Lucy wrung her hands through and through, attempting to calm her nerves down. The results she had gotten were less than ideal, ones that she was sure that younger her would be surprised at. It must have been the bad Balti from last night, there was no doubt about it. Before she could really quite determine the cause of her poor scores, she was interrupted by an opening of a door, revealing the Commissioner.
"DC Baker, come on in." The Commissioner called, walking away for Lucy to follow. In numb movements, she followed, closing the door behind her. She made no effort to sit, as she was ready for the worst to come, for the Commissioner to tell her that she wasn't fit for a job as such. He sighed and craning her neck a bit, she could tell that her file was on display for him. Deputy Commissioner Chan stood in the corner, most likely prepared to berate her for her poor performance, but not while the Commissioner was speaking.
"DC Baker, I know you may think this is going to be worrisome for you." The Commissioner began, sitting down behind the desk. "I do, however, have a proposition for you."
"Sir?" She questioned, stepping forward slightly.
"Your marks are fine enough that I can still instate you with a badge and all the necessary paperwork. However, I must say that I could have offered this position to someone else, someone who could gain higher marks than you have now." The Commissioner looked to her directly now, "But I won't. On one condition. It's not the easiest condition to accept."
"I'll accept anything sir." The Commissioner merely smiled at that statement, with Commissioner Chan attempting to stifle his own laughter. A short glance caused Deputy Chan to cease his movements.
"Have you heard, by chance, of vampires?" Lucy raised her eyebrows at the question from the old Commissioner. It was certainly out of field, a full 360 when it came to what they were originally talking about.
Rather than objecting at the strange question, she merely answered, "I have, of course, in stories."
"And I would assume you wouldn't believe me if I said that they were true? Those stories you speak of?" The Commissioner smiled at her confusion, "I have considered putting you in the hands of Alfendi Layton. He is the best for educational purposes. I am sure if I place you under his care, you will learn plenty."
"But sir-" Deputy Chan attempted to cut through, but the Commissioner raised a calloused hand up to silence him.
"What does he have to do with vampires though? I assume you want to put me in his hands, but I don't understand why this..." Lucy questioned, trailing off. For her horrid scores, she still knew how to put two and two together.
"Lucy, I ask you of this because this assignment is no simple assignment. It requires more from you, more than you probably have ever given to any job in the past." The Commissioner pursed his lips, "I have retained giving anyone to Inspector Layton because of who he is. For as much that I have experienced with vampires in the past, he is still a relatively new one. He feeds off of a public feeder employed by his father, but he doesn't quite like the taste of her blood. To that, he goes on days without drinking. Picky fellow."
"So the condition is that I am to also be his feeder?" Lucy frowned. She wasn't sure she'd entirely like this situation, as it placed her in a compromising place. On one hand, she would be able to live out her dream with a slight downside. On the other, she could walk away and go search for another division to be a part of. That could take awhile, especially considering what they would see: her low marks.
"In a sense. You pick up fast, DC Baker." The Commissioner opened a drawer, taking out a folder. "In the event that you do take this position, I will supply you with drinks that will return what nutrients he takes from you. It won't be an easy life, as you must report to him everyday even through holidays and weekends, but for the most part you won't be inhibited to do what you wish. There is also a small bonus of payment, which comes from his father."
"I..." She looked for the words to grasp, but found none. Instead, she weighed her options. She would be able to solve crimes with him, under the concept of those terms the Commissioner had said. It wasn't going to hurt to try. If she didn't like it, she could leave. Simple as that.
"It's no easy thing to accept, like I had mentioned earlier." The Commissioner said, closing her folder, "I cannot expect you to do it at the drop of a hat. Becoming a donor is not like donating at the blood bank-"
"I'll take it." Lucy finally said, settled on the fact. Both the Deputy Commissioner and the Commissioner raised their eyebrows, surprised at her lack of hesitation. "I know better than to let a measly condition stop me. I want to help."
"So be it, DC Baker." He nodded to Deputy Chan, who pulled out a contract. "This strictly entails that you will remain under him for six months as his feeder. It is not a binding contract for long term as we do not know what he will think of you. Nonetheless, I see that it's possible that you two will get along just as fine."
She came close to the desk, scanning the contract. Most of what was listed was aforementioned by the Commissioner, from the drinks that the Commissioner guaranteed to the demand of her time.
What struck her was one specific demand: Signee shall not follow through with a binding feed, regardless of demands of individual in question. Signee must speak to representatives of binding contract. It listed Commissioner Barton, along with Professor Hershel Layton, who she could only assume was Inspector Layton's father.
"Binding feed?"
"If he does take a shining on you, DC Baker, he may request a binding feed. Your blood would be compromised to anyone else who attempts to take it, with a taste that wouldn't be satisfactory to any other vampire's taste. We request not to listen, as it can be more than what you bargain for." She nodded at the response. Taking the nearby pen, she signed without qualm and returned the contract back to the Commissioner.
"Now that it is settled, I trust Deputy Chan to take you to his office." The Commissioner nodded to Deputy Chan, who gladly walked out of the office with Lucy in tow.
It was a silent endeavor until Deputy Chan stopped in front of a office far back into Scotland Yard that Lucy didn't even know existed.
"Lucy." Deputy Chan said, turning to her.
"Yes?"
"I know I'm giving you a hard time with your scores. You didn't do as bad as it sounds or looks. I just want to warn you. Alfendi is dangerous, above all things. I know the Commissioner believes in his faith, but he is still what he is, a vampire." Deputy Chan sighed, scratching the back of his head, "I believe that you can do well. I just hope you understand what you're getting into, Lucy."
"I do. Thanks for the warning, Deputy. It means plenty." With a deep breath, she grabbed ahold of the handle and turned it, opening it to her new office.
Or doom.