"Isn't this exciting?" Roberto said, cheerfully, peeking through the leaves that covered the back stage entrance. Around them, other acts were in discussion, with a busy Victoria running about. Tonight was set to be busy, for there were new acts performing tonight. Behind him, Sophia was sat down, looking around with an uneasy expression. Finally, Roberto brought himself to say it. "Sophia, what's wrong? You have had that same look on your face since we left the ravine." Roberto was hiding his worry about the thorns in their nests. Sophia had come here to escape her stress - he couldn't just blurt out and accuse Jespa of sticking sharp things under the moss. He wanted to make her feel happier, after Zenaida, but his cheer didn't seem to help.
"I don't know. I just... no, it's just me being paranoid." Sophia was shaking her head. "I thought I saw someone following us on the way here, that's all."
"Following us? Why would anyone follow us?" He asked, not fully taking in her words, for his mind was trained on outside. Sipping on coconut water, he tried to find the faces of Felipe and Azalea, but failed to spot them in the sea of birds. They were probably busy; the storms had caused an awful lot of damage, a fact Sophia knew all too well. Trees had come down all over the place, but at least that was a result of weather and not logging.
"It's probably just me." Sophia said, sounding calmer now. "Jespa's just been acting up lately." Roberto choked on his coconut water; he spluttered a few times, causing her to look up. "Are you okay?"
"Fine!" He insisted, clearing his throat. Acting up? That's an understatement! For couple of moments, she sat there, looking suspicious - before she rolled her eyes.
"What's he done now?" Sophia asked, eyes narrowed. Roberto whirled round in surprise.
"What?" He asked, weakly.
"That's right. Everytime I've said his name, you've looked shifty."
"No I haven't -"
"Don't try to deny it, Roberto." Sophia interrupted, sharply - this surprised him. She seemed so much more sure, more fierce and confident, outside that ravine. He had thought about that when he'd seen her sing; now he was convinced it was Jespa who made her this way. If he wasn't there, maybe Sophia would be bolder. She crosssed her wings. "Spit it out."
"Well..." he hesitated. Roberto had planned on telling her tomorrow morning, but now she knew something was on his mind. She's gonna find out anyway. Get it over with. "Fine." So Roberto told Sophia every last detail: he had arrived home to hear someone making a hasty getaway, and had gone straight to his nest, only to be stabbed in the back by dozens of thorns. They had been in her nest, as well - and there had been a thorn bush at the foot of Jespa's tree. By the time he had finished, Sophia wore a flabbergasted expression.
"No... he wouldn't." She said, although she didn't sound thoroughly convinced. "Er, no, no - it was Tiago, surely. He loves playing tricks."
"Trick? Tiago's young, but he's old enough to know how irresponsible and cruel it is to stick thorns in a nest!" Roberto protested. Sophia swiftly leapt to her talons.
"Jespa's not right, but he's not that messed up!" Sophia insisted, her voice high-pitched.
"How are you defending him? Sophia, he bruised your wing, and according to Zenaida, it's happened before -"
"Hey, what's going on?" Interrupted a voice. Victoria stood a few feet away; the Catalina macaw's eyes were wide with surprise. "What's the arguing about? I can't have you two falling out before your performance begins!"
"It's nothing." Sophia said, quickly. "We're fine, aren't we, Roberto?" The areas above Victoria's eyes raised, before she was distracted by a tussle taking place between the five Red-Bellied macaws.
"Girls, girls!" Vicky cried, rushing over as one of the sisters pulled angrily at another's feathers. "Valerie, I don't care if Camilla took your head flower -" as she separated the squabbling birds, Sophia turned her attention back to Roberto.
"Look, it can't have been. Just forget it." Roberto tried to protest, but the look on her face silenced him.
"I'm sorry." He said, instead. "It was wrong of me to accuse him." At this, Sophia's eyes softened slightly.
"Thank you." She said, before muttering something under her breath.
"What was that?" Roberto asked, catching the last word. He couldn't help but grin as he felt laughter bubbling up. "Did you just saw I'm irresistible?"
"No!" Sophia squeaked, blushing the colour of a bromeliad. She was trying not to laugh. "I meant your apologies were irresistible." At this, they quickly forgot their argument, and started giggling like a pair of teenagers. But then, the quarreling Red-Bellied Sisters got out of hand. They started arguing so loudly, Roberto spotted some of the crowd glancing toward the backstage. For few seconds, Victoria attempted to speak - but then the white skin of her face turned cerise.
"That's it!" Victoria snapped. "That's it - you are out!" At this, a silence fell on the acts. The five sisters stared at Victoria, in utter shock.
"What? What do you mean, we're out?" Asked Luciana, incredulously.
"You are not singing on my stage again until I'm happy you girls won't tear each other's feathers out over the slightest problem." Victoria retorted. "Now, if you don't mind - the curtains are that way." For a moment, it looked as though they were about to argue, but then they stuck their beaks up, and marched through the leaves to try and leave with a sense of dignity - but the moment the leaves fell back into place, their squabbling started all over again.
