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shtern-and-art · 4 months ago

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Zaun AU - Viktor

This is the little AU that haunts me, where Viktor and Jayce both live in Zaun, and Arcane is actually about class struggle and oppression.

Here you can read Jayce's backstory. And in this post we'll tackle Viktor's.

VIKTOR AND HIS (TERRIBLE?) LUCK

- In this timeline, Viktor's parents died way earlier, while he was still a kid.

- It happened very soon after, or even right around the time when he had a falling out with Singed. Double hitting little Viktor with tragedy here.

- Little Viktor pointedly didn't go after Singed, even if it meant he ended up in an orphanage. There was not enough food, education, and definitely no good perspectives in life there, but it beat trying to survive on the streets.

- It was the mining company's orphanage. As in, they sponsor it and put orphans of their employees there (the life expectancy on the job is not that great, after all). And the orphanage raises the kids in the same trade. The new generation of miners with almost a sure guarantee of the job after they’re old enough to start working. Great system all around. Ha. ha.

- Viktor's parents were not miners, but he lived in the same gray infested district where most of them and the orphanage were settled, so he got sent there by proxy.

- He spent at least a year there.

- But Viktor couldn't just sit around, just be content with getting pre-trained for swiftly dying on the first month of work right after leaving that damn place.

- Viktor didn't really try to make friends, and got in trouble several times for breaking into the school after hours.

- Partially because he kept working on his own little projects in secret. Like a breathing mask that filters out or converts gases.

- There weren't many resources around for him to test and build his projects around the orphanage. So Viktor quickly turned to scavenging and stealing stuff he might need around the city. This took a lot of his free time and involved way too much walking around to be comfortable, but what can one do. Science can't wait.

But not everything he needed was easy to come by.

- Trying to build an efficient mask was proving to be difficult, and demanding on resources. Viktor's knowledge and his school's chemistry lab couldn't fully keep up with his ambitions on this one.

THE INCIDENT x2: THE COLLISION

- So when Viktor heard the whiff of a rumor that a reclusive scientist guy got settled in some warehouse nearby, the guy that looks suspiciously like Singed, he decided to seize this chance.

- The scientist in the storage facility was indeed Singed, and he had a bigger, well stocked lab in there.

- After spying on it for a bit, and with prior knowledge of some of his former mentor’s habits, Viktor figured out when and how he can get in there, and for how long he can stay in the lab without being noticed.

He made sure to be very careful, and not leave any evidence of his presence, or the fact that he's using the equipment and stealing things here and there.

(He thought he was being so stealthy and smart about it all, ohboy).

- Viktor was still in his pre-teens, very early teens here, btw.

- This went on for a few months.

- Until one day Viktor got carried away and overstayed in the lab. And got almost busted, when Singed came back, and with a bunch of mafia guys in tow.

- They spread out to watch the exits, and little Viktor had to scramble, hide in the cupboards, and crawl under benches without losing his cane, leg pain be damned.

- Because Singed and Silko just -had- to walk around the lab talking about business and their future plans and schedules. Silco tried to push Singed into moving the lab or letting Silco put more security around this one. Like, stuff keeps getting stolen from him here and there. Not a lot, but this wouldn't do.

- And Viktor was very careful and stealthy. He -almost- made it out without being noticed. But, again, there were armed mafia goons on all sides of the place.

- So they got him, like a little rat boy who overheard a lot of plans for highly illegal stuff, and brought him and his broken cane to Silco (and absolutely unfazed Singed).

OF FATHER FIGURES AND REBELLION (part 1: Singed)

- And, well. Silco couldn't let the boy go. Viktor's life was very much expandable here in the face of the bright future Silco was about to build. But, like, it was still a bit awkward. Boy is scared and angry and even has a little bite to him.

- And one (maybe even Viktor for a second) would think Singed would cover for Viktor. Pretend he's still the wayward protege. But that's a lot to expect from the guy. So all Singed managed to muster up with 0.00005 of conscience he had left in him was a thoughtful "You might want to keep the child" to Silco. "He will be of use".

("these words will have consequences" moment)

Singed: This will be a smart investment. Silco: I'm sure having a sickly but smart child around with bright ideas that are destined to waste away in the mines will not awaken anything in me. Singed: Singed: If you say so.

- With no cane (at first) and no safe place to go, Viktor couldn't really run away.

- And from the other side of this predicament – benevolently adopting a child, sorry, a future employee from the streets was cool and all, but Silco really didn't know what to do with a kid milling around his place and becoming meaner and meaner to the bodyguards with each passing day.

- So Silco avoided dealing or talking with Viktor for a bit, and then, bless his morally gray soul, tried to sneaky offload him on Singed.

Because the science child needs proper science education, and he's the best science guy around. And even familiar to the kid, too! So. Babysitting duty it is.

