A/N: So... how are you folks, Fine? okay. first of all, I didn't wish to write this long. and I'm greatly sorry if this bores you. I didn't know how in the blue feathers I get this far, hopefully, you guys still like it anyway.

Chapter 11
¡Viva la Vida!
"Enjoy the ride!"

"Dad! Do you have another story about your time in Rio?" Lyra asked his father. "I'm excited to hear more about it."

"Whoa, slow down there young lady." Frost chuckled. "Come to think of it, there are quite a lot to tell, but maybe I'll spare you the boring one and head straight to the fun part."

"Neat! I mean… I'm started to get uneasy with your cheesy stories with Mom." Leo said jokingly. "I think I need more Uncle Tiago's."

Bia and Frost could only laugh at their chicks enthusiasm. "Okay, alright." Frost stated. "I think I kinda remember the Carnival part."

"Oh that one! I also remember it." Bia joined the chat, her beak possessed a smile.

Frost enveloped his mate with his right wing. "How could I forget… that was probably one of the best days in my life."

Leo rolled his eyes, sensing another cheesy stories incoming. "Here we go again…"

I was drifted away from my slumber by the urge to use the outhouse. The fuzziness within my eyes wasn't last really long as my consciousness already possessed my body, allowing me to gain a fast recovery with my sense of sight. Tiago was still snoring soundly, a familiar sight for him in this kind of hour. I was thankful that my body suffered none of his skirmish last night, sparing me some soreness I could have gained in the morning like this. I gingerly rose from my position, quietly to avoid waking the sleeping macaw next to me – although I had to admit that waking Tiago was almost impossible. An earthquake might happen and I presumed that he would never notice that and continue his slumber. But still, in respect of him, I kept moving as silent as I could, just in case.

I quickly disappeared into the greenery, relieving myself from the nature's call, before returning back onto the platform of the treetop's house. The sun hadn't yet rise, but in the horizon, I could see the shimmering ray of the golden orb slowly piercing into the darkness above, whisking away the dimness that shrouded the land earlier. The rich peach-colored scenery was enchanted me to stay and enjoyed the sunrise, and the tranquil atmosphere rapidly drifting me into a mediation.

I closed my eyes and allowed the ambience took over, seeping into my soul as my mind racing to clear the stress of the few days prior, relieving me from them. I tasted the blissful air of Rio's morning and sighing wonderfully. The quiet ambiance was only broken with a soft noise from my breathing.

My mind finally got its proper function and my sanity was rejuvenated, preparing itself for today. Peace quickly entered my mind as the fresh air filled my lungs with ease, and my heartbeat slowing its pace slightly.

The state allowed me to enter the realm of my deep thought. Since over the course few days, the queue in my mind already stretched out. The first thing that entered my mind was the paradise I was in right now. I always thought that Rio was some kind of scary place that filled with humans, but after all the days I spent here; I'd started to understand the real experience what truly Rio was. The little incident with Tiago, the harpy eagles, the fight and reconciliation I got with Bia and recently the day I told her that I wanted her to be with me for the rest of my life, all flashed into my mind like a series of moving picture similar to the one on the TV's.

That said, my hunch on the first day of this journey proved that this journey was indeed something I luckily didn't miss. The question in my mind still lingered about my relationship with Bia, on how much I loved her. I let myself wondered what kind of fortune that allowed me to finally get my dream girl, the one I was sure was an impossible standard for such a bird like me.

But then, the moment I told her that I wanted to reach for her wing for the rest of my life; it was also the time when I should have thrown the question about my love with her and focusing on something far more greater than that: to make her happy, being loved completely and be there for her until the end of my time.

I could feel the sensation of the bracelet in my left ankle, the one that its counterpart right now belong to Bia; the symbol of our mutual love, the unwritten promise about our vow as mates in the future. I was overloaded with joy the moment she said yes to me, as it was a surreal dream that I never wanted to wake up from.

I pretty much appreciated the reality that my life had turned upside down with her when she stepped into my life, dragging me away from the pit of sadness and play with me in the Happyland. Giving me the joyous face I was lacking before.

My queues were postponed when I heard the usual tacking noise from behind me, the common sign that someone had finally rose from their slumber. I opened my eyes and saw the sun already halfway into the sky, its body still half buried in the horizon, but slowly ascending to where it was belong in the sky.

I turned my head and saw a beautiful macaw already rose from her sleep, her feather was neatly preened, the common trait for her to keep herself as presentable as possible.

Bia then hopped next to me, smiling and gave me a greeting. "Morning, Frost. You woke real early today." She stifled a yawn.

The corner of my beak was rising up when her beautiful hazel eyes made contact with mine, "Morning to you too."

She then leaned closer and gave me a morning kiss, the one that surprised me the most; I could feel her warm breath as her beak touched mine, her tongue dancing within my beak, the first time I felt such a rush of ecstasy from her, and concluded when our lungs struggled to get some air; the rush of delight from her female essence still lingering within my beak even after we broke the kiss. "Wow…"

She smiled at me. "Why? You like it?"

"Where did you learn that?" I asked, feeling dumb as I told you this story right now.

"Oh it was something I developed myself." She said. "And I think you liked it."

I nodded my head and smiling; I opened my wing and invited her to snuggle with me. She understood the non-verbal gesture I was giving and snuggled to me while watching the gleaming sphere rising in the horizon.

The heating sunbeam soon crept over our body, trying to penetrate its warmth through our plumages and marking the official start of the day. The once serene atmosphere soon replaced with the usual busy and loud noise from the city. I was quite thankful that Bia's home was fairly far from the city, allowing the remnants of the once silence morning filled the air for a while.

I nuzzled her head with my beak, enjoying her perfume seeping into my lungs and seducing my nostrils. My beak formed a smile with the realization that whatever might happen, she would be here with me. Meditation sure is something, don't you agree?

Two tacking noise from behind us was alerting someone else presences; my mind already put a gamble on who were the noises belongs; the sight of Jewel and Blu confirmed my gamble before, and we quickly exchanged greetings soon after.

My belly already announced its protest from the lack of sustenance I required to start the day. I was blushing when they heard the vigorous noise from my belly and burst into laugh, "You really that hungry, huh?" Blu asked me, giggling within his words. "I think your time with Tiago already gave you some of his 'virus'."

