When was the last time she had spoken to her mother? Voodoo found herself questioning this in the twilight light. She was older now, thickened and strong. While she felt like the klein blood flowing through her was strength she also felt as if she meant nothing. She hadnt done much in habari and her curiousity about Ashen still remained strong. Who was she in this family, she wasnt a princess like shed like to be. Hell she hadnt even met her siblings from Ashen. So, she looked for Recluse.

Voodoo deliborately had slept in and stayed up late to catch the alpha. Yet she didnt want to intrude with a summons. She still shared a den with her children after all. She felt lost, who was she, a warrior, a healer? Not only that, did she belong where she was?

Her cousins had been strong on her mind as of late, she was fully aware she had failed them, she hadn't had the resources to help them but she did hope maybe she could fix that soon. She had plans to call the yearlings together, her own, and her aunts, and offer them the option to attend Abaven's school if they wished. She did not entirely expect any of them to seek her out but in all truth, she respected the initiative. She caught up to her cousin in the early evening, it seemed most of her members avoided the mountain if they could help it so she assumed for the most part that when a wolf was on the mountain they were looking for her. The woman approached her younger cousin, her expression was open, and when she spoke her voice was friendly. "Voodoo." It was a simple greeting, designed to let the young girl speak if she wished but to also let her be on her way if Recluse's assessment of the situation turned out to be wrong. "Poisons" & Venoms

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Voodoo glanced at Recluse cooly. Voodoo wasnt the nervous type not usually but she felt eceptionally weary tonight. "Recluse!" she returned the greeting with a smile and a soft wag of her tail. She must remember, she was among friends. "I uhh had a question." Voodoo sat but her front paws were unable to stand still. Moving and stepping back and forth. What should she ask?

"Were you a part of Ashen at one point?" she tilted her head. She knew Recluse eas a klein but she only heard rumors and had met the parent pack only once. "Did you know what it was like when my mother was sovereign?" Voodoo would never be eager to lead. She enjoyed her freedom and experiments. Yet she wanted to know. She felt like she knew little of the family she loved so much.

The woman settled herself onto her haunches and waited for her cousin to speak, she tilted her head to the side as she considered Vodoo's words, what was it that her cousin wished to know really? It was a simple enough question but one that could belie a lot more. She sighed and finally nodded. "Yes I was, for a few years. Your sister Venom had taken over only shortly before I founded Habari." She looked over her cousin carefully. "I believe your mother was pregnant with you and your siblings at the time." She could still remember the night of her cousins' birth, it was the start of her aunt's downward spiral. "Why?" Well might as well cut to the quick. "Poisons" & Venoms

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Voodoo wasnt even sure WHAT to ask. She listened closely, what more of the klein heritage did she not know about? How much of herself was in the dark. Voodoo hadnt really shown a care for her heritage. Shed only done right by herself, as she looked at Recluse her eyebrows furrowed. "I feel lost." she admitted truthfully. "Ive always loved my mother and i always felt like my blood made me who I am. But..." she stiffened. She had a darkness in her, she had killed someone during the eternal night and enjoyed it.

"I feel like ive been holding habari back. Taking up space. I know how to gather herbs and make poisons sure. But i dont leave the pack lands often and never have. What direction am i supposed to take in my life? Will i have any influence? These are the things that rally through my mind at night." the edge of her tail twitched irritably. Voodoo had not told anyone this, it wasnt as if she had close friends and well. She was estranged from her family for the most part. She didnt know what she was hoping to get out of this.

Ah, there it was. Recluse shifted slightly as her cousin began to open up, her stance was less stiff, her face softening. It was a reasonable worry, not even particularly uncommon at her age, it reminded her of herself at a similar age. Neither of them could know exactly how similar, while Recluse had not committed murder by her own paws her crimes were arguably worse, torture, the things she had done to earn her crown would turn many a wolf's stomachs, but the Kleins had never shied away from the dark. Despite herself, Recluse could not help but chuckle. "Would it comfort you to know I once grappled with very similar thoughts? The weight of expectations, especially ones we don't realize right away are wholly self-imposed can be great." She observed her cousin for a moment. "Voodoo, if there is anything you wish to do all you need to do is tell me. Yes I must balance the needs of the pack with everyone's own desires but if it is within my power I wish for everyone to find or carve out their place here. And if you don't know what that is yet that's fine." She wanted to impart that on the girl, Recluse had always known she would one day take the throne her father had abandoned but not everyone could have such lofty ambitions. "I plan to share this with the rest of your siblings and cousins soon but Abaven approached us with an offer. They wish to open their pack up as a school, for the youths of other packs to go and train for a time, I have no plans on forcing anyone to attend but if you wish so that is also an option for you." "Poisons" & Venoms

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Voodoo listened carefully, if it was one thing shed spent her life being a good listener. Stories from others fascinated her though she never really got involved. After all a part of her was still self centered but as Recluse spoke she did ease a bit. No role model had told her what growing up would be like. So a stage of self discovery wasnt pushing her potential back. Voodoo tilted her head, abaven? She didnt know a damn thing about that pack. Though she did suppose some time away from home would help. The girl turned pulling a small bundle from her left. She hadnt let Recluse see but shed brought something for the alpha.

"Ill think about it, can I give you the answer at the yearling meeting?" well it wasnt so much as a question as it was a statement. She had to have time to think, shed never left Habari before and would she be welcomed back if she decided abaven was not for her? Voodoo pushed the bundle of herbs tied with twine towards Recluse. "Here I made this for you, but keep it out of reach from your youngest. Soak it in water for a few minutes and it should work. Its a tincture from Marijuana, Lavender, and mugwort. Mugwort is good for cleaning the lungs, lavender can ease stress and soreness and well.... theres not enough marijuana to impair you. Well it will make you relax. I thought it would be a nice gift." she didnt know if Recluse liked this sort of stuff. Or if this would get her in trouble but hey she was at least confident in her novice healer abillities.