I will tell you why I drink the blood of the rooster. As our friend-of-many-faces tells you, no two men know each other truly. For Umbra to know that a man has a life worth saving, if it is his to save, we meet at a crossroads and share a drink. A crossroads is many things, but often it is not a thing that is seen. It is a time and place where choices are made. This time, on this road, the choice is to share the blood of the rooster with Josias or turn away from the hand that offers it. By watching a man make his choice, Umbra would know if this man has a life worth saving, if it is his to save.

But still you ask, "why the blood of a rooster, Josias? Why not the rum that is sacred to the Baron Samedi, or milk of the goat?" I tell you. Any fool can drink the rum and smile in your face, and not understand the thing he does. Offer him the bleeding neck of the rooster and the choice is not so easy. The harder the choice, the stronger the answer. Josias would offer dwol kaka to be sure, but then this one has no friends; this is certain. (Also, Josias sees two girls share dwol kaka and it turns his belly as well.)

So this day, Josias offers to share the blood of the rooster with the new one, Kilowatt, and the young one drinks. Tout al byen. The boy has spirits who follow, but he is smarter than his youth would make him. This one is sorrowful to frighten him, but this thing must be done. Now Josias knows. If it is his life to save, Umbra will do so.