Chapter 14
Carnival Sonata: Lovebirds

~Beatriz~

The warm sun was basking the land with its translucent light, the sky was spotless, perfect for the occasion of the Carnival. Frost was starting to revert to his own self – which I was really thankful – and prepared himself for the upcoming Carnival that would take place precisely this afternoon.

Frost was staring at the sky, his face look empty with the star fruit left uneaten in his talon. I don't blame him, really; being separated from his only family must be tough during this time. I tried to cheer him up, and it seemed to work for a moment, before the train of yearning returned into his soul.

His state damped my mood; even the prospect of facing the exciting Carnival did no effect on me. I hopped next to him, fixing my gaze with his. "Frost, you okay? I mean… I know you miss your Mom but… well I…"

Frost said nothing and stared at me blankly before the corner of his beak rising up a little. "I know… I'm sorry; I just need some time to get this feeling out of myself." He then returned his gaze at the city. "I'm sorry if I make you worry, it should be a happy day for you and I ruined it."

His soft heart spoke for itself, the kind of heart that always made me feel so loved and treasured. "No, it's okay, Frost. It's not your fault."

He smiled warmly, opening his beak and chewed the star fruit after being left out uneaten for a while. "Thank..a loth, Biaa." He stated with his beak stuffed. I could only giggle with the humorous act; he started to act like Tiago.

"I guess Dad was right, your time with Tiago already gave you some of his trait." I covered my beak with my wing.

He swallowed them and joined my laugh, casting away the sadness that once resided within his soul. My heart was filled with delight the moment I saw the sincere smile returned on his beak, warm and filled with joy.

"So, what is our plan tonight?" He asked, chomping the fruit until its existences wiped out completely. "I mean, I know the Carnival will be a blast. But perhaps we got… you know… some idea on what will we do?"

"You want a spoiler?" I asked him teasingly. "I don't know, it is best for you to taste it by yourself."

He sighed. "You guys really put me on the edge; I really wanted to get just a tiny picture about the Carnival, please?" He pleaded to me.

I ignored his eyes. "No, no… no spoilers. I want you to get the best surprise on your life."

He groaned, rolling his eyes. "Ugh, fine…"

I giggled once more, enjoying his frustration for unable to gain a little preview on what was to come, simply because I wanted him to get the best time on his life. I was certain that the celebration would make him hanging his beak for the rest of the night, because Carnival itself never failed to amaze me.

I recalled the day where my eyes glued firmly into one of the floats that shaped into a Blue Morpho butterfly, the details and iridescent of the color still existed and vividly flashed into my mind every time I visited back the memories. The gargantuan structure was always reminded me greatly on how the Carnival filled with joy and jubilation, scream of excitement from the audiences and the enthusiasm of the performer that never tired to entertain them, was simply worth to be called as the best memories you could have gained in this marvelous city.

It was also the special occasion for both my parents, the time that changed their live forever.

It was quite silly for me to wish the similar thing to happen with my relationship with Frost, but one thing that I was sure, that I would probably get the best Carnival in my life with him.

Frost was stretching his body; his eyes showed an obvious weariness, despite already took a nap twice this morning. But I was perfectly understood the reason of his drowsiness – well, aside from the fact that he woke at dawn – his soul was filled with distresses earlier.

I was confused the moment I saw him retuned back from… well… nowhere… and ignored me altogether; it was also the moment I knew something was wrong with him – I guess, everyone would notice that something was wrong either with that obvious act – only the exact reason I didn't know until recently.

Nope, like I said, I didn't want to talk about this anymore, let's just skip this part.

"You maybe want to get some sleep, Frost. The Carnival lasted until late night." I stated. "You look really tired."

"I am not." He said, stifling a yawn that quickly betrayed his statement. "Okay perhaps. But I already slept twice this morning; I think I'll be fine."

I shook my head. "You know, I was going to ask you to take a nap with me because I want to get on my best tonight." I quipped. "But it seems that you want to stay awake, so… yeah, I'll see you in the afternoon." I stifled a yawn.

He blushed. "Well, in that case…"

"What? You changed your mind?"

He scratched the wooden platform. "Well…"

"I'll be on my room, see you this afternoon." I stated, giggling on the inside.

I fluttered into my room and hopped into my nest, resting my body for the late night celebration this afternoon. It didn't take more than twenty seconds before I felt someone cuddling closely to me, and his warm love drifted me into slumber with a smile on my face.

