How am I supposed to know when there is going to be a new checkpoint? It seems as though they are happening rather frequently. Is it after a difficult section? Before a time that I will likely die? If they are save points what does that mean? Some games you can create multiple saves, but there are some games where you can only have one save, and only one person can play at a time. I wonder what this one is like?

I shrug off the thought. It isn't important right now. How much time did I spend with Bobby, talking and making his potion? I stretch and look around. Okay, it looks like I cleaned up pretty well. Satisfied I leave my shop and look up at the sky. It looks like I have a few more hours before I have to be home. Okay. What is the next place that I will be going. Oh I think that it is the jewelers. Okay let's go see what is in store for me now.

When I walk out of my shop I hear a little mew. Oh no, did I feed Blizzie? I bet that he is hungry. Is there a place that I can quickly stop in and get him some food? I wish that I could ask him what he would like to eat and where I can get it. I suppose I should look around a little bit before I continue on this strip mall. Is it a mall? Hmm, it's close enough that I can think about it that way.

Do I know where there is a pet shop, or a fish monger, or butcher? Just anywhere they would be selling food that a cat can eat? I walk out of my shop and look around. There were some shops near this strip, but not part of it. Oh! They usually have street stalls up. What is up does depend on the time of day, but let's hope that there is something up that will suit my needs.

I sniff the air, trying not to be obvious about it. I see Blizzie doing the same things. He seems to smell something. He gives an excited mew and hops off of my shoulder. He begins walking to the left, and keeps checking over his shoulder to make sure that I was following after him. I am of course. I stay close to him, which seems to please him. I don't know how I know this, but it is just something that I seem to be able to know.

We don't walk too far before we come to the stall that he was wanting to go to. They are selling various meats on sticks. If I am able to feed him sausage without him getting sick thus some of these should be fine.

I look over what they are selling and try to see if I can find out what they are.

"We have lamb kabobs, fried squid on a stick, and takoyaki. Do you know what you would like?" the woman selling the food asks me.

I think about it and decide on the lamb kabobs. Iconsider the takoyaki because it has different fish in it, but it also has things such as green onions, which I have a feeling are bad for cats. I have a lot of love and affections towards this little ball of soft cuteness. While I am thinking about him he makes a cute little mewing sound.

"Any chance that I can get a lamb kabob, but off of the stick and in one of the containers that you use for the takoyaki?" I ask the woman.

"Sure, coming right up." she says.

Blizzie and I wait patiently for her to be finished with our order. I hope that Blizzie will like it as much as he seems to be enjoying the smell. What an adorable little bean.

"Here you are!" she says and I take it from her. I give her the amount of coins that she asks for.

I get a little afraid that she will kill me if she sees me feeding most of the meat to Blizzie. I blow on a piece and pop it into my mouth. I am not hungry because I just ate, but I am still able to enjoy the taste of the oils and the juiciness of the meat. It was tender and well spiced. Hopefully none of the spices will hurt Blizzie.

"It's delicious, thanks." I tell her.

"Glad you like it she says."

With the exchange over I go over and sit on a bench that wasn't too far away. I set the meat down in front of Blizzie and pet his soft fur gently as he eats. I see the affection bar go up. It seems as though it is nearly completely filled. One more feeding or loving action might finish filling it up all the way, as long as I don't do something that he doesn't like.

"Was that good Blizzie?" I ask him as I take the empty container away from him. He gives a very happy meow and hops up onto my shoulder.

Alright, now that he is fed it seems like it is time to continue onto the strip mall.

I hear Alias's voice in my head. "I'll give you a check point here. Just for Sir Blizzard and his happy and full tummy. Also because you navigated a conversation without immediately dying."

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

I... I am not sure how to react to that. Is Alias the one that sets the checkpoints? Is he setting so many because he is nice or because he is learning more skills and the things that he can do with this world he didn't create. I mean, I guess he is my ally in all of this. I should learn if I can lean on him a bit. Only a bit.

With a new check point set I make my way to the jewelers. I am actually a little more excited to look at all the things in his shop than I am to check out the shop owner. I wonder if that is a good or bad way to think about things before going in. Will it keep me alive, or will it lead me to another horrific death? I guess I will find out.

Thinking about my deaths I wonder if there is anything on my body that signalizes the past two deaths. I have a cut on my neck. What could symbolize drowning and burning? Hopefully nothing noticeable. Maybe I can only notice it if it is something that won't get me killed by having suspicious things on my body.

I will think about and deal with that later. Let's go look at some jewelry,

"Ready to go look at some pretty shiny things?" I ask Blizzie. He nuzzles against my face. It almost tickles, but his fur is so soft. He is so comforting. He reminds me a little of my sweet bunny, but he is clearly his own being.

We walk the little way to the shop and push the door open. A little tinkling of a bell sounds our entry. I smile. I like that sound although I don't know why. I wonder if the original Aria liked this sound. I wonder if our likes are blending together. That might actually be a good thing. It would help me make less mistakes if our personalities blend a little. Although, I don't really want to start thinking like a villainess.

"Well if it isn't my favorite customer!" I hear a cheerful voice say as he sees me enter.

