username;; Silver Pandorica
name;; Athena Boswell
fake name;; Calum Fisher
gender;; Female
extras;;-village doctor/healer
-because of the prejudice against women during the time period, she must pretend to be a man to pursue her dreams of being a doctor
-lives in a secluded home
-loves nature
-friends with my boy Chevron
Hello. My name is Athena Boswell, but most people know
me by Doctor, Doc, Doctor Fisher, or Calum. Calum, yes.
Er...let me explain. My home town, and most other villages,
don't see women fit to work, let alone be a doctor.
Ridiculous, right? Well unfortunately, that's just the way
things are. But ever since I was a little girl, I've dreamed
of becoming a doctor and being able to heal people. Thanks
to the prejudice, it just wasn't possible. Everyone laughed at
me, told me it was silly, even my friends and family. This,
however, only fueled my determination. So, I moved far
away from my home where no one would recognize me and
began a new life in the friendly town of Carlswell. As a man.
Yes, I'm afraid you heard me correctly. In order to pursue my
dreams, I had to go undercover as Calum Fisher, a young man
seeking to become a doctor. It was more than difficult. I not
only had to look like a man, believe me when I say that was
the easy part, but I had to act and sound like one, too. I
would spend hours every day in front of a mirror, practicing
and perfecting my voice and look. It had to be flawless. If I
slipped up, my career would be over. I studied men, watched
their behavior, learned their ways. After many weeks, I was
sure I had it down. So I went out for a test run in town,
without my cloak this time. Everyone bought it, despite my
voice cracking a few times. It was the hardest thing I've ever
done and still have to do, but it worked. After earning and
completing my apprenticeship, I became a doctor. I've now
lived in Carlswell for five years, and my cover is still holding
up strong. It's still a bit weird to me, being known by everyone
as a guy, but I've gotten used to it. Now, the only place
where I can be without my disguise is my home in the forest, I
picked the cottage there on purpose, so I could be far from the
prying eye of the public. No one must find out.
“Oh my goodness. Oh my flipping goodness. What in the name of-“
Quickly, I put a paw to Chevron’s mouth, momentarily shutting him up. “Will you shush?” I whisper-yelled at him. “I’m surprised the whole town didn’t hear you!”
“Sorry,” he mumbled through my paw. With a sigh, I lowered it and readjusted my glasses. Chevron just stared at me in awe. Gosh, I thought we were good enough friends that he wouldn’t mind so much. Then again, he did just find out I’m a girl…
“Why…how…what on earth?!” He was whispering, but in a harsh tone. That was odd, I’ll just let you know. Chevron is an extremely calm and friendly person, and it took a lot to get him worked up.
“Just let me explain, okay?” I replied, rubbing my forehead, which had begun to ache slightly.
He snorted and pulled out a chair, plopping down onto it. “Please do.”
So I told him. I told him everything. My life at home, my aspirations to become a doctor, disguising myself, achieving my goals – all of it. And it felt good. After years of hiding, it felt like a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Someone finally knew.
Chevron…I can’t really explain the multitude of expressions that crossed his face as I told him my story. It was like a mixture of every emotion at once. When I finished, he was silent for a long time, and I started to worry if I’d made a mistake. It’s not like I really had a choice. He found out by total accident. You see, I’ve never actually let anyone of the village inside my home. My sanctuary. But Chevron knew where I lived. He also knew I’d left my bag at his inn that night after visiting. So he came to my house and went inside…he saw me. Without my disguise. Without my glasses or my doctor’s coat or my messy hair. He also saw my house, and a lot of that stuff was a dead giveaway, including my jewelry. Guys don’t wear jewelry.
“I just…” he took a deep breath. “This is a lot to take in, Calum. If that even is your real name.”
“It’s Athena,” I mumbled. He flinched. I’d dropped the voice as soon as he’d figured it out.
“Of course it is.” Chevron seriously looked like he was about to pass out, and I didn’t blame him. Finding out your best friend actually isn’t a guy is…pretty weird.
I swallowed. “You do understand why I did it.”
A heavy sigh escaped his lips. “Of course I do. But…do you realize what would happen if the villagers found out? Gosh, I can’t even imagine. You’d be an outcast, never to be hired for anything again.”
“Yes, I’m…I’m very aware of that,” I replied quietly. I’d known the risks when I had started this whole thing, and nothing had changed since then. Suddenly, my eyes widened. “You won’t tell anyone, will you?”
Chevron looked surprised. “Of course not. Calum –er- Athena, despite this whole situation, you’re still my friend. That won’t ever change.”
Great. Now I felt all warm and fuzzy inside. “Thanks,” I said genuinely, giving him a warm smile. “You’re a really good friend, you know that?”
“Yes, I know,” he joked.
Chevron has known my secret for about a year, never revealing it to a single soul. It was strange for us both at first, especially since he was the only one who knew, but I think it brought us closer together and strengthened our friendship. He was always very careful when we were hanging around other people, and he even saved me from slipping up a few times. I don’t know what I would do without him. Yes, that sounds much too fluffy and heartwarming, but shoot. I love him.
P.S. As a friend! I love him as a friend! Please don’t get the wrong idea about us. We don’t like each other in that way. Not at all. Besides, it would never work out. Not with my secret.
Male Studies
August 5th, 1670
I have just moved to Carlswell, and I must admit, it's quite a
nice little town. Or big town, I should say. I am now out in the
square, cloaked so no one can see my face or fur. Before I show
myself, I must observe male behavior. So far, I've noticed a lot
of men here are very hardworking, while others are rowdy. I
decided to go for the former type.
August 7th, 1670
Okay, even the hardworking and serious men are rowdy
sometimes. There's often groups of friends that go to
the bar at night. I'll have to be sure to get in with
those groups.
August 11th, 1670
I bought a pair of glasses today. I was hoping they
would help with my work-in-progress disguise. Maybe they
could hide my feminine features a little? I've also noticed the
guys here are all muscular to some degree, so I've started
working towards that. I run long distances every day, and
stretch, lift, anything of the like.
August 21st, 1670
My disguise is finally complete. Besides the glasses and
extensive exercise, there wasn't much else to do but tousle
my hair. Oh, and no makeup, of course. I've also finished
moving in to my small cottage in the woods. It's nice, I
suppose, but I miss home.
August 22nd, 1670
Went out in public today without the cloak. It seemed to
work. Most people were happy to finally meet the stranger
who moved in weeks ago. Guess news travels fast. A group
of young men invited me to have a drink with them tonight,
we'll see how that goes.
August 24th, 1670
Late update on the bar. The good news is, they all
seemed convinced of my fake gender. The bad news is that
I passed out after a couple drinks and woke up under a table
the next morning. They just left me there...I suppose that's
just the way thing work around here. Note to self: If a friend
passes out, leave them on the ground to sleep and drool all
over the floor. [i]Yes, of course I'm being sarcastic![/i]
September 19th, 1670
Wow, it's been a while. Great news! I got a mentor! It's
the village doctor. He has agreed to take me under his
wing and make me his apprentice. I am overjoyed, and
am going out to celebrate with some friends tonight!
I simply cannot wait to start learning.
.jpg)
.jpg)
