#he has returned to Les mis letters!!!

[secretmellowblog]

It’s actually odd that modern Les Mis adaptations never really seem to take the interpretation that Jean Valjean is suffering from severe trauma/PTSD?

You would think that’d be the most obvious road for a modern adaptation to take— especially because “the lasting trauma of incarceration that continues even after a sentence ends” is still a very relevant Thing.

In the original novel, as I’ve mentioned before, reading the descriptions of Jean Valjean’s personality are often just like reading down a list of PTSD symptoms. He has flashbacks at reminders of prison, he has “panic attacks” at the idea of prison where he loses touch with reality and feels the desperate need to run/hide even when he’s not actually being pursued, he is obsessively avoidant of talking about his trauma to anyone, he deprives himself of food and warmth in fits of self-harm, he isolates himself from other people, he throws himself into dangerous situations with little regard for his own life, and so on and so on.

But it feels like adaptations either take the interpretation of “Jean Valjean is a saint” (the musical/2012 film) or they swerve in the other direction of “Jean Valjean is a violent Criminal(tm) who constantly flies into dangerous rages” (bbc Les mis, Les mis 1998.)

While I obviously prefer the musical and think it’s closer to the spirit of the book…. I’m so confused that people who try to write a “gritty/realistic” Jean Valjean are just like “he’s a criminal so he must be Violent, the way criminals are.”

Because again, book Jean Valjean is a deeply flawed character! He’s full of repressed anger/trauma, and makes kind selfless sacrifices but also horrible self-destructive decisions. He’s excessively conciliatory and conflict-avoidant and self-effacing. His relationship with Cosette is complicated and fraught, even though it’s kind and loving. I think if you had any investment in portraying “the lasting trauma of incarceration on the people who suffer through it,” it really wouldn’t be that hard to make Jean Valjean’s characterization very immediately relevant to a modern audience.

#Les mis #he has returned to Les mis letters!!! #YAY #but at what cost #at what cost 😔 #unbearably sad beast

[luceracastro]

RUMORES

(Enzo Vogrincic x Reader)

Summary: Rumors circulate both Enzo and famous singer Aitana, you who is his costar, friend, and also the girl who has the hugest crush on him doesn't take too kindly to the rumors and distances yourself from him and he is beyond clueless as to why his favorite girl doesn't speak to him anymore.

Warnings: Some angst and fluff, little makeout sesh, jealousy on reader's part and Enzo's, slight Blas x reader, no hate towards the beautiful Aitana in this nor to Male (Matia's girlfriend) it's a Spanglish fic!

you must have thought your phone was practically playing tricks on you but it wasn't, there it was in bold letters "¿aitana y enzo?" the huge bold letters and a whole passionate article on the topic were enough to ruin your day.

"Que pasa contigo nena?" Male had asked as she sat down beside you, she and Mati were kind enough to let you stay at their place for a while since you lived in Spain but just found your apartment too saddening and empty especially after filming and being in a full hotel for months and always being around people.

"Nada, la verdad" you smiled with a small look in your eye that she knew way too well "Que pasa?" she asked once more and you flipped your phone down on her leg, she put her cup down to look through it and her eyes widened "Aye linda, por esto estas triste?" her small smile made you frown "Enzo no es nada amor mio, obvio le tengo cariño pero mami tu mereces mejor créeme," she said with a small smile

you chuckled a little and shook your head "Ven vamos por algo de comer," she pulled you up trying to wipe the small frown off your face and it worked, between her and Mati making you laugh and the food set on the table you found yourself laughing and having fun.

however, what you didn't expect was for there to be a knock on the door and for Enzo to walk in like nothing was wrong, and in reality, nothing was wrong because he was clueless about the whole situation "Hola hermosa," he bent down a small hug which you returned uninterested and he furrowed his brows slightly confused but nonetheless thought nothing of it

him and Mati went into the kitchen and he nodded his head towards the table where you and Male spoke "Que pasa con la nena?" Enzo asked as Mati turned to look at you and he did notice your off attitude but he also was a nosy one who listened to you and Male's conversation and he knew all too well why "Piensa por un Minuto Enzo," he said and Enzo tried to think but to no avail "Dime," he pleaded and Mati laughed

"Que?" Enzo asked and Mati shook his head "Nada, Nada vamos," after that Enzo noticed when he asked you something you answered with short uninterested answers, and when he was talking you were fixed on your phone and it was kinda bothering him, he hated being ignored and by you, it's like a kick to the gut. "Oye casi haces que Enzo llora," Mati said with a small smile as he sat beside you and you shrugged "Pues que vaya con la tal Aitana," you said a small snarky remark which you instantly regretted, the poor girl was sweet like sugar and Enzo didn't even know you liked him

"¿Ahora te das cuenta de lo mal que suenas?" Mati asked "Si, Si ya lo se," you shook your head sighing, "Entonces porque no le dices a Enzo lo que sientes," Mati asked and you laughed a bit too loud "No no, eso seria muy vergonzoso," you shook your head and he sighed "Eres una pelotuda la verdad nena, si no te mueves asi" he snapped his fingers "A lo mejor la Aitana te lo gana" he said a small smirk on his lips making you smack his arm as he laughed "Callate Boludo," you however couldn't help but smile at Mati

"Oye vamos por unas cervesas?, esta preguntando el Pipe," Mati asked with phone in hand and you nodded a small smile on your lips "Pero una cosa linda, Enzo va estar eh," he warned and you rolled you eyes "Sólo porque él esté ahí no significa que no quiera estar con mis amigos" you said and he nodded "Bueno, perdon," he left the doorway of the borrowed room he was allowing you to stay in and you got up getting ready for the night

"Lista, aye nena que linda," Male looked at you a smile on her lips as she reached her hand out for yours "Tu mas, bueno vamos vamos," you both laughed the whole way there Mati following close and as soon as you enter the restaurant/bar you are met with the boys and even Enzo which of course you understood he was obviously going to be there but it would be ten times harder to ignore him now

hugs went all around but reaching Enzo all you did was smile a small hello escaping your lips but he didn't let it slide "Y mi abrazo?" he asked a small smirk displayed on his lips, you gave him a quick side hug but everyone noticed the sort of small tension and you moved to sit beside Blas, "Hola bonita," he rested his arm behind the top of your chair "Hola, que ordenaste tu de tomar?' you asked looking through the small menu of many drinks

Enzo however watched from afar, you and Blas were friends but you always sat beside him what was different now? he subtly rolled his eyes drinking his beer and looking anywhere else while sometimes catching glimpses of you touching Blas's curls or just laughing and joking around with him in general until he was full on staring at you both and even growing an attitude with the others.

"Y tu que?" Fran asked looking at Enzo "Se ve que te vas a tragar al Blas vivo," Juani said a small giggle escaping his lips already slightly tipsy "Nada, Nada para que me molestaria que le habla a T/n?" he said taking another long swig of beer and Fran smiled "Nunca dijimos que eso era la razon," and Enzo looked at Fran "Voy al baño" Enzo got up and left the table "Oye linda, habla con Enzito porque esta amargando la noche con su actitud" Pipe said in your ear his breath smelling like beer and tequila "Yo por que?" you asked with a bit of attitude in your voice and a shrug of your shoulders "porque obviamente está enojado porque le estás dando más atención a Blas que a él" Pipe said as you furrowed your brows "Estas loco," you said shaking your head

"Nena andale, quiero disfrutar no cuidar de un enojon y unos borrachos," Male said with a small frown and you sighed hands on the table trying to balance yourself "Bueno Bueno ya voy," you groaned and left the table but not before apologizing to Blas and walking around looking for Enzo, you checked outside the bathrooms and around the restaurant "Perdon has visto un chico alto, pelo negro y con ojos cafes, tambien tiene el pelo medio largito?" you asked a waiter who shook his head "perdon" he said and you sighed looking around and asking but yet no one had seen him

your last resorts were to go and look outside in both front and back but you were closer to the back so you exited through the back door looking around and he was there more farther down the side of the backdoor smoking a cigarette "Oye, que te pasa?" you asked arms crossed since the harsh wind hit you and he looked down at you his face blank but you could tell something was bothering him "nada, Vuelve adentro, hace mucho frío" he said as he turned to look away and blew out a puff of smoke and you put all your weight on one foot rolling your eyes "Vamos, todos estan preguntado por ti," he chuckled bitterly "Vuelve adrento con Blas querida, los dos sabemos que eso prefieres aser," he said and you furrowed your brows a hurt look on your face

