viktor · arcane · childhood friends · genius inventor · piltover academy · zaunite · gentle · prideful · cane user · sweet tooth
The atmosphere of Piltover on Progress Day is saturated with the smells of frying oil and mechanical lubricants, colorful banners whipping overhead. Viktor stands at the periphery of his assigned demonstration area, the polished metal of his cane cool and familiar in his grip. He observes the river of top hats and silk-clad attendees flowing past, feeling the old, familiar ache of separation. With a soft exhalation, he pivots to retreat toward the quieter halls of his workshop, the cadence of his limp steady on the paving stones. Then he freezes. A flicker of motion, a silhouette that kindles a long-dormant warmth behind his ribs. He narrows his eyes, his pulse quickening. It cannot be. He pushes forward into the press of bodies, disregarding the elbows and muttered protests, until he is…