The damage to Amelia's ankle wasn't too severe and she stood on the ice again the next day. Some more advice from Natasya on how to truly figure skate like a pro came her way but they had to stop. Natasya had send them on their way due to her needing to do her own preparation since the show was tonight.
"My ankle is still a little sore. Can we go to the Hero's bath? I heard that the spring water in there has healing properties."
Her exercises still bothering her feet she wanted to take a dip with her feet into the towns hot spring. The hotspring only a little south from the Gym it was thankfully a shirt trip. The spring was placed between a rectangular structure with stone pillars. The spring was more akin to a pool as other people sat on the side to wash away their fatigue.
Ash and Amelia dipped their feet into the water. The water a pleasant temperature Amelia let out a sigh of relief. The girl feeling her feet restoring regretted not to have come here earlier.
"Feel better?" Ash wondered.
"Much better." She smiled and let her feet create ripples in the water.
"Your practice seems to going well."
"Is there no way for me to put you on the ice as well?" She really wanted to include him too. Ash shook his head fiercely.
"It's fine. I'm just not cut out for things like that. I rather battle right Pikachu?" The mouse squeaked in agreement as he was paddling through the pool.
After it Ash and Amelia grabbed a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants before going back to the Gym to watch the show in full. They went to a steakhouse called Bob's your uncle. Apparently it was really popular among the people living here. On the logo of the restaurant was a blonde man with a giant mustache and checkered striped suit in red and yellow and it started to fill up with customers fast.
The two went inside, got their table and ordered their meals.
"So you excited for tonight?" Ash asked as he dug into his large steak. Amelia having more manners cut hers into smaller pieces out of habit and upbringing.
"I am. Natasya is impressive and I'm eager to see just what she's been holding back from me." Amelia going to see the true talent of the figure skater later and see what step she really had to take to improve. After finishing their meal the check got presented to them. Amelia without hesitation took out her wallet and pay it from her own account but Ash stopped her.
"I don't want you to think I'm just a freeloader." She understood the need to pay for himself but she did not mind.
"You aren't. I know you're not after our wealth unlike a lot of others. And I want to pay for you." Amelia paid for the food as they had a bit of time left.
"You met a lot of people who are only after your money?"
"The amount of…"
She clasped her hands right in front of her mouth just stopping herself. Ash did not need to know she had many appointments with possible suitors thanks to her father. A couple of dozen failed dates with people only after her inheritance rubbed her the wrong way.
"What amount?"
"Nothing."
Stomachs full they walked back to the Gym and got in line for the ticket booth for the show. Getting their way in the two took their seats waiting for the show to start. The ringmaster came onto the rink introducing himself. Welcoming everyone with a speech the show started off with a large group dancing over the ice in sync.
Amelia made mental notes about the movements they made. Seeing different acts and Pokémon being used she was right into coming here. After every act a brief break came in to allow the next group to come onto the ice. Scribbling furiously in her notebook Ash just looked on amusement not bothering her. He of course did not want her to miss anything until it was Natasya's turn.
The woman came out together with her Froslass. Dressed in a snow-white skirt with red accents she resembled her Pokémon. They stood on the ice ready as the music began to play. The woman started off by slowly moving over the ice as Froslass twirled around her. They held hands as they moved along the edge.
"Icy Wind!" Froslass let go and waved her hands blowing a breeze of cold air. It lifted Natasya off the ice and she crossed her arms closed to her chest as she performed a circling jump rotating three times before landing on one leg.
"Froslass, Shadow Ball!" The Ghost/Ice type formed a couple of black orbs shooting them up. The balls burst and created a shower effect of sparkles. Natasya stood in place as she raised one leg and stood perfectly still as she span.
"Triple Axel!" Froslass joined her trainer as she spun too her arms glowing a cyan color. The ice move mixed in with the Shadow Ball particles Natasya imitated the effect with her blades as around them spirals of black and cyan appeared.
"Now for finale!"
Natasya raised her left arm high and displayed her bracelet to the crowd. A white band with a cyan crystal with a snowflake on it Ash knew what was coming.
Natasya crossed her arms and her bracelet began to glow. Froslass glowed as well as she mimicked Natasya. Natasya raised her arms crossing them up and over till she pointed forwards with both. Froslass began to glow more as it then flew high above the field.
"Subzero Slammer!"
Froslass flew over the middle of the rink and fired off a giant blizzard that gathered below Natasya. Huge spikes shot upwards lifting the figure skater up right next to her Pokémon. Stalactites kept sprouting till the Z-move finished and she stood on top of an ice castle with her and Froslass on the center pillar posing for the end gathering a huge reaction from the crowd.
The ice under her skates disappearing slowly Natasya hovered slowly down with the help of Froslass's Icy Wind. As they stood in the center of their solo performance the crowd gave the pair the biggest applause so far.
The show over all the actors came out on the ice one more to get their applause. The audience giving their thanks for the show the arena slowly emptied up. The youngsters going back to the hotel they talked about the show afterwards.
"Natasya was awesome! Don't you think?"
"She's spectacular." Amelia thankful the woman took time out of her schedule to help her practice wondering what gift she can give to thank her. With the show over Ash wondered if the whole reason they were here worked.
"Got enough inspiration to create a Performance of your own now? I saw you scribbling away furiously in that book of yours." Amelia nodded.
"I believe so. This excursion was a good move. Thank you for accompanying me." Usually by herself or with Alfonzo it was nice to have someone her age with her for once.
"My pleasure. So…how are you going to practice when we go back?" Skating on ice being quite important Amelia needed a good way to practice.
