[A.Ham.]
*jingle*
"Herc! It's me!" I called into the shop. One of his apprentices came to the door to greet us, and Herc's thundering steps come forward.
"Alexander! How's the biggest loudmouth on this end of the coast?" He said, or yelled... he's a pretty big personality.
"I'm pretty good, my friend. I need a favor." I step aside and reveal the silent woman behind me.
"Well hello, Miss." Hercules steps closer, extending a hand to her. "Hercules Mulligan, at your service." Muda stepped back just as quickly, bowing her head further in greeting, and a small flinch didn't go unnoticed when his hand came close.
"This is Muda. A gift from Jefferson. He just showed up at my door yesterday with her and basically shoved her into my care in hopes I'll be a little more lenient on the statement of neutrality with France." I placed a hand on her back, returning her beside me.
"So, this is his way of saying you need to get laid? It has been a while since Eliza bailed after you fucked over your life." Herc said, amused by the situation. I glared at him to shut up. "Hey, lil man. It's true."
"I didn't come here to discuss my love life. I don't have any clothes for her and what Jefferson had her in is less than acceptable to be seen in, slave or not."
"So, something simple for her?" He turned, starting for his work station.
"Yes, and keep note of her measurements, I might need an actual dress for her at some point." I replied, guiding Muda to follow him. She finally lifted her head, glancing over all the fabrics and clothes filling the studio.
"Stand here, darlin', Eric will get your measurements." He took Muda's elbow and helped her step up onto the platform, one of the apprentices coming around to begin. He even helped take the cloak from her shoulders, leaving her in the slip. Bundling the fabric in his hands, he nods for me to follow him.
"Yea?" Once we're out of earshot, I turn to him.
"Is she a slave? Did Jefferson seriously just give you a slave?" He whisper-yelled.
"Yes. He did." I sighed, "She's very well trained, but as far as I know, she doesn't speak. He said she was mute. Like, she made breakfast this morning that so silently that I didn't even know she was awake until I woke to her with a full tray beside me. No prompting or anything. Otherwise, she'll sit beside me and wait to be told to do something else."
"He gave you a slave. Damnit, Jefferson. So what, you just keep her??? Can't you give her back?"
"No. I'm not giving her back." I interrupted him, "I'm not subjecting her to more of Jefferson's abuse, and I'm sure she's been abused."
"So now you own a slave."
"I guess so. At least officially, I do. I don't mind the company and she could be a nice assistant around the office for running papers to Washington or other errands." We both looked back over to the platform, where Muda was stripping off her slip, the apprentice respectfully looking away as he hands her a proper dress for housework. "You wouldn't happen to have shoes here, would you? Probably flats since she's um... yea."
"Yea, I can find some for her. Just, wow man. He gave you a slave." I nodded. "Well, at least your dry spell might come to an end." My eyes widen, and I punched him in the arm.
"I'm not using her like that. Especially since she cannot protest. She's a slave, not a whore." I snapped.
"Most owners don't see a difference. They do whatever they want with their property." Herc handed me my cloak. "I'll have a few dresses made for her by next week. She can keep the one she has on." We returned to the work station. The apprentice dressed Muda in a pale blue dress, a thick ribbon wrapped around her waist to hug her form. She finally had simple flats on her feet, and her hair was tied back with a matching ribbon.
"Thanks, Herc, just total it all up and I'll pay when we pick it up." I smile, shaking the broader man's hand.
"Not a problem. You should really send Laf a letter. He might be a bit of help on what to do. Since his french ass is loaded, he's got a few servants himself." Herc wasn't wrong. Laf might be a good asset on how to proceed.
"I'll get a letter out today. Come, Muda." Muda bowed to Hercules, who replied with a gentle wave, before shuffling behind me, returning the cloak to her shoulders.
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As soon as we got home, Muda shed her cloak and shoes, disappearing into the kitchen. I chuckle to myself and leave her be, making my way to my study. It's only early afternoon, since Washington let me skip the work I needed to do today. I should be able to get a letter on the next ship if I hurry. So I write and address a letter to Lafayette, as well as note for Muda to keep with her in case I have any unexpected visits. I might have written more than needed to Lafayette, but it's alright, he'll understand.
"Muda!" The sound of her steps were instantaneous when her name was called. She hurried up the stairs, pausing every few moments to try to figure out where I was, before finding me in the study. She came around to the side of my desk, kneeling down beside me, her head bowed in respect.
"I need to go back into town. I'll let you stay here and continue cooking. Remember to make some for yourself too, okay?" She nodded in understanding, lifting her head as I passed her the note. "This is for if someone comes by while I'm gone. No one should, but I never know." As she took the note from my hand, I held onto it a moment longer. "Should the visitor be Jefferson, do not open the door for him. I don't trust him near you. Understand?" She shifted nervously, probably at the thought of being left here alone. I do wish I knew what she was thinking. She finally nodded again, slipping the note from my fingers. "Good. Off you go. I will return in two hours." I gave her head a gentle stroke, before standing, letting her stand as well and went our separate ways.
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09/20/17
YOU ARE READING
Muda
Fanfiction"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...
