The last couple of days for Ash and Amelia were going by as normal for them. The aspiring Pokémon Master did his training and his occasional watching of Amelia practice her routine and she returned the favor by watching him train. The date of the vineyard visit approaching Ash wasn't really nervous about it all. He hung out with girls before by himself but Amelia kept being quite special and he was kind of looking forward to it.
He was relieved their friendship remained intact even if the awkwardness of the date hung over them. They did their evening ritual of a courteous dance together like so often with Ash improving more and more. They made it no secret that they liked touching each other with physical contact as they sometimes came into the summer home holding hands before Amelia's aid just spotted them.
Alfonzo was well aware by their interest in the other person and had relayed it to his bosses as his job dictated him too. The aid knew the strong boy had the seal of approval from Louise Valuer to court the heir but Charles was clearly growling over the phone about Amelia's choice of suitor. He was certain the wife would keep her husband in check as they were heading to the vineyard spoken about so much.
Ash had changed into the outfit Amelia picked for him. Not as easy to dress into compared to his usual wear he tried his best to look presentable without Amelia's help. Amelia had changed into a light yellow summer dress ridden herself of her trademark purple. Instead of watching the road in the car they were in Ash mostly looked at Amelia.
"Did I already say you look amazing?" Hearing him say it formed a smile as she kept count.
"Three times. And I can't seem to get enough of it."
She really got the feeling she had already ensnared him in her spell. She prayed to whatever entity existed for a good thing during their official date and a happy ending in which just him and her is a repeatable occasion. The two leaned against each other in the car enjoying contact again as them leaving each other alone is out of the question now.
"Nervous for the visit?"
"No. You told me enough and prepared me well. If it's anything like the museum we went too we should be fine."
Experiencing matters like these before once helped him prepare. He try for her to be as polite as possible and to follow her instructions well. The car riding them coming to a standstill Ash looked out the window as Alfonzo let the pair out.
Large fields of Berry trees sprawled out over quite the landscape. All different types of colors growing on the trees the fields were arranged so it formed a rainbow pattern for a nice visual image. People and Pokémon working together in harvesting the Berries in the fields Ash saw a building in the distance that seemed like a small factory.
"Wow, it's pretty big."
"Certainly. The factory in the distance is the main topic of today I'll be taking you too."
"Is that where they make those drinks your parents like?"
"Yes. Let's meet up with father and mother."
Her multiple visits here allowed her to know the way. A mansion on top a hill overlooked the vineyard and Ash, Amelia and Alfonzo climbed the stairway up as they saw Amelia's parents waiting outside dressed in their own formal outfits for occasions like these. The mother smiled at seeing the trio again.
"Ah. Amelia, Ash, Alfonzo. How was your stay and your journey?"
"Safe and prosperous." Amelia said as the second part remained cryptic to most.
"You have a great summer home Mrs. Valuer. Really nice." Ash complimented the family's little hideaway. Charles meanwhile was annoyed on multiple counts. Seeing the boy again despite him helping catch the mole did not trust him even if his wife told him to drop his suspicions by now about their guest.
"So how is the investigation going?"
"Slow." Charles mumbled over Ash's question. The mother again functioning as spokesperson said it in a way they all understood.
"What he means is that the woman you captured is tight lipped and our business is losing value every day till we catch the true culprit who send her and poisoned our mines. We're on a friendly visit now. No speak about our business. We'll tell you everything afterwards. Can you wait that long?"
"She keeps me occupied. I can wait." Thinking it was for the best as he didn't wish to dump Amelia into a negative emotion. This should be a day of discovery and fun. Ash surveyed the house he was going through and it was well stacked just like the Valuer estate. Pictures of ancestors in clothes of the time he could tell the vineyard is a few centuries old.
They were greeted by a man in a white checkered suit and a black swirly mustache. A large grin on his face he eagerly shook hands with the head of the Valuer family.