"Eres una mierda sabes," he turned to see the tears rimming your eyes and he sighed his eyes closing for a moment and the regret was written all over his face "perdon, perdon," but you shook your head "Y no prefieres estar con la Aitana? o sea eso dicen por ahi" you shot back and he shook his head "Tu crees eso? nomas tuvimos un vuelo y una noche con amigos y conocidos juntos, eso era todo no somos nada," he said but you shook your head "Oh pero yo estoy pasandola bien con un amigo y eso significa que quiero con el no seas pendejo Enzo" you yourself laughed bitterly and he sighed grabbing you

"No soy un pendejo, que quieres que yo piensa cuando le haces esos sonrisas, caricias, y juegas con su pelo eh?" he said he was in your face and you both were only inches apart "Eso no significa nada, yo te hice esos cosas tambien" you shrugged "Si eso es lo que me molesta, Solo hacias esas cosas a mi, no a Fran, Mati, Juani, Pipe, ni a Esteban, nomas a mi!" you looked at him like he was crazy but then again it sunk in your brain that he was jealous, Enzo was jealous, you both looked into each others eyes, then his eyes flickered to your lips but you beat him to it as you pulled his face in for a kiss

you both pulled away after a moment and you both looked at each other before he pulled you in once more, bodies pressed together as you both kissed the other with force and need but it didn't last long "Enzo! T/n! Enzo! T/n!" Juani's voice was heard and you both pulled away quickly and Enzo groaned a face of annoyance "Que!" he yelled out "Donde estan?" Juani asked and you grabbed Enzo's hand pulling him with you "Lo encontre, nos distraimos hablando perdon" you laughed nervously but noticed Juani's red eyes which were also watery "Que paso querido?" you asked and he sighed "Pensé que los perdi, y no quiero perder los" he was drunk and it was evident with his slurred words and the scent of beer radiating off of him

Enzo stifled a laugh as you smacked his arm and wrapped your arm around Juani "No ya, ya no llores, aqui estamos amor ya," he dug his face into the crook of your neck as you smiled and you three entered the bar, Enzo watching you both from the back.

at the end of the night you all made it to a food truck that had the best food (According to Fran) and you all ordered your food and ate little by little but you and Enzo took some stolen glances at one another, "¿Tengo que dar un paseo, Enzo?" he knew that was your way of asking him to come along and he stood up walking closer to you, everyone looked either relieved or gave you teasing smiles before returning to their meal

you two at first walked in pure silence, "Debemos de hablar, de el beso" Enzo said and you turned your head to look at him "No te gusto?" you asked with no emotion yet he caught the almost not visible smile on your face "al contrario, me encanto pero quiero saber que significa eso?" he asked his hands dug into the pockets of his jacket and you stopped in your tracks turning to face him "Significa que me gustas Enzo," you told him straight up and he looked down at you "Me gustas y hasta puedo decir que estoy enamorada de ti pero entiendo si no sientes lo miso" you said and he chuckled "Boluda estuve enamorado de ti desde que te conoci" he told you giving you a kiss on your forehead pulling you in for a hug as you sighed his chin resting on the top of your head and his arms around you engulfing you entirely "Y porque no me dijiste nada?" you asked and he smiled "Porque cuando te conoci pense que eras muy chica para mi, una niña," he said "Enzo tenia 21 años," you told him

"Y yo los 27" he said and you giggled "Eso no es mucho" you smiled up at him "Bueno, si no te da molestia que voy estar usando un baston antes que ti, quieres ser mi novia?" he asked and you froze "En serio?" you asked and he nodded and you grinned "Me encantaria," and the walk was ended, coming back hand in hand Fran smiled "Salieron de malas y regresan de novios, quien los entienden" Fran laughed as did the others

"Aye callate estupido" you smiled sitting down "Tu boluda" that was the end of the night, all of you enjoying a night out and you going back to Enzo's at the end ;)

#enzo vogrincic #enzo vogrincic x reader #enzo vogrincic fanfic #matias recalt #francisco romero #lsdln cast #fanfic

[pureanonofficial]

LES MIS LETTERS IN ADAPTATION - Enjolras and his Lieutenants, LM 4.1.6 (Les Miserables 1972)

“Be serious,” said Enjolras. “I am wild,” replied Grantaire. Enjolras meditated for a few moments, and made the gesture of a man who has taken a resolution. “Grantaire,” he said gravely, “I consent to try you. You shall go to the Barrière du Maine.” Grantaire lived in furnished lodgings very near the Café Musain. He went out, and five minutes later he returned. He had gone home to put on a Robespierre waistcoat. “Red,” said he as he entered, and he looked intently at Enjolras. Then, with the palm of his energetic hand, he laid the two scarlet points of the waistcoat across his breast.

#Les Mis #Les Mis Letters #Les Miserables #Les Mis Letters in Adaptation #Les Mis 1972 #Les Miserables 1972 #Enjoltaire #Grantaire #Enjolras #lesmisedit #lesmiserablesedit #pureanonedits #LM 4.1.6 #I kinda love this Grantaire!!! #lesmiserables1972edit

[pilferingapples]

Since you've read most of Victor Hugo's books, how would you rank them from best to worst, and why? I really want to know your thoughts. Always love to hear it <3

!!! THANK YOU THIS IS SO SWEET and also so hard but here we go!

Les Miserables yes it's my favorite but I also do think it's the best! The most ambitious of his works story-structure and character/theme density and frankly? He absolutely lands it. I have been arguing with and about this book for over a decade now and I expect I will be doing so for the rest of my life, because it's worth it. I probably don't have to argue hard for it in top spot on the Les Miserables Webbed Site, though, so moving on:

Ninety Three /Quatre-vingt treize Not my second favorite but honestly probably just as good as LM but in a different way? Much more compact and focused, and feels every bit of the influence of more recent political events in France at the time, but just as ambitious in terms of the arguments and themes it's trying to cover. The ending is something you can have eighty feelings about in an afternoon but it is always unforgettable. Deserves to be so much better known. Toilers of the Sea /Les Travailleurs de la mer  My actual second favorite Hugo novel! A big Romanticist nature-focused love letter to the Channel Islands and to the sea! A mix of delightfully unreliable Nature Facts and Hugo's own observations about the place, that Nature-focus is always convincing either way with Hugo's descriptions. It's so very different from most of Hugo's later novels, but also *so* good, if you're willing to just sit back and enjoy the view . Gilliatt is a Forever Fave. Please more people read Toilers, it's a delight. And it has an Octopus Fight! The Man Who Laughs /L'homme qui rit Victor Hugo's Revenge on English History! I could feel my knowledge of actual English History Facts peeling away as I read this. Incredibly described scenes, iconic central characters, Ursus is one of the best-written characters of all time (though I have learned that some people have apparently never met a guy like this?? he is such a Type though!) . There's a wolf and the wolf is named Homo. After Les Mis, some old Hugo fans were lamenting about how far he'd strayed since the days of Notre Dame , and I think The Man Who Laughs feels a lot like a return to that old , over-the-top Goth style of Hugo's,but stronger, in keeping with the way his writing had grown over time-- until the end, when everything kind of feels like it wraps up too abruptly. Which makes sense! Hugo was finishing it up while his wife Adéle was in her final illness, and it makes sense that it would show--but I think it does show, and keeps the novel from being quite all it could be. Notre Dame de Paris I know it's either Hugo's most famous or second-most famous novel, but I really do think it's not as solid as the others! Which isn't a roast on him, it's a good thing for an author to get better over time--but it still leaves this novel feeling kinda messy. I can see Hugo trying to do his signature move of pulling together multiple separate plot/themes into a triumphant grand finale, but he hasn't quite got the knack yet. Plus there's still a lot of elements here that feel like Hugo relying on tropes a bit (and horrible tropes at that, too) instead of entirely speaking with his own voice quite yet. (also ohman. the Issues. but I'm trying to keep this post from being nine million screens long) All of the above range from "absolute masterpiece" to "not an entire masterpiece but still iconic", and then there's Hugo's Early Stuff, so: Bug Jargal - honestly it's not fair of me to even include this, it was a novel he wrote as a very young person, on a time-dare. If I'd written a Nano novel in high school it would have been SO bad. And this is bad! It's SO bad!! But you can still definitely tell it's Hugo by the way he makes sure to tell us, AFTER the story is over, that EVERYONE IN THE WHOLE BOOK DIED, EVERYONE, EVEN THE PETS. Stunning. Peak Romanticism XD (again though. THE ISSUES. whooof.)

Han d'Islande: Í have not even read this one. HUGO was down on this one later in life. I Dare Not XD (I probably will someday). But it has a polar bear and drinking seawater from skulls and inspired some very questionable behavior from the fans (attempting to drink seawater from skulls!) so I gotta acknowledge it!

