Swiftcurrent Creek La Sylphide

The girl's reaction did not disappoint. Blue Ridge felt a twinge of guilt for frightening her so, but it filled him with nostalgia to see her small maw glinting with rows of babywhite teeth. It would undoubtedly hurt if the little cactus jaw got ahold of any part of him, but this was something the northerner would bear in good humor. He would only have himself to blame, after all.

"I ain't after your supper, girl," he said with a tiny huff of laughter, reeling back several steps. The jump-scare had been fun, but he felt no need to go around menacing children. "Shoot — there's hardly enough there for you, ain't that so?"