I'm alone in an expansive ocean.
It's still, yet endless with no obstructions but a singular tree growing out of the water.
I approach the tree and look up at the rough branches and pink leaves, gently swaying in the breeze.
As I stare up at the mesmerizing pattern of moving petals, an unknown, disembodied voice booms out across the water.
"You are Dido, a Maid of the Royal Navy, you must serve your Master without question or reason!"
I am unable to reply.
Suddenly, a blinding light takes over my vision, hiding the sea from me.
The light is so piercing I am forced to close my eyes to relax my senses.
As I'm doing so, I feel my feet land on something hard and metallic.
Opening my eyes again, I see that I am in some sort of warehouse with steam surrounding me and spilling out into the large room.
"Hello?" A voice calls.
I shift my vision to the direction of the sound to see a handsome, young man with a friendly smile on his face offering his hand.
Though I know I have never been here before, it feels so comforting and familiar.
"Good day, Master. I am the light cruiser, Dido. I am in your service as a Royal Maid." A deep feeling is telling me this man is my Master.
As I take his hand and he leads me off the platform, he speaks to me in an amiable tone.
"Nice to meet you Dido, you'll be in my care, as I'll be in yours." His voice is incredibly alluring, as if it was made specifically to welcome me into this world.
I feel around the back of my skirt and find my doll and hug it tightly.
I'm glad she's safe.
My Master eyes the doll.
Is he judging me?
Does he want her?
"Y-you can't have her!" I involutarily shout out with an aggressive tone.
Oh no, please don't hate me for that.
"Hey, don't worry, I just think it's cute that you are so attached to her." My Master sooths me with his words.
"S-sorry..." I dip my head in shame.
I just met my Master, and I've already been rude to him.
What a pitiful Maid I am!
"It's fine, I can understand being protective of something." He pats my shoulder.
I take the opportunity to study him.
He's got a good figure, short, black hair that complements his reddy-pink eyes.
All in all, a reliable looking Master.
"Anyway, I should show you to your room." My Master says before beginning to walk.
I yearn to follow him, but my body doesn't move.
I look behind me to see my sword has dug itself into the ground and is anchoring me to the spot.
I try, fruitlessly, to pry it out of the floor.
My grunts of effort and/or frustration seem to have attracted the attention of my Master.
"Do you need some help?" He asks in a tender tone.
"Y-yes please!" I request.
Tch, a Maid shouldn't ask for help from her Master...
But he offered, so...
He pulls and pulls with no effect.
I'm just about help him when my sword finally pops out of the ground and sends my Master stumbing backwards and collapsing.
"Master!" I call out as I rush over to help him back up.
I lay my sword down to my side with a gentle clunk and tend to my Master the best I can.
Luckily, he seems to be perfectly fine.
"I-it's my fault, I shouldn't have needed your help, Master..." I am aware of my condescending voice.
My Master stands up and dusts himself off. "Don't blame yourself, Dido. I shouldn't have pulled so hard."
His smile threatens to make me hug him right here and now-
Why did that thought even enter my mind?
I'm just a lowly Maid, me and him shouldn't do such things...
It's improper.
I pick my sword up and sheath it on my back, taking care to not anchor myself again.
"Dido, please follow me." My Master smiles again, inviting me to comply and follow his lead.
From the short glances I got of the place I have arrived, it seems to be a naval base.
I recognize certain things from my time as a hunk of steel.
Coming here is frightening though, I have no friends unless my doll counts and this place is so big.
I'm not good with directions...
"Here is where you will be staying." My Master announces.
He gestures to a grand looking building.
The architecture instantly tells me that this was built to fit the Royal Navy's glamour.
We enter and the inside is just as intricate as the outside.
I feel right at home, despite just being a maid and not at all deserving of such a place to shelter in.
"Let's get to your room, shall we?" My Master turns to me with his new signature smile still plastered on his handsome face.
I wordlessly resume my friendly pursuit of him.
My Master stops in front of a door, pulls out a set of keys and unlocks the said door.
"After you." He holds the door open for me.
Why?
I'm just a Maid, why must he treat me so...well?
"T-thank you, Master." I say as I enter.
It's a pretty plain room, but it has all facilities I'll need.
And I can always decorate it to my tastes later down the line.
"Dido?" My Master places his hand on my shoulder, causing me to jump. "One more thing before I get back to work..."