Honorable Mention: the novelas

Not quite in the same group as the novels, but I think both Last Day of a Condemned Man and Claude Geaux are excellent, super-focused stories about the injustice of the prison system and the issue of capital punishment. Obviously they can't have the range of his novels, but that's not the point--they are much more direct statements on a single issue and they're really intense and effective in that!

This was fun! thank you for asking! And I'd love to hear your own thoughts on this , if you ever feel like writing them up:D

#Answereds #Novel ranking #thank you!!

[vapaus-ystavyys-tasaarvo]

My Les Mis Letters annotations for 1.1.11! (I really hope next chapter won’t have this many... orz)

“a philosophical bishop,” or a “patriotic curé.”

I'm not sure about the philosophical here, but "patriotic" is often used in a revolutionary context in this era. The idea being to be loyal to your country rather than a king I guess? Or that's how I always understood it. I assume “philosophical“ has as similar connotation in context.

"baron of the Empire"

After declaring himself emperor, Napoleon started building up his own class of nobility, so you see these noble titles being granted. (Especially for military service but for other kinds of service to the Empire as well, as we see here with Myriel.)

As far as I understand, these titles came with land and certain ceremonial rights, but not the kinds of privileges that the old nobility had. No tax exemptions or anything.

Hugo doesn't talk about Myriel's reaction to the title here, but obviously royalists in general were not super into this concept, as we’ll see later.

The arrest of the Pope took place, as every one knows, on the night of the 5th to the 6th of July, 1809

All this stuff about the arrest of the pope and the synod and Cardinal Fesch.... I’m apparently not “every one” because don't know anything about it.

"I am only a poor peasant bishop.”

I hope it's become pretty evident by now that bishops, even “peasant bishops”, were not poor lol

Myriel is a very special case and even he is so purely voluntarily.

"it seems that he would have been found to be an ultramontane rather than a gallican"

Straight from Wikipedia: Ultramontanism is a clerical political conception within the Catholic Church that places strong emphasis on the prerogatives and powers of the Pope. It contrasts with Gallicanism, the belief that popular civil authority—often represented by the monarch's or state's authority—over the Church is comparable to that of the Pope.

“The ideas of the century” might also be used with a more general meaning here, though? Encompassing all the various new ideologies that arose from the French Revolution? But idk.

"on his return from the island of Elba"

Elba is an island in the Mediterranean off the coast of Italy where Napoleon was originally exiled after his defeat in 1814. He escaped in February 1815 and returned to France on 1 March (another date Hugo likes to reference). He did indeed pass through Digne on his way back to Paris! And it is also true that in Province he wasn't quite so warmly received as elsewhere along his route (Province being very royalist in general.)

"a person whom one is desirous of allowing to escape"

This tension between Myriel and his general brother is a rather mild example of how politics could divide families in this era, something Hugo himself was very familiar with. We will see other examples later.

The French army was still harbouring a lot of sympathies for Napoleon. The troops sent to capture him ended up joining him instead, or I guess "pursuing" him in the aforementioned style. Louis XVIII gave up without a fight and fled before Napoleon made it to Paris, choosing to wait for an opportune moment to return. (Which he got about three months later.)

"as much of a Bonapartist as the eagle"

Eagle was one of Napoleon's imperial symbols, chosen as a reference to Roman legions. (The other one was bees. No, I'm not kidding.)

Bees.

“I will die,” he said, “rather than wear the three frogs upon my heart!”

Louis XVIII replaced the imperial eagle on the Cross of the Legion of Honour with three fleurs de lys. I guess this guy thought they looked like frogs? I don’t see it but okay

"the good and weakly flock who adored their emperor"

Napoleon really was wildly popular among the regular people of France. He was a very charismatic leader who had given them reasons to be proud to be French. I think that's mostly what it was? And for many people he still represented a kind of continuation of the Revolution that had enabled his rise to power, despite being another monarch.

Although I guess his legal code was pretty much just the legal code that had been in the works and mostly finished before he even came to power, with some changes from him (mostly bad changes from what I’ve heard tbh), so in a way he was, sort of, continuing at least something that the revolution had started. And although the Napoleonic Code, as it ended up getting called, was deeply flawed in many ways, it did codify the abolishment of the feudal system and its privileges.

I don’t know if it’s even that deep, though, people just thought he was cool and that he would bring glory to France. In any case his popularity lasted for a long time. Its ripple effects were enough to affect the course of history even decades after his death.

#les mis letters #les mis letters annotations #corrections and additions welcome as usual

[pandaemoniumpancakes]

[...] a knight errant deserves neither glory nor thanks if he goes mad for a reason. The great achievement is to lose one’s reason for no reason, and to let my lady know that if I can do this without cause, what should I not do if there were cause? Moreover, I have more than enough reason because of my long absence from her who is forever my lady, Dulcinea of Toboso; as you heard the shepherd Ambrosio say, all ills are suffered and feared by one who is absent. And so, friend Sancho, do not waste time advising me to abandon so rare, so felicitous, so extraordinary an imitation. Mad I am and mad I shall remain until you return with the reply to a letter which I intend to send with you to my lady Dulcinea; if it is such as my fidelity warrants, my madness and my penance will come to an end; if it is not, I shall truly go mad and not feel anything.

Miguel de Cervantes, from Volume I:25 in Don Quixote, trans. Edith Grossman.

   “el toque está desatinar sin ocasión y dar a entender a mi dama que si en seco hago esto, ¿qué hiciera en mojado?”

   “loco soy, loco he de ser”

   “[...] que volverse loco un caballero andante con causa, ni grado ni gracias: el toque está desatinar sin ocasión y dar a entender a mi dama que si en seco hago esto, ¿qué hiciera en mojado? Cuanto más, que harta ocasión tengo en la larga ausencia que he hecho de la siempre señora mía Dulcinea del Toboso; que, como ya oíste decir a aquel pastor de marras, Ambrosio: quien está ausente todos los males tiene y teme. Así que, Sancho amigo, no gastes tiempo en aconsejarme que deje tan rara, tan felice y tan no vista imitación. Loco soy, loco he de ser hasta tanto que tú vuelvas con la respuesta de una carta que contigo pienso enviar a mi señora Dulcinea; y si fuere tal cual a mi fe se le debe, acabarse ha mi sandez y mi penitencia; y si fuere al contrario, seré loco de veras, y, siéndolo, no sentiré nada.”

#cervantes #don quixote

[twinsforfashion]

Happy Birthday Júlia

Hace más de diez años que digo, con la cabeza bien alta, con el pecho hinchado y con la boca llena de gratitud, que Júlia es de mis mejores amigas. Ya hacía otros tantos años que sabía quién era, la veía por los pasillos del instituto y la veía porque me fijaba en ella. Mírala ella, qué segura, qué atrevida, qué única. Lejos de que esa confianza que proyectaba me generara rechazo, me generó admiración (nunca he sido de sentir rechazo por seres así, envidia sí, por supuesto, pero no rechazo). Júlia se acercó a mí en un momento de mi vida en el que mi confianza tenía una orden de busca y captura, se había fugado sin dejar ni una notita de despedida. Quizá se había ido para regresar a través de ella, de sus tremendos ojos que puede que a veces los tenga medio cerrados pero siempre te atraviesan. Hoy es su cumple. Sé que el último año ha sido un año raro, lo diremos así, en una palabra de cuatro letras porque no es ni el momento ni el lugar para diseccionar estos 365 días. Repito, ha sido un año raro. Por eso, ojalá poder regalarle, esta vez, mis ojos. Para que pueda contemplarse con menos severidad y más mimo. Para que pueda observarse como yo lo hago, con todavía más admiración que la que sentía mi yo adolescente. Yo la veo y veo esa cara que habla a borbotones, ese carácter invencible capaz de, os juro, cualquier cosa (me acabo de dar cuenta de que tal vez por eso le gustan los superhéroes), esos trozos de tela que los mortales llamamos ropa y ella eleva a piezas de arte, ese estilo genuino que aporta a todo lo que toca, esa sabiduría infinita ¿qué? vale, ya sé que su cerebro cruza números y letras, pero también recopila información, datos, reflexiones y argumentos para dejarte sin reservas de saliva en cualquier conversación (y escribo con conocimiento de causa). Y qué me decís de su generosidad extrema y de su empatía telemática. Voy a dejar la enumeración solo porque soy de la opinión que un mensaje, a menudo, cala más si es corto y ya llego tarde para eso, como siempre. Felicitadla. Es la mejor.

