Dinner With Iris

[Snick]

Patrick filled his tray with a healthy balanced meal, then found a seat near his little sister. He smiled at Iris. "Hello beautiful. It's sure nice having you back in the world of the healthy again. Hope you don't mind me joining you. " He put an extra cookie on her tray.

"How was your first day back?"

---

Iris brightened when she saw Patrick coming towards her. "Hello Patrick!" She greeted him enthusiastically. She smiled even more when he added a cookie to her tray.

With free rein on what she could eat for dinner, Iris had taken her favorite foods; macaroni and cheese, with wieners and some french fries with cheese and gravy. Next to this she had a chocolate milk and pudding for dessert. She knew she was pushing it with the chocolate as her mother rarely let her eat any of it at home. However, being a month from home now, Iris was finding she can get away with eating whatever she wanted, not just what she knew her mother would want her to eat. She just hoped Patrick didn't feel he would have to remind her to eat properly. She had not one speck of green on her plate...again.

"Classes weren't too bad today, I worked hard over the weekend so I was caught up on all my homework," Iris said truthfully. "I just have today's homework to do but I don't need it done till next class so I have a few days. It isn't much homework so I know I won't have trouble getting it all done. I will still have plenty of time to work designs and stuff."

"How was your day Patrick?"

---

"Not bad. Just another day before I get to start making propeller beanies stylish." He grinned. "Hey, Iris. I was wondering if you would be my date to the Homecoming dance." He gave her his best hero big brother charm.

---

"You are trying for a Legacy and they are going to make you wear a propeller beanie?" Iris looked incredulous. Patrick was always the sort to wear such stylish and proper clothing, just like Dad. To see him wear something silly, would be a huge change. Their older brother was more likely to wear something silly. "I can't picture you wearing one, it will be funny to see you wear it. So which Legacy is going to make you do that?"

"Oh...I sort of already have a date for the Homecoming dance," Iris says, suddenly feeling shy. "I hope you aren't mad...I am sure Carissa will go with you, if you ask her."

---

"I'm going out for Iota Sigma--decided to buck both our parents' wisdom and be a brain . . . " he started. Then he realized what his little sister was saying. She had a date.

"Iris, you are eleven years old. Mom and Dad won't approve of you having a date for the dance. That's why I'm asking you. Whoever asked you to the dance, you will just have to tell him no and that you can't go on a real date until you are fourteen. You are going with me. Or you can go with Phrixos. If you want to dance with this other guy once you get there, that's fine, but you know Dad will never allow you to date at eleven. What were you thinking? You're his precious princess. . . . He's not going to let you date early, and when you DO date, he's going to need to see his credentials and do a full background check on the guy first."

---

"But..," Iris pouted, then took a deep breath. "He's a friend, Patrick and it's not like we will do anything...gross. Just dance and we can dance too and I will dance with Az too. He's only twelve anyway and I asked him to the dance, he didn't ask me."

"Dad already knows he's a friend, I told him all about Andrew when he came down to see me when I was sick. Well I didn't tell Dad I was going to go to the dance with Andrew, I didn't think to at the time."

---

"It's Andrew? My roommate?" Patrick sighed. "No, Dad wouldn't approve. Yeah, I know he's a nice guy, and I'm 100% positive he would never try anything." Patrick was pretty certain Andrew was gay, even if Andrew didn't know it yet. "But that doesn't mean Dad will say yes. You shouldn't have asked Andrew, Iris. Just tell Andrew to go with Kit instead. She makes even worse puppy eyes at him than you do. Not that he cares. He only likes you two as friends. Go with me."

---

Iris sighs. "I am not marrying him Patrick. It's just a fun dance." She could be stubborn just like her brothers. "I don't see why I can't go with a friend. You will be there anyway, and Az. Dad doesn't have to know either."

She put her fork down and crossed her arms over her chest, a sure sign she won't budge. Well if Patrick tells her he's going to tell their father, Iris will back down. Saying no to Patrick was far easier than saying no to their father.

---

"You know Dad expects me to tell him everything that goes on." His cheek still stung in memory of his father's slap. "It's not that I want to, Iris. You don't know him as well as you think you do. Tell you what, you come with me and floo him and tell him what you want, and if he says fine with him, I won't say another word about it." Patrick put up his hands in a mock surrender motion, but what he really wanted was not to be slapped around by his father again for not taking care of Iris. It was one thing to stand up to Papa Pratt about joining his own legacy; it was another thing all together when it came to protecting his baby girl--something Patrick had learned the hard way.

---

Iris deflates and bites her lip. The last thing she wanted was to see her Dad's disappointment. Andrew wasn't rich or from a powerful family, at least not that she knew of. Given how Patrick took the news she was going to the dance with Andrew, pretty clear Dad wouldn't approve.

