Ash and Amelia were walking through Circhester together on their way to find someone that can teach him them how to skate on ice. As they walked through town they took in their surroundings. Stone bricks and old fashioned designs gave it a charming look. The roads and pavements were covered with a thin layer of snow and people with their Pokémon which were predominantly Ice types went about their day living together.
"Where to start?" Ash asked Amelia as he looked at her. Dressed up in her purple winter jacket with white boots, mittens and a snowcap a lot of her black hair still came out from underneath it. The cold air making her breathing came out in a tiny fog every few seconds he couldn't help but watch her.
"Should we try the Gym?" Amelia suggested since that's where the show is being held they can maybe watch the actors train in open practice. It sounding like a plan they came to the large open stadium front entrance. The Gym being open they followed the signs in the halls guiding them to the stands as they watched over the field from a few rows high.
The light stage was being set up and the center field was already covered by a large ice sheet. People and Pokémon and people were moving around the rink practicing while one person on particular caught their eye.
A woman with snow-white hair done up in a bun on her head she wore a red sash around her waist with on her back it tied into a ribbon. She wore a cyan colored skirt with fake diamonds into with brown leggings and skates that matched them. With her a Froslass was hovering around her seemingly dancing. The woman increased speed as Froslass waved her arms and Performed an Icy Wind. The cold breeze lifted the figure skater up high as she jumped and she corkscrewed four times in the air before landing perfectly on her right leg only the ice carrying her back to her Froslass as she struck a final pose.
"She's good. Should we ask her?" Ash wondered.
"Yes. She seems like an expert so she could be perfect for me." Amelia getting her hopes up they were trying to see if they could get a hold on her they walked down to the field to get to her before she'd leave. Them heading down the woman got off the rink leaning over the railing with her Froslass next to her holding a bottle of Fresh Water.
"Excuse us miss?" Ash addressed the woman who looked behind her.
"Welcome, can I help you?" The skater talked with an incredibly thick accent, weird speech pattern and sounded quite serious. A cold yet friendly demeanor she gave off a weird aura but the youngsters pushed through.
"My name is Ash. And this is Pikachu."
"I'm Amelia."
"Natasya is my name. This is Froslass. You here for show?"
"We are. We decided to watch practice for inspiration. You're good." Amelia taking the word now she looked over her outfit. For her own Performance she probably needed to get a new dress as well as she needed to fulfill the figure skater motive. Having a style in mind for when she'd go shopping for Ash's vineyard outfit soon she made more notes. Even the highest heels Amelia ever wore didn't made her seem so tall. Looking at Natasya's feet the reason for her height became obvious.
"You're still walking on your skates?"
"I never take them off unless I go sleep or shower. This is Kluning." Natasya told about the art of walking on ice skates while not on ice Amelia made mental notes while Ash found it a funny word.
"Aren't you damaging the blades that way? Or the floor?"
"Not if cover them with special rubbers." Natasya stood on one leg as she showed the bottom of her skates. Black coverings were on the sharp edge as the woman put her foot down again.
"We were wondering if you can teach us how to skate?" Ash asked her as Amelia went in deeper to her reasoning.
"I want to enter a Pokémon Showcase where the Freestyle act is a figure skating Performance. I want to enter it so I'm here for research and how to learn how to skate on ice."
Natasya was kind of confused. Even if there were classes to help people start everyone under the age of six in Circhester knew how to skate on ice. They were double that age by now so they should be able to do it already.
"We're not from here. I'm from Kanto and Amelia is from Kalos."
"Regions with not much snow. To right place you came. There is class later after practice. Instructors are giving tips to people."
"It's a start." Amelia agreed asking the figure skater if she can give some pointers for her Performance later. Natasya denied it.
"Come back when you can skate without falling." Amelia took her words in mind. She had to impress Natasya first before getting deeper into her figure skating Performance.
After the actors finished working out the ice rink was empty as the instructors took to the surface. Ash and Amelia getting the basics from their instructor they took off their boots and strapped on the irons. Getting a feel for the slippery surface they felt their feet slide. Now knowing the feeling Ash was the first to get up from the bench.
"Alright! Let's go!"
The moment Ash stood up his feet slipped out from under him and he fell down on his rear.
"You alright!?" Amelia was worried for him. In his exuberance he took it way to fast.
"Ouch." Ash turned round and crawled back to the bench. After a few seconds of struggling he got up on it again and put his irons on the ice again.
One of the instructors had seen his fall and came in tow with a helpful device. It looked like a crutch on four legs that old people used but had blades at the bottom.
"Here. Try these first." The instructor handed Ash one of them.
"Slower this time." He got up again while leaning on the handcar. The device preventing him from falling over Ash could keep his balance for now. Amelia took her own as well and they slowly circled getting a feel for how to propel themselves.
Amelia pushing herself off the slippery surface felt weird not to have a gripping ground under. Sure her dancing shoes allowed her to glide over stage sometimes but she could stop whenever she wanted. This felt like dancing without a way to brake but shifting her feet.
"How do people like Natasya do it?" The skill of the figure skater more apparent now it was clear she has been doing this forever.
"This is going to get tight."
Amelia herself doubting she bit off more then she can chew. This thing felt like she had to learn how walk again from scratch. Adding it in with a Performance capable of winning her Princess Key, the lack of practice opportunity back home and the side jobs of her family time was short. That didn't even include the things Ash would like to do so she compared it to juggling torches.
