The one nodded in response.

"Right." he said, before taking it and approaching.

"Ms. McCormick?" he addressed her.

"Here." he said, handing her the scoop.

"Compliments of the employee, there." he added with a smile.

"Said that you brightened their day a little, and wanted to show appreciation." he continued.

"Seems you're a real ray of sunshine." he then said with a light chuckle, holding his tongue in his cheek and trying desperately to keep the act up.

He nodded in response.

"I shall, indeed." he told her.

He then stepped away, and made his way back to the others.

"Success." he whispered.

"It's already worming its way inside her." he told them.

"This will seal the deal." he added.

"We just need to wait a LIIIIITTLE bit longer."

"...." one of the others was silent for a moment.

"Hm." he muttered.

"Indeed." he said.

"But she'll be completely mindless with THIS method." he countered.

"Plenty of time to get things done." he went on.

"Remember, she's also bait for the other one." he reminded her.

"Her partner in crime."

They nodded in response.

"Got it." one said, as they made their way to Desiree.

"Ms. McCormick." one addressed her.

"We'd like you to come with us." he told her.

"Come with us. Do not tell anyone you're coming with us." he continued.

"Just come along quietly."

"........." one of them was silent as he saw just how controlled Desiree seemed to be.

"You know..." he said. "For a lower life form... she's pretty hot..." he reasoned, looking her up and down.

The other one was silent as well, hearing that, before smacking them upside the head.

"You ARE an animal." he snarled.

"Come on." he ordered Desiree and his partner, as they left the place, and stepped into the alley that the two had been hiding in previously.

Once there, the first one gave an address to Desiree.

"Teleport us to the alley behind the building. All three of us." he ordered her.

A few seconds later, the man in question appeared, coming from the den.

"...yes?" he asked.

"What is it?" he inquired.

"Still having problems with your latest blend?" he asked further, before sighing quietly.

"I'd help, but I'm a little preoccupied." he told her.

"Trying to find Kalin and all."

"............" Vincent was silent for a long moment, before sighing.

"....so it is..." he said.

"I... hadn't realised it." he muttered.

He then bit his lip, and looked up to the ceiling, in the direction of Rowena's workroom.

"...Racquel, you know you don't need to put your money into this." he then said further, placing a hand over her wallet, and the other under her hand.

"I appreciate it so much... but you don't need to drain your funds for this." he assured her.

"But... but I will take her out for dinner. Right now, in fact."

Vincent just smiled.

"All right." he replied.

"It's the least I can do." he told her. "For the both of you." he said.

"...hm." he then mumbled.

"Yeah." he said to himself with a small nod.

"I'll go see Rowena now." he told her, before leaving to go and check on Rowena.

"I'll make sure we leave post-haste!" he called to Rocky.

Of course. she received almost immediately.

Over the next 45 minutes or so, she heard scuffling and shuffling upstairs, as well as water running, like a shower or two. And when everything stopped, she got another message.

We're headed out. Vincent sent her.

We'll be sure to bring you back something. the next one read.

She then heard the faint sound of the front door upstairs close.

Sure enough, about 5 minutes later, she heard the doorbell ring. She made her way to the door and opened it, revealing a man in a black trenchcoat, and a brimmed black hat, covering his face in shadows.

"...Rocky." he said with a tip of his hat.

"Sorry about this." he apologised.

"But I am in dire need of assistance." he told her. "Assistance that only YOU can provide." he added.

"..." he was then silent for a moment... and then sighed quietly.

"Again, I apologise for the short notice."