The States

The American Revolution, Part Four, 1777

VII. Occupations and Foreign Powers
Those redcoats don't want it with me!
------------
I came from afar just to say "Bonsoir!"; Tell the King "Casse toi!"; Who's the best?; C'est moi!
-Aaron Burr, Sir, Hamilton

Princeton, NJ- January 3, 1777
"They're retreating." Nicky tells Alfred, and Nicky looks like what Alfred remembers of Netherlands and nothing like him at that moment. "The British are, that is. Evacuating the state, actually. Princeton scared them off."

"Good." New York is a mess, even now. Enough so that he's considering forcing her back to Baltimore for the remainder of the war. He doesn't need another foreign occupied state right now.

He doesn't need another foreign occupied state right now.

Nicholas nods.

CT- January 16, 1777
"What is this?"

"I'm declaring independence from you." Monty says with a grim smile.

Brooke looks up at him. "Huh."

She turns and walks away.

Monty wonders how many have noticed that her hands shake unless Brooke curls them into tight fists?

NJ- February 26, 1777
"General!" Washington slows his pace to allow the state to catch up.

"I've found you an aide-de-camp." Brooke says. "I've read his transcripts, and he's brilliant."

"And a New Yorker." Washington mutters.

"An immigrant, technically, by your standards." Brooke says.

"Not by yours?"

Brooke shrugs. "Aren't they all just immigrants? I remember the natives, and how many died when the Europeans brought their sicknesses with them." The state smiles. Washington doesn't- casual reminders that she, nor her family, are not human are still unsettling. "Never the matter, he's mine now."

Caramel, CT- April 26, 1777*
"Hello, there, Miss Ludington."

The girl starts at the sound of New York's voice. "If you're here to talk me out of this-!"

"I'm not. I am here to accompany you part way."

"Miss New York-"

"Brooke."

The sixteen-year-old looks up and smiles. "Then call me Sybil."

Ridgefield, CT- April 27, 1777*
There are welts around her arm, but Connie doesn't care.

(They're from when the Brits stared burning Patriot's houses, and the battle itself)

"How are you feeling, Major General?"

Wooster laughs. "Like hell." He smiles at her. "It was an honor to serve you, Miss. Tell your father it was an honor to fight for him."

Connie smiles tremulously. "I will, Major General. I will."

"I know. You're a good girl, Constance. Go win the war."

Philadelphia, PA- April 31, 1777
"Ah, come on, France! You're always fighting with England! Why can't you fight him with me?"

France rolled his eyes and flicked a piece of hair behind his ear- it was a very Sam-like gesture, and America had to suppress a smile. "America," he began. "You are of unknown quality. It would be foolish if I attempted to aid you when it is still likely that England will crush you under his boot."

America gritted his teeth, but didn't say anything. He couldn't fault France's logic.

"I suppose what I'm saying is," he said, drawing close, a bit too close, "Prove you're worth the risk."