Chapter 3
"So how long have you been performing?" Azalea asked sweetly to a hovering Nico. "Oh, uhh I been like, doin' this stuff for two years, then I met up with Pedro for the last year," he said coolly. Pedro squirmed into the conversation saying, "yeah, I been rockin' them beats for, like, three years nah?" He got closer to azalea and nudged her, "that's one more year than Nico." She laughed, and said brightly, "I think I know my basic math Pedro." He shrugged, "yeah, but you know, just sayin'…"
The three were in the hollow of Nico and Pedro, who'd gotten several woodpeckers and other birds to help them create a rather large hollow near the bottom of a tree that worked its way up the trunk. It was luxurious, as the two birds' fame had earned them respect among samba enthusiasts. To them, azalea's arrival was nothing more than a friendly competition, each trying to sway her to them, but neither actually knew how she felt; she'd fallen for Blu just as Jewel had. As they chattered, Azalea looked out into the Jungle through the hollow opening, and their voices merged as her mind slipped into deep thoughts of the last male Spix macaw. Azalea figured; the only way she could peak Blu's interests was when jewel wasn't there. It was getting late, and the sun dipped down into the horizon. The two birds' voices began to clear.
"Yeah, so that's when I told Pedro I thought he wasn't that bad." Nico said. "Oh please bird, you was gawkin' and talkin' 'bout my style for months now," Pedro retorted matter-of-factly. Azalea cut in, "So have either of you seen Blu?" The two stopped cold, and looked at each other. "Yeah, like at the club and all…" Nico said. Azalea needed to clarify. "No, no like… in the mornings or something? Away from jewel?" She muttered the last part, but Pedro, eagerly trying to get her to favor him, chirped, "Yeah! He comes round in some mornings to that mango tree across the way." Nico gave him a glare, and he realized he'd just helped his and Nico's main competition. Azalea's face lit up as she looked outside, and saw the mango tree they were referring to as the sun was encased by the ocean. She gingerly kissed Nico and Pedro on the cheek and yawned, "I'm going to go to sleep…" she turned, about to fly out of the hollow when Nico regained consciousness. "How about you stay here for the night?" she agreed wholeheartedly; after all, that was what she wanted in the first place.
The following day, Nico and Pedro flew off to The Branch to prepare for the club, leaving Azalea to do as she pleased in their hollow. After the two were out of sight, Azalea quietly flapped away to the Aviary to meet with Tulio, whom she'd hoped would perhaps help her in her endeavor. As she flew through the window, She met Tulio with an excited glance, and he sifted through his papers for no more than a second after he saw her, eager to check on the stitches and get her cleaned. She perched on his shoulder and he began to walk down the hallway, talking to her. She didn't quite understand everything he said, but could sound out a word or two here and there. "…Re-pop-you-lay-shun… Eerie-cyst-table" Then he took her to a dark room where he played a movie.
Jewel and Blu stood happily together on Christ the Redeemer, looking at the city below, bustling with life at every corner. It was a marvelous day, sunny but breezy with not a cloud in the sky. Jewel was sitting silently content with the view, though Blu found himself at a lack of words at her presence. She agreed to let him go to the club alone later, figuring he deserved a break from tending to her every whim. She chuckled at the thought. Then she began to think about plans for their future home in the hollow complete. [I can maybe move the perch to the left… and- and a nice, lavish, cushy bed of brush] Her eyelids drooped, and a grin crept across her beak. [And then… maybe some rose pedals oh… I don't know, scattered arou-] "Hey Jewel," Blu chirped, "How about we get your wing checked out before I go," he said cheerily. She gave him a nervous glance, still skeptical of this "Tulio" and his healing powers, but a warm smile convinced her otherwise. She reluctantly nodded, Blu gave her the courage, and she was grateful. In seconds, they were off.
Azalea stumbled out of the room, eyes wide, somewhat unsure of what she saw. She found herself shaking slightly yet uncontrollably. Tulio walked by to pick her up, and she flinched upon seeing him in the corner of her eye. [Could this really happen?] She thought to herself, [Is it the right thing to do?] She couldn't stop thinking about it… the reality of it truly daunting. He picked her up and brought her to the next room to preen her and feed her, then set her off. After a bit of work, Azalea flapped away, out of the window and Tulio glanced at the clock. It read 5:32p.m. He glanced away, and no longer had she flew out the window did Blu arrive, carrying Jewel for her daily checkup.
Blu sat on one of the waiting chairs in the office, waiting eagerly for Jewel's return. He looked at the clock, and the long hand was by the 9. He did the math quickly in his head and worry grew on his face. Tulio walked in and set Jewel next to him, and she looked at him softly and said, "If I'm careful, I can take it off in about two weeks," she said excitedly. He could tell that she was holding in the whole of her excitement, and he smiled supportively. "I have to go, soon…" He said uncomfortably. Jewel looked at him funny and teased, "Late for a date?" He suddenly grew serious for a second, until she laughed, "I'm kidding, you can go." Blu quickly pepped up, and with Jewel in the artificial jungle, he was off.
He was pretty sure he was late, and flew as fast as he could to the Mango tree. His eyes darted left and right, until they rested upon a teal bird. He flew up, stammering excuses about how sorry he was about being late, until he saw Azalea's face. His heart stopped.