#boy tried to use his think fast strategies to survive DKJFKL if only he skipped the exposition 😂💀 damn.... so close... i'm sorry law

[mathcs]

[Package attached with a letter for JUDE MATHIS]

Dear Jude,

I've heard about your time with Asch back at Rieze Maxia. He's changed a lot ever since he got here. He even brought you up, which is another first that I find as a pleasant surprise.

I suppose that whatever what you two went through, it broke down those sturdy walls he built for himself. For that, I couldn't thank you enough for not giving up on him.

This is just my token of appreciation for everything you've done for him. I made him make one batch for you, while I did another. Please enjoy!

Signed,

Natalia Luzu Kimlasca-Lanvaldear

"Asch...?! Oh, wow!" Letter in hand, Jude suddenly stood up from his chair. Now that wasn't a name he'd expected to read today. And 'Natalia'... there was no mistaking that dignified signature. Plus, Asch had mentioned her before. Having someone so important to his friend thanking him, and knowing that they were both doing just fine, together at last...

... Jude couldn't help but feel relieved. And news of Asch's change coming in the form of handmade chocolates, too? He never could've guessed ( what a way to end the work day! ). "Hm, which one first..." He glanced at the two batches on his desk. Law was rightー he really was lucky! They really didn't have to go out of their way to make so much just for him... guess I'll sample one of Natalia's, then Asch's! And so, he cheerfully took his first bite.

The trial (of flavour) had begun, effectively immediately.

"....... Hrrkー?!" It was like he'd been slapped across the face. What was this... taste, exactly?! Jude immediately grabbed the edge of his desk to steady himself, and no words could come to mind as to help him describe it. Was this... was this really chocolate...? It was, right?! Unless he'd eaten so much of it lately that something was seriously wrong with his tastebuds now... Yeah, that seems likelー...?! Oh, oh nope... urgh, okay...! Nevermind! Ah yes, the aftertaste was now kicking in.

Whether it was his survival instincts kicking in or a last act of desperation, nobody could tell just yetー sweating, Jude's hand swung out and swiped one of Asch's chocolates right before he tumbled to the cold ground!

The truth was, he'd just remembered something vital: Asch was an amazing cook. In other words...! If this strategy has any hope of workingーー

"Then I just... have to eat one of his! That'll balance it out for sure... haha... I got this, everything's gonna be just fiー" Alas, Natalia's cooking 'skills' were faster than his unnecessary exposition ( and somewhere at the back of his fainting mind, Jude could hear Leia's mother scolding him : he or she who strikes first has the advantage! )

Well. Jude Mathis was a healer too, but... that never could've saved him from this...