Chương 20: Chapter 19 Study the world

"So, we have to walk to the venue?" Ruby asked, matching her pace with Angeline as they moved through the market's winding paths.

"Yeah, it's close by," Angeline replied, adjusting the scarf around her neck. "But honestly, I've been thinking about getting an Ecto bike. I've been saving for months now. Hopefully, I can afford one soon," she added with a sigh, clearly frustrated by how long it was taking.

"What kind of job do you do, Angeline?" Ruby asked, glancing at her side profile.

"I work in a company as a helper," Angeline replied. For witches, getting jobs was supposed to be easy, but opportunities were scarce. Their south country was backward in industry; not many companies were there to offer work. Other jobs were shopkeepers or waiters, but even those were tough to find.

And as for government jobs, most were snatched by the rich, thanks to corruption, leaving little hope for ordinary people.

After walking for about five minutes, they left the crowded market area behind. The lively hustle of vendors faded, replaced by the quiet sounds of nature.

They soon found themselves surrounded by small mountains and canyons on either side, the landscape changing to rugged terrain.

The dirt road ahead was uneven, scattered with small stones and patches of dry gren and purplish grass. Ruby and Angeline walked side by side, their footsteps kicking up dust as they continued down the narrow path.

Finally, after walking a bit more, they arrived at the gate of the old fort. The fort stood tall and majestic, its ancient stone walls showcasing intricate designs that looked like art on a canvas. Moon motifs adorned the surface, surrounded by beautiful patterns that seemed to tell stories of the past.

As they approached, Ruby noticed the old fort also had a bridge spanning over a river below. The water shimmered a translucent red, contrasting sharply with the purplish and green grasses lining the riverbank. As they stepped onto the fort bridge, a group of doves took flight, soaring upward in a flurry of feathers.

Ruby's eyes widened as she caught sight of the other side, where Victorian cars floated gracefully through the sky. These vehicles were elegantly designed, with rounded bodies, intricate metalwork, and large, ornate wheels that glimmered in the sunlight. They looked like something out of a fantastical story, a blend of vintage charm and magical technology.

Surrounding the cars, she noticed floating cubes resembling mirrors, reflecting the sky and the surroundings. Inside these cubes, she could see plush sofas where groups of people sat, chatting and laughing, enjoying the view from above.

Ruby's mind raced as she tried to comprehend the contrast of the world around her. Was it backward or forward in time? The architecture of the fort spoke of ancient history, while the floating cars hinted at advanced technology.

She recalled from the original owner's memories that to fly those cars, one needed spiritual power—an spirtual energy flowing through their blood, allowing them to soar without needing fuel.

"Hey, Angeline..." Ruby suddenly stopped her by catching her wrist. Angeline turned to her, confusion written all over her face.

"Can I have your scarf? You know my reputation—I need to cover my face," Ruby admitted, a hint of embarrassment creeping into her voice. While she usually didn't care what others thought, she felt that showing her face might attract unwanted trouble. Better to be safe than sorry.

"Sure!" Angeline laughed, handing over her scarf. "And yeah, you're right. Maybe they wouldn't even let you drive if they saw your face."

Ruby took the scarf and wrapped it around her face, trying to hide her features. However, in her haste, she wrapped it incorrectly around her ear, pulling it too tight. As she tugged at the fabric, a few strands of her hair got caught in her hands, and with a swift yank, some of her hair came out.

".."

Ruby felt like she had been struck by lightning when she realized how much hair had come out in her hands. Although the original owner had thick, voluminous hair, it was clear she hadn't taken proper care of it, and now Ruby was paying the price with hair fall.

'Maybe soon I'll end up bald at this rate,' Ruby thought grimly.

She knew hair needed care and attention. It didn't require luxurious products; even basic maintenance could go a long way. Regular washing was essential to keep her scalp clean and free of dirt. Using simple natural ingredients could help, too—like rinsing her hair with a mixture of water and a bit of apple cider vinegar to remove buildup and enhance shine.

Additionally, gently massaging her scalp while washing could stimulate blood circulation, promoting healthy hair growth. She could also try using coconut oil or olive oil for conditioning. Just a small amount, warmed slightly, could do wonders for hydration.

'Maybe I can find some of those around here,' Ruby mused, making a mental note to keep an eye out for natural hair care options. 'At least I can keep what I have left looking decent until I figure everything out.'

The original owner had been blessed with good skin thanks to her genes, but now, Ruby could see the signs of neglect. Though her skin still looked decent, it had lost its glow, appearing dull and dehydrated. Ruby could feel how rough it had become, and if she didn't start taking care of it soon, she knew breakouts were inevitable.

'Natural, healthy skin isn't something that magically stays perfect forever,' Ruby thought to herself. 'It needs care, just like everything else.'

Skin care didn't need expensive products, just a few basic routines to get back on track. Keeping her skin hydrated by drinking enough water was the simplest start. She could also look for natural oils like coconut or olive oil to lock in moisture, or even use aloe vera for its soothing and hydrating properties.

Exfoliating with something gentle, like sugar mixed with honey, could help remove dead skin cells and bring back some brightness. And, of course, protecting her skin from the harsh sun by covering up or finding some natural sunscreen alternative would prevent further damage.

Ruby knew it was time to take her self-care more seriously—starting with her skin. If she wanted to face the world with confidence, she needed to start feeling good in her own skin again.

However, Ruby doubted whether those things were even available here. In this strange world, it seemed like everything operated differently, and the luxuries or basic health routines she was used to might not exist at all. She sighed inwardly. If she wanted to truly thrive, she needed to study this world thoroughly.

From their food to their medicine, to even the strange spiritual energy that powered their transportation, everything was unfamiliar. Ruby knew she couldn't survive by relying on old habits and assumptions. If she wanted to live well in this world, she had to learn the new rules—what worked, what didn't, and what alternatives existed.

As she looked around, she thought, 'I have no choice but to adapt.'

And the original owner's memories weren't enough to truly understand this world. They were fragmented and focused mostly on ordinary things—daily routines, past family relationships, and a constant haze of alcohol. There were gaps, important details she needed to fill in herself if she was going to make sense of everything. The memories gave her a glimpse, but not nearly enough to grasp the complexity of this place.

Ruby knew she couldn't just rely on those faded recollections. She needed to explore, ask questions, and observe everything carefully. Only by doing so could she figure out how to survive—and maybe even thrive—in this unfamiliar world.

—To be continued...🪄