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Chapter 8 Katrina’s life fit into a nice, neat pattern for a tolerable life. Most of her days were spent with Tabi, talking and sewing. Tabi told Katrina of her life as a young Weequay and the many scrapes she had found herself in during nearly all times in her adolescence. She also spoke of her travels in the galaxy and her troubles with the Empire. Katrina always listened solemnly, feeling guilty for what her father had done and all that he had caused. In time the girl began to open up and tell Tabi about her own life and family, though she never managed to bring herself to speak of the Zanespots. Many nights, as her body rested, she connected with Xenritha and Cha-Lee, sharing information and telling stories. The two older Zanespots knew a lot of interesting tales, many of which Katrina doubted were actually true but enjoyed non-the-less. In turn Katrina related what she knew of past events, though occasionally fumbling some with the words she almost always managed to impart the information adequately. If she behaved well Cha-Lee would treat her with stories of what he saw in the future, always being careful to remind her that the future was not set in stone and could very easily be changed. Xenritha, when in the proper mood, would eagerly spend hours going on and on about what was going on in the galaxy at that moment, making it his words come alive with graphic details that often turned Katrina’s stomach and made Cha-Lee groan. The nights that Xenritha and Cha-Lee did not touch their minds to hers were the real problem in Katrina’s life. She was plagued with nightmares. Mornings would dawn on days that the girl could barely keep her eyes open because she had gotten so very little rest due to the startling nature of her dreams. At first she shook her head and told herself to get a grip, but that did little good. She felt as though her dead father, a man who wanted to punish her beyond all else, haunted her. The dreams were never exactly the same, but they seemed very similar. Palpatine was physically and/or verbally punishing her but never specified for what. Often they were alone, generally in a dark chamber, but occasionally others were present. Sometimes his advisors watched, sometimes the other children stood around and pointed, laughed, or cried. |
