A/N: Heyyy it's December 8th! And frankly I'm too knackered to say an awful lot but also it just occurred to me that I have yet to explain my characterization of Thomas Jefferson, and seeing as there's some Jeffergelica in this chapter I guess I should:
I absolutely know that Thomas Jefferson was a bad person who did some atrocious things, and the character I write is not heavily influenced by the historical figure. Instead, my basis for him comes primarily from how he's present in the show, and as he develops he's based more on actual Daveed Diggs, simply because that's who I think of when I'm thinking about modern Thomas Jefferson. Please don't think I'm just trying to ignore the fact that he did some terrible things, I'm just trying to adapt him to this improved world.
Anyway, my eyes want to close so imma leave you to it! Thanks for reading!
December 8
Only two of the Schuyler trio were at the Library on that grey, chilly day. Had the clouds needed to release their burden, their excessively pale appearance indicated that it was cold enough for snow. But the gentle, cold blanket which always smothered some of the otherwise unabating noise of New York had not yet been laid over every surface.
Even so, as she curled up on an armchair in a private little corner of the local Library where her closest in age sister worked, the lack of snow did not stop Angelica Schuyler from donning a blanket anyway. Or, more accurately, Eliza's cornflower blue snuggie with white polka dots, which her younger sister had forced on to her in lieu of Angelica's own throw after seeing her elder sister growing increasingly frustrated with the impossible task of cocooning herself sufficiently to prevent drafts slipping through the blanket whilst still keeping at least one hand free to continue typing up her latest article. This one was on Christmas shopping, and Angelica was making the most of her sister's presence at the Library to grill her for quotes and ask her for advice on various phrases.
"Okay, I just thought of another potential opening sentence. What do you think sounds better: 'Each and every one of us has experienced the overwhelming chaos of being swept away by a surge of shoppers intent on seeking out a bargain', or something along the lines of 'December 25th, a day for peace and goodwill. But on every day of the two months leading up to it, American high streets are filled with anything but.'" She chewed on her lip and drummed her fingernails against the keyboard as she waited for Eliza to ponder which of the two was better.
Frowning thoughtfully, she mused, "I think I prefer the second one. Not that the first isn't good, but it seems a bit too long-winded. For the start of the article, I think you should draw your readers in with something more direct."
Nodding, Angelica rapidly typed something, murmuring as she did so without looking up from the screen of her laptop, "You're right. Thanks, Betsey." She began to scroll through her document, mumbling the written words under her breath as she did so, and identified an area in need of a quote or statistic. Addressing Eliza again, she asked, "You went Christmas shopping a couple of days ago. How would you describe the crowds as the big day draws ever closer?"
Again, Eliza took her time to think through her reply carefully, speaking aloud as the right words came to her, "There has been a definite increase in Christmas shoppers since the start of December. A week in, and plenty of people are starting to get nervous - you can hear people shouting in the square about how quickly they're running out of time, and how much more they still have to do." She broke off, and as if she had been reading lines for a character she had assumed, she checked, "Is that good enough for you to use?"
Smiling appreciatively, Angelica confirmed, "Yes, that was wonderful. You're so much help with these things."
"I try my best," Eliza replied with a cheeky grin and a dramatic toss of her silky brown hair, eliciting a chuckle of amusement from her elder sibling. She was relieved to see signs of genuine happiness on Angelica's face: She had been working exceptionally hard recently, taking on more shifts at the Church's store to cope with the increase in customers which always accompanied the festive season while still pursuing her budding career in journalism. It was futile to attempt to persuade the infamously stubborn woman to take a break from either of her two demanding jobs, so Eliza did what little she could manage in order to help, which entailed encouraging her sister to do the majority of her writing at the Library so that she had an excuse to monitor her: That way, she could ensure Angelica's needs were not carelessly neglected, and that the older woman was not deprived of laughter and fun during the long hours she spent typing up new articles. Even despite the additional effort, Eliza found she quite enjoyed going out of her way to give her elder sister additional attention during her shifts at the Library.
"I know you do," Angelica acknowledged, smiling fondly at the younger woman and momentarily closing the lid of her laptop to return the undivided attention Eliza gave to her. "I never asked, how was your shopping trip? I saw what Peggy bought."
"She found much more than I did," Eliza reluctantly confessed, "but I did also make a few good purchases. And you'll never guess who helped me choose a present for Daddy!"
Someone who excites you, Angelica realized, reading the familiar glow of true enthusiasm in her sister's face. She said nothing, however, and allowed the librarian to elaborate on her story.
"Maria Lewis! You know, Laf's friend from the patisserie who came to that film thing last week. She was so helpful, Angie. You know how terrible I am with alcohol, well, I happened to bump into her when I was looking to see if I could choose a drink for him, and she suggested I buy a fancy decanter instead. It just seemed to make so much sense, I don't know why I didn't think of it myself!"
A suspicious grin beginning to blossom upon her lips, Angelica suggested in blatantly false innocence, "Perhaps you were just hoping to find someone like Maria to come to your rescue? I mean, you've been single for a long time, maybe you've just been waiting for your lady in shining lip gloss to come to your assistance all along?"
