Chapter Text
After reassuring Kalim that their drink wasn’t poisoned, Neji left to go get the drinks. While they were waiting however-
“And you’re sure it’ll be fine?”
Ed sighed. “Ling. Husband. Light of my life. One cold drink will not take your liver behind the shed and shoot it.”
“Ah! But you’re not saying that many cold drinks wouldn’t damage my liver!” Ling declared.
“ Not what’s being discussed here,” Leona groaned. “Look, think of it like alcohol. Many everyday would probably be bad, but you aren’t drinking it everyday.”
“Apologies for the wait.” Neji said, handing out the drinks. The others were talking about cheers, but Ed couldn’t really say anything…
Mainly because Truth was driving right now to get a sip of the drink. “ Mm. Not bad, Lion. Thank you for the sip Eden.”
‘ Of course.’
“What the fuck?!” Vil yelled before schooling their expression. “Ahem. Eden, what was that? ”
Ed waved off the question. “Don’t worry ‘bout it.”
“I’m concerned as well, Beastie.” Lilia frowned.
“Don’t be, she just does that sometimes.” Grim said through a mouthful of drink.
Neji opened his mouth but Leona held up her hand. “Trust me- you don’t wanna know.”
****
Ling didn’t want to admit it, but… The drink was good and refreshing, it might even be worth the liver damage. Ed didn’t say anything about it, but he could practically feel the ‘ I told you so ’ radiating off of her.
Grim sniffed around frantically. “Somethin' in that stall over there smells good!”
Ling joined in, zeroing in on the stall. Barbeque. Perfect to rebalance his energies!
“There's certainly a lot of customers. They're all sitting at tables, eating some kind of meat.” Kalim pointed out.
“Better question, how do I get it into my mouth?” Ling asked.
“That's mutton sauté. Pretty common here. Chunks of lamb, grilled on a metal plate over charcoal.” Leona explained. “That would sure hit the spot right now.”
“Ling, make sure to grab me a plate,” Ed requested. “Don’t eat them out of house and home, there’s other stalls.”
“Ma’am yes ma’am!” Ling cheered before dashing to the stall.
10 plates later, and Ling felt good. It was spicy, filling, and oh so tender. “ Ahhhh, better.” Ling declared.
Leona raised an eyebrow at the pile of plates, but didn't comment on it. “No one can touch Sunset Savanna when it comes to meat.” Leona proudly stated.
Ling nodded in agreement. “No arguments here. Now, for dessert..”
“There’s fruit stalls.” Ed pointed out.
“I’m so glad I married you.” Ling said dreamily. “That’s the perfect thing I need.”
****
Leona watched as everyone enjoyed chowing down on some fruits. Not Leona’s exact cup of tea, but he enjoyed fruits much more than vegetables, so he got it. He saw Ed buying fruits that would be ripe in a couple of days, likely to take home to her family. Made sense, she could make just about everything that was being sold here except food, so that would be the best choice. He saw someone start to sneak up behind her- a pickpocket.
Good, he was starting to get bored.
Neji stepped forward, and Leona held his hand up.
Neji turned to him. “Prince Leona, we need to warn her!”
Leona shook her head. “She can handle herself, Neji. Do not interfere.”
The pickpocket reached in, and grabbed her wallet slowly-
Only for Ed to turn around abruptly, stopping her conversation with the fruit vender. Leona could feel what he knows to be Truth lashing in the air, coating it in ‘danger’ . The pickpocket pinned his ears back in fear, and whimpered, almost frozen in place. Ed slowly held up her hand, palm up, and raised her eyebrow, not breaking eye contact with the thief. The would-be criminal, now crying, handed Ed her wallet back.
“ Good.” Ed said. “Now get out of here.”
Not needing to be told twice, the thief booked it. Ed then turned around with a smile to the vendor. “Sorry about that! So, you were telling me about the process of how you get the mangoes?”
Neji’s mouth was hanging open. “I-I- huh? ”
Leona snorted. “Told ya. Ed can handle herself.”
****
Ed was being dragged by Kalim to: ‘something really good!’ Ling jogged along with them, excited at the prospect of more food. When they got there-
“Bananas?” Ed asked.
Lilia peered up with a grin. “Ah, Beastie! Come- try this banana! It’s an old standard, going way back.”
“Fruits are more plentiful than grains or rice in this country.” Leona explained.
“Huh, imagine having bananas as your staple crop.” Vil commented.
“Don’t need to,” Ed started. “Xerxes’s staple crop was a strand of date palms.”
“Dates?” Vil asked. “Why dates?”
“Xerxes was a desert,” Ed said, grabbing a forkful of banana. “You ever try growing things in a desert? It’s not easy or fun.”
Kalim nodded in agreement. “Things can only grow near a river or if they are built to survive the heat. But I’m excited to try this dish!”
Ed shoved the fork in her mouth, and had a taste.
‘ Hm, not bad. Very light.’
‘Lemme try!’
Truth took over her mouth, using it to taste and chew- it was not pleasant. The whole body- that’s fine. Normal out of body experience, you know? But just one part? Felt bad. Like someone was forcefully moving her mouth and tongue.
‘Next time, just take over- never do that again.’
‘Yeah that felt weird for me too- like I JUST had a mouth.’
“...It’s good.” Ed eventually said, grabbing another forkful. “I can see why it’s well liked.”
“ Mhm!” Ling agreed before swallowing. “Very good!”