The visit on the vineyard of the Valuer family associates around the corner Amelia was practicing her figure skating Performance once more only this time without Ash around. He did his own training early so they can go play at the beach again as they did lately. Alfonzo for once watched her train away from his duties as he still had to look out for her as his job told him too.

Witnessing his watch practice on the slippery field he noticed a change compared to her usual demeanor. Only having her seen practice once or twice she certainly was more free flowing in her actions. Having a reputation to uphold can be difficult but if there was such a difference between practice and execution when the lights were on she maybe could not handle that pressure.

Amelia skated to the edge for a quick break with her Pokémon before repeating it again. Putting on the protective rubbers on her irons she mastered the art of walking on solid ground with her skates. Amelia took a sip from a bottle Alfonzo held for her as he spoke up.

"I approve of your guest."

The heir kind of surprised he spoke up about that. Alfonzo sometimes delivered his opinions but it was usually connected to the duties her parents bestowed on her and needed reminder of. Amelia put the cap back on the bottle before looking angry to him.

"Pardon? It isn't your duty to judge him."

"It is when it concerns you." The aid continued on why he spoke up as he easily noticed things beginning to build due to tending to both youngsters wishes. The dinners were fun to Amelia with her constantly smiling and taking Ash as her non official dance partner every evening as he watched them interact a little too close for just associates.

"Miss Amelia, I'm loyal but no blind fool. I see how you look at him. It was the face your father had when he saw your mother and courted her."

Being in service for decades in her family he was present when his bosses married and now seemed to have the privilege of watching the product of that union start to fall in love herself. Amelia gave him an annoyed pout as he became a but too personal for her liking. The heir remembering the conversation with her mother who gave her permission of her guest Amelia suspected this initiative came from her mother.

The aid pushed on by his job to provide her happiness Amelia did curse him. He was closer to her than other servants and employees but he had no right to intrude in these matters as Alfonzo might inform her father about her interest in Ash. A fact she let him know as some of her old highly demanding habits returned with a scowl on her face.

"You will not ask me further about this and you will not engage Ash with these type of questions. I forbid you and you will suffer consequences if you disobey this order."

Alfonzo knew she only pretended this time into falling back into her old habits. The heir crafting a new personality much less demanding of staff and to make a good impression on the boy who did a lot by himself without a heritage to fall back on. The aid bowed slowly as Amelia needed to focus again on her practice.

"Naturally miss."

As he saw move towards the ice again he secretly smiled at the improvements Amelia made. Meeting her new friend on the SS Shimmer it wasn't a successful business venture but something else came out of it that would get much more value in the long term.

"He seems to be doing my job better than me. I do wish it stays that way."

Ash had gone to the beach to train with his Pokémon. Having Sirfetch'd and Lucario battle each other he took a small break just stating out over the ocean. He looked to his right where Ash and Amelia build their sand castle together which was still standing. It wasn't the first time his mind wondered off to the Performer all of a sudden.

Sitting on the beach enjoying the weather it reminded him of the time he just relaxed on the beaches of Alola. In this downtime his mind usually began drifting to how far he came and the adventures they had with their friends. The ones with Amelia more recent they took center stage. Sure her Showcases didn't pan out the way they both wanted and her father was kind of strict but for the rest she was as entertaining normally as on stage.

"Yeah, she's pretty special."

His heart always sped up when thinking about her and even now he wondered how her practice was going. The Performer slowly started to haunt him more than even his Gengar. Still figuring the effect she has on him, Ash never felt like this before. Even when she pecked him during their goodbye on the SS Shimmer.

"Why am I thinking about that smooch? No…I'm imagining it. She was honest about not looking for anyone rather focusing on her career."

Maybe it was a friendly thing she did in gratitude. Though a big sign of affection it wasn't uncommon for friends to peck each other on the cheeks as he sometimes saw his mom do to long lost friends and associates when they visited. It probably was a greeting rich people did among their age mates and Amelia just continued the tradition.

"Stop thinking like that…Amelia is a friend…a special friend…why am I even thinking about her like this?"

Though he silently hoped it meant just as much as the time Serena kissed him at the airport.

