HOME FIRES MISTS LIFEBLOOD SPOKES
In which Iris tries to do a good deed...
melody - Friday, April 09, 1999, 9:55 AM ---------------------------------------- Melody knocks on the door. Tracy answers the door, baby in hand, gugling and grasping at her daddy's shirt, "Melody, come on in sis" Melody grins at you both impartially. She has a huge basket on her arm. "Iris napping?" Tracy leans in and kisses your cheek warmly "Yeah, Lilly wanted to be held, who is her father to argue?" he grins happily Melody chuckles. "Don't argue with Her Highness. Hello, little lady!" She kisses you both, you on the cheek, Lily on her little dark fuzzy head. Iris comes wandering out of the bedroom, belting her robe in place snugly, and rubbing her eyes sleepily. Melody is headingfor the kitchen, a simply HUGE basket over her arm. Tracy is holding Lilly in his arms, standing near the door where Melody just came in. Lilly giggles and squeals as she sees her mommy, her eyes sparkling. Iris blinks, and watches Melody bustle to the kitchen, "Hi..." she says with sleepiness still in her voice. The sleepiness vanishes though when she hears Lilly, and she gravitates toward the little baby. "There's both of my angels" she murmers tenderly. Melody grins and waves to Iris. "Hey! Hope you like chicken and veggie casserole.." Tracy shakes his head "Melody, Sis, thankyou...my goodness, we have not had to do any cooking really since Lily was born thanks to so many contriobutions" He presses Lilly closer to her mother, letting the hapy girl get her mother's atttention as he kisses Iris on the forehead Iris tilts her head to kiss Tracy tenderly, and then she turns her attention to the little girl, "We like chicken casserole" she whispers to Lilly, with a goofy smile on her face. The baby does seem to have that affect on her. She asks Lilly, 'You like daddy holding you, don't you. He makes you feel safe and comfortable, right?" You say, "That's the point. You need to sleep, not cook." She unloads the food, then gets into the cupboards for plates. Lilly burbles to her mommy, reaching out grasping little hands to the beautiful woman. Hope there arent any locks of hair in reach. Her blue eyes, one changing green, are wide and bright. Iris places a gentle kiss on Lilly's forehead. Iris has remembered to put her hair up, at least. Very softly, musically, she laughs and asks, "Do you want mommy to hold you now? Hmmmm?" she glances up at Tracy, "Do you mind, love?" Tracy shakes his head, "No, love. Not at all. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing you two together." Melody brings you out plates of hot food, and it smells just delicious. "There. I didn't put as much onion in it as normal, didn't want Lily to get gas." Iris smiles tenderly, and she scoops Lilly up with a happy sigh, 'That's my little girl." With a slight bounce to her step, which isn't showing signs of soreness, or at least not much now, she starts toward the table, "You're so good to us Melody. Please sit down and eat with us?" Tracy just shakes his head at Melody, "You are going to spoil us Mel!" he laughs softly, "Yes, please, sit and eat with us" You say, "Sure thing. I brought plenty, I just have two hands. Do you have TV trays or anything?" Iris motions at the little table, "We can eat at the table." Tracy says, "Above the refrigerator, can you reach?" You say, "Maybe you better." Tracy smiles, "The table certainly works, but if we want to we have TV trays." he reaches out to Lilly, letting her grasp his fingers as he leans in to rub noses with the little girl Iris stops near Melody and sniffs at the plates, "That smells fantastic!" You say, "Thanks. One of my favorites to make, it's fast and nutritious and generally yummy. Table it is, then." Melody deposits the plates on the table and goes back to dish herself up. Tracy mmmms, "I'll HAVE to get your recipe for this Mel" Iris moves toward the table, grinning, "Please do Tracy. I think this is somethin' I'd like to have again." She settles in, and makes sure Lilly is comfortable in one arm. Melody comes out with her own plate. "I'll make it next time you come over to my place, deal? It'salmost break..I wanted to come see you guys before I get nailed by midterms." Tracy smiles, "Ahhh, college life. I'm really glad to see you Sis. You've been so good to us" As Melody settles in to the table, completing the tripod of adults around it, he digs in, chewing languidly Iris grins faintly, "I guess I'll be starting school soon. Maybe as soon as January..." She reaches for her fork. You say, "What will you be studying?" Tracy wows softly, gently reaching