Eliza gasped aloud, genuinely shocked by the very idea, but she harboured no ill will towards her beloved sister when she shot back with anger that Angelica could easily identify as fake, "If you're going to hurl such accusations at me, I shan't sit with you. Finish your article without me, I am supposed to be working because I am so very busy and important." She stepped away, turning so quickly that her skirt span around her like a miniature tornado, causing Angelica to laugh good-naturedly and roll her eyes, before turning her focus back to her work.
Eliza had only just returned to the front desk, however, when her elder sister returned to the forefront of her mind. She recognized the man standing opposite her at once. Beaming at the familiar man by way of welcome, she greeted, "Mr Jefferson! How can I help you today?"
Returning his own grin, he smoothly replied in his thick, southern accent, "Elizabeth Schuyler, hi. What's up? How you doing? I hope you day's going well. This weather though, am I right? Chilly." He ceased his awkward one-sided small talk when he recognized her confusion, and instead cleared his throat (along with a trace of embarrassment) and launched into explaining his real reason for visiting the library. "You know, I'm not saying you're not a close runner up, but right now I was wondering if you might be able to tell me where to find the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen. That's your sister, by the way. Angelica," he clarified, as if she hadn't already been informed of his restless flirting with a certain one of her sisters every time the pair happened to cross paths. Him actively seeking her out was a brand new development, however, and one the young woman found particularly exciting.
A plot began to hatch in Eliza's mind, motivated by the best intentions and nothing but adoration and concern for her hard working older sister. Flashing another sweet, convincingly innocent grin to Thomas, she helpfully pointed towards Angelica's secluded corner, informing him, "She's just over there, curled up under a heap of blankets and typing away like a woman on the warpath. Perhaps you could help her? She's writing a newspaper article on Christmas shopping." Or perhaps you can distract her and give her something else to laugh about with your strange small talk so that she doesn't become suspicious about me watching over her all the time.
Though not as perceptive as either his closest friend or most vicious enemy, even Jefferson registered the mischievous glint in Eliza's expression. Winking conspiratorially, he agreed, "I won't tell her you sent me over." Eliza's nod of gratitude confirmed his suspicions that Angelica was not particularly eager to have company, but he approached her anyway, sauntering over with an air of excessive confidence rarely shown inside a library. With a smirk which would ordinarily stir at least a flutter of interest, he made himself known. "Angelica Schuyler, it's been too long. Now I've finally found you."
"It's not really an impressive achievement when I know you just asked my sister," Angelica retorted flatly, not even bothering to glance away from her laptop, maintaining her typing speed regardless of the new distraction.
Unaccustomed to having a girl appear completely unaffected by his attention, he was left slightly dumbfounded when Angelica did just that. His self-assuredness fading a fraction, he slumped down into the chair opposite hers, pulling his knees up to his chin and contenting himself just to watch her.
She tried to ignore him, and succeeded for some time, until she decided that his periodic dejected sighs prompted by the way she displayed complete indifference to him in such a convincing manner were becoming unbearable. She shut the lid of her laptop with a loud clatter and impatiently demanded, "Can I help you? Only, I'm a little busy -"
"Writing an article, I know. Your Lizzie told me." She said nothing, so he tentatively offered, "I wondered if I might help? I know a fair bit about shopping, obviously," he stroked a hand over his ostentatious magenta blazer, admiring his own arguably questionable fashion choices as he continued, "I could be your source for research. Not that you don't research well enough on your own, that much is obvious from the last piece of your work that I read, but -"
"You messed up my sister's nickname. It's Betsey, and it's only for close friends and family to use," she corrected his initial statement while she pondered his second suggestion. Slowly remembering that she should at least be thankful for his willingness to participate in her writing, she carefully rejected him, "It's kind of you to offer, but I work in a shop, so I think I can manage."
Thomas sighed, regretting both that she evidently was not in the mood to tolerate incessant flirting and also that he had no excuse to pester her until she was prepared to return his affections after being flat out turned down. And yet, he was not satisfied to allow her to slip through his fingers when he had only just began to converse with her. Making himself more comfortable, he leaned back into his chair, stretching out a lanky arm to prevent her from opening her laptop and resuming her article. He channelled all of the suave skills of seduction he could muster as he remarked, "You work in a shop? That's so cool, babe, you gotta tell me more."
Angelica rolled her eyes, seeing straight through his transparent ploy to entice her into a more personal line of conversation, but given her current desire to take a brief pause from writing, she humoured him. Smiling despite herself, she replied, "It's a designer department store owned by my boyfriend's family, and I work as a personal shopping assistant, advising people on what to wear." A trace of humour brightened her expression as she archly remarked, "I think you could use a session with me." Honestly, a bright purple blazer? I would happily tolerate an hour of Jefferson if it meant he never wore that again.
But rather than taking offence at her harmless teasing, he only raised his eyebrows and bit his lip as he drawled, "I'd happily have a session with you any day, Miss Schuyler."
