Flor landed in front of the club. It was hidden behind fruit crates and thin canopy fabrics. It was located in the food stall street. The street boomed with the people of Rio making a living by selling their exotic fruits to tourists. It was mostly whole fruit sales, but a few of the vendors sold fruit drinks. That was during the day. At night, it became a slightly littered street that had lighting surrounding it. Flor stood patiently under a lighted area in hopes that Blu and Jewel would arrive soon. Flor watched as birds slowly entered the shadowed hallway that led to the entrance of the club. She sighed.

It is nine, I think. Well, this is Blu. He's always running late.

"Move over birds!"

Flor looked up to see a dog running in the distance. It was approaching her, fast. She was about to fly away when she noticed something. It appeared that a small chariot was tied to the down. The chariot was basically a four-wheeled skate shore that had the top half of it cut off. There was a fitted wooden bench on it with a small belt-like material wrapping around it. The dog stopped in front of Flor and faced her with a slobbering smile.

"Hel-lo. You smell like the bird whose scent I'm looking for."

"Excuse me?"

A click was heard, followed by footsteps. Flor turned around to see a male and a female Spix's Macaaw walking her way. The male was Blu, and the female, agitated and seemed a little sick, must be Jewel.

"Hi Flor," Blu greeted.

"Hello," she said, turning towards Blu.

She felt uncomfortable by the heat, smell, and sound of the dog standing next to her. She slowly put on a slightly disgusted and uncomfortable face and turned towards the dog.

"Can I help you?"

The dog stupidly smiled at her; his drool dropped to the concrete.

"Oh, yeah," said Blu. "Flor, this is Luiz. He helped me out trying to get Jewel and myself free from the shackles from when we were chained together."

"Oh," she said, "how-considerate."

"Yep," said Blu, walking over to Luiz's collar.

Blu unclipped the two leashes that attached to the chariot thing.

"Thank you Luiz."

"No problem. You know who to howl for once you're done."

Luiz trotted away. The three birds looked at the dog disappearing from their view. Well, two of them did. In the corner of her eyes, Flor noticed Jewel looking towards the ground, about to hurl.

"Um, do you need water?"

Jewel raised her left wing.

"I'm fine. Thank you."

Blu finally noticed Jewel.

"Are you okay?"

Jewel managed to look up and shot a glare at him. Blu fringed.

"Blu… That is the last time-ugh-we ever do that."

"C'mon, Jewel. It was like a roller coaster ride. It wasn't that bad."

Jewel shot another death glare at Blu. Flor felt the tension exploding between the two birds.

"Yeah, um, I'll meet you guys inside. You know tables. Always get filled quick."

Flor strolled away from the two macaws and walked through the short, shaded pathway. A doorway to the club radiated a yellowish-green light. Flor entered and feasted her eyes on the club. The club had grown little in the past two years. It was vivid with life. There was a stage made of painted Popsicle sticks that housed a D.J., but there was enough room for a singer to perform. There was the dance floor with Brazilian birds of all kinds clapping their wings and swinging their tail feathers. Behind the dance floor, and more to the entrance, were the tables. The tables were either wooden or plastic and varied colors. A bar made of Popsicle sticks was behind the table area and a good distance away from the entrance.

Flor walked through the table area to find a table. She looked for one centered in the table area. She didn't know what Blu or Jewel would want to do, so it was best to find a table in the center of everything. She did find a green plastic table and sat down. She looked around, patiently waiting for Blu and Jewel.

Wow, this place is sure booming. It's kind of nice.

She looked towards the bar.

I met him over there. Oh... I was a fool back then. I thought Joseph would be the one, but it was a lie.

She heard commotion and noticed two birds sitting on the seats. She faced a better-looking Jewel and a somewhat guilty Blu.

"Sorry about that-"

"Don't worry about it, Blu."

She faced Jewel.

"So, here's my proper introduction."

Flor extended her wing out.

"I'm Flor."

Jewel accepted her wing and shook it once. They parted from the wingshake.

"I'm Jewel."

"Well, it's a pleasure meeting you. I mean, Blu talks about you. I can see a concern in his mind for you."

Jewel smiled.

"That's nice. Um, so Flor, where are you from? Are you from Rio?"

"Born and raised," smirked Flor. "A good city to live nearby. A short flight away too."

"I'm going to go get some drinks. Would you ladies like anything in particular?"

