Magnus Bane was pacing his Brooklyn appartment in the middle of the night, inwardly fuming. He hated vampires, with their ridiculous ideas and old-fashioned clothes, why they felt the need to dress in the clothes that were (barely) in fashion in the decade they were born was beyond him. He hated Argus Renfield in particular. Partly for being the cause of his late-night pacing and partly for wearing ugly shoes.

Half an hour earlier, Argus Renfield had arrived for his appointment with Magnus. Twenty minutes late. Having glared at his shoes and stroked Chairman Meow in a menacing fashion, Magnus had finally asked him what it was he had wanted.

"A time-travelling potion." Magnus paused.

"While I would simply love to be able to whip one up and send you off the Middle Ages, Argus, no such thing exists. Now, if you would excuse me, I have to feed my cat and finally get some rest"

"No!" The vampire had squawked. "There must be something you can do - I need to go back and-"

"Tell your one true love how you really feel?" Magnus finished, sardonically.

"Not quite," Argus had stuttered, before rambling off some tale of sorrow which Magnus did not bother himself to listen to. He did, however, make appropiately sympathetic noises at random intervals - no one could accuse him of being uncaring. Something had caught his attention though.

"Sorry, what was that?", he'd inquired. The vampire sighed in a heart-wrenching manner.

"I said 'If only I could just see her again'"

"Now, that I can do," Magnus smiled, "it won't be cheap, mind."

"I will be eternally grateful for anything you can do!" Argus had simpered. Magnus had then proceeded to kick him out.

He still wasn't exactly sure why he had taken on this client; he hardly needed the money, although there was a new Dior line out soon... He mentally shook himself, the fact was he had taken on the case and, as such, needed to begin preparing his potion. He didn't really see why Argus had wanted it, though, perhaps he had not explained quite what it would do - send him back in time as an intangible being, unable to interact with anyone - simply watch. Oh well, as long as he was paid well, the job should satisfy. It would also, he hoped, keep his mind off Alexander.