The Immigrant

Chapter 8| May 10 1796

I walked down the stairs to find Burr, Theodoisa by his side standing next to the door, luggage sitting by their sides.
"Good morning Ezio." Burr said with a small smile.
I looked down at the luggage then back up at Burr with a frown.
"Sir?" I asked confused.
"I have something important to tell you." Burr said.
I nodded slowly, crossing my arms.
"Theodoisa and I are leaving for London for approximately three years." Burr announced.
I paused, my eyes widening.
"Three years?" I echoed.
"I've been asked to write forms for the Parliament of England with a few other men to inform Britain about our expansion of laws and as they will do to us." Burr explained.
"It takes three years for that?" I asked a little annoyed.
"Yes, but don't worry you won't get out of work quite that easily." Burr said with a smile.
I gave a huff of amusement as I let him finish.
"Alexander Hamilton will be mentoring you for the time we are away, you'll be staying at their quarters and be studying under their wing." Burr explained.
"I see." I murmured.
Burr gave a slight chuckle.
"Also when I'm gone, you will be taking my place in congress." Burr said quickly.
My jaw dropped.
"You're kidding." I hissed, my heart beating faster.
"Come on Ezio you know the stuff, I believe you'll do fine presenting yourself in front of very important men who are building this nation." Burr chuckled.
"Thank you for that." I said sarcastically.
"I'm sure Hamilton will run through some stuff with you, let me tell you he's very familiar with speaking assertively." Burr said flatly.
"Wait.." I choked but Burr cut me off.
"Anyways once we leave, pack up your stuff and head over to the Hamilton's residence, they'll be expecting you at once." Burr explained.
Burr handed me a piece of paper with their address on it.
"Can do sir." I said my tone dragged.
We heard the carriage roll up to the house as Burr turned to the door.
"I guess it's time for our departure." Burr murmured. 
I felt panicked as I watched Burr walk out to greet the driver.
"Hey." A soft voice called behind me.
I turned to see Theodoisa. She looked up at me with a glint of sadness in her eyes.
"I apologize for the sudden news, you see my father just got the word to go only a few days ago." Theodoisa sighed.
I gave her a warm smile, shaking my head in a sarcastic manner.
"Don't worry about it." I replied warmly.
Theodoisa looked down at the ground, pawing her feet on the tile floor.
" Can I ask you a favor?" She asked.
"Anything." I smiled.
"Can you promise me that you'll write me while I'm in London." Theodoisa asked her face flushing.
I gave her a reassuring smile.
"Of course." I said taking her hands.
Theodoisa looked up at me, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I...I will miss you." She quivered.
I drew my face closer to hers, looking back at the carriage to see Burr occupied talking the driver.
"I'll miss you too." I said calmly kissing her on the cheek.
Theodoisa looked up at me a surprised looked on her face. My heart raced nervously afraid that I made a mistake. She gave me a slight smile, her face red as she returned the kiss. I gave a sigh of relief as I followed her out to the carriage. Theodoisa gave me a hug, whispering something into my ear.
"See you in three years Ezio." She whispered.
"I'll be waiting." I chuckled.
Theodoisa got into the carriage as Burr followed her giving me one final look.
" Good luck Ezio, I'll write to you about my progress if you're interested." Burr smiled.
"Thank you sir." I said with a nod.

