Prologue Painted with Red (2)

The noise of clacking shoes.

The sound of chattering amongst the street.

The stomping horse hoofs.

The cold atmosphere.

It was pitch black and I couldn't see anything, or rather I couldn't see anything because of my closed eyes.

...

"EUUGH" I open my eyes to vomit on the ground and my body feeling chilly. I was on concrete and because of this my knees were getting scrapped, however this tiny pain was way better than what I felt moments ago. My eyes started to water as I tried to gasp for air with the taste of vomit stained in my mouth. 

While I was trying to recover I looked at my surroundings, there were dusty and dingy brick walls around me with dumpsters nearby. A cloudy, grey, dirty sky, or maybe atmosphere to put it better, I saw one or two people walking around the street in front of me per 5 seconds. Behind me was a long pathway with some windows and stairs, the end of the pathway was the same as in front of me. And of course, the vomit and tear drops that were below me. I wiped my face one more time before gathering my strength to stand up. This place I was in.. Could only be one area... An alleyway?

I take a couple more breath before stepping forward, making sure not to step in my vomit. Where was I? I know I'm in a alley but 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 exactly. The city? no, where I lived was in New York and not in the city side more of the country side, so it would be around a two hour drive to reach the city. Which means I was in some alleyway in my town? But a minute ago it was the afternoon which was warm and the sky was out. And I was on my then all of-

Right. I car came speeding at me. I take a deep breath before restarting my thoughts.

My mother always told me not to trust people you don't know, I already knew that and brushed it off thinking that my mother thinks people are idiots and don't know how to do stuff properly. I always thought that because that's what always happened. I never got into crashes while riding my bike semi-dangerously. I never had any problems with taking a taxi or anything like that. Until a couple minutes ago... Or what I think is a couple minutes ago at least. I couldn't believe some people are stupid enough to accidently run someone over, I should've listened to my mom more. Maybe I'm the idiot here, I should probably go apologize to her, my parents are probably worried sick about me currently hehe. Though, first, I'd have to find out where I am.

"I guess I'll ask around.." I said with... a lighter, drier voice? The hell?

"aaah." "aah..?" "aaah!" With some simple voice testing I confirmed that I had a lighter voice... What the hell was going on?? That wasn't the only thing I noticed, a couple seconds later I saw my hair which looked a little lighter than usual. I grabbed some of it and It appeared to be a dull rose like pink, I could feel the dirt in my hair. Then, the most striking thing hit me. I looked down to check out something, actually to check out something that WASN'T THERE.

...

MY LITTLE WARRIOR NO!!!!!!

First I wake up after being hit from a car, next I vomit then realize my voice is lighter, I have a different hair color AND my best bud is missing.

...

Oh my god wait. I've... I've... REINCARNATED!?!!!!

Normally I would- anyone would- any anime enjoyer would jump in the air raising both of their hands, however when I tried to do that My entire body ached. I was in a new body right so why did my body still hurt..? granted it hurt much much less. I looked at my outfit and realized it was something you could barley call an "outfit" more a shredded up night gown but you bought it off some shady guy in the dumpster. And not only that, it stunk as well, not just me but the entire alleyway. So I decided to walk out and look at the what city I was exactly in trying to hold my smile back.

I walked onto the side walk barefooted and saw a people walking the streets of the city. There were 25-30 feet apartment buildings and the average restaurant and shop. Horses pulling carriages and some, Cars but not a lot maybe 10 or 15. And to my amazement I look up to see 5-6 tiny airships in the sky and a large Zeppelin! I was bewildered by the 19th century like area while making sure not to get in anyone's way while they were walking on the side walk.

I was in awe seeing Zeppelins and airships since I've never seen one in person then looked at the color of the sky, Dark grey. Was it going to rain soon? While I'm in this outfit it would be difficult to explore or ask around. I regained myself and thought for a bit. What am i going to do... I understand I got "isekai'd" or whatever but I don't get why. Is this a thing everyone will go through when they die? will they be teleported here in a new body? I stepped back into the alley not knowing exactly my next move. Did someone 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 me to be here? was it luck? fate? inevitability? what do I do..

I've reincarnated into the body of a girl and I've got no idea what's going on. However I could at least take the hints. I was in an alley with poor clothes so I must be poor or a prostitute, let's hope it's the former. I'm sometime in the 19th century... Maybe? I'm pretty sure the 19th century didn't have this much airships and zeppelins roaming the skies plus the people in this city wear different outfits than they did back then, they look almost semi-modern, other people had closed robes that hid what they were wearing under, some had open robes/cloaks then were the people wearing suits but I guess suits actually fit with the era though. The city looks pretty roughed up, low funds maybe. Should I ask for help? help about what and who would even help me.. Maybe I could get a job? but who would even give me a job in the shape I'm in. Well the main problem is right now is the shape I'm in, to be in better shape you need money and for money you need a job. So it looks like I'm going to have to try and get a job no matter what I look like. 

