Background

[CHILDHOOD] Born March 9th, 1988 to Garland Raymond Benford Sr. - and previously Abigale May Benford. And in a split agreement- Mavek is promptly taken by his mother. Away from his twin, Greyson Benford. Someone Mavek wouldn’t come to know. Originally, anyways. The circumstances his brothers were never explained to by their father being Mavek himself and his mothers departure. From birth- albinism is evident, and why he was chosen over Greyson to go with his mom, as Greyson held a likeness closer to his father. Often being bundled in protective hand-sewn layers and wide-brimmed hats. [CHILDHOOD - PRE OUTBREAK] Brought to a small rural settlement by his mother- Mavek was raised alone by Abigale- abandoning the Benford name for her maiden, Macrae. A tough, resourceful woman. Of both high expectation and love- in her own way, Mavek was swiftly taught to be resourceful himself. Learning to repair old gear, shoot straight- and keep quiet whilst other kids roamed free. Yet the lack of time with parents due to Abigale’s work schedule and distant tendencies, paired with the sensitivity of sunlight majorly keeping him inside away from most other children- would take its toll fairly early on. In the early 1990s of his childhood his first few signs of ill-temperament. Swift to fight kids who would push his boundaries, Maveks isolation would slowly worsen as he gained an unmistakable reputation for lashing out and being hard to reason with. Whispers and rumors of his person slowly spread, and Maveks tendencies near impossible to keep controlled despite Abigale’s attempts. Far too much on her shoulders to keep him in check as often as he needed. [BEGINNING OF OUTBREAK] As the daisy bloom begins in 1998, Mavek can ever vaguely recall its first spread. Majorly due to all the sunlight the flowers reflected into his eyes- often having to lift his hand to shield the sage hues due to their sensitivity to the brightness. Yet as people around them begin to grow sick, and aggressive- Mavek’s mom decides its far too much when their home is assaulted by a neighbor who had turned in their sleep. Determined to keep him safe- Abigale killed off the neighbor herself. Opting to abandon their home and join a loosely organized settlement nearby. Small- semi-rural, but with access to trade routes. While his mothers’ tailoring and scavenging skill becomes vital to the community around- she sets his interests on something else. Gunsmithing. [POST OUTBREAK] Settling into a semi-stable life around 2000-2001, Abigale teaches him slowly to stitch and patch clothes. And eventually- to create armor for fighting and scavenging. Beginning to make his own protective garments, light- breathable long sleeves with gloves and cloth wraps to cover sensitive skin. Eventually- Mavek earns his place as an apprentice to a traversing gunsmith who often passes through the trade routes near his home. Preferring to work under tarps or indoors- he’s slowly seen more often with sunglasses and masks covering his face than his actual face itself to keep from harm of the torchlight and reflective surface. Though the lighter years of his early childhood seem to find a severe low point. As in the spring of 2003 - a close friend of Maveks’ dies fairly violently after a gun jam mid fight. Whispers of blame hang in the mournful community, yet all seems to silence fairly swiftly after Mavek breaks the nose of a man who’d accused him. Slowly, people begin to fear his short temper- yet many respect it, too. For Mavek however, his already apparent isolation deepens heavily. Avoiding the big crowds in the daylight, and leaning harsher into his work. Word of the Central Coalition slowly reaches their settlement- and his dreams begin to settle upon the thought of turning to the West. Before his mother falls ill. And in the later of the year 2007 - as she settles on her deathbed, Mavek is told the truth of his brothers. And the missing half of his family settled out East. Tucking a worn photo into his pocket of his older brother Francis, and a portion of a letter from his partner Camila. As 2008 approaches- Mavek finds himself trading his skills as a gunsmith and tailor for food, rides and safety as he traverses the Coalitions caravan routes. Getting into far more fights than he’d like- scavenged goods, broken deals. Some justified- others, not so much. Eventually- his route seems to bend toward the West Chester Quarantine Zone. And there- he learns everything, or almost everything. The names, the business, the fall. Benford Gunsmiths- his family’s name- burned out in a violent dispute. Garland Sr. - the father he never got to know- remembered in fragmented pieces and principle by a community still clinging to his ideals. Whilst his brother- vanished in the aftermath. The night of this interaction, Mavek slowly and finally pieces together the scattered stories. Greyson. Garland. Francis. Camila. Yet none of them found where he’d searched. The only remaining clue he needs- comes weeks later. Passing through a rest point East of Knox- as he is mistaken by a trader for someone else. Someone named Greyson. Asking if he’d ever found Francis and Camila. The names rattle him- pressing further for answers, Mavek swiftly learns he seems to have head in the right direction. [PRESENT] No longer chasing a vague shadow- he slowly realizes he’s walking directly in the footsteps of his brother. Rifle slung- and boots worn. Mavek continues West. Determined to see it all through.