*

For more than ten years I have been saying, with my head held high, with my chest swollen and with my mouth full of gratitude, that Júlia is one of my best friends. I had known who she was for so many years, I saw her in the hallways at school and I saw her because I noticed her. "Look at her, how confident, how daring, how unique" Far from the confidence that she projected generating rejection in me, it generated admiration in me (I have never been one to feel rejection by beings like that, envy yes, of course, but not rejection). Júlia approached me at a time in my life when my trust had a search and arrest warrant, she had escaped without leaving even a farewell note. Maybe he had left to return through her, through her tremendous eyes that may sometimes be half closed but always pierce you. Today is her birthday. I know that the last year has been a weird year, we will put it that way, in a five-letter word because it is neither the time nor the place to dissect these 365 days. I repeat, it has been a weird year. Therefore, I hope I can give her, this time, my eyes. So that she can contemplate herself with less severity and more care. So that she can observe herself as I do, with even more admiration than my teenage self felt. I see her and I see that face that speaks in spurts, that invincible character capable of, I swear, anything (I just realized that maybe that's why she likes superheroes), those pieces of fabric that we mortals call clothes. and she elevates to pieces of art, that genuine style that she brings to everything she touches, that infinite wisdom, what? Ok, I know that her brain crosses numbers and letters, but it also collects information, data, reflections and arguments to leave you without reserves of saliva in any conversation (and I write knowingly). And what can you tell me about her extreme generosity and her telematic empathy. I am going to leave the list alone because I am of the opinion that a message often has more impact if it is short and I am already late for that, as always. Wish her a happy birthday. She's the best.

Text by Amalia

+ Shoot by Júlia.

#fashion #beauty #style #make up #hair #love #looks #fashion blogger #street style #fashion blog #happy birthday #birthday #look #outfit #self portrait #portrait

[simba-bonfamille-lyons]

soooo -- i was going to post this playlist when i closed simba, and have been sitting on it for like many many months, adding to it slowly and curating it. but, i realized, it actually fits the task. at least, i think so, because this playlist is my little love letter to swynlake. or, simba's swynlake--which has been a character in his story from the very beginning. she has been, at times, a cruel mistress, but also a guiding light for simba, something for him to orient his compass to.

though, it is a character in all our stories. we all very much love this little magical town. so, this is dedicated to everyone and to swynlake, the arguably, most important character in the RP.

see below for analysis on all the songs bc i have meditated deeply on all of them.

Here I Am - Bryan Adams

Here I am, this is me / I come into this world so wild and free / Here I am, so young and strong / Right here in the place where I belong

Felt right to start this with Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, which is a movie all about home. Protecting it, caring for it, etc. It is a meditation on colonization, environmental conservation, nature, exploitation, and rebellion. Which feels very fitting, as those are the stories many of us take on in the undertones of our characters. And something that Swynlake deals with on a semi-regular basis. Especially since this is Swynlake from Simba's perspective, it also speaks to having been born right here in Swynlake, which is not a thing many people can claim. <3

Gold - The Lone Bellow

It's in my blood, it's in the water / It's calling me still / I could leave, I know I oughta / But there's gold in them hills

There is so many songs about small towns: loving small towns, hating small towns, wanting to leave small towns, returning to small towns...I can think of like five right off the top of my head. (Fast Car, anyone?) But I love this song because it talks about the tug-of-war that one feels to their hometown. Which is something Simba feels. He knows he'll always settle in Swynlake, but he wants to have a life outside of it. The line that really sold me on this song is in the title--so it's kind of the whole concept of the song: "there's gold in them hills." Maybe this is just a simple small town to some, but to others, it is so, so special and it calls to you. <3

BIGGER - Beyonce

Forgiveness is key because we're fightin' something way bigger / You'll never lose, we are winners / I'll be the roots, you be the tree / Pass on the fruit that was given to me / Legacy, ah, we're part of something way bigger

It also felt very appropriate to include a song from Beyonce's Lion King concept album. (Which is nothing but straight bangers and you should listen to it.) But, since Simba's story (and the Lion King) is heavily tied up in Swynlake, I thought this would be a good song to include. Since it is all about legacies and being bigger than yourself. Which is something all of our characters are in Swynlake. Everyone is the main character! Swynlake helps them shine. <3

An Act of Kindness - Bastille

Kindness / Is what you showed to me / It holds me 'till I ache / Overflow and start to break / Oh I, got a feeling this will shake me down / Oh, I'm kind of hoping this will turn me round / And now it follows me every day

This is moving in to phase two of the playlist, which is how Swynlake treats its residents. This song, of course, is about all the little acts of kindness that can turn things around for someone. Very Jean Valjean in the beginning of Les Mis vibes. Lots of people come to Swynlake seeking some sort of salvation or shelter and they are met with the (mostly) wonderful citizens of Swynlake who become their friends and family and help them grow. <3

Heaven Go Easy on Me - The Head and the Heart

It's damn good to have met you / I hope that you stay / We're well on our way

I think this one says very similar things to the last song. It is about going through life and the people you meet, and the things that life throws at you. (In this metaphor, Swynlake is heaven, and you are asking her to go easy on you lmao.)

Pay No Rent - Delta Rae

When my time comes, think of the living / Be good to your neighbor, and ask for forgiveness / I won't be there to share in the struggle / Can't get much deeper with axes and shovels / And if I don't see ya, know that I loved ya / I won't pay no rent / For the land that I'm under / I won't feel any pain / I won't know any hunger

This song is one of those ones that I feel deep down in my soul and it just makes me want to WEEP. It is about dying, of course, but also the things you leave behind and how peaceful things are. The first time I heard it, it also reminded me of this Arabic proverb that I love: "Come live in my heart and pay no rent." Which, even though Delta Rae is a Christian band...I wonder if there is a similar saying/they got inspiration from it anyway. IDK -- I just love this idea of Swynlake taking care of you, even after you've passed on...

Watch Over Us - The Lone Bellow

I don't need no crown / I don't need no glory / You've had your life / But that ain't my story / Sometimes I'm up / Sometimes I'm down / Sometimes I'm almost / Leveled to the ground / But my baby's sleeping / Sleeping in peace / So watch over us

...Which leads perfectly into my next song. I have always loved this song because it has a very...ancestor vibe. (Even though The Lone Bellow is also a Christian band. (Listen, sometimes the Christian folk music just be hitting and I like to appropriate it.) It is a little bit of a sadder song (the back half definitely are more sad because I am thinking about Simba leaving this place that he loves so much...)

Take Off Your Shoes - Delta Rae

Did you ever wonder / What's underneath / Ghosts in every floorboard / That'll touch your feet / When we lose the past / The future's nothing new / When you come to my house / Take off your shoes

This song is actually the first one that I put on the playlist, because it just immediately said "Swynlake" to me when it first came out. (Yeah, I originally added it in Dec of 2022, I told you, I've had this playlist for a long ass time. It's been making me weep all this time.) Anyway, I wanted to add a song that was kind of ooky-spooky, because a playlist about Swynlake wouldn't be complete without a little bit of foreboding, because as loving as Swynlake is, we all know she is also a cruel mistress.

Like a River Runs - Bleachers

When I fall asleep I can see your face / What I lost in you I will not replace / And I could run away, I could let them down / But I will remember your light

This is another one of those kind of more ooky-spooky Swynlake songs. Or, at least, that's how it feels to me. I think this song speaks to the amount of tragic backstories ™️that are in Swynlake. Everyone who is haunted ~~ by their pasts but comes to Swynlake to finally outrun those ghosts. <3

Laughter Lines - Bastille

I'll see you in the future when we're older / And we are full of stories to be told. / Cross my heart and hope to die, / I'll see you with your laughter lines.

I think this song is in nice conversation with the last song. It is also the song I thought about deleting several times, because I feel like it is the most "predictable" to be on this list. BUT -- I just couldn't because it feels overdone and predictable for a reason. This song makes me want to stab myself in the heart!!!! This is the beginning of the end "act" of the playlist: which is Simba talking about how Swynlake will always be where he comes back to. He is leaving, yes, but not forever. <3

Home - Dotan

The sound of the wind is whispering in your head / Can you feel it coming back? / Through the warmth, through the cold, keep running till we're there / We're coming home now, we're coming home now

Another song that kind of borders onto "ooky-spooky" vibes. It is almost haunting in its chorus. It is another song, of course, of returning home. Back to the place that you have left but which is still tangled up inside of you and you can't let it go.

