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[England nods as they walk. he's also been thinking about how to approach the subject of his identity with Merlin. the last thing he wants to do is have a citizen think he's some weirdo]

I'm hoping the experience will at least be somewhat enjoyable for you. I like to think there's a flavor for everyone, even if you don't particularly care for tea.

[ But he is a weirdo. He already knows that!! ]

I didn't say I don't care for tea, it's just compared to here where you have different juices and sodas... there's a lot of choice.

[ But he's definitely willing to learn, this whole experience has been one incredible learning curve. Thankfully, he's the scholarly type. ]

There is a lot of choice, especially in the modern world. [he looks up at the sky in thought] Even before I came to Cerealia, there were all sorts of strange foods and drinks I never got to try. Now that I'm here, I'm finding even more things. Going to an alien supermarket is absolutely mind-boggling.

We... really don't have much honestly. Well, I don't, I should say. It's not as though a servant is paid hundreds in gold for all the effort they put in. Here though... it's pretty amazing, isn't it?

A friend told me about green meat we can eat that tastes normal. How weird is that?

Green meat. [England repeats, making a face. that doesn't sound very appetizing] I'm surprised someone actually tried that.

I don't know, Ema said it tasted like normal meat and just looked weird. [ Shrugs. ] I've probably eaten worse.

[Ema, huh? England files the name away for later. under, brave and/or foolish person] I'm sorry to hear that.

[they are coming to the shopping district now, and it's a buzz of activity, super busy. there must be some sales going on] Ah, looks like I picked a bad day to go shopping.

[ Can't be much worse than medieval wild rat........ ]

It isn't that bad. ...Unless you aren't used to the crowds? [ Camelot--even the castle--was usually full of people running around. The only time he was bothered by it was when Ema tried to get him to race her to a restaurant in a crowd at rush hour. ]

Oh, no. It's not that. It's just a bother, is all. [but England doesn't look bothered. he still looks like he's enjoying himself] Come on, the store's this way.

If you say so. [ See? He didn't have to bring up any of the countries stuff for him to think of England as a weirdo! ]

I'm right behind you.

[ They duck through the crowd until they make it to the store. It's a lot smaller than he'd expected, but also cozier. The smells are definitely the best part though. ]

Wow--!

[England greets the store owner, earning a, "Hello, mister Kirkland" back. they know who he is, because he's been coming to this store for several months. it's kind of nice, something routine]

What do you think? [he heard that wow]

[ After how the other explained this store to him he isn't surprised by the familiarity, but he's also busy looking around at all the different jars and cases piled up around the shop. There are tiny portions out for testing or just to smell too. ]

How long has there been this many types?

[England moves over to a wall in the back, where some of the more stranger flavors are]

Oh, I'd say within the past fifty years, or so, more of the modern flavors have been added. But there have been many different types of teas for hundreds of years. [aha, here is the popcorn flavor! England pulls out the container, opens it to smell. huh, a mild buttery flavor]

That's such a short time. [ For the strange flavours, though maybe he should have expected the length of everything else. ]

I still have so much to catch up on.

You'll get there, all in good time. [England comes over to join Merlin, carrying the container of popcorn-flavored tea] Here, smell. See if you like it.

[ He looks towards him when England steps forward, leaning to smell the container. ] Isn't the taste what really matters?

Yes, but the aroma is also important. We can't really taste everything in the store to see if we like it, so most tea-drinkers rely on smell to get a hint of what it might be like when it's brewed. We can get half an ounce, and that will make about four cups. That should at least give you the opportunity to see if you like this, or something else.

[England is still SO EXCITED, wondering what Merlin will do. he can't stop from grinning pleasantly]

It is? [ He takes another sniff, looking at England rather confused. ]

I mean it smells like popcorn, doesn't it? [ Does it?! ] I'm still new to smelling it, so you'd be a better guide on that. But I can try it. Maybe... something with strawberry? Do they have strawberry?

[ England... hopefully you'll be proud when he probably exits with a million samples. ]

At the cafe we work at there's a really nice orange tea--actually maybe we get it from here?

[it does smell like popcorn, but England wonders about the taste. it's probably mild, maybe? well, he'll hang onto the container]

Oh, yes. There are a few strawberry flavors. There's a plain strawberry black tea on that other wall. [he nods his head over to the right] And I think I recall seeing strawberry cheesecake a while back, but I don't know if they have that anymore. Otherwise, you'll have to check labels and see if strawberry is mixed in with some of the teas. Probably in a fruit or summer medley, or something like that.

[ Both of his eyebrows fly up at that. ]

Strawberry cheesecake?! [ Why was he ever introduced to cakes of the new century. Hopefully England isn't too surprised to find out that his legendary wizard is actually just a glutton when given the opportunity. It's a nice change though... ]

...Would they have apple pie, too?

I know there's apple cinnamon around here... [he starts scanning the wall until he finds the dessert section. sugar cookie, gingerbread, chocolate] Ah, here it is. Apple pie! [he hands the popcorn container to Merlin before pulling out the apple pie tea container and opening it. the aroma of this one is sweet and apple-y, with lots of cinnamon] You can see that there are pieces of apple actually in the mix.

They actually have it? [ He's surprised, honestly, but maybe he shouldn't be. It's impressive that there are actually apple pieces in the mix too. He wordlessly takes the container, not even needing to smell it to want to try it. ]

Which is your favourite?

My favorite? [HMMMM... England considers, before scanning the room] That is a bit difficult to answer. Honestly, my favorite changes every so often. As for the types, I think black tea would be what I drink most. But when it comes to flavor...

[England closes his eyes, deep in thought. yes, he takes this question very seriously. a few seconds later, he's made his decision and he opens his eyes]

Well, there is a blend this store makes called a Taste of London, and I think that's been my favorite while I've been in Cerealia. It's actually what I came to get today.

Taste of London? [ He repeats it back once England finishes, wondering whether London is a place or some kind of... fruit or??? He has no idea. Though he does know once thing: ] Then I'll try some of that too.

[ How many is he buying?! ]

Splendid! [he's buying, no matter how many samples there are] Let's take all these up to the register, then, and we'll see if they have that strawberry cheesecake still available. I'll grab that, and a few ounces of the Taste of London. Oh, and we should get you some tea bags. I'll show you how to use them.

[action]

[action]

[action] as i get the notif for this an hour later

[action] dw inbox is the only truth alas :(

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this is making me hungry...

dskjgndg i'm always hungry for apple pie tbh

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