When Lafayette came to, he smelled the unmistakable scent of citrus. Slowly his sense of touch came back, and he realized he was laying on something, probably a couch. His mouth was dry like he had been in a desert. Faintly, he heard someone talking to themselves, whispering quiet reassurances. Something about the past and meeting someone again. Finally, Lafayette mustered up the strength to open his eyes.
In a chair access from Laf sat Peggy, who had her eyes closed as she whispered assurances to herself. Behind her was a hallway, most likely leading to the bathroom and bedroom. Across from the couch he laid on was a TV, currently turned off so that he could see the reflection. A simple kitchen was behind him, then. It was practically the same as his room.
“Hello?” Lafayette voice was scratchy, but it had the intended effect.
Peggy's eyes shot open and she was immediately quieted. Her eyes searched the room before landing on Laf. “O-oh. You're awake.” She paused, clearly not knowing what to say. “I don't know why I didn't immediately think it was you talking. My roommates are out being good members of society.” He snorted.
There were a million things Laf wanted to say, a million ways he could go on with this conversation. It wasn't as if the two knew each other well, they had really only interacted at Peggy's sister's wedding. However, she had sparked memories in him, and that had to count for something. He was in her dorm room. Peggy was trustworthy, and so she would have to be the first person he talked to about the whole… reincarnation business.
“Peggy, what the heck is going on?” Brilliant indeed, Lafayette. That wasn't a stupid question at all.
Fingering her skirt, Peggy shakily provided an answer. “Well, we're both reincarnates. Harry-that's Hercules-is too. He just doesn't remember. After you collapsed we brought you back here, despite his worry. He honestly thought you were some crazy person!” She chuckled at the thought, trying her best to diffuse the tension.
“Is there anyone else we know here?” Lafayette asked, hoping with all his heart that someone, anyone would be here. At least someone he knew well. “Holy crap. Alexander Hamilton is my brother! The Washington's are our parents!” He practically squealed with pure delight, but caught himself. Peggy would probably think he was weird if he did so.
“Alexander?” Peggy asked, almost looking like she was going to cry. “Does… Does he remember?”
Lafayette sadly shook his head. “No, I'm sorry. You two were close, weren't you?”
“Yes. I confided in him as if he had been my brother from birth. He was with me when I died.” The French man blinked in surprise. Peggy talked about her death so willingly already. He figured not many did that. “Do your parents remember?”
“I think so,” Laf sat up, but as soon as he was upright his head went dizzy and fell into the back of the couch.
Peggy quickly got up from her seat. “Careful! After my revelation I was light-headed for a while. You seem to be the same.” She grabbed a water bottle from her fridge, looking at Laf like a worried mother.
“Drink this.” She's whispered softly, body so light she only dipped the couch the tiniest bit. Gratefully, he slurped down the water. “Slow down!” She exclaimed through a laugh. Laf grinned. her before realizing something.
“Since when were you such a mom? I thought that was Angelica’s job.” Lafayette laughed softly, not noticing hope Peggy immediately stiffened next to him.
“Well…” Peggy looked at Laf with sad eyes, and he was struck by how old they were. She knew things that the average college student couldn't, they knew things average people didn't know. At least, about themselves. So many people were reincarnated these days, it was lucky to find someone who knew a secret from the past that no one else could know. “Angelica needed someone to watch out for her. She was busy watching out for me and Eliza.”
Lafayette smiled softly. “Then who did Eliza look out for?”
“Me,” Peggy answered without missing a beat. She looked into her lap, tears beginning to come.
“What's wrong?” The Frenchman asked, worry eating him up. He wasn't the best at emotional comfort, but he was willing to try for Peggy. They were practically siblings, right? He was Alex's brother, who used to be married to Eliza, who was the older sister of Peggy. So yeah, basically siblings. “Did I do something?”
“No,” The girl whispered. “I just miss everyone…” Lafayette nodded, he understood what she meant. Deciding he may not be the best for emotional comfort, Laf pulled Peggy into his arms. The two were still tense, but for now, they had each other, and that was enough.
