[Do you need something built? Fixed? Improved? A great idea you absolutely MUST see realized? You have come to the right place. Or you would have, if circumstances were better. Rio Enterprises is always slightly chaotic—Viktor and Jayce are at their best when they get to work on multiple projects simultaneously, but its current state is a special kind of disarray. Many of the current commissions are cleared away to side tables and shelves and benches, the main worktable covered in notes and schematics and pieces of metal, carefully etched with arcana symbols. The geometric drawings and equations that have graced the blackboards for so long are coming to fruition.

Viktor himself is still receiving the occasional visitor, but he looks incredibly worse for the wear, even more than usual. When he opens the door to receive a visitor, he looks almost surprised.]

I wasn’t expecting anyone.

[But he doesn’t refuse entry, turning and walking back to his workbench, his usual gait even more halted. You’re welcome to come inside, though it’s hard to see how you might make yourself comfortable. Viktor seems harried.]

If you could keep it quick—I have a lot of work to do.

[Things get worse. It gets harder and harder to drag himself out of bed and go to the workshop every day. Viktor isn’t bothering with commissions anymore, only stopping into the Enterprises shop to collect a tool, or some supplies. Perhaps you catch him on his way in or out—either way, the bags under his eyes more pronounced, curls of dark hair plastered to his temples with sweat.

Maybe you let yourself in. There’s coughing from the back room, and when Viktor emerges he’s leaning heavily on his crutch, a bloody handkerchief balled in his fist.]

I was just leaving. Whatever you have, you can leave it for Jayce.

[Viktor isn’t letting anyone into his lab at the Academy, at least not without prior discussion. Whatever he’s doing in there, he’s trying to keep it as private as possible. He crosses the quad surreptitiously, looking over his shoulder as he heads to one of the laboratories, keys in hand. Those who only know him in passing, or are just friendly with him, might get a nod of acknowledgement as he locks the door—but he otherwise doesn’t invite you inside.]

Were you looking for something?

[If you’re particularly close to Viktor, and he can trust you to keep a secret, he might bring you there himself. On the center of his desk is a floating polyhedron, animated with indigo. Arcana symbols are delicately etched into each metal piece. Plant matter litters the tabletop.Viktor looks immeasurably proud.]

It’s beautiful, isn’t it?

[Despite his general air of exhaustion, worse than usual, his expression lights up. It’s clear he truly believes in this, whatever it is.]