"Ah, Charles, Louise, Amelia. How have all of you been? As always welcome to my humble home. Make yourselves comfortable."
His green eyes laid contact with Ash. Letting go of Charles he shook Ash's hand eagerly. He was told they'd bring one extra and quite a spectacular one at that.
"Ah yes, I recognize you from the PWC. It's no wonder you caught their eye and associate with you. Pleasure to meet you. Name is Vincent, first name or last name doesn't matter. Just call me that."
"Hehe…thank you sir. I'm Ash and this is Pikachu. As for your vineyard it is quite a sight. I travelled a lot but your Berry fields really look pretty the way you planted the trees."
"Environment is important if we want to keep living along with Pokémon. I do hope you'll trace the source quickly to what's occurred to your mines."
"Not in front of the children Vincent." Louise told the owner of this place as he nodded.
"Of course! Come on further! I have enough refreshments for everyone. Can I provide you with a tour guide? Surely you must have tons of questions as it your first time." Laying eye contact with Ash again be truly wanted to know more abkut him. Vincent truly was an appreciator of Pokémon battles and with how out of the box this young man is in his movements and strategies it was quite a sight.
"No thank you. I appreciate your offer but Amelia wanted to show me around."
Ash truly wanted to start his date already. Vincent understood as he let the youngsters be.
"Well, the offer will stand dear lad. Go ahead."
"We'll take refreshments later. If you would excuse us." Amelia politely excused herself as she took Ash with her. The adults alone now he looked at the Valuer's happy so far.
"Strong and polite. I can see why you wish to associate with him. One of your new main stars for your Power Bands?"
"We hope so. He's getting to know the family some more before he commits to anything."
Hearing the word commit made Charles grumble. That boy being friends with his daughter is already farfetched yet Ash being worthy of Amelia's hand would have a long way to go. Wanting to send the bodyguard with them Louise stopped him as the boy was more than capable himself keeping them safe.
"He's nice. I like him."
Ash walking with his date looked through the vineyard looked around. A nice bricked grey path led to the distillery in which he would be guided through. Peeking back at the mansion he gave his opinion on the owner. Amelia besides him opted her own opinion too.
"Vincent always is more outspoken compared to some other associates so I see why you like him If you come on these appointments more than prepare to be disappointed."
"How did it go so far? Did I do ok?" Ash really worried he didn't do anything wrong. To Amelia's family first impressions mattered and it probably did also went that road with her associates. The heir smiled and squeezed his hand in comfort.
"Zero complaints about your performance as it is excellent. If you keep this up and remember etiquette during dinner you will be fine for the rest of our visit."
"Well come on! Show me around."
"Naturally."
Amelia took him through a tour through the vineyard as promised. Just like the excursion through her family's factory je learned a thing or two on what is required to craft the special drink and the high amount of quality control attached to it. After the tour she gave him he had quite some things to process.
"So what do you think?"
"I never knew they made drinks like that. I learned something today."
"Well, anything else you wish to do?"
Still having time left on their 'date' the two didn't think that far ahead. Normally after a tour there was an opportunity to taste the produce made here but as they were to young for the tasting it made sense Amelia got bored quickly here. Ash had a great idea.
"Hey. Maybe we can take some Berries and then make our drinks. You think the workers would mind if we borrow some Berries and made our own thing?" Ash suggested they'd try out some own recipes.
"You mean create our own juice? I'll see if I can arrange something." Amelia would go towards the kitchen staff and request use of some of their appliances. As not as well skilled in crafting recipes knew how to improvise on a hot day like this.
"What do you say we start making milkshakes buddy?"
"Pika!"
Pikachu's ears perked up as Amelia's lack of a normal life caught up to her again.
"A milkshake?"
"You never had a milkshake before? They're so good!"
"Do you know how to make one?"
"Ok, let's see. We need a blender and something cold to put it in." He thought after all the nice sweets he and his Pokémon got from her it's time he made something for her. The two arranged a blender from the kitchen area as they then headed back to their set up spot.
