Ash, Amelia and Alfonzo were transported back just outside Fluerrh City by one of the helicopters used to search for the Performer. At Charles Valuer's demand they all had to go home as soon as possible. The father extremely mad about some things Ash and Amelia were both a bit tense.

A car waiting for them they all got into it and were driven through town back to the Valuer estate. Alfonzo and the driver would unpack Ash and Amelia's bags as the two headed inside. The staff inside were all lined up in the long hallway. Most of them relieved at seeing the heir they all had a glare at Ash not making him feel welcome anymore.

"I get the feeling they're upset with me."

"I'll deal with the situation after seeing my parents. I'll keep them in line and if you have complaints come see me immediately."

Amelia telling him he had nothing to fear and she'd nip this in the bud unless the staff wanted to face her own wrath as Ash was still her honored guest. They walked through the hall till they reached the middle courtyard. It was completely empty except for her parents and their bodyguard Olivier sitting on a table with tea.

Instead of being happy of seeing her Charles had a vile look at Ash. The youngsters walked towards them.

"You…"

The father was shaking. Amelia was used at seeing him angry a couple times but he seemed like he could explode at any moment.

"I forbid you to be with my daughter any longer!"

"You do not Charles!" The mother jumped in right away. He slammed his hand on the table actually denting it. Ash and in particular Amelia got a little scared. She's never seen her father so upset about something.

"He took her out into the wild like a savage! She deserves better than to be sleeping in a cave!"

"Unless it had something to do with trying to rip him off, I've never seen him that angry."

"Sit down!" Louise forced him to get back in his seat. Louise looked at Ash and explained as he seemed to be calm despite the outburst of her husband.

"Now. As you probably experienced Amelia has never slept outdoors. She always slept in a hotel or a home with some associates we know. She never had any desire to go out camping until now and we were worried for her first time."

"Care to explain yourself boy?" The woman again side eyed her husband. The mother asked one thing regarding her child.

"What we want to know is how you managed to take her with you."

"It was my decision." The heir said interrupting Ash before he could start. Seeing this situation as her fault Amelia took full responsibility not letting Ash carry any blame.

"Ash went to look for that Scizor and despite Alfonzo's protests I joined him. If there is anyone to blame it's me."

To say the parents were surprised is putting it lightly.

"Alfonzo, is this true?"

"Yes ma'am."

The aids confirmation at Amelia's story changed things. Charles stayed silent for a bit as Louise picked up.

"Well, I guess that defuses the whole situation. We'll let the rest of the staff know it was your choice. Alfonzo?"

"Right away ma'am." The aid went back inside to inform the staff that Ash is off the hook. Ash glad that problem was solved still had to contend with an angry father. Luckily for him Louise was a step ahead.

"Don't you have anything to say Charles?" The mother figured he owed Ash an apology. The man did not say much but reached into his pocket.

"I got a call. I'll be back later." He got off the table and moved away from them taking his phone. Amelia did not appreciate her fathers response.

"How rude." It was a trick they knew off pretending someone called them om the phone while in reality they only did it to get out of certain conversations and talks with others they did not want. Holding her annoyance she was glad the situation was defused for now. Ash was too good of company to just to be let go like that.

"Charles is a little upset at his mines being affected by something he doesn't know." The mother apologized to Ash for him instead.

"Juggling parenthood and this business is not an easy task mind you. Still. Glad to see you've kept my little girl in one piece so I should thank you."

"It's not much Mrs. Valuer." Ash shaking off the compliment. Amelia meanwhile thinking back to the talk they had in Galar about him wanting to impress her mother. He seemed to be succeeding so far with how friendly her mom is to him but Amelia wondered how exactly her mother thought about him and if he…

"I'm guessing you two might be interested in what we found in the mines." Louise had a small lump of iron with her. Setting it on the table in front of the two it looked uninspiring.

"You won't see it without a special magnifying glass but there are particles in it that don't belong. I suspect that's what causing the Pokémon that eat it to lose control."

