Arriving in Ambrette Town they stayed over in the local hotel. Over the past few days Ash and Amelia took aside an hour or so after dinner to practice Ash's dancing skills. Feeling a lot more comfortable in the classical style Kalos dancing normally dictated he felt a lot more confident in his ability. He hadn't stepped on her toes so the progress was noticeable to when he did it the first time.

Pikachu was practicing with Espeon but just couldn't get the hang of it unlike Ash. Usually pretty fast on his feet Pikachu struggled with the steps and missed the motivation his trainer seemed to have with the Performer. Amelia suggested something in that he'd switch out Pikachu for the dance part for someone else on his team.

Dragonite was too big and clumsy, Gengar more interested I scaring Espeon and playing pranks was a big no. Dracovish also had a go but it was like a Tauros in a china shop destroying things while not meaning too with Amelia having to pay for the damage. His Sirfetch'd more gallant and chivalrous it took up the moves with ease. Forming a good duo with Espeon Ash decided on Sirfetc'd to dance much to Pikachu's joy.

Stepping out of the car Alfonzo said he'd pick them up later after their appointment at the Fossil Lab he left the two alone much to his displeasure but could not reject a request from the heir. Being witness to her 'lessons' and the order to buy Ash a specific gift Amelia made it abundantly clear something is beginning to brew inside her. The aid keeping an eye on them at least he knows Ash can't do something inappropriate to her in the presence of the workers at the Fossil Lab.

"Why did you send Alfonzo away?" Ash questioned as the aid usually stuck to Amelia like glue.

"He has other business to do."

Leaving it at that Ash and Amelia went inside being greeted by the ones who worked there. Taking a short tour the staff were introduced to Ash's Dracovish that immediately became the center of attention among the researchers and staff. Swimming in the water basin filled with Remoraid, Kabuto and other fish the mixed fossil happily went for a swim with its large head as it is being observed.

They took a short break getting lunch as the staff were studying Ash's Pokémon.

"You're doing great so far." Amelia complimented him. Ash had a few nerves as this was his first business visit to a firm related to the Valuer family but Dracovish luckily was here to carry the brunt of attention so he didn't seem out of place. To him Amelia didn't talk much to the others as he thought they were here for business relations.

"I'm starting to think your mom only send us here so they can see Dracovish."

"This isn't your first visit here right? You said you were here before."

Ash nodded yes as he told the Amuara and Amuarus story on how he first got here and a Tyrunt that evolved into a Tyrantrum under Bonnie's care. Hearing the name of an old friend he travelled with in the group with Serena Amelia was nervous. She was nervous because if she ever got in the position to meet them they didn't know to they'd react to her. Ash seemed accepting enough of her being a rival to Serena trying to take her goal away. Would they accept her or shunt her?

"Amelia? You look nervous." She helped him with nerves while dancing. He wanted to help her with the nerves that were bothering her. She shook her head and gave a soft smile.

"I'm fine. Is the food any good?"

"It's good. Not as good as the lunch you made when we went picnicking in Galar but still good."

Amelia began to daydream about her cooking at his good taste.

Them together on a table during dinner with her delicious cooking as he took a bite from her work with his eyes shining at how good it is as he cut off a piece of meat to put on his fork which he then held out to her to taste as she took a bite letting the flavors attack her mouth at the offered as they ate it all as for dessert they then leaned in…

"Are you sick?"

She got snapped out of her dream by Ash laying his hand on her forehead. Blushing wildly on her fantasy she pulled away.

"I'm fine!"

Her face still red from the thought and physical touch it was worse then when they practiced. Although she came used to his hands in her feeling it on another part of her body was strange. She shook off her embarrassment and continued to eat her lunch as they still had to fulfill the rest of their visit.

"I hope Amelia isn't sick. I want to go to the dance party with her."

He'd found it a shame that after all the extra hours he put into something he didn't like at first will go unnoticed if the first opportunity he got with a formal dance with Amelia was cancelled due to one of them getting sick. Ash didn't look up to the massive challenge anymore but saw it as a fun event he got to share with her.

His thoughts like often lately wondered to how Amelia looked. The dance party had clothes for rent so attire is not a problem. Her sense of fashion great he wondered how would she look in a ballroom dress like that? Probably fantastic cause she just had a gift of making everything work for her when it came to looks. Even if he said it before and sees her on a daily basis he can't help but sound like a broken record.

"She's pretty."

"Now your face is red."

Amelia commented as she blushed again. The way he stared at her during lunch made her suspect he's thinking about her again. Still on business visit she couldn't explore further as the scientist in the Fossil Lab came to pick them up for the rest of the day.

"Step better!"

A girl with red hair demanded more improvement from her dance partner. His black suit not deem able for a lot of free movement he but his tongue as he once again stepped on her toes. Squeezing his hand tighter angry she scolded him.

"Be better Byron!"

"This is a waste of time."