"Someone call my name?" Tiago declared as he fluttered down onto the platform with us, his landing was filled with so many stunts that amused the whole family.

"Wow, Tiago. That's a new record for you." Bia stated. "Usually you won't be up until afternoon."

"Nah, I feel so energized today and wanted to start early." He said jovially. "Besides, it's almost the starting of Carnival!"

The sky was spotless as not a single of that gray clouds appeared within sight. While some the soft cotton-candy like were indeed exist; they were very unlikely to bring rain, more likely a tempest like a few weeks before.

"The weather is awfully nice." I stated. "It is quite impossible to rain anytime soon."

"I think you are right, Frost." Jewel declared, her gaze on the sky. "The weather is very nice today."

Carla finally appeared with her headphones plugged in her ears – which quite irritated Jewel as she need to yell loudly in order to penetrate the melody shield that covered Carla's ear. The usual day had started… the sun already high in the sky, just like the spirit of this family today.

We soared into the sky, heading straight into the forest in endeavor to fulfill our digestive system's request. However, the low reserved of energy from the lack of the said sustenance didn't cease any enthusiasm from the entire family member.

We finally arrived at our destination. My eyes caught a glimpse of some brown nuts hanging on the branch, but with my experience with some of them in this city; I didn't even took a second glance and just flew away.

The site we were heading was filled with numerous birds from many species – mostly macaws. My eyes caught the presences of the majestic blue-gold macaws; their yellow plumages were so vibrant like the sun itself was captured within their feathers. The bustling activity of the jungle rivaled the one in the center of the city, the marketplace.

Blu then banked left and heading towards a papaya tree that bore existences in close proximity; I could see Tiago's face gloomed a little bit when his father choose the long rotund fruit from the tree, his beak formed a small frown that barely noticeable without closer inspection.

Bia and Carla were sharing the same looks, although Carla was less bothered than her other two siblings. It didn't take more than one minute for Tiago to lift his voice to protest.

"So we took papayas for breakfast?" Tiago asked, his voice bore obvious annoyance.

Jewel shot her son a stern glare, "Yes, why?"

Tiago was diverting his gaze from his mother's, escaping the dagger that pointed at him, "Nothing, just asking."

Jewel then shrugged and helping Blu to pick the ripe one. Bia was wise enough to keep silence with her annoyance, but sensing her distress wasn't something I enjoyed. I hovered next to her, whispering softly. "What's wrong?"

She turned her head and shot me a look, sighing. "I hate papayas."

I was quite surprised when she announced her dislike towards the sweet juicy fruit, and quickly asking for reason. "Why? They tasted good you know."

Bia was sticking her tongue out of her beak and making a mock disgusted looks, a gesture of her eternal dislike towards the fruit. "They just so smelly, while I do like the taste, the smell are beyond unbearable."

Carla and Tiago soon overheard our quiet discussion and joined in. "They aren't that bad, Bia." Carla stated.

"Oh yes, they are the worst." Tiago countered. "I still remember how much I need to wash my beak to wipe that smell away." He shuddered. "They smell like a rotten star fruit."

Bia nodded her head in agreement, while Carla simply rolled her eyes, returning to her realm of music.

I did like eating those plump and juicy fruit. While the setbacks of them are the smell and the stickiness you might get, not to mention how hard it was to peel the skin (you can indeed eat the skin, only I wasn't sure what kind of mayhem might happen if you do that). The fruit's flavor is wonderful; the juicy flesh is rich with sugary essence, promising the incredible sweet taste and energy that you won't find it with other fruits. I did have them a few times back in the Amazon – although, I had to admit that I never ate a whole fruit, the reason was because the plump fruit was enormous in size; one fruit could even feed the entire family. I wasn't as bothered as Tiago and Bia about the smell. While they tend to reach an unbearable level of stinky-ness, it's all worth for me.

Still, Bia and Tiago wouldn't be convinced as they already planted an eternal hatred against them. Like it or not, it was still their breakfast, and I was sure that Jewel wouldn't be pleased when they say no.

Blu and Jewel finally returned with a sizeable papaya on their talons. The enormous fruits required two macaws to lift them toward the branch where we currently occupied. My eyes were scanned my surrounding when they landed with the yellow-orange-greenish fruit, their appearance guaranteed the sweet flesh they had.

Blu was scratching his head with his primary, his eyes looking for something in the vicinity. He then sighed in defeat, admitting to Jewel, "Looks like we need to get back home." He grinned awkwardly to her.

"What do you mean?" Jewel asked.

"I don't know how to peel their skin without a knife." He admitted, still possessing that awkward smile. "You know that…"

Jewel was chuckling with her mate quirky attitude. "Well, that was uneventful then for the whole family to get here."

"Maybe we could just switch to another fruit." Tiago declared, "…Or not." He added as soon as he caught his mother stern glare.

Jewel then grabbed the plump fruit within her talon along with Blu and heading back to our residence. The jungle was more lively than usual, the color, the chat and everything somehow oversaturated – metaphorically – I guess that Carnival was the whole reason.

I never experienced Carnival, but my enthusiasm mind kept thinking what kind of celebration Carnival was until not only humans that enchanted with their gleam, but birds and many other species. My mind allowed me to create a series of scenario of what Carnival looks like, I kept thinking about some music – Samba, as Brazilian culture – and of course some fancy lights and a feast like I had back then in the Amazon.

But Carla already assured me that it would be much grander scale than the one we got in the Amazon, she didn't spoil to much information, that said, already gave me a lot of possibilities and crazy ideas on how I described Carnival by my own imagination only.

The treetop abode finally within sight after a few minutes flight, the once enthusiasm that radiated from Bia and Tiago was drained significantly. The one joyful Tiago was replaced with a sense of dread, as he was going to meet Bark in close encounter.

We landed on the kitchen counter; the air was filled with silence as not a single inhabitant of the house bore existences or audible noises from their activities. Carla quickly hopped to the TV's remote along with Bia, powering the made-my-head-hurt-a-lot-thing and displayed the current channel, she tapped the remote's button until the broadcast about Carnival showed up.

Of course, I couldn't decipher a single bit of the information it gave me – being spoken in Portuguese. But Carla and Bia's face were lit with joy as they listen to the broadcast's announcement, a sign that information was something good.

"I guess this will be a blast this year." Carla stated. "They add more floats."

"I do like the one they shaped like a scarlet macaw." Bia said. "Talk about details on that thing."