------
Aaron's day just seemed to be getting worse and worse. Well, it was more his whole college experience was getting worse. Reincarnates were everywhere here, and he hated being around other reincarnates. When it came to new souls, he could just fit in, but reincarnates had instincts when it came to figuring out whether someone was new or not. If people figured out who he was, he'd be shunned for the rest of his life.
Hamilton sealed his fate as hated, too, and practically everyone knew the story Hamilton told these days.
Ever since Aaron was a kid, he knew something was off about his life. Maybe it was the way he preferred to read rather than play with other kids, maybe it was the feeling of being tired constantly, maybe it was the constant overwhelming guilt that burdened his heart. No matter what it was, something was wrong and it was painfully obvious he had the soul of a reincarnate.
When Aaron was 13, he had his revelation. It wasn't even one of those quick revelations that happens overnight. The process started in his U.S. History class (in which he was the top student), when they started talking about the battles of the revolution. Then his teacher mentioned Alexander Hamilton.
It took two days to get all of his memories back. It must've been something akin to dissociative amnesia. He'd heard cases of revelations where memories came in fragments because of traumatic times (Although, he had a cousin who was a slave in a past life, and she got all her memories at one time). He just never thought that he'd be one of those cases.
Once those two days were up, Aaron had to live with the fact that he hasn't been a good person. He'd stayed out of battles when he could've protected someone, he didn't stand up for himself, he never acted, he was a fool who only thirsted for power, he was the reason his daughter died, and worst of all, he killed someone who he thought of as a friend. It wasn't even some sort of dramatic 'You a traitor you terrible person, now you must pay!' sort of kill. It was over a stupid fight where Aaron should've and could've backed down countless times.
In every dream, every nightmare, every time Aaron closes his eyes, he sees his darling little girl drowning, his wife talking her last breath, his friends turning their backs on him, his second wife (Eliza) glaring, and Hamilton on the ground bleeding. Most of the time they whisper that it's his fault, his fault, his fault.
It's all his fault.
Back to why Aaron's day was going so terrible. He was in a political science course this semester, as he was attempting to do something of that sort again in this life. Before his lecture for today started, he was rereading the first book in one of his favorite book series: The Lunar Chronicles. He was completely engrossed in his book when a loud thump! sounded next to him.
Aaron threw his book down to find...a guy pulling something (probably a pen or pencil) out of his backpack. There was a thick notebook already on the desk in front of him, most likely the source of that thump.
"Uh...hi?" His head popped up, and he turned to Aaron. His eyes were wide, like he had been really startled. His dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail and he had a particularly… small frame. This was all relatively normal, but something about those eyes… they were familiar.
"Jeez!" The kid yelled (He looked far too young and reckless to be called a man.). "You didn't have to scare me like that!" This puzzled Aaron; What else was he supposed to do?
"What do you propose I should've done?" Aaron was genuinely curious.
The kid scoffed, and immediately turned his attention to his notebook. "I dunno, just not that." As he flipped through the pages, Aaron couldn't help but notice that every page was full, whether it be of words, or art. He didn't get a hold look at the pictures, but they were all of the same woman. Some were colored, and in those she was wearing blue or green dresses. She looked somewhat like Eliza Hamilton, but that was crazy. Finally, the kid landed on a page only halfway filled with words and continued to write.
"What's that?" Aaron asked. The kid glared up from his hunched over position.
"Who even are you?" That was a fair question, admittedly.
"Aaron." For some reason, the kid took that answer, instead of asking for more information. That struck Aaron as wrong, somehow.
The kid directed his attention back to his notebook. "Alexander." He continued writing, and Aaron would've continued trying to start a conversation, but Mr. Wilson stood up.
"Students," Immediately, Aaron felt worried. Mr. Wilson's anxious tone was uncharacteristic of the man. This wasn't Aaron's first year at this college, and he'd seen the man quite a lot in his first year. There were times where he sounded worried, but they were few. "I apologize, but I will not be able to have a full class today."
