Chapter 11: Amazon Carnival performances
(This happened 2 hours after Blu and his family ate breakfast.)
Carla flew towards the guest hollows of Nico, Pedro, Eva and Rafael, which were right next to each other.
"Guys, Eva." Carla said. "Wakey-wakey!"
No reply came from within, which already made her impatient and yelled: "WAKE UP!"
"Heh?! What? I'm up." Nico said.
"Me too. Me too." Rafael said.
"Have you guys almost forgotten? Today we're gonna do auditions for the Carnival show here in the jungle!" Carla declared.
"Oh, yeah, right." Pedro said, yawning. "But we still have to find musicians, dancers, and jugglers alike. Because if we don't, we have no show."
"Hold your mangoes, guys." Rafael said happily.
"Remember that we still have Eva." he said, holding his wife.
Nico and Pedro looked nervous at each other.
"RAFI!" Eva said, noticing their reactions.
"Don't-don't worry, dear, we'll have a perfect spot for you."
Heh, with the pinguins in Antarctica, perhaps. Nico thought to himself.
"You better have." Eva told her husband, touching the tip of her wing on his beak.
"Guys, I already have found countless birds and other animals who want to perform." Carla told them.
"What?" How many?" Nico asked shocked.
Carla clapped in her wings and said: "Come on! Chop-chop! Let's get down to business!"
As she flew down, once again countless mammals and reptiles were present on the ground, but also some birds, even spix macaws and some scarlet macaws.
"Wow, she truly has done great work." Eva beamed.
"Stopping her from doing her thing is impossible." Pedro said happily.
The auditions began with a flurry of activity. Birds showcased their singing talents, monkeys performed acrobatics, and even reptiles tried their hand at juggling. Some acts were impressive, with perfectly synchronized dance routines and melodious harmonies. However, others fell flat, with offbeat rhythms and uninspired performances.
After hours of watching and evaluating, Carla, Pedro, Nico, Rafael, and even Eva felt something was missing. Despite the variety of acts, nothing seemed to fit the new theme for this year's Carnival show in the Amazon jungle.
At the point when the last of the performers had done their part, Carla sighed and said: "Even though they all did great, it doesn't have the spirit we need for the 'Echoes of the Amazon."
"Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing." Nico said with a sigh and his head resting on his wing.
Just then, another familiar face came along.
"Hey there, Carls!" the voice said.
"Hello there, Renaldo." Carla said as she and her boyfriend shared a short, but passionate kiss.
Soon after, Blu, Sapphire, Roberto, Tiago, Skye, Thomas and Felipe and his two other scarlet macaws, Mario and Cesar, arrived at the scene. Just after that, Jasmine arrived with Bia and Miguel, who were searching for more bugs.
Blu was the first one to ask his oldest daughter something.
"So, how are the preparations for the Amazon Carnival going, sweetie?" Blu asked curiously.
Carla sighed and said: "Well, dad, even though everyone could do their part at the celebrations within 2 weeks, we're missing something. Something that could really give our theme, the 'Echoes of the Amazone', life.
Pedro then said: "Copy that. We need something really juicy. Something that can make us jiggle, and like last year, something that would make us pop! Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop! Any of you know what a 'pop' is backwards?
"Pop." Roberto replied.
"Exactly. And that's what we need now. Not in a week, not in half a week, not tomorrow, now." Pedro said serious.
This made Thomas however wonder until suddenly he came up with something.
"So you need a good hit for the Carnival show, right?" Thomas asked.
"Yeah, and fast." Pedro said.
"Wait, do you know maybe something that could give us what we need, Thomas?" Nico asked.
"I might have something." he said with a smile on his face.
"You do?" Rafael, Nico, Pedro and even Jasmine asked.
"Yeah, and you even know it, Jass." Thomas replied.
"Which song? We had heard and sung many songs, what makes you think that there is one now we can use for this Carnival show?" Jasmine replied.
Thomas leaned in into her hearing hole and whispered something. At first Jasmine's face was a confused one, but it quickly turned into a smile and one that understood what he meant.
Jasmine then turned to her Niece, Pedro, Nico, Rafael and Eva. "Guys, Thomas and I think we have a great number for you." Jasmine told them.
"Really?" Carla asked with a smile on her face.
"Yup." Thomas said. "Do you wish to hear it?"
"Why, of course I wanna hear it! Everyone is welcome to try here." Nico said enthusiastically.
"I too wanna hear how my older brother and sister can sing and dance." Blu said, approaching his siblings.
"If uncle Tommy is such a great sportsman, then he might in my eyes also be a great dancer and singer!" Tiago exclaimed joyfully.
"I will say the same thing for auntie Jasmine, I believe she has a great singing voice." Bia said.
"Aw, thank you, Bia." Jasmine said, touched by her words.
"Show us what ya got, Thom and Jass." Pedro said.
As the music started, a rhythmic beat filled the air, reminiscent of the sounds of the rainforest - drums echoing like thunder, the call of exotic birds, and the rustling of leaves. Thomas and Jasmine began to sing and dance, their movements fluid and energetic, perfectly in sync with the music. Everyone paid close attention.
Thomas: "Jasmine and Thomas, yall."
Thomas: Woke up in the jungle. Where the sun is always high. Sing it, Jass! (points at Jasmine)
Jasmine: The Amazon's my playground. Underneath the endless sky.
(All the performers and watcher looked at each other and gave nods that this did sound good, with Carla looking happily to Renaldo.)
