Hey everybird! What's up!?
Finally doing that idea I have with Carlos! And I do have an idea for the next one after this, so hopefully that comes sooner than later!
Anyway, a quick thank you to storm129 for the fav and follow!
Also this chapter will use the song, "Stand by You" by Rachel Platten.
Home Away From Home
Nightlife in Rio de Janeiro is like any other major city, people going out to hundreds of clubs, where drinking, dancing, and singing are a big part of it. However some clubs are different in that humans don't go there, but other animals and that was especially true for one specific club in the coastal city of Rio as Carlos was flying above the brightly lit city, the young teenage looking froward to spending a nice night. It was summer time and Carlos and his family were back in Rio for some time, eager to get back to doing things they couldn't do back in the tribe as Carlos knew the first place he was going to.
"I hope the club's not too busy…" Carlos told himself as he neared the location of the club, it being located next to a market place in the city.
And soon enough Carlos spotted the covered up location, lights shining through the fabric as there was a long line of birds waiting to get in, with a huge military macaw acting as a bouncer by the entrance. Even with the line outside Carlos simply landed down by the entrance, in front of the bouncer, who had his wings crossed.
"I would like to go in and see the owners." Carlos explained.
"Yeah right and what makes you think you're getting past me?" The bouncer said sternly.
"Well, because I know you… Mike." Carlos got right in the bouncer's face, before putting on a smile.
"I'm just messing with you kid." The big bouncer laughed. "Go right in, my bosses have been very excited since they heard you were back in town."
"I would hope so." Carlos chuckled back as Mike lifted up the rope blocking the entrance, allowing the young teenager to walk on in and well see the excited atmosphere of the club, which was full to the brim.
Carlos smiled seeing the club, he remembered when he was a lot younger and the owners were getting the club back together after a "problem" they had with some tiny monkeys. Carlos having helped out getting the club back up and running and now the club was even better than before, speaking of which as Carlos walked through the club, searching for a couple of specific birds, he heard someone call out to him.
"Kid is that you!?" Carlos heard a familiar voice as he turned in its direction to see a red crested cardinal fly and land down in front of him. "Man, I didn't even recognize you at first!"
"Hey Uncle Pedro, it's good to see you and be back." Carlos smiled as he and Pedro shared a hug.
"The pleasure is all mine, come on, lets go see Nico, he's just about to finish off his current song." Pedro told Carlos as the two went towards the front stage as Nico finished off the last notes, which sounded great to Carlos.
Unlike his brother and sister, Carlos got into music a lot, working on his singing growing up and helping out his "uncles" with their music and their club, visiting them back when he was younger all the time. However of course since he and his family moved to the Amazon, he was missing out on the place he really loved the most back in Rio. Carlos didn't regret having to go with his family, but the club was really a second home for him, a home away from home of sorts.
As Nico finally finished, he went off stage for a break, leaving the band to fill the entertainment for a little until either he or Pedro were ready. And well going off stage, he was met by Pedro and Carlos, the latter of which Nico was incredibly happy to see.
"Well, well, isn't it our most admired follower." Nico smiled.
"It's great to see you too Uncle Nico." Carlos smiled at the yellow canary as the two shared a hug. "I see the club's doing well as always."
"Yeah, but it isn't the same without you kid." Nico replied as he suddenly looked like he was in his thinking mode. "You know since you're here, we could use a different singer for tonight, what do you say?"
"Oh… I don't know…" Carlos unsure as he didn't want to steal his uncles' spotlight. "I'm out of practice."
"Oh come on kid, everyone in here knows who you are and they would love to hear you, plus you're barely around these days." Pedro pleaded as he was on board with Nico.
"Well, guess I can't disappoint my fans." Carlos giving in as his uncles had huge smiles on as the two went on stage to announce that Carlos would take it.
"Hey everyone!" Nico shouted, grabbing everyone's attention as he hovered in the air. "Carlos is back in town and he's going to do us the honor of singing a song for you all tonight, so please give a huge welcome back for the best singer in Rio!" Nico said happily as the entire club went wild as Carlos waited with Pedro, taking deep breaths, letting Nico finish before going up on stage, Nico getting off, silently wishing his "nephew" luck as Carlos took the stage now.
"Here goes nothing…" Carlos took one final deep breath before starting his song, everyone listening as Carlos started out quiet at first.
