There's no forecast at the end of the news for mental illness.

'Don't leave it too long this time, will you.' 

'You know me, I can't play the sanity card for more than a few months at a time.'

'I know,' she laughed.

'You better still be here when I get back.' 

'I'm promising nothing.'

Together

So Iris and Lucy have less than a week incarcerated together now. This is where things get serious.

Planning

So I'm writing again. It's a little here and a little there, nothing significant yet but it's progress. The key to planning is to pick a point and work backwards. Fill in the gaps.

Iris' discharge is nearing. It's going to be strange writing her beyond the gate. Still got a few plot points to cover, the eventual outing, the final meetings with the doctor(s), CPA, a resolution with Lucy and Chris' return. And then Iris returns to the world. A whole new challenge.

It'll be okay,

Lucy

Writing Again, and Inspiration

I think the key to Iris and Lucy is music. I need to build a soundtrack, as if I'm making a film. Background music, but it sparks something in me. It's the music that suits them, that could have been written for them.

I need to cast the characters too. I need to fall in love with Lucy, so that Iris can. I need to know how hard it is in the psychiatric jungle, for them. For their relationship. I can see them, but how magical it would be if they came to life.

I've been neglecting Iris and Lucy. It's time to bring them back to life.

Character Profile - Iris

Full Name: Iris James

Nickname: Iris

1. Age: 20
2. Gender: Female
3. Date of Birth: 1st October 1992
4. Ethnicity: White, British
5. Occupation: Unemployed, has previously worked in retail.
6. Hair color/style: Long, straight, dark brown hair.
7. Eye color: Green
8. Accent (if any): Southern accent.
9. Height: 5ft 6"
10. Weight: ~ Slim
11. Tattoos: None
12. Piercings: Nose, ears, helix
13. Birthmarks: Freckles
14. Disfigurements: None.
15. Scars: Self harm scars - wrists, arms, legs, stomach.

Personality Overview:

1. Fears: The world outside the hospital. Lack of control. Losing Lucy.
2. Childhood:  A happy childhood, good relationship with parents and siblings. Intelligent child with a thirst for knowledge and an optimistic future ahead.               
3. Adolesence: Things began to unravel for Iris at about age 15. She had severe mood swings and became very depressed. Was involved with adolescent mental health services but found them to be fruitless.
4. Adulthood: Iris struggles with her mental health, and is admitted to the psychiatric hospital in Chelsmford, Essex, for 28 days at a time. She is self-destructive, impulsive, introverted, isolates herself.

Fashion Sense

1. How do they usually dress? Good dress sense, lace up boots and hats. Indie, if you will. 
2. What do they wear to sleep? Usually nothing, but patients are checked on throughout the night, so she wears long pyjamas. 
3.  Do they wear jewelry? Only earrings, but Iris makes friendship bracelets for Lucy and herself by pulling strands of cotton from her clothes. 
4. Is there anything about their appearance they wish they could change? Iris is quite confident in herself as she is.
5. What do they smell like? Why (do they wear the scent or does it occur naturally)? Tobacco smoke, coconut shampoo. 
6. Do they have an accurate mental picture of their appearance (how they see themselves versus how the world sees them)? Yes.
7. Favorites, habits, likes and dislikes: Likes reading, writing, drawing, Lucy. Dislikes people getting in her way. People who don't understand. Change.
8. What are some of your character’s hobbies? What do they do with their time? Smokes in the mornings, plays Shithead with Chris, winds Philip up, tries to have fun within the hospital. 
9. Favorite color: Black

Favourites

1.  Books or Favorite music artists: Will read anything. Quite specific, narrow music taste. 
2. Movies or TV shows: Classic films overplayed on television, her only access to films. 
3. Political stance? Are they active in politics or do they not care? Iris is not as detached from the real world as Lucy, as she only spends 28 days in the hospital at a time. She votes Labour.
4. What are some of their pet peeves? Doctor speak, ignorant people, the social conformities of the modern world.
5. What sort of gifts do they like? Flowers, something personal.
6. What is their favorite time of day? Morning smoking time with Lucy.
7. Favorite weather? Season? Likes winter, it's so beautiful and the snow feels like starting again.
8. Where do they like to spend their time? Anywhere Lucy is. Somewhere magical. In the hospital.
9. Favorite food? Favorite drink? Hot drinks, soft drinks, or alcohol? Has become hooked on decaffeinated coffee. Not fussy with food.
10. Favorite animal? Black panther.
11. Do they have any pets? Do they want any? Doesn't have any. Pictures herself as a crazy cat lady but isn't sure she can be relied on enough to take care of them.
12. What relaxes them? When Lucy makes Iris concentrate on breathing at the same time. 
13. Do they have any bad habits? Self-harm, bruising. Over-thinking. Smoking.
14. What are they allergic to? Nothing.

