[The moment that Trevor's arm is around his waist, there is a kiss on his cheek. Trevor's too tall to kiss on the top of the head like Sypha, so this is what Alucard always does instead. They're home. They're home, he's greeted them properly now, and they've all already fallen into step as they walk through the main entry hall. Behind the three, the castle doors close, and the sunlight shines in through every window.

They smell like the road, of course. All woods and musk, and the faintest hint of the June flowers that now wave in the soft breezes as one approaches the castle. All the panic is gone (they'll talk about it, of course.) There's just warmth and contentment for the most important moments of returning.]

If it isn't a new dead thing to add to the collection or one of you with a horrible injury, it's something new and concerning. [He fake sighs, because even for that news, there is real joy.]

Snakes are new. Not something the night creatures deal in. Maybe there's an ally with human intelligence.