Lydie finished adjusting her dress back on her shoulders. U'chama bent over his desk as he scribbled down notes made from his observation. His matter-of-fact attitude eased the humiliation of stripping down to nothing. For him, this was simply business. U'chama's mind did not focus on intimacy as he spent that moment or two circling around asking basic questions. Most focused on the health of her body, and the few times he'd asked to examine her more closely, such as feeling the muscles in her arm or lightly turning her head this way and that, he'd asked permission first and did nothing other than what he said he would.

"The appearance of your body fits our standards, and you appear to be in general good health. You said the bruises came from carrying your charge around?"

"Yes, I've had to spend a lot of time with him on my back while looking for employment."

"It is safe to assume then this job holds appeal to you because we will watch him while you work?"

"I...um..."

"It is alright. As long as you have a reason that motivates you to work satisfactorily, that reasoning doesn't matter to me. Employees enjoying their jobs is better for all no matter the business, but most work is merely for the need of money. There's no need pretending reality is different. What does cause me some hesitation in regards to you is the memory loss you mentioned. You are unsure of many things we need our workers to be sure in, such as the basic matter of the length of your employment. We could go through the time and effort of training you, and information could come that would sweep you away before you saw a day of work. It is safe for me to assume again that your departure from the Burden's Respite would be swift upon the finding of your home, correct?"

"I-It is, but only if finding my home left me with funds to properly compensate you. Otherwise, I would stay until I earned back whatever loss I created."

"If that is an agreement we could add to the contract we'd write up, that would work. My other concerns are lesser and can wait until after your evaluation, but I must ask one more thing even though you will most likely tell me you don't know. Are you a virgin, Miss Dvanda?"

"I...I don't know," Lydie nearly smiled of all things at U'chama being spot on, "I'm working under the assumption I was married at one point and my husband and I adopted Kenth, yet I can't say anything for certain. Is it a problem if I am one?"

"Not necessarily. I asked as I wasn't aware if you hoped to sell it for a high price here not knowing that selling virginity is illegal in Darshal. That's entirely beside the point that we don't let anyone work without training to begin with, and you would most certainly not be a virgin upon completing your tutelage."

"What does the training entail?"

"A comprehensive instruction with our veteran employees of all the basics our customers desire. That includes the intimate arts as well as our other services such as conversation and companionship in the lounging rooms and massages. One is expected to spend equal time doing all three," U'chama added the last sentence when he caught the flicker of hope in her eye that her work could be limited to the last two, "Yet I am talking ahead of myself. You have passed the easiest test, and next is your evaluation. If you pass that, then you will return to my office and we will continue conversing more seriously about your hiring. About who should evaluate you...hmm. Waylim would be a good fit, and, let me check...ah, yes. He is working conversation tonight as I thought. Good. I will have him called up."

"And this evaluation is?" Lydie questioned tentatively.

"A gauging of skill or talent in some aspects, but more importantly it is a gauging of temperament. A test of your will. This is a brothel. Our customers are majorly satisfied through sexual means. Many hopefuls come here thinking that looking beautiful will see them easily through the work nights. Then they are given a hint of our expectations, and quite often the majority fail. Waylim will, in general, act the part of a customer. He will make requests of you. He will explain how best to accomplish the intended results, and he will see how you react and handle yourself. Miss Dvanda, you are by no means required to bare all. You do not need to give yourself to Waylim to pass. The successful candidates typically do, but what we are determining is if the nervousness nearly everyone shows can be calmed by slow and gentle forays during training or if it will lead to rejection once prompted further."

"What if...if someone isn't certain during the first evaluation, but finds himself or herself entirely willing at a later date?"

"Such a situation occurs from time to time," U'chama chuckled knowingly, "Often enough that it isn't unusual or surprising. That is why I ask everyone who goes through the evaluation to not feel the need to force themselves to go further than they can handle. What we want from our potential workers is, again, not a full showing of abilities, but an honest, inward reflection of their feelings and limitations. Skills can be taught. Desire cannot. I refuse to let anyone work here who is not comfortable, for his or her benefit as much as for the business's. If a potential worker finds that he or she simply needs time after the evaluation to consider the matter, we have no issue if he or she would like to come back at a later date. Of course, if a person comes again and again expressing interest only to keep refusing us, we would have to deny him or her then."

"Of course," Lydie agreed, nodding, "That all makes perfect sense."

"Having been in the business a while, I've had time to perfect the process," U'chama mirrored her nod proudly, "Now, if you will head left down the hall and wait in the very last room on the left, I'll see to it that Waylim will be with you shortly."

"Yes. Thank you."

U'chama politely escorted her out, taking off to the right and down the stairs after she began following his instructions. The left room at the very end proved to be a bedroom Lydie supposed matched the ones where business happened. More plush carpet padded her footsteps as she explored. Every fabric from the drapes to the bedsheets ran gently across her palm as silk. Ambient candlelight danced a delightful, flickering glow, and the scent of lavender softly steaming as a thin smoke of incense offered a sense of serenity and calm. Lydie inhaled deeply to snatch what she could of the comfort. This was the farthest she'd gotten. The Burden's Respite would take her if she proved tenacious enough. And, surprisingly, Lydie didn't hesitate as much as before as to whether or not she could stand such a job. Perhaps she would freeze upon Waylim's entrance, but U'chama was a considerate man who clearly understood both the needs of his clients and workers. The place wasn't anything like she imagined. It was warm, open, and accommodating.

However, there remained one worry in her chest. It popped into her mind as she sat on the bed, and it had everything to do with U'chama wondering if she was a virgin.