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Chapter 23 Katrina held each Olveck between her palms, stroking it gently and murmuring quietly into its fleshy ear. She kissed the top of each little creature as Tapki inserted the long, thin, needle. Each time she closed her eyes so not to see the red eyes go wide with surprise and fear before slowly closing. Tapki had already explained what would happen and every time she closed her eyes she could see it happening, over and over again, but she didn’t have the strength to watch it happen. She called herself a coward but didn’t mind it. Tabi took each of the sleeping creatures from Katrina’s hands and placed them in the warm, padded box that would be their home for their hibernation. Because all slept peacefully they could be packed in quite tightly without any problems, something that could never be considered had any of them been awake. “Last one,” Tabi said, patting Katrina’s shoulder. “I like them as much as anyone could,” Tapki said as he loaded the last needle. “But I’ll be glad to be free of them for a little while. Little buggers take a lot of time and patience to care for and I’ve got other things I need to be doing at this school.” After the job was done and the final Olveck was falling into a deep sleep Katrina nuzzled it gently with her face, feeling the soft skin against her own. Tabi waited patiently to take the creature from her and finish the process of putting the small animals into hibernation. Reluctantly Katrina let go of the warm body no larger than the palm of one hand and watched her friend pack it away like out-of-season clothes. “How long will they be kept like that?” Katrina watched as a heavy wooden lid was placed over the box of Olvecks. “Their coats will begin growing again in just a few standard months,” Tabi said as she locked the lid in place. “Don’t forget to pull open the air holes,” Tapki ordered sternly as he watched Tabi’s every move. “I never forget and you know it,” Tabi bit back, upset by his interference. “I’ve done this almost as many times as you have and I have never once forgotten.” Tapki grumbled non-committaly and turned away to pretend to inspect something on the shelves behind him. Katrina looked at the pair and shook her head, having given up trying to understand them. She had asked Tabi about their conflict and strong emotions but the Weequay had refused to say any more than to tell the girl to mind her own business. “Well, get going, girlie,” Tapki turned back around and motioned towards the door. “No reason for you to stay here, bugging me and such.” “I’ll come and visit you, Tapki,” Katrina promised with a mischievous grin. “Lucky me,” he snorted and walked out of the room. “Don’t pay him too much attention,” Tabi said as she pushed herself into a standing position. “He’s just a big grump. Tapki never was one for liking anyone that disagreed with him about anything, no matter the reason. That’s probably why he doesn’t seem to like anyone.” “He likes you.” Tabi snorted and turned to leave the room. Katrina followed her into the corridor just as the lockdown warning rang. Katrina wanted to try again to understand Tabi’s reluctance with Tapki but knew the consequences of being caught out after lockdown. She was just finishing her first punishment at the hands of Madame Zinkrey and did not wish to so quickly acquire a new one. She waved good night to her friend, though Tabi didn’t turn to see it, and hurried back to her bedchamber. As she lay on her soft bed, looking into the darkness and waiting for the Zanespots to touch her mind, Katrina resolved not to bother Tabi too much on the subject but to somehow understand it none-the-less. |
