And here it only took a year and change. [Alucard shakes his head, fond and aware that even if the whisky isn't real, it's going to his head.]

Maybe because I'm younger. Or my baggage is messily packed, such as it is. [Or needier, especially at the beginning.] You're right, best not to question it. Not when it's a good thing.

[That much Alucard can't doubt. But Geralt asked him a fair and probing question. Turnabout should be fair play.] And how are you with the world these days?