usual pranks and banter, but her respect for Joaquin is indescribable. She jokes to him that she doesn't intend on changing jobs unless her singing really takes off, but she's at least got a handful of years left with him. He's always told her that if she gets the opportunity, he'd certainly support it. For now she sticks to singing at karaoke bars and small venues, but even a small crowd is exciting to have.