For Whom the Yordle Sings
Something slowly stirred his restless mind into consciousness. Why did… he feel like someone was in the room with him…? That Jayce idiot was gone, and he surely didn’t sleep THAT LONG… Like an itch he couldn’t scratch, Viktor did his best to ignore it. Gods dammit, he just wanted to SLEEP. Yet the faint hum of a rather high-pitched funny sounding voice and a faint rustle of papers started to drive him mental. Why the fuck was it so LOUD AND… CLOSE? Wait a damn second-
Very slowly, Viktor blearily opened his left eye, the world spiraled around him only for a few seconds, before he finally could see straight. Bright. WAAAAY too bright. Maybe he could ask the nurse if they had any other light settings other than BLINDING, or SUPERNOVA OF A SUN. Either way, asking wouldn’t hurt. The paper shuffling got a bit louder, with the soft mutterings about the equations and complex cross overs of the numbers were very good. It sounded like a teacher grading… Homework? He truly prayed he was on some seriously strong drugs, because he was not sure if mentally he could handle any more of whatever this ritzy snotty city had to offer. Fate though had other plans. Of course it did.
Tentatively, he rolled onto his back, doing so very slowly to avoid jolting his shoulder and thigh. Just the faintest movements sent pain screaming through his injuries, as he wearily flopped in defeat. Just literally ROLLING OVER, and he was exhausted. Wow, imagine how hard just SITTING UP was going to be, he thought bitterly as he stared at the ceiling. The moment he made a gruff annoyed sound, the papers stopped shuffling. There was some movement at the foot of his bed, small and delicate. But it was on… 2 feet… How in the world…? Morbid curiosity went to war with his logic, weighing the odds of how much seeing what the hell was obviously way too close to him. The sound of the voice made both his eyes shoot open, now FULLY awake. Janna save his soul-
“Ah! You’re awake! You must be Viktor; it is delightful to meet you my dear boy! My goodness may I say you certainly had given us all quite the scare! Especially poor Jayce, my word. He had been so distraught the nurses had to admit him to the hospital for a couple days due to stress. But this is wonderful, I saw Jayce and he told me at LONG last you’ve woken up! Delightful news, just dandy!” A cheery and oddly higher pitched male voice said, coming from the foot of his bed, just shy of his feet. OK. HE WAS DEFINITELY TRIPPING VERY HARD IN WHATEVER THAT NURSE SLIPPED INTO HIS IV DRIP. THERE WAS NO FUCKING WAY THIS WAS-
And deeply he regretted sitting up. Fuck his morbid curiosity. The spinning in his head didn’t even bug him. All he did was STARE. IT… Was a bright yellow and white VERY POOFY yordle. With very sharp piercing blue eyes, bright white bushy mustache and a bright pink nose poking out from nothing but masses of electric yellow and pristine white fur. Long sharp pointed pink ears jutted out from the side of his head like an elf, and the stark dark blue silver trimmed suit and matching pants with black boots seemed to clash with his fur colors. DEAD. SILENCE. LOTS OF STARING. The yordle in question blinked a couple times, before cocking his head to the side with a quizzical expression on his face. The faintest movement of his eyebrows knitting finally got a reaction out of Viktor, as he took a tentative step towards him, hand outstretched.
“Young man, are you quite alright? You look very pale; do you need me to grab a nurse? Viktor?” The yordle asked, a bit more pressing on the last word. A tiny by gentle gloved hand rested ever so lightly on his knee. Big mistake. The smallest of touch sent a huge spasm up his left leg, and out of reflex Viktor yelped, grabbing a pillow from behind him and hulking it directly at the yordle. There was a faint gasp followed by a yordle screech and a faint OOOF. Then the sound of the yordle slowly sliding down the hospital wall before landing softly on the floor with a faint huff. Feathers floated lazily in the air, and the pillow fell to the side, exposing a very displeased looking yordle, who unfortunately was covered in feathers from a static charge. One landed directly on the yordle’s nose, and he stared at it for a moment before sneezing loudly. The feathers once again scattered all over the room, followed by Viktor’s panting.
