So, guess who’s back after a… checks notes, woah, uh. What do you mean my last Amrev post was almost two years ago? Anyway. Guess who’s back? With yet another AU idea. If you haven’t checked out the prologue for my TURN mermaid AU… what are you even doing here? No, but seriously, I’d appreciate a read and maybe a comment cause I tried really hard on these 500 little words, and I promise more will come whenever I get around to writing a good chapter 1. Maybe I’ll write a detailed post like this for that AU later. Anyway, a totally new AU.
This AU follows history relatively closely up until Arnold’s betrayal. Historically, André was captured, and their plot was heavily unraveled from there. Arnold got the heads up from Colonel Jameson (who literally should have been court martialed for his absolute stupidity) that “John Anderson” had been captured. With this notice, Arnold was able to escape to the Vulture, André’s true identity was discovered, and the plot was foiled. André was hanged, and Arnold went on to live the horribly mediocre life he so desperately fought for. I know I’ve said this before, but this plot had every chance to succeed, and honestly, it was pretty miraculous that it didn’t. So basically, this AU has their plan succeed. André makes it to New York safely, and the plan to take West Point upon Washington’s return from meeting the French goes through.
First, let’s talk about Laurens (or as the boys sometimes call him, Jack). Historically, Lafayette and Hamilton were present when Arnold’s treachery was discovered, but Laurens was a prisoner of war in Philadelphia after his capture following the Continental defeat at Charleston. He wasn’t released until November 1780, after Arnold’s betrayal, and was sent to France the following month. In my AU, Laurens stays a prisoner of war after Charleston and is still shipped to Philadelphia. However, after a brief skirmish at West Point, Washington waves the white flag. Arnold ensured West Point’s defenses were severely diminished, and the Continental Army didn’t stand a chance after such a surprise. Washington surrenders, and he, along with Hamilton, Lafayette, and the other officers, is quickly restrained and moved to York City. From there, the Continental Army’s collapse continues. Greene, Lincoln, Knox, Wayne, and the others are either captured or manage to flee. Laurens, as a POW, is also brought to York City. His captivity in Philadelphia is likely the last time he sees his father.
Next up, Lafayette (whom the boys, sans Washington, affectionately call Gilbert or Gil). He’s in between a rock and a hard place, as yes, he’s a Continental general, but he’s also a French nobleman. The British have to be very careful how they treat him, considering they want to avoid a full-scale war with France. Lafayette knows this very well, but they keep him in check using the others, who have no such protection. The French ambassadors to Great Britain attempt to negotiate for his release throughout the events of the story, though that’s kept from Lafayette. Gilbert, as a respectable POW, isn’t kept in a cell in the Tower of London as the others are, but is given limited “freedom.” He’s given plain servants’ clothing and isn’t provided a wig or even powder, but still, he’s given a room, food, and is treated well enough. He tries to be on his best behavior for the sake of Washington, Hamilton, and Laurens, but he’s a little shit sometimes (especially when face-to-face with King George).
Third is the pride(?) of Mount Vernon. Washington is in the toughest spot in terms of what to do with him. King George and the British generals would very much like to hang him, but because they’re still struggling to put down the rebellion, that’d make him a massive martyr. They can’t hang him, but they can’t free him. They can’t allow him contact with the outside world because that’d open up the possibility of an escape attempt or more uprisings overseas. (Joke’s on them, that just opens up more rumors about his treatment.) So upon Washington’s arrival in London, they’re escorted to meet the king. The British don’t recognize his position as Commander-in-Chief, or even as a general. They address him as “Mr.” or “Colonel” (which was his last given rank in the colonial militia in Virginia). Similarly, they don’t recognize Laurens’ rank, but as the son of Henry Laurens, who, outside of being President of Congress at one point, was all around one of the most powerful people in South Carolina, he’s treated with enough respect to not be hanged on American soil. Besides, he was well-known enough that he’d have made another martyr. But, back to Washington, they’re led to St. James’ Palace in what George recognizes is meant to get under his skin. The order of importance that the British recognize. Lafayette, as a recognized nobleman, is in front, and he’s forced to follow behind. Hamilton, for a reason we’ll go into later, is separated from the group. In any case, once they reach the palace, Lafayette moves aside to allow Washington to step ahead in an act of respect, allowing George to be the first to greet the king they spent the past 5 years at war with. Lafayette and Laurens follow his lead and don’t bow to the king they denounced. This just serves to infuriate an already crazy King George.
Now, their treatment. After this short, entirely unproductive conversation, Washington, Laurens, and Lafayette are separated. Washington and Laurens are both taken to Beauchamp Tower and are kept essentially on opposite ends of the tower (with Washington as high as possible). Lafayette is granted more luxury and is given a comfortable enough room in the Bloody Tower (or the Garden Tower; it’s where Robert Dudley, Princess Elizabeth, and the Princes in the Tower were all held prisoner). Washington is relatively isolated from human contact. His only actual contact is the servants who bring him food once a day. The guards outside stay silent the entire time, and Washington himself isn’t permitted to speak. He isn’t allowed a change of clothes after his uniform is initially stripped from him. The only “entertainment” he’s provided is a small window that he’s able to look out of and watch people below. He’s given a Bible for comfort and is left to his own boredom.