Within her, amusement wrestled with disgust as she tried to decide the correct way to respond to the blatant innuendo. After a moment of internal debate leaving her gawping wordlessly, she finally released an indignant splutter of, "Jefferson! Can you not?"
Raising his hands as he feigned being blameless, he insisted, "Relax, I was talking about the clothes!" All semblance of virtue disappearing in an instant, he quickly added, "Now I'm interested in whatever it was that you thought I meant, though."
Angelica shook her head, and set about smoothing her dark curls and sweeping wispy strands of hair from her eyes, completely ignorant to the blush rising onto her cheeks. But she was smiling, a rare sight when she was not in the company of her innermost social circle. And even despite the absence of someone she knew and adored, her face radiated joyful joviality.
Jefferson was convinced he'd never seen her look so beautiful.
Trying once more to distract herself from him, Angelica tried to become engrossed in her work again, finding it marginally easier because, for once, Jefferson was not making a sound. In fact, both halves of the pair found themselves uncharacteristically lost for words, and they were left in a strange but comfortable silence, disturbed only by the tapping of fingers on keys. It was vastly new territory for either of them to be rendered speechless for so long a period of time, however it could not continue indefinitely. Thomas interrupted it in good time, barely managing to begin before being cut off, "Angelica -"
"I'm a little busy here, Jefferson. And anyway, I know what you want, and you know that it could never happen because I have a boyfriend. You'd do well to remember that," she interjected, though it lacked the icy coolness which usually accompanied similar variations of that statement, but rather a reluctant kind of pity.
Rubbing the back of his neck and clinging on to his pride, he started to respond, before a vibration in his pocket prevented him from doing so. He pulled out his phone and answered the call, his enthusiasm from the pursuit of Angelica disappearing almost instantaneously. His brow creased, and he stiffly muttered, "Fine. I'll be there." With that he hung up, and turned to his companion with an apologetic grimace and the explanation, "I've got to go. Some issue at the Louisiana with the decorations needs my attention."
He rolled his eyes, eliciting a sympathetic chuckle from the woman, who generously indulged Jefferson's fantasies by replying, "I suppose I can't steal your attention all day long, much as I'd like to."
Thomas grinned victoriously, declaring in a sultry murmur, "We could make your dreams come true if you wanted to, Angie. If you would only swing by some time..." he winked suggestively.
She shook her head, yet she couldn't conceal the urge to giggle at his facial expression, and she swatted at his arm as she ordered, "Go on, get back to running your business instead of wasting your time here with me!"
Thomas sighed and began to walk away in glum, resigned compliance. But as he considered her words, he paused, glanced over his shoulder, and assured her, "It has not been a waste of time with you. This has been the highlight of my day, if you must know, and anyone who doesn't feel exactly the same way isn't worth your time." With that, he exited the library, leaving the eldest and wittiest Schuyler sister staring after him and somehow wishing despite her better judgment that he had stayed a while longer.
I guess I'm more susceptible to flattery than I realized.
"How was Mr Jefferson?" A bubbly voice inquired as a pair of pale arms wrapped around Angelica's shoulders and a head came to rest on her shoulder. Angelica twisted to see Elizabeth's radiant face, and playfully tried to escape her grasp.
"Betsey, get off! And I suppose you think that you were oh so smart in sending Jefferson over to me?"
Eliza obeyed, and walked around to sit in the chair opposite her sister, the very one recently vacated by Jefferson himself. "Don't pretend you weren't enjoying his company, my dear Angelica. I could hear you laughing from the front desk, and I see that blush on your cheeks right now." She shrugged nonchalantly as she added, "I know it's absolutely none of my business, but I think that you like him more than you're letting on, and it's obvious that he's keen on spending time with you. So what's the harm in giving him a chance to prove he's not quite as annoying as Alexander would have you believe?"
Angelica laughed skeptically, raising an eyebrow as she challenged, "Do you honestly believe he just wants to become friends? Or that he's be so eager to hang around with me if he didn't think I was hot?" Eliza had no response, but her silence was not at all reassuring. Angelica stated what she believed her younger sister ought to already know, "He is after a fling, and you know as well as I do that I'm with John. Not that I would go there anyway, because I don't like him like that, regardless of what you might think."
Eliza only offered a knowing smile, and mildly placated her determined sister, "If you're so sure."
"I am," Angelica insisted. And she was, to an extent. But even she had to acknowledge, no matter how much it pained her to do so, that she had seen the tiniest indication of something different in Thomas Jefferson, some previously unseen quality lurking beyond his machismo arrogance - hidden very well, but there nonetheless.
Okay, he charmed me today. But I'm overworked and exhausted, it's only natural I'd be vulnerable, she confessed internally. She repeated further statements in her mind, trying desperately to convince herself that Eliza was wrong.
It's fine if I think he's attractive.
I'm allowed to be interested in him without having some ulterior motive.
So what if he makes my stomach flutter with nerves?
So what if I like him just a little bit more than I should?