I was left confused with their conversation, averted my gaze to Blu and Jewel instead; Blu was holding some kind of wicked tool with his talon, the fact that it easily sliced the skin of the papaya made me shudder and backed down a little.

It only took Blu five minutes to de-skinned the papaya, revealing the orange flesh that smells really strong, but also sweet. Unfortunately, the smell didn't convinced Tiago and Bia, they still look at that fruit with ill looks.

It took only several seconds for Blu to remove the black seeds from the hollowed core in the middle before announcing that breakfast was served.

I took one and stuffed it into my beak, crushing the juicy-yet-smelly fruit within my beak. The sweet taste that soon activated my savory senses was proven my expectation earlier. Still, Tiago and Bia were hesitant to take a bite, but with their mother on the watch, it wasn't an option to stare at the fruit only.

I hopped next to Bia, attempted to persuade and help her. My mind searched for any kind of information I knew about this papaya fruit, only took several seconds before the solution itself came to aid.

I remembered how my Mom wiped away the smell by removing the centre 'core' and washing them completely from their ooze. I picked one diced piece of them and heading straight to the kitchen sink. My time in Rio already made me familiar with some of the human object, and activating the faucet was as easy as flying. Once the water already washed away the ooze, I removed the center 'core', trashing it onto the kitchen sink, before returning to Bia.

I offered her the fruit; however, she was still hesitating about it. "Don't worry, it won't as smelly." I assured her.

She nodded her head and accepted my offer, stuffing the 'refined' fruit into her beak. Her face was still grimaced a little as the fruit slide slowly into her throat, and fixed her gaze with mine.

"That… was nice." She said. "How did you do that?"

"Oh, it's my Mom." I said, smiling. "She used to do that when she gave me papayas for meal."

Blu was watching the whole scene; his face filled with the same wonder his daughter possessed. "What are you doing back there?"

"Oh, I'm trying to reduce the smell." I stated. "My Mom used to do that."

"You can do that?" Jewel asked. "I mean I do hate the smell myself." She admitted. "But this fruit is very healthy for us, and I think that is always a setback from a healthy food."

"I must say that it is quite correct." I replied. "But there is always a way to reduce the setback slightly."

Blu then lifted the remaining fruit into the sink, "How about you tell me how to clean them."

I fluttered to the kitchen sink and started to explain Blu about the things that should been done. We returned back after a few minutes, and served the remaining food as being 'refined' – sorry for that, I don't have any better words to describe it.

The reduced smell convinced Tiago to take a bite – or maybe he was just hungry enough – and his face lit with delight as he took another one.

"Well well, looks who finally eat it." Jewel quipped, "Slow down, Tiago."

"Th'is is so ni'e." Tiago said with a stuffed beak; he then swallowed them before continued. "I guess it is a good thing that Bia got a boy- I mean fiancé like you." He grinned.

I blushed with his compliment. "Thanks, but that should come to my Mom really, she is the one who taught me."

The breakfast was over when the clock told me it was ten-thirty. We relaxed a bit as the digestive system initializing its resources for work. Carla and Bia returned to the TV, skimming through the list of channels, until it stopped when the broadcast about soccer came to life on screen.

I admit that I wasn't fond with such activity that required a lot of energy. I did enjoy the one in the pit of doom as a spectator, but to contribute myself with the said sport is like convincing me to drink another sip of that seawater.

Nonetheless, with all family's eyes glued on the screen; I didn't have any choice but to watch the whole game. I placed myself on a comfortable position and enjoyed the game.

I wasn't expected to be dragged within the heat of the game itself. The clever tactics and supreme agility the players of game possessed were raising my heartbeat, a rhythm that excites me, more so when the team I was picked randomly getting closer to the goal of their opponent and shot the ball with a fierce kick. My heart skipped a few beat as the ball slowly crept over the goal, and hitting the bar hard.

I let out a groan as the ball bounced out of the field, a failed attempt to make a goal. The humans were scattering once more when the ball was thrown into the field, and the heat of the game returned back.

I was fascinated with the maneuverability of the players; their coordinated movement allowed them to pierce the opposing team defense with ease, by the end of the game, my team – the one I picked randomly – was succeeded on making several goals, which also announced them as the winner.

I danced triumphantly, being too lost within the joy of the game until I didn't realize the whole family was watching me with a grin on their respectable beaks.

I swear that my plumage was as red as a scarlet macaw when embarrassment finally swept over my body, filling my nerve when I realized their gaze towards me.

A hearty laugh soon burst from the family as they enjoyed my torture, the one that I would never forget for the rest of my life.

A mild dose of embarrassment still existed within my body when Blu asking us to take a flight into the city. He stated that we could see some preparation for the Carnival which would take place tomorrow. And the invitation wasn't something the rest of the family could resist.

I perched on the kitchen window as the rest of the family prepared themselves for our trip to the city, inhaling a beakful of the wonderful air before exhaled them blissfully. The weather was awfully nice, a common trait for the approaching Carnival, courtesy to Bia.

We soared into the sky when the whole family finally ready for our little sightseeing across the city. I could spot more birds filled the sky today, and the busy activities from below were busier than usual.

The majestic statue of Cristo Redentor shading the city with its enormous size, and the number of tourists only increased each passing time I was in Rio. It was the true paradise of festivities and wonder, while soon would be more complete with the big bang from the approaching Carnival.

Blu pointed to some of the peoples below as we passing the Copacabana beach. I averted my gaze from the sky and look down and my eyes quickly caught some glimpses of peoples wearing weird-looking appeals. Some of them even shined brightly in the sun as they danced their body through the streets and beach.

A catchy Samba rhythm was pierced into the air, enchanted their listener to be assimilated within their realm and dance along. Fascinated, I allowed my eyes to spot another uniqueness of this city could offer. My eyes caught another existence of the unique appealed humans with more coordinated movement this time, and my mind started to get a clearer picture of what was the Carnival going to be.

I was too distracted with the enchanted view below me until I wasn't paying attention anymore on my flight. I was greeted with a large talon with sharp claws the moment I returned my gaze into the sky, panicked and startled completely.

I didn't know what really happened, but the moment I opened my eyes, I was sandwiched between someone else talon. The owner looked then looked at me, revealing a very familiar face.

