#but i hope you enjoy the lore dump for both of the lads! ;;

[kharonion]

🚓🎤🥢for both boys respectively? :3

core meme-ories | oc list [note: these are for the Cyberpunk 2077 blorbos]

🚓- River Ward

• VIKT — They meet each other after Vikt's retired from mercenary work, which at least means not having Johnny there hounding about "working with a cop". Helping River find Randy comes as just another gig—albeit one of the most fucked up he's done. Dinner with the family afterward is entirely different. It's the first time Vikt has any real interaction with children, which goes much better than he expects.

"Hey, V?" "Yeah?" "Did you let us win?" "Nope. You two are just that good."

River is also one of the very few who can get Vikt to let loose a little bit; them getting wasted up on the water tower and laughing about dumbass constellations they think exist is some of the most fun Vikt has (aside from the next morning, anyway).

• SÖREN — So, these two go back a bit. Ever the trouble making misfit, Sören got snagged by the badges so many times... and sometimes, that badge was River—who would grow tired of being called to Heywood for "a red-eyed hoodlum". Though eventually, the calls stopped, and it would be a handful of years before they meet again.

"Wait... Nightowl?" "Y'never did like calling me by my actual name." "Ah. You're the same as ever, punk." "Ditto that, snoopy."

They hang out a lot together after that. Which neither really expect. After all, what could a lawbreaker and a lawman possibly have in common... right? But, they end up growing close, realizing their paths are strikingly similar... and here, they cross yet again. Eventually, Sören convinces River to leave with him and the Aldecaldos. Leave Night City behind, hunt for something better and brighter—so long as they do it together.

🎤- Kerry Eurodyne

• VIKT — The first Vikt hears and sees Kerry proper (not counting the memories of Johnny he relives during the brain wreck caused by being dead) is laid out on a fancy sofa with a throbbing migraine, an expensive blanket draped over him, and the bright blue eyes of a rockerboy looking down at him with worry.

"Hey, hey, you okay?" "... No..." "That's alright. Just stay tight for a bit. Rest. Don't worry about a thing." "I— Thank you..." "You're... you're welcome. Now, quit stalling. Sleep."

From there, the two are unknowingly latched at the hip. Vikt helps with Kerry's problems, and Kerry provides the privacy of the villa when Vikt needs time out of the city. It's inevitable that their bond blossoms into more. The night on the rooftop of Dark Matter seals the deal, and their excursion on the yacht tells them it is the right call.

• SÖREN — The most interaction Sören has had with Kerry is going to one of his shows with River. They splurged, got the VIP treatment and everything. Met the legend face-to-face—a dream Sören's had for years.

"Holy shit, are you the Kerry Eurodyne? Really?!" "One and only." "Here, I have a gift for ya!" "Fuck, is that... where did you find police-grade 'nades?" "A man never tells. Now, I'm gonna hug you. Okay? Okay."

Needless to say, River is more than unimpressed.

🥢- Jackie Welles

• VIKT — Throughout his grueling years in Arasaka, Vikt ran things solo; at least, until a particular task fell into his lap. Putting a hit on an entire cartel that threatened Arasaka's infrastructure. It was too big of a job for one man, so Vikt took a risk to hire the help of another: the Valentinos. Specifically, a small group led by Jackie.

And, of course, there had to be a hitch. It ended up being a trap. Vikt had to defend himself, murder one of the most prolific cartels of Mexico—and unfortunately, most of the Valentinos alongside him didn't take kindly to that.

All who were left standing in the end were Vikt... and Jackie.

"So? Going to make this quick?" "Nah. There's... been too much death." "What's one more, hm?" "Listen. I don't want this... and neither do you. Consider me... an amigo, and none of this shit will see the light of day." "And why would you offer that?" "Call me inocente if you want. Just... got a feelin' I want you by my side." "Might be a mistake." "Might be."

From then on, Jackie is Vikt's one and only trusted confidant, and he ended up being the pillar that keeps Vikt standing after his life crumbles down to nothing.

• SÖREN — Sören was adopted into the Valentinos as a toddler, rescued from the gutters by Padre. He immediately latched onto Jackie as an older brother figure, and they were an inseparable duo of chaos. Jobs for the gang were a joint effort... except when Jackie was hired to help with the heist of a lifetime.

"Búho?" "What?" "I know you're upset, but... I need to know you'll be here when I get back." "I... I always will be, Jack. I ain't going anywhere. You're my family." "I love ya, hermano." "Don't say that like you won't return, you fuck..." "Oh, come on, don't—" "I love you, too."

It goes without saying that Sören is devastated seeing Jackie's body in the Delamain car. Like his heart has been ripped from his chest. And all he can still think about when he thinks of the man he calls his brother is that fateful day.