The burst of color overloaded my sight with supreme level, the hues that existed in the sky of Rio was enhancing every single aspect my eyes could process. Exploding fireworks in the sky and the thunderous cheer of the humans and birds alike were muffled within my ears the moment I fixed my gaze with Frost. He was smiling at me, only fixing his stare on me; inside that stare, I saw something more beautiful and intense from the fireworks and exploding excitement, the love that he possessed towards me, and the one that never extinguish.

The time when the cloud of doubt that saturated my perception over our relationship was evaporated the moment I noticed the real and pure passion he had for me, and he was more than capable to let his heart speak for itself.

"Você é muito linda, Bia. Estou muito feliz para que você está aqui, me encher a alma com grande alegria. Te amo." He said. [You are so beautiful, Bia. I'm so happy with you are here, it fill my soul with joy. I love you]

I was melting like an ice cube placed in the direct sunlight, his words seeping into my heart akin to the water that touched the soil, giving me wet eyes in an instant.

"Te amo também, Frost." I replied, leaning towards him to give him a kiss. [I love you too, Frost]

The world around me started to distort, the once bright colored dream was replaced with darkness that greeted me back into the world of the living.

I awaked from the immersive dream with my heart beating faster, and sighing when I realized that it was just a dream. Frost was still sleeping quietly when I rose from my slumber, unable to hear his internal clock's alarm.

I slowly removed my body from his wing that encased me earlier, and smiled when I saw his sleeping state that occasionally mumbled something within his sleep. The effort to rise without waking him up was welcomed with success as he didn't even flinch a bit when I made myself into the opening of my room, tasting the afternoon air filled my lungs as my eyes watch the twilight shrouded the land.

The recent dream was giving me a huge grin on my beak, it felt so real, and I hope similar thing could happened later in the Carnival – while I had to admit the Portuguese part was impossible to happen as he didn't know how to speak Portuguese.

I keep staring at the golden-colored sunset on the horizon until my eyes the caught the presence of both my parents and Tiago chatting about something on the platform below

I fluttered down to them, joining their conversation, "Oh hello there, Sweetie." Dad greeted me. "Are you ready for Carnival tonight?"

"More than ready." I stated, feeling energized.

"Ha! I can't wait for it! By the way, where is Frost?" Tiago asked.

As on cue, Frost already fluttered down us, rubbing his eyes with his wing to wipe away the possible fuzziness that still tinted his sight. "Mornin… oh wait… afternoon." He paused, stifled a cough while the rest of us laughing heartily. "Yeah… I lost track on time… so, are we going to the Carnival now?"

"Speaking of ready, where is Carla? I didn't see her since morning." I inquired.

"She is with Uncle Nico and Pedro, doing some last preparation over the showcase later." Mom replied. "I'll say we better be there, this is going to be her best day."

"Of course, honey. Now let's get prepared… I'm going to… " Dad voice was trailed of as he flew away somewhere. Mom and Tiago followed him.

"Here it is, the Carnival, you are going to love it." I averted my gaze to Frost.

"I hope so, because I didn't get any spoilers on it, now it should be that good." He smirked.

I let out a laugh. "Don't worry, you'll be. Now let's get prepared."

"Well, I think I'm ready." He replied plainly.

I frowned at him. "You don't at least preen yourself? I mean look at you! Your crest feather is crazy."

He frantically swept his wing over his crest feather, flattening them into an even crazier state. "There, how do I look?"

I seriously wanted to laugh, his look was really weird with the flattened crest feather, but I suppressed it and let out a sigh instead. "Let me preen you."

A shade of peach was visible in his face, nonetheless he nodded and let me preened him.

I removed the old feathers that existed in his body and wing, making room for the new one to spawn; fixing his crocked tail and crest feather. His "hair" style was something unique, it sprouted like a series of leaves very similar to Dad, but also had some that fall down into his back, his style was similar to Dad and Uncle Roberto combined.

I rearranged his crest feathers as tidy as I could, removing the bended feathers and readjusting the flattened one into its original state. Satisfied, I moved back to see my work.

A realization hit me the moment I saw his face similarities with his Mom. His blue eyes and the crest feathers were the exact copy of his Mom, Luna; while his plumage's color and face was probably belong to his Dad; I smiled with satisfaction. "There, handsome." I stated.

He blushed once more. "Thanks."

"De nada, meu amor." I said. [You're welcome, my love]

He tilted his head. "Perhaps it is the right time for me to start learning Portuguese." He smiled awkwardly. "I mean… I didn't know what you are saying… maybe not exactly."

I chuckled with his words. "Maybe if you want to I can teach you some. I mean you can ask my Mom for the deeper understatement because Portuguese is very confusing, but I can teach you the basic."