Laurens is a more… special case. Since their arrival in London (and more specifically, since his separation from an ill Alexander), he’s been extremely hostile to the people around him. Where Washington is allowed to roam his cell freely, Laurens tends to spend most of his time with his limbs bound. His questions about Alexander are left unanswered, and he has the roughest treatment between Lafayette, Washington, and himself. He’s left in his uniform (dirty and tattered though it may be), and I’m relatively sure his rabid ass has bitten a soldier before. (Washington: It don’t bite. George: Yes, it fuckin’ do, bitch!) He spends most of his time in the Tower littered with bruises and cuts. He’s also the one who attempts to escape the most (and fails ‘cause his plans are stupid).
Now, Lafayette. As mentioned before, he’s treated relatively well. He’s given decent meals, a good bed and quarters, and relative freedom. He’s able to traverse the Tower and outside in the Green and in the gardens freely (albeit with guards close by). He’s only prevented from visiting Laurens and Washington in Beauchamp Tower. Continuing what I said earlier, he’s given rather plain clothes for a nobleman. In fact, he’s given servants’ clothes as mentioned before, and is prevented from wearing a wig or powdering his hair. The king makes it clear that in the British court, he’s a nobody. Still, he can’t be injured (too much) or King Louis would throw a fit. Lafayette doesn’t ever resist, but he doesn’t submit either, much to King George’s constant annoyance.
Fourth up, Hamilton. Hamilton is in a very, very rough spot. After his capture at West Point, he’s meant to be hanged, as he has no standing compared to the others brought to London. In fact, I’m still on the fence about Tilghman, Harrison, and McHenry being hanged. Anyway, during their imprisonment, their poor conditions led to Hamilton falling ill. (Cue the feverish babbling about Eliza, who he doesn’t get to marry in this AU.) Laurens spends most of his time caring for him. When it’s clear that the British mean to hang Alexander, Laurens begs a defeated Washington to save him. As much as Washington would like to, there’s nothing he can do that he knows of. Laurens had known that’s what Washington would say, and he’d already come up with a plan. A lie that would spare Alexander, at least for the moment. And it works, much to their relief. Unfortunately, the next stop is London, and the ship ride does nothing to better Hamilton’s illness. Upon their arrival, he’s separated from Lafayette, Laurens, and Washington and taken directly to the Tower (via the Traitors’ Gate, of course). His conditions are infinitely worse, and his health deteriorates. The medical treatment and better quarters he eventually gets are thanks to André, who recognizes that Hamilton is a lot like him (that is, he couldn’t help his lowly birth, but used what he had to his advantage).
Now, the real last one: Benjamin. Tallmadge was present during the skirmish at West Point, and he attempted to fight to the best of his ability. He manages to escape, though he is chased by British mercenaries/militia. He changes out of his uniform for the sake of blending in, and a few days later, they catch up to him in the late evening. And, like with Gamble, Ben is shot during his escape while atop his horse, but he manages to stay on for a good while. He falls off of it sometime later and lands on his head, knocking himself unconscious. A woman finds him bleeding out. When he next wakes up, he’s in this woman’s quarters, unable to answer her questions about the circumstances that got him there, or even the simpler ones about his home and family. All he remembers is the name Benjamin, which he’s sure is his, considering it’s the only thing he recalls. The lady, whom Ben learns is named Elizabeth, nurses him back to health and, following a close call with Redcoats, aids Ben in finding answers. (Sue me, I've rewritten that absolutely terrible Sarah arc.)
It's so funny to me that Mary Shelley, her husband, John Polidori, and Lord Byron had a competition to see who could write the best horror story and she wrote fucking Frankenstein. Imagine losing a competition that badly. Imagine just doing a silly little competition with your friend and she basically invents a new genre and creates one of the most famous characters in fiction. Imagine being proud of your little story and then she shares one that people will still read every day in 200 years. Imagine doing a writing competition with your wife and she becomes so recognizable that you'll always be known as Mary Shelley's husband
Do you think that Bruce sometimes pulls the ‘my parents are dead’ card? Yes, I get that it was a traumatic and formative event for him but it would also sort of be funny, especially if he’s doing it ironically.
Some socialite telling him that he can’t bring his kids to events, asking what his mother would have said and Bruce deadpans and goes, ‘I think she would have liked to have met her grandchildren. But of course, she never did’
His med school lecturers threatening to flunk him if he doesn’t hand in his essay on blood loss, only for Bruce to say ‘it’s just a touchy subject for me’ and the lecturer blue screening because shit
Some rogue tries to kidnap Bruce at some event, holding a gun to his head, just for Bruce to look at the rogue, almost tearfully and be like ‘i always knew I would end up like my dad’ and the rogue just panics because now they are in a room with a bunch of pissed off people because they’ve almost made the Princess Diana of Gotham cry.
