102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CdmBGBlHU
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"Bridget," an older woman called out.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWYvm5ydUl
"Yes, Maman Aryanes?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyQrf4SUvA
"It's almost time for bed, ma cherie." She turned around to see her granddaughter already in her pajamas. "Oh, will ya look at that. PJs and everything."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlppxkN4Wb
Bridget preened in place, happy to oblige her grandmother if only for this night.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnU6NbVFMV
"Is your altar cleaned and ready for prayer?" She asked.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFqMxfZk8o
"Yes, it is!" The little girl exclaimed. "Do you think Maman Brigitte will be pleased? And what about the other ghede loas? When will I learn more about them too?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0nbc69xRC
"Hmmmmm, all in due time," Aryanes mused as she inspected the altar. She noted the black scarves and purple beads strewn across the high points. Black rooster feathers laid below a cup of pepper-infused apple juice surrounded by white candles that waited to be lit. "Wonderful job with your legumes offerings, ma cherie! Now, let us begin."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s1yVqH2e4
As they sang their creole songs the wind began to pick up. Chimes could be heard outside the window as Aryanes saw to it that the candles were lit. A chill crept into the room as tendrils of black smoke descended upon the child. Before the room was completely clear, a loud cackle could be heard.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBm1XSf0id
"My my my, what have we here?" A childlike voice with a raspy inflection said. "Where's my smokes? And what the hell am I supposed to do with this spicy apple juice and no dick to ride?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd61rLTcc4
"Maman Brigitte," Aryanes began with her head bowed to hide her embarrassment. How could she have forgotten just how foul-mouthed the loa could be? It sounded even worse coming out of her granddaughter's mouth. With her palms facing the deity in supplication, she continued. "We thank you for blessing this place with your presence. I thought it best to teach your young patron with a nonalcoholic beverage and no tobacco."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaKjWcU6MG
"Ahh, my little Bridget." The loa looked down at herself and realized it wasn't the body of the priestess she had come to inhabit. "I see why you have summoned me now and no, it is not time to reveal the truth about the horrors surrounding her birth and the deaths of her parents."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYPHhqd2DF
"She has just passed the age of understanding. I am not asking to relay all the gory details, but she deserves to know why her parents were murdered. Why she really has a scar on her little tummy with your name on it. She thinks of it as just a birthmark now but what am I supposed to tell her when she asks later on? When she is of age and more knowledgable in the practice?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UTEYorNzU
"Mambo Aryanes. As a high priestess of Vodou and other-worldly affinities, you should know better than to question me. The little one is not ready. I will not have you subject her to a life of vengeance before her time," the loa said. "Is there anything else you would like to ask of me?"copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡybhDGPi5vk
"Yes, Maman. I ask that you prolong the babe's life for another year." Aryanes said the customary words each year during the week leading up to Bridget's birthday. She pulled out a bowl and a dove from behind her. Breaking its neck, she carefully took a dagger to remove the head. Seeing the blood poured into the bowl, the priestess pulled out two more items from behind her back. A bag of dried peppers and a bottle of rum. Mixing all the ingredients together, she offered it to the deity. "Your sacrifice."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kg878s4hS
She watched as the loa took it greedily and slurped it up with a gusto rivaled only by the ancient being's husband.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh1w9oe7wI
Once Maman Brigitte finished the bowl, a mischievous smile pulled at her lips. The loa began the nod her head to a phantom tune. Faintly, the priestess started to hear what the loa was hearing. The beating drums in the distance called to her soul. She watched as the deity taunted her with the aggressiveness of her movements. It was time to dance the banda with the loa she revered, an honor of the highest order.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiYmfNiAK5
They danced until the priestess could no longer keep up with the deity. As her energy began to wane, her movements slowed to a stop ending with Aryanes sprawled out onto the floor.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbhhCcsfXA
"The young one will be ready when I say she is and not a moment sooner."copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTZsDcHAyd
Those were the last words the priestess heard before succumbing to a night of deep sleep.copyright protection98ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEktKbp4jn
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