Simply Not Allowed

'It's been an eventful few weeks. I'm trying to catch up as I sit here on the back of a supply wagon bound for the Fields of Ruin, but my head is still spinning. I suppose I should just start where I left off. After leaving Scholar Worfmir and the rest of the priory team monitoring Bria to their work, I spent a long time pondering why my escape early retirement from the Priory seemed to have gone so smoothly after I got clear of Lion's Arch, especially with the Whispers badge slipped into my bag making it clear that even the Order was aware of my departure. Maybe my letter to Gixx really was as convincing as I'd hoped it was.'

'Stopping to question a captive Inquest operative against my better judgement was really the first mistake I made in the Steppes. The shadow of Hanne's words had been hanging heavily over me for a while, and when I saw the opportunity to possibly confirm whether or not she was still following me, I couldn't help but take it.

I put up my hood and stormed into their hidden lab with less subtlety than the situation warranted, which was the second mistake. Or mistake 1.5, maybe? I shut off the alarm manually (hit it with a sword) and went right for the databases. My limited experience with Inquest technology isn't much more than other farm girls from Kessex have, but it's at least enough to know what a keyword search is.'

'I don't know if I was expecting her to jump out of the console and stab me, or what. The feeling of being watched had only gotten stronger as I traveled through the region and part of me had thoroughly convinced itself I was about to be jumped and dragged off to a vivisection table at any given moment.

The Inquest assignment databases told the opposite story. Biothaumist Hanne had been reassigned shortly after our encounter to a highly classified new krewe, and shipped off to...somewhere. I was so baffled that the shadow I'd been convinced was right behind me wasn't even on mainland Tyria anymore that I barely noticed the alarm reactivating until I had to hightail it away from the lab supervisor.'

'Even after learning that Hanne had been sent far away, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was breathing down my neck, one step behind me. At this point, I decided that if my instincts weren't leading me completely astray, and Gixx kept his word about advocating for my innocence in Kryta, the unshakeable presence was most likely the Order of Whispers. But STILL, no matter how close I got to Pact encampments, no one made any attempts to capture, question, or really even talk to me. My hood is a serviceable disguise from a distance, but it isn't that good. I actually felt like I was being ignored, which, in hindsight, was probably true.'

'I started avoiding the Pact camps after that, staying with friendly ogres and camping out in the old Ascalonian ruins. Still, the feeling stayed, but I kept it at bay thinking about what the old wall must have looked like in its prime. An ancient feat of human dedication, and a symbol of old Ascalon's hostility and fear. Ghosts still mill around it, trying to keep outsiders at bay. I wish I could help them realize their war is over.

I was camped in a nook below those ruins (the third mistake was starting an uncovered fire) when she found me.'

'One moment, I was writing down my thoughts, and the next I had blue chains clamped around my neck, burning cold. At first I thought it was a ghost attack, but Vulpes' immediate panic felt different somehow. Then I saw the charr. I haven't encountered many guardians before, just a few among Priory and Vigil squads, but I was able to put two and two together. She was staring directly through me, like she could see the demon snarling behind my eyes.

I didn't recognize her armor, not at first. The only thoughts running through my head were the fight-flight-freeze kind, and I wasn't exactly examining what I would later realize was a modified Whispers brigantine bearing the Tyrian Alliance's crest on the back.'

'A bellowing shriek from above snapped me out of my panic (or maybe just made me panic more productively) and my flesh construct got a lucky hit on the bounty hunter. The magic sustaining the chains faltered and I threw the biggest concentration of terror magic I could in my attacker's direction before she could get a paw around the crossbow at her hip. I ran for the nearest Legion base as a Shatterer (an entire Torment-ridden Shatterer) passed overhead.

The bounty hunter wasn't dissuaded for long. We traded strikes as I clambered through the ruins and eventually decided to take my chances in the Brand itself. I don't know if you, imaginary reader, have ever had to out-sprint a charr who is actively trying to kill you, but it's not fun. I only have two legs to work with.'

'It was at about this point, sprinting full-tilt through the Dragonbrand, that I realized most of her shots were going embarrassingly wide. Then I realized she was missing on purpose, trying to herd me back out of the Brand rather than kill me outright. I put it together when I identified the Tyrian Alliance crest; this wasn't just any bounty hunter. She was here for Vulpes, not me.

From the Priory's perspective, I stumbled into their hall all those months ago in a delirium and denied their attempts to screen me for extraworldly entities, only to run off and immediately be accused of graverobbing and murder in Kryta. They know about the Accident, they know small-scale disasters tend to follow in my wake, and they know that once I finally managed to secure a place of safety in their underground library, I abruptly ran away again with little explanation. In their records, I've been nothing but erratic and flighty, a random Kessex orphan with magic too strong for my own good.'

