Amazon Adventures

Chapter Sixteen: First Love

Carla was out in the jungles, practising her singing.

"Ohhhhhh, it's a jungle out here." She crooned. "Ohhhhh, it's a jungle out here."

As she finished, she heard someone land behind.

"Wow, that was great."

"Thanks, I-" Carla turned to see a handsome Spix's macaw of around her age. His crest feathers curled over his eyes, which were blue. "I, er... what was I saying?"

"You're funny." The macaw chuckled. "As I was saying, you're one awesome singer. You've got such an amazing voice."

"Thanks." Carla blushed, unable to take her eyes off the newcomer.

"I'm Renaldo, by the way." The macaw declared.

"Hi, Renaldo." Carla said nervously.

"So, is your name as pretty as your face?" Renaldo smiled.

"It's... Carla." Carla said bashfully.

"So in other words, yes." Renaldo declared.

"Well, aren't you a charmer?" Carla smiled coquettishly, as she sought to regain her cool.

"Your words, not mine." Renaldo grinned. "I'm a pretty good singer, myself. Maybe we could duet sometime."

"Hey, no time like the present." Carla shrugged. "Try and keep up."

You gotta stand tall
Even when you're small
You gotta sing loud
When they tell you not to talk
You need to believe
That you were born to be free
You gotta let go of all your fears
Cause it's a jungle out here

Renaldo joined in on the second verse.

So you come from a city
Where everything's pretty
And the lights are all too bright
And you live your life inside
Oh, how do you survive

They then sang together.

Take a look and
Take a chance
Take a moment and
You will understand
It's a jungle out here
Oh, it's a jungle out here
But there's no reason to be scared
It's just a jungle out here...

They finished the song in perfect harmony.

"Not bad." Carla smiled. "Looks like I'm not the only bird here with a great voice."

"Thanks." Renaldo beamed. "You wanna go hang out? I know this great little spot over by the clay banks."

"Sure." Carla nodded.

The two birds flew off together. Renaldo led Carla to a small recess on the edge of the clay banks.

"It's not much, but it's peaceful and private." He picked up some berries he'd stored between two leaves. "Hungry?"

"Sure am." Carla accepted the food. "So, this is your place?"

"I found it a while back." Renaldo declared. "Figured it'd make a great hang out."

"You figured right." Carla agreed. "Every bird needs a little alone time now and then, right?"

"Too true." Renaldo nodded. "But having the right company over doesn't hurt, either..."

Carla blushed again.

The two birds hung out together for most of the day, talking about things like singing and life in the jungle. As the sun started to set, Carla decided it was time to go.

"Gotta head home." She declared. "Parents, y'know?"

"Sure do." Renaldo nodded. "My folks'll be waiting for me, too. Let's do this again sometime."

"With pleasure." Carla nodded.

As they flew off to their respective homes, they gave a backwards glance, and shared a look. As Carla continued her flight home, she felt a warm, rosy feeling in her chest.

Carla and Renaldo would spend more and more time together over the following days, their feelings for each other growing stronger. It was inevitable that one of them would make a move, and that one was Renaldo.

"Hey, Carla?" He asked tentatively. "Can I say something?"

"Sure." Carla nodded. "What's up?"

"Well, I..." Renaldo said, before trailing off. "Wow, you have really pretty eyes..."

"Is that what you wanted to say?" Carla blushed. "That I have pretty eyes?"

"Actually, I was just wondering... if you'd like to go on a date sometime?" Renaldo offered.

"A date?" Carla mused. "Took ya long enough."

"I'm guessing that's a 'yes'." Renaldo smiled triumphantly. "I'm thinking we go up to the canopy, catch the sunset."

"Sounds good to me." Carla nodded.

"'Til then, my sweet." Renaldo kissed her wingtip.

Carla wasted no time in preparing for her date, washing herself, and adding a dab of pollen makeup. She even placed a flower amongst her head feathers.

"Well, look at you." Jewel remarked. "Where are you going, all gussied up like that?"

"Nowhere special." Carla shrugged. "Catch ya later, mom!"

Carla hurriedly rushed out of the tree.

"'Nowhere special', huh?" Jewel smiled knowingly.

Carla soon joined Renaldo on the canopy.

"Wow." Renaldo whistled. "You look amazing."

"Oh, this?" Carla smiled. "Just something I threw together."

Carla perched herself beside Renaldo, and they watched the sunset together.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Renaldo sighed.

