[A.Ham.]
In the morning, I awoke to the most amazing smell, and I mean absolutely amazing. Opening my eyes, Muda was kneeling beside the bed. In her lap, a platter with a full breakfast on it, tea included. It startled me to see her so close, she made no movement until she noticed I was awake, only moving to sit up straighter and raise the platter to my level. I sat up, taking the tray from her.
"Thank you, Muda." She nodded back to me, a small smile on her lips. She relaxed beside me, sitting criss-cross (applesauce), her head bowed again in waiting. "Did you eat already?" I asked, starting on the bowl of oatmeal. I glanced in time to see her respond 'no'. "How come?" She lifted her head again, a confused expression on her face as she tries to think of a response. After a few beats, she gestured to me, then herself. "I need to give it to you... no, permission to." She nodded.
I frowned, furrowing my brows. I moved the toast off the smaller plate and poured some of the oatmeal onto it, handing it to her with the fork from the tray. She looks a bit surprised but accepted it anyway. "Make food for yourself as well, and we'll eat together. Understand?" I said, and she nodded, practically devouring the food. I chuckled at the sight, eating my own meal as well. "It's been a while since you've had hot food, hasn't it." I don't ask it as a question because I know how Jefferson can be with his 'property'. A bit crueler than necessary.
When I finish, I return the tray to her, and she leaves. I smile and get dressed. It is a little nice to have company again. The house doesn't seem so empty with only myself. I brought my spare cloak with me as I went downstairs to meet Muda in the kitchen, watching as she washes the last of the dishes she used.
"We're going to get you some clothes today, but I have to work for a while first, so you're coming with me. That way, I don't have to send for you when I'm done. Here." She dried her hands and came to me, taking the cloak from my arm to put around herself. "You need something to cover yourself more than a simple slip. Slave or not." She nodded, tying the cloak at her shoulders. With a bit of a smile, I lead her out. Here goes nothing.
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When we arrived, Muda kept herself behind me, following nearly step for step all the way to my office. As I took my seat at my desk, she sat nearby on the floor, the cloak pooling around her.
Almost on cue, Jefferson wandered in after we got settled. "Ahh, enjoying the new gift?" He sneered.
"What do you want, Jefferson?" I grumbled. It's too early for his shit.
"Just wanted to know if she's made herself useful yet. She's silent, but very skilled with her mouth nonetheless." He said lightheartedly. When I finally looked up from my paper, I saw Muda bowing fully, hiding her face behind a curtain of her hair, her palms planted to the ground. Probably a trained position Jefferson taught her in his presence.
"The only skill I've seen is her cooking, which has been impressive," I noted, looking over at the magenta q-tip standing at my door.
"Awe, she knows better than that. She should have woken you up with a lovely surprise." He frowned, "I'm ashamed of you, girl." He started to walk to her but I raised a hand.
"Ah ah. You know better than to touch another man's things, don't you?" I said quickly before he even reaches my desk. "She's not yours to correct." I smiled internally as I watched Jefferson grow annoyed.
"Hm. I guess you're right. Surely you will do your best to correct the little harlot." He glared at Muda, who kept her position, the tension clear in her body. "What'd you name her, anyway?"
"Her name's Muda," I said, returning my focus to my work, writing another draft for a bill.
"Muda, not the best name. I was expecting something a bit more exotic or degrading. Though I just called her slut."
"It means 'mute', you uncultured swine," I growled, my nose twitched at the harsh name. "Are you done?"
"Awe, the bastard's getting possessive. I'll leave you be. We can talk compromises later, Hamilton."
"I can't miss you unless you leave, Jefferson. Get out." I said, mocking his lighthearted tone from before. He chuckles softly but leaves anyway.
"You can relax, Muda," I spoke gently, digging up a fresh sheet of paper to scribble a quick note. "Can you deliver something for me?" She stands, pulling the cloak around herself. I assume that's a yes. "Take this to President Washington. Dark skin, tall man, bald head, looks like a dad who's brows are always furrowed. Out and down the hall, last door on the left." She gave a single nod, before swiftly leaving, her steps were silent. Maybe because she's still barefoot.
I only needed to wait about ten minutes before Washington entered my office, Muda in tow.
"Are you serious?" were his first words to me.
"Look at her tag. Muda, present." It felt strange recounting my days from the trading charter, but not much has changed in how slaves are handled, including the commands. She reached up and gathered her hair, lifting her chin and turning her head to the side. The brass of her collar's tag shimmered slightly as she stilled for Washington to read her tag.
"Jefferson is getting out of hand... I'll deal with him. But what about the girl?" He said, glancing over Muda slowly. Because her arms were busy, the cloak was held open, offering a lovely view of her scrap that could hardly be called a dress.
"What am I going to do? I can't return her, her family is probably dead, and I'm not going to sell her." I snapped my fingers, pointing beside my desk. Muda heard and acknowledged, returning to her spot beside me. "I'll keep her, for now at least. I kind of like the company." I reach over and stroke Muda's head, only to feel her tense for a moment before relaxing again. "She'll be safe with me."
"And she doesn't speak? At all?" Washington asked, crossing his arms curiously.
"Not that I know of. She's only been with me a few hours, maybe she'll open up as time moves on if she's able. I won't push her."
"You sure you've only had her a night? Because you look like you've had her forever." He nodded to the way I stroked her hair, settling her beside me, and the way she relaxed, closing her eyes as she leaned into my hand.
"It's a trick I learned to calm them down. Nothing more. It's hard to tell if she's shy or not, and I need her relaxed when I take her into town. Unfortunately, I have no clothes for her as I wasn't expecting a new woman in my life." I replied, but Washington gave me that 'really?' look. "What?"
"Okay, Hamilton. Take the rest of the day off. See you tomorrow, feel free to bring her anytime. Maybe we can use the extra hands around here." He shrugged, a knowing smile on his lips. "Good to meet you, Muda." The woman bowed her head slightly in response, earning an amused hum from the president as he departed.
I glanced down at the woman beside me again. Maybe Washington had a point, she did look completely comfortable beside me. I still believe it's because she's not with the pick cotton ball that gave her to me on a whim. I organized my papers as best I could, before standing.
"Come along, let's get you some clothes. We'll visit an old friend of mine."
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09/20/17
YOU ARE READING
Muda
Fanfic"Jefferson, what's this?" I frowned, glancing over the chained woman standing beside him. "A peace offering, maybe a little incentive to stir on the compromises in the debate we had the other day." Thomas replied, as if it were obvious. "This is a...