over to run his fingers through Lilly's patch of brown curls "Im sure you are excited about getting into classes hon, I'll take care of Lilly while you are in school." Iris mmmsss and swallows before answering, "Business and performance. I've been taking singing lessons privately but I'm gonna take some classes too." Iris looks at Tracy and smiles adoringly, "I know you will. We have some things to talk about though, before I start school..." Tracy nods to Iris, smiling a bit as he eats. HE seems so content just to watch mother and child Melody chuckles softly. "I can leave.." Tracy smirks at Mel, "Not a chance Sis, we'll chain you down" he teases. Iris keeps glancing down at Lilly to check on her, but she looks back at Melody, "Oh no. Don't you dare." She laughs, "We can talk 'bout it later. We just need to talk about whether I keep trying to breastfeed while going to school and working on my singing in the studio." She takes another bite of the cassarole and relishes it happily. You say, "Why not? Tke her with you, she's portable." Iris mmmsss softly and swallows, 'That's fine to the studio, but classes are different.... besides..." she glances over at Tracy and she murmers, "Ryan's little help with smokin's wearing off. I'm beginning to need a clove in a big way." You say, "Ryan's help...?" Tracy nods, "Ryan removed the physical need for the nicotine. I culd do the same now...but... Iris looks from Tracy to Melody, "I smoke. Normally." You say, "So why don't you? Doesn't smoking mess up your voice?" Tracy says, "I have the occassional clove, but not often. She is pretty habitually addicted to them. She has a psychological need to accompany the physical"" Melody shrugs. "If you want to dump it...I can help with that..." Iris picks at the food on her plate with her fork, "It feels good though..." You say, "So I can reroute the feeling to something else feeling good. Not permanently, but at least till she can do solid food?" Iris says faintly, 'I... I don't know. I don't like messing with my bio very long. It's been nine months now, already. You say, "I wouldn't mess with your body. Just reroute the mental craving." Iris smiles faintly, 'But that wouldn't fix the physical need coming back." She takes another bite of cassarole. You say, "But I can make it so you do soething else to distract you." Iris looks again at Tracy for help here. She really just wants to smoke right now. Tracy murmurs softly, "Sis, we'll keep these options in mind and let you know. Thankyou very much for offering the help. This is ris's decision, sometimes we just to not wish to give up our vices. They can even be part of what makes us...onlyhuman. Melody shrugs. "It's not my problem. I just know how you look when you nurse her." Iris looks down at Lilly, who has dozed off. She bites her lip and sits back, just watching the little infant sleep. You say, "Anyone want seconds? I know you'll make the right decision for you, Iris, don't let it stress you." Tracy smiles, "I think I'd like a bit more..." Iris looks back up, and nods slightly, then pushes her plate toward Melody, "Maybe a little more." she murmers softly. You say, "I'll just bring out the whole thing, then." Melody brings out the casserole and dishes herself some, then passes the spoon to Iris. Tracy smiles at the closest women in his life, "This is just nice..." Iris takes the spoon with a thankful smile and she ladles out more cassarole, and then offers the spoon to Tracy, "It is, isn't it? Tracy dishes himself out some more cassarole. He rarely eats alot in one sitting, but today seems to be one of those exceptions. He smiles, "Yes, very much" Melody chuckles softly. "Sooo...I met someone else last night to maybe teach." Iris blinks and lifts her gaze, "Who?" You say, "Name is Gaz. Really nice guy, but needs to hang a hematite boulder around his neck to ground him." Iris blinks, "Gaz...." she seems to think she's heard that name somewhere but isn't sure. Tracy blinks, "Nicky's friend, Gazreal? Has something to do with Fantasy Portraits? You say, "That's the one. Like I said, really nice guy." Iris ohs and smiles "That's where I heard the name." Melody watches Tracy leave, then says softly "Iris? Can I talk to you about something?" Iris watches Tracy go, and slowly turns her gaze to you, "Ok..." You say, "It's...about Greg." Iris blinks and sets her fork down. She cradles Lilly gently, and nods slightly, "I'm listening." Melody sighs. "I think he's falling for me.." Iris blinks again, then starts laughing, "What makes you think that?" You say, "Oh, lots of things. What makes you think he's