Merit's always more important. [And if there's a note of fondness or approval, so be it. Any time a noble isn't a massive dick is a cause to celebrate, quite frankly.

He can answer questions about vampire horses all day. For now though, Alucard will simply wander at a conversational pace, glad to only have had a single glass of wine, and absolutely enjoying the luxury of riding through such a space at night time. There's the scent of grapes on the breeze along with wild flowers and pine, and for all the world, Alucard is sure this scent could be sold as a perfume to the highest bidder.

At the mention of Sypha, Alucard demures, just slightly.] Yes, we are. We met under extenuating circumstances. [They'll get to that topic eventually. Maybe best to get it all out and done in one night.] And I expect you two got along immediately, given her people's oral history culture and your profession.

[Enough that one tradition often borrows from the other.]

I'm not sure most mortal men would be using that kind of language for these horses.