The line at the entrance moved slowly, the air thick with the smell of seawater and rust.
As Victor shuffled forward with the line, he couldn't help but glance back at Tyler again.
Tyler wore only swimming trunks, his well-defined, muscular upper body drawing an appreciative glance from a nearby Siren lady wrapped in seaweed.
"Uh... listen, Tyler."
Victor pointed at Tyler's lower half, clad only in the stretchy swim trunks, his expression a bit odd.
"I know you're probably excited, but did you really have to change into your swim trunks this early? We're still a ways from the beach."
Tyler shot Victor a resentful look, his voice muffled:
"My two transformations already ripped all my clothes. If it wasn't for these trunks being stretchy, I wouldn't even have these left."
He tugged at the pitiful scrap of fabric around his waist, his face a picture of 'life is hard.'
Victor suddenly understood, scratching his head awkwardly:
"Oh right, forgot about that."
The symbiote on his shoulder squirmed and'spit out' a set of clothes folded somewhat neatly.
"Here, take these. I haven't worn them. After this trip, I'll pay you. Remember to buy more elastic fiber clothes so you don't keep ruining your outfits."
"Thanks, BOSS."
Tyler took the clothes, his gloomy expression finally easing a bit.
He quickly put them on. They were a bit loose, but at least he wouldn't have to wander around the monster crowd in just swim trunks.
He looked around at the monster passengers of all shapes and sizes, each enjoying themselves—
goblins playing cards, a mummy wrapped in bandages, even a headless knight inflating his own head... his tense nerves strangely relaxed.
He enjoyed the power the Hyde brought, yet deeply resented his uncontrollable monstrous identity.
Even in the accepting Nevermore, the Hyde was often seen as an anomaly among anomalies.
But here, he felt his Hyde transformation was just... ordinary, unremarkable.
This was good, comfortable. For the first time, he felt he'd found true peers, a sense of belonging where he didn't need to hide.
Leaving the inwardly relaxed Tyler alone, Victor scanned the bustling crowd of monsters, quickly locking onto a familiar figure—
the elegantly dressed Count Dracula and his family in their refined black formalwear.
"Oh! Uncle Dracula! I missed you so much!"
Victor's face instantly lit up with a brilliant smile. He shot over like a cannonball, giving Dracula a solid, energetic hug that nearly knocked the Count off balance.
Dracula was momentarily stunned by the sudden enthusiasm, then put on a stern face, though the mirth in his eyes was unmistakable.
He unceremoniously grabbed Victor by one ear, with just the right amount of force, the kind of scolding unique to elders:
"Hmph! Cut it out, you brat! Been gone so long you finally remember to come back? Couldn't even send a letter, huh?"
He leaned closer, lowering his voice, his tone carrying genuine concern and a touch of lingering fear.
"Running into danger out there and not calling for help from home! If Mavis hadn't been worried and gone to check on you, were you planning to keep it from us forever, huh? Think you're all grown up now?"
"Yes, yes, my fault, my fault! Uncle Dracula, go easy..."
Victor immediately played along, grimacing, but his face was plastered with an ingratiating, insincere smile as he begged for mercy.
"Dad, take it easy~"
Mavis walked over then with Johnny and little Dennis. Watching Victor's comical act, she couldn't help but cover her mouth with a light laugh.
Johnny, holding little Dennis's hand, chuckled foolishly beside her.
"It's fine, this kid's skin is thick and tough."
Dracula said this, but still let go, instead giving Victor's shoulder a firm pat. He looked him up and down, relief in his eyes.
"Glad you're alright... welcome back, kid."
Victor rubbed his slightly reddened ear, grinning foolishly, wrapped in the warmth of being back with family.
Mavis looked at the still damp, slightly disheveled state of Victor, Wednesday, and Enid, and smiled gently. With a delicate flick of her slender wrist,
a soft, dry breeze swept over the three of them. The seawater on their bodies instantly evaporated, their clothes became crisp and smooth, even the little piece of seaweed tangled in Enid's hair vanished.
"Thank you, Sister Mavis!"
Enid, feeling the dryness on her skin, her sapphire eyes sparkling, thanked her sweetly.
"Thank you."
Wednesday also gave a slight nod, politely expressing her gratitude. Though her expression remained cool, one could see she appreciated the thoughtful gesture.
Dracula's gaze lingered on Wednesday and Enid for a moment, then he slung an arm around Victor's shoulders, pulling him aside to a slightly quieter corner, in a 'man-to-man talk' posture.
"Ahem."
Dracula lowered his voice, a teasing, 'I-know-all-about-it' expression on his face.
"I heard from Mavis. These two... are both your little girlfriends?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Not bad, kid. Quite the player. You're not like me in that regard—I'm loyal!"
He puffed out his chest slightly with pride.
Victor felt a bit embarrassed but more proud.
He chuckled and nudged Dracula back with his elbow:
"Don't speak too soon, Uncle Dracula. Who knows... maybe you'll strike some unexpected romantic sparks on this trip?"
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