“Well, I assumed the others were overreacting when they said that you were a bit… testy, but that is what I get for making assumptions and not taking my students’ advice to tread with caution. But alas, that is why we scientists test everything, is it not?” The yordle mused, dusting himself off, completely unphased. Viktor gawked, before waving a few stray feathers out of his face, both rattled and pissed.
“WHAT THE HELL, DO YOU MAKE IT A HOBBY TO JUST SIT ON SLEEPING STRANGERS HOSPITAL BEDS AND SCARE THE SHIT OUT OF THEM WHEN THEY WAKE UP?!” Viktor snapped aggressively, grabbing another pillow with his good arm. HE WAS SO FAR from being in the mood to be fucked with, and this little shitty Pikachu knockoff was really testing what little patience he had built back up after dealing with that moron Jayce. The yordle’s right eyebrow raised, before sighing and dusting off his shoulders.
“Well, I was debating of visiting ill children in the hospitals to try and cheer them but, but being the oldest member of the Piltover Council, head professor and Director of the Piltover Inventor’s Academy, does make me very busy.” He stated simply, his hands folding behind his back, eyeing Viktor with the pillow wearily. No, it was a bit of a challenge. Honestly, he wasn’t sure if wasting his last and favorite pillow was worth it. Wait- did he say-
“Y-You’re… Professor Heimerdinger…?” Viktor asked slowly, eyes narrowing faintly at the small puff ball. There was a faint smile resting on his face, worn and tired. Even borderline sad. That begging for pity shit would not work on him. Far from it, as Viktor’s eyes narrowed and he bristled faintly. The anger on Viktor’s face just made Heimerdinger sigh, before turning and looking out the window, staring at the blue sky just out of reach.
“I am. Though, my name seems to carry less meaning as the years progress. So many young brilliant minds, yet they fade so quickly. Yet so many have brilliant wonderful ideas, yet at the Academy, many do not make it. That is sadly the nature of the beast, dear boy.” He started, before turning to cast a patient look at him. The gaze was the same of a tired but ever patient parent watching their child through a tantrum. It was utterly agitating. Either this guy was doing this intentionally to piss him off or he just seemed to know that reacting to his anger was the fastest way to escalate the tense situation. Regardless, it was only making him more annoyed than JAYCE DID.
“DO NOT. CALL ME THAT.” Viktor hissed, shifting his weight to make sliding closer to the wall to rest his aching back easier. With a low exasperated huff, he pushed himself towards the upper end of his hospital bed, before leaning back against the wall just behind him. It took him several long breaths with his head resting against the wall before he opened his eyes to stare back at Heimerdinger. A long tense stretch of silence filled the space, until cautiously, Heimerdinger walked to the chair that was pressed up on the edge of his bed. It took a bit of effort, but he scrambled up into it, before hopping back onto the foot of his bed, staring at the papers scattered at his feet. A scrutinizing look scanned the papers, before glancing at the yordle.
“The hell are those…?” Viktor asked, less bark in his tone this time. The softer note in his voice made Heimerdinger’s eyes shoot up to meet his, but Viktor cast his gaze at the cards sitting a few feet from his bed. Frankly, he was so tired. Tired of biting, snapping biting at everyone. Fighting just to survive. How he wished he could for once just feel… Freedom. No judgement, no expectations, no constant hoops to jump through, no having to fear for his life every given second. For one single moment, he was SAFE. Accepted. The expression on his face must’ve given that away judging from the soft sigh that came from Heimerdinger, who gently sat down cross legged at the edge, carefully looking at the papers. A soft hm of contemplation drifted through the air before he spoke.
“Well, when you were being smuggled across the border of Zaun to Piltover, it seems your captors were searching for something, along with you. They had brought I presume a good portion of your notes with them in those crates.” He stated patiently, as if expecting a grade A flip out.