Everywhere, Everything - Noah Kahan, Gracie Abrams

Drive slowly, I know every route in this county / Maybe that ain't such a bad thing / I'll tell you where not to speed / It's been a long year and all of our book's pages dog-eared / We write out the ends on our palms, dear / Then forget to read

We didn't know that the sun was collapsing / 'Til the seas rose and the buildings came crashing / We cried, "Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh" /Everywhere, everything / I wanna love you 'til we're food for the worms to eat / 'Til our fingers decompose / Keep my hand in yours

The first time I heard this song, it made me cry. Maybe I was feeling particularly homesick that day but again: this song speaks to that young person in you who has a place that you spent most of your childhood. Where you know all the streets and all the haunts. And now that you're older, you appreciate that place for what it made of you and you want to show it to the people you love. <3

I Will Always Return - Bryan Adams

I've seen every sunset / And with all that I've learned / It's to you I will always, always return...

And I'm a crying disaster. Thank you for coming to my Ted talk.

#music #swynlake #inspiration #swyntask #writing this made me cry #listening to this playlist makes me cry #only one more week with simba #and i want to throw up #Spotify

[fremedon]

3 and 4 sound interesting. A Heap of Dreams and Wolf Interval. :o what happens in those?

A Heap of Dreams is a comic script and extremely rough storyboard I started posting a while back for a Sandman / Les Mis crossover! The master post of the pages I’ve done so far is here. I have quite a bit more planned--here’s a bit from later on, with Death:

“You see that girl?” [Eponine has returned to the barricade. She still has the letter.] “Two years ago, she looked into the Seine and realized she didn’t have to jump—that her body would come to the same slab in the morgue no matter what. Ever since then, she’s been able to make people go where she tells them. She remembers the water, and remembers she has nothing to fear.”

“That man there?” [Javert, methodically working on the small barricade, looks over his shoulder] “He broke a geas, nine years ago—took a life that mortal law had no claim on.” [Single panel, Fantine in her deathbed, horror-stricken.] “Until the Ladies come for him, he’s none of my business—and they’re taking their time. Aren’t you?”

[We see Gibelotte, Matelote, and Mme. Houcheloup, in the doorway of the Corinthe, in the silhouette of the Three: “We’re not killers.” “Tear themselves apart, that’s what men do.” “And who cleans up afterward, eh?]

#asked and answered #vintage meme #WIPs #ahod

[bookofjin]

Rise of Sixteen States: 308

Wang Mi goes on a trip.

8 February 308 – 27 January 309

(Jin's 2nd Year of Yongjia)

(Han's 1st Year of Yongfeng)

(Cheng's 3rd Year of Yanping)

(Liu Yuan & Wang Mi)

1st Year of Yongfeng [308 AD] Spring, 1st Month [8 February – 8 March], the King of Han, Yuan, dispatched the General who Consoles the Army, Cong, and others, ten generals, to go south and occupy Taihang, and the General who Assists the Han, Shi Le, and others, ten generals, to go down east into Zhao and Wei.

Wang Mi withdrew to assemble the absconded and dispersed. The multitudes were again greatly excited. Gou Xi joned with them in battle, but was not able to overcome. Mi advanced the troops to rob Taishan, Lu state, Qiao, Liang, Chen, Runan, Yingchuan, Xiangcheng etc. commanderies

Summer, 4th Month, dinghai [19 May], he entered Xuchang, opened the offices and armouries, and took the instruments and canes.

At places that were lost and gone, he very much killed the wardens and prefects, and had a multitude of several ten thousand. The Imperial Court was not able to exercise authority. The various commandery wardens wanted all to run away and leave.The Grand Tutor, [the King of Donghai,] Yue, dispatched his Marshal, Wang Bin, to lead 5 000 armoured soldiers to enter and guard the Imperial City.

5th Month [5 June – 4 July], Mi entered from Huanyuan, and defeated the Public Army at Yibei [or “north of the Yi”].

The Imperial District greatly shook. The palace and city gates were shut in daylight. The Minister over the Masses, Wang Yan, and others led the hundred officials to resist and defend.

On renxu [23 June], Mi arrived at Luoyang, he stayed at the Jinyang Gate. A decree used Wang Yan [as] Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs of Conquering and Chastising.

On jiazi [25 June], Yan, together with Wang Bin and others, set out to fight.

On yichou [26 June], Mi burnt the Jianchun Gate and went east. Yan dispatched the General of Guards of the Left, Wang Bing to pursue him. They fought at the Seven Li Brook, and again defeated him. He therefore crossed the He to return to Liu Yuan. He went with Wang Sang from Zhi Pass to Pingyang. Yuan heard and was greatly pleased. He dispatched his Palace Attendant and concurrent Imperial Clerk Grandee, Jiao Ying, to deliver a letter to Mi, which said:

Since the General has merit not of this generation, and surpasses the virtue of the times. Because of that [we] have this greeting, that is all. While waiting to gaze on the General's arrival, Your Orphan now has newly journeyed to the General's official residence, to straight away dust off the mat and cleanse the beakers, and respectfully wait on the General.

When Mi saw Yuan, he recommended declaring the venerated title. Yuan spoke to Mi, saying:

Your Orphan originally spoke to the General like Dou Zhougong, that was all. Now [you] truly are my Kongming and Zhonghua. Liezu had a saying: “I having the General is like the fish having water”.

Hence he appointed Mi Colonel Minister of Retainers, concurrently Palace Attendant and Specially Advanced. Mi firmly declined.

Autumn, 7th Month [3 August – 1 September], phoenixes assembled at Puzi. The Imperial Chancellor, Liu Xuan, and others, 64 people, sent up [to assume] the venerated title.

On jiachen [4 August], Liu Yuan robbed Pingyang. The Grand Warden, Song Chou, fled to the capital city. The Grand Administrator of Hedong, Lu Shu, battled powerfully and died there.

Winter, 10th Month, jiaxu [2 November], Liu Yuan usurped the title of August Emperor in the southern suburbs. A great amnesty and changed the inaugural to Yongfeng [“Perpetual Phoenixes”].

11th Month [30 November – 28 December], used his son the General of Guards, He, as Great General, and the [General who] Consoles the Army, Cong, as Great General of Chariots and Cavalry. his junior kinsman the [General who] Establishes the Martial, Yao, as Dragon-Prancing Great General.

On bingwu [4 December], Han's Commander-in-Chief of All Army Affairs in the Centre and Outside, Great Marshal and acting Imperial Chancellor, the Worthy King of the Right, Xuan, passed on.

12th Month, yihai [2 January 309], Yuan used his Great General, Liu He, as Great Marshal, ennobled King of Liang, the Prefect of the Masters of Writings, Liu Huanle, as Great Minister over the Masses, ennobled King of Chenliu, the Empress' father, the Imperial Clerk Grandee, Huyan Yi, as Great Minister of Works, ennobled Duke of Yanzhou commandery. The imperial clan, considering the close and estranged as equals, were wholly ennobled kings of commanderies and counties. Those with a different family name, differentiated by their deeds and schemes, were all ennobled dukes and marquises of commanderies and counties.

(Shi Le & Wang Mi)

(JS104, Chronicle of Shi Le: Liu Yuan sent Liu Cong to attack Huguan. He instructed Le to be in command of 7 000 as Chief-Controller of the Vanguard. Liu Kun dispatched Army-Protector Huang Xiu to save Huguan. Le defeated Xiu at Baitian, and Xiu died there. Le thereupon captured Huguan. Yuan instructed Le, together with Liu Ling, Yan Pi, and others, seven generals, to lead a multitude of 30 000 to rob the various ramparts and fortifications of Wei commandery and Dunqiu. They captured many of them and made use of the rampart masters as Generals and Chief Commandants. They chose the strong and large as army soldiers, and the old and weak to secure the earthen walls like before. The army had no private plundering and the hundred families held them dear.

When Yuan usurped the title, he dispatched envoys to confer on Le Holding the Tally and Great General who Pacifies the East; Colonel, Chief-Controller and King like before. Le combined the armies to rob Ye. Ye was vanquished. He Yu ran to Weiguo. He seized the Grand Warden of Wei commandery, Wang Cui, at the Three Terraces. He advanced to attack Zhao commandery, and murdered Ji Province's Chief Commandant of the Western section, Feng Chong. He attacked the beg-for-life [leaders] She Ting and Tian Yin at Zhongqiu, and killed both of them.)

(JS100, Biography of Wang Mi: [Wang Mi] was sent to accompany Liu Yao to rob Henei, and again with Shi Le to attack Linzhang.

At the beginning of Yongjia [307 – 313], he robbed Shangdang and besieged Huguan. The King of Donghai, Yue, dispatched the Interior Clerk of Huainan, Wang Kuang, and the Grand Warden of Anfeng, Wei Qian, and others to chastise him. When Mi fought with them between Gaodu and Changping, he greatly defeated them. The dead were six or seven out of ten.

