June 5th, 1921
Washington D.C.
On the day of the meeting, Lucia wakes up in a rather luxurious hotel. In a penthouse-style suite with a frankly breathtaking view of the National mall, though it does look a lot different than what she remembers in her old life. Since many of the museums that lined the sides of the mall are decades away from conception. Though that doesn’t mean that the view is any less gorgeous.
Moving on from the view, Lucia had arrived in her current hotel room in the early evening, after nearly an eight-hour train ride from Boston. During that train ride, she went over several scenarios about what the meeting might be about along with continuing to catch up on sleep from last month.
When she along with most of her employees was constantly running on fumes working nearly 15-hour days for the few days after the incident. Though Lucia spent nearly the entire month after the incident working 15-hour days. Leaving her grateful for the 3 days she had to catch up on sleep. Thankfully her agents didn’t seem to complain, Lucia suspects that was because of the very generous overtime pay they were paid. Along with several generous bonuses at the end of the month.
Though from the latest look at the applicants, which was just before she left. Had left her surprised by the relatively large number of them and the fact that quite a few were veterans who served in the first World War. Along with nearly a dozen new graduates from New Bristol University, who had just graduated and were looking for jobs. Which Lucia was quite interested in, despite their relative lack of experience. They would still be valuable recruits, as New Bristol is considered one of the top universities in the country. It is renowned for its Natural science department, something that Lucia can personally attest to.
Though Lucia has no time to think over a new applicant when she has a meeting with the Attorney General and the head of the Bureau of investigation in less than two hours. With it being scheduled for noon, Lucia takes the next hour to get ready, with her dressing in a professional manner, her debating on whether to wear a dress or a suit. She eventually decided to wear a suit top which she tends to prefer for business occasions due to the ease of movement. Though it’s also because Lucia finds the dresses of the era to be hideous compared to what she was used to in her old life. While suits are for the most part the same as she was used to, with perhaps some style changes. Which are utterly minor when compared to the changes in dresses. Either way, once she finished changing into a rather dapper suit. She finishes getting ready by tying her hair into a ponytail, as she leaves her hotel room.
Taking a rather old-fashioned elevator, she makes her way to the ground floor of the building. She leaves, entering the luxurious reception hall that has expensive stone floors and a sense of grandiose and luxury. One that Lucia doesn't have the time to fully enjoy as she makes her way to the front of the building where a luxury car is waiting for her, with the driver standing by the passenger door. Something that Lucia had smartly asked for when she checked in yesterday. As she had wanted to avoid any chance of being late for the meeting. The hotel was very willing to accommodate her, as it seemed that chauffeuring was one of the amenities her room got her.
The meeting would take place at the white house, as the Justice department surprisingly lacked permanent headquarters at this time and was using a patchwork of loaned workspaces from other departments and rented office space. So Lucia guessed that the white house would be a logical location for the meeting.
During the drive, the driver had given Lucia several curious looks, though he professionally did not voice any comments along the way. Leading to a quiet drive that Lucia rather enjoyed. As she used the time mentally prepare herself, for any potential outcome. The drive was a rather short 15-minute drive from the hotel to the White House.
The car stopped near the West wing entrance to a White House. One that was a lot more welcoming, lacking the rather intimidating but practical fence that surrounded it. That she remembered vividly from her past life, along with the other security measures that were in place. Leaving Lucia with a rather surreal feeling that she could quite place her finger on.
She casually walked up a small set of stairs, to the doorway to the lobby. Which was a surprisingly small carpeted room with several cloth chairs and a rather nice couch. The decor and artwork around the room, give the room a surprisingly homely feel.
After walking firmly, to a spot where she would not impede anyone else from entering the building. She checked her watch to see if she checked her watch to see how early she was. Which turned out to be around 26 minutes early. Which wasn’t that big of a deal. It was much better than being late or rushing in at the last minute and looking unprofessional. Something that Lucia thought to be about as bad as being late.
Though that did present an awkward conundrum of not being sure where she was supposed to be. Since the letter that she had received, did not have the room they were meeting in. Which would have been helpful if it was in there. Though Lucia could understand why they either forgot or chose not to include it.
Regardless, Lucia was left in the rather awkward position of asking around for people who might know where she is meeting. Though just as she was about to start looking for the room. She hears the door open behind her.
Turning around, she sees the Director of the Bureau of Investigations William J. Flynn, who quickly recognized Lucia, and took his hat off before greeting her.
“Ah, hello Ms. Belladras good morning. I didn’t expect you to be here already.” Flynn said jokingly, to which Lucia replied, “Yeah I overestimated how long it would take to get here. Though I do tend to try to be around twenty minutes early. Since personally, being on time is the same as being late in my book.”
Flynn nodded in agreement before realizing something. “Follow me to where the meeting will be, since if you're here we could potentially talk a bit before the meeting officially starts. Though I was supposed to be the one to greet you, not the other way around.” He finishes with a small chuckle at the joke that was more for himself.