He hands me a key. "You can come here any time, it's yours."
I silently take the key and examine it.
Room number: 112 Royal Navy residence.
I guess I'm a proper part of this navy.
"Also, you'll need to see Belfast." My Master begins to walk towards the door. "She'll make sure your skills are up to par."
I can't even reply before he leaves and I'm left alone in my comfy room.
I unsheath my sword and lay it on the bed, taking care not to rip the sheets.
Once the sword is safely on the bed, I turn back to the door.
I need to find someone called 'Belfast'.
I guess I'll need to find the courage to ask around to find who she is.
I leave my room, making sure to keep the key safe.
Once I'm out in the hall, I instantly feel the need to hug my doll.
She protects me in unknown places.
Still squeezing my doll, I proceed down the halls trying to find someone, preferably Belfast.
I round a corner and see another Maid scrubbing a sideboard.
She has short white hair and her uniform seems to be quite...skimpy for my tastes.
I take deep breaths as I approach her.
"E-excuse me..." I shakily call to her.
She stops cleaning and turns to me.
"Ah, a new Maid." She smiles. "Nice to meet you, I'm Sirius."
She extends her hand out, causing me to hesitate.
I wish I could just melt away right now.
"D-Dido..." I apprehensively shake her hand. "I'm...Dido..."
"I suppose you're looking for Belfast, yes?" Sirius stares me down with those red eyes.
"Y-yes..." I quickly reply, hoping for this conversation to end as soon as possible.
"Well, I'll take you to her." Though her smile is genuine, I can't help but feel threatened in her presence.
"T-thank you..." I whisper as I begin following again.
Sirius knocks on a door labeled 'Head Maid'.
"Belfast!" She calls through it. "I have someone here you need to examine!"
"Send them in!" A commanding voice calls back.
"Dido, number one tip for dealing with Belfast, don't be intimidated." Sirius whispers to me before opening the door and beckoning me inside.
I enter an immaculate room.
No mess, no dust, no imperfections anywhere.
How could I ever compete?
"Welcome!" I'm assuming Belfast says as she turns away from the window.
"H-hello..." I avert my gaze, as to not upset her without trying to.
"What's your name?" She puts on a comforting tone.
"I am D-Dido..." I struggle to articulate my sentence.
I can feel myself trembling at the sight of the Head Maid.
"Well, Dido, welcome to the Royal Maid Corps." Belfast forcefully shakes my hand. "I will help you get settled in."
"T-thank you..." I blurt without thinking.
"No thanks required, it is a custom for me to help a new recruit with their first day on the job" Belfast begins to lead me to somewhere.
I have no say in whether I want to follow or not, I'm simply dragged along by her.
Me and Belfast arrive at a desk with a stain on it.
"Here." She hands me a rag and some cleaning supplies. "Show me your technique."
I silently take the items and douse the rag in the detergent.
I then gently place the rag on the stain and begin rubbing it in an effort to remove it.
"Mhm..." Belfast is literally standing behind me, watching my movements over my shoulder. "Good, good."
I continue to rub the rag over the mark until it is gone.
"Good work, Dido." Belfast signals me to hand over the supplies, which I do. "Your technique is almost perfect."
"I...thank you...Belfast..." I shyly reply.
"Next is mopping." She takes my wrist and begins dragging me down the halls again.
As I'm heading to the next area, my mind wanders back to my Master.
My one wish is to be a Maid sufficient to his standards, not Belfast's, not Sirius', his.
His only.
We end up in an empty hall with a bucket and mop placed next to a spill of something.
Belfast picks the mop up, dips it in the bucket and hands it to me.
"Go ahead, show me what you can do with this." She smiles at me which gives me a nudge in confidence.
I take the mop and steady myself.
I then begin dragging the mop around the floor, carefully trying to avoid getting the moisture on the clean parts of the flooring.
After a few seconds, I lose myself in the rhythm of cleaning and I end up finishing before I know it.
"Amazing..." Belfast mutters while staring at my work. "Never have we had a new Maid with this superlative performance right off the bat."
The compliment allows me to speak up. "I-I guess I'm a natural..."
"We've had naturals before, but..." Belfast looks at the pristine floor again. "Nothing like this."
I curtsy. "I thank you, Miss Belfast."
Belfast curtsies in return.
"You'll make an exceptional Maid."