"I'm not much of a drinker," said Flor.

"How about you Dear?"

"Can you get me a Long Island?"

Blu nodded.

"I'll be back."

Blu left to the bar. After a few moments, Jewel dropped the smile. Flor understood.

"So, what do you really want to know, Jewel?"

"Everything. How come Blu found you to teach him?"

"Well, I was flying one day and spotted him on the statue of Jesus. I landed next to him. From afar, he looked like one of my own. I-I hadn't seen anyone like that for a while. I landed next to him and soon realized he was different. He then explained you and he were the last of your kinds and he was afraid of living in the jungle. I just offered to help."

"That seems random you just decide to help him."

Flor sighed.

"I know. I have my reasons for it. I was alone, not liked, and just a solitary bird. Free, if you may, but miserable."

Jewel's tension relaxed when she heard the last sentence.

"Free? How can you be free but feel miserable? It's-freedom."

"I've come to learn that the best part of being free is having someone by your side."

Jewel thought for a moment.

"But…uh, that isn't free."

"I know. Jewel, I'm free. Have no worries or concerns, but I'm extremely lonely. That was why I approached Blu.'

"But what about the past? Didn't you have friends and family?"

"I did, but I was stubborn. I left when I was old enough. I thought I could do everything. For a year, I thought I did. I found a male bird named Joseph and… Listen to me talk. Jewel, I don't mean to sound all preachy."

Jewel shook her head.

"I understand. Um, I'm sorry for my…um, you know."

Flor nodded.

"Yes. Jewel, I promised that I'm not stealing Blu. You're lucky to have such a male that cares and loves you, something you can't get if you're free."

Jewel blushed.

"Well, um, thank you."

"Jewel, I hope we can become friends."

"I'm pretty sure we just did, Flor."

After a few minutes, Blu came back with the drinks. He carried Jewel's Long Island and a draft of beer.

"So, the coconut fell on my papa and knocked him out for the evening. It was just funny to see my mom dragging my dad to the nest, complaining how fat he became. Yep, memories. I just wished they were still alive."

"I can relate. My father was never a mate to my mother, and my mother…well…"

"Jewel, you don't have to explain. You know, it's nice to have someone that I can relate."

"Hi ladies."

Jewel and Flor faced Blu. He sat down next to Jewel.

"Here you go, my Jewel."

He handed the Long Island to Jewel.

"Thank you Blu."

She faced Flor.

"So I forgot to ask. Um, how far did you got into in teaching Blu?"

"Mostly everything. I was just going to make him aware of some things in the jungle, like snakes and spiders."

Blu fringed.

"You offered to teach me, not to put me in danger."

"Well, I think it's the best way you can learn."

"She's right Blu," said Jewel.

"Can't I just read a textbook or something?"

"But nothing compares to actually being there," said Flor. "You can learn and understand it more if you see it."

Blu groaned.

"Fine. Um, I'll probably need another beer. Running out here."

"Blu, you probably shouldn't drink that much," said Jewel.

"Two beers won't kill me."

"But-" began Jewel.

"Well, look who it is."

Blu, Jewel, and Flor looked around and saw Xavier and Pedro standing near them. Blu slightly sighed.

"Xavier."

"You don't seem that surprised, do you?"

"Hardly. Well, I am surprised that you know Pedro."

"Wait. You know this bird, Pedro."

"Yeah, Xavier. I helped him out in getting Jewel free."

Xavier half-closed his eyes.

"I see."

"Pedro, where's Nico?"

"Getting ready for our performance. He says the best way to get ready is to talk in the mirror, which is strange to me."

"Oh," started Jewel. "What song are you going to sing?"

"Can't spoil it for you, Jewel. Sorry. Where's the fun in knowing it?"

Jewel smiled.

"I guess you're right."

"So, Jewel," smirked Xavier. "Would you care to dance?"

Blu narrowed his eyes.

"You do know I'm right here."

Xavier shrugged.

"I know, but as friends. I'm not trying to take your girl away, Blu buddy. So…"

Jewel slightly chuckled.

"Thanks for the offer, but I'm in the middle of my drink. Don't want to ruin that. But, uh, how about if you ask Flor."

"Huh?"

He followed Jewel's eyes and noticed a Hyacinth Macaw sitting to Jewel's right. Flor had stood silently, seeing this bird try to hit on Jewel. Her eyes widened.

"Joseph?"