Alena shifted slightly, as she was taken aback by the sudden gesture, her paws rising in front of her in surprise.
"What, me?" she questioned instinctively. "I haven't even outgrown what I'm already wearing," she exclaimed.
Everyone else was quite surprised, and the twins' eyes quickly lit up at Cheiro's declaration.
"Wow! A designer dress for Alena, crafted by the great Lady Cheiro herself?!" Yonka exclaimed ecstatically.
"That's amazing!" Ania added joyously.
The two girls crowded closer to Alena, pulling her attention as she nervously paused.
"Alena, this is an honor! Lady Cheiro makes the best of clothes! Her talent is entirely unmatched!" Ania exclaimed to Alena as she clasped their paws together in awe. "I'm so jealous!"
Alena blushed at this sentiment, as she was taken completely off guard. She could tell Ania's excitement was genuine, and she wasn't sure how she should feel in the moment as tension built up within her. Sheila found Alena's reaction quite cute, and she couldn't imagine anyone she'd like to see in something made by the Lady, Cheiro, more. It wasn't long before Elijah began curiously trailing over, wondering about the commotion.
"If there's anything you'd like to have, Lady Cheiro is perfectly capable of making it," Sheila chimed in.
Alena pulled back, closer to Cheiro as she faced the others.
"What? But I don't need anything else, I like the clothes I have now," Alena replied, waving her paws defensively.
"Oh my dear," Cheiro began, "Do you believe what I'll make you will overfill your wardrobe? The garments I make won't simply be your typical size." This caught Alena's attention as she peered over her shoulder to Cheiro.
"That's right! Lady Cheiro specializes in multi-fit attire. You can wear it for years! You're whole life when designed at the right time. You have to accept this honor Alie!" Ania insisted.
Tika and Maulana stood there becoming increasingly interested by the moment, as they listened to the others intently with awe-caught eyes.
"A lifelong dress?! But that sounds amazing!" Tika chimed in excitedly.
"Can... can anyone get a dress like that?" Maulana asked calmly.
Sheila rested her hand on Maulana's shoulder, looking down to catch her eyes.
"Lady Cheiro works with a lot of customers, and her selection is impressive, but few people commission her for this type of project, so she only makes them upon request," Sheila explained.
"It's an extensive procedure and takes a lot more attention to detail than most of my works, but if the terms are right, I'm happy to make them for just about anyone," Cheiro further explained.
Alena was watching every detail of the interaction before her, and the others couldn't help but continue to smile. She looked to her friends, and looked to Madam Cheiro as she grew ever more curious. She had to admit, it did sound intriguing.
At that moment, Sheila's eyes began to well up. The excitement, however, kept everyone well interested.
"So..." Alena began as she turned to face Cheiro, "...is the dress something for me to wear now, and why make it for me?" She was rather curious when it came to the deeper details behind the project.
"Let's just say, you helped a friend in your own special way," Cheiro answered. She leaned in, reaching out to grab the fabric of Alena's dress. Each of the girls, of course, had taken the time to change out of their keikogi when class was cancelled for the day, and Alena too had fitted back into the dress she was left with when she joined the class, just before they all made their way to this special spot.
"This dress you're wearing, you really like it don't you?" Cheiro followed.
Alena nodded, her eyes looking to Cheiro in wonder, curious about the reasoning behind the question.
"What if I told you that this was one of my pieces?" Cheiro added. This caused Alena's eyes to widen slightly. Cheiro then stood straight, as she raised her index finger vertically over her lips in similar hushing gesture. Her gentle smile was truly peaceful. "There's something much of what you've worn over the years has in common," she hinted as she rested her hand over the tailor's tape. "So what do you say dear? Hold up your arms," she said, as she stretched out the tape to take her measurements. This would be the first outfit Alena will have gotten, to be tailored specifically to her.
Just as Alena went to oblige, Sheila cleared her throat. This led her to jolt with two muffled coughs—turning away from everyone as tears trickled down her face.Her fist had instinctively covered her mouth, and she struggled to not open up to avoid the display of blood. Her abrupt cough caught everyone's attention, her body even curled slightly into the fit. Cheiro along with everyone else watched her closely.
"Shea-Shea, are you okay?" Alena gasped lightly with concern in her voice.
Sheila rose her palm up towards the others with curled joints.
"I'm fine..." she answered with a raspy voice, "...Just need... something to drink..."
Sheila began walking away from the group as she headed over to the watering hole's edge. Cheiro looked to each of the others as she made a request.
"Could I have each of you wait right here for a few moments?"
Cheiro gave the slightest curtsy to them all, and then made her way over towards Sheila's side. Everyone, including Alena and the twins most of all followed Cheiro's path with concern, and soon looked to one another, wondering about the current matter. Elijah, who was by Alena's side, hopped up into the back harness and peered over her shoulder.