"César!" I exclaimed, trying to recover from my clash with him; his face formed a smile. "¡Hola amigo!" [Hello there!]

He then released his grasp over my body. "You probably want to watch the sky more."

I flapped my wings as he released me, trying to recover from the sudden loose of grasp. "Yeah… sorry about that, I was too caught up with the view below." I said.

"No hay problema" He replied. "So what are you doing here? Enjoying the nice weather?" [No problem!]

I was about to answer when I heard Blu, Jewel, Bia and her siblings plus Selena and Miguel around us.

"Hello there!" Bia, Carla and Tiago said in unison.

"Ah look at the three little bundles here." Selena stated. "How are you?"

"We are good!" They replied.

Blu and Jewel started the conversation with César; it was also when Selena noticed the bracelet that existed in Bia's and my ankle. "O que é isso?" Selena asked, pointing to the bracelet in Bia's ankle. [What is that?]

"Isso meu é 'anel de noviado'." She stated happily. "Ele me propos recentemente." She then pointed me. [This is my 'engagement ring'] , [He proposed me recently]

Selena's eyes were sparkled in joy. "Sério? Felicitações!" She squealed. "Você deve ser muito feliz!" [Really? Congratulations!] , [You must be really happy!]

"Sím!" Bia replied, her face kept smiling. [Yes]

Selena then averted her gaze to me. "Você é Frost, certo?" [You are Frost, right?]

I tilted my head. "I'm sorry. I don't understand."

She returned to Bia. "Ele naõ fala Português?" She asked Bia. She shook her head. "Naõ." [He can't speak Portuguese?] , [No]

Selena nodded her head. "Ah, okay then. Pardon me." She stated. "You are Frost, right?"

"Yes." I replied.

"Then you should take care of her greatly; never miss a day without her. Because when a girl gave you her heart, she always meant it."

I nodded my head. "I will, don't worry." I smiled.

Selena nodded her head and turned to her son. "Ah, you never met my son before right? Here is Miguel."

"We already met him." Bia stated. "Oh right, Tiago and Carla never met him before."

Miguel was hovering shyly, something that greatly reminded me of myself. "¡Hola!"

"He speaks Spanish, eh?" Carla stated. "It's quite rare to find someone that speaks Spanish in Portuguese filled country."

"Yeah, he speak mostly Spanish, but we also teach him some English and Portuguese, being a mixed from both Spanish and Portuguese."

"So, um… do you understand me?" I asked him. He chuckled lightly. "Of course I can understand you."

Blu then fluttered next to us, bringing some news from his discussion with Jewel and César. "Kids, Your Mom and I want to go with César and Selena to the samba club. Do you want to join?"

"I'll think I'll pass this time, Dad." Tiago stated. "The weather was awfully to waste today. Besides, it's the preparation of Carnival."

"I agree with Tiago." Bia remarked. "I want to see more of this year Carnival preparation. It seems that each year was getting more interesting."

"Miguel?" I asked him.

"No… Too loud… to crowded." He replied simply.

"Then I guess I am the only one to go." Carla declared. "I want to sing again with Uncle Nico and Pedro."

"Ah young Señorita! Your voice sure is a great addition to for the club." César praised.

"Thanks." Carla said humbly.

"So, Frost?" Jewel asked me, "Although I already know his answer." She chuckled.

"I'll stay with them, you know, Carnival things intrigued me."

"Really? Just admit that you want to spend your time with Bia, Frost." Carla quipped.

I was stammering with embarrassment. "No… I mean I really want to see the Carnival's preparation."

"So you don't want to spend time with me?" Bia stated, "Fair enough."

I groaned. "No… That's not what I meant… I…"

The whole members were laughing vigorously, and I let another groan. "Hahaha, yeah, please enjoy." I said sarcastically.

"Oh come on! It's all a good fun." Bia said, hovering next to me.

"Okay, we need to get going." Blu said, "Do you guys will be okay?"

"Of course, Dad! Besides, we got Miguel." Tiago nudged him on his back, which invoking a barely noticeable nervous and uneasy looks, "Right?"

"Right." He stated plainly, hiding his true emotion.

Blu, Jewel, César, Selena and Carla's presences soon faded with the wind as they racing quickly into the center of the city. Tiago was admiring Miguel's built, inspecting every inch of his body. "Man! Look at your talon!" Tiago stated. "It's awesome."

Miguel's face, however, was filled with uncomfortable looks as Tiago observing him with supreme detail. Every time I saw him, I felt like I was staring at my own reflection on a mirror, the once I was before I met Bia.

Miguel's face returned into a comfortable manner when Tiago stopped his inspection and hovering beside me, his face was telling me that he was trying to find something to do.

"So… What do you guys want to do?" Tiago asked. "I mean, the weather is awfully nice, maybe we can do some race."

"Oh really? And let me came out as a winner again?" I quipped. "It's boring."

Bia quickly halted Tiago's response. "I don't like a race, let's just take a sight-seeing around the city. You know that having a chilling day isn't a sin."

"I'm with her." Miguel added, "Let's not tired ourselves."

"You mean, tiring ourselves?" I asked, smiling, "Just kidding."

Miguel shot me an awkward smile. "My English don't really good, sorry."

"Hey, I'm just joking." I replied. "Okay, so, really. What are we going to do now? My wings are getting tired."

"Let's heading to the beach." Bia suggested. "There's a lot of humans there dressing for Carnival. Also, I think we can see some of the floats in the city before we got some lunch."

"That's a good idea." Miguel nodded.

"We still do the race right?" Tiago asked me. "I want to show you that this time you are going down, Frost."

"Okay, let's see." I smiled, accepting his challenge.

"Allons-y!" Tiago exclaimed and quickly brought us a confusion to be dealt with.

"What kind of language did you speak?" I asked, groaned, "Oh my head! Just how many languages I need to dealt with."

"That's mean 'Let's go' in French." Tiago said. "It's from the TV show about humans with some kind of screwdriver… you guys never watch it?"

Miguel and I shook our head. "Um… no…"

Bia then chuckled. "I never know that you like that kind of show, Tiago." Her chuckled intensifies, just like our confusion. "I thought you only like soccer."

Tiago was blushing red when Bia's chuckle became more vigor, he quickly change the subject. "The last one to reach the ground is loser!"

He swiftly penetrated through the cloud's shield and heading straight to the heavy crowds of humans in the beach. I was lagging behind for a moment, before quickly dove to the ground, yelling. "Hey you have a head start!"