'The Priory must think I'm a victim of demonic possession. (And they're not exactly wrong, either.) That would explain why the normal Pact forces haven't made any attempts to detain me; they must not know how strong or weak of a demon Vulpes is. They were waiting for a specialist to track me down.

The bounty hunter gave up the chase abruptly, just clear of Steeleye Span. I don't know why. It's possible her jurisdiction doesn't apply to places under the control of the United Legions, or that she'd rather not provoke whatever she thinks Vulpes is that close to a populated area - even if the population is made up of battle-hardened Sentinels. Either way, I took the lucky break and wound my way down towards the Fields of Ruin, much more careful to ensure I wasn't leaving a trail.'

'I haven't seen her since, but I can only assume she's still out there, probably regrouping and adapting her strategy now that we've actually exchanged blows. I wanted to drag my feet before investigating the address in Ebonhawke from Ma's book, but it looks like I won't get the luxury of traveling slowly.'

[TLDR]

1325 AE, Mabaki Awakens

Explores Tyria

Joins a guild and enters the Mist Wars

Leaves WvW/Guild to join the Vigil/Pact

Tower of Nightmares changes him

LWS1 ~ PoF, Vigil/Pact Soldier

LWS4/IBS, Meets Caira, It's a rocky start, they start dating, then get married.

EoD, Adopts 3 saplings

SotO, Caira disappears and comes back as Wayfinder

JW, Angst season within their relationship

VoE, It's vacation mode, babyyyy

[TIMELINE]

1325 AE, Mabaki Awakens. Average curious Sylvari. He is not there for the Pact forming and defeat of Zhaitan. He wishes he was, and saw the events here and there in his Dream.

Explores Tyria as one curious Sylvari does (My excuse to level him to 80 and gain world experience)

Joins a guild and enters the Mist Wars. Lured by the idea of adventure and fighting. He bulks up there. IIRC time moves differently in WvW and it actually does 'reset', so to me I take that as him seeing all the horrors of repeatedly seeing his comrades and enemies brutally die in a neverending war for a duration of 'few yeas'. He figures, this isn't where he wants to stay forever. With a push from a certain Charr, he gets out (aka me binge-playing WvW lmao).

Leaves the guild to join The Vigil/Pact Still wants the thrill of adventure, but something new instead of the grueling war of the Mists. He gains a sense of duty, somehow.

1326 AE, Goes through Tower of Nightmares Probably his first 'big' mission. Went through the tower with a faulty gas mask. Barely survives the tower and comes out injured, and has been slowly inhaling the toxins. I decided this would just alter him mentally and physically. (I get shy about this aspect because it feels a bit 'edgy' to me lmao:) His intrusive thoughts manifest as a sort of mental entity. I call him "Bad-baki" lmao. He's the reason Mbk develops anger and ego-issues, and starts acting a bit more brash towards others. Though his sense of 'duty' to the Vigil/Pact remains strong. He ignores the voice of his intrusive thoughts as best he can.

Bad-Baki is not physical, he's in Mbk's head (hnm~ must be something related to Sylvari's mental... capabilities). Mbk doesn't know he even exists, hence it's his 'intrusive thoughts'. Above is the art I drew of this for myself in 2023, Just to play with the idea of Mbk changing physically and metaphorically. He also gains his skill/power to control Dreamthistles / Toxic Spores / Vines.

1327 ~ 1331 AE, He goes on to partake in the rest of LWS1, LWS2, HoT, LWS3, and PoF as a Vigil/Pact member - He doesn't get taken over by Mordremoth because his 'intrusive thoughts' had taken up space in his head and forcefully shielded Mbk from Mordy's influence. - Gets sent around Tyria to either 'clean-up' Pact messes, short expeditions, or sent out to train new recruits (mostly for the Vigil). - Promoted to Lieutenant rank quickly, then eventually Warmaster, but he turns that down as he doesn't want more responsibility. - Mbk is not part of the main Pact that goes off to face Kralkatorrik. He's the reserve/backup that's still going around in areas the Heart of Maguuma and Central Tyria. - Becomes 'friends' with Dhrax (My rev Charr). Mbk was totally annoyed with Dhrax at first, denies they are friends (but they really are friends and Dhrax will not let that up. Both work together as Lieutenants) - He's still dealing with the intrusive thoughts and picked up a few habits to deal with it, like meditating and smoking early on.

--------------------------------------------------- This is where the ship stuff starts lmao sorry ---------------------------------------------------

1332 AE, meets Caira (LWS4/IBS) She approached him first. After their introduction, he's starting to notice this pink Sylvari around the camps and expeditions he's going through. Learns that she's part of the Priory, interested in history, and she's valuable in terms of collecting dangerous artifacts (KNOWLEDGEmeme.gif). Hence, on occasion, his group is sent out with hers together. He finds her totally irritating at first, because she would. not. stop. rambling. Everything he's learned about her early on was 'against his will' lmao.

