Create a Family With a Twist 4/29

[name_f]Iris[/name_f] Marzanna Kowolski (17) is Clive’s younger sibling, and cousin of [name_u]Luca[/name_u] and [name_f]Avielle[/name_f]. Jokingly, [name_f]Iris[/name_f] will tell you they became interested in the humanities because it was the only academic sphere untouched by the rest of their family - being especially interested in religions and philosophy. At fifteen they started using they/she pronouns, which was a surprise to some older members of the family, but fully embraced, which was a huge relief for [name_f]Iris[/name_f] who was terrified rejection and discord would ensue. Their middle name was even chosen as an honourific for [name_f]Magda[/name_f], which further weighted the importance of people accepting their identity, granted she was never someone [name_f]Iris[/name_f] had any concerns about.

Sometimes, there can be a perfectionist streak to them, which they credit to their dad. [name_f]Iris[/name_f] and he have always shared an especially close bond thanks to a mutual love of European history - a conversation topic their mom avoids like the plague when these two are around - and they’re grateful he’s never pushed them or [name_m]Clive[/name_m] towards medicine because of his career. While discussions about dynasties and wars might drive their mom mad, [name_f]Iris[/name_f] is very close to her too and won’t let anyone look down on the fact she chose to remain as a librarian while her husband pursued something more traditionally academic, as it’s what makes her happy. She’s taught [name_f]Iris[/name_f] all of their baking skills - they haven’t quite mastered her legendary talent at icing - and is someone both they and [name_m]Clive[/name_m] can always take a moment to talk to if needed. Given the family’s some of their friends come from, [name_f]Iris[/name_f] has worked harder and harder as they’ve grown up to be appreciative of their parents, even if they have their tensions from time to time.

At school they’re considered quite different to their cousin [name_f]Avielle[/name_f], who projects confidence with total ease, and do favourably get called the humble one of the pair. Thanks to only being three months apart in age - [name_f]Iris[/name_f] being the younger one - they have a sibling quality to their interactions, in part because [name_m]Clive[/name_m] was always interested in very different things to [name_f]Iris[/name_f] until they were about 13 and could connect with him. The two don’t inhabit the same friend group - [name_f]Iris[/name_f] is in with a more STEM/traditional academia crowd who compliment their reserved, quietly sarcastic nature; very much being the kind of classmate to slip by unnoticed - but do spend a lot of time together, and they’re fully clued in on the band scene chaos. [name_m]Even[/name_m] the very non-confrontational [name_f]Iris[/name_f] was aghast to learn about their brother’s treatment, and they’re very disdainful of the infamous frontman.

For their birthday, [name_f]Iris[/name_f] finally got their dream pet: a bearded dragon. Having named him [name_m]Pharaoh[/name_m], as [name_f]Iris[/name_f] considers him to have terribly regal qualities in how he carries himself, they were absolutely delighted to receive him, and think it may have been their brother who let things slip…

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