not?" Iris's laughter fades, "Sorry. Um. It's nothing to do with you. Just that.... he has no intention of falling in love, settling down, or any of those things. He's to busy studying." Melody toys with her fork. "I see." Iris studies you, "That bothers you?" You say, "I'm not sure if I'm bothered or relieved." Iris arches a finely shaped eyebrow, "You like him, don't you." Melody sighs. "I LIKE him. I don't want to fall in love with him. But I do like sleeping with him." Iris arches both eyebrows slowly, "You've done this, I take it?" You say, "Done what, slept with him? A lot." Iris starts chuckling softly, "No wonder he got so funny when I was teasing him." She glances down at Lilly to make sure she's still ok, and sleeping, then continues "You think you might be falling for him?" You say, "I don't know. He's a Hermetic. We're way too different. And he knows I can't be mongamous, it's not in me." Iris frowns slightly, "What's him being Hermetic got to do with it?" Melody makes a face. "It's a long story." Iris asks softly, 'Perhaps you'd like to share it?" she seems particularly interested. Melody shrugs. "He doesn't know about it. Every time I look at him, I remember though. The Hermetics took over the sacred site my coven was guarding in England. Said we couldn't protect it and they could. The Council looked the other way, and we lost a potent node. I'll never forget it, and I don't know if I'll ever forgive it." Iris says quietly, "But he wasn't there and he didn't do it. Do you hate all Hermetics because of a few?" You say, "That's why I can unbend around him. But I couldn't stand the superiority complex, and he does have quite a few traces of that." Her fists clench at some memory. "I'm trying to deal with it. But it's hard." Iris bites her lip, "This could be a problem..." she says faintly, and shifts slightly, suddenly uncomfortable. You say, "Because you're his student? All I ask is that you remember where you came from, Iris. They didn't make you. YOU made you." Iris says very softly, 'I take my vows soon." Melody leans forward. "Please be careful, Iris. Find out the vows in advance, if you can, and don't swear to ANYTHING you can't swear to with your whole heart. I mean it." Iris nods slightly "Believe me, I will be careful, but... I want to belong, and the Hermetics seem more.... fitting than others I've looked at." Melody shakes her head. "Wanting to belong is exactly the wrong reason to join any group, Iris. You have to BELIEVE in what they say. Gregory is a good man, honest, caring. You can't say that about all or even most Hermetics. Hell, you can't say that about all Verbena." Iris smiles faintly, 'I do believe in what he says. Enough so that I feel comfortable with my decision." Iris holds up her free hand, "And he's being very blunt and honest with me." Melody nods. "Just be careful, is all I'm asking. I trust him in my circle. You can bet your daughter's life he's one in a hundred of their kind, though. You'll make the second, if you go through with this." Iris says quietly, "I plan on going through with it. And there is a house that uses the arts, singing, music to focus their magick, just as I can do." Melody nods. "I'm not happy with it, since we're being honest, but I can respect it. It's not you i'm unhappy with, it's the idea of you joining up with them. You're too good for them." Iris nods slightly, 'Well, I thought about your order. I really did. But... every time I thought about joining your order I felt sick. I know it's because of what happened hundreds of years ago, but that doesn't change that I couldn't handle the mere thought." You say, "Could you tell me a bit about that? I still don't understand it." Iris says very quietly, "I was a Verbena in a past life.... a... a powerful one. To get that power, though, I had to kill my daughter." Her hold tightens slightly on Lilly, protectively. Slowly she closes her eyes, "Tracy tried to stop me, so. I sacrificed him too. It was... was required." Melody frowns deeply. "How long ago?" You sense her trying to keep control of herself. Iris shakes her head and says, throat tightening, "I... I can't tell you the exact date. I think... the... the fourteen or fifteen hundreds.... I think..." She looks down at Lilly again and moves her free hand to lightly, tenderly stroke the baby's cheek. "There is no way I will ever risk that again, risk hurting Lilly or Tracy." Melody gets up and paces. "I know there's nothing I can say that will erase this feeling, Iris. And that's what pisses me off worst, that you'll go through life believing the worst of Verbena." Iris lifts