Yikes! If Cricket had any doubts that Alastor could physically tear him limb from limb, they are now satisfied. He has to plant his cane to keep from being pulled right off his feet, and even after being let go it takes him a hot second to recover his balance. He looks startled by the whole affair, but since he's not actually injured or on the ground, he just shakes out his hand and moves on.

That grin is still creepy, but he's starting to get used to the feeling. He nods amiably, straight-faced, but then smiles back at the talk of Louisiana. "Ain't never been out of Virginia on my own world, sir. That's a long way south and a lot closer to the sea than I've seen. Can't go back to my own world on account of I'm dead, but I reckon I could visit New Orleans in a parallel dimension, from here."

"What's it like? I seen pictures, but that ain't the same as being there."