Victoria rolled her eyes. "Thank goodness. They were getting on my nerves. Between me and you guys, I hope they don't resolve their bickering. Everyday, it's she took that and she did that." The Catalina then dashed through the curtains, to speak to her audience. "I'm afraid the Red-Bellied Sisters aren't singing tonight -" As she made up an excuse, Sophia swiftly began smoothing her plumage.
"We're next, Robbie." She said, bouncing and swinging her wings, as though she were about to work out. "Got your lines? A quick test - what's your first line?"
"In the blink of an eye." Roberto said, instantly.
"-who knows Sophia?" Victoria asked, and this was answered with an immediate cheers. "Excellent! She's here tonight, singing our new favourite song, 'Like I'm Gonna Lose You.' But before you all start cheering, she's not by herself!" Immediately, the voices died down as they prepared to hear this important information. "Joined by her special friend, Roberto, they're singing as a pair - and Sophia says, and I quote, he's got a voice like a diamond!"
"I wouldn't say it's like a diamond." Roberto whispered, cheeks going warm. He was aware he had a talent, but hearing Sophia say it was 'like a diamond' made his heart bounce.
"Don't be embarrassed." Sophia murmured back - then the crowd cheered, and the music introduction started. The leaves started to move slightly, and it was the cue. Roberto moved to the side; he was going on stage at his first line. But then Sophia quickly grabbed him lightly by the wing, and placed a swift kiss on his cheek. "Good luck!" She whispered, before stepping through the curtain. Roberto swayed slightly, wing on his cheek, stunned.
Roberto stood there in a dream-like state for a few moments, before her gorgeous voice brought him back to full consciousness. Her voice was like silver and gold - it was as beautiful and luring as a siren's. No wonder so many birds came here to hear her song. A thought dawned upon him.
He had always found her to be a special macaw, but now it was so much more. He saw her in everything - the glossy flowers and the shiny fruits reminded him of the shimmer and sparkle of her eyes. Everyone was talking about them - whenever they were together, any witnesses started whispering, glancing at Roberto and Sophia as they did. He had never felt about anyone in that way before. All his love had been for friends, or when he was young, for his family. Never had romance crossed his mind, until now.
Maximillo, the Hyacinth in charge of letting members and friendly macaws in, was opening the door a little, and frowning, talking to someone outside. Roberto thought nothing of it, although when heads turned, he felt a twinge of curiosity. However, his ears caught Sophia's last solo part. It was time to join her onstage.
"In the blink of an eye... a whisper of smoke..." he tried to hide his embarrassment as he stepped through the leaves - did he look stupid? But to his relief, Sophia was grinning and the crowd's cheers grew louder as they heard what he sounded like. Confidence flowed back into his voice. "We could lose everything, the truth is you never know -" his cheeks turned warm as he sang the next lyrics; Sophia smiled at the next sentence. "So I'll kiss you longer, baby -" occasionally, Sophia would repeat the last word of the sentence in her voice, or one of her quieter vocalizations that matched the volume of the song.
The audience was, to his surprise, seemingly spellbound. Some had stopped dancing, to pause and concentrate on the song - but everyone, dancing or not, could not keep their eyes off Roberto and Sophia. Even the recently fired Red-Bellied Sisters were staring with gaping beaks, despite their foul moods. Victoria was visible in the corner of Roberto's eye, looking absolutely delighted, dancing with a Blue-and-Gold macaw. Roberto and Sophia turned to each other, unable to stop smiling as they sung the chorus in perfect harmony.
"So I'm going to love you, like I'm gonna lose you -" Sophia danced across the stage, singing with him while she did. Roberto too moved toward her, until they were doing some kind of spin together; barely touching, just moving in a close circle around each other. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and they both knew it. Sophia's wing raised to touch the side of his face, and he did the same.
The music died down; the final verses. Their twirl slowed to a stop, and Sophia's wing finally dropped - but Roberto took both of them, and didn't let go. Her midnight blue gaze rested upon his pale blue one, as they both sang the last words. "I'm going to love you. Like I'm gonna..." their voices became low. "...lose you." Roberto almost breathed the final part, but somehow, the audience didn't notice.
They roared and threw their wings up into the air; the cheering almost hurting his ears, but he did not care. The joy in his heart, standing here with Sophia, was overwhelming. Finally, they broke eye contact, to turn to the crowd and give a bow - but once they had done that, Sophia pulled him into an embrace. "You are amazing. Thank you." She whispered into his ear.
Roberto was just about to reply, but then a commotion at the entrance pulled his attention away. Maximillo's protests fell on deaf ears. "-Buddy, you can't just barge in here, you need -"
"Shut up, you Hyacinth filth!" Roared the voice back - the bubble of joy burst. Sophia's wings suddenly went tense, and she whipped her head around. Roberto could feel her heart racing, as she desperately searched for the intruder. A thunderous silence filled the club, as a ragged blue figure shoved through the crowd. Finally, the crowd parted, and Roberto's heart dropped. Sophia then began trembling, and sank against him, her face pale and sick with horror.
Jespa stood on the dance floor, the look on his face more poisonous than any snake's venom.