Yuan advanced Mi to Great General who Conquers the East, ennobled Duke of Donglai. He and Liu Yao, Shi Le, and others attacked Wei commandery, Ji commandery, and Dunqiu, and captured more than fifty fortifications, all were mustered as army soldiers. Again he and Le attacked Ye. The General who Calms the North, He Yu, abandoned the city and ran.)

(JS005, Annals of Emperor Huai: 2ndYear of Yongjia, Spring, 2nd Month, gengzi [3 April], Shi Le robbed Changshan. Jin's General who Calms the North, Wang Jun chastised and routed him.

3rd Month [8 April – 6 May], Liu Yuan invaded Ji commandery and roughly had the lands of Dunqiu and Henei.

9thMonth [2 October – 30 October], Shi Le robbed Zhao commandery. The General who Conquers the North, He Yu, fled from Ye to Weiguo.

Winter, 10th Month, jiaxu [2 November], Liu Yuan usurped the title of Emperor at Pingyang, still calling [his state] Han.

11th Month, jiyou [7 December 308], Shi Le robbed Ye. The Grand Warden of Wei, Wang Cui, was defeated in battle, and died there.)

3rd Year, 7thMonth [22 August – 20 September 309], Liu Yuan dispatched his son Cong and Wang Mi to rob Shangdang, they besieged Huguan. The Inspector of Bing province, Liu Kun, sent troops to aid them, they were defeated by Cong. The Interior Clerk of Huainan, Wang, Kuang, and Generals Shi Rong and Cao Chao and fought with Cong, and were also defeated. Chao and Rong died there. The Grand Warden of Shangdang, Pang Chun, used the commandery to surrender to the thieves.

(In 313 what was left of the Jin court renamed the city of Ye to Linzhang to avoid the personal name of the new emperor, Sima Ye, posthumously Emperor Min. But the new name does not seem to have caught on in the north, presumably because the Jin empire no longer controlled Ye by that point. And just below the city is again referred to as Ye. Quite likely JS100 uses both northern and southern sources, directly or indirectly, which has created this inconsistency.)

(It seems impossible to reconcile the sources at this point. If we ignore the reference in JS100 in to Shi Le Linzhang as a duplicate from a different source, the accounts in JS104 and JS100 are overall pretty similar, though note that JS104 does not mention of Wang Mi at this point. Both Shi Le and Wang Mi take part in military operations in Shangdang, including the siege of Huguan, possibly under the overall leadership of Liu Cong. It was after this according to JS104 that Liu Yuan took imperial titles, and at his ascension Shi Le was rewarded with higher titles. Wang Mi also receives new titles after the fall Huguan, though there is no direct reference in JS100 to Liu Yuan declaring himself emperor. Then the Han commanders descend onto the plain, plunder several commanderies, and take the surrender of the many locally organized fortifications that had sprung up in these chaotic times – these might have been helpful against roving bandits but stood no chance against more organized forces. JS104 and JS100 both specifically refer to the recruitment of these local defenders as “army soldiers” 軍士. Then Shi Le and Wang Mi proceed to attack Ye, and the Jin commander, He Yu, abandons the city and flees. JS104 continues to say that Shi Le then “advanced to attack Zhao commandery”.

JS004 records under the 2nd Year of Yongjia, 2ndMonth, that Shi Le plundered in Changshan but was defeated by Wang Jun this is not in JS104. In the 3rd Month, Liu Yuan attacked Ji commandery. Based on JS100 it seems plausible that this attack was led by Liu Yao, and “Liu Yuan invaded” is just short for “Liu Yuan sent Liu Yao to invade”. 9th Month, Shi Le invades Zhao commandery and He Yu abandons Ye, apparently before the city is under direct attack. 10th Month, Liu Yuan declares himself emperor. 11th Month, Shi Le captures Ye, Jin's Grand Warden, Wang Cui, dies during the fall of the city. 3rdYear of Yongjia, 7th Month, Han forces attack Shangdang and besiege Huguan. A relief army under Wang Kuang is defeated by Wang Mi and the commandery surrenders.

So the fall of Shangdang, which according to JS104 took place before Liu Yuan declared himself emperor, in JS005 only takes place the following year. ZZTJ disputes that it was the 7th Month but agrees with JS005 on the year, so I will save that argument for later. Then Shi Le, after being defeated in Changshan, enters Zhao commandery, He Yu flees, Liu Yuan declares himself, emperpor, Shi Le takes Ye, which was in Wei commandery. This appear to directly contradict JS1004 where the sequence goes Shi Le takes Huguan, Liu Yuan declares himself emperor, Shi Le and others captures various forts in Wei and Dunqiu, Shi Le attacks Ye which falls, He Yu flees, Shi Le advances into Zhao.

It's not entirely impossible to merge the accounts in JS005 and JS105 together. There could have been fighting in Shangdang in both 308 and 309 and maybe some of the battles in 308 got confused with battles in 309. It is quite possible that after sacking Ye, Shi Le moved back into Zhao. But I don't feel like making an attempt right now. Therefore the map below follows the account in JS005 where this contradicts JS104. My previous post in this series included a section from JS104 on how Shi Le suborned the men of a Wuhuan leader located in Leping. From a base in Leping, Shi Le would have been well-positioned to plunder Changshan and Zhao, and move south from there against Ye. If at the same time the armies of Wang Mi and Liu Yao were plundering in Ji, Wei and Dunqiu, the defenders of Ye would appear to have been in a pretty bad position.

As a final note, I should perhaps add that the maps are intended as illustrations to the text. They are not intended to mean that Han were in full control of the territory within its “borders”. The Jin state had collapsed and in the countryside what had replaced it was not a new Han state, but various local “rampart masters” and similar who submitted to every real army passing by.)

(Liu Xuan)

Liu Xuan, courtesy name Shize, was plain, blunt and with few words. He was fond of studying, and cultivated purity. His teacher was Sun Yan of Le'an. He was deeply focused on gathering thoughts, not resting day or night, and was fond of the Mao Poetry and Mr Zuo's Traditions. Yan always commended him, saying:

If Xuan had met Wu of Han, he would have exceeded Jin Midi.

When his studies were complete, he turned back. He did not set out from the village gates probably for several years. Always when reciting the Book of Han, when he reached the Biographies of Xiao He and Deng Yu, he not once did not turn around to chant them, saying:

A man of great talent, if he met the Two Founders, in the end he would not make the Two Excellencies alone hold first place in pleasing before [the ruler].

The Inspector of Bing province, Wang Guang, spoke about him to Emperor Wu. The Emperor summoned him to audience. He praised his divination replies, and because of that said:

When I had not yet seen Xuan, I said Guang's words were empty and that was all. Now I have seen him advancing and halting with manners and decorum, he can truly be said to be like a jade sceptre. Observing his natural quality, he is more than able to console and assemble his home section.

He therefore used Xuan as Chief Controller of the Right Section, and specially gave him a red cloth curved canopy. He managed the officials purely and respectfully, and for that the section cherished him.

Yuan became king [because of] Xuan's plans. For that reason he especially received respect and esteem, in merit and kinship he had no equal. In army and state, inside and outside, there was nothing he had not sole control of.

(Liu Cong)

When Yuan claimed the great title, he designated him Great Marshal, ennobled as King of Chu.

(Li Xiong)

3rd Year of Yanping, Winter, 12thMonth [29 December 308 – 27 January 309], Cheng's Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Yang Bao, passed on.

(The source text for the anecdotes below refers to Yang Bao as “Chancellor”, this may have been a posthumous conferral.)

Earlier, Li Xiong's thoughts were on his summons reaching distant regions, [but] what used by the state was insufficient. For that reason the various generals always advanced with gold, silver and precious treasure, and very much were thereby obtaining their offices. The Chancellor, Yang Bao, remonstrated, saying:

Your Majesty is the master of Under Heaven, and must net and catch the Four Seas. Why are [you] using offices to buy gold!

Xiong apologized with humble phrases.

Later Xiong was once drunk on alcohol and pushed the Prefect of the Palace Writers, and caned the Prefect of the Grand Officials Bao advanced to say:

The Son of Heaven is clement and benevolent, the various vassals splendid and sublime. How can [you] be the Son of Heaven and yet bet drunk!

Xiong promptly let them go.

Xiong had no affairs and set out for a short while. Bao from behind him grasped a lance and galloped his horse past Xiong. Xiong was curious and asked him. He replied, saying:

In all cases the weight of governing Under Heaven is like Your Subject riding a hateful horse and holding a lance. Hurry it on and worry about wounding yourself. Slow it down and fear its loss. Hence the horse galloped and was not controlled.