Thomas: Here we go!
Jasmine: She's into Amazon nights. With the stars lighting up the way.
Jasmine and Thomas: Dancing through the canopy. Where the wild creatures play.
(The animals who watched the song, were making some own dancing moves.)
Jasmine and Thomas: She makes you force your feathers off and go dancing in the rain.
(Thomas then spun around on his head and stood up with his belly pointed to the sky, when Jasmine pulled a vine, and some water was poured onto Thomas.)
Jasmine and Thomas: She makes you live her crazy life, but you take away your pain.
(Jasmine and Thomas then stood back-to-back against each other.)
Jasmine and Thomas: Like a tumor in the BRAAAAAAIIIIIINNNNN!
(Both together, moving into a synchronized dance, blending elements of traditional Latin dances with wild, expressive gestures inspired by the movements of the Amazon's wildlife.)
Jasmine and Thomas: Upside, inside out! We're livin' la vida loca. Swingin' from the vines. We're livin' la vida loca.
(Thomas performed a series of impressive spins and jumps, like a jaguar pouncing through the trees.)
Jasmine and Thomas: Her lips are jungle green. Her skin's the color mocha, She will wear you out, Livin' la vida loca.
(Jasmine follows with elegant twirls and rapid steps, evoking the agility and beauty of tropical birds.)
Jasmine and Thomas: Livin' la vida loca, Livin' la vida loca, Livin' la vida loca.
(Both, performing a dynamic duet, their movements reflecting the harmony and chaos of the rainforest, pulling the audience into their vibrant world.)
Thomas: Dance into the sunrise. Where the parrots paint the skies. The echo of the Amazon. In our hearts, it never dies.
(Thomas spins Jasmine, then she spins him back, their movements creating a whirlwind of energy, representing the stormy and unpredictable nature of the jungle.)
Thomas and Jasmine: In the heart of the jungle. Where the rivers twist and turn. We're igniting the spirit, Feel the Amazon's burn.
(Jasmine takes the lead, her voice soaring as she sings with passion, moving with the grace of a jaguar and the speed of a hummingbird, which made Roberto almost fall in love with her voice and her movements.)
Jasmine: Wild and free. like the rivers we run, Through the night, chasing the sun, The jungle's pulse, it beats in our veins, Echoes of the Amazon, breaking the chains!
(Thomas joins in, their voices blending harmoniously, their dance steps perfectly synchronized, representing the unity and diversity of the rainforest.)
Jasmine and Thomas: Upside, inside out! We're livin' la vida loca. Swingin' from the vines. We're livin' la vida loca.
(Both together, their energy building as they lead the audience in a call-and-response, getting everyone involved and dancing along.)
Jasmine and Thomas: Upside, inside out. We're livin' la vida loca. Swingin' from the vines. We're livin' la vida loca.
Jasmine and Thomas: Her lips are jungle green. Her skin's the color mocha. She will wear you out. Livin' la vida loca.
(Thomas takes a solo, showing off his strength and agility with powerful leaps and flips, his voice strong and clear.)
Thomas: Through the rain and thunder. We're the lightning in the night. In the heart of the Amazon. We find our guiding light.
(Jasmine joins in with her own solo, her voice filled with emotion, her dance moves smooth and captivating, embodying the beauty and mystery of the jungle.)
Jasmine: Every leaf and flower. Tells a story of its own. In this vibrant paradise. We've found our true home!
(Both together, their final chorus full of joy and celebration, bringing the performance to a climactic, unforgettable conclusion, all the other performers where now fully dancing along; and Roberto, he was staring at Jasmine with something called love in his eyes.)
Jasmine and Thomas: Upside, inside out. We're livin' la vida loca. Swingin' from the vines. We're livin' la vida loca.
Jasmine and Thomas: Her lips are jungle green. Her skin's the color mocha. She will wear you out. Livin' la vida loca.
Jasmine and Thomas: Livin' la vida loca, Livin' la vida loca (Thomas: "ONE MORE TIME NOW!"), Livin' la vida loca!
The final note hung in the air, and for a moment, there was silence. Then the crowd erupted in applause, cheering and whistling. Carla was on her feet, clapping her wings enthusiastically.
"That was amazing!" Carla exclaimed. "You two perfectly captured the spirit of 'Echoes of the Amazon.' The energy, the passion, the connection to the jungle, it was all there!"
Rafael, Pedro, Nico, and Eva nodded in agreement, all smiles. "You've definitely set the bar high for the Carnival," Nico said.
"Wow, big bro and sis." Blu said as he stepped in as he talked in absolute amazement. "I never expected you to be such great singers and dancers."
"Thanks, little brother, we appreciate your comment." Jasmine smiled.
"WOW, Uncle Tommy! The way you made those dancing moves were awesome!" Tiago exclaimed.
"Thank you, T-bird." Thomas said to his nephew.
"And those graceful movements you made were a wonder to behold, auntie Jasmine." Bia said.
"Thanks, Bia." Jasmine said.
"I too must admit that I had never seen such a great performance before, you guys. In my eyes, you 2 should be the main part of the Carnival show." Sapphire said.
"Yeah, the song truly had the beat of our 'Echoes of the Amazon'." Pedro admitted.
After some compliments were shared to each other, all the performers left after some time, clearly enthusiastic over the Carnival show within 2 weeks.
As everyone was leaving, Carla couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. With performances like that, the next Amazon Carnival was going to be unforgettable.
To be continued…