"Will it be alright if I just go to the dance with Andrew as friends? Not a date, but just as friends?" Iris asks. This way she can just tell Andrew she meant it as just friends anyway.

[Snick]

"Let him go as just friends with Kit, Iris. I'll take you to the dance. But I'll let you dance with him all you want. I promise. I can't risk what Dad would do to both of us when he finds out. And he will find out. I think his spies are everywhere. Probably Professor Glassman is one of them." He reached over and ruffled her hair. "I'm sorry." He wished he could explain just how bad their dad was, but there was no point in making her afraid of him. She thought their dad was wonderful. No sense in destroying her illusion.

"Just think, you can get even with me and laugh at me with my goofy hat on."

---

Iris didn't think Dad would be that mad if she went to the dance with Andrew just as friends but if Patrick really felt it was best she go with him instead, then she will listen. Patrick wouldn't say such things if he didn't believe their father would really be disappointed if he found out.

"Alright I will tell Andrew later I can't go to the dance with him as a 'date' but I can dance with him there if he comes alone or with Kit or somebody else. So guess I am your date now, Patrick." She smiled. It could be worse, she could be told not to go to the dance at all. "Do you really think Professor Glassman tells Dad everything that happens here? Dad did say they went to school together."

"Oh I will make fun of you with that goofy hat. I may even take pictures and show mom, I am sure she will laugh too." Iris smiled. She then remembered something she had brought up with Andrew earlier. "Do the Legacies have mascots too or is the tryout just for the Quadpot team?"

---

"The legacy mascots are for intermural rivalries and things. But the school mascot is for all school sports, not just Quodpot. Every time we play another school and send the spirit squad, the mascot is part of the squad." He took a sip of his apple juice. "Why, are you thinking of trying out for cheerleader? The mascot is usually a boy, but sometimes it's a girl. Mom was a cheerleader. We're the black cats."

---

"I didn't think about trying out for a cheerleader...do the quodpot cheerleaders cheer on brooms?" Iris wondered. "That would be fun, flying around and cheering. Do you think Dad will be alright if I try out for cheerleader?"

"Andrew is going to try out for mascot, I think he will be adorable as a black cat," Iris smiled.

---

"You should probably ask him, but I don't see why he would mind if you were a cheerleader." It was a popular thing to do--Dad should approve. "Since Mom was one. Carissa is one. They do spend part of their time on brooms. I think their uniforms are black though--to match the mascot."

---

"Not very colorful..but I will write dad and ask if he's alright if I try for cheerleader," Iris decided. "If I can get on the cheerleader team I will be sure to cheer you on Patrick. I will do it anyway but I can be much closer than the stands. Also, I can go with the team to the other schools which should be fun."

"Black cats have green eyes don't they? Maybe a bright red collar...this way the cheerleader uniform can have a bright red belt and the brooms painted green or stripped green and red to match." Iris expected the colors were already set up but maybe they change time to time.

---

Patrick smiled... Iris the fashion designer. "I'm pretty sure the uniforms are already ordered. And if I remember, they aren't straight black. There was a pop or two of color. Ask Carissa." He tried to remember. "I think it was yellow and white."

He ate more of his dinner. "So, as long as you are designing things, what is my date wearing to the dance? I'll need to have my tie and cumberbun match you."

---

"Oh are you wearing a suit to the dance?" Iris beamed. She then when on to describing the dress she intended to wear. It was something very new she bought just for school dances so had not yet had a chance to wear. Iris was certain she will look very pretty in it.

"It will be a safe dance this time right? Safer than the last one?" Iris asked, remembering what happened during her first dance. It was one reason she wanted to go with somebody so had asked Andrew. But Patrick would be better in that aspect.

---

"Of course I am wearing a suit. And my dancing shoes. Actually, depending on the dress you wear, I could wear a tuxedo if you want me to. So you had better describe the dress, and tell me the color," he said, knowing these things were important to girls, and his little sister was no exception. He put his hand over hers. "And I promise to keep you safe."

---

"It'll be cool to have you matching the color of my dress." Iris smiled at her brother. "I will be wearing a pink dress with ruffles and yellow flowers."

[Snick]

"Yellow tie and cumberbun with black tux or white tux then?" he asked, a twinkle in his eye for his little sister.

---

"A white tux would be quite different....I think you would look great in white, Patrick." Iris smiled at her brother. She stirred a french fry in gravy with her fingers and bit down on it. "You will have to be extra careful not to get it dirty."

---

Patrick looked at what she was eating and wrinkled his nose. "I think that sickness must have made you go Canadian on us. French fries in gravy? Yuck. You sure you don't want some ketchup with those?" He laughed.

