Ash and Amelia had gone back to the Valuer house and in the large backyard let out their Pokémon. As they all did their own thing, Amelia's Galar Rapidash was prancing through the field. The long pink colored manes flowing behind it showed off its speed.
"Look at it go." Ash commenting on it. He hasn't a Pokémon like it prance before and from the way it ran the Performer taught it to move at speed and grace. Amelia seeing it run wild she yearned for the same amount of freedom. How carefree it looked doing the thing it loved to do away from any commitments anyone set on her.
"I always give Rapidash the time to stretch its legs for a good run. I can't do it often back home." Living in a city the lack of fields made it a scarce event.
"Pokémon riding is really popular in Kalos. Rhyhorn, Skiddo, Gogoat. Did you ever compete in a Rhyhorn race?"
"No. I train Rapidash to do dressage for performances but not for competitive racing."
"Just wondering cause you said you rode your Rapidash on occasion. What kind of performances?"
Amelia whistled so Rapidash came running to her. Taking off her large hat and boa Amelia leaped over the fence they were leaning on and climbed on Rapidash. Having no braces to command it they'd go from memory. She took a hold of its mane as it galloped over the field. Rapidash building pace Amelia stood up on its back and balanced on it. The riding Pokémon making a turn Amelia stood on both her hands on its back now.
"Looking good!" Ash really impressed with her agility. Amelia sat down again and guided Rapidash back to Ash where it made a stop in front of him.
"It sure is faster than the Rhyhorn Serena taught me to ride."
Ash paled at what he said right at her face. Nearly slamming his head on the fence. Amelia got off her Pokémon and stood against him now.
"I'm sorry." Ash apologized to her. Ash wondered as he nearly slapped himself. The comparison of Serena to Amelia was bothering his new Performer friend and it was the reason she sought him out on the SS Shimmer at first. Wondering if she knew about Serena's upbringing as a Rhyhorn racer he hoped Amelia didn't lay the connection.
"Serena taught you how to ride Rhyhorn?"
Ash nodded wondering if he messed up. It explained to her how she managed to get that many Rhyhorn to her square during the Theme Performance they met without resorting too many Pokémon moves.
"What's she really like?" Amelia asked him. Ash reluctant to tell wondered if she still had some of her fake friendship left with him and only did it to get Serena's training.
"I'm not asking for her methods anymore. What's she like as a person?"
Amelia knew Serena performed and not much else. Seeing the girl as just another obstacle to overcome in her path to Kalos Queen she never delved deeply in what kind of companion she was to him.
Ash went through what he could come up with quick.
"She's nice. I met her when I was little at Professor Oak's summer camp but I didn't realize it till much later. Her mom is a Rhyhorn racer which is where her teaching me comes from. She discovered she wanted to be a Performer so she did it. Her sweets are great. And despite her best efforts to teach me how to dance I just couldn't get the hang of it."
As he went through his memories of the girl that thwarted her hometown victory Amelia increased her grip on the fence. The interactions with his other friends like Clemont and Bonnie with Serena the heir felt tense and unsettled. Ash on the cruise ship told Amelia not to be jealous on Serena as she is her own person but hearing him talk so positively about another girl got on her nerves.
"Why am I subjecting myself to this?"
"Miss Amelia. Ash." They turned and saw an old friend. Amelia's aid Alfonzo rejoined them as he had made most of his time off and was ready to resume his duty.
"Ah Alfonzo. Welcome." Amelia greeted her aid. As much as she can't fault him for doing his job it interrupted her alone time with Ash.
"A shame about your loss miss." The aid offering his condolences Amelia thanked him.
"It's ok. I'll try again next time."
"That's the spirit!" Ash giving his confidence to her she had a small blush as she looked away. Ash was just so supportive of her without much question so she wondered if she could ever be in his place during one of his PWC battles doing the cheering for him.
"How did the meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Valuer go?" Alfonzo asked Ash.
"I get along well with Mrs. Valuer. I…had a bit of an argument about Amelia with Mr. Valuer."
"Understandable." The aid expecting it really. With how the boy was pushing Amelia to get on stage and her father against her wishes they were blind to clash. Louise Valuer being the rock the family needs the father was beginning to get outnumbered and began to lose the argument. And if the aid knew his boss well enough is that Charles hated losing.
"Do you need something? If not you can just leave the two of us." Amelia asked as the aid nodded.
"I'm here to ask about your reservation in the Circhester hotel." The date and figure skating show set Ash and Amelia would stay at the hotel together but there was an important question related to their booking.
"Do you and Ash want separate rooms or a joined one?"
"Joined please. But with split beds." Amelia responded. Ash is a great guy who she really started to fancy but sleeping in the same bed went a bit too far.
"Very well." Alfonzo making a note to separate the beds in the room though. The aid left to create the reservation for them. Alone again Amelia picked up where Ash left off.
"Anything else to Serena that does not involve her being a Performer?" Amelia wondered as Ash began to slow down.
He did spill accidently that Serena kissed him goodbye the same way she did on the SS Shimmer. Nervous to repeat Serena had a crush on him he secretly wondered if Amelia had the same crush left in her. She kissed him goodbye but no attempt yet so far since he came to her for this reunion. Maybe it was just a sort of holiday fling he vaguely heard about where two people met on vacation and then apart from that did not work out as a couple. If that was the case he hoped they still could be friends.
