The figure turned, and Meeda saw the porcelain skin and midnight hair.The emerald green eyes and ruby lips confirmed the identity.
“Morning, Meeda.Where is the studio?”
“Do you want anything to eat or drink?Tea, a scone?”
She shook her head.“No.I am good.I am just here to do a job and then head back to Emerald.”
“Did you get the music?”
“I did.It’s fine.I do need some male voices.”
Meeda nodded.“Serin arranged it already.There are two ex-J-Pop singers on the island.They will meet us there.”
Harper nodded.“If everything is set up, I can lay out the vocals until they arrive.I don’t have to be there when they are.”
Meeda smiled.“I know.I think they might be late risers.They are new to Wonder and partied last night.”
Harper nodded.“Right.Lead the way.”
Meeda chuckled, and they walked through the streets to the tourism bureau.A very pregnant Serin was there with Deno, and she beamed when Harper walked in.
“You must be Harper!Meeda has a few ideas for the islands and their clothing lines, and she is sure that you are the best voice for the job.”
Harper nodded.“I will try.”
Serin was flushed and said, “Aren’t you hot in that outfit?”
“No.I am fine.The warmth will keep me from tensing up as I sing.”
Serin blinked.“Right.We are just waiting on Skaay Daring to run the board, but in the meantime, you can set things up in the studio.”
Harper nodded and walked back with Serin to the studio that was part of the marketing scheme for the Wonder Islands.
Meeda wandered in behind to see her acquaintance at work.
Harper paused and handed a packet to Deno.He grinned and nodded his thanks.
Meeda was nervous.Harper felt different from the last time that Meeda had met with her.There was something very still in her personality now.She used to be optimistic and bubbly, and she was excited to be engaged.Now there was no ring on her finger, and she was so...still.
Harper activated the console, set the controls, walked into the booth, put on a headset, and then waited and began to sing.
Serin’s mouth fell open.“Holy hell.Her voice...”
Deno blinked.“She set it to record?”
Meeda nodded.“She did.There’s something wrong about her, though.She feels wrong.”
Serin stared as the siren did what she did best.“She doesn’t sound wrong.”
“No, but there is something.Her bubbliness is gone.”
Skaay came in and heard the voice through the speakers.“Oh, wow.I had better get to my station.”
Meeda couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right, but as they waited, Harper rolled into another version of that song while the next was prepared.
The songs were part of an ad campaign that was going to highlight the islands and the swimwear and sportswear lines.It was going to be the tale of a pirate pulled from the sea, running across the sand and through the jungle, and eventually, playing on sailboards, catamarans and lying on the beach with a cocktail.
Meeda was going to ask Harper to be the pirate, but now, the whimsy was gone.She would ask her, but she was no longer confident of the answer.