Tiago continued to dive before unfurled his wing and banked right to our destination. I soon followed his act, unfurled my wings to break my descend from heaven, and banking left to catch him up. It wasn't took more than a few seconds before I match his position, smiling triumphantly. "Is that all?"

Tiago's eyes were widened in surprise when he saw me beside him. He flapped his wing faster, but I quickly surpassed his position. A streak of grey-cobalt was soon piercing the distance between us; Miguel was flying effortlessly to catch us up, his demeanor however didn't reveal any emotion.

I flapped my wings at a greater speed in endeavor to catch Miguel's distance. His flight was incredibly fast, the direct trait from his father.

The distance between me and Miguel was getting closer, but the effort to stay at this speed was straining my wings faster than usual, not to mention the hovering before when we had a chat was taking some toll of my wing's endurance. Miguel's broad wing was provided him with not only a greater lift but also a bigger thrust from the wind as he caved the wind tunnel.

He was surprised when he saw me catching up and paced his wing faster, leaving me behind him once again. I let out all of my might to stay with him, being lost in the heat of the competition until I didn't realize anymore Tiago's or Bia's position.

Our destination materialized soon after, the sight was heated the race significantly. My efforts were welcomed with my position beside him once more, flapping my already strained wing with all of the endurance I had on my body left. Miguel flapped his massive wing faster, and leaving me in the dust easily. He finally reached the end point of our race; his beak possessed an amazement smile.

"Wow! You are fast! I never met a macaw that almost outrun me." He said. "That was amazing."

I was panting heavily. "You… too." I said between gasp.

Tiago and Bia soon coming after us, while Tiago was indeed panting, a sign that he continued to pace himself, Bia was showing any signs of those.

Tiago looked at me and Miguel, groaning. "Ugh! How come I always fail?"

I chuckled. "Maybe next time, Tiago."

He then fixed his gaze to Miguel. "I thought you didn't want to race earlier."

Miguel was stammered, his face was red from embarrassment. "I… uh… Just got carried away." He shot Tiago an awkward smile.

"I envy your wing greatly." Tiago stated. "It would certainly give me a much faster speed."

"Actually, your wing is the last thing you worry." Miguel said. "The way you use them is what important."

"You see that this guy can almost match mi speed." He pointed at me. "That was what you need to learn."

Tiago was shot me a look. "This isn't over."

I laugh amusedly. "Yeah, sure. I'll be here and waiting."

"Hey guys look!" Bia exclaimed, pointing at a band of humans dressed in… well… Spix's macaw costume.

"This is weird." I stated. "This is really weird"

"You'll see more of these in the Carnival." She said.

"I don't think I want to see the Carnival anymore." I said, my eyes still glued on the sight of those humans.

"We'll see" Bia replied. "Yo…"

A loud squawk was cut Bia's words and I quickly saw a band of birds, composed of scarlet, blue-gold, and Lear's macaws, and all of them are juvenile; I guess around Tiago's age.

Tiago let out a squeal when one of the scarlet macaws approached him. "Oi Tiago!"

"Hey Rico! Fancy seeing you around here!"

"What are you doing amigo? Enjoying the Carnival perhaps?"

"Yep, sure are. And I can't wait for the Carnival tomorrow!"

"Same here! And oh!" Rico was backed slightly when he realized Miguel's existences near him. "Who are these friends of yours?"

"Ah, I haven't introduced them to you! Here is my sister, Beatriz or Bia."

"Que linda!." He stated which make me rolled my eyes; even I didn't exactly know what he was saying, his attitude was enough to tell me that he tried to flirt Bia. "This is Frost, my sister's fiancé." Tiago continued; I could see Rico's eyes shrunk a little when Tiago mentioned about me being Bia's fiancé. [What a beauty!]

I quite enjoyed his facial expression; hopping next to Bia and warped my wings against her; my beak formed a smug grin. "And this one is Miguel, our friend."

Rico was a little intimidated with the presence of harpy eagles – even a juvenile one – next to him. Nonetheless, the rest of the macaws joined the conversation. The crowded circumstances were driving me uncomfortable; that, also applied to Miguel, which withdrawn himself quietly from the group.

I allowed myself to withdrawn too, following where Miguel was perching on a branch; his face was lost within his own thought.

The moment I look at that face, I knew that he was thinking about something. And with the fact that he seemed to feel uneasy at all occasion – save from our race – was driving me to ask him what's wrong.

Probably wasn't a good idea for a macaw to ask a harpy eagle about his problem. Still, the urge to help him away from those looks were overdriven the risk and before I knew it, I already perched next to him.

"Don't like some crowds don't you?" I asked. "Then we are the same."

He turned his head at me. "Yeah, crowds made me felt so awkward."

"Any reason why?" I inquired.

"What you mean with reason?" He asked.

"I mean, do you have any reason why you don't feel ease at crowds?"

"I don't think I have a reason for that… why did you ask?"

"Because I think we are alike… I mean I know what you feel."

He shot me a confused looks. "I still confused."

"You see, I wasn't always this easy to talk with other birds. I was once a very closed and awkward… "

"Not that I think that you are awkward or anything, but I can see that… you know…"

He chuckled. "I was that clear, was I?"

I sighed in relief. "Yeah quite, although that was probably because I was once like you."

"So what happen?"

I averted my gaze at Bia, whom was laughing. "Her."

"Her?"

I sighed. "Yeah, Her. I was fallen in love with her back then, but with my attitude back then, I always assumed that I wouldn't have any chance with her."

"When I was a chick, a lot of birds used to tease me a lot, throwing berries and harsh words at me. I was sad, but having no… well, let's just say 'shelter from the storm', their tease started to affect my personality."

I chuckled. "That also the reason my life was so bleak and dark before I met her, for me, everyday was the same, plain and boring."

"But, ever since she stepped into my life, the grayscale rainbow I was staring started to gain its proper color. It was also when she told me that she loved me, I began to open my eyes and see this world from another perspective."

Miguel glanced at Bia, and returned back to me. "You really love her do you?"

"More than anything." I said proudly. "And I'm ready to spend my life with her."

"That's funny." He said. "We are quite the exact opposite, while the result is quite the same."

"Hm…?" I asked him.