Resources and abilities:

1. If they have an income, where does it come from? Has worked in retail. Has savings from deaths of elderly relatives.
2. Do they have a job? Do they like it? How do they feel about their co-workers? No job at present, has worked in retail. Detests working with customers, hates being talked down to and treated badly. Only gets on well with a few co-workers. Only likes the sense of routine that a job brings.
3. Why do they have their resources? How long have they had them, and how have they served the character over time? (Ex. Contacts, money, political power, fame, etc.) Power within the hospital comes from her relationships with Chris and Lucy, and her ability to manipulate Philip. Outside the hospital, she is of average stature. 
4. Where does your character live? Why did they choose it, and how did they acquire it? How do they handle intruders (graciously? violently?)? In a psychiatric hospital in Chelmsford, Essex. Temporary. Lives in a fairly affluent area, in a one bedroom flat, half an hour's drive from the hospital.
5. What are some of your character’s more notable merits and flaws (including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, etc.)? How did they develop? How has this helped or hindered them in the past? Merits: Educated and intelligent. Flaws: Needs a strong sense of structure to function. Short temper. Overthinks. Takes things out on herself. Quick to fall in love.
6. How are they with technology? There is limited use of technology in the hospital, as patients don't have access to the chargers for their devices. 
7. Are they specially qualified in any particular field? Would they be considered at the top of the field? Can draw well. 
8. Have they ever been publically acknowledged for anything? (Ex. Nobel Prize) No.
9. Is there anything they’ve deliberately sought to improve at? Regulating moods.
10. Do they speak more than one language? A moderate knowledge of French and Latin.

Relationships and history:

1. What is their family history like? How does it affect them? How do they feel about their family? How does their family feel about them? Parents are divorced. Fairly close with her mother but doesn't feel she can confide in her fully about her mental health, or her relationships. Elderly grandmother with dementia. Mother remarried and has a three year old. 
2. What were they like as a child? What was their favorite toy? Favorite game? Playmates? Enjoyed reading and writing as a child, bike riding, A very intelligent child. Chose friends selectively. 
3. What did they want to be when they grew up? A writer.
4. Describe their best and worst memories from childhood. Best: Christmas with all the family together. Worst: A fall from a rope swing she claims started everything mental  health wise. Lying with broken ribs for hours until being found. 
5. Where (and when) did they grow up? How did they view it as a child, and did that change as they matured? How do they feel about the place now? A real 90's child. The beginning of technology. Grew up in London and then the nicer parts of Essex. Not too far from the hospital.
6. Do they, or have they in the past, had a mentor? What was their relationship with this person, and how has it changed since then? Followed the influences of those she was reading about in novels. Was a loner through teenage years. Introspective. Mentored herself through her own mind and need for perfection.
7. What sort of education have they had? Do they want more? Good education. Dropped out of university in first year, not stable enough to power through it. Does want to study more. A real thirst for knowledge.
8. Who was their idol growing up? Who was the first person they fantasized about? Rarely heard of musicians and authors. Looked up to teachers through fantasy, was enthralled by their superior knowledge.
9. Who is their closest friend, and why? What do they like to do with this person? Chris is Iris' closest friend in the hospital. They share a mutual love of rebellion, and a dark sense of humour. Outside the hospital, Iris finds it hard to maintain friendships. She has a few friends scattered across the country but nobody she feels she could call on in a time of need.
10. Do they have any rivals? Who and why? Kevin, the new patient, through pure irritation. The management.
11. Have they ever been betrayed? By who, and how did it affect them? Yes many times. Lovers, friends. This is why she prefers a quieter life without too many of those inconveniences.

