Okay! Another packed chapter! I hope I don't lose anyone in the midst of this. I'm having a lot of fun writing this, and I hope you all are enjoying reading this! Soon enough, Dib will confirm his suspicions, but I didn't want it happening too soon or all at once. I don't want this painstakingly slow, but all the events unravel slowly. If that makes any kind of sense.
ZimsMostLoyalServant: As far as Membrane being Dib and Gaz's father. Yeah, I think he will be. Whether or not Dib or Membrane is willing to acknowledge the other is a different story. Dib I can see being quite reluctant of accepting Membrane, and especially how in the series Membrane chooses to not acknowledge him as much as Gaz. So, this actually does reinforce Invader Johnny's comment of Dib accepting a deal with the devil.
I'm leaning on the speculation of Gretchen being Angelica and Amelia being the Eliza. While Angelica was the more outspoken sister, this is giving Gretchen an opportunity to grow as a character. I hope you'll see what I mean in later chapters. Please continue to read and review, thank you so much for your continuing support of The Revolutionary Invader!
Fun Fact(s): As this fic toddles along, I'd like to incorporate some fun facts and history. The musical Hamilton was historically inaccurate in some aspects, but I respect the creative license of Lin Manuel Miranda, which made the musical so pleasurable. To me, the man is a genius in what he has created to share with the rest of the world.
Fact 1: The Ryders are based off the Schuyler family (obviously, haha). Philip and Catherine "Kitty" Schuyler had fifteen children altogether. The Ryders I thought would have ten.
Fact 2: Angelica Schuyler did not actually meet Alexander Hamilton until after he and Eliza were wed. Angelica had eloped with John Church to London and brought "shame" to the family. The same can be said for the third sister, Peggy, who had also eloped.
Fact 3: Eliza and Alexander met in February 1780, officially, in Eliza's aunt's home. (This is also where I understood that it was unfavorable for an unmarried woman to be alone with a man. In the novel, I, Eliza Hamilton, stresses this) They met briefly prior when Alexander ate at the Schuyler's home, The Pastures, in passing. However, after their official meet, they remained close thereafter to wed in December of that year.
I tried to combine both fact and musical in this chapter where Dib, Amelia, and Gretchen meet. I've also made characters for Lafayette and Hercules Mulligan. Zim will also take interest in someone on behalf of Burr's affair with Theodosia. Oooh. Enjoy!
Chapter Four- A Winter's Ball/Helpless- Part One
February 1780
Amelia and Gretchen were not the only children within the Ryder family. Colonel, now Senator Jacob Ryder had ten children in total. Amelia (22), Gretchen (21), Joshua (21), Sandra (20), Alexander (17), Angelica (14), Jessica (13), Bishop (13), Roslyn (11), and Nathaniel (04). Their mother, Nancy, was a seamstress, who was hopeful for a good future for any and all of her children. Both Joshua and Alexander were keen on joining the army and become a high-ranking officer like their father. Jacob was hopeful that his daughters would marry men who would be able to provide and care for them.
The first to marry was their sister Sandra, who had eloped because her choice in husband was less than favorable. Jacob and Nancy were distraught at the loss of their daughter and in such a manner. They had hoped that their daughter would find herself able to come to them, but alas, she chose to handle herself in the manner she had and brought what they believed to be shame to the Ryder family.
Jacob applied pressure to his eldest daughters, Amelia and Gretchen, who were far more interested in everything but marriage. They appeared defiant to the notion of finding an eligible husband. Gretchen was too shy and Amelia was far too challenging. Jacob felt he had tried everything within his power, even threatening Amelia to send her to her instructor, Ms. Bitters, who would eventually match her with a man of her choosing. Amelia found that to be degrading, as anyone Ms. Bitters were to choose would be as morbid and depressing as she was.
"Amelia, you are the hope as my eldest daughter to set an example for your siblings."
"Father," Amelia frowned. "You simply cannot force me to marry a man for the sake of marriage."
"Girl, you try my patience," Jacob sighed and covered his mouth with his burly hand.
That seemed to always be the back and forth conversation between father and daughter. Amelia was the eldest, and bore the pressure upon her to set the example for her siblings. Eventually, Jacob Ryder would tire of her insolence and make a choice. He entertained the idea of putting together a ball, he also entertained the idea of inviting General Membrane and some of his troops over for an evening meal; anything to strike interest in his daughters. As much as Jacob wished for his daughters to be their own women, he also did not want to see them enter spinsterhood. Life was hard alone, and he didn't want to see that for any of his children.