"It sure is." Carla beamed. "I love the sunset."

"I wasn't talking about that." Renaldo nuzzled her.

"You sure know how to charm a girl." Carla chuckled.

As darkness fell, they once again had to part.

"See you tomorrow." Carla pecked Renaldo on the cheek.

"You know it." Renaldo grinned.

After a couple more dates, Carla felt the time was right to introduce Renaldo to her family.

"You sure about this, songbird?" He asked, as they prepared to enter her family's hollow.

"Relax." Carla assured him. "My family's great. Tiago's a bit of a brat, and Bia talks a lot, but they're okay."

"It's not them I'm worried about." Renaldo admitted.

"Don't worry about my parents." Carla told him. "My mom's awesome, and my dad is like, the nicest guy around. They're gonna love you."

"Here's hoping" Renaldo smiled weakly.

They entered the hollow together.

"Hi, sweetie." Jewel smiled.

"Who's your friend?" Blu asked.

"Guys, this is Renaldo." Carla announced. "My boyfriend."

"Hi." Renaldo held up a wing.

"Wait, what?!" Blu gasped.

"Ew, Carla has a boyfriend?" Tiago grimaced. "Yuck!"

"Way to go, Carla." Bia smiled, impressed.

"Congratulations." Jewel added. "My little girl's growing up so fast!"

"Thanks, mom." Carla beamed.

"Hold on a second!" Blu suddenly stepped forward. "Aren't you a little young to have a boyfriend, little lady?"

"I don't think so." Carla shrugged.

"Well I do." Blu frowned. "You're not old enough for this."

"With respect, sir, I think you're overreacting." Renaldo declared.

"You stay out of this." Blu glared. "How do I know you're not just stringing her along?"

"Dad!" Carla yelled.

"Relax, Blu." Jewel stepped. "I know Renaldo."

"You do?" Blu and Carla gaped.

"Yeah, he's Roberto's little cousin." Jewel nodded.

"Well, that explains a lot." Blu glared at Renaldo. "Think you can put the moves on my little girl, do you? Lure her in with a little singing, a flick of your crest feathers? Not on my watch!"

"But I-" Renaldo protested.

"But nothing." Blu spat. "You get out of here. And if I ever see you near my daughter again, you'll be sorry!"

"Dad, no!" Carla gasped.

"Blu!" Jewel yelled.

"...I'll see ya around, Carls." Renaldo mumbled, before leaving the hollow.

"Wait!" Carla tried to follow, but was blocked by Blu.

"You won't be seeing him again." Blu seethed. "I promise you."

"Why did you do that?!" Carla yelled.

"Seriously, what's gotten into you?" Jewel asked, shocked by her mate's attitude.

"Protecting my daughter." Blu declared. "That's what's gotten into me."

"I don't need you to protect me!" Carla raged. "Especially not from Renaldo!"

"Trust me, I know what's best for you." Blu declared.

"Renaldo's the sweetest bird I've ever met!" Carla told him. "And you can't stop me from seeing him!"

"Can't I?" Blu retorted, an uncommon coldness in his eyes. "While you live in this hollow, you live by my rules."

"Blu, don't you think you're going a little overboard over this?" Jewel asked.

"No, I'm not." Blu said calmly. "Carla is way too young to be even thinking about dating."

"Sez who?" Carla growled.

"Says me, your father." Blu said firmly.

"This is so unfair!" Carla yelled.

"Don't take that tone with me, young lady!" Blu yelled back, at a volume he rarely used (except for screaming in fear).

Everyone in the hollow was taken aback. Blu had never lost his temper like this before.

"You can't control me!" Carla spat. "I don't have to stop seeing Renaldo just because you say so!"

"That's it, young lady." Blu glared at her. "You're grounded. Go to your room. And I don't want to hear another word out of you for the rest of the day."

"How about three?" Carla sniffed. "I HATE YOU!"

With that, Carla flew off to her room. Blu breathed deeply, his anger still steaming.

"W-wanna go collect bugs, Tiago?" Bia asked awkwardly.

"Heck, I'll go rub aunt Mimi's feet if I have to!" Tiago gulped.

The two younger chicks left the hollow, leaving Blu and Jewel alone.

"Blu, what is wrong with you?" Jewel admonished them. "How could you do that to your own daughter?"

"It's for her own good." Blu frowned. "She'll thank me for this someday."