"What would Serena think if I tell her Amelia makes me think like this? Would she be hurt? I mean…like as in friend…you're still a great friend…how do you judge levels of friends? Who says that!? Like…why is this stuff so complicated? It was easier watching Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet do this. How did Brock manage this with dozens of girls?"

Pikachu laying on his lap the mouse's ears perked up. Even if Ash did not say anything he at least could sense something was up. Ash petted him to ease him while silently wondering how Pikachu would think about Amelia.

"I'm alright. Just have a lot on my mind. Just one person and every thing relating to her. How would Amelia react if I tell her about these thoughts? She did give her big secret in the arranged wedding. Stupid, Amelia would never do that."

The need to say her name again without reason. It just felt good saying it silently or letting it roll off the tongue. Pikachu made himself comfy again as Ash tried to unravel the mystery of the Pokémon Performer. Going through the rest of his practice Amelia joined him around lunch time carrying a basket full of goods. Seeing her again lifted his spirits.

"Hey! Did your practice go well?"

"Splendid. Sorry to have kept you waiting but I'm ready to have fun on the beach again."

Instead of her in her swimsuit he eyed the basket filled with treats. Working hard must have created quite an appetite and Amelia was glad to fulfill his need to satisfy it. Giggling at how hungry he was she agreed to wait for more fun on the beach. He truly had the ability to make her smile at even the most trivial things.

"After we eat of course."

The two and their Pokémon sat down and enjoying the treats she made. Amelia glad with their response after a hard days work Ash made small talk as he just loved hearing her speak.

"Sorry. I know we came here to get away from it but I'm curious."

"I know we're here for ourselves but have you heard anything from your parents back home? How is their investigation going?"

"Working on it. She's surprisingly resilient and not much of a talker."

The woman pretending to be staff was well trained into not speaking.

"Did this happen before? People trying to sabotage your family? Your mother said you get used to it but is it really that bad?"

"Often enough. We have quite a history with people being greedy and try to take a large sum of us by swindling."

It reminded Ash of some the times he met James's parents. The lavender haired male of Team Rocket came from a wealthy background just like Amelia and just like the girl he was forced into marriage. At least Amelia had free choice in who she wanted to marry but the requirement is still there.

"Since we're talking about issues we rather not have what about you? Didn't you say that those three that stole all the Pokémon from the SS Shimmer bother you?"

Referring to the Team Rocket trio Ash smiled.

"They're surprisingly quiet lately. I don't know why." Sure they popped up every once in a while but not to the rate of four times every day. They probably were doing other things their boss had more need for and that usually meant bad news for everyone else.

"You don't think they gave up?" Amelia finding the three foolish trying to steal Pokémon let alone as someone as powerful as Ash. Never having felt safer than in his presence it was reassuring.

"Nah. I know them well enough they will never give up on Pikachu. But that's ok cause we won't give up either."

"Pika!"

Amelia listening to him just had little patience for Pokémon thieves. After the Trio tried to pull on the SS Shimmer they were truly blacklisted. The Performer needed something from Ash in the future. Sure he'd be able to provide it now but she wasn't ready yet.

"When we're at the vineyard on our own can we battle?" Amelia predicted that the fermentation process will be incredibly boring to Ash and he rather watch her or do some training Ash eagerly nodded yes. He was a little curious about why she asked.

"Of course. Why not now?"

"I need time to prepare. I've seen your strength but want to feel it for myself. What kind of a true difference there is between a Performer and as strong as you."

"I can't wait already! It's a date!"

In his excitement of getting to battle her he blurted it out. Amelia blushed at his usage at the word date as Ash realized what he said and reigned himself in. His heart beating quick and a lump in his throat he swallowed it in and corrected himself.

"I mean…the date of our visit of course…not that we…though I did like going to dance party with her."

"Just…a date like the dance party right?" Amelia asked him if he meant that as he nodded. Though her heart slowed just a little at their appointment between friends.

"Yes…just like the dance party." Ash mirrored her attitude. Amelia flicked a loose bang out of her face. Stroking the side of her head she touched one of her earrings looking shyly sideways. She was incredibly cautious so far compared to normal but she wanted nothing more than to take the plunge.