her gaze to you and says quietly, "I don't blame _you_ though. Not unless you start having dreams that you were one of them encouraging me to sacrifice my reason for living in the name of gaining power. I don't trust myself. I did it once. Given the temptation...." she half shrugs and looks faintly sick at the mere thought. You say, "...you'd walk away. You LEARNED from it." Iris shakes her head slightly, 'I can't ever walk that path, not knowing what happened before." Melody sighs. "Oh, Iris..." Iris sighs softly, "It's just not going to be, Melody. But I don't blame you. I can still be your friend." You say, "Tell you what. I'll pretend you're not a Hermetic, and you can pretend I'm not a Verbena, and we'll both do just fine." Melody manages a smile. Iris takes a deep breath, and manages a smile as well, nodding slowly, "Alright. Deal." Melody relaxes and the smile becomes more genuine. "There. So. About Gregory." Iris relaxes as well and she stands up, moving toward you and offering you the baby to hold, "About Gregory." she says, voice lighter again. Melody cuddles Lily. "What should I tell him, in case it comes up?" Iris smooths the baby's hair again lightly, tenderly, and then looks into your eyes, 'Look into your heart. The answer will be there." You say, "If I'm right, and he is falling for me..it's not the answer he'll want." Iris says softly, "And if you're really falling for him?" You say, "Then I'm in really deep shit." Melody grins. Iris giggles softly, "You may be in deep shit, Mel." She goes to start cleaning off the table while you're occupied with the little one. You say, "Gee, thanks. What makes you say that?" Iris chuckles softly, "Your expression around him, how you act. You _flirt_. Not just a little, but a lot. Least you was at the meeting." Melody laughs. "Oh...that was to get under his skin. He looked so serious, and he was frettng at you and that wasn't going to help.." Gregory comes in from the outside. The door opens, and Gregory peaks rather hesitantly in, murmuring, "Iris, you 'round?" Iris shakes her head, 'You've done it before Mel. You like him. Whether you like it or not!" She carries the plates to the sink first, her back to the door when Gregory arrives. She turns though, her eyes huge, and then she starts laughing. You say, "I do not......" Melody cuts off. Actually blushes, a new sight on her. Iris can't help help but shoot back at Melody, "You do." And then she smiles warmly at Gregory, "We were just talking about you." Oh she is evil! Gregory's brow rises. He glances from Iris, to Melody, and back again, and murmurs, "I take it I am ... interrupting." Melody's cheeks burn as she doesn't know whether to laugh or glare at Iris. She's holding Lily, so she settles for focusing her attention on the cute newborn. "No, not interrupting.." she mumbles. Gregory clears his throat, glancing from woman to woman: he murmurs, "I take it my ears should be burning, hmmm?" He seems rather calm, though a faint tinge of pink colors his ears, a wry smile flickering over his features. "Just what -were- you talking about?" Melody tries to recover her cool. "Oh, that you're not the usual Hermetic. Nothing fancy." Melody nuzzles Lily's nose, prompting the newborn to open her mouth in search of food or whatever. Gregory simply lifts an eyebrow again. He nods, "All right. I see." As he speaks, he glances around the room, slowly. Poor Melody. She seems really thrown. Gregory sighs, and saunters towards Melody, appraising her; he murmurs, "You all right?" Melody nods, not looking at the hawkish man. "Fine.." Gregory lifts an eyebrow; he notes, voice quiet, "You look upset." You say, "Just embarasssed." Gregory mms; he lifts a hand and tries to pat Melody's shoulder, "About what...if you were just saying I'm not the usual Hermetic...?" He sounds confused-- he really doesn't get it. Melody's cheeks flush again. Wow. Iris decides to really be pushy, "She likes you Da. And you like her. Get over it." Melody buries her face in Lily's blanket. Muffled. "Ah oo nah!" Lilly reaches for Melody's hair, for lack of food upcoming. Gregory coughs; he gets the drift of the /real/ conversation now, and he blushes as heatedly as Melody, "Ahh...I see." Iris wanders back to the table and picks up the left over cassarole, watching the two of you, "Geez. I thought Tracy and I blushed a lot." she mutters _almost_ under her breath. Melody doesn't seem to mind as her hair gets yanked, and comments, raising her head slightly, "You do." Gregory nods, and murmurs, "Oh yes. You do, a /lot/." Stand together against the teasing Iris! He stands slightly