Change

--Change--

The greenery and lush sights of the city were beautiful. The sun rays shined through the leaves that were beginning to change color ever so slightly. Autumn was just a heartbeat away. At least, that was what it felt like.

It was just another drastic change to add to everything else that unfolded before her the moment she opened her eyes. She couldn't recognize where she stood. Even the sky had changed. It was a clear and brilliant blue, no longer rippling with the reflective barrier that had outlived her grandparents. 

The scents around her were different. The sounds of excitement and chattering were almost non-existent, replaced with wary and caution. The way the air felt, it held tension and uneasiness, and the ground beneath her feet felt alive. 

There was magic flowing through the ground. It had to be. The many trees that were planted around the city were almost full grown. How many seasons was it? It felt like a lifetime since that day.

The hatred in his scarred eyes….and how little he hesitated to send her flying from her healing city…

Lifting a paw from the ground, Studio flexed her claws. No longer did they have that golden and polished glaze. It had all chipped off a long time ago, with claws overgrown, neglected from being trimmed and filed to her liking. It wasn't too bad. The nurses kept tending to her while she slept, but they didn't know what she liked.

But, she couldn't complain. They were there to heal, not to maintain the shine on her fur.

Almost out of impulse, Studio brought her head down and licked the thickening fur in her chest. She padded closer to the patio, feeling the chill breeze tickling her fur as she watched the few felines walking down the road. There were faces she couldn't recognize. She thought she had seen a fox, but she assumed it was just her vision. She hadn't been able to see at her best.

There was a soft knock on the door. 

"Miss Studio? I'm coming in to bring your water, okay? I won't be here long."

The nurses were treating her as if she were fragile. When the door opened, she turned to greet Recovery, who she gave the tiniest of smiles to. She didn't want to worry her. The relentless thoughts Studio overheard were frantic ever since she woke up.

"Do you want me to bring you anything else?" Recovery asked. 

"That will be all for now. Thank you, Recovery." Studio was almost surprised by her tired voice.

"Of course, my Star." Recovery dipped her head. "I know you're not ready to see anyone, but I don't want you to stand alone forever. Whenever you are ready…"

"I will let you know. It won't be long. I promise." Studio gave her an assuring smile.

Recovery nodded. 

"How is everyone else holding? Is it that my presence is needed?" Studio was almost hesitant to ask. She caught the slightest panic flashing across Recovery's face. It wasn't the first time she had seen it. 

"Well, uh…" Recovery frowned. "It's…highly recommended you stay rested for a time. Aureate City is under watch of The Sound Star and The Widget Star for the time being. But I'm afraid due to you being out of commission for as long as you have…"

"I understand. You shouldn't worry," Studio said. "But, tell them thank you. My citizens…they've been through so much already. I feel like they are under the right paws." And to think Widget would be the one…

"They miss you dearly, you know?" Recovery gave her a sympathetic smile. "Miss Audio and Radio...They've been working hard to bring this city back together, and everyone seems to be getting happier with the way it is turning out. It may not be Clowder City anymore, but it still holds the very same determination and strength it had before."

"But things are different now." The gold that used to flourish, and how the rippling blue sky complimented the sights…it was the last thing she had from Server. But even that…

"Maybe it is," Recovery's response cut through her thoughts. "But, the difference makes it far stronger than it was before."

Studio nodded. The long silence between them pushed Recovery to speak again.

"Is there anything else you need before I leave, Miss Studio? Are you hungry, perhaps?"

Studio turned her focus to her paws. She could see the scarring across her ankles. She felt them against her flank, and the itch across one eye. There were some changes she doubted she would ever grow used to. Some that…hurt more than others.

She was half convinced no one would recognize her if she presented herself in her current state. She wasn't ready. She turned back to the patio before rubbing her paw across her ruined eye. 

She wasn't ready.

"I…would like to request a fitting."

"For…a new collar?"

"...perhaps." It wasn't like she would be wanted back into the council anytime soon. Even that was drastically changed. The grief was still heavy in her heart. She wasn't ready to see that, either. "I would like to have a cloak, if it's not too much trouble."

"Of course. I'll send the request right away. Just call, whenever you need anything else."

"Thank you again, Recovery."

She didn't watch, but she listened. The footfalls faded, and the door clicked shut. As soon as it went silent, Studio felt her legs give in, and she collapsed on the ground, inhaling a sharp and quivering breath.

Her vision worsened as the hot tears dampened her fur, but not a single sound slipped from her mouth. 

The last thing she needed was for anyone to hear how broken she felt from the inside. They would be far more hesitant to inform her of anything that unfolded ever since the incident. They were so considerate of her feelings, feeding her information bit by bit so it wouldn't overwhelm her. However, none of that mattered. It never did.

It was easier to keep lips sealed than it was to contain thoughts. Thoughts always did tell the truth. 

And, she had known the truth since she opened her eyes.