"That will be great! Maybe we can start… I don't know… when Carnival is finished perhaps?"

"Sure, why not?" I replied, hearing my Dad's voice booming from the distance. "Okay, you guys ready? The celebration already started."

"And, oh! Don't worry about dinner, you guys can grab something there, usually Nico and Pedro arranged a feast too."

We nodded our head and soared into the sky, joining the rest of my family to the biggest party in the world. The blinding luminescence from the city was whisking the darkness that slowly crept in, and within moments, we already found ourselves in the center of the Carnival.

Frost eyes were sparkled with the sight people offered in front of him, mesmerized completely with the enchanted scenery down there. "This is… I'm lost with words." He stated.

"Oh don't be, this is just the start." I remarked with a laugh. "You'll see."

We continued to follow my Dad until we arrived where all birds were gathering; the sight of the Carnival was visible from here, providing a perfect place for the birds to have party while enjoying the scenery down there.

We then landed and quickly greeted with Uncle Nico, Pedro and Rafael.

"Ah Blu and Jewel! Rio's famous couple, welcome to Carnival!"

"It seems only yesterday we were rescuing you two from that… cockatoo… and now look at you! Having a life together with three amazing chicks!" Uncle Rafael stated with a laugh, "Quite a ride, huh?"

Uncle Rafael then dragged my parents into the crowd, leaving us alone to enjoy the celebration.

"Where's Carla?" I asked.

"She is preparing herself in the backstage, you guys better not missed her performance, it will be a blast!" Uncle Nico replied enthusiastically.

"Should we go there and maybe talk to her before the performance?" Frost asked me. "I mean, some support… this birds are really a crowd." He added.

"Sure why not."

"Yeah, you guys can do that." Tiago suddenly retorted. "I'm going somewhere else, say my hi to her!" He yelled as he flew into the crowds.

I rolled my eyes, following my Uncle escort to meet Carla with her preparation backstage. The noise from the crowds outside was muffled slightly the moment we reached the backstage and met Carla there, more nervous than ever.

"Carla!" I exclaimed, alerting my presence to her.

Carla then turned her head, her green eyes quickly filled with joy the moment she saw me, "Oh hey, sis! What brings you here?" She said, hugging me with her enormous wing and body – well, no offense.

"We want to meet you before your performance, adding some moral support." I replied. "So, you are ready?"

"Nervous perhaps more correct to describe what I'm feeling right now." Carla sighed. "But still, this is my opportunity to shine."

"And I have no doubt you will." Uncle Nico remarked. "You have the best voice in this city, they'll love you."

"Can't argue with that." Frost joined the conversation.

Carla smiled sincerely to us. "Thanks a lot guys, these mean a lot to me."

"That's what family for, Sis. We are here together."

"Okay, perhaps we need to get going. Carla performance is going to be the finale for the first day of Carnival, so it is best to get her prepared for it." Uncle Nico said. "Good luck, Carla." He added.

"Break a talon." I said.

"What? Break a talon?" Frost surprised.

"I'll explain later, come on, we will miss the floats!" I hurriedly exit the backstage and pierced into the swarm of multi-colored crowd outside.

Frost was gasping for breath the moment I halted my run. "Here it is." I said, turning my head to him and crocked my eyebrows "What are you doing until you panting like that?"

He rolled his eyes and averted his gaze to the gigantic version of birds, insects and many other things. His eyes were glued completely with the shinny-self-illuminating floats below, and mesmerized completely with his beak opened wide.

"Maybe we can get a closer look!" I yelled as the samba music and clapping from people down there dominating the audio realm of Rio.

"Get a clobber book? What is that?" He replied, yelling.

"No, I mean we can go down there!"

"Go dawn here? It's evening."

I gave up… I unfurled my wings and soared into the sky. "Follow me."

I dove into the mass of floats down there, passing some humans that dancing with enthusiasm within their exotic outfits, assimilated within the heat of the celebration when Frost suddenly appeared next to me. "What are you doing?"

"Just follow me; I know the perfect spot to watch the floats and this dancing human." I banked left and landing on a platform above the spectator seat.

"There, you can see the details they put into making these, it is very amazing."

Frost was watching every float with adoration, just like me. The floats were greater in number this year, and my favorite? The one that shaped like a spix's macaw! I never knew that they made one based on us this year, and it surprised Frost as well.

"Is that us?" He asked, couldn't believe his eyes as the floats went by and followed with the one shaped of a scarlet macaw.

"That's new! I never saw that one before, truly a new addition to the Carnival."