Hands, put your empty hands in mine
And scars, show me all the scars you hide
And hey, if your wings are broken
Please take mine so yours can open too
'Cause I'm gonna stand by you
Oh, tears make kaleidoscopes in your eyes
And hurt, I know you're hurting, but so am I
And love, if your wings are broken
Borrow mine so yours can open too
'Cause I'm gonna stand by you
Carlos sang as his smile grew wider and everyone was getting into it, clapping their wings.
Even if we're breaking down, we can find a way to break through
Even if we can't find heaven, I'll walk through hell with you
Love, you're not alone, 'cause I'm gonna stand by you
Even if we can't find heaven, I'm gonna stand by you
Even if we can't find heaven, I'll walk through hell with you
Love, you're not alone, 'cause I'm gonna stand by you
Everyone was getting into the rhythm, shaking and dancing as Carlos became more comfortable, moving himself as Nico and Pedro, who were standing on the side, had their smiles grow.
Yeah, you're all I never knew I needed
And the heart, sometimes it's unclear why it's beating
And love, if your wings are broken
We can brave through those emotions too
'Cause I'm gonna stand by you
Oh, truth, I guess truth is what you believe in
And faith, I think faith is helping to reason
No, no, no, love, if your wings are broken
Borrow mine so yours can open too
'Cause I'm gonna stand by you
By now Carlos' fears of breaking down were over and he felt like it was just himself singing alone, in private, which helped to ignore all the eyes upon him, the pressure gone.
Even if we're breaking down, we can find a way to break through
Even if we can't find heaven, I'll walk through hell with you
Love, you're not alone, 'cause I'm gonna stand by you
Even if we can't find heaven, I'm gonna stand by you
Even if we can't find heaven, I'll walk through hell with you
Love, you're not alone, 'cause I'm gonna stand by you
And now Carlos could face the crowd as he wore the brightest smile on, singing with a clear passion like always as the song started to draw to a close.
I'll be your eyes when yours can't shine
I'll be your arms, I'll be your steady satellite
And when you can't rise, well, I'll cry with you on hands and knees
'Cause I
(I'm gonna stand by you)
As Carlos started the last segment, everything was so clear now as he was back in his second home, the singing, music, all the onlookers, everything that was missing back in the Amazon.
Even if we're breaking down, we can find a way to break through (come on)
Even if we can't find heaven, I'll walk through hell with you
Love, you're not alone, 'cause I'm gonna stand by you
Even if we can't find heaven, I'm gonna stand by you
Even if we can't find heaven, I'll walk through hell with you
Love, you're not alone, 'cause I'm gonna stand by you
Love, you're not alone
No, I'm gonna stand by you
(Even if we can't find heaven, heaven, heaven)
I'm gonna stand by you
As Carlos sang the last words, he went back to a more softer note and as he finished, everyone cheered, happy to hear Carlos singing a song for them. As Carlos stepped off stage, the cheering continued until everyone got tired of it, going back to their normal club going as Carlos returned to Nico and Pedro who were beaming with joy.
"That was excellent kid!" Pedro commented.
"Yeah, you see, you're a natural at this." Nico added. "Are you sure we can't convince you to stay here as a regular?"
"Sorry uncle Nico, my home's elsewhere now." Carlos laughed. "But that was fun."
"Well, we understand." Pedro making sure Carlos knew that. "But if you ever change your mind, there's always a spot open for you."
"Thanks, I promise I'll at least think about it." Carlos smiled. "Now, that singing did a number on my throat, I'm going to get a drink if you don't mind.
"Go right ahead kid." Nico letting his nephew go and take a break from his performance as Nico and Pedro returned to their own singing back on stage while Carlos went over to the drink counter where a female parakeet was managing the bar.
"Hey Maria, the…" Carlos began as the parakeet simply knew what he wanted, putting the small cup in front of the teenager.
"Usual?" The parakeet smiled. "It's on the house kid, that was some great singing, you know you should really consider staying here, you would be a star and you would get free drinks from me all the time." The parakeet chuckled.
"Well that sounds tempting, but I like my life as it is." Carlos chuckled back as he took a big sip, letting the cool liquid relax his throat as he turned around, back towards the stage where Nico and Pedro were starting up another song to the enjoyment of everyone, imaging what it would be life if she did this every night of her life. "Yeah, I'll really think about it." Carlos smiled as he took another sip from the cup.
And I'll end it there!
I hope you enjoyed it and well something about Carlos, but some Nico and Pedro thrown in there as well!
Also, forgot to say this, but this does take place between the second and third story in thee trilogy, just in case you want to know and with that…
See everybird later!