Clark gets mad at him over something, yelling at him and of course Bruce is just no listening so Clark just snaps, Ma Kent’s favourite phrase of ‘who raised you???’ Only to completely fucking choke, pray for the ground to swallow him up because Bruce’s expression just slips a little (inside he’s hysterically laughing). Clark comes by again with a batch of cookies.
He can't obviously use it on the kids and they can't use it on him.
I think both TURN: Washington’s Spies and Assassin’s Creed III could’ve been cut in half if these three were allowed to be the trio they were destined to be
TURN is actually such a funny show, because you’ll be introduced to two important people in the rebel army;
One is the head of intelligence, Washington’s right hand man, noble, brilliant, serious, incredible posture, impeccable blue uniform, leads armies, went to Yale, elegant,
The other is just some guy, dirt on his face 90% of the time, the baggiest pants you’ve ever seen, always smiling, literal pirate, barely has an official rank, makes money by selling illegal goods on the black market, drove a submarine bomb,
Now is the perfect time for me to bust out the College Band AU that's been invading my head for over a year. All because the sax TA looks like Benedict Arnold from TURN... I kid you not that's the origin. Is this a stretch for the prompt? Maybe but you get it anyway. Shout out to @phociian for jumping on my AU and rolling along with it.
There are a lot of characters, so I'm gonna cut down the list quite a bit for TURN characters. I also made most of them music majors because if I have to suffer music theory and aural skills, so do they.
George Washington: The Director of Bands
Everyone loves him, they show up to practice for him. His office hours usually have students in there just to chat and get some good advice. Also conducts the Wind Symphony.
Horatio Gates: The Assistant Director of Bands
The band director everyone loathes and makes them consider quitting. Usually a group of students decides to protest if they find out it's just him for a rehearsal and will get milkshakes or chug milk to get sick during rehearsal.
Lafayette: Drum Major
He was an international student his first year and decided to full on move and transfer to the United States. The Washington's usually host him. Has a ton of money, but everyone thinks he's broke because he only eats ramen.
Benjamin Tallmadge: Horn/Mellophone
Music and History Major. Absolute history nerd, but we love him for it. He's either usually in the library researching or in the music building practicing. Due to his friends he knows all the drama in the band but he wants nothing to do with it.
Caleb Brewster: Percussion (tenors)
Music Major. Caleb does gigs all over town at bars and clubs, usually with Jack Custis. He's only really in college to keep playing because he loves it. He's roommates with Ben, and their apartment basically became the designated hangout space.
Anna Strong: Color Guard (flags)
Journalism Major. Anna overhears a lot of gossip from the color guard. She's the reason why Ben knows so much. That and Abe usually causes some sort of drama that she has to drag him out again with the help of Mary.
Alexander Hamilton: Trumpet
PoliSci and Music Major. The very epitome of a trumpet personality. Along with John Laurens, they get up to far too many shenanigans. Including taking shots during a performance on stage.
Peggy Shippen: Majorette
Communications Major. Peggy has a long distance boyfriend, John Andre, at their rival school. Usually a good bit of jokes are made, but they're a very cute couple and take pictures together at the rivalry football game. The only reason she came to this university was because her father insisted on it. Though she transfers going into her Junior year.
Benedict Arnold
Saxophone TA (the thing that started it all). Arnold is really good at running the sax section through rehearsals and they're one of the best on the band. Even argued with Gates when he was crossing the line with comments towards students. And due to the music department (Congress) he left and went to the masters program at their rival university. (Still working on the flaws on this plot line)
Yes I know there are people missing, I haven't gotten to them as I have a lot on the aides and the other generals. I know not all instruments were covered, they are in my master doc. Yes, the specific details come from real life events. Thank you for reading
LISTEN UP EVERYONE. It’s fucking BATTLE TIME. Benjamin Tallmadge Nation, we must rise again! Do we tremble when we look upon our adversaries?! Do we tremble when we think about the wrath of God that may come upon us?! DO WE TREMBLE WHEN WE HEAR THE BLOODYBACKS’ MUSKETS AND GRAPESHOTS?! DO WE FLEE WHEN THEY STAB US WITH THEIR BAYONETS, WHEN THEY COME INTO OUR CHURCHES AND REMOVE OUR PEWS?! NO, NO WE DO NOT! For we are the Sons of Liberty, Sons of the Turn Sexyman, and without us, COLUMBIA WILL DIE!
I saw a post by @icarusbetide saying that they love the idea of George Washington being a gossiper and I am behind this 100%, but I would like to add for consideration him constantly shipping the people around him. Someone on his staff courting someone? He’s silently praying it works because he thinks it’s cute. If it’s someone he disapproves of, he’s all “oh honey no you can do so much better”. He’s the one subtly trying to “encourage” along certain relationships. His aides are begging him to stop. He will not yield.
He accidentally witnesses James and Sarah kissing or being otherwise lovey and he’s just
Storytime! There was once a creative genius named @firlachiel who theorized that George Washington totally told bad dad jokes. The TURN fandom agreed with her, and all prospered. One day, these jokes found their way into Ian Kahn’s hands, and @ms1776 suggested that the General himself should read some of them. The result was every bit as magical as you might imagine.
