The Athene Academy Collection

By Francis W. Porretto

Become acquainted with Athene Academy, the only college on Earth that accepts only futanari: Genetic women, two X chromosomes in every cell, but who possess male genitalia. Here in a single volume are three novelettes centered on that unique institution, its students, faculty, and staff:
-- A Place Of Our Own
-- One Small Detail
-- A Daughter of the County

These stories are prequels to the full-length novels Innocents, Experiences, The Wise and the Mad, and In Vino.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Francis W. Porretto
• Release date: Apr 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005187606

Francis W. Porretto

Francis W. Porretto was born in 1952. Things went steadily downhill from there.Fran is an engineer and fictioneer who lives on the east end of Long Island, New York. He's short, bald, homely, has bad acne and crooked teeth. His neighbors hold him personally responsible for the decline in local property values. His life is graced by one wife, two stepdaughters, two dogs, four cats, too many power tools to list, and an old ranch house furnished in Early Mesozoic style. His 13,000 volume (and growing) personal library is considered a major threat to the stability of the North American tectonic plate.Publishing industry professionals describe Fran's novels as "Unpublishable. Horrible, but unpublishable all the same." (They don't think much of his short stories, either.) He's thought of trying bribery, but isn't sure he can afford the $3.95.Fran's novels "Chosen One," "On Broken Wings," "Shadow Of A Sword," "The Sledgehammer Concerto," "Which Art In Hope," "Freedom's Scion," "Freedom's Fury," and "Priestesses" are also available as paperbacks, through Amazon. Check the specific pages for those books for details.Wallow in his insane ranting on politics, culture, and faith at "Liberty's Torch:" http://www.libertystorch.info/And of course, write to him, on whatever subject tickles your fancy, at [e-mail]

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Foreword

The stories that follow were my first attempts to address the premise, What if there were persons born with two X chromosomes in each cell, therefore genetically female, but who possess male genitalia? That premise originated as a challenge from another writer who shall go unnamed. He didn’t think I could do it. He never suspected that he’d set me on a new and exciting trail that I’d follow for three novelettes and four full-length novels.

The adventure has been a challenge, all right – but it’s also been a time of hard reflection and (I hope) intellectual and emotional growth. For there are, among us today, persons born as utterly conventional males who choose the state of my futanari. As baffling as it is to contemplate, they elect to undertake the hardships, frustrations, and limitations that my natural-born futanari must endure.

I don’t grasp it. I doubt I ever will. But I’m a writer – and every writer seeks new and challenging vistas in which to explore the myriad ways of the human heart and soul. When a writer stops doing so, he becomes uninteresting, and shortly thereafter no more is heard from or about him.

Enjoy what follows. I hope you’ll continue on from here to Innocents, Experiences, The Wise and the Mad, and In Vino. If you haven’t already, that is. These stories were wringers to write. The novels were orders of magnitude beyond that. But I can’t name any book in which I’ve invested more time, reflection, or emotion.

Read on.

Francis W. Porretto

Mount Sinai, New York

November 15, 2018

A Place Of Our Own

The campus of Athene Academy was nestled deep inside the forest that dominated northeastern Onteora County. The beautifully landscaped grounds were entirely enclosed by a tall, closely built fence of black iron topped by spikes of threatening sharpness. The building visible from the road was somewhat less imposing: a moderately large edifice with a blue stone roof and ribs and windows glazed with the new tunable-reflectance glass. Its walls were stippled with well concealed vertical slits that suggested weapon stations. It could easily be taken for the headquarters of a small but rising technology corporation...or an ultramodern maximum-security prison.

As her father turned his Mercedes into the short passage that led to the school’s gates, Juliette Hallstrom’s nervousness spiked afresh. She had to fight down a powerful urge to bolt from the car and flee.

He’s brought me here for me. For my sake. It won’t be another den of sadists. It can’t be.

Why can’t I relax to it?

Henry Hallstrom halted his car before the tall wrought-iron gates, rolled down the driver’s side window, reached out and pressed the intercom buzzer.

"Family name, please."

Hallstrom. We have an appointment.

"Please stand by."

A few seconds later the lock on the gates clicked as it disengaged. They began to swing open.

"Please bear to the left. Follow the red markers to the visitors’ lot and park in one of the marked stalls."

All right, Hallstrom said. He followed the directions around a gentle curve toward the prescribed lot. The lot stood before the main entrance to the building. It was empty. He parked and killed the engine, pushed open the car door, levered himself out, turned and leaned back in to peer at Juliette. His slight smile spoke less of amusement than of pain.

Now he’ll really be alone.

Coming? he said.

She nodded once jerkily and followed.

The entrance doors were of two layers. Each layer was composed of thick sheets of tempered glass striped with horizontal steel bands. They made a considerable clash against the building’s venerable architecture. A security guard sat between the layers. Behind him was a large atrium, at the back of which stood a conventional receptionist’s station and waiting area.

