Zarah was braiding Iris's hair as Iris put the finishing stitches to a handkerchief.
Ava was painting her nails while sitting on the floor as Clara was tuning the strings of her violin by the window.
Celine was choosing what to wear for the day, the doors of her wardrobe opened as she looked over her dresses.
It had been a week since Zarah saw Jia for the first time.
Jia was injured severely, to the point she couldn't move her limbs. She had stayed in the infirmary all week.
Zarah felt bad and had wanted to visit, but she chose not to because that would have drawn suspicion.
Why would she visit someone she barely knew?
If the Madam found out she visited Jia, then the Madam would think Zarah was plotting something with the noble's child.
That would have led to punishment for both her and Jia.
So her not visiting Jia was wiser for the both of them.
Jennifer walked in at that moment.
"Girls" She called out to get the girls attention.
Everyone looked up from what they were doing.
Zarah had finished braiding Iris's hair as Iris put the handkerchief and needle down. The both of them looked at each other once before moving forward towards where Jennifer was standing.
Ava who had already finished painting her nails stood up from the floor walking over as she softly blew on her nails.
Clara leaned her violin on the window frame and walked over.
Celine took a dress out, putting it over her arm before shutting the wardrobe doors and walking over.
As the girls gathered in front of Jennifer she turned her head once looking back at the door.
"Do I have to invite you? I told you to follow me" Jennifer hissed in annoyance.
Iris raised an brow looking at Zarah silently communicating that she was wondering who Jennifer was talking to.
Zarah shrugged saying she didn't know.
Celine rolled her eyes annoyed and murmured, "God the both of you really need to stop pretending you have twin telepathy"
"You both are not twins to begin with" Clara added quietly.
"Not in blood" Iris said grinning, "But always in spirit"
Zarah was smiling smugly, looking at Celine, "Maybe you two just need twins yourselves"
Ava watched the interaction quietly, looking at her fingers she thought how pretty they looked.
"Why you little piece of shi-" Celine began, her voice flaring in anger.
"Stop it!" Jennifer glared angrily at the girls, "Do all you girls do all day is argue among yourselves? And Celine fix your tongue" Jennifer warned.
"Flower maidens don't swear" Jennifer said firmly, "You're all contenders to be flower maiden candidates and flower maiden candidates are chosen on their usage of language as well"
Then Jennifer looked back again and said sharply, "If you don't move your feet over and come in I will have to inform the Madam that you are disobeying" Jennifer threatened.
As those words left her footsteps were heard and a figure came in view.
Jia walked into the room, her eyes scornful but also afraid at the mention of the Madam.
Jia's eyes scanned the room and landed on Zarah.
As their eyes met Zarah smiled at Jia.
"This is Jia she will be joining you girls in your batch and will be staying with you in this dormitory"
"Will she be competing with us in the flower maiden candidate competition?" Ava asked curiously.
"Yes she will" Jennifer confirmed before looking at Jia.
"Now I have to go, today training sessions are off as I have some things to get done" Jennifer looked at the girls sternly, "Though I suggest you girls utilize this time, I will take a test on medicinal herb brewing tomorrow"
With that Jennifer turned and left.
As soon as Jennifer was out of hearing range Celine lunged forward grabbing Zarah by her dress.
"You bitch! You got me scolded! Now I have a negative mark in their eyes" Celine scorned angrily.
Zarah glared at Celine hard enough to cut glass as she put her hand on Celine's wrist to stop her from shaking Zarah.
She was getting angry but she knew better than to let Celine have the joy of getting under her skin.
And she also knew all Celine wanted was for Zarah to slip and say some sort of curse which Celine would then tattle to Jennifer and get Zarah reprimanded.
"Hey! It's your own fault Celine don't put the blame on Zarah she didn't tell you to swear which mind you, you are doing again" Iris said trying to pry Celine away from Zarah.
Zarah shot Iris a quick look that said it was okay and to not say anything more.
"I think you really shouldn't be physical Celine....that's a bit far, we are trying to be flower maidens they don't pick fights" Clara reminded Celine.
"Oh shut it Clara" Celine said glaring at Zarah.
Zarah didn't say anything and just stared at Celine with narrowed eyes.
Then she pushed Celine away lightly.
"Celine" Zarah said, her voice laced with coldness.
"Do that again and you will wake up with cockroach in your hair" Zarah smiled warningly.
Celine huffed indignantly and walked out the room Clara tailing behind her.
Ava who had quietly been observing everything just shook her head and muttered to herself, "Celine and her antics"
Jia who had been quietly observing the scene felt angry when the other girl, Celine or whatever her name was, attacked Zarah.
She was shocked when the girl who had been so nice to her the last time they met defended herself so well just by using threatening words.
"So you are the one who was punished last week?" Ava asked Jia curiously.
Jia felt her hands clenching into fists as her breathing quickened.
Zarah looked at Jia's clenched fists and stiff form.
Even though Jia's face was stoic Zarah could see the emotions warring through her.
She was feeling anxious, it was visible in the way her body was silently trembling.
"Ava I think it's better we don't ask her about that" Zarah said walking over to Jia and giving her a warm smile.
Ava nodded agreeing as she realized that might have been a sensitive topic for Jia, who was new to the brothel.
"Ah sorry I didn't mean to offend you" Ava said offering a friendly smile.
When Jia said nothing in return Ava shrugged and walked away towards her study desk.
"How have you been?" Zarah asked looking over at Jia.
Jia scoffed, "How do you think I have been?" She asked irritated.
"Well I was asking if the pain has lessened" Zarah said, her tone gentle.
"I didn't say I was in pain the other day" Jia protested, "But yes it is less..." she admitted quietly, so quiet if Zarah hadn't been paying attention she would have missed it.
"What is this? You met her without me?" Iris asked huffing incredulously, her tone laced with faux betrayal.
Zarah rolled her eyes, "You're such a drama queen Iris" Zarah laughed before explaining, "I met her during sweeping duty last week, Miss Halley asked me to watch over her for a few minutes as she got some herbs"
Jia looked at Iris as Iris and Zarah did their usual back and forth before Iris held her forefinger to Zarah's lips shushing her.
"Shhh Zar, let your big sister make a new friend" Iris declared looking at Jia with a wide smile.
Zarah laughed moving Iris's hand away, "It's three months"
"I am Iris, do you wanna be friends?" Iris asked extending her hand.
Jia looked at Iris's extended hand and thought that Iris and Zarah were clearly good friends. Zarah had called Jia a friend the other day. Jia thought she wouldn't mind being friends with Zarah's friend and took Iris's hand.
"Sure, I am Jia Sterling" Jia said shaking hands with Iris.
As Iris conversed with Jia, Zarah smiled to herself.
Iris and Jia being friends was good, it meant Zarah had more people on her side when she would try to execute her plan to help Jia escape.
All that was left was to find a hole in the system.
The first step in that would be stealing the blueprint map of the brothel from Miss Jennifer's room.
Zarah needed an opening and a clear plan.
If she messed this up and someone found out the dangers would be never ending.