"Other birds afraid of me, well…being an eagle wasn't something easy." He remarked. "I do like to play with other birds, you know just talk, play and else."

"But they always afraid of me, afraid that I will rip them to pieces." He sighed. "And ever since that, I used to enjoy my loneliness. They might call me El lobo solitario one day… as I don't know how I get some more friends."

"You do have some of peers right?" He shot me a quizzical looks. "I mean, some friends that also a harpy eagle?"

"I do." He replied. "But I want to have more than just eagles. I mean I envy you." He then gazed at the crowded macaw. "Being able to have friends with other species… sure is something nice."

"Well you at least have three now, maybe four if I counted Carla in."

"You mean that you didn't afraid of me? Afraid that one day I would prey on you?"

"Why should I? " I declared, smiling. "Because I believe that my compadre won't do that to me."

He smiled, the sincere one since our first meeting, "¡Gracias mi amigo!"

I shook my head. "I don't understand what did you just say, but I'll say you're welcome. I'm happy to help."

"Hey! What are you both doing there?" Tiago exclaimed. "Come here."

"That macaw sure is something; I can't believe that he looked at me like I was some kind of Carnival's preparation."

I laughed. "He was just amazed with you, nothing more, although I have to admit that if he ever done that to me, I will probably share your reaction."

He chuckled, "Yeah."

Bia and Tiago then approached us. "What are you guys doing?"

"Nothing, just enjoying the scenery, right Miguel?" I said.

"That's right." He replied

"Really? With a car blocking your view?" Bia crossed her wing. "You should think first before lying to me."

I stammered when I realized that a car was indeed existed in front of my eyes, blocking any view available. "Um… that car wasn't there before…" I smiled awkwardly.

Bia then huffed. "Fine, have your secrets."

"You really want to know that huh?" I said, grabbing her wing. "Or you want to trade that for a kiss perhaps?"

Bia was smiling. "I think I'll take the kiss."

I leaned closer and gave her a short, yet passionate kiss. "There, now we are even."

"I hate that really, they always do that in front of me."

"That was kind of sweet, besides, they're engaged."

"And still I gagged when I saw them doing that." Tiago stuck his tongue out.

We ignored their comments as we lost ourselves at each other. Bia's pretty hazel eyes were vibrant as the sunbeam hit his eye, mesmerizing me for a few seconds, before Tiago's annoyed protest reach our ears.

"Now let's go doing something fun." Tiago declared. "What we can do huh?"

Miguel was staring something in the distance before turning back to us. "Maybe we can see the float before we get some lunch." He pointed to where he was recently gazed on.

Bia and Tiago then inspected what Miguel just seen, but came up with nothing as far as their sight allowed. "I didn't see anything." Tiago said. "Where do you know there's a float there?"

Miguel shot him a quizzical look, before realized something that brought smile to his beak. "Ah… that's explains it. Sorry for that, I mean I did see it there."

Bia then understood what he was referring spoke up. "Eagle's sight. I guess that was true."

"Fascinating, I wonder what kind of sight do you have, sure is nice to have that clear sight of yours."

Miguel then chuckled. "That's because we hunt. Mi Papá always told me that it is what we get as an eagle." His pronunciation was richly accented.

"Okay, maybe we should get going if we want to see them. I hate to miss lunch, more so when we need to search the entire marketplace to find one." Tiago stated.

"I agree with him this time, besides, I'm curious with this 'float' thingy you guys keep saying." I responded.

"Wait… you aren't from here?" Miguel asked.

"No… I'm from the Amazon."

"That's awesome! How is the jungle, I guess very peaceful and quiet." Miguel fantasized

Tiago snorted a sarcastic laugh. "Very quiet indeed…"

We then soared into the sky, heading for the direction of where Miguel was pointing us to. The sight of a half-finished thingy that shaped like a flower was manifested as the horizon lifted away from our bird's eye view. Bia then told me that this float was incomplete, but the sight already enchanted me with the kind possibilities of the Carnival later. I also recalled Carla's statement this morning that they were going to add the float number, which made me very enthusiastic for this occasion.

Our internal clock then announced the lack of our meal in our digestive system, a sign to get some lunch. We were heading straight to the dense jungle of Sugarloaf Mountain in the crusade of our meal.

Miguel then bid us a farewell, bit promising to return back to us as soon as he got some lunch. I was quite confused when he announced his departure. "Why don't you stay with us? We could get lunch together."

Bia then hit me with a wing. "He is an eagle, remember?" She stated. "He ate meat."

I quickly felt dumb when Bia told me that while Miguel was giggling slightly. "That's right; I can't eat fruits like you. Besides, I don't want to make you vomit… you never ate a mouse before, right?"

I quickly shuddered when he mentioned that. "No… and certainly won't ever eat them." I said, trying to not offend him.

"Okay then. I see you back here okay? I won't be long." Miguel then flapped his massive wing.

"Take your time, besides, I think you will have to wait us in the end." Bia stated.

He nodded his head and disappeared with the sky, a streak of gray and cobalt was the only thing that momentarily proved his existences earlier.

We then dwelled deeply into the forest, searching for any fruits available there. Bia was the one that gave us the idea to take lunch in the jungle. She simply stated that the marketplace would be too crowded from humans as the Carnival approached. That said, it would be much faster to get lunch in the forest instead.

My mind soon caught some of the mango's trees around; that also became the faster option was quickly became our decision.

I slowly picked the right mango to eat. Unfortunately, most of the mangos were still unripe; their green color was enough to tell me the incredible sour flavor I could get if I did take one.

My eyes scanned one branch after another; critical not only for the mango, but the mortal threat it could bring. I finally spotted two ripe and decent mangos as our lunch, but the sight was let my guard down for a few moments, unaware for the slithering snake that silently stalking me.

Bia let out a yelp as she realized how closer I was with the slithering reptile, trying to alerting me about it. Her voice reached my ears soon after, but it was too late as the snake already that close with me, and already opened its massive mouth and showed me its enormous fangs…

I closed my eyes and bracing for the jolt of pain that would get onto me, but the moments never came. That said, allowed me to open my eyes and saw a large black owl holding the snake with his talon. His face was soon I recognized. "Jameson!"

"Hello there." He smiled, holding the snake tightly and choke it to death.

Bia and Tiago fluttered next to me, Bia's eyes were filled with a suffocating concern. "Are you okay?" She then noticed Jameson's attendance, exclaimed. "Jameson! Whoa! Never seen you in a while."

