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Viktor never really had something to look forward to during the day. He just played outside while his parents worked long days and hoped that none of the other kids would notice him.
After meeting Singed and Rio though, the latter quickly became a highlight of the boy’s day.
“Hey, Rio.” Viktor greets the pink creature as he enters the cave, carrying a basket full of the purple flowers Rio loves to eat. He always brings those for her whenever he comes by.
The creature answers with a cheerful noise as if to say hello back. When Viktor reaches the pink mutation, he puts the basket in front of her, allowing Rio to eat. She happily feasts on the purple flowers, something that always makes Viktor smile.
“How are you?” He asks the pink creature as he sits next to her, leaning against her. The boy knows Rio can’t answer, but he asks nonetheless. She’s dying, and she has no one else aside from Singed who cares for her. So Viktor just talks to her.
Like him, she’s lonely.
“Sorry, I couldn’t bring my boat. It broke.” Viktor says as if she had made him promise it, but it’s more to himself. The boy wants to show one of his inventions to Rio only to see her reaction. “I’ll bring it with me tomorrow.”
Aside from Sky, Viktor doesn’t have any friends to play with, hence why he hangs out with Rio often. The pink creature never judges him and is always there to listen while he talks about boat ideas.
Rio finishes eating the batch of purple flowers, letting out a light burn that makes Viktor laugh. Tired, the pink creature lays down, curling up around the boy like he’s her young. Viktor doesn’t mind, almost falling asleep himself.
“You’re my friend too, Rio.” Viktor says as if the pink creature has said something, gently petting her head, his smile slowly forming into a sad frown.
It’s so easy to forget Rio is dying. That’s the main reason why Viktor asked Singed if he could help, to maybe cure the animal. Aside from the scientist who isn’t here right now, Viktor is the only one who keeps her company, and he doesn’t plan on changing that.
They can be lonely together.