"...." Vincent was silent for a moment, before nodding.

"I know." he replied.

"But, it's been a while. People DO change over time." he said. "It's not unthinkable to make the assumption that his attitude towards you has softened, at least a little." he told her.

"Just keep the hope alive." he then said.

"In the meantime, I'll contact Cass, and... hm." he mumbled further, thinking about something.

"How would you prefer Ash contact you?" he asked.

"Call you, or just arrange a time through myself and/or Cass?"

Vincent nodded in response.

"All right then." he replied.

"I'll see to it he gets your number." he told her.

"...I'm sure it will be fine." he then assured her.

"All we can do is... well... have faith."

Vincent was silent for a moment when he heard that.

"I bet she would really appreciate that." he said.

"I think I'll take some for her, actually." he added.

"Thank you." he told her with a smile.

--

Cass was still in her office, looking through some papers, when she received a text.

Rowena is more than willing to let Ash see the basement. it read, before giving her Rowena's number, to give to Ash.

She received no response via text, but she DID hear a knock on her office door.

"It's AJ!" she heard Ash call in.

When she beckoned him in, she saw him step through the door and close it, before making his way towards her.

"Really?" he asked her.

"Damn. That was... quick." he commented.

"Huh." Ash muttered, looking at the number.

"A basement with 2 bedrooms and a den area." he said.

"Sounds... promising." he commented.

"Thanks, Cass." he then said to her. "This might be the place for me." he commented.

"Maybe this won't be such a headache."

"Well, you do what you want to-" Ash started to say in response, before pausing.

"Wait..." he muttered.

"This number..." he said, trailing off as he examined it, narrowing his eyes a little.

"It's a Canadian area code." he realized.

"I assume this person is a mage, or at least knows of mages?" he asked Cass. "Because that's obviously a deal-breaker if not." he added.

"Yep." Ash replied.

"See ya." he said to her as she left.

Once he was alone, he looked at the number again, before calling it on his cell phone. He waited for a moment, and smiled a little when it was answered.

"Hey." he responded when they spoke.

"I'm calling about the basement apartment you're willing to rent out." he said.

"2 bedroom, and a den area. Is that correct?" he asked.

"Ah, yeah." Ash replied.

"I wasn't born in Ireland, but it's where I've grown up, so... I suppose it's only natural for me to sound it." he chuckled.

"So yeah, good catch." he said.

"And a fireplace? Mana and barriers?" he asked. "This place is sounding pretty optimal." he told her.

"I do have one more question, though." he went on.

"What is your stance on children?" he asked. "Allowed or no?" he asked further.

"For all I know, you don't want one around your place."

"You don't have to worry about any little hellions." Ash assured her.

"And how old? 7-8." he then told her.

"So not a baby at all." he said further.

"If that's all right with you, then I would like to view the place." he went on.

"When's the closest convenient date for you?" he asked.

"Tomorrow works for me." Ash responded.

"What time?" he asked.

"And where?" he then asked her.

"Should I show up right at your place? And if so, where should I teleport in? Do you prefer the front door, back door, a yard, or what?" he asked further.

"Sorry for all the questions, I just want to get this done proper." he then added.