The first day of the Crystalline Gala was about to present to Sornieth the culmination of monumental endeavours. The wonders of Ice celebrated world-over were at their most exquisite in the glazed realm. In that gleaming destination, the gathered crowds also had the remarkable opportunity to witness the marvellous feats of physical prowess and skill of the athletes of the Sornieth Winter Games.
The chronicler who'd travelled with the team to the games was probably writing something like that, Bontu thought. The Wildclaw, his comrades from the Stanzascale clan, and all the other athletes in attendance, were waiting for the opening ceremonies to commence. When Bontu had first proposed the idea that the clan participate in the games, there had initially been some confusion as to eligibility. Once that had been cleared up, the scholarly clan's members were yet hesitant. With time and persistence, the Wildclaw was able to find interested individuals and then plan and prepare for the occasion.
“Ssh! It's starting!” A couple of athletes whispered to one another before listening to the crowd cheer at the sight of the sun and moon performers commencing the show. The voices of the two announcers reverberated, audible to every member of the audience.
Excitement rippled through the group. Saya stood at attention with an expression of anticipation. Suna and Bryn formed a queue behind her and whispered to one another.
“Wish I could see it.”
“We could watch rather than compete next year.”
Bontu heard a loud exhalation. He checked on Qualia, who smiled reassuringly.
Gordu, another of their number, was one of a couple of Tundras Bontu saw checking for familiar scents among the athletes. He seemed composed.
Even for the orca-furred Tundra, for whom the Icefield was a familiar sight, there was a new experience to be had as competitors in the games.
The time came for the athletes to enter the stadium. The eclipse loomed overhead. For an audience who weren't concerned with dealing with Hati, it was perhaps a fortuitous sight to see their champions in the making walk out under that moonlight most rare.
Suna spotted her mother in the crowd and waved. Qualia glimpsed a familiar face and gave a slight nod in their direction, in an attempt to acknowledge without drawing attention. Several thickly-furred individuals cheered excitedly to see Gordu, who turned to smile.
There would be those who had trained more than them, and those who'd trained less. Everyone started on the same ground, and would reach different heights by the end.
Once the ceremonies had concluded, Bontu went to make his final preparations.
Lead by example. The Wildclaw hoped to embody this ideal that day. Their presence there that festival came about as a result of his proposal, so Bontu would lead the team, and take that first leap.
On the first day of the festival, Bontu from the Stanzascale clan was to enter the ski jump.
