Rio Tales
Chapter One: Home Sweet Home
The toco toucan Rafael flew through the jungles of Rio de Janeiro, eager to return home. After his capture at the hands of local smugglers, all Rafael wanted was to see his family once more. Which was ironic, considering he had been brought to the verge of exasparation by them barely a day ago.
Finally, he spotted the welcome sight of the tree containing his family's hollow. The moment he entered, he was swarmed by his seventeen offspring.
"Daddy! Daddy!" The chicks cheered, jumping all over him.
Normally, Rafael would have made a fruitless attempt to calm them down. Instead, he scooped them up in his wings and hugged them tightly.
"Hey, guys!" Rafael chuckled. "Carlos, Manuela, Marco, Sofia,... It's great to see all of you!"
"Is it great to see me, too?" Asked a sarcastic voice from the side.
The voice belonged to Rafael's mate, the keel-billed toucan Eva. The chicks, terrified of their mother's wrath, quickly made themselves scarse.
"I see you didn't exactly 'hurry back', did you?" Eva seethed. "Taking those two birds to see Luiz shouldn't have taken more then an hour, and yet, you were gone all night! You went off to Carnival, didn't you? I should have known! You care more about partying then your family!
In the normal course of things, Rafael would have been cringing before Eva's tirade. Instead, he was smiling. Without saying a word, he sauntered over to his enraged mate, wrapped his wings around her, and kissed her deeply.
"I missed you so much, meu amor." Rafael purred.
"I missed you too..." Eva sighed, both soothed and confused at the same time. "But don't you ever do anything like that again!"
"No worries." Rafael hugged her tightly. "I swear, I will never leave your side again, queen of my heart."
"Oh, my pudgy papaya." Eva simpered.
The two lovebirds kissed once more.
"Ewwww!" The chicks chorused.
Rafael chuckled as he and Eva parted.
"Okay, kids." He clapped his wings together. "Who wants to play with daddy?"
The chicks cheered, and swarmed their father once more.
"Why should you get to have all the fun?" Eva asked playfully, joining in on the game.
Rafael had returned to his family, and, true to the old saying, being apart had only increased their love for each other. He had gained a whole new appreciation for his domestic life, one which he would not soon lose. As night fell, the whole family snuggled together, sleeping a contented sleep of bliss and love.
Once known as the "King of Carnival", Rafael was now content where he was. A king couldn't ask for a better castle, or a better family.
To Be Continued...
(Rio and all associated characters are the property of 20th Century Fox and Bluesky Studios.)