Asivva lifted the large, round metal object for Jade to see. It resembled an early space helmet. “You put this on and then put this mouth piece in.” Asivva showed her something similar to an overlarge mouth guard. "Then one by one, images will appear on a screen inside. As each image is displayed, the part of the helmet that’s touching your head will scan your brain activity to see how you respond to that image, and the mouth piece will detect whether your salivary glands react or not. After you’ve viewed all of the pictures, the front of the scanner will spray different smells into the air to see how you react to those. It takes all the information it collected and supplies you with a list of foods, drinks, and scents you’ll probably prefer. The list goes into your file and is supposed to be given to your husband so he knows what your preferences are.
“I think the list will be very helpful to you, as well as your husband, though. Not every suggestion will end up being correct, but since you’re not from here, it’ll be very hard for you to know what you like and don’t like. This helps you figure that out.”
“Clever,” Jade admitted.
“Why don’t you go bathe? When you’re done, you can get scanned while you get your nails shaped.”
“Bathe. In front of all of you?” Jade said, eyeing the three women, who were now sitting on the low couch.
“Is there a problem?”
“Most people on Earth aren’t that comfortable being naked in front of others.”
“Ugh! Shy about this too?” Asivva said, shooing Jade toward the pool. “We don’t have time to waste being timid. Get in.”
Jade stood by the pool but didn’t move to take her clothes off. Asivva let out an annoyed huff and walked over to Jade, clearly intending on removing her clothes herself.
“Okay, okay!” Jade cried. “Calm down. I’m going.”
She removed her clothing and ducked into the sunken tub. Once Jade was in the water, Asivva sauntered toward the other women and started talking. Jade turned her back on the women and began allowing the warm water to relax her.
Looking down at her arms, Jade noticed they were smooth and her skin was buttery soft. All of the small wrinkles from her hands were gone as well. These people really know what they’re doing. Glancing over her shoulder to make sure the women weren’t watching her, Jade rose out of the water a few inches to inspect her body.
Women would kill for a boob lift like this! Her breasts, which were a full B cup, had started to sag slightly over the past few years. Now it looked like all the elasticity they’d lost had come back. Jade shook her head, amazed as she ran her hands over her skin, I have the skin of a baby and the boobs of a college freshman. I may have to figure out how to steal that magic tube before I leave.
“Yes! They’re very nice breasts!” Asivva called from the couch. Jade immediately ducked under the water and shot her an angry look. Asivva laughed and said, “Can you please finish washing them so we can do your scan?”
“You haven’t given me any soap to wash myself with,” Jade said, annoyed at her lack of privacy.
“The water contains everything you need. It’s been mixed with our cleansing foam as well as hydrating oils. Just submerge any part of you that you wish to be cleaned.”
Jade finished bathing and then quickly wrapped herself in a towel Asivva held out to her. Suddenly the parts of her body that touched the towel felt dry, she peeked under the fabric and saw the skin there was, in fact, dry.
Jade realized this towel must be one of those archaic but modernized items still used here. As she ran the soft fabric over her wet skin and hair, the towel warmed and seemed to suck the moisture from the surface of her body. In a matter of minutes, she was completely dry, as was the alien towel.
Not addressing anyone in particular, Jade examined the fibers of the towel closely and said, “How does this work? It feels dry.”
“It was evaporated within the cloth.” Asivva handed her a loose-flowing dress and motioned for her to sit on the couch.
“That’s really cool,” Jade said, dutifully setting the towel aside and donning the soft dress as she sat down.
“After we get ready, you’ll go to The Testing, and then, whoever you choose will be notified. You’ll be taken to the entry hall, where he’ll see you for the first time.”
“Then I just…leave with him?” The momentary wonder she’d felt when examining the towel turned to apprehension. She was just starting to become comfortable in this new environment with these people. The thought that she’d have to start adjusting all over again made anxiety spear through her.
“What? The ceremony isn’t long enough? You want to do more?” Asivva asked with fake exasperation in her voice.
The ceremony had taken almost an entire day already. She did not want or need to do more of this, but the time now seemed to be moving much more quickly. Soon she’d be alone with a stranger. A handsome, deadly-looking stranger.
Instead of voicing her concerns, Jade decided that being preoccupied was the best course of action. “What happens in The Testing? Do we watch them do husband-esque things?”
“Not quite.” Asivva chuckled ominously.
Chapter 13
Jade trudged down the hallway. She’d never been so uncomfortable in her whole life. Asivva had explained “testing.”
Moans emanated from the many rooms along the hallway. Products of the men being “tested.” Apparently at this point in the ceremony, the women were allowed to do whatever they wanted with and or to the male they’d chosen.
Jade was lost for words. Even after Asivva assured her she didn’t have to do anything if she didn’t want to.
Shyness was not something Jade often felt. Picking a man by leering at
