October 1st, noon. The sun stood directly overhead.
The weather was brilliantly clear; the scorching sunlight did not conflict with the frigid high-altitude currents. Golden radiance blanketed the empty sea at both ends of the long, narrow Sky Island, reflecting shimmering amber waves.
The crash and swish of the waves made it seem like a scene steeped in summer.
The registered witches and Cat Lamps were all waiting in the grass valley at the very front of the Wave Cat Golf Course by the long, narrow Snow Phoebe Lake.
Of course, they were not simply waiting around. There were arcade machines, private lounges, and tent vendors as well.
"..."
Jiang Han sat on the deck of a Griffin Carriage specially remodeled in the style of a beach reef. She stretched languidly and let out a catlike "Grrrowl" from her throat.
After giving a little shudder, she nudged the wide-brimmed beach hat on her head with her tail.
"Was it really a good idea to come at noon?"
She glanced at Olivia, who was sprawled limply atop the dragon-hide rug like a pool of deep black water, and boldly complained:
"We could have taken a proper midday nap in your bedchamber, eaten a little something, and then come to the competition at a nice, slow pace; instead, we're sitting here waiting around, forcing ourselves to stay awake so we won't be at a loss when they call us."
"Getting some sun is good for you."
Eileen smiled. Her skin, bathed in sunlight, seemed to glow with snowy softness, radiating a plush temptation that made one want to touch and rub it.
With her legs crossed, her strappy heels dangled precariously from the tips of her toes. Her translucent orange tights shone with a golden, semi-transparent gleam beneath the light. The First