Stacy and the accountant of the trio out to ruin the Valuer family were going to attend Pierre's dance party. After her Showcase debut win against the Valuer heir she proceeded to work on her Pokevision and Performances. And to whip up her date into shape so he wouldn't embarrass himself. Byron meanwhile just did his loyal number crunching and making his own arrangements so he can get Stacy close to the kid that prevented him from discussing business.

"You really think they're going to show?" He still has doubts over this plan of hers. Him wearing a disguise so he wouldn't be recognized by Amelia herself if they came across each other he would ruin the while evening if the redhead was wrong.

"She'll drag him by the collar to it if she has too. Girls like her love being the center of attention. Especially at a party like this. Aria is not attending so all eyes are going to be on me." Stacy telling him as if he wasn't smart enough to figure it out himself.

"You're sure you can pawn this kid? He's a real nuisance to deal with if he doesn't listen." Her actions to him can fail despite her confidence. They had no clue how close they really were so Stacy trying to influence the kid away from the heir can backfire.

"You just get me close in the dance circle and I'll see to it he's no longer an issue. By the end of the evening I'll have him wrapped around my finger as long as you rigged the party in my favor."

"My guy already has made sure he marked the cards. And knows which one to give to you and him. You'll have the last dance with him."

Byron told there's no need to worry. Every attendee was given a card that will do a specific thing that will make sure random people will do a battle. Their contact helping Monsieur Pierre arrange the evening he was in charge of handing out the cards to Stacy and the Valuer guest. Together then she and him will beat a bunch of nobody's and then she can work from there.

"And it will be the best dance away from the Valuer. Now focus!"

Demanding once more Byron would do better he reluctantly took holds of her again. This better be worth the effort and profit it will bring.

"Why couldn't Viktor do this instead?"

The third one busy with other things Byron wished he was him right now. Even if the task he did was much more dangerous then dancing with the idol aspiring Kalos Queen.

The rest of the day was uneventful for Ash and Amelia after they returned to the hotel from their visit. As usual Ash and Amelia had set aside a little time to dance together. Them becoming good partners over the last couple of days they held the traditional pose signifying the end they let go. Amelia smiling as she thought he did as good as he could be was more than happy despite the gulf in talent and class. She expected more from a dance partner buy since it was Ash she let it go.

"I'd say you're fully prepared. I don't think you need more practice unless you want to become a Performer yourself." Telling him he should do perfectly fine during the next dance party he seemed to got over the wooden movements becoming much more fluid.

"Thank you. I'm feeling a lot more confident then last time."

"It's a pleasure." Amelia did a curtsy in character thanking him. Ash bowed slowly too as she taught him the manners needed before getting back up again. Amelia glad found it the perfect time as she snapped her fingers towards Alfonzo. The aid knowing what she needed he handed over a small black box with a purple ribbon tying it up nicely. Amelia took it from before holding it out to Ash.

"For your hard work I got you something." And as a thank you for being such a great friend. It wasn't as big as she can offer him but it would be the thought that counts.

"You shouldn't have too."

"I wanted too. Please take it."

Ash took the box thanking her and untied the ribbon putting it in his pocket. Opening the lid a small red cushion dented in as a small yellow orb sat in the middle glowing.

"Thank you. But what is it?" Amelia surprised he didn't know explained the trinket.

"It's a Light Ball. It's an item that supposedly brings good luck to who uses a Pikachu."

Since the two were inseparable and Pikachu always out of his Pokeball the Performer figured this was the best she can give him at a reasonable price. Light Ball's were rumored to exponentially increase a Pikachu's power by the holder of one but it was never proven unlike the Power Bands her family makes.

"What do you think buddy?" Ash held the ball out to Pikachu sitting on the couch watching his trainer and Sirfetch'd earlier. Sniffing it he nodded gladly getting a good feeling from the item. He felt pretty energized even after a long day.

"Pika!"

Amelia relieved Pikachu seemed happy with it. If she wanted a shot at Ash she needed to impress his Pokémon as well as him. She already had a good grip on the former, time to work on the latter after she impressed Ash even more at the upcoming dance party.

An official dance which Amelia hoped will only be the first of plenty more if Ash felt the same for her as she did towards him. They retreated to their bedrooms for the night as Amelia was brushing Espeon delicately. The fur incredibly sensitive she used a very special and expensive brush to give Espeon the shine on her coat she so desired for Showcases.

"I'm jealous of you."

Espeon's keen senses picked up on her trainers thoughts as she raised her head. Amelia thinking about the move Attract which she taught most of her Pokémon. It is her favorite move with the display of hearts and the effect it seems to have on other Pokémon preventing them from doing as well as her opponents wanted too. If only she can do something like it to Ash as Espeon and Dragonair can do on others it will be so much easier to string him along. Alas she's human and had to resort to more traditional methods in the art of courting.

A courting coming soon as the next morning they left Ambrette Town and headed towards the castle where the dance party is being held.

Next up the dance party. Though I get a feeling it's not going to be the night Amelia envisioned with her object of affection. Should be interesting.

Later.