When Nathaniel spoke out about her changing her appearance, and that she didn't need to do it in order to learn about people. His compliments were pleasant but she did not really understand the complexities of such things. However, when he mentioned she looked really nice with long hair, she smiled more to herself and grew it out again. Her hair typically fell to her shoulder blades, but she decided that a little longer wouldn't hurt, so she pushed it to the small of her back. It wasn't near as long as Nathaniel's, but it was still long. 

She smiled pleasantly at Aaryona as Nathaniel explained that she was still technically new to the world and that her bluntness was to be forgiven. 
"I will call you whatever you instruct me to, my Lady," Iris replied respectfully. "I do not wish to make any faux pas where rank and family is concerned, especially since you and your brother come from two very prestigious bloodlines, I understand," she said giving her a respectful bow. 

"Yes, I understand a little bit about the concept of genetic breeding and the passing of traits from family members. But if the classic Rosenite eyes are typically passed on through infliction, then it would make sense that a father's eye color may pass on to his daughter if she is a blood relative and not an afflicted, am I correct?" she asked. "Regardless, you are blessed," she said giving her another polite bow. 

"If you do not find me too forward, may I be allowed to inquire about the reason for your visit? Is there anything I can do to help make you more comfortable?" Iris asked of Aaryona as she straightened up again, her eyes now matching the shade of amber as the woman opposite. 

Aaryona chuckled at Iris and nodded. “It is true but here in the Gardens, our mother’s rules overrule anything I have. Back home I am not nearly as nice as I am when I am here… but that is because being kind can be seen as an act of weakness.”

Nathaniel nodded to Iris. “That’s right, you’ll notice that a lot of the time we all have our mother’s eyes but if you see Aaryona, Aelwen, even the twins Belle and Fern you’ll see that they have their father’s eyes.”

For a moment Aaryona looked uncomfortable. “Mother was doing things again. She asked Nemesis to give me lessons on how to survive. I was going to ask her what was going through her head when she ordered that.”

Nathaniel look shaken for a moment before shaking his own head. “You shouldn’t Aaryona. Nemesis is the only one who can teach you right now. Our father is gone for the moment and you need guidance. As much as it is a pain in the ass to have the old Shira lord as your teacher you need to deal with it.” He crossed his arms and frowned at his little sister. “You would dishonor mother if you threw it back in her face… There has to be a reason why she asked that man to do it for you.”

“It is because he knows how to survive and rule… I just… He scares me sometimes Nathaniel.” Aaryona frowned and Nathaniel came in to hug his sister.

“You would be an idiot if he didn’t scare you. You’ll manage you always do. Just be strong and today… enjoy Mother’s presence. Being here in the Gardens must make you feel better.” Aaryona nodded as she put her head in her brother’s chest. “You need to bathe before you leave so he doesn’t realize I’m here. Alright? It might get ugly if he knows I’m alive. Can you do that?” Aaryona nodded.

“Vampires never forget and rarely do they forgive.” Aaryona's voice was shaky for a moment or two. "I'll bathe before I leave." She offered a smile to Iris. "Don't ever get involved with someone like Nemesis Volkov."

Iris was about to inquire as to who this Nemesis was, but when she saw the discomfort in Aaryona's face, she paused. What about this Nemesis would make both of them so uncomfortable. She found it very strange that Angela would insist on something that would cause such discomfort in her children, it seemed quite contradictory to the woman Iris knew. She still didn't say anything and watched as Nathaniel warned her not to complain to Angela. Now that was something Iris had learned you didn't do. What she found even stranger was how once again Nathaniel was embracing Aaryona. She had seen Angela embrace Rohan in a similar fashion, but she didn't understand why Nathaniel would do such a thing for Aaryona. She understood they were siblings, but still such signs of affection were strange to her. 

She nodded, though she was confused when Aaryona insisted she not get involved with anyone like this Nemesis character. "Oh, ok," Iris said slowly. "Who… who is this Nemesis?" Iris asked slowly. "I'm not sure I understand, but I will take your advice and not get involved…"

Nathaniel kissed the top of his sister’s head as Iris asked him the question. “Nemesis… was the person who wanted me dead. He is a dangerous man but he is the only one who can keep Aaryona safe from the rest of the vampire world… What did Mother give him that is keeping him at bay?”

Aaryona hesitated, “She made his mate be able to get pregnant without fear of losing her or the child. For his protection, she will do this as long as she is a goddess.”

“I see… It makes sense. Nemesis has always been about the family. If you have met Nerezza and Lucian or heard of them Iris… They are his children. Raeguel is the good side of Nemesis.”

–

Iris and Nathaniel had a ton of time to get antiquated with each other. They were set in charge of the nursery and making sure it was ready for when Larkspur and Poppy arrived. They were together a lot and became close friends and confidants.

Finally, on the destined day of the twins arrival, Angela was laying in bed looking over at the little people that had joined their family. “Are they not beautiful Adraejen?” Larkspur had Drae’s dark hair and Poppy had the brightest red hair she had ever seen. “They are like mini versions of us.” She chuckled a bit as she moved her finger over to each of them and played with their hands. “Their birth certainly went easier than Rohan’s.”

"Well, Rohan was a little snot and didn't want to visit the World," Drae chuckled. At the other end of the bassinet Rohan pouted. "I was not," he muttered. Drae laughed. "Oh yes you were. You wouldn't move for your mother, but you started singing up a storm. You DEFINITELY didn't want to come out of your mother's tummy either," he laughed. 

"Ew, Dad that's gross," Rohan blanched before he leaned over the bassinet and kissed Poppy and Larkspur on their tiny heads. "I'm glad you two are here. It means I'm not the baby anymore," the boy chuckled before he hugged his mother and father and ran out the door past Iris and Nathaniel. 