Aaron scooted forward on his chair as Alexander continued to write. In fact, our seemed like he wrote harder. Mr. Wilson continued to talk. "We will be starting a partner assignment that will be turned in next Friday. You will be writing a detailed," He put emphasis on the last word and looked pointedly at someone in the first row. "argumentative presentation on whatever issue you choose."
Mr. Wilson continued to talk, and as Aaron listened he couldn't help but think that this would be a great way to get to know Alexander, provided they agreed on whatever issue they may choose. "Again, I apologize for making you all gather here. Have a good day everyone."
Immediately, Aaron turned to Alexander. "So, provided that we already know each other, do you want to work together?" The other man glared but relented.
"Fine, gimme your phone." Aaron cautiously hand his phone over, which Alexander quick as Daveed Diggs rapping Guns and Ships entered his phone number into. "Bye." Just like that, Alexander was gone.
------
Angelica flipped through all the tabs she had opened on her computer, taking careful notes as she did so. Reincarnation had never seemed interesting to her before, but after her meeting with Eliza… she had no idea what was happening. That was why she was taking vigorous, detailed notes and doing as much research as she could. Before anything else happened in her head she had to know as much as possible.
It seemed that Angelica was experiencing a rather rare revelation. Soon something would cause her to receive all her memories, which couldn't come fast enough. Her head felt so light ever since that first day of history class, and she wanted it to be over so she could be at her peak performance.
Another headache hit Angelica, and she immediately set her head on the table. If only her phone light didn't make it worse.
As soon as the headache passed (And her roommate Jane made her drink some water) Angelica took out her phone and opened the chat she had going with a guy she met on a blog online, Alexander Wilson.
Angel:
Ugh my headaches are getting worse
fight.me:
tell them to stop
Angel:
gee thanks that'll work
fight.me:
all in a days work
fight.me:
Seriously though, do you have any idea when your revelation will be over?
Angel:
nope
fight.me:
that sucks
Angel:
At least im having my revelation
fight.me:
rude
fight.me:
We don't even know if I'm a reincarnate
Angel:
If you're not a reincarnate I'll give you twenty dollars
Angel:
you literally call Thomas Jefferson "spawn of the devil"
fight.me:
well he was
Angel:
See my point
fight.me:
Who would I even be?
Angel:
Idk maybe Alexander Hamilton
fight.me:
DON'T YOU DARE EVEN UTTER THAT POSSIBILITY
Angel:
Hamilton wasn't that bad Alex
fight.me:
Do you want to fight
Angel:
Bring it
fight.me:
wait No you could beat me up super easily
Angel:
Victory
fight.me:
I wonder who you were
Angel:
Ooo I wonder
Angel:
I bet I was alive during the revolution
fight.me:
why
Angel:
ive always been super interested in that time period and always felt kinda close to it
fight.me:
I bet you were someone like Dolley Madison or Angelica Schuyler
As soon as Angelica read what Alex wrote her head seemed to explode with pain. Sure could barely think past it. Dully, she noticed that her head was down again.
Memories of dancing in stuffy ballrooms, running around Albany with her sisters, marrying a man who just didn't challenge her the way she needed, being heartbroken after losing the man she loved… they all entered Angelica's mind at breakneck speed. She couldn't keep up with it all. Not when she saw her younger sister feel helpless for the man she loved, not when she received a letter proclaiming the freedom they had finally won from the man, and not when she saw that exact man die right before her eyes.
Before she knew it, she read on the ground, and the pain left, leaving a woman who had suffered and sacrificed for those she loved. Angelica touched her wet face, she hadn't realized she head been crying.
Somehow, Angelica opened her phone to text the one person she could think to talk to.
fight.me:
are you there
fight.me:
Hello?
fight.me:
Angel are you okay
fight.me:
You're scaring me
fight.me:
Angie?
Angel:
Alexander
fight.me:
Is everything okay, Angie?
Angel:
I am Angelica Schuyler