Page 21 of Free for Adventure

“So, were you excited to get an assignment to the islands?”

“Yes, and no. I am excited to be doing anything at all. My upbringing was restricted, so this is my first time being free just to be myself.” That was as vague but as accurate as she could make it.

A hovercraft was sitting and waiting for them. It looked a lot like the swamp skimmers from the bayous but with a smaller fan. He stowed her tech in the cargo area and tucked her snack pack between the seats. She pulled herself into the passenger seat and buckled up.

He grinned. “You may want to get your camera out. We are about to see views that few people bother to appreciate. I am hoping that this changes that.”

She smiled and said, “I think that is the entire point of me being here.”

“I do not think for a minute that it is the entire point.” He chuckled as he started the vehicle, and they began to move along the path into the hills.

* * * *

Thera got up and stretched. One day in the village and today she actually had to get going on footage. B-roll was essential.

Thera checked the time, and as it was after eight in the morning, she should be able to get a new tripod.

She brought her bashed-up tripod and went to the shop to see if she could get a replacement.

The art supply shop was lit up, but when she pulled the door, it was locked. She slumped. Island time.

Thera looked around and saw a café in the distance. She propped her tripod on her shoulder and got walking.

She heard the door open when she was a few feet away. “Miss? Can we help you?”

She turned and looked at the alpha with inky black hair and the skin of an island descendant. “Yes, I am sorry to be here so early, but I am looking for a new tripod. The baggage handlers beat the hell out of mine.”

He blinked and smiled. “This way. If we don’t have one in stock, we might be able to repair it.”

“Cool.”

He chuckled. “Come inside.” He held the door open for her, and she slumped into the shop where astonishing artwork and photographs covered the walls. All were based around the island.

“Shit. He should have just gotten you guys to take the stills and B-roll.”

There were three men in the room. The one who had held the door, one who was counting some kind of paint supply, and a third who was sitting at a computer.

The man from the door asked, “So, can I see the tripod?”

“Please.” She handed the floppy mess over to him.

The man at the computer asked, “Did you indulge a little too much last night?”

“No. Why?”

“Your sunglasses. Most folks don’t use them before the sun is bright.”

She understood. “My eyes are odd. They tend to alarm people, so the sunglasses ease social interactions.”

She was suddenly the focus of three dark brown gazes. Their faces and differences in them didn’t look like they were related, but they were all moving as a group. It was odd.

The one who had taken the tripod said, “I can fix it in about an hour. The price is we would like to see your eyes.”

“That is a stupid price. I would rather pay cash.”

The one by the computer said, “We don’t take cash.”

“Fine. Card thingy.”