Sweet sweet exposition.

Word Count: 1,368

with every word i drop knowledge

Alexander and Lafayette return to the General's tent in the early hours of the next morning. The Frenchman seems to be very excited—in fact, he seems to be so excited that he can barely stop himself from shrinking, unfolding his wings, and buzzing around. Meanwhile Alexander himself is much more anxious.

There aren't many things in his life that he is truly nervous about, but talking about his true species—especially to a human, and it is General George Washington of all people—is one of them. And why wouldn't it be?

Just like Aaron, he is ashamed of the things he requires to survive. Since humans can't find out en masse—he and most of his friends would be hunted and killed if they ever were discovered—he can't really be seen taking anyone to his tent or following anyone home.

That had been significantly easier in the Caribbean or at King's College, since it wasn't yet necessary on Nevis, no one on had ever really cared, and the College had bordered to the most famous red light district in the city. It wasn't hard to slip away every now and then and stay unnoticed by Cooper and his rules. Here, however, well… if it wasn't for the enchanted tent Mrs. Washington had provided them with, he's fairly sure that someone would have discovered them by now.

And that would most likely have ended horribly for everyone involved—and then some—there is no doubt about that.

Alas, right now they have other problems. Namely, convincing the General that none of them are out to kill anyone. And that will certainly not be an easy task, considering what sort of tales humans have thought up about them.

Many details are correct yes, but that may have been by chance, since the desire for violence and the urge to harm and kill humans are most certainly over-exaggerated for nearly all of them.

Alexander barely notices that they are already in front of the General's tent. There is no noise coming from inside, except for the scratch of a quill which likely means General Washington is awake and, probably, writing to his wife—who is actually aware of everything as she is a part of their world herself—since Alexander actually handles almost all other correspondence.

"Are you ready, mon petit lion?" Lafayette asks, putting a hand on Alexander's shoulder and looking him in the eye.

"No," the incubus shakes his head. "But I don't think I ever will be either, so let's do this."

Determined, Alexander enters the tent, closely followed by Lafayette. Both men remain standing near the entrance.

The General turns away from his parchment and looks at them.

"Lieutenant Hamilton, Monsieur Lafayette, may I ask what you are doing here at this hour of the night?"

Alexander takes a deep breath. "Well, Your Excellency, if you would allow it, we would like to inform you about the abilities and limits, as well as other special characteristics of the non-human species that we know are involved in this war."

The General nods. "That certainly sounds like it would be advantageous. If I understood it correctly, then this is supposed to stay a secret?"

"It would be the preferable option," Alexander states.

"Aren't you worried this conversation will be overheard?" The General points out. "The camp is quiet at night and the fabric of the tent muffles the sound at best."

"Actually," the Frenchman inserts, "votre femme, Martha, got someone to ward your tent as well as ours."

"Alright." General Washington blinks a couple of times, before he seems to postpone the questions that have flooded his mind at the Frenchman's statement. "Come inside, gentlemen."

Lafayette pushes Alexander forward ever so slightly, and—as much as he will later protest—he is thankful for it. He isn't completely sure he wouldn't simply have stood there, frozen on the spot, if he didn't have the fairy's help.

"Sit down," the General offers, motioning towards his bed as he closes his inkpot and puts his quill aside.

The two young men obediently sit down and—for a moment or two—there is silence. Then, General Washington speaks up once again. "What do you have to teach me?"

"The first thing should probably be a list of all non-human species we are aware of in the Revolution," Alexander states. This has been more of a spontaneous action—partly prompted by the lack of indication of movement in the present or near future on the British side—and they did not have the time to properly plan ahead.

"That certainly sounds like a reasonable suggestion," Washington agrees and the fact that Lafayette's thoughts on the idea are similar is evident on his face.

"As far as I know, there a numerous vampires, werewolves, and fairies, a couple of sirens, a handful of humanoid dragons and banshees, and I am the single incubus I am aware of in this army. Altogether we still make up roughly a quarter of our forces. Do you know any I am not aware of?" Alexander looks at the Frenchman who shakes his head.

"Non, I zink you did not."

The expression on the General's face is thoughtful as he inquires what that revelation meant for the army and the Revolution as whole.

"Each species 'as different abilities, but also different limits" Lafayette explains. "Vampires, for example, do not need to sleep and only require nutrition in ze form of blood once a month and zus have good, 'ow you say..:" he waves his hand in the air and looks at Alexander for help. "stamina? Is that ze right word?"

"Yes, it is." Alexander nods before he takes over. "They do not have many weaknesses, but sunlight is by far the most notable one. They do not burn directly like they do in stories, but prolonged exposure isn't exactly helpful."

"And zey see better in the dark zan 'umans do," Lafayette points out.

"So do werewolves. And incubi. A lot of species do possess heightened senses," Alexander argues.

Going by the look on the General's face, he is already trying to integrate this new information in their next tactics, so Alexander continues.

"Speaking of werewolves, they do, in fact, turn into wolves with every full moon. During that night, they have all the instincts a normal wolf possesses. They prefer their meat rarer and are weak to silver and certain plants, but less vulnerable to just about everything else."

"Zhey are more wolfish ze 'ole week around ze full moon as well," Lafayette adds. "Zen, zere are selkies." The fairy gives the incubus a suggestive look, which causes Alexander to blush ever so slightly.

He continues speaking to distract himself. "They are seals and other animals of the ocean who have shed their skin and became a hide their skins and should someone ever discover it they are in that person's power and are likely forced to marry."

Alex grimaces at the mere suggestion, but Lafayette saves him by continuing seamlessly, thus causing the General's attention to turn towards him.

"Zey are affectionate and playful, but also 'ave a strong desire to return to ze sea. There are many different kinds of fairies and not all of them 'ave names 'umans can pronounce. Many are easily excitable and can shrink, but there are others that desperately want to be 'uman or 'ave zeir children raised by them. It's considered an 'onor by many."

By that point, Alexander has calmed down enough to start speaking again. "Sirens and incubi—and succubi, the female form—are all regarded as seductive, although sirens survive on fish and whatever else the ocean brings to them as opposed to the things that incubi and succubi—that I—require." And Alexander blushes once again.

Lafayette doesn't even need to look at him to know what is happening. "Ze dragons—both 'umanoid and not— are very avare, 'ow you say…?"

"Greedy," Alexander inserts.

"Ah, oui. Zank you my friend. Zey collect wealth and are able to breathe fire. 'ard to 'it as well."

The General nods at them after a minute of silence—neither can think of anything else to add right now. "Gentlemen, you have given me much to think about. I thank you for it. Please leave me alone so that I may think about it."

Both young men nod, stand up, and leave the tent.

French Translations:

mon petit lion - my little lion

votre femme - your wife

Non - no

avare - greedy

Please tell me what you think!