It was a cold January evening when Jacob Ryder had sent word out to General Membrane, a friend of his, to extend an invitation for a warm meal upon their return from camp. He had heard of their success in the first battle, and wanted to congratulate them with a dinner in their honor. General Membrane accepted the invitation, along with his aide-de-camp, Dib, and fellow soldiers Zim, Laurent, Madge, Frenchman Porter Wynn, and Blake Butcher. Dib had brought along his sister, Gaz, as a fellow aide to the troops while Dib tended to General Membrane, who kept a very close eye on the young man.
Jacob stood outside the door of the large brown home, between the white columns. Tonight, however, would not just be about The General and his crew. Tonight, he had also extended invitation to several of his political acquaintances well after dinner. Jacob Ryder was fond of entertaining guests, and big parties to keep his likeness likeable, especially when voting time came around the bend. That, and the family enjoyed entertaining as their home was open to anyone who sought shelter, comfort, and/or a warm meal.
The ajar front door emitted a yellow glow from the candlelight. Nancy stood beside her husband, appearing very pregnant with their eleventh child as she waved with her handkerchief in hand as the horses rode in. Amelia stood at the top of the stairs, able to see the back of her mother's navy-blue gown and her father's hand behind his back. She leaned against the banister and glanced over to her sisters, their brothers eyeing them peculiarly, finding women to be the oddest creatures. Amelia cringed as the horses galloped their way towards their front door.
"General Membrane! So good of you to stop by this evening!" Jacob's tone rose jovially.
"I almost didn't make it," the other replied honestly. "I would have had to send young Dib in my stead."
"Ah, yes, your rather brave aide-de-camp. My boy, it's a pleasure."
"No, Senator Ryder, the pleasure is mine."
Amelia perked up at the sound of that voice as she exchanged glances with Gretchen. That voice sounded so oddly familiar that the familiarity was warming to the young woman. She would have to gain sight of the young man to determine where she remembered him from. Hearing alone wasn't enough for her.
"Senator, may I also congratulate you in your seat." Membrane chuckled as Dib complimented the elder. "May I also present to you my younger sister, Gaz."
His voice was more confident and fuller than Amelia last remembered. Gretchen crouched down to see if she could see for herself, glancing back up at Amelia upon occasion for guidance. Amelia gestured for her to rise when not even Gretchen could make out his face. Gretchen saw their father bend to take the young woman's hand and press his lips to the back of it.
"The pleasure is all mine. I'd like to introduce you to my wife, Nancy, and my daughters and sons are inside and are awaiting to make your acquaintance. Please, enter and we shall take drinks in the parlor before dinner is ready."
All of the Ryder children stood in a line against the banister, curious of the new faces as they filed in one by one. Audibly, Amelia sucked in a gasp as she saw the man's face who had knocked into her in the marketplace what felt like so long ago. Dib paused when he caught the eyes of the sisters, his face reddening slightly, appearing as though he had never forgotten them, either.
"Amelia, I don't believe it," Gretchen whispered to her sister. "The man that knocked you over."
"Man that knocked you over?" Joshua quirked a brow that mimicked his father's. "What man? Why didn't you tell me about this?"
His meek sister could only reply in a slow nod, before watching Amelia retreat away from the staircase. Jacob glanced at this exchange, his sons descending the large staircase, boots and shoes moving in unison along the crimson carpet, followed by his daughters apart from Gretchen, who was holding onto her sister Amelia.
"We should go down now," Gretchen said, for once taking charge as she followed her and tugged upon her sister's elbow. "Come on. I know you and father have your differences, but this is an event he is counting on us to attend. Joshua and Alexander are hoping General Membrane will consider taking the two of them into his fold."
As each of the Ryder children lined up on either side of the staircase, the boys to the left against the railing, and the girls to the right against the wall with the exception of Gretchen and Amelia, who had retreated to the bedroom. "General Membrane, my sons: Joshua, Alexander, Bishop, and Nathaniel." All four boys saluted in response.
"And my daughters: Angelica, Jessica, and Roslyn. My daughters Gretchen and Amelia must be detained." The girls offered a curtsey.
"Thank you for your service, gentlemen," Angelica offered with a chorus of thanks from the remainder of her siblings. Jacob and Nancy beamed with pride, although Jacob glared towards the staircase where Amelia had retreated to.
"Such well-mannered children, Ryder," Membrane smiled, perhaps even a hint of warmth between his lips.
