Ye Suhua (Shao Siming)/Side Tale 3

===A Sweet Price To Pay===
Characters involved: , , , , 
Dialogue
Esper Union. Union Medical Clinic.
: Morning, Sally. I'm collecting the equipment this week. Could you add some more bandages while you're at it?
Ye Suhua. Shao Shiming. Union Medical Ops Chief, Foodie for Desserts.
: We used up all our supplies on that last mission... Oh. That smells wonderful! What's that?
Ye Suhua gets a whiff of a very sweet aroma. It seems to be coming from Sally who is sitting in front of a table packing gifts.
: Suhua? Great timing! Could you please help me pack these chocolates away?
Sally. Sif. Union Medical Ops Chief.
Ye Suhua takes one look at the table covered in different chocolates of all shapes and sizes, her jaw dops in shock.
: What are you doing with all those chocolates?
: I had a get-together with some friends yesterday and at the end everyone was a nice idea it'd be to make some chocolate.
: We did, but I made too many. I was thinking of giving them out. Would you like one?
Ye Suhua quietly picks up a block and puts it in her mouth. It's delicious there seems to be a hint of alcohol somewhere in the background.
: Chocolate liqueurs? It's fantastic! Can I have another one?
: By all means! As many as you can stomach! Less work for me...
: I don't want to spend a whole afternoon on this.
A few minutes later...
: That went a lot faster with you here! Here - your med kit as well as... this...
Ye Suhua is surprised to find a box of chocolates being thrust towards her.
: For me?
: In recognition of your services today. I'm going over to give Drew and the others some chocolates too now.
: Great! But don't eat too many. Remember, they are alcoholic.
Ye Suhua is quite tired after a long day's work and, as she rests, her eyes can't resist the box of extremely delicious-looking chocolates on her desk. She scratches her chin in indecision.
: I am a bit hungry... strong tea and chocolate sounds like a pretty good night in to me.
: Sally plays the French horn, she makes a mean cheese fondue, and now I find out she makes chocolates too. Plus she's a really nice person...
: No wonder she has so many fans. Her friends are very fortunate.
Ye Suhua pours herself a strong cup of tea and inserts the first chocolate in her mouth while inhaling the tea's heady, warming aroma.
: Ah... The perfect combination: chocolate liqueurs and black tea! Thank you, Sally! How about another one... and another.
: They're so small. There's hardly any alcohol there - I'll be fine.
A few minutes later...
: I must ask Sally how she managed to make such delicious chocolate all by herself. Tomorrow.
: I'll give a box to Brynn once I figure out the secret. Another one.
Ye Suhua is still working her way through the chocolates by the time her large pot of tea nears its end.
: One, two... only two left? Hardly enough to save for tomorrow.
: I may as well just eat them now! Tomorrow... I'll have to find Sally tomorrow. And... Uh.
Somewhat intoxicated, Ye Suhua picks up the last two chocolates from the box and manages to cram them into her mouth. She then collapses onto her bed in a drunken stupor.
Esper Union. Union Corridor.
Ye Suhua arrives very early the next day to Esper Union HQ after a refreshing night of sleep.
: Morning, Arcana.
: Suhua! You look a little hungover - uh, I mean over... joyed. You look overjoyed to be awake!
Arcana. Hermes. Union Ops Chief.
: Me?
: Very good! You look very healthy.
Ye Suhua evaluates Arcana's cheeky smile.
: You're being a little... odd today. What happened?
: Of course not! Oh, by the way, this is for you - your... favorite... macarons!!
: Well. I'd best be going now. Toodaloo.
: How strange... Is today my birthday or something? Why are people giving me presents?
Ye Suhua is carrying the macarons to her office when she bumps into another familiar face.
: Good morning.
Falken. Horus. Union Ops Commander.
: Commander Falken? I'm sorry. I didn't see you there. I need to get going.
: Hold a second.
: (He's not annoyed, is he?)
: I almost forgot! This is for you.
: A box of macarons?
: Please. Look after yourself.
: Yeah, thanks...
Ye Suhua watches Falken's retreating figure as her suspicious rise.
: Falken is acting odd too. What is wrong with everyone today?
Esper Union. Office.
: Brynn... Help me, please! My arms are failing me.
Ye Suhua finally stumbles into her office with at least a dozen boxes of macarons in her hands.
: Is today a special occasion or something? Why is everyone giving me macarons?
: I'm very happy, of course, but it's weird!
: And mine! Here you go.
Brynn. Valkyrie. Newly Promoted Union Ops Chief.
: Another box of macarons? Please, let me in on the secret! What is going on?
: Are... you sure you want to know?
: Yes!
: And if I don't keep a straight face, will you forgive me?
Brynn opens up the Esper Union's main group chat and shows Ye Suhua a vide she sent to the group last night. Brynn has trouble suppressing her laughter as soon as the audio starts.
: I... (hiccup)... order everyone to give me a box of macarons tomorrow! My (hiccup) favorite macarons...
: And if.. if you don't, then I'll be very... angry... (hiccup)
: Did... I send that?
Ye Suhua takes a long, hard look at herself in the video. It's definitely her, she's just extremely drunk. She hurriedly hands the phone back to Brynn.
: I swear I'm never eating another alcoholic chocolate again!