A Soviet's Struggle

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"Alright. We have two ways we can do this. We can do with anaesthesia, or without it. If you choose anaesthetics, you'll be under for 10 or 15 minutes, and you'll take about 5 minutes to a few hours to wake up. If you choose to go without the anaesthetics, you'll feel moderate discomfort and possible pain. Which do you want to choose?"

The avian doctor leaned against his desk, sitting in his swivel stool. He was a falcon in stature - red headed to be precise. Mariya sat on the operating chair, leaned backward, eyeing the man with her left eye. Silsina sat next to her, waiting for her signed response. Mariya signed, and Silsina repeated the phrase to the doctor:

"She would like the anaesthetics."

"Wonderful!" The falcon stated, signalling to his anaesthesiologist, who gave an affirming nod, grabbing the mask.

Mariya watched as the doctor pulled out a long tube, with a small camera attached to the end. He sanitised it, putting his gloves on, and getting the prep ready. The anaesthesiologist hovered over her, requesting he put the mask over her muzzle. Mariya agreed, allowing the anaesthesiologist to slip on the gadget to her face. Silsina looked to her, grabbing her hand and holding it in hers. Feeling the new sensation, Mariya turned, looking her sister into her vibrant, glowing purple eyes.

"You're gonna do great," Silsina cooed, rubbing Mariya's hand with her thumb, "I'll be here when you wake up."

Mariya smiled, squeezing Silsina's hand in response.

"Alright," The doctor sighed, rolling his chair to besides the Hybrid. "Once you're under, this tube will go down your throat. It'll allow us, and your sister here, to see what's going on with your vocal chords. Once we figure out what the issue is, we will devise the next steps to see if we can get you talking again! Sound good?"

Mariya responded with a simple nod.

"Perfect." The doctor said, looking over to his anaesthesiologist and giving the "go-for-it" nod. Mariya simply looked up into the bright blinding light above her, thinking. What if there was nothing they could do? What if she was mute forever? She pushed the pessimistic thoughts away, deciding to think of things more positive. They will fix her. She will be able to speak once more. She'd like to be able to talk to her friends, voice to voice, without a dumb whiteboard. She'd like to talk to Alexandra. To Gerwalt. To Xiao. She yearned for it.

"Alright, Mariya. It's gonna smell good at first. Like strawberries. It won't last like that though, so be prepared." The doctor said, looking down at the Hybrid.

Mariya gave a thumbs up.

The smell was sickly sweet. Artificial. It smelt like what you'd smell inside a strawberry soda, or a smencil. As it changed, the smell shifted to a more headache inducing smell. Like how artificial grape or cilantro makes the back of someone's eyes ring in pain. It was plain, but prominent. The smell of cough syrup, or permanent marker. Her vision faded, and before she knew it, she was under medical induced comatose.

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"Ah! Come on, hurry up."

"I'm trying! It's damn cold."

"Mom would be so disappointed in your skills as a hunter."

"Fuck you!"

Silsina and Mariya jumped over a fallen rotting log, caked in a layer of hours-old fallen snow. Their breath fogged in the cold, dry air, the snow crunching under their feet on the forest floor. Both girls in heavy winter jackets, the two trekked their way through the snow, going to a spot where Silsina swore was the best place for a smoke.