- Like, Viktor needed something to do. Had to be socialized a bit. When Silco got him a new custom-made cane, Viktor broke a couple of toes of the first bodyguard that spooked him.

(It was mostly an accident).

(That cane was too heavy and awkward to handle).

Singed: Thanks, but no thanks. He doesn't really listen to me anymore. Singed: Your problem now. Silco: >C

- Viktor was still stuck hanging out with Singed for a bit there, while Silco was busy with, well, business and having his adoption crisis.

- It was a lot of fun (No. No it wasn't.).

- Viktor was still angry with Singed about Rio, and also for working with some criminal guy now, and not caring much about (Viktor or) anything, really.

- Singed was really truly indifferent to all this drama, as long as Viktor didn't fuck up (on accident or on purpose) whatever he was working on. And even then, he'd just sigh and comment on the spirit of youth getting to Viktor's head or something.

- Because only the lack of experience could allow Viktor to waste time sulking around and wasting the opportunities life throws at his feeble feet. Right now, to continue the research Singed is interested in at the reasonable pace, he needs more funding and resources than Singed can or cares to muster up himself. He had the opportunity to get it all, and so he's here, trading money for results with Silco. For now.

If you want to keep on your goals and get somewhere with them and with your life, you've got to take the chances you get, and squeeze out the most out of them. Even if they might seem dirty and unappealing. Most times it still beats being buried in an unmarked grave.

- Singed will not wink wink nudge around this, he's a pretty direct guy. Viktor is lucky to be alive and have some possible future ahead. Singed doesn't care one way or the other, but it's very impractical of Viktor to wallow in all this "sold to one direction" suffering.

- This hurt to swallow, but still left an impression on Viktor.

- His relationship with Singed evened out over the next years, but stayed strained. From Viktor's side. Singed really, truly didn't care. He's focused and unbothered by any parental drama happening around him. Apart, of course, from his own.

- Singed did care for Viktor and taught him well, and even appreciated him as an occasional assistant and later as a fellow man of science. But ultimately Singed always was more focused on his own goals. He let the vague leftover opportunity for the gentle connection wither away. And Viktor with an array of vague and contradictory feelings about his almost father figure, that Viktor would not admit to have without significant pressure.

GROWING PAINS

Viktor growing up: Me being so sickly and in constant need for medical attention must be stretching my usefulness thin. Must not become a liability, must work even harder.

Silco, with several surgeons on call, pulling debts, and ready to bite heads off for top quality accommodations: *pins schedule for Viktor’s weekly massages on Viktor’s bedpost, tucks it in his notebook, sets up alarms*

Silco, actually touched by the efforts the child made to help him: ah, g-d dang it... Viktor, not sure what exactly from the things he did worked: o-o ???? ?? ? Singed, who just wants to work on his drugs in peace:

He's so not invested in all this. Leave him to hunt wolves and dissect lizards. He needs his recreational animal hunting for samples.

- It took Silco a moment to stop waving his new reality away, get Viktor a proper cane and generally figure out what to do. And at first he did it all because it is, you know, just practical.

- But, yes, Silco, you will not get away with letting the child grow like moss somewhere on the shelf until he starts bringing results.

You gotta figure stuff out.

- It's a trap. He will fall in and hit the ground hard.

Silco will memorise every single prescription Viktor has, and will have to regularly hunt the child down to make sure he eats. Because some pills have to go with food.

- They'll have a talk one day (just like the talk Viktor had with Singed). About taking what's needed to keep going, staying on top of your goals.

There's no point in sitting there and suffering. For what even? To feel superior? Over people who do not struggle like you are? Who are not in pain? Pfft.

- Silco will ask Viktor if he thinks he is the only one who knows what it's like to be unable to function without meds or aid. Of course, it is not to the same degree, but they both were poisoned by this city.

Much to consider for little Viktor. Many things to sit side by side in silence about.

- What do you think It'll be like for them to develop an evening routine of medical care? Silco takes his meds, counts out Viktor's, while Viktor measures Silco's shots. Viktor does his stretches, while Silco prepares him sweet milk.

Viktor, emerging from the lab after a week-long binge of working:

Silco, appearing from the shadows behind his shoulder: ........Noticing you’ve missed your morning exercise 3 times already.... … .. .

Viktor:

This will have consequences. (C) Silco.

Like, who's gonna be groaning and whining for another week while trying to get out of bed? Who's gonna need compress and a call to the masseuse? Hmh.

OF FATHER FIGURES AND REBELLION (part 2: Silco)

- In his teen years, Viktor got dragged through many chem-barons meetings and parties in the guise of a cup bearer- I mean secretary. Because Silco could trust only him with some sensitive documents and info.

- Vague hopes of raising himself a diplomatically suave successor crushed hard over Viktor treating these ventures like a cat would a bath.