The sentence made his heart sink to his stomach. His… research… all his work, his progress. All those years of time and effort… gone. Instead of an outburst, Viktor just weakly let out a soft but heartbreaking half laugh, before just feeling his walls shatter. Everything. They robbed him of almost everything he had. His 2 decades of research, ever since he was 8 years old. Stolen. His home, ransacked and possibly never to be visited again. His family… he may never see again. If they were still alive. Did they even care he was alive because they LOVED HIM or because he now potentially was a loose end? A threat?
The laugh quickly shifted to a near half sob, as Viktor finally felt all the emotions hit him at full force. There was a faint crack in his voice, as he buried his face in his hands, pressing gently against his eyes, desperately trying to fight the wave of sorrow threatening to drown him in his own tears. The shock and worry brimming from Heimerdinger’s small body was slightly overwhelming but Viktor ignored it, fighting between soft half laughs and sobs. His mind couldn’t seem to make up it’s mind, as he grappled with all those horrible feelings and thoughts. It was a gut-wrenching feeling, having to question your family’s concern or intentions of your survival.
For Silco, he truly doubted it was love. Jinx though, Gods… She wouldn’t handle it well. Losing her would have severed what little hope he had left of them having any semblance of a family. A lost little boy guiding a scared terrified little girl through the dangers of Zaun and a warlord. How little had changed since that first day they met. That managed to rip another half-barked laugh from him, pressing his hands a bit harder against his eyes. He wished he could just be struck by lightning; at least that end would be quick. Thankfully, no tears ran but his face was certainly flushed. After a few moments, Viktor removed one of his hands staring just past Heimerdinger, out the window. It was hard to see, but Viktor barely shook his head before finally staring at Heimerdinger, his expression full of emotional anguish and bitterness.
“Is… is this some big JOKE to you, Piltover Council? Have me kidnapped, abused and shipped in a damn box like an animal, ruin my home, steal MY RESEARCH I spent YEARS working on, and then rub it in my FACE THAT YOU ALL STOLE IT?! I truly do not see this as an amusing PRANK. You, your council ARE the JOKE. Pretending we do not EXIST beneath you, gas us shoot us exterminate us like RATS. YET you have the gall to do this to… to us? Is this because I am Silco’s FAILED HEIR? Did he hire you, to to scare some SENSE INTO ME? THIS would be a new low even for him but, WELL I SHOULDN’T EXPECT LESS FROM DEAR OLD DADDY DEAREST, SHOULD I?! WHAT WHAT else? Is the world FLAT now too? Is the sky actually PINK instead of BLUE? WHAT ELSE CAN YOU MONSTERS POSSIBLY TAKE FROM ME THAT I HAVEN’T ALREADY LOST?!” Viktor demanded, his voice teetering on the edge of a potential mental breakdown.
There was a long tense silence, before Heimerdinger slowly approached him, just on the side. Gently, and slowly, he rested a hand on his shoulder. There was a sizable flinch, but Viktor had already curled himself into a half ball with his knees tucked close to his chest, his hands resting on his forehead. There was no doubt it was excoriating, but he didn’t care this time. The physical pain couldn’t even scratch the surface of the mental anguish he was experiencing. The ragged rise and fall of Viktor’s chest were the only indication he hadn’t just froze and turned into a statue. His eyes were tightly shut, trying to desperately wake himself from this never-ending nightmare. This was too much, far too much for him. He just wanted to go home… And never question Silco’s demands again. He'd do whatever he wanted, he just wanted his family back, his home! He prayed by some small miracle, his dad would hear his thoughts and he’d let him come home, he’d even make the stupid weapons, better shimmer with Dr. Singed. It didn’t matter anymore. All he wanted was this mental Hell to STOP.