"Nice to meet you young lady, and who is this fella?" He then fixed his gaze to Tiago.

"This is my brother, Tiago." Bia stated.

"Ah… another family member, I suppose you like some thrill in your life, eh?" Jameson then smiled, "Another one with the thirst of adventure! Ah young life is so nice."

"Anyway, I need to keep going on. You folks take care of yourself." He said, although I swear that he was directed his gaze on me. "See you next time."

He then seamlessly blended with the ambiance, disappearing like a ghost. Tiago was left nonplussed with the owl. "He is one strange owl… where did you guys know him anyway?"

"Oh, it was a few days before, the one with the storm." I replied. "We met him when we searched something here." I plucked the mango from the tree and offered it.

"Thanks." Bia and Tiago said in unison.

I took one of the yellow mangos for myself, digging my beak into the orange flash beneath its skin and delighted when the flesh contacted with my tongue. Even I had to admit that it was too ripe, the fruit was incredibly flavorful, smell a little rancid, but my stomach ignored the slight disturbance.

I ditched the seed onto the ground with a calculated throw and plopping myself onto the branch, sighing blissfully as my meal sliding slowly within my body. The earth continued to rotate in its axis as we waited for Miguel's arrival. The heated sun's ray was stared to show its hostility upon the inhabitants above, the sign that the day already reached its peak. Miguel then arrived after a few moments, his beak was stained with a little mark of red; I shivered when I realized what that was.

He then licked his beak, acting like nothing was happened. "So, what do you want to do now? I know that mi Mamá y Papá will not be home until sunset. They said that the owner of the club is preparing some kind of audition for the Carnival."

"Huh! I guess Carla will be more than happier when she knows that." Bia snorted. "Your parents also participate in Carnival?"

"Every single year." He said. "They said that, they will rock the Carnival with some Tango."

"But… Tango and Samba are very different… how?" Bia asked.

Miguel flashed a smile. "Ni idea." He shrugged. "But you should see them later, you may be surprised."

"Well, it seems that Carnival was getting more and more interesting each passing time. Still, we still have a whole day to spend with, what should we do huh?"

Tiago then shook us his mischievous looks. "I think I had some idea for fun."

"Um… are you sure this is safe?" I asked him, feeling nervous.

"Oh sure! There's nothing to it." Tiago stated, which didn't give me a slight reassurance.

"Now, Bia, this is quite correct right?"

"Don't drag me into this Tiago. I don't want to be included with these silly pranks of yours." Bia stated. "And why you even get into this, Frost?"

"Well, I don't know… Miguel?"

"Same here, I also don't know." He chuckled weakly, being tied upside down with the soda bottle.

"Oh come on! This is gonna be fun!" Tiago exclaimed, opening the bottle's cap, sliding some of white thingy into the bottle, before screwing the cap back. "Now, this might not as fun as being tied to a fireworks, but I hope the same result."

"What's a firework?" I asked, feeling the bottle started to shake up.

"Now you mention it… I'm started to think that this is a bad idea."

The shaking intensifies and the vibration started to spread across our body.

"Okay, I'll tie myself now… where is…" The shaking finally reached a violent level, and the soda bottle was about to burst.

"Where is the rope? I thought it was right here."

"Um… Tiago?" I asked. "Are you coming?"

"Of course I…."

His voice was trailed as we rocketed into the sky with an alarmingly speed. The rush of the wind was ruffled my feather vigorously as we penetrated the wind tunnel with Tiago's contraption and I let myself screaming for my life.

Miguel was also screaming, swearing in Spanish as we rapidly gain altitude towards the sky, leaving the once well-textured earth into a mass carpet of distorted things with such velocity.

The rush however soon ceased and we started to lose the thrust, the fact that we were tied to the bottle was quickly brought us a terror as we started to descend onto the ground. "¡Ay Caramba!" Miguel exclaimed, frantically wiggling his body to free his body from the rope's grasp.

The lack of airlift from wings was dragging us onto the ground rapidly, I kept screaming for my life as we descended faster into the earth. A broad yellow thing soon sprang beneath us, acting as a cushion before we bounced and returned to our fall. The said impact loosened the rope and Miguel finally broke free, letting me alone with the fall. He was still recovering when he realized that I was still tied to the bottle and quickly dove from the sky.

I clashed into one of those bright colored hang-glider, alerting the humans that currently used them. "Meus deus!" He squealed as he saw me fell with a bottle tied to me.

Miguel then reached me and swiftly cut the rope with his sharp claw, freeing me finally. I unfurled my wings and sprang it as wide as I could quickly, allowing the airlift existed within my wings and stopping me from splattering onto the ground. My heartbeat was shockingly fast from the occasion, my body stammered as sanity started to return back into my mind.

"That… was… insane!" Miguel stated. "Let's do that again."

I shot him a stern glare. "Okay…maybe not."

We returned onto the cliff where we were ejected before, Tiago and Bia were staring at us when we arrived. I allowed my heartbeat slowed down a little bit.

"Aw man! How come I always lost the fun!" Tiago exclaimed.

I landed on the rock in endeavor to slower my heartbeat. Bia then hopped next to me. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah… quite okay." I stated, smiling awkwardly.

"Honestly, what are you thinking to come up with his plan anyway, you know Tiago, Frost."

I averted my gaze and saw Miguel retold the thrilling experience he had while Tiago was listening to him dutifully.

I sighed, formed a smile in my beak, "Maybe… just loosened up a little bit in my life."

Bia then looked at them as Miguel rehearsed the event with stunts to enhance his storytelling, while Tiago was smiling triumphantly. "I think I know what you mean."

I wrapped my wings against her and walked closer to them. "I've told you it would be fun!" Tiago stated. "Right, Frost?"

I chuckled lightly, "Perhaps. Still, maybe we should come up with more safer things."

"That's also when you lose that fun." Tiago replied. "Still, I think I got some more things in my mind… what do you say?"

"NO!" Miguel, Bia and I exclaimed in unison.

He backed down a little as our clear disapproval blast him. "Oh okay… maybe we can do something less dangerous instead, you know like berry fight or something."

"Berry fight seems harmless enough." Bia said. "I'll vote for that."

"Me too." Miguel said.