Xiong realized and promptly returned.

Before this, the southern lands in repeated years had famine and plague, the dead numbered a million. The Colonel of the Southern Yi, Li Yi, firmly defended and did not surrender. Xiong enticed the Yi of Jianning and sent them to chastise him. Yi passed on from illness and the city was lost. They killed more than 3 000 strong soldiers, and sent off the wives and daughters, a thousand mouths, to Chengdu.

(HYGZ04 dates Li Yi's death to 306 under somewhat different circumstances that what described here. As Li Xiong was not really involved and this is getting long enough, I have not included it here.)

(Yiwen Leiju quoting the Book of Li Xiong of Shu: During the reign of the Martial [wu] August Emperor, Xiong, in the 3rd Year of Grand Cheng, a white crow with a red foot came soaring. The Emperor asked Fan Xian [i.e. Fan Changsheng] about it. Xian said:

The crow has the right-princeliness of returning back with food. Surely there are distant people who hold dear your kindness and come. As a result drifting people from Guanzhong request to surrender.)

(HYGZ08: 2nd Year [of Yongjia], decreed to write a record of [Luo] Shang's merit in chastising [Li] Te], and added to him Cavalier in Regular Attendance, Commander-in-Chief of the two provinces, and advanced his fief to Marquis of Yiling. Since his oldest son Yu had taken on Chief Commandant of Attending Chariots, designated his second son Yan as Chief Commandant of Cavalry.

Since Liang# province had been smashed and ruined by Xiong, Jin then used Huangfu Shang as Liang# province. Shang was unable to go to his office. Then they used the Interior Clerk of Shunyang, Zhang Guang of Jiangxia, as Inspector. He was seated at Xincheng. The people of Hanzhong were pressured by Li Feng's robbing and plundering, and ran east to Jing and Mian.)

(Huangfu Shang had been appointed to Liang# province back in 303 by Sima Ai, and was killed fighting Sima Yong. So this part of the entry is either erroneous or misplaced.)

(JS057: [The Inspector of Jing province, Liu] Hong petitioned that [Zhang] Guang had unusual achievements. He moved to General of Talented Officials and Inspector of Liang# province. … Guang did not manage to go to the province, and halted in Weixing. He therefore joined with the various commandery wardens to together plan to advance and take it. [Zhang] Yan recited a speech, saying:

Hanzhong is desolate and defeated, quashed by the nearby great thieves. The affair of overcoming them again, must wait for a gallant hero.

[Du] Zhengchong [HYGZ's Du Mengzhi] said:

Zhang Yan accepted the thieves' gold and silver. He did not timely advance to chastise, he impeded the troops and delayed against the robbers. What caused the loss of Hanzhong was in fact Yan's crimes.

Guang hence let out his anger, he berated Yan, ordered him out, beheaded him and had [the body] make the rounds. He soothed and consoled the desolate and broken, the hundred families happily submitted. Guang hence came back to garrison Hanzhong.)

(Note that HYGZ08 dates Zhang Guang occupation of Hanzhong to 311, but it seemed more fitting to conclude Zhang Yan Du Mengzhi/Zhengchong's story here. And who can say when this particular meeting actually took place.)

(Zhang Gui)

Soon after Wang Mi robbed Luoyang. Zhang Gui dispatched Beigong Chun, Zhang Zuan, Ma Fang, Yin Jun, and others to lead the provincial army to strike and rout him. They also defeated Liu Cong in Hedong. At the Imperial City they sang about it, saying:

Liang province's great horses, travel across Under Heaven. Liang province's owls on high, bandits and thieves melt away. Owls on high flying freely, the terror kills people.

The Emperor was joyful about his loyalty, and advanced his fief to Duke of Xiping commandery. He did not accept.

(Murong Hui)

Beginning of Yongjia [c. 307 – 308], Hui declared himself Great Shanyu of the Xianbei.

#chinese history #r16s

[bougredane]

Junot and Marmont attempt to stage a jailbreak.

Napoleon runs into trouble post-Thermidor. Some handle it better than others. From the new Junot bio by Sylvain Dubief : JUNOT, Premier aide de camp de Napoléon (1771-1813). French and my translation under the cut.

Funeste jour que ce 27 juillet 1794 : il s’agit du 9 thermidor an II. Maximilien « le sanglant » est enfin déclaré hors-la-loi, et Augustin, protestant la culpabilité de son frère, demande à partager sa peine ; ce qui lui est immédiatement accordé … Ils meurent ensemble le lendemain sur l’échafaud.

D’un seul coup, comme par magie, ce qui encore quelques jours auparavant paraissait impossible … redevient possible ! Les arrogants et implacables jacobins se terrent, n’osant plus sortir, courbant la tête, essayant vainement de faire oublier leurs méfaits, tandis que les nouveaux représentants du Peuple les traquent et recherchent tous ceux qui ont pu les aider à faire couler le sang des vrais patriotes.

Bonaparte comprend, dès qu’il apprend la nouvelle, que son sort va se jouer dans les jours à venir : il faut rester calme, comme le doit rester un innocent, un homme qui n’a rien à se reprocher, et, même plus, un homme qui a déjà rendu de grands services à la Nation.

Les commissaires Albitte, Salicetti, et Laporte déclarent, au nom du Peuple français, que le général Bonaparte a totalement perdu leur confiance par la conduite la plus suspecte et, surtout, par le voyage qu’il vient d’effectuer récemment à Gênes … ils décrètent donc ce qui suit :

« Le général Buonaparte, commandant en chef de l’artillerie de l’armée d’Italie, est provisoirement suspendu de ses fonctions. Il sera par les soins et sous la responsabilité du général en chef de ladite armée, mis en arrestation et traduit au comité de salut public, à Paris, sous bonne et sûre escorte. Les scellés seront apposés sur tous les papiers et effets … »

Le général doit garder les arrêts de rigueur dans la maison où il loue une chambre, la villa du comte Laurenti, sous la garde de trois gendarmes.

Quant à Junot, à l’inverse de son général, il ne décolère pas et court en tous sens. Bonaparte devant un tribunal ? Condamné ? Guillotiné ? Marmont acquiesce à cette révolte : ils doivent, ensemble, trouver un moyen de le sauver. Ils élaborent rapidement un scénario d’évasion, digne de ces deux jeunes militaires fougueux : il suffit de tuer les gendarmes et de s’enfuir ensuite en Italie.

La vieille masure de Château-Sallé résonne des sanglots de la famille Bonaparte. Lorsque’Andoche y arrive, la pauvre mère du prisonnier, Letizia, est dans tous ses états. Il essaye de la réconforter, lui exposant son point de vue, et, l’assurant que s’il faut en arriver aux pires extrémités, il met à exécution son plan d’évasion. Elle n’a qu’à lui faire un signe de la tête pour acquiescer.

Letizia hésite. Elle connaît bien son Napoléon ; il vaut mieux le consulter avant, plutôt que d’entreprendre une action qui pourrait contrecarrer ses propres desseins. Sage décision.

Dès le lendemain, l’aide de camp fait passer discrètement à son général son audacieux projet et reçoit en retour ce billet :

« Je reconnais bien ton amitié, mon cher Junot, dans la proposition que tu me fais ; depuis longtemps tu connais aussi celle que je t’ai vouée, et j’espère que tu y comptes. Les hommes peuvent être injustes envers moi, mon cher Junot, mais il suffit d’être innocent : ma conscience est le tribunal où j’évoque ma conduite. Cette conscience est calme, quand je l’interroge ; ne fais donc rien, tu me compromettrais.

Adieu, mon cher Junot, salut et amitié. »

Bonaparte a raison et, après avoir dicté à Junot lui-même, le 25 thermidor an II (12 août 1794), un courrier adressé aux représentants du peuple, si clair et convaincant, qu’il est lavé de tout soupçon et remis en liberté dès le 20 août. Tout rentre dans l’ordre.

-----

A dreadful day, that July 27, 1794: it’s 9 Thermidor, Year II. Maximilian "The Bloody" is finally declared an outlaw, and Augustin, protesting the guilt of his brother, asks to share his sentence; a request which is granted him immediately ... They die together the next day on the scaffold.

Suddenly, as if by magic, what - even a few days before - seemed impossible ... becomes possible again! The arrogant and implacable Jacobins are holed up, not daring to go out, bowing their heads, vainly attempting to make the public forget their misdeeds, while the new representatives of the People hunt them down, seeking out all those who may have aided in the blood-shedding of the true patriots.

Bonaparte understands, as soon as he hears the news, that his fate will play out in the days to come: one must remain calm, as an innocent person should remain, a man who has nothing to be ashamed of, and - even more - a man who has already rendered great service to the Nation.

