Alora’s Journal

The Tests

Flora and I stepped into the village square, the vibrant colors of our silk robes blending with the hues of the bustling atmosphere. To my surprise, we found a gathering of the other women from the ship, all adorned in similar garments, creating a sea of pink and green. Their expressions mirrored our own—anxiety mixed with curiosity.

At the center of the square, Madam Isadora stood tall and poised, commanding the attention of everyone present. “Welcome, ladies!” she announced, her voice ringing clear across the square. “I’m pleased to see that everyone has arrived on time and properly dressed.”

A collective sigh of relief passed through the group, but the tension remained palpable. Isadora continued, her tone shifting to one of authority. “Today, you will undergo the first test of many. Please follow me.”

We formed a line behind her, moving as a unit toward a large building that loomed at the edge of the square. Inside, we entered a spacious room filled with rows of desks, the air thick with anticipation. Isadora gestured for us to take our seats, and I felt my heart race as I settled into a chair.

Once we were seated, Isadora distributed test papers, her expression unreadable. “These are your first assessments. You will be tested on your knowledge regarding basic household tasks and etiquette. Prepare to begin.”

As I glanced down at the paper, I felt a mix of anxiety and determination. The questions were straightforward, yet some left me feeling uncertain.

“When mopping, which direction do you start if the exit is to your left?”

I paused, trying to recall any relevant knowledge. “Start from the farthest corner,” I wrote down, hoping it was right.

“Which side of the plate do utensils go?”

This one was easy enough. “Utensils go on the left side of the plate,” I confidently penned.

“How do you address a female superior?”

“Ma’am,” I wrote quickly, then moved on to the next question.

But some of the questions gave me pause. “How do you address a male superior?” I hesitated, not wanting to overthink it. I eventually scribbled down “Sir,” hoping it would suffice.

As I continued through the test, I felt a mix of clarity and confusion. Some questions seemed like common sense, while others felt foreign to me. After thirty minutes, Isadora instructed us to stop.

“Time’s up,” she declared. “Please rise from your seats and head to the exit.”

As we filed out of the room, I felt a knot of anxiety in my stomach. At the exit, another woman greeted us, dressed similarly to Isadora. She introduced herself with a warm smile. “I am Madam Clair. Welcome to the next phase of your assessment. Please follow me.”

We moved into another area of the building, entering a large room where the air felt heavy with the smell of cleaning supplies. In the center stood a single mop and a bucket, and the floor looked filthy, covered in stains and grime.

Clair surveyed us with a serious expression. “You will each take turns using the mop to clean this floor. It is essential that you learn the basics of maintaining a household.”

A murmur spread through the group, and Clair raised her hand for silence. “Form a single line,” she instructed. “We will begin with the first person. Show us what you can do.”

As I took my place in line, a mix of apprehension and determination washed over me. This was not what I had envisioned for my future, but I was determined to make the best of it. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I would face them head-on, ready to reclaim my life, piece by piece.