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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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[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?

THAT icon lol

[unionjackoff]

[telling the clerk he wants samples of these, and then, for himself, three ounces of the Taste of London. he'd get more, but he has... a lot of tea]

Hm? [eloquent, these two]

i can't deny he makes a lot of dumb faces why do you think i need 250 slots

[sortileges]

[ He twists to look at him. ]

"Get me more". I hope you aren't suggesting... [ Finish your sentences?! ]

i understand the need for 250 icons

[unionjackoff]

Oh... Samples don't cost that much. I just thought I'd pick them up for you, since you decided to accompany me, and all. [and Merlin is his! England wants to spoil him!

it's weird, England, especially when he doesn't know what you are... at least England assumes that Merlin does not know]

i could do with 300 tbh

[sortileges]

Yeah, but... [ Merlin just looks a tad uncomfortable for a moment, opens his mouth and then closes it again. ] Thank you?

Really though, that isn't for me so I'm going to have to insist on that one. [ He sure is pointing to the tea infuser. ] When we finish here are you going to demonstrate how to do this properly?

yeah, me too

[unionjackoff]

[England does not mean to make Merlin uncomfortable! but he at least can see it. so he nods. he'll let him purchase the tea infuser]

Of course, I'd be happy to. It's actually not difficult at all.

cries about space

[sortileges]

[ Well he doesn't even get a full three meals normally and it isn't as though he's had gifts until he came here.

(And even then the only one he's got is... a dragon plushie.................) ]

Then I'll... be counting on you?

[ He hands over the card to pay for that much at least, letting the other pay for the actual teas. Then when he takes his card back, he not-so-subtly says: ] There's actually something I wanted to talk to you about.

[unionjackoff]

[yes! Merlin can count of him! that pleases England greatly. though, all of a sudden, he senses the mood become a bit more serious]

Oh, yeah? [he nods a thank-you to the clerk as she bags up the items. then they are free to be off on their way] Not about tea?

[sortileges]

[ He isn't sure why the other is so happy about it, but once they're out the door he presses his mouth together and shakes his head. ]

No, not about tea. But it can wait until we get back.

[unionjackoff]

[hm... England gives another nod to Merlin, curious. what could he want to talk about? maybe about the sacrifices? who knows. they're off back to the residential district]

Are we going to your place?

[sortileges]

[ After that blinding headache before? No thanks. He glances towards the street then turns to look at him, offering a small shrug. ]

We can do. They're all mostly the same, aren't they? [ It's faster with the trains anyway, though still surprising on how smooth they are. ]

[unionjackoff]

Mostly. It just depends on how people customize theirs. [he grins, trying to lighten the mood] Have you played with any of the HOLO(gm)s yet?

[sortileges]

True. I didn't realise there were any, and ended up just building what I wanted. [ He wiggles his hands a bit. ] It took a month but it's paid off well. I can-- I can show you if you want?

[ Show you how gay his fucking bedroom is. ]

[unionjackoff]

Sure, I'd like that. [hey, if Merlin built his own decor, more power to him! England would love to have actual antique furniture, like he has in his home.

ugh, he misses home quite a bit]

[sortileges]

I mean, I cheated a little, but it probably would have been easier with the HOLOs. [ Though... ] But it wouldn't have had the same feel to it.

[ He has too many good things going on here to miss anything more than the people honestly. It'd be a bit weird for him to miss hygiene or food from his day. Both were awful. ]

[unionjackoff]

Right. I understand. That's good, though, that you were able to build your own things. Not everyone can do that. I think most people use the HOLOs.

[sortileges]

What do you have? I mean, if you have customized your place? ...Who do you live with actually?

[ Even if he's told him he doesn't really remember, sorry. ]

[unionjackoff]

I live with Miles Edgeworth. We have a fairly modern setting in most of the flat, but I went with Victorian in my room. I was thinking I might give steampunk a try later, though.