"I doubt that very much." Jewel declared.

"I'm her father." Blu retorted. "It's my job to protect her."

"Even if it means breaking her heart?" Jewel glared.

"That wasn't love." Blu snorted. "It was just a kiddy crush."

"Who are you to say that?" Jewel glared. "You can't keep Carla and Renaldo apart just because you don't think they're old enough!"

"Watch me!" Blu yelled.

"What's going in here?" Eduardo suddenly entered the hollow. "What's with all the yelling?"

"Well, in a nutshell, Blu just broke up Carla and her first boyfriend." Jewel replied.

"For her own good." Blu repeated stubbornly.

Eduardo gazed impassively at Blu.

"Can I have a word with you, Blu?" He asked. "Outside?"

"Fine." Blu frowned.

Blu followed Eduardo to a nearby tree.

"I suppose you're going to tell me I'm wrong too." He snorted.

"Actually, truth be told, I would've done the exact same thing in your position." Eduardo admitted.

"You would?" Blu gaped.

"Of course." Eduardo nodded. "Jewel's my pride and joy. I would never have let her date at Carla's age."

"So you agree with me?" Blu smiled.

"I never said that." Eduardo stated. "Jewel was so young when I lost her. When she came back, I felt like I had to make up for all the times I missed when I could have protected her. That's part of the reason I gave you such a hard time, Blu. But eventually, I realised my little girl had grown up, and that I had to respect her own decisions."

"But Carla isn't grown up yet." Blu pointed out.

"She's getting there, though." Eduardo countered. "And if you keep treating her like a baby, she'll never forgive you for it."

Blu fell silent.

"Maybe I did go a little too far..." Blu admitted.

"I may not have been there to see my daughter grow up, but I know how hard it is to accept that fact." Eduardo said solemnly. "You have to accept it too."

"I guess you're right, sir." Blu sighed. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some apologising to do."

"Go right ahead." Eduardo smiled.

Blu returned to the hollow.

"Well?" Jewel asked.

Blu kissed her on the cheek.

"Sorry." He apologised.

"I'm not the one you have to apologise to." Jewel declared.

"I know." Blu nodded.

Blu made his way to Carla's room.

"Knock, knock." He said, as he pushed aside the leaf curtain covering the entrance.

"What do you want?" Carla sniffed, huddled in the corner.

"To say 'I'm sorry'." Blu admitted, as he walked over to her. "I completely overreacted back there."

"No arguments here." Carla snarked.

"It's just... Jewel was right." Blu sighed. "You are growing up, and I couldn't accept that. You're my little girl, and if I had my way, you'd stay like that forever."

"Aw, dad..." Carla cringed, embarrassed.

"But you know something?" Blu smiled, placing a wing on her shoulder. "As much as I dislike the idea, I wouldn't miss watching you grow up for the world."

"So, does that mean..." Carla said hopefully.

"Yes, Carla Blu nodded. "You can date Renaldo if you want to."

"Really?" Carla hugged her father. "Thanks, daddy!"

"You're welcome, sweetie." Blu returned the hug. "Now, let's go find this suitor of yours. I owe him an apology too."

It didn't take them long to find Renaldo; As Carla surmised, he was back at his hangout.

"Carla?" Renaldo gasped, before realising Blu was with her. "Sir? W-what's going on?"

"What's going on is that I was wrong." Blu declared. "I shouldn't have treated you the way I did. If you and Carla want to date, it's okay with me."

"Whoa, really?" Renaldo smiled. "Thank you, sir."

"No problem." Blu smiled. "Just remember: If you ever hurt her, I'll track you down and make you pay."

Renaldo gulped.

"Dad..." Carla groaned.

"Hey, I'm still your dad." Blu chuckled. "Even when you're not my little girl anymore."

"I'll always be your little girl." Carla hugged him.

"Well, I'll just leave you two alone." Blu declared. "Have fun."

"We will." Carla grinned, as Blu took off.

"How about that?" Renaldo grinned. "Kind of a rough start, but it didn't end too badly."

"Got that right." Carla nuzzled against him. "Let's just hope your folks don't react like that."

"Feathers crossed." Renaldo chuckled. "But for now, let's just relax, and make up for lost time."

"Way ahead of you." Carla purred.

The two lovebirds pressed their beaks together in a loving kiss.

To Be Continued...

(Rio 2 and all associated characters are the property of Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox.)