While Gretchen was attempting to coerce Amelia into complying with the evening's plans, Zim glanced around the house and the paintings on the wall. The traditional landscape portraits many humans seemed to be so fond of, along with paintings of the family.
One in particular was of a red farmhouse, rolling green hills with lush detailing to the blades of grass. To any normal human, the grass looked soft enough to lay in. But, what stood out above the blades of grass was the choice of blue chosen for the sky. It appeared so crisp, clean, barely any clouds invading the sky.
Zim took a moment to wonder about the intrigue such places must have sparked within these humans to pay such vast areas any kind of mind. He scratched his wig, which had begun to itch, before setting his hands behind his back. Once the invasion took place, after Zim had satisfied enough data to The Tallest to make his next move, such greenery would be gone and in its place would be the decay of the fall of New York. Those rolling hills would be licked with flames and the farmhouse would be alit with ominous disaster.
"Kind of nauseating, isn't it?" Zim glanced over his shoulder to see black lace against a dark purple gown, silk, if Zim remembered correctly. Dib must have purchased such a gown for her, as he realized the voice belonged to Dib's younger sister. Zim had seen her, briefly, on occasion. Ladies were never meant to be alone for extensive periods with strange men, or so he had heard. That was an interesting notion on its own.
"Eh? Which are you referring to?" Zim asked.
"The happy landscape with the pastel flowers and perfectly blue sky. There's no such thing," Gaz huffed.
"What nonsense are you prattling on about?" Zim felt himself become slightly agitated, however, attempted to maintain his composure.
"The painting is bullshit," she replied flatly. She wasn't getting any clearer than that.
Zim turned around fully to face the young woman, blinking slowly in response. The majority of the human women that he had encountered were of happy sorts, always escorted, primping, holding umbrellas, and indulged in strange courting habits. Many of these women were unionized and taken by other men. Ownership, Zim called it once. Madge explained what a human marriage was and its significance; Zim corrected him, claiming it was ownership. However, then thought it to be brilliant as Zim desired ownership of the human race.
"You don't think so? You don't see it?" Gaz was waiting for a response. By now, everyone else was ushered into the dining room. It was a matter of time before Dib would come look for Gaz, and she could already feel the irritation well up inside of her.
"Eh? No, I mean, I do. I…uh…agree!" Zim replied quickly and glanced back again at the painting before turning his attention back to Gaz quickly. "Humans have such strange taste in what they consider…tasteful. I've seen this painting before in other locations."
"Because people are dumb as hell and want to escape to such a place. Not me, I want to get out of here, but I prefer the dark."
Oddly enough, Zim found this refreshing. This woman was not afraid to speak herself and refused to bite her tongue. He could see her knuckles whiten at the idea of the unrealistic painting. Zim looked down at his own hands, which had lowered to his sides. What an interesting human. She would make a fine addition, if Zim intended to spare a human life.
"What idiot paints a farmhouse?"
That question would be left unanswered, as Gaz had suspected, Dib and Madge entered the foyer to see his sister with his fellow soldier. It was thought unethical for women to be alone with men who weren't their husbands. He had a duty to protect her with everything he had.
"Gaz, why don't you come have a drink? Senator Ryder's daughters are telling stories-"
"I really would love nothing more than to be hit by a carriage than listen to their prattle." The sarcasm dripped from her tone and caused Dib to sigh and look at his sister dejectedly.
"Why are you so angry?"
"Because this is pointless!" Gaz replied before leaning against the doorway of one of the parlors.
Zim watched between the two siblings, although he had to side with the young woman on this. There were better things he could do with this evening, such as further plan for world domination. He had a feeling she was on the brink of either thinking or accomplishing the very same.
"C'mon, Gaz. Let's just endure this dinner tonight and then we can go." He attempted to assure his sister to appease her in order for her to cooperate. "Excuse us, Zim."
"Take your little sister and go. I'm certain you have much mingling to do." Zim's darkened, glowering eyes followed Dib as he escorted Gaz away from him and towards the parlor where the others were drinking, laughing, and doing just as Zim has suggested, mingling. The soldiers and Ryder's daughters interacting, his sons stealing away General Membrane's time, which gave Dib an opportunity to breathe. If Zim had only acted sooner, that could have been him where Dib stood and carried the title he ached for. Dib couldn't appreciate his role now as the young man hungered for the battlefield again. Zim considered Dib's position another step closer to power and Zim wanted it.
"You can't beat yourself up over this. There is still time to make up what you've lost," Madge attempted to console the other.