“Viktor… Young man, the Council nor the Protectors authorized that… assault. We barely learned of it by, well, finding you on the bridge. We KNEW something was amiss, but we had no idea this third party was intent on causing war between the two cities… Sadly, they had succeeded. And much like the cost of power war and greed, you were one of the victims caught in the crossfire. I know you probably think I am lying but, we would never have gone after an innocent young man like yourself. I had heard word from Commander Greyson that the notes they recovered would be of interest, not only for the case but research wise, I immediately investigated with my top student. I was truly astounded at what I saw. No previous schooling, yet you my brilliant boy had managed to create things that many generations within the Academy could not in over 250 years! Astounding, my boy, utterly astounding!” Heimerdinger said, his yes sparkling with a renewed vigor and passion. The same look Viktor had when he’d succeeded after 2 years of failed experiment after experiment to finally have it work. The kind words didn’t make Viktor move, which made Heimerdinger pause, before clearing his throat and regain his composure. After a long pause, he spoke again, his voice carrying a much more ominous and serious tone.
“AHEM, my apologies. The thrill of new research always gets me excited. But, much like my own excitement, your knowledge excites me but also gravely worries me. The culprits at large knew EXACTLY what they were after. YOU, and your brilliant mind. As much as it hurts me to see you suffering for such events that happened prior to the bridge and especially after, I am greatly relieved that they did NOT SUCCEED in snatching you away, dear boy. I read through your notes, you were attempting to create healing concoctions, medical devices and even ways to help those trying to get away from shimmer cope better from the withdrawals. You, Viktor, are possibly one of the most selfless people I have met. Many of the Zaunites who come across the border before… things went horribly wrong had mentioned you and your work. And yet how you refuse a majority of the time to accept payment. Such a kind and selfless soul nearly being so carelessly extinguished, would have been such a tremendous loss. Not to mention, how incredibly difficult it must be. Trying to keep your own people alive while… Hm. Forgive me, I fear that was somewhat insensitive. Either way, I cannot say I am happy we had to meet in such, unpleasant terms but I am very pleased to see such a kind but brilliant mind not bend to the desires of others, or the pressure of society or expectations. Despite all of your suffering, you STILL strive to help others, even with the potential fear of… retribution. You are an incredibly brave and strong person, Viktor. Don’t ever forget that.” Heimerdinger said, his smile warm and genuine.
When he looked up, Viktor’s gaze was watching him carefully. His expression was calmer, but that fear still lurked just behind that wall he had raised back up. Nothing but a scared child, constantly living in unending fear. Truly devastating. With renewed confidence, Heimerdinger gently patted his right shoulder, giving a firm but reassuring smile.
“I am, truly sorry my dear boy. For all you’re enduring right now. But… The best way we can get you safely home, is with your help. Those who captured you and started a war between Zaun and Piltover are still at large. And now, they are displeased at losing both the healing and technology research and your exceptional mind. Unfortunately, it has cost both cities many lives, and the total just keeps climbing higher and higher every passing minute. Though, I truly wished I could have met the famous Zaunian Healer under better and less traumatizing circumstances, I am very honored to meet in person such a strong resilient young mind, who despite all pressures odds and circumstances did not bend to the will of those intent to harm others. You are such a remarkable young man, Viktor. I hope you know this. And it is truly a shame no one ever seemed to show you that. Such a strong young boy, so starved and alone for recognition and compassion. I hope, someday, I will see your application to the Academy someday. It would be an honor to learn some of these things in your notes. I think I would need a good teacher to show me.” There was a faint flicker of disbelief of Viktor’s features, as he slowly stretched himself back out to a sitting up position.
A faint glint of moisture ran down his face, as he kept his face turned away from him, clearly ashamed to be showing weakness. Damn it, he hated this. Why was he crying? Just because some stranger, no the head of the most FAMOUS INVNTOR’S academy across the entire continent gave him a compliment? Actually, believed in him, a complete stranger, more than his own family ever did? Personally, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Much to his disappointment, his eyes and heart chose the latter for him. Janna strike him down. Why was he so weak and pathetic? He couldn’t hide the sniff when Heimerdinger gently rubbed his shoulder, offering a small bit of comfort to him. Much to his surprise Viktor spoke very softly, looking him in the eyes before looking away again.
“… Thank… you….” Viktor whispered, gently wiping at his face desperately trying to regain his composure. A small but knowing smile crept across Heimerdinger’s face as he sighed.