Burr nodded swiftly as he got into the carriage. With a crack of the whip the carriage was off. I gave a slight wave as the cart rolled down the street towards the harbor. I took a steady breath standing in the middle of the street for a few minutes. I turned back to the house remembering what Burr had said. I walked up to my room, looking around at what I could pack. I left all blank documents there, putting the work I've started in some folders. I pack all of my personal items and some money. I was about to leave the room when I remembered my father's pistol. I took it out from under the bed, pausing for a moment. I took a deep sigh when I put it carefully in my bag. I looked around the now barren room before I made my way down the stairs. I walked into the study to find some books I used for studying and writing lectures. The house creaked as I looked around one last time. I turned to the door, picking up a spare key as I walked out.
Closing the door I stepped back. A gave a huff as I swung my bag over my shoulder and began my walk towards the Hamilton residence. I unfolded the address Burr gave to me as I made my way across the city, going west following the street names. Still early with the sun out the air was relatively cold and damp. Carts rattled down the streets while people talked amongst themselves as I pasted. Without realizing I was murmuring the scripts, essays and drafts that have been jostled around in my brain for day.
Finally I made it to the street that Hamilton residence was on. Looking up the row of houses on the quaint street I spotted the houses address. Taking a deep breath, I adjusted the weight of my bag as I walked up the street to the quaint, soft yellow house.
I knocked on the door stepping back. I could hear light footsteps coming to the door as a familiar face peered out into the street. Eliza's eyes brightened when she saw me.
"Ezio, it's so good to see you!" She said cheerfully.
"I assume Burr had departed?"
I nodded with a smile.
"Come in." She said with a smile.
The house was very small compared to Burr's "mansion", but it had a pleasant atmosphere and nice decor. Eliza led me into the living room, looking back at me with a smile.
"If you don't mind waiting here, I'll be right back." Eliza said softly, the sound of little children crying at each other upstairs.
I chuckled softly as I watched her walk upstairs. The living room was quaint, a beautiful piano stood in the corner of the room. Something caught my eye form the other side of the room. A boy, maybe a couple years younger than me greeted me with a sharp smile.
"Greetings." I said with a smile.
The boy looked at me with an enthusiastic smile.
"How do you do, the name is Philip, Philip Hamilton." He said his chest held high, his freckled face shone brightly.
" Ezio Auditore." I greeted as we shook hands.
"You're the one who's gonna be staying with us for a while am I right?" He asked.
I nodded with a smile.
" That is correct." I laughed.
Philip gave me a big smile.
" That's great to hear!" He beamed.
" I hope we can become good acquaintances while you're here."
I laughed.
"Sounds good to me." I smiled.
"Well look who it is." A familiar voice called from behind us.
"Alexander Hamilton sir." I greeted shaking his outstretched hand.
"How are you today?" Alexander asked.
I sighed as I chuckled softly.
"Well Burrs departure took me as a surprise, but I am looking forward to working besides you sir." I replied.
Alexander nodded.
" Well I am honored to be mentoring you for the time Burr is gone." He smiled.
He paused for a moment as he looked at Philip who between the both of us.
" Have you meet my eldest son,Philip?" Hamilton asked.
I looked down at Philip with a grin.
" In fact I have." I laughed.
Philip looked up at me with a smile. Alexander nodded with a small smile.
" Well if you don't mind, I best show you to your quarters." Alexander said.
He gestured for me to follow him up the stairs. We came to a hallway that stretched out and around the landing. I was led to the very last door in the hallway. I followed Alexander inside. It was neat. It held a well sized bed with a desk next to it. A small closet and two candles stood next to the bed.
"It's all that I could ask for." I laughed.
Alexander shrugged.
"Well it's not the Kings Royal Bedroom." He laughed.
"I'll let you get settled, once you're done I would like you to meet me in my study which is just downstairs and past the living room."
I nodded.
" Thank you sir." I said greatly as Hamilton walked to the door.
"All in ones good favor." Alexander nodded.
I took a deep breath as I started to unpack, throwing folders of work onto the desk making it already cluttered. I hung up my clothes in the closet, along with one of Burr's suits form Washington's party. From the bottom of the bag I pulled out the portrait of Theodoisa. I sighed, knowing how much I would miss her company. I pulled out my father's pistol as I admired the golden edged initials that my father carved into the gun. Once I was done unpacking, I walked downstairs to meet Alexander in his study. He looked up at me with a lighthearted smile.
"Burr has told me that you're taking his place in congress while he's away?" Alexander asked.
I nodded slowly, looking uneasy and nervous.
"Correct sir." I murmured.
Hamilton's eyes narrowed.
" You seem uneasy...nervous." He spoke.
I sighed as I combed my hair back with my fingers.
" I just don't think I'm ready to go out there and talk in front of the heads of the government." I spoke quickly.
"I'm afraid they won't like what I'm presenting and see me as an uneducated pain in the ass." I hissed.
Hamilton looked at me studying my face, a glint of sympathy shone in his eyes.
"Then what is the point of writing down all of your ideas?" He asked his voice stern.
"What is the point of you coming to America with almost nothing...Ezio your work is of true art, you can become very successful...but not if you don't express any of it." Hamilton spoke.
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked.
Hamilton took a deep breath.
" I know form experience, what I could of done and what I did with the stuff I had." Alexander said looking me strait in the eye.
I took a sharp breath.
"I guess you're right." I said confidence rising in my tone.
Alexander looked at me reassuringly.
"I am always free, If you have questions about presentation I can help you... your presentation is the key factor that determines wether you win or loose to your case." Hamilton said.
"Thank you sir." I said with a nod.
There was a moment of silence.
" Feel free to make yourself at home, and again if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask." Alexander gave me a smile.
I nodded.
"Can do sir." I replied.
I left Alexander to his studies. I past the kitchen, Eliza was cooking something on the stove. She gave me a cheery smile as I pasted, giving her a little wave. I walked into the living room, Philip was sitting at the piano, trying to figure out a tune of some sort as he sang quietly.
"Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf." He sang quietly.
He saw me in the corner of his eye, looking at me with a smile.
"Do you play piano?" He asked.
I shrugged.
"Sì, my mother taught me when I was young...haven't played it in a while though." I replied.
"Would you mind playing for me?" He asked.
I hesitated.
"Uh...I'll try." I murmured.
Philip looked at me with curious eyes as I sat down next to him. I took a deep breath as I tried to think of a piece I used to play. I paused as I remembered something. An old tune lingered in my head...a piece my mother used to play to me. I took a deep breath then started to play. I missed how beautiful the piano sounded, as my fingers danced around the keys. The melody came back more and more as it sang in my head. The room lifted with sound as memories flooded back about my mother...how she played it so well, and how I sat by her feet humming the melody. We she pasted I wanted to make a tribute to her and memorized the song until I could play it.
I smiled to myself as I stopped, the music echoing until it faded. Philip looked at me with widen eyes.
"Ezio that was amazing!" He cheered.
I laughed.
" That was very quite nice Ezio." Eliza said at the other side of the room.
"Thank you." I smiled.
Philip looked at me with eager eyes.
"How did you learn to play so well?" He asked.
I took a deep breath then explained.
" My mother used to play piano all the time, so much that I memorized all of the pieces that she played...after she died I wanted to make a tribute to her playing by learning and playing the pieces by ear." I murmured.
Philip nodded understandingly.
"That is nice." He said sympathy rising in his tone.
I looked over at Eliza who looked at me with a soften face. I cleared my throat as I got up.
"Thank you Philip for letting me use the piano." I said.
"No problem Ezio." He smiled.
With that I walked to the stairs, Philip started to play again. The sun was setting through the window as it illuminated the walls. I lit the two candles that laid besides my bed, moving the other one next to my desk as I sat it down. I rummaged through my papers, sorting out all the ones that would deem helpful for my studies.
Soon it grew dark outside, working by candlelight as the night ticked on. Buried away in my thoughts as the candle wick burned away.