- Viktor can and would ruin a trading deal for Silco just because he was taken (dragged, cursing and flailing) from his lab while some tests were still running.

Why was Viktor in the lab, when he was set to be ready for the business meeting 30 min ago? Dedication to the craft. Next question.

- Oh, you think you have it hard, Silco? Wait till his sister shows up, try to get her to behave. Will remember the good old days.

At least you can discipline Viktor by giving him, idk, a gazillion stacks of paperwork for a week.

- Silco didn't stop Viktor from pursuing academics and science, of course. Even encouraged it.

- He essentially encouraged Viktor researching and developing things that would help them in the plan of building up Zaun's strength and independence. Yes, sometimes it meant building weapons.

- Viktor wasn't really happy with doing this, but growing up with Silco he saw the value in what he was trying to do, and wanted to see their city free and independent one day, too.

- And when they'll get closer to that goal, when people will stop being trampled down and dying from neglect and malice of the privileged assholes, Viktor will have a chance to put his whole attention into working on his other projects. To invent things that will improve the everyday lives of people.

But for now it's revolution first, necessities later.

- Viktor still can tinker with his other projects, still slave over improving his mask design, and other biomechanical aids, research plants and all. He has all the funds he might need, Silco believes in everything Viktor does, 100%.

But, you know. Those things are designated to his free time. They are not the priority. Yet.

- An -yet- Viktor still felt the tension. The dissatisfaction. The pressure and constraints these expectations put on him. He believed in Silco's cause, of course, full stop with him. But it always felt like he could do more with his other ventures, if he was free to put his efforts into directly helping people right now.

- Silco understood that this tension existed, but somewhat underestimated it. He believed in Viktor's loyalty no matter how many arguments they had, and even with Viktor's various outbursts and "making a point" sabotages.

- Oh, the roundabout way of making weapons for one group so it will win (so your people will), and there will be no need to use weapons so much. *looks at Jayce in s 1 act 2*

- Oh, the later contrast of Jinxes weapons being very violent and destructive and painful, and Viktor's being more simple and efficient.

Viktor: *invents stunning bullets that can knock people out for various periods of time* Viktor: I am being so ethical c: Silco: *uses them to torture people* Viktor: >0

THE DEVIL ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TEST TUBE

- In addition to everything else, in this timeline Viktor was studying and invested in bioengineering.

- And he was (on and off) helping Singed with the development of Shimmer.

- Viktor wouldn't want Rio's suffering and legacy to be in vain. For it to be a berserk drug with terrible addiction.

- Viktor: I Will Fix This. For normal and noble and just reasons, that don't involve any projection or guilt. At all.

- Shimmer was developed as a healing and strength booster drug, and Viktor and Singed spent a lot of time ironing it out.

- Well, Singed worked on perfecting the desired results, that he (and Silco) needed. If one cares for the difference. (Viktor did.)

- Silco pushed for the earliest possible release of the product, Singed didn't care much, Viktor's opinion was sidelined a lot.

- The future consequences of all this were building up and up.

THE OVERVIEW

- This kind of upbringing left its mark, and Viktor grew up even more bite-y and stand-offish, and more ready to make difficult compromises with his morals if it meant getting closer to his own goals.

- That stayed the same – to help people of the undercity.

- I think it will be fun to have Viktor on the hot spot, spearheading the research to free his city from oppression. Have him choose compromises after compromises just for a chance to do it one day.

- To have Viktor's need to prove his worth and his right to be there grip him more strongly. His desire to show that he's just as capable, just as strong as everyone else. That he's capable of handling everything he was dealt and more.

- All of this will be stretching his control of himself and his life thin.

His insecurities and fear forced him into a role with few choices and many regrets.

- Since Viktor started to get better medical attention when he was still a kid, the condition of his leg is not as bad when he's in his 20s, and it doesn't deteriorate as fast. He still needs a cane and later a brace (maybe not the same one?).

- Because his leg is in better condition (and thanks to Silco getting him into regularly doing physical therapy and gymnastics) Viktor's back is doing better, too. He does need regular massages and to wear a corset (sometimes or regularly) to keep in this way.

- Currently, I am not sure if we'll need to keep Viktor's terminal illness in this AU. We know so little about it from canon, and there's enough going on narratively in the AU to keep it going.

It can stay as slowly coming to surface chronic condition caused by the gray. Viktor would have a weaker respiratory system, low oxygen levels in the blood (maybe need that supplemented sometimes). Have chronic fatigue. He'll be more prone to get colds and infections.

- I'll think about it more (and do share your thoughts if you have them), but so far I don't think the actual ticking timebomb (heheh) of it is necessary.

BEFORE: Jayce's bio

UP NEXT: the explosion, the plot, the gayness, and other fun things

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