They then make their way deeper into the west wing, eventually stopping at the door. To what Lucia realizes is the oval ring. Leading Lucia to become thrown off, leaving her stunned for several moments.
While Lucia processes where the meeting will take place. She can hear Flynn knock on the door before quietly announcing Lucia’s arrival. Who then opens the door signaling Lucia to follow him. Which she does quickly, taking a look around the room. Seeing several paintings on the wall. Before she looks at the center of the room where there is a large, sturdy-looking, wooden desk. That has the presidential seal engraved on the front of it. Sitting at the desk is the 29th President of the U.S., Warren G. Harding. According to Lucia’s memories of her past life, she remembers that he was the President from 1921 to his death in 1923, from a heart attack he suffered in San Francisco, during a tour of the West Coast. While there is much more that she remembers about his rather short presidency, she doesn’t have the time to think about it. As she walks forward to give him a handshake while politely greeting him.
“Hello, Mr. President, it is a pleasure to meet you, though I must admit that I am confused about what this meeting is about and that you are a part of it,” Lucia says while shaking his hand, sitting down in one of the chairs in front of the desk. With Director Flynn giving a short greeting while sitting in the other chair. Once the President is finished with that, he returns his attention to Lucia.
“Well to start, I apologize for the secrecy, but it was thought that it would be best to have as little in writing as possible. Though the actual meeting will not start until the Attorney general arrives.” The president says, rather cryptically. Though the conversation lightens up during the next ten or so minutes. During this a variety of conversations are brought up, including Lucia’s family is briefly touched upon. Though for the most part, the conversation stays on current topics of the world. With most of it being between Lucia and the President, with Flynn injecting occasionally. The conversation was surprisingly interesting, as it was a frank conversation about current affairs with some interesting insight into the president's plans and views. The conversation lasted until there was a light knock on the door. Causing the conversation to come to an end as President Harding let the person who turned out to be Attorney general Harry Daugherty quickly make his room, greeting the President. The president then gets up and Lucia and Director Flynn follow him and the Attorney General across the hallway to a nearby meeting room. As it makes more sense, Lucia would admit that it would be awkward if it was held in the Oval office. Due to the desk is a bit small to have a meeting with four people.
Anyhow, after everyone has finished sitting down. The Attorney General takes out several stacks of paper, sliding one toward each person in the room. Though before Lucia can read the writing on the cover, the President starts to speak.
“Once again, thank you for agreeing to meet to meet with us Ms. Belladras, even with there not being a clear reason stated. Though as I already said, it was best that as little information as possible was put on the paper. Though now that we are in person I will answer any questions that you may have. After I give my full briefing. Okay?” Harding waits for Lucia to respond, which she does through an affirmative nod.
So he takes a moment to prepare himself, then he starts narrating. “As you are already aware, the supernatural is very much real. Magic is real, as are a host of supernatural creatures of varying types. Most myths that you have heard are most likely true to an extent. Are true, yet beyond knowing that the supernatural is real we have done little more than suppress it from becoming public knowledge. Something has been relatively easy, until now. As there has only been the occasional incident that occurs. That is usually easily covered up and spun into an urban legend or folktale. While for the one or two times that there have been major incidents, Several groups from Europe have come to assist in dealing with the threat. Though with the recent threat, it has become clear that there may be a plethora of secret organizations with unknown objectives that the U.S. government has missed. Allowing them to operate and work towards their goals, unchallenged. Along with an unknown number either being criminal or having hostile goals. We must work to uncover all hidden groups, and determine their motives. We also can’t rely on outside organizations that either answer to another government or unknown actors. We must have our force to combat the supernatural and whatever group uses it to further themselves. To accomplish this, the Bureau of Supernatural and occult affairs. We would like you, Ms. Belladras to form it and be its first Director. As you seem to be uniquely qualified to handle such cases. Though let me remind you that this agency will operate in total secrecy, with agents masquerading as part of the Bureau of Investigation or other agencies depending on the necessities. The details are in the packet.” The president finally finishes the speech, leaving Lucia with an urge to jump for joy. As she can only imagine resources expanding. While she doesn’t need any more convincing, she does quickly look through the packet. Which is a proposal with the organization's framework. Once Lucia finishes skimming through, She sets it down, to speak.
“ I would be honored to accept the position, though I am wondering if this framework could be negotiated,” Lucia says the president is ecstatic, at Lucia's agreement, and he quickly responds. “Sure most of it is just a framework, it will take some time to establish the agency. So most things are up for discussion.”
The group then spends the next hour hammering out some of the details of the new organization. With Lucia mentioning the recent case, which concerns all those involved, they make the newly established Beuro the first case to investigate the gunmen. Though that will wait until the executive order forming the agency is hammered out. Which Lucia predicts will take a week or so. Meaning that Lucia will have to extend her hotel stay. She can’t help but feel optimistic about the future.