Dib escorted Gaz into the parlor, where Senator Ryder looked up with a smile, and then turned his attention back onto General Membrane and his sons, who appeared to be hanging onto every word the General uttered.
"Laurent, my friend. Would you mind being my sister's companion this evening?"
The other male patted Dib's back gently. "My friend, anything for you."
Gaz rolled her eyes.
The man's hand lingered there, as Dib turned towards the doorway. While the parlor had carpeting, the hall leading to it did not. He could hear the sound of heels gently caressing the tile with every step. His eyes laid upon the two sisters he had met weeks ago. Their maids escorted them into the parlor, announcing them.
"Rosie, don't," Amelia said to the maid with a gentle smile.
"But miss, I must. Your father requested-"
"I am requesting you take it easy tonight." Although that statement brought the other's chocolate eyes to widen as Laurent frowned gently. Dib felt Laurent's hand tighten upon him and glanced up at the other.
"Someday, we'll stop all of this." He referred to the abomination identified as slavery. Laurent had escaped the perils of being one, and made it part of his mission to end it once and for all. While Laurent spoke passionately on the topic one evening in their barracks, he had attracted the attention of Frenchman, Porter Wynn, and tailor's apprentice, Blake Butcher. The one thing all of those men had in common: they had barely escaped the clutches of the devil himself.
Laurent nodded, feeling the hands of Porter and Blake as they consoled him. Dib's mother had slaves, from what he remembered. But they were playmates, and she always considered them part of the family. Watching this young woman touch hers so gently, speak to her kindly, he knew she didn't mistreat them. Her family didn't mistreat them. They also didn't free them, but that was a whole other issue unto itself.
Gretchen turned her head to see the young man they had encountered, what felt like ages ago, was eyeing them in a curious manner. She felt her cheeks redden at the predicament they had found themselves in, but she and her sister had survived it. Amelia spoke of him often for a few days thereafter, curious if they'd ever see him again, and here they were.
"Amelia, he's staring."
Amelia turned from Rosie to pick her head up at him. Their eyes met from across the room. Gretchen noted how she wrung her handkerchief in her hands, knuckles whitening. In time, Amelia's chest rose and fell in time with the increase of her heart rate. As Amelia turned her attention to Gretchen, she picked up on how her eyes lit up. Amelia, by no means, wished to take attention away from her sister, and Gretchen appeared as though she was fixing to do or say something. Amelia had always known that Gretchen would come into her own when she was ready. Perhaps now was that time.
Gretchen crossed the room, feeling herself begin to tremble from the inside and wondered if it showed. Dib seemed to pay no mind to it, however, and offered her a warm smile nonetheless. Was Gretchen doing this for her or for Amelia?
"Good evening, miss, I…I wondered if I'd see you again." He leaned down, as instructed by Laurent on how to properly greet and court a lady. He kissed the back of her hand. Hers was soft and warm.
"I wondered much of the same," she replied in barely above a whisper.
"I hear there will be a dance later this evening," the thick accent of Porter rang as he took hold of Angelica and pulled her to him with a grin. The Ryder daughter slinked out of his hold, glancing nervously back at her father as it seemed less than appropriate.
"A dance?" Dib repeated. He knew a little to few steps, perhaps he would have an opportunity to meet both of the sisters and apologize to the one called Amelia.
"Settle down," General Membrane provided a stern look towards the rowdy officers. He felt like a father scolding his naughty children.
"Yes, sir."
Jacob glanced from Membrane to the young man kissing the back of his second eldest hand. He eyed this transaction approvingly as Gretchen raised the back of her hand to her mouth to conceal her reaction. Her eyes jetted back to her sister, who waved for her to go on. However, Dib's trailed and lingered back to the other sister.
"You know, John. I can't help but wonder before we settle down to dinner."
"And what might that be, my old friend?"
"The boy is a stamp of you. Perhaps it is wine and I am in fact seeing two of you, but, didn't you mention there was a woman before your current wife now?"
Membrane straightened at this and glanced over to Dib. If that was the case, it had been years since he had laid eyes on them, and if the boy was his, then his sibling was, as well. Fate had a funny way of bringing what was meant to be before someone.
Perhaps there was a reason why he had chosen him to be his right hand man, aside from the bravery he had shown and the desire to protect him. The boy had a hungry fighting spirit, but Membrane had other intentions which included his safety. Perhaps the boy was also aroused to suspicion, as he often looked at the man with a cold stare, puzzled, attempting to answer questions for himself.
"I'd prefer to not speak of it."
This elicited a frown upon Ryder's lips. A boy had every right to his father.