"If you don't want to say it I understand. I have enough to go on for her now." His silence speaking for him Amelia let him off the hook. Understanding what type of person Serena is now Amelia can't fault her on things she in hindsight immaturely blamed her for. In time she came to realize that her pettiness at losing in her hometown and sense of entitlement due to her upbringing only hurt her progress.
"Oh Amelia." Hearing her name being called it was the mother that called her out. Louise seeing all of Ash and Amelia's Pokémon get along needed her attention for something.
"Would you join us for dinner?" The two nodded. The house staff set out all the food for their Pokémon as the humans went to their own table. Sitting down they were missing an important person.
"Where is your husband?" Ash wondered though glad he wasn't hete to avoid the awkwardness between them.
"Charles left early to check on one of the mines we get our materials from. He does it often." Louise told them as Amelia got used to her father's sudden absences. As they enjoyed their meal the mother made small talk.
"Just wondering if you already had bought some clothes for Ash for our vineyard visit."
Amelia apologized. She just was too distracted by showing him around Kiloude City and the prospect and challenge of her next Showcase on ice she completely forgot to buy him a suitable outfit. The mother seemingly expecting this behavior didn't mind. There was some time left before that visit but it's best to be prepared.
"Just reminding you and your friend. So your visit to Circhester is for what reason? It can get pretty cold there." Having heard her daughters plans for her next Showcase there was a bit of studying beforehand.
"I want to see a figure skating show and then enter the Snowbelle City Showcase." Amelia said.
"Just remember to meet up with us at the vineyard. Alfonzo will keep reminding you of the date so you won't miss it." Amelia nodded.
"Will you come with me or will you go straight to Circhester?"
"I want to go straight to Circhester. I think it's crucial I learn how to skate before the show." Amelia wanted to learn how to skate either way. Even if she failed to come up with a routine at least it would be an additional skill she learned.
"Seems you got everything planned out. I'll leave you to it then." Louise giving her daughter a bit more independence turned to their guest. So far he made a good impression on her and she wished it would continue.
"Ash. Even if it is Alfonzo's job would you be so kind as to keep an eye out for my daughter?"
"I'd be happy to Mrs. Valuer." Louise smiled at his response. It be good for Amelia to hang out more with someone out of her household and staff. Ash genuinely supporting her it might make for the continuation of a good friendship outside any sort of business practice.
"Good. Alfonzo, I assume you will also aid Ash in things he might need?" The mother requesting Amelia's aid also extended to Ash for the moment.
"Of course Mrs. Valuer." The aid thinking that job would be incredibly easy cause apart from the food he devours the boy has proven to be low maintenance.
"Good. Then if there is one more thing you need just say it otherwise we'll go to bed and prepare for our own tasks."
Amelia wanted to ask what her mother did to her father after she got send away from dinner but didn't had the gal. Ash not wanting to ask too as the woman can be scarier then she let on and he found it wasn't his place yet to ask about family affairs. The two not saying anything the mother finished the conversation.
"Good luck you two."
"Thank you for the stay so far Mrs. Valuer."
"My pleasure Ash."
Dinner finished up they all went to bed early. Ash and Amelia returned their Pokémon into their Pokeballs but for Pikachu. The next day arriving Ash, Amelia and Alfonzo went to the train which would bring them straight to the airport to fly them to the Galar region and the snow town hidden in the mountains. Going on another train in Galar it trundled along the tracks till it reached their destination.
The hotel actually were two buildings on the side of one roundabout. Hotel Ionia was lavish and the lobby adorned with gold they took the elevator up. Reaching the top floor the room was spacious enough for all of them with multiple rooms and beds to sleep in. Multiple bathrooms joined on with the bedrooms and Ash made himself comfortable on his bed.
As Amelia and Alfonzo were organizing her room and unpack her bags Amelia took a moment.
"Alfonzo?"
"Yes miss Amelia?"
"I…uhm…" She didn't know how to tell him. Even if it was his duty to watch over her and tend to her needs Amelia wanted to experience the SS Shimmer scenario again with Ash.
"I want you to see parts of Circhester for yourself. Visit places you want to visit. I prefer you to leave me alone with Ash." Meaning seeing places without Alfonzo and only being alone with her friend. Plus after all he did he deserved a bit of downtime for himself. She felt horrible for dragging him across regions but she was scared her parents would say no if she requested to be without her aid. The SS Shimmer was the only place so far she was not accompanied by him.
"If that is what you wish, of course."
"Really?" Amelia stunned he just agreed to it. Didn't he had a sort of clause in his contract that permitted him to not follow that order through?"
"Mrs. Valuer has faith in your friend so I will too." The two heard knocking on Amelia's door.
"Amelia? You're finished unpacking?"
"Just need to throw on my coat and I'm coming!" She grabbed her purple winter coat and snow hat, and pulled on her white snow boots. Taking the bag she had her recently purchased skates in she stepped out of her room and looked at Ash who got redressed for the cold temperature.
"Have fun you two." The aid wished the two well on her way as they went to look for someone who could teach them how to skate.
Into the cold. Wonder what awaits them in Circhester and if they'll be succeeding.
Later.