A/N at end of chapter.
As you know, I don't own any of these characters, the locations, events, ideas, occurrences, or anything else that may appear in both the movie RIO and my story; that is all the property of Blue Sky. Anything else is mine, Enjoy!
6. Spirited
The intermittent ticking of Tulio's fingers as they labored away on the keyboard was oddly soothing. As I sat perched on his shoulder, I could close my eyes and almost envision the bookstore bathed in the evening light as Linda typed of her daily expenses. I let out a deep breath, enjoying the peace and order that had only recently returned.
I glanced around the small cluttered office. Tulio's dedication to his work had not extended to keeping his workplace tidy. Empty milkshake cups and scrap pieces of paper littered his desk and floor. Linda's suitcase still sat, untouched on one of the office chairs. Based on the events of the past couple of days, she must not have bothered once Jewel and I disappeared.
Linda was currently at the U.S. embassy. The police had arrived soon after I had landed with Jewel. The initial questioning had been frustrating. Tulio had finally requested that a police car escort him to the conservatory so he could at least help Jewel while he was questioned. After some arguing, they agreed. Linda on the other hand was asked to report to the Embassy. They were interested in the American involvement of the recent events. No doubt something to do with the Carnival float that now laid in pieces on the tarmac.
Only after the police had gotten their answers and Jewel had been left to rest in the observation room did things become calm. Jewel had been very trusting this afternoon, taking shots and letting Tulio work on her wing. It was only when they moved and bandaged it that I thought she might fight back, but she had instead watched me intently, even through the pain. Tulio had given her some pain medication and let her sleep.
The ticking of the keyboard stopped and Tulio looked over to me. "There, if this email gets through, we can ensure there will be no more poaching in at least one part of the jungle." He leaned back suddenly throwing me off-balance while he grinned at his idea's possible results. Just as I was getting comfortable, a small alarm began to buzz. Tulio sat forward, earning a displeased squawk from me, and turned the noise off.
"Time to make our rounds." He told me as he and I exited his office. "I'm just going to check on a couple patients, then I'm going to drop you off with Jewel, It's probably better she wake up with you than alone."
He's right, if there was only one thing I had learned about my Jewel, it was that she did not like cages. Tulio walked into what he called, the nursery; it was the same room I had first learned of Jewel's "spirit" and where the majority of birds were kept and treated. As Tulio checked the wings, beaks, and feet of several birds, I watched him work. Though he had strange quirks and stranger techniques for relating with the birds, he was very professional with his medicine. Everything I watched him doing, from medicating sores to imping feathers, I could recall his method exactly from a number of books.
About halfway through his treatment I began to notice a macaw watching me. I ignored it at first, but the memory of Nigel brought my focus back to him. I must have been staring intently for Tulio to have noticed. "I see you want to meet our newest rescue. His owner dropped him off with a co-worker several days ago."
"Hi." I said cautiously. "Sorry, I don't want to sound rude, but why are you staring at me"
The blue and gold macaw looked confused before replying "Oh, you're American?"
It was my turn to be confused, Déjà vu. Before I could question him, Tulio, finished with his check-ups, turned and headed towards the observation room, taking me with him. I would have to investigate later. The ornithologist gave me a smile before pushing me through same door I had used the first time. I don't recall ever having déjà vu before, but I had had it twice now. The cage looked exactly like it had when I first met the spirited, feisty bird I loved…
Fear. Fear was what described me best at the moment. My heart beat quickly, knowing I had just entered a dangerous area. I had just been placed in the cage of a bird that had practically diced some mans face off. I decided I didn't want to do this. I haven't met many birds in my life, but the ones I had met weren't particularly nice. At this point I was just hoping death would be quick. I shook off Tulio's ridiculous styling, if I was going to die, I at least wanted the dignity of looking like myself.
I cautiously made my way into the room. My fear was overcome by wonder, this had to be the best cage a bird could ever have. The plants were all real and made the room look like one of those jungle pictures I had seen in my reading. The running water caught my eye before I made my way across on a well placed branch. I hope Linda was taking note of this place, because I certainly wouldn't mind a room like this. The room even had a surround sound jungle soundtrack and a nice heat lamp that mimicked the sun and warmed the entire room. I couldn't help but drop my beak. This room was amazing.
I was reminded of my previous fear when a shadow blocked the lamp. I'd almost forgotten there was crazed bird in here as well. I looked over and caught my first glimpse of her.
I froze, The beauty I now faced was undeniable. The grace with which she moved was unbelievable. How could this bird be "spirited"? Maybe it was the radiating light behind her, but the only descriptive word I came up with was "angel." I know most people don't believe in love at first sight, frankly I'm still not sure I believe; but this moment would have made me question my stance if not for the next moment.
