(Y/N POV)

Washington hadn't stayed with the others for long and decided to join our table, along with his wife. She had a clear interest in the younger girls, mainly Angelica, for her unique talent in the Arts. Angelica was, indeed, a productive child who loved to sing and dance. She was much more intrigued by music than any other member of the household, including me, to an extent.

"So, Philip," Washington began, "we know what you want to be once you grow up. What about the rest of you?"
"I-"
"I want to go to space!!" Junior announced.
Washington chuckled. "It will be many long years until we can do that, son. How will you do it?"
"I'll build really big stairs which stretches aaaall the way to the sky!"
"And what will you do up there?"
"I'll catch a shooting star!!"

"I like his ambition." Martha giggled.
"Yes, he is the creative sort." Eliza agreed.
"What about you, little one?" Washington gestured to Frances. Although there wasn't much to offer for women, I found it delightful that he was sparking their imagination.
"...An explorer..." she murmured. Philip smiled at her with joy; she had always grown shy around strangers.

"An explorer!" Washington exclaimed. "That is indefinitely distinctive, I like it! And what about you?" This time, he signalled at Angelica.
"I could be a dancer!" she set forth.
"You could! And you would be splendid at it!" Martha supported her. "I should consider providing you with dancing lessons if you are that eager!"

"Speaking of dance, I believe that the next is about to begin." Washington offered his hand to Martha.
She chuckled. "How charming, Mr President."
Alexander replicated Washington's mannerisms and spread his hand out for Eliza. "May I have this dance, Miss Schuyler?" he teased.
"Why, Mr Hamilton, you flatter me!" She handed James over to Emily, following Alexander to the dance floor.

Beneath the crowd, I saw Jefferson, glancing at me every few seconds. He was perched at a table whilst talking with his friends. One I recognised as James Madison. He had attended our home numerous times, having developed a close friendship with Alexander. They worked together on 'The Federalist', a set of essays urging the ratification of the United States Constitution. Alas, over the course of the year, Alexander's ideas became... feral. He'd even proposed a monarchy for the country and I wouldn't be surprised if that was his attempt to become a king.

Nevertheless, I was curious to find out what my interest in Jefferson had once been.

"Who are you staring at? A man~?" Emily teased.
"Yes I'm staring at a man but not in that way."
"Then in what way?"
I held her head closely to mine. "See that man over there with the big hair?"
"Yeah, what was it, Jeff... Jeffrey-"

"Jefferson." I corrected. "Thomas Jefferson."
"What about him?"
"I feel like... I know him. Or knew of him once. Can you remember anything?"
"Why would I be able to remember? I hated the damn show!"
"Well do you remember me talking about him?"
"Y/N. Try to understand that I never listened to you whenever you talked about it. Not once."

I grunted. "I need to meet him." Philip clearly seemed bored, throwing his head back over his chair and tapping his hand to the beat of the music. "Philip!"
"Yes?" He sprung up.
"Can you see the man with the big hair?" I pointed him out, just so that it was easier for him to identify.
"Yes, Father was talking to him earlier!"

"Good! Now I need you to do me a favour, can you do that?"
"Y/N, what are y-"
"Of course!" he interrupted Emily.
"Can you go and introduce yourself to him?"
"...Why?"
"...Because he needs to know us all, not just one of us! You're the eldest son, Philip, you can easily make an impression. And you're brave! Super, super brave!"
"I know I am!!"
"Now go out there and show him what you've got!"

Philip hopped up. "And Philip! Tell me what he says, alright?" He simply nodded, finding his way around the ballroom.
"What is your plan here...?" Emily enquired.
"It's simple: If Jefferson doesn't say anything then he obviously doesn't want to talk. But if he does ask about me, I'll go over and pretend that I'm getting us drinks. He'll follow my lead for sure."

(Third Person POV)

Nearing closer to Jefferson, Philip slowed his pace and locked his hands behind his back. He held his head high in the belief that it made him appear much more professional; it simply caused him to appear as though he were pretending to be a man of high honour whilst failing miserably.

Jefferson was the last to notice his approach. The men around his table inspected Philip, the strange child prancing towards them alike a clown trying to entertain. "Sir?"
Jefferson smirked. "Yes?"
"My name is Philip Hamilton. You spoke with my father earlier, did you not?"
The men laughed in unison at the boy, perceiving him as another naïve child. "That is correct." Jefferson confirmed. 

"Alright, um..." Philip checked to Y/N for reassurance. Unfortunately, she could not be seen throughout the crowd.
"Tell me, boy, who are those two young women sitting over there with your family?" Jefferson wondered.
"Oh! They're my sisters, Sophie and Emily."
He raised his eyebrow. "I see.

Well, what is it that you want?"
"Probably just wants to talk on and on like his father." another mocked. Jefferson laughed at his comment, making the boy turn his face in anger.
"Good day, Sir."

From the day he was able to speak, Philip's mother had taught him how to address people in a respectful manner. She'd advised him never to dismiss himself from a conversation unless he'd felt victimised; that was exactly how he felt around Jefferson's and the mens' presence. If he had been older, he would not think twice about challenging him. Alas, he knew that he was nothing compared to them.

Yet.

(Y/N POV)

"So? What did he say?" I asked Philip.
He bared an unpleasant look as he sat down. "He asked who you and Emily were. I told him, then he asked what I wanted. Another man then mocked Father, and he laughed. So I came back."
"...I'll talk to him, don't-"
"No!" Philip insisted, holding his hand out. "I mean, what if he ridicules you, too?"
"He won't, Phil, trust me." I reassured him.

I stroked my hand through his hair in support, circling the room to reach the side where drinks were to be served. It was almost directly next to Jefferson's table, meaning that if he were watching me, he'd find it safer to make his way over.

And that was indeed what he did.

I took the mug of water and poured our glasses. From the corner of my eye, Jefferson dismissed himself from his table and wandered closer to me. He halted to my right with a collection of glasses from his table. "So." he began, "You're Sophie Hamilton."
"And you're Thomas Jefferson." I was hiding my smile. I'd heard great things of this man both from the past and future, but the future was one that I could not remember. I was intrigued to find out more.

"I've heard a lot of you, Sir." I commented.
"And I you. The French were remarkably fond of you for your efforts in the war... Charlie Miller, was it?"
I smiled. "That is correct."
"Are you recognised for it often?"
"More than often. It's all I'm seen for."

"...So you're Hamilton's child?"
"Neice." I corrected. "Although he refers to me as his own. He took me in when I was 13, after my father had passed."
"And what of that other girl you were with?"
"Mr Hamilton took her in, too, a year after me. We have no relation, but I like to call her my sister. As I do Mr Hamilton's children, also.

I'll let you know, Sir, that Mr Hamilton is a kind man and I expect that you will treat him with dignity, yes?"
Jefferson sniggered. "What did that boy tell you?"
"That boy is my brother, Philip. And nothing much, only that you were teasing my uncle." The impression I was gathering from Jefferson was not the best one thus far.
"I like you, Miss. You show pride, something that many women do not. I just hope that becoming a soldier doesn't bring your downfall."

I gasped. "I certainly didn't see you doing anything."
"I wrote a declaration, darling, what more could you ask?" Jefferson turned his back. His sly smirk broadened across his face.

"Tell your uncle that I will see him at the cabinet."

~~~~~~~~~~

Kinda sad, I was anticipating on publishing this yesterday but was struck with a sudden migraine... again. BUT I will not make nausea and a throbbing pain in my head hold me back.