"Any idea where it might come from?" Ash asked her.

"Not until I do further research. Right now I'm waiting for more materials to be brought in so I have a bigger sample size." Louise explained to Ash her working methods. If he stayed till the end to help out it's best to keep him informed on matters. With the wait going on the mother diverted the subject.

"Ash? How was it camping with someone that never did it before?" Amelia embarrassed by her lack of preparations of outside sleeping turned away. Her mother did not grew up with the privileges of a full blooded Valuer so her upbringing was more in line with Ash's. Maybe that's why they got along better than with her father.

"Not my first time. I've had more friends that I went camping with and that it was their first time."

"And how did she react to it?" Unlike herself Amelia always grew up in luxury. It must have been quite a culture shock.

"Well enough."

"That's a surprise." Louise thinking her little girl would be panicking, complaining or see it beneath her as Ash told her how her first night camping was. Louise surprised with how he spoke and that Amelia took it so well. Aiming her vision to her girl now Louise was interested in her endeavors.

"And how was your excursion to Circhester? Did you get what you need?" Amelia nodded yes smiling.

"I've learned a lot. The trip was a good idea. I learned how to figure skate and I have a good starting point for my Performance. I'm looking forward to mastering it further." Enthusiastic about the trip Louise smiled. Amelia always turned into a different girl when it came to Showcases more focused on her acts then anything else.

"Glad to hear it. And Ash's outfit for the vineyard visit?"

"Arranged."

"She picked something that fits me. I'll think you'll be happy about it." Ash praising Amelia the mother got a bit more suspicious but pretended nothing was wrong.

"Now then. I'll let you two figure out what to do from here. If you want to relax after your sudden herding trip or train for your professions is up to you."

Since Alfonzo was working on informing every staff member they had to unpack themselves. Planning to go to their rooms Louise spoke up for one last time.

"One more minute Ash." The boy stopped walking as Amelia turned round as well. The mother nodded her daughter off only wanting the boy here. Amelia went away worried leaving Louise and Ash alone now. Even if he knew he was on really good terms with her Ash can't help but think he's still in trouble.

"Let me warn you since every day you're becoming a better friend of the family. You're kind and I appreciate the time you spend with Amelia." Amelia came back from a trip usually a bit indifferent. Her smile telling Louise she enjoyed it more than usual she loved the company her daughter was with but there still were questions about the cause of it.

"Make sure you stay as kind as you are but you never get exploited for it. There are plenty of people who want something from someone like you and are willing to do anything to get it. Don't trust others and mix up kindness and gullibility. As a person married into the family I know."

"I'll pay attention to it."

"Good, I'll leave you be now." Ash left to unpack his bags in the guest room. Louise sipping on her tea saw his back and was thinking about him.

"My husband may not like you but I see my daughter does. She takes more from me in looks than him but she has the same look he had when we were younger."

The day passed on without much of a hitch. Ash decided to explore a bit of the large house he's staying in while Amelia took a break from all the travelling by working on her figure skating outfit in relative peace.

The next day arriving Amelia's parents got up early cause they were expecting the shipment of materials of the mines to come in today. Louise Valuer ordered the staff to take them inside her personal room so she can study them and maybe find a pattern in what could be causing the purple impurities. Completely devoured in her work she let the rest of the household pass her by. Her husband interrupted to ask if she needed anything for her progress only to tell him to shoo.

During a time he interrupted her she gave a call to an old co worker of her wondering she could help him. He could but a package needed to be retrieved by one of the staff cause sending it over the mail was just too valuable. She took her husband aside and offered up someone who can be a good courier for this.

"No." Charles protested.

"Yes." The wife nodded.

"No."

"Yes." Louise Valeur not being denied her husband eventually relented.

"Fine. You win." He left her alone again to do business as the wife turned around to the rocks with a smile on her face.

"I always do."

I'm back. A pretty short one but hope to pick it up next time and get to the better stuff.

Later