A Special Gift

Ming Xiao sat thoughtfully at her desk, gazing at the pile of outfit sketches that cluttered it. Designing wasn't always as easy as she would like, especially when she was trying to come up with something that would make the wearer feel comfortable all while complimenting their appearance. Her mind wandered as she remembered the reason why she was working so hard.

She had found a small flower shop called “The Secret Garden” one day and had popped in to look at the assortments for some inspiration when she met Amelia, the shop's owner. Ming Xiao had instantly liked the younger Bamharr's sweet personality and as they became friends she thought it would be nice to make Amelia something as a gift...Except it was proving to be more difficult than she had expected.

Ming Xiao gave a small huff of frustration, pushing away from her desk and turning around to look at the small vase of flowers that she had bought from the shop. She had originally planned to make something much simpler, a hair accessory or something similar in size until she had happened to hear about an unfortunate experience that Amelia went through during a party. That of course made her want to give Amelia something much more special; an outfit made just for her.

Returning to her sketches, Ming Xiao poked through them as she sighed and continued to rack her brain for ideas. The design just had to be perfect for Amelia, Ming Xiao wouldn't allow anything less than that for her new friend, there was just so many options choose from that she was having a tough time picking something that she felt would go best. She had at least decided that the outfit would be a dress but still had spent several hours drawing down different styles only to have nothing quite jump out at her. FWISSHK! THUMP! Ming Xiao was startled from her thoughts as a stack of her sketches was knocked over by one of her cats, “Sugar!” Ming Xiao scolded, rushing over to pick up the scattered papers. The feline responsible for the mess, a light gray tabby, daintily jumped down from the desk and sat on the floor to lick her paw as if nothing happened. Ming Xiao sighed, shaking her head, “impertinent little thing aren't you?” she commented while continuing to clean up. She looked at one of the papers she held in her hand, a sketch of a sweet looking and lacy tea dress that had been a scrap concept from another project, when she suddenly had an idea. Giving a small laugh, Ming Xiao scooped up the mischievous cat and stroked it's head, “Guess I'm going to have to thank you” she said, smiling at Sugar.

A few weeks later Ming Xiao stepped back to observe the finished design from which she had mixed in ideas from the tea dress. The collar covered the neck and had a simple lace trim on the top and bottom, it then had a small section that gave off the feeling of a fancy blouse, having tiny buttons with the same trim running down the sides. The main section of the outfit was inspired by a furisode, with long flowing sleeves and an overlapping bodice which went down into a layered skirt. A solid colored trim and pattern of tiny blossoms, clustered together near the bottom and scattering near the waist, adorned the upper layer of the skirt while the lower layer was plain with the same simple trim as the collar running along the bottom. Then there was the waistband, with its ribbon that wrapped around and tied into a cute frilly bow at the front. 

As much as Ming Xiao liked it she still felt as though it was missing something, she stood there pondering until something caught her eye. Looking up she saw the little vase of flowers she had bought, still fresh and bright as they sat in the afternoon sunbeam that shone through her window. Smiling, Ming Xiao walked over to the little vase, took out one of the flowers, and returned; slipping it into the center of the bow. She then stepped back once again to admire the dress, this time completely satisfied with it. She couldn't wait to give it to Amelia and watch her open it, to see her face light up with that cheery smile. “And just think, I might not have thought of it without you Sugar.” She said to the tabby who had walked up to watch Ming Xiao carefully fold the dress up and lay it in a decorative box. “I'll give you a treat when I get back!” She said to the cat, as she picked up the box and left to deliver the gift.