"It's amazing, I mean they get the plumage and tail real close…"

I didn't hear any of his comments anymore as I lost within the happiness that engulfed me when I saw him being so excited with the Carnival. He noticed my look. "What?"

"So… you like it huh? Beat the lack of spoilers I guess." I said, grinning.

"Well yeah… I'm greatly impressed with this Carnival, sure it is loud, but I think, I'll manage for this one. I don't want to miss it for everything, especially with you." He smiled at me.

"That's sweet, Frost. Te amo." I said, grinned. [Love you]

He opened his wing and cuddled me with from behind, pressing his head into mine; I could hear and feel his beating heart and the warmth of his burning love as he whispering softly. "Te amo também, Beatriz." [Love you too, Beatriz]

I was surprised and melted in an instant when I noticed that he spoke in Portuguese. "Well, that's so sweet! Where did you learn that?"

"Oh… couple days ago… you know… the one you told me about the constellations."

"Oh! That one… you learn from Carla right?"

He nodded. "It was awkward for me to ask her about that kind of words, but since I couldn't ask Tiago for that." He rolled his eyes. "He wouldn't let me live if he heard what I was asking… plus I didn't want to spoil it to you either…"

"It's in the past; I don't want to talk about it anymore." I said, lifting the bracelet in my left ankle, "Except this one."

"Sure it is." He chuckled as he lifted his own ankle, revealing a matching bracelet.

We continued to watch the floats went by, occasionally commenting something about a unique float that happened to pass by in front of us. I cuddled inside his right wing, enjoying our time together; my lucid dream returned into my head, while it didn't match completely with the reality I had right now, this moment had a beauty on its own; after all, what I wanted was to spend my time with him.

Our belly finally announced the lack of the daily sustenance we need to keep going. We flew back into the mass of birds above and grabbed some fruits to eat.

I spotted some of the birds that covered with a sticky red juice on their face, scowling something in Portuguese as they wiped the juice away from their face and plumage.

Frost also noticed the scene, asked. "What the? What happened?"

"Better we never know about it." I chuckled, already suspecting the accused behind the occasion. "Come on! Let's get some fruits to eat, I'm starving."

We pierced into the dense swarm of the birds, searching for the existences of a table full of fruits in the vicinity, it didn't take more than one minute for us to spot it, but took us more than twenty minutes to reach there – the crowds were so intense.

Frost's face was turned into a grimace when he noticed some Brazil nuts that lied on the table. "I don't know how I keep meeting those horrid nuts." He said, rolling the nuts slowly with his talon. "They tasted so weird in this city, the canned one even better."

He left the nuts and heading straight to the assorted fruit in the table. I quickly noticed some passion fruits, and the memories of recent event with them gave me a shudder and ignored them altogether.

So instead, I took a Carambola or simply called star-fruit while Frost quickly set his choice on a mango.

A faint mischievous laugh was heard in the distance, and I quickly face-winged myself. "I hope he didn't get himself into a big trouble this time."

Frost already nibbled his mango replied. "What? Oh, you mean Tiago?" He inquired. "I don't think he'll get into much trouble. I mean… it's not like he will tie a bird into a fireworks or something… right?"

I shot him a nervous looks. "Yeah… about that…"

Frost was going to take another bite when someone bumped into him, sending him into an imbalance state and toppled onto the ground.

"¡Lo siento! ¡No lo había visto!" He stated, from the strange language he used, I already know who that was; "César!" I exclaimed. [Sorry! I didn't see you there!]

"Ah! Señorita Bia! Fancy meeting you here." He smiled, before noticing Frost condition on the floor. "Oh well, let me help you." He chuckled, giving Frost his wing to help him back on his talon.

"Sorry about that amigo! I didn't see you there." César said.

"Nah, that's okay. What are you doing here?" Frost replied, wiping away his body from the dust with his wing.

"I'm going to perform in here with Selena! To shake the city and gave them some Tango." César moved his body with the non-existent beat.

"You came from El Salvador, yet dancing Tango…" I asked him, confused.

"Oh, clever one! I think people will never realize that Tango isn't El Salvadorian culture… no, I learn Tango with Selena, her grandfather came from Argentina and he taught her some moves." César grinned.

"Right, now I remembered it. Miguel told me." Frost remarked, "So, how long until your performance?"

"Pretty soon… and speaking of Miguel… ¿Dondé este ese chico?" He asked, mumbling to himself. "Do you guys see Miguel?" [Where is that boy?]

We shook our head. "Nope, we didn't see him."

"Well okay then, I need to find him before Selena rip my tail off, ¡nos vemos!" [See you later!]

We waved our wing, "Yeah… you too."

