angels in the outfield [lore hg sim]

Lore's palms are callused from wielding. There's a rigidness to him that only unfurls now for a select few and sometimes he forgets himself, feeling more like a vessel for a long-dead legacy than a boy.

Strangely, there's a song stuck in his head. An old sea shanty that he picked up on the docks and used to sing to the other Murdocks while jumping around his bedroom. He hums it softly under his breath as he follows one of his brothers through the technology fair.

They part ways at the entrance to the simulation suites, Lore squeezes his brother's shoulder, a serious look on both of their faces. There's no room to fail today, even if it is just a simulation.

Lore finds himself inside an empty room. A screen appears in front of him with a series of questions to go through. He enters all of his information and then waits patiently for the simulation to load. A spear appears in front of him and Lore grabs it just as it begins to fall.

Another question appears.

Choose Your Opponent?

Lore stares at the multiple choice question, all past victors, all worthy opponents.

His finger still falls on the obvious choice.

Now Loading: Blair Murdock

The figure that appears isn't fully realised, as if an artist began carving a man from marble and gave up three quarters of the way through.

He raises his chin in careful acknowledgement and then slips into a low stance. His grandfather understands the invitation.