H A M I L T O N ━ a semi-advanced rp discussion

the favorite place of many bookworms

Sophia normally had little time for books but today was an exception. Perhaps she would find something that caught her fancy.

She brushed her feet along the carpet and scanned the rows of dusty spines. After a long time sitting, she preferred to stand for a little.

Aaron Burr sat at one of the tables in the library, a small stack of law books at his side. He was reading one of them - although it was boring, he had an exam the next day.

Sophia took a book from one of the shelves above him. She hadn't read anything but the daily newspapers. Sometimes she wondered if she could even read anything above that level anymore.

She picked up the least drab philosophy book and started reading.

Burr felt someone next to him and looked up. He examined the woman next to him, looking her up and down. He noted her style of dress and physique - nothing particularly interesting. She wasn't a socialite or a member of a notable family, as far as he could tell. Reading philosophy - a teacher, perhaps? He looked back at his book before she could catch him staring.

Sophia put the book down. There were a few novels in the library, but none of them looked interesting. All French. She didn't understand them.

She turned around.

Was that Aaron Burr? She didn't know much about politics other than the more elite people who came to the shop she worked in to get corsets for their wives, daughters, and, occasionally, mistresses, but she hadn't seen a famous face in person, because the men who came to purchase things always stayed outside the door to the room where she worked.

Burr glanced up and made eye contact with that girl. Her face was somewhat familiar - perhaps he had seen her on the streets of New York once and he just remembered. Or she was the daughter of an important politician. He didn't want to risk the chance that she wasn't.

He rose from the table and strode over to her. "A woman as enchanting as you should be at dances, not dusty libraries," he said, his voice dripping with charm.

She picked up another book.
"Why hello," she replied, pretending to ignore his comments.
She flipped the pages and put it down again.

Burr was now sure that he knew her, as she had addressed him so familiarly. "I believe I cannot remember your name."he said, leaning down to kiss her hand.

Sophia looked a bit surprised.
"Sophia Ashford, sir. I work at the tailor shop."

Burr dropped her hand and drew back. So she wasn't anyone notable, but there was a touch of prettiness in her face. "I am Aaron Burr." he replied.

She nodded. "I thought I recognized you, even though we have not really met before. I believe I was in charge of some of Miss Theodosia's corsets."

"But of course," he said. "I'm glad you do such a good job, but I must admit I'm surprised to see you out in society without a chaperone."

"I really don't know anyone," she said. "And in all honesty, I probably shouldn't be here, but no one ever notices me." She picked up another book.

"I notice." Burr said softly. He covered her hand on the book.

"What are you doing?" she asked. Sure, she didn't think he was all that bad, but they had just met. It was unclear in her mind what she wanted, but she knew it wasn't the right time.

"We're getting acquainted." Burr replied, holding her hand. This girl seemed like a night's worth of entertainment.

"Well, we could... easily do that in words rather than by coming into contact in this manner," she said, remembering all the things people had accused her for back in her home village. If anything more happened, there could be someone somewhere unknown whispering rumors. That all that people said happened back in Massachusetts with her and the minister's son was true.

She didn't want to leave anywhere again.

"You seem out of breath." Burr said in her ear. "Are you nervous?"

She didn't answer and tried to pick up another book.
"So what exactly do you want to do? she asked. She took a step away.

"I'm finishing up my studies in the hopes to practice law." he replied easily. "I fought in the war, you know."

"Yes, I know." A wave of relief passed through her. It was over.

"A new country needs to have laws, and laws need to be upheld. I imagine I'll be getting a lot of work. Putting food on the table." he said, gesturing to the stack of law books. "In the meantime, I don't have a job."

She nodded. "And I have my own things to do." She set the book down. "But for the moment, I suppose we could talk a bit."
((gtg))

(ok)
Burr held out a chair for her. "Be my guest." he said, taking a seat on the other side of the table.

She sat down.
"How has your day been?" She asked. It was beginning to get dark outside.

"Well, I woke up at the hotel and went home to say hello to my family. My wife was hosting a luncheon with her friends, so I decided to come here and study." Burr said. He drummed his fingers on the table. "Ultimately, not terrible."

"Do you come here often?" she asked. His words from earlier rang back in her head.
I notice.
What business did he have with her if her had a wife?

"Often enough." he said, looking her up and down. "As I believe I mentioned, I'm studying law, so I have to keep on top of my studies." he paused. "What about you? Working in a tailor shop must be fascinating."

"Well, sometimes it is, when you hear the patrons talking while waiting for their corsets and repairs on their gowns and such. But most of the time it's just a lot of the same routine. I did find a young couple hiding in the closet once, though. That was intriguing."

"Who was the young couple?" Burr asked, interested. "Anyone I would know?"

"No. I believe they were some servants or something," she replied. "And really, it shouldn't be my business telling you."

"You can trust me." Burr replied, drawing his hand close to hers - not touching, but almost. "I can keep a secret."

She backed away a bit.
"Well, they weren't all that important," she said. "Really, just a maid and a gardener from the Schoonmakers or something."

"Ah." Burr kept his hand where it was. "Well I don't usually engage in gossip, so I doubt I have much to offer you in regards to that."

"Well, I don't either," she said. "Only what I hear in the shop when it's busy. To be honest, that's less and less. Sometimes I like the quiet, but other days it worries me."

((must be going))

((adios))

"It's pretty loud in the city." Burr said. "Soldiers getting into fights with the remaining British soldiers and supporters. Where do you live?"

"I live at the boarding house," Sophia said. "But I'm hoping to earn enough money to get myself a house in a couple years."

"Any relatives to keep you company?" Burr said, circling her slowly. "Sad to be all alone in the world."

"No, none that I know of," she replied. "Most of them are back in Massachusetts and they don't talk to me. Shall we say, there were things going on back home they suspected I was doing, which I wasn't, so the only thing I could think of doing was leave."

A sad poor girl all by herself? Is it my birthday?, Burr wondered. He flashed her a smile. "What a sad story." he said, faking interest. He guided her to a much more private table hidden among the stacks of books. "So you took up dressmaking when you arrived here?"

She stared back at him with the slightest suspicion but pretended nothing was afoot. "I did a lot of sewing back home, and so I figured it was my best chance. I guess I've had a lot of luck thus far."

"Based on what you've told me, I believe you're thriving here in New York City. Prior to our meeting, did you know anything of me?" he asked, unable to tame his own ego. Did she know of Hamilton, too? She must, he is practically worshipped around here.

"Well, I've heard your name a couple times. This court case or that one, but I've never been much into government or legal matters. I've never been involved in it, so it's not close to me."

Burr couldn't stop himself before asking, "And what about Alexander Hamilton? Do you know him?" She probably adored that man - everyone did. Burr didn't hate him, as he had been a strong soldier during the war, albeit a bit controlling.

"Well, I've only really heard of him from what people say in the dress shop while they wait for their dresses. I myself form no opinions on him, having never met him. Nevertheless, he seems like an interesting person and they day he wins all of his cases. I would not assume they mean all all, but who knows?"

"Then you must know he doesn't win any of his cases without the help of his co-counsel." Burr said.

"Who's his co-counsel?' Sophia asked, furrowing. She closed the book she had been looking at and turned around. His face was ambiguous, so she didn't know what may have been going through his mind.