"What flavor do you want?"
"Uhm…peach."
Ash started filling up the blender with the peaches Amelia liked. Adding in some Moomoo milk and a hint of sugar to make it sweeter he closed the lid proper sealing so when he pressed on the blender wouldn't spill.
"Can I borrow some power buddy?" Ash gave the power cord to Pikachu who then provided enough power to start the machine. Ash pressed the button as the ingredients inside wee chopped up at high velocity and then mixed together creating an orange gooey substance. To Amelia it all seemed incredibly simple. Pikachu stopped providing power and the blender stopped.
"Is it done yet?"
"Not yet. It needs to be cold first."
Not having the trademark plastic cups with lid available he poured it in a cup. Not having a straw on hand Amelia would have to drink it up slowly. Taking the cup she took a sip and chills started to course through her body. Pecking her lips she let the flavor wash through her mouth.
"It's thick, cold and a little top sweet. But it totally works!" She took another sip from her cup eagerly drinking more. Moving it down again a bit of cream of the milkshake was stuck on her upper lip. Ash saw it and reached out to her.
"You have something on your lip."
He softly brushed off the cream from her upper lip. Used to touching each other even for her this gesture was too intimate as she blushed bright red but let it happen anyway. He then took the cream to his own mouth and sucked on his finger tasting mixing flavors.
"Hmm…peach with…raspberry?…Does her lip-gloss have taste?"
He wondered if the make up she applied had a flavor to it. Maybe that's why some girls apply it for just a quick taste to keep themselves entertained.
"Thank you, remind me to reapply it before we go back for dinner."
"Of course…" Together they tasted and made multiple flavors. Ash made a strawberry for himself and like before with her he was the one with cream on his face. Amelia gave him a slow rub off with her finger as now she tasted strawberry off him. This time it was his turn to copy the color of Pikachu's cheeks as he quickly took another sip at how hot he had it from her touch.
They made quite a few combinations as they were full for now needing to have room left for dinner.
"Mmm…they were great…"
Ash looked at her face smiling. Again thinking to himself she has such a gorgeous smile. Being cooled down from all the shakes she tasted Amelia the cold reminded her of the next challenge as a Performer.
"It might have nothing to do with the Theme Performance of the next Showcase but it gives me something else to experiment with in the future. I have a new idea's now for special mixtures."
"It's a shame you're not making food more often. You're a better chef than your staff."
She gently smiled at his compliment. The ones working for her family at home were well esteemed chefs who took pride in their craft. Being introduced to this drink outside of her usual standing and education made her wonder what else he has in store for her.
"Her smile is so nice…so pretty…" He glanced at her mouth remembering a thing.
"I…don't forget your lipstick."
"Thank you." She reapplied her layer and put the roller back in her pocket.
"So, was this our date?" Ash asked not to sure where the line them being close friends ended and them dating started. They stuck to each other often enough but he enjoyed having Amelia all to himself without an aid or staff watching over her. Amelia gave him a gentle look happy.
"Yes. Did you enjoy it?"
"Yeah. I always have fun when you're around." He admitted smiling in a kind and soothing tone as she softly blushed. This day was great just like all the others they spend together but they had to change their routine up just a little.
"We unfortunately have to skip our evening dance. I'm certain Vincent has tons of questions for you." Dinnertime approaching the owner arguably wanted to know more about Ash personally seeing how the introduction went.
"I had you long enough for today. As much as I want to do our dance we're still guests."
"We'll make up for it another time. Maybe a dance party where I don't have to share you."
They headed back together to the mansion where Amelia's patents and the vineyard owner were waiting for them. The two eager to explore more of the vineyard together like the SS Shimmer they already had a plan set for tomorrow after Amelia's Performance practice. For now they'd join Amelia's parents and Vincent for dinner and then head to bed early to spend even more precious time together.
Bit late, bit slow. But will be more plot related in the summary next time.
Later.