Chapter Text
Shortly after impressing Heimerdinger and Mel with a prototype of Hextech, Viktor noted an explosion from the window. The explosion’s lights were a similar blue to their work. He then quickly dismissed himself, following the lights.
“Vi! Did you see that? It worked!” Powder shrieked as she felt the euphoric rush against her body
“You did this..?” Vi asked — her tone soft yet a pain of betrayal tickled against her throat Powder fell silent.
Her eyes began to water and the happiness she felt faded away. She observed the rage that plastered over Vi’s face. All Vi felt was fury towards her sister. Her mind traced back to Mylo’s words.
She jinxes every job!
In the next moment, Vi felt her hand slap against Powder’s face. An immediate regret rushed through Vi as she saw Powder’s face. Tears that poured against her face. However, to Powder, the slap didn’t hurt. When her sister slapped her, she named her a jinx. Which Powder couldn’t deny; all she did was jinx her family. In defeat, Powder sobbed uncontrollably. Her vision blurring as an enforcer pulled Vi away. Leaving Powder alone.
The trail was long, it lead him all the way to the undercity. Once he reached the attack area, he found corpses lying and a small child. She cried loudly, begging for someone not to leave her. Viktor approached her; wondering what she had to do with the sight. The girl looked above from the ground to find him there. She pulled him closer as she sobbed into his chest. Viktor accepted her affections and wrapped his arms around her.
“I did this. I jinxed it, like always..” she whispered under her breath Viktor’s brows furrowed; pondering about her words.
He remained silent — afraid if he were to say the wrong thing. He gently ran his fingers through her hair. As they remained in silence, another person tread through the area. There awaited Jayce whom was confused on why Viktor ventured through the undercity. Viktor refocused his gaze onto Jayce.
“What are you doing here?” he asked still keeping his voice quiet
“I can say the same thing about you. Now who is she?” Jayce questioned
“I’m not sure.” Viktor replied. He then faced down towards the girl. He politely asked her what her name was.
“Powder. I’m Powder.” she sighed
“This is Powder. I am taking her in.” Viktor declared shifting his focus onto Jayce once more.
“Wait?” Jayce shrieked “Why?”
Viktor reached for his cane then stood up. He let Powder hold onto his hand. She kept a tight grasp which Viktor shyly winced at.
“I don’t owe you an explanation.” he said
Jayce rolled his eyes as he sighed in frustration at Viktor’s attitude. The three then walked back to Plitover. Once they arrived, Jayce separated from their path. He returned to his home while Powder and Viktor went to his dormitory.
As the two treaded there, Viktor wondered about the girl. He worried of how he’d look after her. He was a man of illness and he was aware of it. Viktor didn’t want to have the girl witness him slipping. Despite being ill, he also held financial issues. He wasn’t broke yet didn’t have much money. He got by with cheap foods and owning little. Then, they arrived to the dormitory. Viktor searched for the key as Powder still grasped onto him.
He opened the door for them to enter the small room. In the room, all remained was a small kitchen, a tiny restroom, and a bedroom. There was also a dining area that served as a living room too. Viktor turned to the girl, ashamed of his home. He assured her one day they’ll have it better though. However to Powder, this was better than what she had. A tiny dorm was above living in the shadows of a bar.
Viktor guided her to the restroom where she’d bathe the dirt and blood off of her. Despite being clean outside, Powder remained with the guilt that made her feel disgusted. She murdered her family, that was something that never can be washed off. All what surfaced her mind was either Vi yelling at her or watched the rapid deaths of her father and brothers. Yet from afar someone cried out for her.
“Powder! I have dinner if you’d like some!”
It was the man who took her in. She didn’t learn his name yet which she found strange. It was odd that he rushed to take her without revealing his identity. It didn’t matter though, she trusted him. Powder then slipped on her clothing then went to see what the man had to offer her.
There in the crowded kitchens was the man. He sat down with his cane beside him. He slurped on instant ramen noodles which appeared delicious to Powder. She noticed he also prepped her own noodles. Powder climbed onto the chair beside his. She sat down then turned to face him.
“What’s your name?” she asked him
“It’s Viktor. I didn’t tell you?” he replied now questioning his actions
“No. It’s okay though.” she smiled
Viktor smiled back. He offered her a drink and other foods to accompany her noodles. She accepted the mild spices and a cup of juice. The two ate while Viktor explained in regard of himself. Powder was intrigued by him. He too was from the undercity and enjoyed science like she did.
Don’t trust him. A voice spoke to Powder. He’s tricking you. No one is a freak like you up here. As the voice continued, Powder recognized it was Mylo’s.
“Shut up, Mylo.” she whispered under her breath
“Oh I’m sorry.” Viktor apologized then fell silent
“Not you. My brother. He’s behind you actually.” Powder explained
Viktor turned behind him to see no one. His face fell into a look of confusion then he realized, it was in the girl’s head. He remained conflicted if he should encourage it or tell her it was in her head. He didn’t want to appear as if he labeled her as crazy. Viktor decided to gently tell her no one was behind him. He stood up then guided the girl to his bedroom. When she got there, she wondered where he’d sleep.
“What about you?”
“I’ll be fine.” he reassured
Powder smiled at him then thanked him for his kindness. Viktor told her it was no problem. He turned back to head to the restroom. Powder heard his cane tap into the grounds while she slipped into the covers of the bed. She saw on the nightstand remained bottles of medicine with empty water bottles. They were labeled as pain meds; Powder realized they were probably for Viktor’s leg. She grabbed onto the other pillow he owned then fell asleep.
The following morning, Viktor woke Powder up. The sun had barely risen — the sky illuminated hues of pink and orange. The visuals were extravagant to Powder. She adored the sky until Viktor came to help her get ready. He gave her basic yet adorable attire — Powder wondered where he managed to find them. He as well did her hair neatly. He took the mid length blue hair into a tight bun. When she saw her reflection in the bathroom’s mirror, she felt joyous. Her eyes shined while her smile was enormous. She hugged Viktor tightly as a way to give thanks. Once the two finished getting ready, Viktor guided her to the laboratory.
There awaited Jayce in the laboratory. He displayed all his notes as well as the blue glowing orbs Powder recalled from her heist with her siblings.
Before everything went wrong.
As she zoned out, Jayce snapped her back into reality with his loud yet charming tone.
“How about you become our apprentice, Powder right?” Jayce offered as a smile ran across his face
Viktor nudged Powder to alert her she was being spoken to. She then faced Jayce who still smiled at her. Powder then recalled what he had offered her — she quickly accepted it. She was thrilled to be in a laboratory. She remembered how much she ranted about working in one to Vi. Only if she could come home and excite Vi with the news. While she stood there, Viktor and Jayce began examining their notes. They used vocabulary Powder wasn’t even aware of yet. She noted how their faces lit up at the topic of science. Maybe she wasn’t an outsider to them as much as she thought.