This spontaneous day-after-last-update-update is solely because reviewer sousie wished to see Iris interact with Catelyn Stark, enjoy and review!
Oh, and I know how the update email works at times so if you're a bit confused by this chapter you probably accidentally skipped Chapter 3 which is waaaay longer than this and has Arya, Jon, and Iris interacting.
Iris was lounging in a steaming hot tub scented with rose petals and lavender humming the Zelda over world theme to herself cheerfully when there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" She sing-songed, a moment later the door cracked open and in walked the bane of her existence, she who hates fun and those who enjoy it, Lady Stark.
"Lady Peverell, may I speak to you for a moment?" Iris narrowed her eyes at this intrusion as she quite nearly told the older woman that no, she could not speak at the moment but thought better of it seeing as how she was at a bit of a disadvantage. Daddy didn't raise a fool, besides which the Starks entertained her.
She'd really rather not cause any issues with them that would result in her having to burn their castle down and ride off into the night. Way too much of a hassle and she was rather enjoying the bath regardless.
"What is it you would need of me Lady Stark that could not wait until I was out of the bath?"
Catelyn pursed her lips for a moment before grabbing a chair and perching herself upon it as she stared at the bathing woman who, for her part, was glad she had added bubbles to her bath to protect her decency.
That, and the rubber ducky, she hadn't failed to notice the Lady's confused stare at seeing it bobbing in its yellow and orange magnificence and that confusion alone was worth the intrusion.
On an unrelated note, sanity? Totally over rated and quite boring to boot.
"It is for the very reason you are currently in the bath that I am here to see you Lady Peverell, you've been avoiding me and meeting a young lady as she is wet and naked is as good a way to prevent her fleeing as any."
You clever bitch.
"Very well Lady Stark, I have been avoiding you, I admit it, what is it you wish to discuss?"
The older woman closed her eyes and seemed to try and focus her thoughts a few moments before nodding to herself, opening her eyes she glared at her fellow redhead a few moments before finally speaking.
"You are corrupting my children," Iris's response actually caused Lady Stark's breath to catch in her throat.
"Yup!" She chirped whilst popping the 'p' as she kicked at her bath water gently disturbing the bubbles on the surface as well as causing the ducky to bob up and down once again. She idly decided to name said ducky 'Ser Quackers' as Catelyn finally regained her composure.
"Why?"
No complex questions then, ah well.
"Simple really, I disagree with everything you are teaching your daughters and your sons, well Bran and Jon anyway. The latter of which I'm quite aware you've managed to make feel unloved and unwanted so don't think I dare mix him with your brood. You are frankly lucky he hasn't murdered you in your sleep for the damage you've caused his psyche, I know I would have already."
At this Lady Stark gaped like a fish, Iris didn't particularly care though so she continued on, "Arya has the makings of an independent leader and exhibits the inherent talents of a warrior born. You intend to whore her out to some Southerner Lord to make a trade agreement or the like, forcing her to spread her legs for 'the family' as it were."
Catelyn stood and clenched her hands into fists as she quivered in rage, "How dare you-"
Iris continued unabated, "Sansa, is a fool, you've had her suckle on the teat of fables and stories while doing nothing to temper her to the reality of the real world. That is to say, that you will be whoring her out to some Southern Lord to make a trade agreement or the like, but hey, at least he will likely be comely, right?"
Grinning now Iris stood sending a cascade of rose colored water flowing from her nubile body as she cocked her hips to the side resting her hands firmly upon them, "Bran wants to adventure, become a knight, explore the kingdoms, and he very well might get to do so. Unless something happens to Robb that is, then he is to be forced into running Winterfell once his father passes, which neither you nor Lord Stark have bothered training him to do."
Stepping out of the tub the naked young woman prowled towards Lady Stark who backed into the wall, grinning still Iris leaned forward until her moist lips nearly touched her ear.
"I could go on," she whispered, "But I don't think I need to, you've failed your children, all I'm doing is teaching the girls that you can die upon a blade without knowing how to use one, so why not know how to use it? All I'm teaching the boys is that a diversified education will only prevent their untimely deaths. All I'm teaching you," with this she pecked Catelyn on the cheek before turning around and re-entering the tub, "Is that you don't always know what is right for your family, even when you think you do."
Sitting back in the water Iris stared at Lady Stark for several moments before the now wide eyed woman turned and left the room slamming the door behind her.
Picking up Ser Quackers Iris stared at the rubber ducky a few moments more before speaking, "That went well, don't you think?" Squeezing the ducky it let out a cheerful squeak that she quickly smiled to, "You're right, next time, I'll start a few fires." Sinking back into the still near boiling water Iris let out a delighted sigh.
This was the life.
There's your Catelyn and Iris moment folks!
