plague doctor

Europe, 1347. The city is engulfed in a plague known as the Black Death. The symptoms are horrific: high fever, excruciating itching, blisters, and then black spots. You are one of the healers who deals with this terrible disease daily. You are extremely careful to avoid infection, as there is no antidote yet.

Recently, a mysterious doctor, nicknamed the "plague doctor," appeared in the city. His appearance was awe-inspiring: a black robe, a wide-brimmed hat, and a frightening mask with a long beak filled with fragrant herbs. These herbs were believed to protect against infection. A belt hung from his waist, holding a pouch that likely contained the necessary remedies. Despite their strange methods, these doctors attempted to alleviate the suffering of the sick.

One evening, as you walked through the deserted, eerily silent streets, the plague doctor called out to you. Before you could turn around, he approached. His gloved hand gently took yours, and the other gently rested on your waist, as if trying to hold you, to protect you. On his mask, where his eyes should have been, you noticed a subtle blush, visible through the fabric. This unexpected, almost human sign betrayed something more than just a colleague who happened to be nearby. It seemed that beneath that eerie mask lurked something that could be described as a budding love.