Song 24

“La da da, da da,” Meloria tapped her fingers against the dressing table, trying to get an idea of the rhythm she wanted for the song she was going to use for her new music. It needed to be upbeat and something that would attract a lot of attention. Rubbing her face, Meloria’s leg started to shake as quickly as her mind was racing.

Meanwhile, Lucan lay on his back on his bed, looking through some of the flyers he had found for the local food market. He was trying to look for a local delicacy he could use in the theme park. Something that would help the theme park’s food stand out from the rest, and using locally sourced ingredients, was a sure-fire way of doing that. It was a great marketing strategy; Meloria would use her singing to draw people into the park, and his food would keep them there. As well as the rides and entertainment. Turning to another flyer, Lucan saw something about a local corn farm. “Corn,” he hummed, tapping his foot. “That could be something to use. Corn can be quite versatile. How are you doing, sis?”

“Terrible!” Meloria cried, smacking her forehead against the dressing table. “I just can’t seem to get the rhythm right.”

“I’m sure you’ll think of something,” Lucan assured, sitting up with a significant stretch. “Anyway, let’s get some sleep, then tomorrow we’ll head to the food market, and I can try some of this corn I’ve read about.”

“You carry on,” Meloria mumbled against the oak. “I’ll be staying up a little bit longer.”

Lucan nodded, yawning as he crawled under his covers and turned the light off, leaving only the dim light from the lamp to illuminate Meloria’s workspace. “Don’t be too long, okay?” He said, laying his head down onto the pillow and getting comfortable.

“Hmm mm,” Meloria nodded, lifting her head, holding it up with her hand as she stared at the hotel-branded paper in front of her. I can’t think of anything, she whined internally. Idols usually have people writing the songs for them, but no, I’ve made it my mission to write as many original songs as possible. She sighed, holding the paper in her hand, bringing it closer to her face. Without the internet, I’m unable to search online for any inspiration. I can’t even think of any words. What kind of song would help me draw a crowd in? Not only that, Meloria picked up the pen, laid the paper down again, and started to doodle a picture of the theme park and one of the city squares. I need to lead people from the square and take them straight to the theme park. What kind of song would do that?

With a heavy sigh, Meloria put the pen down, deciding to go to bed instead. She tucked herself in, enjoying the sensation of the luxurious sheets against her skin and the feathered pillow under her head. Only one more night of this luxury, and then she would be sleeping in the theme park. Maybe that would help give her some inspiration; perhaps going on the rides and playing the games would be like old times. All the memories brought a smile to her face as she closed her eyes and started to fall asleep to the sounds of Lucan’s heavy snoring.

The following morning, Lucan and Meloria were up bright and early to hit the food market as soon as they could. Meloria yawned as Lucan led the way through the empty streets, the sun barely having risen, and here they were, walking around like the undead. Meloria pulled the hood of her jumper up over her head, dragging her feet along. “I hope this food market has some good stuff,” she mumbled.

“I read that there are some food stalls in the market,” Lucan smiled. “I’ll treat you to breakfast.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Meloria chuckled, folding her arms over her chest. “You were going to anyway.”

Lucan scoffed, shaking his head, grabbing her forearm, and pulling her along faster. Approaching the food market, the scents of sweet and savoury foods filled the air, playing a melody with each other that made Meloria’s stomach begin to rumble. Then she heard it, the sound of… “A trumpet?” Meloria whispered, walking ahead of Lucan, finding the entrance to the food market. She gasped, astounded as she was greeted by a food stall on either side and in the middle, food vendors with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, some vendors with fresh bread, and even cakes. However, what was at the end of the stalls is what caught Meloria’s attention. “A swing band?” She smiled and ran over, pushing through the crowds, her heart pounding in time with the beat.

She stood, wiggling her body to the music, the trumpet player coming over, standing back-to-back with her as he played, encouraging her to dance more. As she spun around, the hook of her jumper falling off, her orange hair flowing with her movements. The crowd around them started to clap, swaying their bodies along with her. “Dance girl,” one of the crowd members shouted. The atmosphere had a significant impact in the early morning hours. This feeling, this is what Meloria wanted to bring to the music she wanted to write for the theme park.

As Meloria enjoyed the music, Lucan was busy scouring the stalls when he came to a stall with corn on the cob. Each cob was a beautiful golden yellow, healthy, and looked delicious. “Would you like to try some?” The vendor asked, gesturing towards the sample plate on the side. “We use our corn in fresh corn salad, something light and refreshing as a snack, or you can even pair it with some bacon.”

Lucan took the spoon with the sample on it, being careful as he placed it into his mouth. His eyes grew large as the tastes exploded in his mouth. “Oh my god,” he mumbled with his mouth full of another spoonful.

The vendor let out a hearty chuckle, pulling out another sample tray, this time with something red. “This is what we call strawberry corn,” he explained, pointing to the vegetable itself, then pointing to the food beside. “Try this, it’s a little sweeter.”

Swallowing what he currently had in his mouth, Lucan wasted no time in picking up the following item, throwing it into his mouth, and feeling the slight crunch. “This is amazing,” he exclaimed.

“You can create some interesting dishes with this,” the vendor chuckled, handing him a napkin.

Lucan smiled widely, grabbing a nearby wicker basket. “Can you fill this up for me, please?” He grinned and handed the basket to the vendor. Lucan pulled out his coin pouch as the vendor filled up the basket.

“Here you go, young man,” the vendor handed the basket back. “That will be two silver and three copper, please.”

Lucan gulped, not realising how much this was going to cost, but in the long term, it would work out cheaper than staying in the hotel. He handed over the money, gripping onto the basket handle tightly as he went looking for Meloria. Somehow, he wasn’t surprised, finding her in the middle of a band, dancing away to the music. “Sis,” he called out through the laughter. Meloria stopped turning to see Lucan holding his basket up high. “Got it.”

“Thank you, guys,” Meloria spoke up loudly, waving to the band as she ran off, grabbing Lucan’s hand, dragging him out of the market, and into the direction of the theme park. She had it. She knew exactly what she wanted to write, and it was going to be her best piece yet. “Come on Lucan! We have work to be done!”