Only moments later I learned that angels can be spirited as well. It felt like I was hit by a freight train. My eyes widened as I gasped for breath. Jewel's foot pressed into my throat. I cried out. I heard her speak but the words were foreign. I panicked more, I was about to die because we didn't speak the same language. My pleas went unheard, mostly because I could only manage a few gasps that remotely sounded like the word help.
"Oh you're American!" She relieved her grasp on my trachea.
"thanks I-I need my throat for talking." I gasped, just grateful for breath. I carefully stood up hoping the dizziness would go away.
Even then, as I gasped for air I was still enamored by her beauty. Now that the light wasn't blinding me I could see her sky blue tone and brilliant eyes. I felt bad for staring until I realized, she was staring at me as well.
"Wait, you look like me." If I had been more focused on the situation, this would have been my first red flag. She obviously had no idea why I was here. Of course I had no idea what was going on.
"Oh! Hi! Hi! My name is Blu. You know, like the cheese with the mold on it; that smells really bad." I stammered, my social skills already making a wonderful impression. A second went by and I cursed myself realizing what I had just said.
Things only got worse after I followed her up the tree towards the back of the room.
"Are you ready?"
"For what?" I replied naively. Unfortunately things began to click. "Oh! Oh! Wow! Uuh! Okay." I stammered, not knowing what to do. The two birds I had met outside were right, she was forward. I concentrated, taking their advice I needed confidence. The Crazy Love Hawk. I moved towards Jewel, faking the confidence that I knew I didn't have.
I closed my eyes and leaned towards her. She spoke, but I was already going in for the kiss. She must have backed away because I lost my balance and found my beak buried in her chest.
"Woh, Hey! What are you doing?" She asked angrily, pushing me away. I stumbled back confused and scared. Her "spirited side was coming out again.
I panicked "What? What? What you wanted me to! But just for arguments sake uh- what are-what are you doing?" I was now backed against the trunk, my false confidence gone and my heart racing.
"I'm trying to escape!" Jewel pointed to an air duct she had obviously tried to get through.
"Oh! Yeah! Escape! Th-that's where I was going with that thing I just did..."
She didn't buy my feeble attempt to salvage the situation. As she closed in on me, the image of that man's cut and scarred face returned to my mind, showing me what was about to happen. I begged her forgiveness hoping the nightmare would end. Instead, luck decided to seal my fate.
Linda introduced me to Lionel Richie while she was in college, she may have picked it up a decade late or so, but good music is good music. Now, I wouldn't say Lionel Richie was my favorite music, but I do enjoy his work. So when the disco ball lowered and the jungle sounds were replaced by Lionel's sweet voice, my worry melted away. I knew I was doomed, but at least I would enjoy a good song before I died a horrible death.
The enjoyment was short lived as pain erupted into my body. Jewel had tackled me off the tree. Frightened, I shoved her off me only to follow as she grabbed my wing. Everything became a blur as we rolled in the leaves, me trying to get away, her trying to get at my throat.
A camera! I rushed over to the small device that would save me. "Help!"
Minutes passed as I continued to dodge and evade the furious crazed creature behind me. Where was Linda? Surely she had seen what was going on; why had she not come in to get me? I ducked into some dense bushes to my left and stayed still. Wherever Linda was, it had to be important. But without her, it was going to be a long night.
I perched next to Jewel on the same branch we had first begun to argue. I looked at the bird next to me. I could only imagine how she was going to feel being grounded while her wing healed. Still, I silently promised that I would remain next to her the entire time. A soft yawn drew me from my thoughts as the light blue macaw next to me stirred. She began to stretch before her eyes snapped open panicking.
"Hey, hey, it's ok, I'm right here with you." I consoled putting my wing around her. "Tulio bandaged your wing. You won't be able to use it for awhile."
Her eyes softened for a moment as she looked at me. "How long?"
My gaze dropped to the branch below me, she wasn't going to like the news. I remembered how she felt being grounded for even a day. I pulled my angel in closer to my side. It was going to be a long recovery.
A/N: ok so first off, sorry it took so long to write this chapter. I've had a lot going on. Thanks for your patience and loyalty. Seriously 1000+ hits on my first fanfic, I'm impressed and so grateful!
Clarifying what has kept me busy will also help answer some of questions for anyone who read or posted a review. If you read my story and Hodge Podge's review, you may be confused, being that there is no owl in this chapter. I am privileged to know Hodge Podge personally. The owl he is referring to is an injured baby screech owl I am helping rehabilitate. Consequently this owl landed me an internship with a wildlife rehab center that specializes in Birds of Prey. So if I don't post as often, it's probably because I am teaching hawks how to hunt live prey.
The only other excuse I can muster is that I am working on another story, specifically following Jewel's backstory. Expect chapter one of that to be the next thing I post. Still I found this chapter tough to write, I'll be honest, it's hard to write about actual movie scenes, they just never feel right to read after you've seen the movie. I know this isn't my best chapter, but I hope I can pick up the slack in the chapters to come… anyway hope you enjoyed it!