"If you want me in white, I think I can manage not to get dirty. I think I'll go white jacket, black slacks, black tie and cumberbun... and a yellow corsage for you. Does that work?"

---

"I wanted something different today," Iris replied, surprised he didn't complain she didn't pick any vegetables. "It's not as good as Mom's cooking but so far nothing here is. How come you never mentioned the food wasn't as good as home? Do you think Mom would send me food if I tell her I don't like the food here?"

Iris wasn't totally honest as some things here ware quite good, like chocolate milk and a few other things she could never get at home. "The apple pie isn't like mom's either."

"You are always very neat and clean Patrick I doubt you could get dirty unless you really tried. Oh, maybe after a quadpot game...I can't wait to see you play." Iris moved on to the topic of clothing smoothly. "White jacket, black slacks, tie and cumberbun...so this mean you won't wear a shirt?"

---

"White formal shirt-- do you want my cuff link colors as well? Gold or platinum?" he laughed. "I think I'll manage. You'll just have to tell Andrew that he's going with Kit instead of you. All right?"

Hopefully no one else was expecting him to ask her, at least no one who wouldn't understand about his need to take his little sister.

---

"I will let you choose what color of cuff links...but I think gold would be nice," Iris smiled then sigh when her brother reminded her to talk to Andrew. "I will be sure to tell Andrew the next time I see him, I can't go to the dance as his date. I will let him know he should ask Kit."

A thought came to her then, two actually. "Do you think Dad will be alright if I go to the dance with Andrew once I am 14? If not...who would be appropriate?"

---

"I think he will have a list of approved boys from the right families, unfortunately. Too bad Carissa doesn't have a little brother." He sighed. "Or one of Esther Black's brothers isn't a little younger. Of course once you get out of school, if any of them are still single, I think Father would approve of you dating one of them." He gave an ugly smile and shook his head. "There are a few boys of pedigree Dad would approve of. But don't be in any hurry. He will want to hold on to you for awhile. When you are ready to break free, I will help you, all right?"

---

"I am sure Dad will find me a nice boy to know but you are right before when you say I am rather young to date. Andrew is nice and he'll be my friend forever no matter what Dad says. Friends is ok, right? I haven't really talked to many boys besides him and a couple others in class. Andrew is fun to be with and we like many of the same things."

"When I am as old as Azrael I may think boys are cuter and want to do real dates, not just friend dates. By then I bet Dad will have me meet those he thinks are right for me. At least Dad isn't going to do an arranged marriage like they used to do with Princesses..."

---

"No, not an arranged marriage. However, just a word of caution. Phrixos chooses his own friends, just like you want to with Andrew. Even then, Dad isn't really fond of Phrixos being friends with the daughter of a bar keeper, even if she is a direct descendant of one of the original kings of Ireland, Brian Boru . . . and that's all they are, is best friends. So I try not to mention much to Dad about how much time Phrixos spends with his friend, and then just casually when Dad asks, you know what I mean? I don't volunteer it. There's no point in making things uncomfortable for Phrixos. Just like there's no point in making things uncomfortable for you and your best friend." Maybe that would help his brother too.

---

"I am sure Dad will be ok I am friends with Andrew," Iris thought Siobhan was nice, but she never really had much chance to talk to her. "Are you and Phrixos getting along better now? I know you two were not too friendly in the past so I hope you both are getting along better. We are all family afterall we should be at least friends too."

"I won't tell Dad in my letters to him Phrixos is spending time with his friend Siobhan. She looks nice and he seems happy to have her as a friend. They are both Lighthouse Keepers so are bound to spend time together just because of that. Aren't they the same age too?"

[Snick]

Elizabeta watched as Patrick talked with his little sister. She still intended to try and recruit the younger male Pratt into her legacy. A couple weeks ago she had broached the subject to him but he had not been willing to commit at that time. Now, time was running out and she wanted the heir apparent of the Pratt Broom maker business in her Legacy. He had potential and connections with powerful businessmen would only benefit her.

Once she finished her meal she picked up her dessert and drink, bused her tray then walked over to the table with the two younger Pratts.

"Hello Patrick, Iris, mind if I join you two?" Elizabeta asks politely, indicating the empty chair.

---

"Not at all, have a seat." Patrick gestured Elizabeta to a seat near them.

"Iris, she's a year younger, and she is nice, really nice. She's good for him, and I think she's the reason he and I are getting along again."

He turned to Elizabeta. "So how are you this evening, Elizabeta?" ]

---

"Hello Elizabeta," Iris says politely. She didn't know the older witch but had seen her around. As Patrick said her name it was the only way Iris would have known it to say hi. "I don't mind if you join us."

"I am glad Az found a friend and she's ensuring you and him get along again. I don't like my brother's fighting," Iris added, turning to look at her brother. She didn't know what Elizabeta wanted so turned back to her food to let the older two talk.