behind Melody. Iris turns her gaze to the two of you, and nearly chokes. She tries to compose herself though and simply smiles, "You two make a good pretty couple." Melody looks at Greg, and then at Iris. "We do not!" Oh, she's hitting denial now. Iris crosses her arms across her chair and smirks. Just, smirks. Gregory clears his throat; he glances from Melody to Iris, and back again, and doesn't speak. Just blushes. Melody looks at Lily again. LILY is safe. Mostly. Except for those tiny fingers in Mel's hair, but that's not physical pain.. Gregory is safe; of course, he doesn't know what she's thinking, so he just clears his throat, "I...ah..." Iris picks up the left-overs again and starts for the kitchen, "Hey. You two are already enjoying each other's bodies. Might as well get to know each other better on an emotional and intellectual level." Ok. Iris blushes a little as she says that, but she doesn't relent. Melody automatically says "Why? Isn't the physical thing good enough?" Gregory begins to cough-- choke is a better word, and if he was red before, he's positively fiery now. Hey, fits one of his patrons at the moment, doesn't he? He coughs, "Ahhh..." He doesn't speak. He /can't/ speak. Probably because he's still out of breath. Melody's own blush is subsiding. Iris looks at Melody with all innocence, "Why stop there? You two would make me a lovely brother or sister." You say, "I'm not fertile till Beltane." Iris says innocently, "Ok. So I have to wait a little while. Is that supposed to matter?" Small mercies. Gregory's blush fades a bit, and he murmurs, "Ah...I really don't think she wants to, Iris. So it's best to just drop it." Protect Melody, suuuure. Easier to hide his own feelings on the matter. Melody is recovering now, since the conversation has shifted to more physical things. "I wouldn't hold your breath, hon...I have to get my doctorate first." Iris steps back to the end of the cabinet and looks from one to the other, "Look in your hearts. Good grief. I know neither of yo uare this blind." You say, "I'm not blind!" Melody disentangles her hair from Lily's tiny fingers. Gregory repeats Melody word for word without realizing it, "I'm not blind!" Iris mmmsss softly and turns back to the kitchen, scooping the leftovers into a tupperware container, "Not blind. Ok." She's giving in? Naw. Can't be. Not if you're looking at the little smirky smirk on her lips. You say, "I'm not going to say you're right, either, Iris." Gregory simply listens now; he doesn't really know how to get out of this gracefully. Iris finishes dumping the leftovers in the smaller container and she puts the pan to soak. She steps back to the end of the counter and regards you both. Quietly she says, in all seriousness now, "I love you both. I want you both happy. If you make each other happy, then go for it. You seem to make each other happy. If you fall in love, don't fight it." She leans forward slightly toward the two of you as if to tell a little secret, "It doesn't hurt, you know." You say, "Iris, did anyone ever tell you you need to sing in Fiddler on the Roof?" Iris arches an eyebrow, and starts laughing, "No. Where did that come from Melody?" You say, "You're SUCH a matchmaker." Iris flushes faintly and shrugs, "I see two people who want to like each other. Why not make a go of it?" Gregory doesn't speak: he simply watches, taking a breath, and letting it out. He's not interrupting -here-, oh no. Blush again? You say, "Why not just enjoy what is?" Iris says gently now, "Because letting someone close emotionally as well as physically can bring more joy and happiness and enjoyment than any amount of purely physical pleasure can." Melody tenses and says abruptly "I don't think I want to continue this conversation, Iris, Greg." She hands Lily to her grandda. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go finish a few things.. Gregory sighs slightly. He shakes his head, "No...I think perhaps it's better if I were the one to go." As he speaks, he inclines his head to both women, and offers a wry smile, "Have a pleasant day, the both'o you." You say, "No." Iris blinks, and looks as if she's slapped. "Mel?" she asks weakly, and then drops her gaze. She turns her back on both of you and goes into the kitchen. Melody leaves. (The next day..) Iris is sitting quietly in the rocking chair with Lilly, feeding her. Her eyes are closed and she is rocking slowly. Melody peeks in. "Helllllooooo?" Iris stiffens slightly and her eyes flutter open. She looks up, and then immediately drops her gaze again, "Hello Melody." she says very softly, and swallows