"No, no males. The hagravens would probably give some kind of cryptic, or incomplete answer to why only girls are chosen." Ariel explained, "I think it's mostly tradition, but there has to be some reason why hagravens never smell potential in males. I've thought about it before, and the best reason I can think of is that when the witches covens were first formed, the society of High Rock was very fractured, the various people had male-dominated family lines. If the spiritual leaders required students, the people were less likely to object to them taking a daughter than a son." Ariel shook her head, "That doesn't much explain it up to today, but the hagravens have their reasons." She formed a sly smile, "Most witches just think that women are better at it."

Ariel rubbed at her arms while she recalled the past some more. "As for growing up in the coven, it was normal at the time. We occasionally had male guests, so it's not like I didn't know what they were, but they never stayed for longer than a chat. As I grew up into adolescence, there was something of a mix of curiosity and fear whenever I had to deal with men, but mostly they were at the coven for specific purposes, so they didn't seem so different. You know, apart from being suspicious of everything." Ariel paused for a moment, thinking of the first time she was tasked to run the shop, "By the time I moved into Vos, I was old enough that most of my fears and insecurities were diminished. Men were just people like any other. I got to know a few male friends as I integrated. I even got feelings for one of them, but that didn't work out." Ariel had a smile as she was reflecting, but the realisation that she was delving into personal information caused her to look either side and blush a little. "But, that's nothing interesting. Mostly, it was the self sufficiency that I had to get used to. We took care of each other in the coven, so everything felt very busy for a while as I took care of myself."

Ariel directed her attention back to the remaining pack in the pool. "How about all of you? Did you grow up as lycans, or were you adults when you were turned?"