“People send flowers anonymously all the time.”
Mabon considered this. “Actually...that’s not terrible.”
Rux’s head swiveled. “Really?”
“Think about it. Flowers are traditional and non-threatening. We could leave them at his doorstep with a simple note. Nothing elaborate, just...a gesture.”
“What kind of note?” Urien leaned forward. “We already established that anything we write sounds criminal.”
“‘From an admirer,’” Mabon said. “It’s simple, classic, and doesn’t require explanation.”
“And when he wants to know who his admirer is?”
“Then we’ve created an opening for conversation.” Mabon’s analytical mind was clearly working through the logistics. “We can go to the coffee shop, mention we heard he’d received flowers, and gauge his reaction.”
Rux frowned. “Won’t he think it’s suspicious that we know about flowers left at his private residence?”
Silence fell.
“Damn it,” Mabon muttered.
“We’re back to looking like stalkers,” Urien said.
“We ARE stalkers,” Rux pointed out. “We followed him home and watched him through his windows.”
“We observed him from a reasonable distance.”
“Through binoculars.”
“You said they were for bird watching.”
Urien took a long drink of whiskey. It burned down his throat, and did nothing to calm his dragon.
“What if,” he said slowly, “we leave gifts that don’t require explanation? Things he’d simply...appreciate. Things he could use or enjoy.”
“Like what?”
“Coffee.” The idea formed as he spoke. “But high-quality beans. The expensive kind he probably doesn’t buy for himself on a barista’s salary.”
Mabon’s eyebrows rose. “That’s...actually thoughtful.”
“Books,” Urien continued, warming to the concept. “If we could find out what he likes to read. Or supplies for his cat. Quality food, toys…”
“How do we find out what his cat eats without more surveillance?” Rux demanded.
“We could ask at the pet store in town,” Mabon said. “Casually. ‘What do most cat owners buy?’ That sort of thing.”
“That’s not suspicious?”
“It’s less suspicious than lurking outside his cottage with binoculars.”
Rux began pacing again. “So we leave useful gifts. Things that show we pay attention but don’t scream ‘wealthy dragons trying to buy your affection.’”
“Exactly.” Urien felt his dragon settle slightly. “Small things at first. A bag of premium coffee beans on his doorstep. Maybe some nice cat treats. Build slowly.”
“With notes?” Mabon asked.
“Simple ones. ‘Thought you might enjoy this.’ Nothing that requires response or explanation.”
