Obsidian saw in darkness, not even a nightlight, in her basement room. In one hand, she held a bottle of Rum. In her other hand, a cigar.

"Ghede, Ghede, Ghede, He who sees both worlds, He who owns the keys to all the doors, I ask for guidance, for a gift, for passage through the doors of the living world."

Her blood burned with the power of magic.

She felt his presence, felt her skin tighten, against her already thin body. HE was here, within her. She let him ride, let him take control, let him live for a moment and indulge in his vices.

The rum went down smooth. The cigar lit with a few puffs. The Beast within squirmed at the flame, but it was cowed by Ghede's desires. This was Ghede's world now.

When the rum was gone, and the cigar smolders faded, Obsidian found herself sitting in darkness with a full belly. She reached out and turned on a small lamp she kept nearby. She pulled a large bowl towards her and vomitted the useless rum. Ghede may wallow in its essence, but Obsidian found it merely a nuisance.

Ghede had left, but she did not feel the usual emptiness that followed a Loa Riding. There was something there, a knowing that hadn't been there before. Ghede had granted her a great priviledge. She smiled.

With many masters come many blessings.

No longer would doors impede her progress.

.