Hallstrom pressed a button on yet another intercom. The guard took notice of them, rose, and pressed a toggle that unlatched the doors of the outer layer.

The inner layer remained locked against them while the guard scrutinized Hallstrom’s identification.

Are they really that worried about an intruder?

Presently the guard wrote their names on adhesive badges, told them to wear them in visible places, unlatched the inner doors, and waved them toward the reception desk at the back of the atrium.

The receptionist was young and pretty. She smiled brightly as Juliette and her father approached.

Good morning. She quickly read their name badges, checked a day-timer, and nodded. I see you’re Dean Everhardt’s nine o’clock appointment. She inclined her head toward a nearby couch. Please have a seat and I’ll let her know that you’ve arrived.

They’d been waiting only a couple of minutes when a tall brunette emerged from a side corridor and strode toward them. Though her white silk blouse and black knee length skirt were nominally conservative, the ensemble was closely tailored to her impressive figure. It combined with her height, carriage, and high stiletto-heeled pumps to create a compelling blend of femininity and authority. She smiled and extended a hand.

Good morning Mr. Hallstrom, Juliette. Welcome to Athene Academy. I’m Dean Amanda Everhardt. Would you follow me to my office, please?

As they rose she returned the way she had come, plainly expecting them to follow.

#

Dean Everhardt was neither more nor less reassuring than any of the other academic officials Juliette had faced in her times of torment. Yet Juliette sensed a sincerity in the dean that she found impossible to wave aside. She found herself warming to the dean without realizing it.

Her father took command of the conversation. He steered it toward conventional subjects: academic standards, curricular requirements, tuition, fees, living quarters and how frequently they were refurbished, athletic and recreational facilities, visiting periods, and restrictions on public access. Juliette gave the exchange only half her attention. The other half fixed on her doubts over whether her treatment at this institution would differ at all from her time in high school.

People are the same everywhere. A little nice, mostly nasty. Especially girls my age.

Her father’s reassurances that all would finally be well were all she had to go on.

He won’t make me stay here if I can’t endure it. He promised.

She was brought fully back to the moment when her father rose from his seat. May we see the dormitory now?

A hint of discomfort flickered across Dean Everhardt’s features. She rose.

I’m afraid you’ll have to remain here, Mr. Hallstrom. Only Juliette can come with me.

Hallstrom started to object, apparently thought better of it, and smiled thinly. Ah. Of course. Juliette? Go with Dean Everhardt. He resumed his seat. You can let me know afterward if the accommodations are to your liking.

Juliette rose uncertainly. Dean Everhardt smiled, pulled open a side door, and gestured that she should follow.

#

The residence hall was uncommonly nice. The furniture was ample and of solid oak. The beds were full-size rather than twin-size, the desks and dressers were large, and the mirror-doored closets were capacious.

Even the hall’s communal lavatory was of high quality. The shower stalls were large, sheathed in marble tile, and bore glass doors frosted to opacity. The tub was equipped with whirlpool jets. The sinks had single-lever faucets, ample hot water, and bowls large enough that one could wash anything in any of them. One of each four sinks was shaped and notched for long hair, as well.

To Juliette’s surprise, every room was a single.

I won’t...wouldn’t have a roommate? Juliette said.

No, dear. We find that it simplifies things if our students have their privacy.

Well, except in the bathroom. But even there it’s not so bad. I just have to remember to keep my robe on until I’m in the shower.

Would you like to select a room for yourself now? Everhardt said. We have several available at the moment. Our incoming freshman class is considerably smaller than our capacity.

Well...

Is there something on your mind, dear?

There was no hint of impatience in the words. The dean appeared as sincerely sympathetic as either of her parents had ever been. Yet Juliette could not bring herself to speak of her concern.

After a moment’s silence, Everhardt nodded and said, Come with me. She led them back to the lavatory. There was no one else in the room.

Your father and I have talked about you at length, Everhardt said. He’s quite an admirable man. Wholly concerned with his daughter’s happiness and well being. It was he who selected Athene as a candidate college for you, wasn’t it?

Juliette nodded.

Did he tell you why he felt that this school would suit you better than any of the other possibilities open to a young woman with your grades and interests?

No, he...just said it looked like the best fit.

And you trusted him, didn’t you?

Another nod.

Everhardt smiled. She stepped into one of the stalls, and beckoned to Juliette to stand in the entrance facing her.

You were right to trust him.

Without another word, the dean of Athene Academy unzipped her skirt and let it fall to the lavatory floor. Her panties immediately followed.

Juliette gasped.

"This is the best fit for you, dear, Everhardt said. It was founded for women like us. There’s no other institution like it in the world. I was one