"Me three." I approved. "Okay, let's head to the acaí palm there, Bia and I would be a team while Tiago…"

The sun was started to lose its might as the evening approached the city of Rio de Janeiro. I was drying my damp feathers from our bath, the result from the berry fight earlier. The conclusion of our battle was quite obvious actually – while Bia and I was clever with some tactics, Tiago and Miguel countless barrage was putting us into a submission, restraining our possible counter-attack.

The ooze from the heated battle was beyond unbearable, and after the truce, we quickly heading into a stream nearby and washed our body from it.

Carla, Jewel and Blu came back soon after, and I couldn't help but notice the gleeful expression Carla's face possessed, signifying that today she also get her day just fine.

"So kids, having a great day today?" Blu asked. "Carla's here is going to perform at the Carnival tomorrow."

"Really?! Wow!" Bia exclaimed. "Congrats, sis!"

"Thanks a lot, Bia." She replied, smiling.

A human voice suddenly pierced into the air, calling Blu's name. "That's Linda! Wonder why she called me." He then fluttered down into the kitchen below. I could hear his squawk and then he returned with a smile on his beak. "Linda wants to treat us a dinner, let's get there."

We nodded our head and fluttered down into the kitchen window, an oddly smell of alien foods soon swept over my nostrils, nor invoking my appetite or made me gag. I was curious with what kind of meal that produced such aroma, but Bia assured me that it's best that I rather be clueless with them.

I shrugged and retired onto the kitchen counter, watching Fernando helped his mother prepared the dinner. He grabbed three round things and set it on the table, before helping his Mom grabbed the main course to be served on the table.

The front door of the house sprang open and revealed another family member that his presence already awaited. The tall Brazilian ornitholo- ornito- ornithowhatever was looked tired yet happy when he met his family, giving Linda a kiss before asking Fernando about his school – whatever that was.

Linda then served six bowls on the table, inviting her avian guest to enjoy their dinner. They raised some pray to their God about the blessings they had, before finally started the dinner officially.

I stared at the assorted fruits and… well, vegetables – as Bia told me what they were. I could see some pieces of banana, mango, and one greenish fruit I never ate before. And of course, the vegetables' colors didn't convince me a little bit about their taste.

Still, driven with the urge to try something new, I picked the long orange stick out of the bowl and nibbled a little. The taste of the said vegetable was plain and acceptable for me, so it wasn't an issue to finish them as soon as I could.

My eyes set on the greenish-bushy vegetables, which I finally pick one and stuffed in my mouth with a big chunk… and quickly regretting my decision.

The bitter and grassy taste of the vegetables was filled my beak and smell senses. It was a torture for me to finally able to swallow them, shivering as the awful aftertaste remained.

I quickly picked some fruit instead to wipe away that horrid taste from my beak, savoring their sweet and sour flavor.

Tiago was doing the same with me, picking only the fruit and leave behind the vegetables untouched. The sight however wasn't going on without notice from Jewel, and quickly opened her beak to retort Tiago softly. "You didn't eat the vegetables huh, Tiago?"

"They tasted really bad, Mom." He then shuddered. "They taste like grass."

"They are healthy, Tiago" Bia stated. "Also, it wasn't that bad."

"That's a fact, Tiago." Carla quipped. "Bia said it herself."

"Thanks a lot, sis." He said sarcastically, glared at his sisters which shared a high-wing with a triumphant smile.

An idea soon popped into my head to help both me and him. I leaned into Tiago's ear, whispering softly. "Hey, I know the green one tasted really bad, how about a race? The one finished his meal is the winner."

Tiago's ears – well metaphorically – were perked up when I gave him the challenge, his usual competitive demeanor returned, and nodded his head. "Challenge Accepted."

Within seconds, we already dug our respectable beaks into our dinner as soon as possible. I was quite tortured when I need to swallow the big chunk of that greenish vegetable, my stomach rebelled, but with Tiago's pace getting faster, I suppressed that gag and continued to swallow them.

The last piece in my bowl was thankfully a piece of mango which I quickly ate, savoring the remaining bits of the piece to wash away the horrid aftertaste from the vegetables and declared my finish.

Tiago and I were finished at the same time; our belly was plump thanks to the big dinner and our little competition. Jewel and Blu were pleased with the clean plate of ours. "Looks like Tiago already like to eat more veggie this time." Blu stated. "I know you will understand that they are healthy to you."

I snickered softly when Tiago 'overblown' his reaction. "Nah, I know that."

He then whispered softly to me. "Thanks for that challenge."

I nodded my head. "Yeah, I also hate that green stuff, so we actually help each other."

Tiago smiled and dipped his beak into the bowl of water nearby and watched the whole family dine with laugh and stories.

I was perched at the platform, enjoying my usual activity to savor the night sky before I retired to my slumber. The tranquil atmosphere however didn't exist tonight as the approaching celebration spark the heat in the city, and more humans were staying up late to dance or sing.

Nonetheless, it's still essential to at least say 'good night' to my Dad in the sky, so he would always smile the broadest. Bia then suddenly appeared next to me, rubbing her weary eyes. "Waiting for fireworks, huh?

"What's a firework?" I asked. "I mean, Tiago also mentioned that earlier today."

"You'll see soon."

Her words were still lingered when the sky exploded! The loud noise was startling me at first, but then Bia held me tight and pointed her wing at the night sky, where a burst of illuminating colors were manifested vividly, like a shooting star.

"So that is firework." I stated simply. "Beautiful."

Bia then requested to snuggle within my wings; I opened them and let her cuddle closely with me as the sky exploded with colors, promising one day I wouldn't forget for the rest of my life.

While life sometimes does monotonous and boring, it is actually the moment you should realize that you aren't staring at a colorless rainbow, but instead, you are just expecting more vibrant colors to stare on.

Sadly enough, life isn't someone whom generous and caring. She only wants you to thrive on your own and become who you really are.

I do learn something more about my past experiences that sometimes… simple things are the real colors of our life.

Enjoy little thing the life give you today, because one day, when you already far in the future and take a glance to the back, you'll realize that those simple things are indeed the big things that altered you as who you are.

Simple catchphrase: ¡Viva La Vida!

I will refine this as soon as I got time, for a moment, enjoy ... sorry for the cover art... I didn't know that they were unremoveable gah..! maybe I'll design one later.

And oh, please kindly leave a revirew and Thanks for reading!