hard. You say, "Hey! Is she sleeping?" Iris says very quietly, "She's eating." Her voice is extremely low. Melody nods and sits on the floor. "I brought you ham and cheese sandwiches. How're you feeling?" Iris nods slightly, and continues rocking, "I'm ok. Just fine." She is tense though, wary, almost as if she's afraid of being hit, though there, of course, is no indication of violence from you. You say, "You look like you're not getting enough sleep. Need a nap?" Iris shakes her head slightly, quickly, and continues watching Lilly. She's edgy. Melody sighs. "OK, apologize and get it over with, so we feel better and so you can stop looking like I'm about to deck you, huh? You didn't mean to make me mad, and I'm over it." Iris flinches and sinks back deeper into the chair. She whispers very faintly, "I'm sorry." You say, "There. I accept. No permanent harm done." Iris nods mutely and continues rocking slowly. She breaths slowly and deeply and chews on her lip. You say, "Spill it, hon." Iris shakes her head slightly, 'Nothing. Jus' trying not to think, that's all." You say, "Good. We'll both try not to. What's Tracy up to?" Iris hehs faintly, 'He's workin'. Someone's got to around here. Can't live totally on charity." You say, "No? But I'm having so much fun spoiling you rotten!" Melody grins. Iris lifts her gaze, slowly, and she smiles weakly, finally. "Doesn't pay th' electric and water and stuff though. Or the payment on this place." Melody smiles and reaches up to strok Lily's foot where it rests, little toes curling as she works to eat. "Something like that. So you said the oter day you're going back into singing?" Apparently as far as she's concerned, the case is closed. Iris nods slightly, and looks at Lilly, and slowly pats the baby's behind, "School an' singing. S'pposed to make a recording as soon as I find a way to get original music going." You say, "What style?" Iris hehs faintly, "Mostly goth, but some soft rock too. Jus' depends on my mood I guess. I should pick a style and go with it." You say, "I should get you to record chant music for my coven for me..I could afford to pay a little bit for that." Iris looks startled when she looks at you again, "I've never done chant." You say, "Have you ever tried?" Iris shakes her head, "No. I've never tried..." You say, "Ever "om"ed?" Iris chuckles faintly, "In class..." You say, "Try now. It won't bother Lily. Just try."" Iris hehs, "Lilly likes me to sing to her...." She then takes a deep breath, eyes half closing, and she ommmm's softly, a perfect, clear sound. Melody joins in softly, her own untrained voice thin next to yours. Iris's voice is resonant. She looks toward you, and leads you through several soft ommmmm's. Her voice is as much of an instrument as any piano or flute or guitar. Melody's gains in strength and sureness, but her eyes stay closed as she enjoys the energy that Oming always seems to bring. Iris closes her eyes and continues ommmming with you while she rocks the baby. Melody grasps her necklace and gestures around the room, and candles flare into life. Iris glances around, briefly, and then closes her eyes again. The ommmming is relaxing her as much as you. The very atmosphere of the room seems brighter, calmer. Melody holds her palms upright at chest level, eyes now locked closed. Iris, of course, is holding her baby close, but the infant seems to have been lulled asleep by the even, steady tones, especially her mother's voice. She snoozes quietly against Iris' chest. Melody finally lets her voice fade and smiles. "Ahhhh.....feel that? MUCH better." Iris's eyes flutter open, and she smiles faintly, "I agree" she says faintly. "That's a lot like meditating." Melody smiles a little. "Mantra yoga." Iris smiles softly, very relaxed, "I haven't meditated in ages. It was hard to get comfortable and let go while I was carrying Lilly." You say, "Take advantage of your quiet time with her now, then..but don't be surprised if you fall asleep." Melody winks. Iris laughs softly, "It would be easy to." Melody smiles gently. "You two are so gorgeous together. Maybe I should get Roberta to paint you.." Iris perks up with interest, "A portrait? Oh I would love to have a portrait of us together." She looks down at the baby, and tenderly strokes her little bitty cheek. Lilly relaxes and closes her fist as she sleeps, looking so sweet and innocent and delicate. You say, "I'll see what I can do. I think her favored medium is sculpture, though." Iris nods slightly and still gazes upon her daughter with almost palpable love.
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