"That is…unless you want to make it a real date." She stuttered it out as time seem to come to a halt. Ash was lucky he didn't had a bite in his mouth cause he involuntarily swallowed due to nerves. Taking a quick sip as his mouth was dry he downed the drink in one go.

"A real date?"

Ash looked at her and Amelia nodded with a stoic smile. Not smiling did not suit her. Ash found her face and smile to be pretty to be seen the way he did now. Knowing it was his fault Amelia now looked like she did he felt somewhat guilty. Pikachu slowly nibbled on his treat like a tense scene in a movie. Taking slow and small bites he waited in anticipation on how Ash would respond as he hasn't been put on the chopping block this big since Serena.

"Yes."

"I've never been on a real one before." Ash answered honestly.

"Neither have I." They shared inexperience which Ash found strange as he thought Amelia is an expert at it.

"What about the ones your father try to set you up with?"

"They don't count."

She was the exact opposite when it came to date numbers but those had nothing to do with what she wanted from Ash. Those dates were instigated by her father and Ash was the first Amelia asked directly. Being raised on tradition the female usually was asked out by the male but curiosity made Amelia break tradition as a trend started to form in going against her father's wishes.

"Me and Amelia?"

Ash's brain began to crack. He really liked Amelia even from the short time they spend together as companions. But to go as far as them going on a date which will then hold the promise of maybe building towards more than friends. The Performer had a mysterious effect on him but he was still working on solving the mystery. His Research Fellow skills did not aid him at all as Amelia to him is the biggest and best mystery so far.

"How do I answer this? I'd like to go on a date with her. Amelia is just so much fun. But can I just do it without hurting her?"

In the back of his mind someone else haunted him. How could he say yes while he still owed Serena an answer. He didn't speak to her since their goodbye kiss at the airport. Is Serena looking for the same thing as Amelia? Would they be rivals not just in Showcases but also for him? He wanted all his friends to get along but picking one over the other in the way he is thinking about would leave one hurt. Ash also couldn't say no to both cause then he's hurting two for the price of one.

"Is he hesitating? I thought for sure…"

Amelia realizing she took her shot at more happiness for them both too early. Maybe she overestimated just how much he's into her and the prospect of them being an item. The lack of a quick response hurt despite her effort to hide it.

"Do you need time to think about it?"

"I mean yes…I'd like to go on a real date with you."

With the enthusiasm of someone finding a penny on the street Ash quickly oomphed it up.

"I mean…I'd really like to go on a date with you!" His face redder than Pikachu's cheeks now in excitement he still felt the niggling thought of Serena. Deciding to give into Amelia's special request he agreed to it for now. He'd think about the Serena situation later. He always has been a spur of the moment guy so when the time comes he'd handle it. He made the right choice do far as Amelia's smile began to return.

"Thank you so much!"

Amelia nearly leaped from her knees and leaned in to embrace him. Her arms wrapping themselves around him he hugged her back as his arms moved around her waist pulling her in automatically.

"This is really nice."

They were familiar with close contact thanks to all the dance practice yet this feels so much better. They admitted without saying a word that they were really comfortable touching the other. Pikachu still snacking was glad the awkwardness passed now and the two were close again. He did find the hug lasting a little too long though. Amelia broke it off as she held onto Ash's shoulders.

"Let's make our visit to the vineyard our real one! I know you're dressed well for it!" Saving him the hassle of purchasing a decent outfit he was well equipped. Seeing her enthusiasm it was intoxicating towards Ash.

"You bet! I can't wait for it either!"

The two having their personal date set in stone they finished their lunch together as the Pokémon enjoyed the rest of the day on the beach. Both youngsters having their own thoughts on the events of today despite earlier doubts it came out fine. They were both going on a date with the person that has intrigued them more than anyone and it was an adventure neither have gone through yet but wished for a good and safe ending.

If they weren't still minors I'd say bang already.

Sorry about the lateness of this one but at home is quite some work to be done. Giant maintenance on all sides of the house prevents me from sitting down and throwing these out. Still working on it but I'm slowing down for a bit.

Later.