Sex and Romance

1. What is their sexual orientation? Do they ever question it? More drawn to women. Never questioned, considered in the grand scheme of mental health to be insignificant. 
2. When did they lose their virginity? Who to? Where? What was it like? Experimenting with a friend from school. 
3. What’s the strangest thing they’ve ever done in bed? Iris is pretty straight-laced. Dressing up, but only in lingerie. Nothing extravagant. 
4. Is there anything in particular that they won’t do? Willing to try anything once.
5. What are they attracted to in a partner?Intelligence, strength through adversity. Courage through hardship. An infectious laugh. 
6. If applicable: who is their current partner, and what attracted the character to them? How did they meet? How long have they been together? What kind of a relationship is it? Do they have any plans for the future? 
7. Lucy. Met during her first admission, Lucy was a long term patient already. They have been on and off, as Iris has left the hospital and returned. Iris wants to take care of Lucy, she's small and vulnerable and in pain, and Iris can't resist wanting to 'fix' her, if you will. Iris sees great strength of character in Lucy, and feeds off her personality and devilish sense of humour. The future is difficult, as Lucy doesn't see a future full stop, but Iris would love to be with Lucy long term. 
8. What would be their perfect date? Time alone! Something romantic, with time to be just the two of them without all the constraints of the hospital. A coastal walk?
9. Describe one of the character’s past relationships and what was significant about it. Iris had a long-ish but rocky relationship with a girl named Sian she met in sixth form. Sian couldn't deal with Iris' instability well.
10. Have they ever hurt someone they loved? Not intentionally. but probably yes.
11. Do they fall in love easily? Yes, when it's the right person.

Future:

1. What are their dreams? What do they want to do someday? Iris dreams of a future with Lucy but knows deep down that it will never happen.
2. Are there places they want to go? Where and why? Iris would like to travel the world, and find a place she fits in.
3. If these don’t apply already: do they want to get married? Have kids? Iris has always seen herself getting married and having children, but worries about her mental state and her suitability as a responsible parent.
4. Would they ever consider adopting a child? Why or why not? Yes, feels there are a great number of children out there who need a home. 
5. Do they have any prominent sensory associations? (Ex. the smell of their mother’s perfume, the sound of ice cracking under their feet as a child, etc.) In the hospital, Lucy's laugh, the rattle of her drip stand. 
6. Who do they want to meet? Somebody with the answers.
7. What about them is heroic? She would put the needs of someone she loves before her own.
8. What would the character be like in their old age? A little eccentric, but intelligent and strengthened through her experiences.
9. Stuck in a waiting room. Which magazine do they pick up? Nothing, she would prefer to observe the other people in the room.

Morality:

1. What is one thing in their past they’re ashamed of? One thing they’re proud of? Ashamed that she feels she cannot function in the outside world. Proud of her control over Philip and a lot of the patients, but this fades without Chris by her side.
2. Describe one fight they’ve had in the past (physical or otherwise).  A placid patient, not very violent really.
3. What is one thing they feel strongly about? The right to die. Patient code.
4. One trait they admire? Courage to go with your gut feeling.
5. What disturbs them? The thought of leaving Lucy and the unpredictability of the world.
6. Are they a leader or a follower? Why? A follower.
7. What do they feel responsible for? (Ex. I owe it to the world to do this.) Most things. Quite paranoid.
8. Do they believe that a person can redeem themselves from mistakes of the past? Yes, with time.
9. What scares them? The unknown. Lucy.
10. How do they feel about death? Have they been significantly affected by it? Feels closer to death than some due to suicidal feelings and a deeper knowledge. Stuck in a whirlwind debate with herself over euthanasia and the right to do, and whether that should be applied to mental health. Can't make up her mind when it comes to Lucy, between what she knows is right, and what she knows Lucy needs.
11. Do they believe in an afterlife? Believes death will be euphoric, or at least this is what she tells Lucy. Sceptical about an afterlife, rather wants the end to be the end, instead of a never ending kaleidoscope of colours fading in and out of patterns. 
12. Do they have any habits that reflect their beliefs? (Ex. regular prayer, vegetarianism, etc.) Patient code, underlying theme. Self-harm, but this is more of a coping mechanism.  
13. Do they respect the beliefs of others? Yes, believes in the patient code and values Lucy's beliefs over her own.. 
14. Would they be more likely to act for the good of one or the good of many? The good of many.
15. Are they manipulative? More strong-minded. Can appear intimidating at first meeting, within the hospital.
16. Is the character religious? What are their views, and why or why not? Has no religious beliefs.
17. How would they like to die? In a romantic fashion.