With both children clinging to his coat Ford pulled the time tape and sent them all the way back to New York, circa 1780.
Mabel instantly covered her nose, "eww! It smells awful here!"
Ford gave a small chuckle, "hygiene as we know it hasn't always been around Mabel!"
"Personally, I think it's an improvement on Stan and the shack," Dipper teased.
Mabel managed a giggle as she looked with wonder on the hustle and bustle of the city. It was different from what she knew New York was like now, but it still had the heartbeat of hard working people just trying to make the best out of the time they were living in.
Dipper suddenly caught his reflection in one of the shop windows, "ummm guys…we might have a problem. I'm no fashion expert, but I think that we stand out just a little too much."
Ford face palmed for forgetting something as obvious as appropriate clothing.
Mabel's eyes lit up as she reached into her backpack and pulled out three revolutionary based costumes.
"Mabel…how did you? Where did you?" Ford stammered, confused as to how the costumes appeared to materialize out of nowhere.
"I "borrowed" them from the drama department! Now while I'm observing Eliza I can look like her!"
Ford smiled at his sweet niece as the three of them quickly changed.
Suddenly they heard what sounded like a large group of people congregating.
Ford glanced down at his watch and smiled.
"C'mon kids! We don't want to be late for the ceremony!" he said as he began sprinting in the direction of the noise.
Dipper and Mabel looked at him confused, but followed regardless.
Before long they were standing outside a grand mansion that was decorated in lace and ribbons. Mabel recognized where they were and what was going on instantly.
"Today's the day Alexander and Eliza get married! This is the Schuyler mansion where Eliza grew up with her sisters Angelica and Peggy!"
Ford smiled and nodded, "very good Mabel, though Phillip Schuyler also had four sons who grew up here too."
Mabel pouted, "but the song Angelica sings says that her father had no sons…that's why she had to let Alexander marry Eliza."
Ford ruffled her hair, "don't be too hard on the playwright dear, he got most things accurate, besides that's why we're here isn't it? For you to watch and learn what even the playwright couldn't see."
Mabel smiled as she and her uncle and brother snuck into the venue and sat at the very back, so they wouldn't be spotted.
Mabel observed and took notes on how Alexander and the other men looked and acted, but they weren't whom she needed to watch closest.
At that moment the wedding march began to play and Mabel's eyes became fixated on the woman in white.
"Why is her hair already white?" Mabel asked confused. She had to admit that she imagined Eliza to be more physically attractive, at least in the modern standards of beauty.
"She's wearing a wig dear, remember how I spoke about hygiene? Most people found it easier to wear powdered wigs than to style their hair in the manner of which we are accustomed.
When Mabel let go of the prejudices of how women were "supposed" to look, she was able to better observe the important aspects of the woman. She noted her mannerisms, how she maintained a fairly neutral facial expression throughout the wedding. Ford had explained that the expression of emotions was not something common in this time period, but Mabel could read the glimmer in their eyes as they took their vows. Their eyes spoke what the rest of their body wouldn't allow, that these two souls were madly in love and that nothing but death could part them.
The service was lovely and was immediately followed by a lavish reception. Ford explained that most weddings weren't this extravagant, but due to Phillip Schuyler's prominence, he could afford the experience.
Dipper got a kick out of the fact that Alexander and Eliza had to literally sit still for several hours while the painter took a hand drawn portrait down of the two of them.
Mabel wanted to stay longer and observe how Eliza interacted with her sisters to give her a better understanding of their dynamic. Ford explained that it would be best for them to jump in time to a less social event, lest they get discovered.
Mabel knew exactly where she wanted to go next and yanked the time tape.