Jasper is also rather attractive. Actually, there is not a single bad looking person in this world so I should try to get used to thinking of everyone as attractive.

Jasper is tall, maybe 6'2 with long green hair tied back with a white ribbon. His eyes are emerald green and twinkle in the light of his shop. He has a cute smile dancing over his lips. Does someone actually like Aria? That would be news to me. Well, aside from my little brother whom I haven't had a chance to meet yet.

"Well hello to you too." I say, my voice low and sounding close to a purr. I didn't know my voice could do that. Maybe it will be possible to flirt after all.

"You know you don't have to flirt with me to get a discount." he says laughing while I make my way fully into his shop. Gems of every color imaginable glisten in their cases. Actually, not all colors. I don't see any green. I wonder why that is.

"I swear Aria if one more person asks me for gems that match my eyes I will stab them in their eyes!" Jasper says.. He is smiling, but his smile looks a little menacing to be honest.

"You can't help being so sexy that people want to wear things that remind them of you." I say.

"Did you just say I am sexy." he says with a coy smile, almost trapping me against the wall. I spin some of his hair around my finger.

"Don't act like you don't know that you are sexy. I mean honestly, you could have suitors lined up around the block if you were to line them all up.

"Maybe I am waiting for a special someone to notice me."

"Notice me senpai." I say in a breathy get girlish voice.

Jasper laughs and lets me get away from the wall. Pity. He really is gorgeous up close. Wonder what it would be like to kiss him. Probably awkward with him being one of my only friends. And probably only that because of all the money I spend in his shop.

It feels as though that memory comes out of nowhere, but it is also rather helpful to tell me how to banter with him. Did I have to have a memory of Aria thinking about kissing him? I feel slightly embarrassed but don't let it show.

When others notice me walk in they huff and walk out of the shop.

"Good riddance to them." Jasper says to me. "You spend enough money in here to make up for it. Or I guess your daddy does to pretend that he is a good father and to make everyone believe that he loves you." he says to me, grinning.

"You are indeed correct." I tell him.

"Hmm, you could tell me that it is because you think I am sexy." he tells me, walking closer.

"Who says it cant be both." I say, reaching up and twirling his hair the way I saw Aria do in the memory.

He laughs and grabs my hand. "Be careful how you flirt this week. You are supposed to be looking for a husband. Unless you are going to consider me?" he asks and kisses the hand that he grabbed.

"Perhaps I am already considering you." I say to him and smile in a manner I hope is seductive. It's similar to the way that I smiled on occasion on my webcam, except played a little more naturally.

He laughs in a low voice and gently drops my hand. "Shall we look at some jewelry?" he asks.

"Lets." I tell him.

"First let's look at jewelry for your birthday. The king already sent over funds for you to spend. I suppose he knew you would be coming by again this week." he says.

"He does seem to know a few things about me I suppose." I say and let out a small sigh.

"Well let's make you look so pretty he takes an interest in getting to know his lovely little daughter a little better shall we?"

"Step-daughter." I remind him. "What would you recommend?" I ask him.

"Well you look stunning in that blue dress so shall we look at some blue gems?" he asks me.

"Is that your favorite color on me?" I ask, flirting a touch more. I do want to know if he is a possibility. Aria liked him a bit so it would be convenient.

"Honestly I like you in any color. I even wonder what you would look like wearing gems the color of my eyes." he says softly then clears his throat. "However as I said I am enjoying you in blue. So we shall look at that first. Blue and silver are such a lovely combination. Oh! But purple would look pretty, it would match your eyes. Do you know what color dress you will be wearing yet?" he asks me.

"I haven't decided yet." I tell him honestly.

"Shame, it would make it easier to pick out jewelry for you. I guess this is an opportunity to buy multiple sets in case you change your mind last minute as women are wont to do on occasion."

"Haha, I suppose you are right about that." I tell him.

He leads me over to some blue gems and begins picking them up, looking them over, shaking his head and putting them back down.

"Not pretty enough for you. You should only wear the very best." he says, looking me up and down. I don't know if he is checking me out of assessing something about me.

"Blue topaz?" he questions, as he pulls out a necklace and puts it up to my neck. "Pretty but no." he says and puts it back.

"What about sapphire?" he asks and moves down the isle a bit and pulls out a sapphire necklace and brings it over to me and holds it up to me neck. "Perhaps." he says and lays it out on the counter over where it belongs.

"Do you like it?" he asks.

"I do. I would love to keep looking around more though." I tell him.

"Obviously. I just like to hear that you like the things that I pick out for you." he tells me and I can hear sincerity in his voice. I wonder if he might actually like Aria a little. It would be unfortunate if we honestly like each other and he isn't the secret route. I'll cross that bridge if it comes to it.

"You know I actually have some gems that I want to see you wear. They are both blue and purple and some of the most beautiful gems I have seen now that I am thinking about it. It's called tanzanite. I can't believe I am only remembering it now. I guess your beauty makes me forget about any other beautiful things."

"You are such a charmer." I tell him. "Let me see this set."

He leads me to the back. "I haven't even put it out yet. I guess I was saving it for you." he says. He guesses or he did? He looks so cute. I hope he doesn't kill me back here. That would be most unfortunate.