I step out to the streets once again looking for places where I could apply. It was weird seeing horses in real life since I barley got to see them where I lived, Same with carriages and old old fashion cars. The road was all janky and messed up which didn't help with the noise of the city. While looking around I found the looks on peoples faces to be quite depressing, People didn't seem to be in the mood for anything.. was this because of the poor state of the city? I also noticed that people had a variety of different hair colors and tones. Some, Dark red, deep blue, Forest Green and Lavender. Not unlike my world which was just Brown and Black with the exceptions being dyed tips. I don't either bother going to mid tier looking restaurants knowing my inevitable fate of being shoed away and me not being able to handle the embarrassment, for some reason I always felt like I was going to cry when someone yelled at me it was quite weird so I wanted to avoid that. walking barefoot was annoying because of the rocks on the tiny pebbles on the ground but I eventually managed to go to my first shop. It had a giant sign on it saying "Toppa soup shop."

I stared at the sign then inside the glass windows in the store, It looked to have 4 tables around the entire inside of the shop with there being 3 chairs around each table. The floors were checkered in a white and deep brown color like an old chess board. I decided to reluctantly walk inside because staring at the outside like an idiot wasn't going to do much. When I entered inside I saw that pass the chairs was a long counter that blocked off the eating part of the store. Inside was one guy sitting at a table possibly waiting for his food, He pays no mind to me however walking past him going toward the counter. Behind the counter was one guy preparing some hot soup for him, in the soup looked to be mushrooms some type of meat and.. olives? well whatever. I stare at his back for a bit before trying to gather up my courage to say something to him. Before I could he turns his body and looks at me and stared at me for a bit.

"And who are you?"

"Uh-uh I'm looking for a p-place to work could I please work he-here" WHY AM I STUTTERING AHHH!

He stares at me more for a bit a states "do you want food or not"

...

"I'm sorry."

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I've been walking around for what felt like an hour or maybe even two. My feet were killing me and I had no certain place to sit down, So I kept walking looking a the cities scenery while doing so. Most buildings looked roughed up with the occasional mid-tier building here and there. There was one building that looked Semi-high class however there was a crowd surrounding the building so I couldn't see much thus I decided to keep walking. The overall vibes the city gave off were depressing but not too depressing to where it was literally unbearable to be there. There was one other weird thing I saw while walking however, water bottles, The time I was in didn't exactly look like water bottles were a common thing however they were. But this was another world so I guess things would be alternate.

I eventually came across what looked to be a local pub. The sign had "slumfield hell hole" as the title of the place, the original name sleinfeld rabbit hole being scribbled over. Well not the best but not the worst, If I looked like a bum I had to get a job for a bum.. and at least I got the cities name. I say as I enter the building. Upon entering I get blasted with the stench of middle aged men and booze. The inside had a 7-8 dirty wooden tables spaced out with 4 chairs at each table accompanying it. The walls we're dingy and looked like it had liquid stains stuck on them, also on the walls had put out candles most likely due to it being mid-day. At the tables we're a multitude of men around them some of the tables fully packed, others having one or two. Most looked like your average middle aged man whose going through a mid life crisis. 

Some of the men at the tables stared at me, wish didn't help my dismay already. I kept looking around while walking and saw that there were no females here. Did this world discriminate against women too? or was it just this area and or bar. 

The floor boards creaked as I walked up to the counter where an old man stood. There appeared to be an old man who looked around 70-80, He was bald with a decently large beard. What really shocked me were the way his eyes were always closed, like an actual character from an anime. Maybe this worlds anatomy worked differently? "Hey there missy, you look a little too young to be here", he wholesomely says with a very welcoming smile. I'm shocked he could actually see me with his eyes being closed and all and it's not like he just heard my footsteps he knows my gender and age. "I-I am here because I'm looking for a-a job.." damnit why the hell am I stuttering! "hoh? a job at such a young age?" He asks shocked, "Yes" I say a bit frightened at his tone". Social skills please pay off!!

The old man still looked at me, surprised then calmed his face. "Little miss, I can tell you need a job badly. Yes? Well, I'm sorry but this place isn't the right place for you. It can get a little dangerous around here heh..." he exclaimed "But... I'm tired of living in this dirt hole.. And if I want to get out I have to try to earn some money!" It was already hard trying to stand here when the place reeked of beer and depression but If I want a good chance at living the good isekai life I gotta do or die!

The man looked at me, then looked down then proceeding to look at me again.

"Little miss... How about we make a deal." He said in a calming tone.

"...?"

"I'll allow you to clean yourself up at my place, spend the night, then in the morning I'll lend you some money for you to be able to get a job somewhere else."

I was shocked by his offer, however...

"And what would you get out of this though... What do I have to give you..?" I say calmly back to the elder.

"I never want you to see you at my shop again!" He said brashly with a smile on his face. I couldn't tell whether there was any bit of animosity or sarcasm when he said that so I didn't know if he generally disliked me or was trying to be really nice.

But regardless of what he thought of me I had to accept the offer.

"Okay mister!"