Iris walked up to Angela and Drae, carrying a tray with warm cups of soothing tea for the both of them. "How are you feeling, Angela?" Iris asked as she handed the cup to the mother of the newborns and then to her Master and creator. 

Angela chuckled a bit as she pulled Rohan to her and kissed his cheek. “You will always be my baby.” She blew a raspberry on his face and smiled up at Adraejen. “You most definitely didn’t want to come out of your home.” She teased her son lightly. “You sang a lot and you only listened to your father.”

She watched as Rohan left them and shook her head with a laugh. “He is funny. He thinks he is out of this young sibling thing just yet. He has so many siblings he will be one of the youngest for a long time coming.”

Nathaniel chuckled a bit. “He certainly is an active one.” He moved to help his mother get more comfortable as he put more pillow behind her.

“Like a dragon crash landed on top of me and stomped on my insides.” There was a little bit of a chuckle from her as she took the tea. “Thank you, Iris. Is their nursery ready for them? Not that I will let them out of my sight anytime soon but I really wanted to see it at some point.” She tilted her head at them and smiled. "What do you think of them, Iris. This should be the first time you've ever seen a baby let alone two. Would you like to hold them?"

Iris smiled and set the tray aside before she turned her attention back to the tiny infants in the bassinet beside Drae and Angela's bed. 
"Yes, the nursery is all ready. I think you will like it. We modeled the ceiling to look like the night sky the the view of the Occulus, and the walls look like the fairest coastlines across Canelux," Iris smiled before her eyes went back to the tiny bundles in the bassinet. 

When Angela asked, Iris's voice was soft. "They are so tiny… so innocent. So fragile," she said. "But who would have thought such tiny things could bring two people such joy," she said as she looked up at Angela again. She offered the opportunity to hold them, and she looked surprised, but smiled. "May I, Lady Angela? Please?" 

"Of course," Drae chuckled as he stood up from the bed and walked around to the bassinet so that Angela would not have to get up. Gingerly he picked up Poppy and handed her over to Iris, taking care to show her how she was to hold the infant so that her head would be supported and so that she would not be dropped. Iris mimicked her master's form and held the baby gently but securely in her arms. 

Poppy yawned and lifted her tiny hand to Iris. Hesitantly, Iris pressed her finger into the outstretched hand and lightly stroked the back of it with her thumb as she held Poppy. "She has your hair…"

“When Ro was born we had him in the forest,” she chuckled a bit. “Most babies are fragile and tiny. Even the largest animal tends to have small offspring. They are on the smaller side thanks to them being twins but they will grow fast. You’ll blink and they will be as big and mouthy as Rohan is.” The goddess chuckled a bit.

Nathaniel moved over to the bassinet and picked up his brother. “And he looks like Drae. You both are going to have problems on your hands when they get bigger. I foresee Poppy getting a lot of suitors with that red hair of hers.” He teased Drae. “Can you push all of them off the top of the Occulus?”

Poppy peeked up at Iris and cooed softly. She had Drae’s silver like eyes. “They got their father’s eyes too. It is amazing. How you can perfectly blend two people together and make a whole new person.” Angela gave a smile up to both of them. “You both are naturals at this.”

“Had a lot of practice when Reyviir and Aelwen were born. This is all nature at this point.” Nathaniel laughed and thought about it. “Even when Aaryona was born. I held her too. Just like this.” He was fond of thinking back to the simpler times as he put Lark back down into the bassinet.

Angela was sipping on her tea now as she smiled up at Drae. “We did a good job this time…”

"Don't tempt me. So far I've been lucky with not having to chase off anyone as far as Iva's concerned," Drae said reproachfully of Nathaniel. "Though, be assured if it comes to that, I'll be asking for your help, boy," he smiled and he hunkered down beside Angela. 

Iris looked up at Angela with bewilderment as she praised her for being a natural at this. "Well, Nathaniel is for sure. He's had some more experience than I have… but…" she fell silent as she smiled back at Poppy. She didn't finish her sentence, but glanced up at Nathaniel as he lay Larkspur back down in the bassinet. His mind seemed to on something else. 

Drae chuckled at Angela as he snuggled up beside her and took a sip of his own tea. "You make it sound as though our first attempt was a dud," he laughed. He kissed her lightly. 

Iris watched this action. Affection was still something she was trying to wrap her head around, but she was learning that a lot of the time it was not something you commented on. Instead, however, she gently kissed Poppy's fingers before she gingerly put her back in the bassinet with her brother. 

"They are both beautiful," she praised. "I think you both deserve some rest now," she added softly as she turned to go.

Nathaniel chuckled a bit. “Just raise them like Aaryona, she used to light her babysitters on fire and everything else. Mom came home to Frey in the corner huddled because of what she did. Boys don’t like girls who are scary.”

Angela chuckled a bit. “Some of them do. Aaryona grew up into a woman who isn’t afraid to put a man under her boot and make them beg. That was the way her father wanted her to be, a good leader and no bullshit.” She tilted her head at Iris and smiled. “That’s what it means to be a natural Love. No experience needed.” The goddess kissed her husband back. “Sure, a total dud. A tree climbing little shit that knew bad language coming out of the womb, totally his father might I add.” Angela waved her finger at her father.

Nathaniel watched Iris with interest before smiling down at his new siblings. “They will be so loved by everyone. So many siblings to love them.” Nathaniel nodded with Iris. “We’re going to go make sure the nursery is complete for them not that they will be in there anytime soon but you can never have it too perfect.” He held out his hand for Iris. “Come on then.”