"No. Ash believes in me so I should believe in myself."
Amelia pushed aside her own thoughts. Getting up slowly she leaned forward and moved her legs pushing her herself along the ice. Ash sitting down looked at her from far. Her form wasn't perfect yet but she was able to maintain balance, move forward and do a lap of the rink without stumbling or falling down.
Amelia moved her feet and stopped on a dime in front of him. Her confidence surging she gave him her trademark confident smirk certain things were going her way.
"Good job! You're getting it already!" Satisfied at his positive remark he still sat down on the bench.
"What about you then?"
"We're here for you. I'll pick it up later."
Amelia circled the rink a bunch more times till she got the form down. Her quick footwork in Performances gave her an advantage over others like Ash who did it for the first time. As Amelia skated she did small standing leaps landing without falling. Feeling her skates touch the ground she began to like her progress for now. The first steps made she went back to Ash who was watching her from behind the wall.
Coming off the rink they stored their skates away. Ash never been more glad to put on a pair of boots with profile on solid non slippery ground. Sighing with relief he turned to Amelia that got up wearing her boots again.
"So how did you think today went?" Amelia nodded that it went well.
"It's a good start, nowhere near I need to be but a good start nonetheless."
"Did you have fun?"
"I did. I was looking up against the time limit but I think I can do this now."
The woman they met earlier in the day went back onto the ice and stopped on the other side of the wall to the two youngsters.
"I see you can skate without falling." Talking to Amelia specifically cause the boy sure needed practice. The Performer filled with hope that she actually convinced the skater to give her more difficult pointers. The figure skater nodded.
"Come after show. We stay two days before leaving for next destination."
"Thank you." Amelia thanked her for her future time as she and Ash left the Gym for now as it was getting late. They walked back to the hotel where Alfonzo was waiting on them. Still they had a little time left to explore Circhester together.
"Ash?"
"Mmm?"
"Would you mind if we go shopping for the clothes for the vineyard visit?" Amelia would rather cross it off her to do list so she can fully focus on her acts.
"I don't want to upset your mom. Sure." Ash agreed to it as they walked into the nearest clothing store. Stepping inside Ash became overwhelmed by all the fabrics on display. Amelia easily scanned things with her eyes as she dragged him to the men's department. Looking for a suitable combination she nearly tore off some and threw it into his waiting arms.
"Don't you think you picked enough for me to choose from?" Ash complained as she turned around. The pile she collected became so big she couldn't see his face anymore. Realizing she's gone too far she helped him see again by carrying a large pile herself. It was an old habit of hers. When she went shopping with servants they did not complain about her shopping spree. While her character changed to be more respecting of her servants it still stuck with her occasionally.
"Sorry. I just get excited while shopping."
"Must be a trait all Performers share then."
This time not thinking about Serena alone but another of her rivals. The one time Miette took him to Pierre's dance party he got stuck with a girl that choose more dresses than clothes he ever wore. Ash and Amelia went to the dressing rooms while Ash went inside one. Pikachu next to Amelia now as she matched different outfits for Ash to try on he came out.
He came out dressed in a light blue open jacket that showed his grey shirt under it and dark blue jeans with brown shoes. On top of his head a white fedora with a black band around it and dark sunglasses if he needed them.
"First time's a charm! That's perfect!" Amelia more than happy with his look. It will fit together with her future outfit which she already selected long before his arrival. Plus blue really was his color as it just fit him really well with the black hair. There was always room for improvement if Ash wanted it.
"Do you want to try on more or…"
"I'm good." Glad to get it over with they separated and hung back all the clothes Amelia selected. The girl paying for his clothes they walked out the store with Ash carrying his bag.
"Think your mom will be happy with what you choose for me?"
"She will be. She's tasking me sometimes with making sure the servants and house are presentable during guest visits."
"You've done a great job so far." Ash having no complaints the moment he stepped inside her home. Everything seemed organized and well prepared for anything. She took the remark in stride.
"I know we're here mostly for me but is there anything you want to do?" Amelia asked him.
"Hmm. I do remember reading about being there being some ruins south of here. Perhaps we can explore them?"
"Still in your job as research fellow?" Amelia asked him.
"A little. I just love exploring new places and seeing new Pokémon. Maybe we can find one there." Ash telling her Amelia could agree.
"When I visit museums and art galleries I find inspiration. It's just a shame I don't get a lot of opportunity to visit them." Amelia usually confined to her home and only coming out for tasks her parents have or a Showcase.
"Maybe we should also visit the Hero's bath then after you skate after a long day."
They threw plans back and forth. With the things Ash suggested it gave Amelia hope he was going to stay a while longer with her. At least a few weeks more though before he eventually had to go away and work on his ranking in the PWC again. Making a schedule for her practice, Ash's ruin exploration, the vineyard visit and the Snowbelle City Showcase they can at least loo forward to new things just like on the SS Shimmer.
With some future plans set they went back to the hotel where Alfonzo was waiting on them and had already prepared their meals with hot cocoa to the side. Both youngsters thanking him they went to bed early eager to see what the next day will bring and to continue Amelia's figure skating training.
And yes Kluning is a real thing, look it up. I am Dutch so I know what I'm talking about.
And Natasya is my bad attempt at a Russian character. Pardon to any Russians that might ever come across this. I blame Rocky 4.
"I must break you."
This one might be on hold a little cause I want to finish some other stuff first. Sorry but it's been nagging me for a long time.
Later.