“You know, YOU are very much like Jayce. So blinded by your emotions. Your logic, the need to keep your heart safe and tightly locked away from everyone. And yes, in Zaun I understand that is a survival mechanism. TO A POINT. Jayce, one of my top students, is too trusting and open. Sees only the good in people, always wanting to help. But sadly, he never knows when to stop. And it seems, that perhaps you would be the perfect teacher to show him to better guard his heart. To follow his own heart, and not be led astray by what OTHERS WANT. And, perhaps, in return he can teach you to learn that people can be trusted, and that you have so much love and potential to give. Not to mention, you two are both incredibly generous and selfless. Together, I can see you two doing incredible things. And who knows, perhaps something MORE could come of it. Jayce despite his wit and looks, he oddly never seemed to show any interest in a potential companion. WELL, until recently.” He added, a faint but KNOWING look on his face. A rush of heat blazed to his face and ears, and his body felt like his blood had been transfused with oil and set ablaze.
“I- WAIT YOU CAN’T GIVE A WHOLE SPEECH ABOUT SELFLESSNESS THEN LAUNCH INTO A DATING JAB LIKE THAT!!” Viktor said, face BEET red. A chuckle escaped Heimerdinger’s lips as he grinned.
“Ah, young love. Such a mysterious and fickle thing is it not?” He asked, with a mischievous gleam in his blue eyes.
“I will not hesitate to suffocate you with the pillow I still have…” Viktor teased, the barest hint of a smile sliding across his face.
“Hah good luck with that you scamp! I may be small but much like you I can still cut a rug or two!!” Heimerdinger said, hopping to his feet and punching the air. The sight was absurd, and it actually made Viktor openly laugh. The warmth from Heimerdinger’s gaze seemed to fill him with a warmth he was so unfamiliar with… But it had felt so incredibly nice. That knowing glint in his eyes came back, as he cleared his throat and checked his watch.
“Ah, pocket wrenches. I am late to speak to the Council. Besides, I know there is someone who had dropped everything on her schedule to come see you. Poor dear had been worried sick when she heard news of you being discovered on the bridge. Once she calmed down, she had told me so much about you. Like Jayce, she stayed as long as she could, but her duties at the Academy are great and many. But she is the one who managed to sneak time in to bring you flowers and have all her own interns sign your cards. Such a delightful young lady. She and Jayce are the two students I shall miss the most when they graduate. Such talented minds. But I do not want to get in the way of you two. I am sure you both will have a LOT to talk about. And she should be here any minute…” Heimerdinger said, checking his watch again. Her? Who the hell could he possibly mean? There was no way it could be-
“What… Who do you mean…? I don’t know anyone here… Unless…” Viktor’s heart skipped a beat. There was a faint knock and a gentle voice that was so soft that came from behind the door. The world seemed to screech to a halt. That knowing but gentle smile came to Heimerdinger’s face as he responded to the knock.
“In here, dear girl!! You have great timing as always, he’s awake and I think very eager to see you.” Heimerdinger said, slowly rising gathering the papers, before hopping onto the chair. With a soft grunt, he hopped to the floor, walking to the door. Viktor’s mind was REELING, there was no way that was-
The door slowly swung open, and a tall beautiful young lady stepped in, her glasses slipping down her nose a bit as they always did, even back in Zaun. Beautiful honey eyes, matching with that ever-tender smile. It was like seeing the ghosts of his childhood all over again. There were no words. So much old long buried regret and bitterness for his father’s actions swelled in his chest. But this time, he was not present to break them apart again. Relief swam over her features, as her eyes began to water. So did his own, as he felt his heart nearly burst in his chest. So much pain, yet so many happy memories came flooding back. This time, he refused to stop his tears from falling. The smile on her face was so kind and understanding, while he felt so much regret nearly murder him on the spot. This couldn’t be real-
“Sky…” Viktor choked out, tears rolling down his cheeks. Thankfully, her face was also wet when she replied, wiping at her eyes, her smile never faltering.
“Hello Viktor…” Sky replied softly.