First artwork by @mme-chouette

1333 AE, first confession Naturally, as one spends time with someone, they get closer... just a little. Mbk originally was not interested in relationships (even friends, okay? LMAO). He enjoyed the freedom of 'fooling around' as he saw fit. But he's forced to come to terms that she might be the closest person to him yet (other than Dhrax but he vehemently denies that lol). The first time Caira is gravely injured, he wasn't there to help her. This ate away at him for a while during her recovery. Once she was well enough to move around, he goes through his first confession: "You are someone important to me," (In a flower field, specifically).

1334 AE, Hectic year, 2nd confession. - His intrusive thoughts are getting worse now that he's starting to warm up to someone. It does not like that Mbk is forming a connection, and tries to cause a split-up. Mbk is on occasion hurtful and cold to Caira. He's disrespectful towards a few higher-ranks than him in the Pact. - He goes through a humiliating defeat in a fight he initiated. In shame, to deal with the overwhelming thoughts, he leaves (on and off, first a few weeks, then a few months) to go 'meditate', hoping this would solve the issue. He eventually returns after half a year (in total), but has not improved. - Distraught, Caira tells Mbk this isn't viable between them, and he needs to figure something out (Because of Mbk's on-and-off attitude, and with him disappearing for so long, she has cut her leaf-hair and has grown it to her current vine and rose hair). - In anger, and the constant voice in his head berating him, Mbk loses control of his vines, (instigated by Bad-baki) that lash out to attack Caira, but he blocks it using himself as a shield. - Distraught that he almost injured her, he breaks down and begs for help, he no longer wants to hear anymore of his intrusive thoughts. They're distressing and painful. - I won't dive into too much detail, but with Caira's mesmer magic, and help from the Pale Tree, they manage to suppress and seal Mbk's intrusive thoughts away. It's always there, just a small flicker. He will gradually learn to control his anger and ego issues. - After a week passes and he's able to think clearly for once, he has time to come to terms with his feelings for Caira, and confesses to her a 2nd time. Promises to be hers for as long as she lets him. They officially start dating.

1335 AE, they get married (3rd confession).

How it sort-of happened. It was a small and intimate wedding.

Adopts 3 saplings. (EoD) - They are still stuck in Central Tyria, they explore Cantha eventually later, but not while the Commander is doing commander things. - I won't divulge too much into them. If you'd like to read about them more, Check this post. - There is also Vinca, who belongs to @kasimova-dariia. It started as a joke but he is now semi-adopted (He's welcome to be part of the family but he wants his own independence. "A stray cat who keeps coming back."). There is no clear timeline for this, for now.

The first three adopted saplings, Rosa, Vince, and Laurane.

1336 AE, Caira Disappears and comes back as Wayfinder (SotO) - Technically for the timeline, the commander would be Fen's, Commander Fenrele. She is Caira's aunt. At the start of EoD, Caira is asked by the Commander to look into the new ruckus. Caira is the one that gets teleported to Nayos / Cerus intro, so she essentially disappears, and goes through the events of SotO. - Mbk is extremely distraught that his wife is missing. (Cue the "WHERE'S MY WIFE" breakdown). He stays in Tyria to fight off the Kryptis waves that keep spawning, holding out on hope that Caira is alive and well.... (he did get 1 letter during the whole time from her). - Caira fights Eparch alongside Peitha and comes back as Wayfinder. She has lost her left arm, and had lied about her well-being in the letter.

1337, 1338 AE, (JW) - During downtime between SotO and JW, Mbk and Caira talk about everything during the past year and a half, getting caught up with each other. The topic of her arm comes up and he comforts her to not hide it. - Caira admits that the role of Wayfinder is an ordeal on herself and that it is a difficult position to uphold. Mbk offers to step-up and help her as Co-Wayfinder (Caira tells Isgarren to make him so). - Mbk develops a sort of anxiety and paranoia that his wife might disappear and become injured again. As they explore Lowland Shore, he watches Caira carry out her position as Wayfinder and it's jarring. It really does hit him that he has missed out on her growth for a whole year. - His anxiety causes him to become overbearingly protective, figures out why he feels hurt: she kept her arm a secret to not worry him, when previously they shared everything between each other. They end up fighting verbally. - It takes the entire journey of Lowland Shore and Syntri to talk it over, and to fix their miscommunication. By the time they get to Bava Nisos, they have made up. - After the events of JW, Mbk re-does his vows with her.

It really do be like that.

1338 (VoE) Mbk is practically treating this expansion as a vacation, for real. LOL I'll come up with the proper lore once this expac is finished.

And thats it. SORRY IF THERE'S SPELLING MISTAKES.

One major change I hope I managed was his anger-issues and how he deals with his problems. Instead of blowing up as a first reaction, he's more calculating (unless its for the funnies then he still blows up hahahaaaaaa) If you read it this far, thanks and wow you're crazy LMAO