Inanna waited for Cato to answer before giving hers. “
I grew up on Lao-mon, the Shi’ido homeworld. My father was a veteran Jedi Master and the sylarat, or clan chief, so we were very respected by the community. Our family was also fairly wealthy, and we lived in a big old mansion that had been in our clan for generations. I had six older brothers who had already left home, so I didn’t know them that well, and there were several decades in age between me and my one younger brother—I was the only girl. But I had a friend who was like another brother to me. He was my father’s nad’yim, which in our culture is like a protégé. He lived with us for part of every year, so that my father could tutor and train him. I was closest to him and to my mother growing up.” Since Cato had included the current whereabouts of his family in his response, she added, “
Most of my family was killed by the Brotherhood of the Maw. My mother is very old, and her health isn’t good. She’ll probably die soon, too.”
"If you could change something that your parents did while raising you, what would it be?"
Inanna sighed. “
My father expected too much from me, and didn’t take what I wanted into account. I tried to make him happy, but I couldn’t, and that made me ashamed of myself. I wish he had listened to me rather than trying to mold me according to what he thought was best. Things might have turned out better that way.”
When Cato mentioned that Inanna had a lot of experience raising kids, Raj turned to her. “You are not a first time mother, then?” he asked.
“
This is not the first time I’ve been married, either,” Inanna replied, rubbing the back of her neck. “
They all died. My first husband, our daughter and our son. They were killed.”
“Oh. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“
I know what it’s like to lose the ones you love to war, how senseless and unfair it feels,” she continued, no longer fidgeting but looking intensely at the Ithorian. “
That’s one of the reasons why I’m here. Unfortunately, I can’t adopt all the galaxy’s war orphans—he wouldn’t let me.” She dipped her head in Cato’s direction, her tone briefly lightening. “
But if I can give one child a home, a family, and love, that’s better than none.”
As Raj asked about their relationship, Cato gave a somewhat generic answer. They didn’t have many problems, apart from those stemming from their difference in age.
"And we're very… loving."
Inanna thought about last night, smiled and nodded in agreement.
"Our relationship is very… healthy."
Inanna thought about that morning, smiled harder, and nodded again. Then she realized it was her turn to answer, yet here she was sitting there starry-eyed and grinning like an idiot. “
Oh, uh…” She shrugged.
“I am older than him, and sometimes he does seem more like a little boy than a man. But I don’t mind it too much. If anything, it makes things more fun. Besides, eventually our roles will be reversed, and he will be more mature than I am. Now that will be interesting.”
“How would you describe your parenting style or disciplinary style?”
“
I used to think he was too tolerant with Serena, and that I was doing most of the disciplining. But, there is some merit to his patience. He disciplines her when it counts, and because it’s so rare for him to do that, she doesn’t forget it easily. The lesson sticks.”
“How does Serena feel about you adopting a child, and what have you told her?”
“
We told her she was going to have a new baby brother.” Inanna looked at Serena. “
She said she was excited earlier. Serena, are you still excited to be a big sister?”
“
Uh?” The toddler paused in her play and looked around. Obviously she hadn't been paying much attention to their conversation. “
Yeah. Where baby at?”