---

"Hello Iris, nice to meet you." Elizabeta says to the younger witch with a smile then turns her attention onto Patrick. Settling down in her seat she looked him over briefly.

He was young but even now Elizabeta could tell he would grow up to be quite striking. Patrick already looked far older than his years, in fact he looked the same age as his older brother. Pity he wasn't her age, she would have asked him to the dance. Being three years younger than her, Elizabeta didn't think it would be appropriate to associate with Patrick in that way. He may look older but he was still very much a boy.

"I am doing well, thank you for asking." Elizabeta replied politely. "How are you doing, Patrick?"

"I was hoping to get a chance to talk to you sooner but now is soon enough," Elizabeta moved to the main reason she wanted to talk to the boy. "Have you given further thought about pledging to Novus Ordo Seclorum?"

---

"Have you ever had someone push you so hard that even though it was something you were going to do initially, you ended up pushing back at them and going the opposite direction?" he asked her. He didn't wait for her answer. It was a rhetorical question. "I had someone push me that way about joining Novus Ordo." He wasn't about to tell her or Iris that it was his father and that the elder Pratt had firmly set Patrick on the path of doing all in his power to outsmart his father and take his business from him and bury him. "I won't join it now. I looked at which legacies remained, and I think I already have strong business sense--so I'm pledging Iota Sigma."

---

One thing Elizabeta knew it wasn't her who pushed Patrick away from Novus Ordo and she doubted Pratt had anything to do with it. She was aware Patrick's father was in the Legacy during his time at school, many of the past members names were in the lists she looked up during times of boredom and curiosity. Would the older Pratt have pushed his son to pledge so hard to turn him away? She had no idea but as far as she was concerned, it would be far greater foolishness for Patrick to go to Iota Sigma just to go against his father's wishes and not just because the elder Pratt would be angry.

"So, because you were pushed too hard, you are backing away from a Legacy that stands to be the greatest ally you could have not just during the rest of your school years but well into the future? Iota Sigma is not as beneficial as you may think they are. Sure, they are made up of over achievers and intellectually brilliant minds but how many of them actually move on to being actual influences in society? How many become the true powers out there? Most struggle to gain grants to fund their research, find their ideals mocked because they just don't fit in with what society and the powers that be want? Why do you think Muggles still drive highly polluting cars when science discovered vehicles could be powered by water? Oil companies and the government crushed such inventions long ago, seeing cars fueled by something as easy to obtain as water would mean many markets crashing all over and rich revenue from oil sales would plummet."

"Think where the real power in the world truly is and make sure you are choosing a path because it is what you want for your own purpose, not just rebelling against somebody who's pushed you too much. I would hate to see a young man with your potential go astray in what really sounds like a silly act of rebellion just to spite somebody."

---

Patrick sat up straighter, his eyes narrowed. "I am not using my intellect to go into research. I am using it to take the business world by storm. I won't put what I learn in my legacy to waste, I assure you. Nor do I need to learn dark and secretive ways to achieve success." He was done talking about legacies and done with his dinner. He began piling things in the center of his tray so he could return it. He put Iris's empty things on top of his.

---

"It is, ultimately, your decision Patrick," Elizabeta leaned back in her chair, disappointed but she wasn't going to beat him into submission. Only time will tell if his decision costs him in the long run or not. "I just hope I am wrong and your skills aren't wasted within Iota."

---

"Good evening Elizabeta." Patrick stood up and collected the tray. "I'll see you later, Iris. I'll be studying in the dorms if you need to find me."

exit Patrick

---

Iris sat silently as Elizabeta did her best to convince her brother to pledge to her legacy. She felt the older witch was rather intense in her eagerness to recruit Patrick but at least she didn't get angry or push more when Patrick made it clear he wasn't going to change his mind.

"I will see you later Patrick and thanks for taking my dishes with you." She only had her chocolate milk and cookie to eat now. Once her brother left she looked over at Elizabeta.

"I can't pledge anywhere, I am too young yet," She said with a weak smile.

[Snick]

Elizabeta watched as Patrick left then turned to regard the only daughter of the patriarch of Pratt Brooms. When she innocently pointed out she was too young to pledge, Elizabeta laughed lightly.

"We aren't all dark and evil in Novus Ordo, Iris. We have secrets yes, but in truth we are no different than any other Legacy. They all have their secrets, Novus Ordo just likes to make it very clear we are mysterious and secretive. Once you are entering your third year here, I am sure you will take careful consideration to all your options."

Elizabeta finished her dessert and rose to her feet. "A pleasure meeting you Iris." Turning Elizabeta headed out of the Cafeteria herself, pausing only to drop her garbage in the bin.

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