"Is she okay...?" Maulana asked.
Tika took a few steady steps forward, her arm wrapped over her chest.
"Did something happen?" Tika asked.
Alena, Ania and Yonka all stood close together, as they silently observed Sheila from a distance. Sheila knelt before the edge of the water, and leaning in, she scooped up a handful of water and carefully, yet desperately sipped it back. Her lungs felt heavy, and the hoarse itch in her throat had her tears streaming down her face. She began to open her satchel as Cheiro closed in behind her.
"Oh you poor thing..." Cheiro said as she arrived by Sheila's side.
"Something has happened hasn't it?" she asked softly.
Sheila hadn't answered, and continued to fidget through her satchel, struggling to get a hold of one of the herbs which was otherwise easy enough to obtain. She shoveled it into her mouth, her hands shaking in fear. She was desperate to not let the others know what was going on, yet she couldn't hide her panicked struggle as she trembled while chewing away and quickly scooped up another handful of water. Cheiro stood over Sheila, and knelt slightly to rest her hand on Sheila's upper back.
"There, there. You're in quite the bind aren't you dear?" she spoke gently, trying to sooth Sheila however she could.
As Sheila gulped down the water, she grew ever more desperate, and leaned into the water—her hands on the shore—as she chugged at the water to ease her throat. This however did nothing for the thick feeling weighing on her lungs, and she lifted up to take hoarse, labored breaths. Sheila's back had fallen out of reach, and Cheiro folded her hands together as she watched.
The tensions for the others began to rise, and Alena took a few steps forward, her gaze showing an even greater concern.
"What's wrong with Shea-Shea?" she asked in her soft, worried voice.
Ania stood there, her paws close together up by her chest—her face soft. Yonka's hands were at her side, her elbows bent slightly, and her fingers also slightly curled in—her face a bit scrunched. Maulana's face was the most relaxed, as she expressed her concern in her own, quiet way.
"This... isn't usual," Yonka commented hesitantly.
"I'm worried..." Ania added.
Tika, who was standing slightly ahead of the others, turned back to look at the rest of the group.
"Do you think we should check up on her?" she asked.
Everyone's eyes met Tika as she began to speak, meanwhile Maulana was still looking ahead, and turned her gaze to Tika after the question was asked.
"Didn't Cheiro ask us all to wait here?" Maulana asked.
Without enough word, Alena steadily ran from the group to check on Sheila for herself. As she got closer though, Cheiro was already helping Sheila rise up to her feet, and Sheila turned to face Cheiro.
"I'm fine..." Sheila breathily tried to assure Cheiro.
Cheiro placed the back of her hand on Sheila's forehead with an expression that wasn't convinced.
"No dear, I don't believe you are," Cheiro tried to say gently, as Sheila had both her hands holding onto Cheiro's for support. Cheiro read into Sheila's eyes, and she could see her distress.
Alena was soon in close proximity, and stood by Sheila's side, looking up into her eyes.
"Shea-Shea, what's wrong?" she asked, lightly tugging on the skirt of Sheila's close-fitted dress.
Sheila tried to put on a brave smile, her eyes not speaking the same. She touched the top of Alena's head, and caressed her lightly.
"I may... be just a little under the weather..." Sheila vaguely explained, "You don't have to worry..."
Alena tried to read Sheila's eyes, but she didn't understand.
"Are you... going to need a doctor?" she inquired softly.
Sheila took a deep, labored breath before Cheiro interrupted her.
"Best not to talk right now dear—you'll strain yourself," she said, resting her hand on Sheila's shoulder.
Sheila paused with Cheiro's words, and she looked a little lost as she broke her eyes from Alena's gaze.
"Now, now. Dear Alena, you stay with the others. I'll make sure your friend is well taken care of. Try not to worry, I'll be with you to take your measurements soon," Cheiro insisted, trying to divert the conversation for the time being.
"O—okay..." Alena replied. She didn't nod, her voice hesitant as she watched as Cheiro slowly led Sheila away.
Seeing that Cheiro and Sheila were leaving Alena behind, Tika and the others soon moved over to be by Alena's side, Ania practically hopping over in a concerned rhythm, similar to how Alena had ran over from the group moments ago.
"Alena, what happened?" Ania asked, the rest of the girls surrounding around them. Alena's gaze turned to meet them.
"Shea-Shea... I think she's sick, but I don't know what's wrong," she tried to answer them.
The girls stood in silence and little understanding, as they all turned to face the two as they walked away. Everyone had their concerns pasted on their face. It was at this moment, that Alena's heart dropped in her chest.