"I can use Dragonair's Ice Beam to create a rink in some places. We still have two days after now. I hope I picked up enough from her to get started on the Performance."
"Got any idea's which moves you want to do and what Pokémon to use so far?" Ash interested in what she came up with so far.
"I am thinking about Espeon and Oricorio. Espeon's Psychic can help guide me over the ice like Froslass did and Oricorio can take flight avoiding the ice. I still need a finish like that Z-move she did." Amelia drawing out her Performance stopped.
"Wait a minute! I'm not spoiling my Performance to you entirely. You just have to wait to see what I come up with." Stopping herself Ash just had to wait. No spoilers even for him.
"Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be good."
The thought he trusted her to come up with a great Performance she faintly blushed. He showed more faith than others close to her. Ash wished he could do a bit more for her though. Sure he was emotional support but with his lack of talent for skating and him slowing her down with Natasya he wanted to a little bit more for her.
Amelia's phone began to ring. Taking it out from her pocket she saw the caller and picked up.
"Yes Alfonzo. We're coming back to the hotel now. I'm with Ash. You don't have to worry." She cut the call as she put her phone back.
"What was that?"
"He's not used to me being out this late on my own without any of the staff around. We better hurry."
Ash nodded as he understood the man's plight. With a brisk pace they got back to the hotel as the aid waited for them.
Coming into their hotel room the aid was relieved to see them in one piece.
"Greetings miss Amelia. Ash. How was the show?"
"Wonderful." She said.
"It was great! It makes me more excited for the Snowbelle City Showcase." Ash told him.
"Good to hear. Anything you require?" The aid wondered.
"Nothing at all." Neither Amelia nor Ash needed anything. Back safe in the hotel again they all went to bed in their rooms. Amelia left the light on a little longer. Skipping through all the notes she made during the show she was going to bring them in a neater appearance.
Ash had the lights on a little longer as well in his own room as his thoughts wondered to Amelia. He wished he could do a bit more for her. Sure he was emotional support but with his lack of talent for skating and him slowing her down with Natasya he wanted to a little bit more for her. He got off his bed and moved to Alfonzo's room. Knocking on his door softly Ash waited for a minute. The door opened and the aid looked at him.
"I'm sorry Alfonzo but I need your help with something."
"Of course. What is it you need?"
"When we're out tomorrow at the Gym for her practice can you buy something for me?"
"Naturally, what is it you request?"
The next two days went by in a flash. Amelia continued her lessons with Natasya and she learned how to skate properly. It was time to say goodbye though as the show would travel on to other places to display their skills. Amelia stood together with her mentor on the ice while Ash looked on from the sidelines.
"Thank you so much for teaching me Natasya." Amelia bowing her head in respect for found the woman who took time out of her schedule.
"No problem. Good luck in your Performance. Continue your practice and you do well you should." The figure skater waved goodbye as she got off the rink to pack her stuff and move away. Amelia got back to Ash and took off her skates and together with Ash walked back to the hotel.
"Guess. That's it, I'm on my own now." Amelia speaking out loud Ash heard her.
"I didn't mean that! Sorry!" She quickly apologized not wanting Ash to think he wasn't of much use to her. He waved it off knowing what she meant.
"Don't worry. Come on, let's go back to the hotel and get ready for tomorrow. I really want to explore the ruins south of here."
They quickly made their way back to the hotel where as usual Alfonzo was waiting. The aid having prepared dinner the two trainers and Pokémon all thanked him for the food as they finished dessert. The aid moved away from the table and came back with a box.
"A gift has been delivered for miss Amelia." It was a modest sized box with a yellow ribbon around it as he set it on the table for her.
"A gift? Why didn't you say so when I came back?" Withholding a gift was not in his nature.
"It was requested of the gift giver, your guest across the table."
"Ash…bought me a gift?" Impossible to hide her blush Ash had a dumb grin disguising the fear she didn't like it. Excited to see what he got for her she eagerly took it from him and began unwrapping it. Lifting off the lid she saw it's contents.
The first thing that jumped out was the purple and dark pink cloth. On top in a small bag were tiny fake crystals like Natasya has in her own dress. Amelia rummaged through the rest of it till it emptied up. Checking the fabric it felt smooth and pretty pristine. Letting it flow through her fingers it was high qaulity. Ash explained why he did it.
"Those Power Bands you gave me really helped out so I wanted to get you something that will help you with your next Performance. I know how independent you want to be so instead of buying you a dress I thought it was better I give you the things you need to make one of your own." That he didn't know fashion was another point against him but with Amelia's love for purple he guessed she had the talent to create her own figure skating dress.
"Ah, thank you. It's a great gift and I'm happy with it." If her aid wasn't here she'd peck Ash's cheek.
"May I be excused? I want to start working on the outfit now." Ash told her it's fine while Alfonzo did not have much say in it. She dashed off into her room with the box to get started on a design so that in her little downtime she can sew it expertly together.
"Think she liked it?" Ash asked as Alfonzo nodded.
"I think she loved it." The aid being more experienced in picking the right fabrics for tailoring he saw the relief on Ash's face.
"The question now is how much she likes you." Still on the job he was also studying the boy for his true masters in Amelia's parents. The way she accepted it from him was a big note. Normally when a boy gives her a present she tossed it on a pile back home. This is one of the few that she got to work with right away.
Ash thanked Alfonzo for getting the fabrics and accessories as he went to bed hoping to get up early so he can explore the Route 8 ruins together with his new friend.
Don't ask where the steak comes from. Food in Pokémon was always a bit iffy on the origin of it. Next up, route 8 and the ruins.
Later.