"Let's get into the edge over there; I don't want to get rammed and kiss the ground again." He said, motioning his wing into the edge where the floats are visible.

"Agree with that." I replied, grasping my meal tighter to penetrate the massive crowd.

"Besides, I only want to kiss you." He said with a loving smile on his face.

"You started to become an expert in flattery, Frost." I blushed.

"I'll say it's a good thing." He replied proudly.

Penetrating the crowd wasn't easy, especially with fruit on our talon. We couldn't take a flight as to gain a proper airlift was impossible without disturbing someone else. Estimated five minutes, we finally managed to pass through the sea of color and head to the edge.

Frost was checking on me to make sure I didn't suffer any injuries from the constant ramming from the crowd, and beamed when I told him that I suffered none.

We continued to eat our meal while enjoying the heated festivities that currently running down there, watching the passing floats along with the exotic dance the human did with their Samba music. I was hoping that I had a vision of an eagle; the details on the floats weren't visible within my range of sight – which is actually the thing I really appreciated from the Carnival on how much effort the humans put into creating those things.

I exhausted the meal within minutes when the booming voice of my Uncle Nico pierced into the air, silencing the noisy crowd in an instant. His voice only disturbed with the noise from the festivity below that clueless on what was happening up here.

"Saudações! Como está todo mundo fazendo hoje?" Uncle Nico inquired. [Greetings! How's everyone doing today?]

"Excelente!" The crowd replied in unison. [Excelent!]

"Marahivilhoso!" [Marvelous!]

"Estão todos prontos para celebrar o carnaval?" [Is everyone ready to celebrate Carnival?]

"Sim! Sim!" The attendances thundered. [Yes! Yes!]

Uncle Nico then signaled Kipo to start the music, and soon the beat of a catchy samba filled the air. The crowds soon assimilated into the song and danced their heart out as Uncle Nico's voice entered the music and start twittering the lyrics with his amazing voice.

Frost was listening the music with his eyes closed, enjoying the upbeat song entered his soul and slowly his talon tapping synchronously to the beat. I walked closer to him and grabbed his wing. "Come on, let's dance."

He looked at me with his eyes wide. "I can't dance."

"Nonsense, did you forget the one we danced together back in the club."

"Well… that wasn't this crowd…"

I ignored him and dragged him into the center of the crowd, the intoxicating music already rhyming into my soul, tickling my body to dance with the beat. I moved my wings gracefully, just like my Mom taught me to dance – even I must say that I wasn't really a dancer.

Frost was fixing his gaze at me, hesitant for a moment, but joined later joined in anyway. He grabbed my wing as we danced together in the fiesta of bursting music and surreal tone that bonded us closer each passing second.

He let me snuggle into his wing as we danced our heart out, sending the pulse of love into both our heart that ignited the spark that existed within.

He grabbed my wing and spun me around, and I toppled my back as he grabbed me within his wing, locking our eyes together.

I smiled the moment my eyes caught the sincere grin that existed on his beak, my heart finally filled with the exploding sensation… ready to rupture out.

He then toppled over something and grabbed me on his wing on accident. The movement send me almost fell to the ground if he wasn't there to catch me.

"For a bird that can't dance you got some moves."

He blushed yet smiled. "That wasn't a move" He admitted. "That was an accident."

I didn't care what he was saying, I locked my eyes with him as I forgot the world that existed around me, all I saw was him, my light in the darkness.

He was staring at me and I decided to break the silence. "Kiss me."

He leaned closer and locked our beaks together, his warmth breath was noticeable, and our tongue battling in the warmth embrace of our love bubble, neither care about other that saw us. The rapturous feeling I let out as pure as I had for him, knowing that I had set my choice to a right bird.

Simply my undulated passion for him…

...of…

…love.

A/N: Hello there! Nothing to say much aside from poll and whatnot... who cares? but please do help me fill them T_T

First, I want to thank Dark Blue-Bird for helping me with the Spanish part (as well as the Portuguese, but keep in mind that the Portuguese part might still be wrong as I borrow Spanish grammar to Portuguese)

Second, Speaking of language (which I quite intrigued to learn) have you guys check Spiros the Eagle Owl's story? he used Greek! and I must say that his story itself is amazing! check him out! That also applied to another stories in the archives, don't let the title and description fool you!

Third, I need a beta reader that could help me with both my mistakes and impression over the chapter, if you interested, please PM me as I need it for the better quality of my writing (Perhaps I'm going to ask people for this, I'm quite felt like a jerk asking people for help yet I told them to contact me)

I think that's all... yup... That's all. Thanks for reading!