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[sortileges]

"--a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Is that it? How do I tur--"

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[sortileges]

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.

[unionjackoff]

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.

[sortileges]

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

[unionjackoff]

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]

[sortileges]

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?

[unionjackoff]

[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.

[sortileges]

[ 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?

this is making me hungry...

[unionjackoff]

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.

dskjgndg i'm always hungry for apple pie tbh

[sortileges]

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?

[unionjackoff]

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.

[sortileges]

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?! ]

[unionjackoff]

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.

[sortileges]

Right. [ Tea bags he's tried due to that being the only thing he could find in the supermarket though, so: ] I've used tea bags before though, so you don't have to worry about that. Unless these taste different?

[ A beat, then: ] It's all I could find before.

[unionjackoff]

[Merlin, you poor thing] Oh, I'm talking about empty tea bags. You'll fill the empty bags with the blends we get. [he nods to one of the containers] There are also infusers you can buy, but the bags will do you well for now. I think they sell them at the register. [up we go with our canisters to the register]

[sortileges]

[ How confusing. He looks at England and tilts his head a bit. ] But how do you get the tea inside?

[ ...For a so-called genius there are times when ... well. He follows him without another word though. ]

[unionjackoff]

[...?] The bags are open. You put the tea in, then close them up, the same way you would do with... a normal... bag... [right?]

[sortileges]

The ones at the supermarket were sealed? [ Arthur don't think of him as an idiot... please. ]

[unionjackoff]

[oh, now he sees where the confusion lies!] Right. These tea bags are empty, and open at first. They're so you can make your own. [he sets each canisters down at the register, then picks up a packet to show to Merlin. it reads 60 Disposable Filter Bags on the top, then underneath, for Loose Tea] They're easy to use, and you simply toss them when you're finished. They give a cleaner cup than an infuser might.

[that last part probably doesn't matter to Merlin, but...]

that icon?!?!?!

[sortileges]

Oh. [ Then again after a pause: ] Oh. That would... make a lot more sense, wouldn't it? [ He laughs awkwardly. ] But what's an infuser?

yep

[unionjackoff]

[so they have popcorn and apple pie tea at the register. England asks if strawberry cheesecake is still available, and it is! there are just a couple samples left, which is perfect, he will take both, so that he may try it too] An infuser is like a tea bag, only it's usually made out of metal or silicone, so you don't toss it. You can open it, fill it with some of the tea, then put it in your cup. After you're done, you rinse it out, so that you can use it again. Usually, they look like little balls, but nowadays, you can get infusers in all shapes and sizes.

[the store clerk helpfully hands over an infuser. it's shaped like a little robot... England side-eyes it for a moment. because. robots. but thinks it's quite fitting for the setting] Y... es... This a tea infuser.

i'm crying

[sortileges]

[ They're building up quite the selection here. Though he does take the infuser to look at it better. The little holes do seem bigger than using a bag, that's for sure. He can see why both he and Arthur might be a little wary of the robot form it has. But. ]

Can I... get one of these for someone else?

[ Because he still hasn't realised Arthur is going to try and pay for it all :( Stop. ]

[unionjackoff]

Hm? Oh, sure. Just add it to the pile. I'm going to go find the Taste of London. Did you want anymore samples?

[did you want a robot infuser? there are other infusers, the clerk points out again. there is a small section dedicated to infusers behind them, and there are the typical balls up there, along with ships, and cats, and even a Loch Ness monster]

[sortileges]

Uh-- [ He's momentarily distracted by the clerk who seems to be trying to get him to either change his mind or take more. He takes half a step back, oddly uncomfortable then pushes the robot infuser down onto the table. ]

Really, no she likes robots-- [ h e l p. He turns then to look for Arthur, a little out of his element. Apparently he isn't as used to the more pushy sort of shop keepers. ] Arthur? This is fine. Really.

[unionjackoff]

[he's coming back! don't worry! he's got his London tea, which he puts on the counter] If you say so. I'd be happy to get you more samples. [out comes his CereVice]

[sortileges]

[ You'd think he'd have learned by now after working in a cosplay cafe where people get a little... well. Still, it's Arthur's words that make him pause. ]

What?