Dictated

[ohrot]

[At first it had been a bouquet here, a single rose on her pillow there, and Anne hadn't thought too much of it. Nothing was ever missing from her room when the flowers would appear, it was just a little mystery that didn't mean too terribly much.

Over the next few weeks, a few bouquets turned into vases, stands of flowers that stood on the floor, even the odd hanging basket with blossoms spilling over the side. Anne had her guesses for who might be inclined, but she had never managed to actually catch anyone redhanded, never once seeing anyone hanging around looking suspicious.

Now things have just gone too far. Now her room might as well be a garden for all the plants she's been saddled with.]

Alright then, I'll admit defeat. Whoever it is among you that's seen fit to leave me flowers, you've won. If it was your hope curiosity would drive me to asking publicly, here I am, you have your victory.

Now step forward and stop leaving the blasted things on every possible surface in my room every single day.

Comments

dictated;

[molotov]

Are you complaining about someone giving you flowers?

dictated;

[ohrot]

More that they've not left any hints, like.

[molotov]

Don't try to find a zebra when you hear horse hooves. It is someone you know teasing you.

[ohrot]

Is it? I hadn't considered that.

[Judging by the flatness of her tone she absolutely has.]

[molotov]

Then why not talk to them?

[ohrot]

I'll save time, asking the whole castle.

[And expose whoever it is doing this as a total softie which is fun.]

[molotov]

What makes you think they will admit it in the journal?

[ohrot]

The sense that anyone bold enough to court me would admit it once I call them out.

[molotov]

You don't think it might just make them corner you in private?

[givetheslip]

Have you made friends with any gardeners lately?

[ohrot]

[There's a question that gets a laugh.]

Could be. I don't tend to ask that question of the folk I meet. Maybe one slipped past me.

[Those wily gardeners.]

[givetheslip]

[They could be everywhere.]

Does it bother you? That sounds like an awful lot of greenery.

[ohrot]

It didn't at first. I've a fondness for flowers, but there's so many now they'll all die before anything can be done with them.

[And as much as she might complain, she doesn't want to simply throw them out, to be trampled by the rest of the castle's residents like they mean nothing.]

You wouldn't happen to want any, would you?

[givetheslip]

[Her first instinct is to point out that there's hardly lost value in the death of free flowers, but Maria stops herself. Perhaps she's being too unsentimental.]

I could take one or two off your hands, if it would save a life.

[deadlybanker]

You must have quite the admirer.

If they prove too shy to step forward perhaps you could set a small trap for them. Since they have made their feelings so well known there would be no harm in your taking a little initiative.

[ohrot]

[That's kind of what this is, her testing to waters to see who says what about the whole thing. There's no point giving that away though, not if she hopes to get any clues.]

There's an idea. I could set a snare for them, leave them to dangle from my ceiling for awhile.

[deadlybanker]

I was not thinking any thing so dramatic.

[His gentle words were accented by the light chuckle that followed them.]

However if your intention is to dissuade your admirer from further pursuit that prove deterrent enough.

[ohrot]

[Anne laughs too because let's face it, anyone seriously courting her would probably not be all that put off by being suspended from the ceiling.]

Now I'm curious. How would you set your own trap?

[deadlybanker]

[If the potential suitor knows her nature well enough to understand the game, perhaps not.]

This admirer has been leaving flowers in your room every day? See the your room is secured and pretend to leave. You might be able to catch them in the act of leaving you another bouquet.

(Dictated)

[tylendel]

It sounds like someone is smitten.