Ruth: Reimagined

Merchant

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Merchant
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If there was a place that never slept, it would be the market of Dibon. Alive in spirit, a million colours displayed before the eyes of people, from the jewellery, to the clothes, linen, cotton, to the bags, and the satchels and numerous items imported from Ammon, Egypt, and at times, even Babylon.

Music was never absent, whether it was traditional drums, lyres being played, or songs sung in harmony. The air was thick, with fragances that attracted women, scented oils, and candles.

With bustling crowds and merchants, with sly tongues, that were able to convince people to buy a 'special' rock for the price of three shekels, Ruth preferred never going alone.

On one particular day, Naomi led the way through the bustling crowds, with both the young women at her sides. The sun's golden light broke through, the clouds, and the warmth of it, made Ruth want to pause and relish in it.

Winter had begun, so they experienced, less and less warm days.

All three of the women managed to talk over the music and a hundred other voices, laughing from time to time. They held each others hand so no one would get lost.

Stopping by, a maroon tent that caught, Naomi's eye, they walked further into it. The music wasn't as loud here. The air was filled with wonderful fragrances.

A tall, moabite man with no hair, except for a full beard, smiled, displaying his table with the stretch of his hands.

"Shalom," Naomi greeted.

They were small bottles of fragrances, oils, and even bottles with the words potion, written on.

"Ladies." The man took them all in, his eyes observant. " Don't just have a look, smell too."

Naomi was the first to pick up a bottle and sniff at the sweet lavendar scent.

She handed it to Orpah.

"What do you think?"

Opah sniffed it for a good, two seconds.

" Try something else."

While Orpah and Naomi searched for the fragrances they preferred, asking the merchant questions like, "Do you have something that smells like lillies and rain? I would quite like that." or " I hope this doesn't bring a terrible rash on my skin? If it does, I will be back."

Curious, Ruth picked up one of the bottles, labeled potion. The one she held was quite small and made of glass. It was red and written in the moabite language were the words 'Love potion.'

Ruth smiled to herself, wanting for a second to nudge Orpah, and tease anyone who bought this, but Orpah was still engrossed in a conversation with Naomi and the merchant about perfumes.

Ruth placed the bottled down, picking another that said 'Happiness in a bottle'. Turning it around, she read the information of it, holding back a scoff.

"You don't believe?" The merchant suddenly addressed her, closer than he was before.

Ruth flushed at loss for words. How would she explain to Naomi the reason she was looking through potions.