Commissioners Albitte, Salicetti, and Laporte declare, on behalf of the French people, that General Bonaparte has lost their confidence completely, by the most suspicious conduct and, above all, by the trip he has recently made to Genoa ... they therefore decree the following:

“General Buonaparte, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Italy's artillery, is provisionally suspended from his duties. He will be placed under the surveillance and responsibility of the General-in-Chief of said army, arrested and brought before the Committee of Public Safety in Paris, under good and sure escort. Seals will be affixed to all papers and effects… ”

The general must concede to his strict confinement within the bounds of the house where he rents a room, the villa of Count Laurenti, under the guard of three gendarmes.

As for Junot, unlike his general, he is far from calm and flies in all directions. Bonaparte in court? Condemned? Guillotined? Marmont humors this agitation: they must, together, find a way to save him. They quickly develop an escape scenario worthy of two fiery young soldiers: they’ll simply kill the gendarmes and then flee to Italy.

The miserable old house of Château-Sallé echoes the sobs of the Bonaparte family. When Andoche arrives there, the prisoner's poor mother, Letizia, is a mess. He tries to comfort her, presenting his view of the matter, and assuring her that, if it comes down to it, he’ll carry out his escape plan. All she has to do is nod her head to agree.

Letizia hesitates. She knows her Napoleon well; it’s better to consult him beforehand, rather than make a move that might thwart his designs. Wise decision.

The next day, the aide-de-camp discreetly passes on this daring project to his general and receives this note in return:

“I recognize your friendship, my dear Junot, in the offer you are making me; You know well enough my own attachment, which I have long devoted to you, and I hope you count upon it. Men can be unjust to me, my dear Junot, but it is enough to be innocent: my conscience is the tribunal where I speak of my conduct. This conscience is calm when I question it; do nothing - you would compromise me.

Farewell, my dear Junot, be assured of my friendship, and all my best."

Bonaparte is right and, after having dictated to Junot himself, on 25 Thermidor, Year II (12 August, 1794) a letter -  so clear and convincing - addressed to the representatives of the people, he is cleared of all suspicion and released on August 20. Everything is in order once again.

....

Many thanks to @joachimnapoleon​ for mentioning the book ! It’s been enjoyable so far, well-written and engaging, and more exact than the other two Junot bios. 

(Even if he does cite that one super wild novel-thing from the Mercure de France ...)

#junot #napoleon #marmont's along for the ride #the ride of killing three men and running away to italy

[ellasadventuresinfandoms]

Okay, back in May @isolatedphenomenon asked me if I had an les mis fic recs and I went "oh boy do I !" and then promptly fucked off and disappeared from tumblr for like 6 months...

Anyway on the off chance people are interested, here is my vastly too long list of  my favourite les mis fanfic (that I'm almost 100% sure I'll have accidentally missed some of my favourites off of...)

The vast majority of these are main pairing Enjolras/Grantaire, so I've put those first, divided into multi-chaptered and then one-shots. Below that will be other pairings!

Multi-chaptered

• Witch Boy Series : magic AU, starting with Grantaire solving Enjolras' curse - this is just Incredible world building which gets better as it goes on - my favourite is the Babet interlude

• World Ain't Ready : you know how fandoms tend to have a fic that is just associated with it ? in my experience, for les mis this is it - and well deserved ! High school, fake dating AU with some of the most engaging writing

• BE : Enjolras is dragged back into theatre production, helping Eponine put on a production of Hamlet - really love the characterisation in this, and this is really one of those modern AUs that actually feels like real life - really good writing

• After the End : the definitive apocalypse AU in my eyes - les amis are an underground resistance to the dystopian government - really wonderful characterisation of Grantaire and the amis

• You never have to wonder; you never have to ask. : I tend to find fic by scrolling through bookmarks of a pairing, which means I often see repeats; this is a fic that if I see I just re-read cause I know I'll enjoy it - the amis sparked a failed rebellion, and now 18 months later Grantaire ends up staying at Enjolras' after returning to Paris for Marius and Cosette's wedding

• Your Heart on Your Skin : Soulmate AU with flower tattoos marking important emotions and events - wonderful concept and world building 

• Impatient to Be Free : Daughters of Bilitis AU - if that doesn't make you excited I don't know what else to say to convince you (aside from saying the author is a simply wonderful writer)

• You Dance Dreams : Okay. Not to be over dramatic, but this fic did genuinely qualitatively change my life, in that it was the first thing that got me looking up contemporary ballet and now that's like one of my favourite things and big hobby So. Also its really great writing; music/creative arts school les amis with Grantaire choreohraphing the ballet for Combeferre's opera, with a heavy emphasis on Grantaire realising he really never actually got over Enjolras

• philia : this one is an absolute classic to me, but not given nearly enough recognition - one of the more realistic college AUs ever written, and the writing of Grantaire is so good because it hits the perfect balance of sympathy and annoyance about his behaviour (that's a genuine compliment) 

• Coffee Hooligans : fucking tragedy this never got properly finished, Enjolras leads the amis as social justice vigilantes and tries to hide the criminal bits of his life from R

• Fighting the Hurricane : Pacific Rim AU that's less an AU and more just placing the les mis characters in the Pacific Rim universe. Really good and riveting read, also super interesting depiction of Grantaire

• Weaving Olden Dances : Fairy AU - Grantaire "claims" Enjolras to prevent his execution - really good writing, love Grantaires characterisation 

• Paris Burning : canon era (sort of) where cities have a physical being - Grantaire is Paris and becomes entangled in Enjolras' revolution - oh the world building is truly *chefs kiss*

• Euphoria is You For Me : Enjolras and Grantaire keep meet cuting in a wonderfully written Brooklyn - feels like a love letter to Brooklyn at times, and I really like the characterisation of Grantaire 

• so please just fall in love with me this christmas : Enjolras works for the environmental company Grantaire volunteers at, and keeps getting secret gifts at Christmas - I sound a little like a broken record but the Grantaire characterisation is very good

• You Are the Moon : Wild West esque Space AU - Grantaire has to call on the amis to help rescue Valjean and Cosette, despite Grantaire leaving the amis 6 months before. On re-reading the Enjolras characterisation feels a little rushed, but overall fantastic story telling and the Grantaire arc is a Delight 

• Pandemos : Enjolras is aphrodite, and seeks peace from all his suitors in R/Hephestus' cave

• Pining for You : Hallmark christmas romance - Grantaire returns home to work on his father's tree farm, and Enjolras is the lawyer helping prevent the farm being sold - cute as shit imo

• Once We're Kings : Fantasy AU - a country hosts a ball to marry Prince Enjolras and the rival country sends Grantaire as a fuck you - one of the best ways of doing Enjolras as a prince in a fantasy and just really nicely written

• Never Bitter and All Delicious : Fairy Godmother AU - yes really, yes its genuinely a very good read

• On One Condition : Fantasy AU - Enjolras is a bored knight who finally goes to check out the local dragon, which turns out to be Grantaire - I really like how they capture Enjolras' stubborn nature and it's such a well written soft growth of love between them

• That's How Easy Love Can Be : Les Amis work at a primary school; and its secret santa time! very fun portrayal of Enjolras

• The Lark and Her Lieutenants : re write of canon where Cosette is the leader of the revolution - just *chefs kiss*

• If You Tickle Us, Do We Not Laugh : Grantaire is Enjolras' secret android - really good at writing a relationship that's incredibly loving but just keeps being antagonistic and coming off wrong 

One Shots

• True Colours : AU where you leave colours on the people important to you - Enjolras and Grantaire falling for each other is so soft and gently written its lovely, this is genuinely one of my favourites

• Keep It Kind, Keep It Good, Keep It Right : this one is so good to me, because it builds off my pet hatred of everyone assuming Enjolras doesn't care about (or at least actively show he cares about) his friends

• blooming : very soft post-dystopian utopia that has just a really wonderful sense of hope and light to me

• and the wall leaned away (or: The Pros and Cons of Tilling) : perfectly realised characterizations of the amis, Grantaire needs a date to her final year art exhibition - deals with anxiety over protest in a way that actually hits for me

• not just one of the crowd : R helps run a leftist bakery and bike repair shop - very cute characterisation, and I think more les mis fanfic should link to anarchist essays

• Lovesickness : Enjolras is an idiot and thinks he's sick rather than having a crush - the writing of Joly and Combeferre in this is some of my favourite depictions of these two

• If there's a rocket, tie me to it : absolutely heartbreaking sci-fi AU about the amis as doomed mecha pilots

• Where I Fall is Where I Land : Enjolras is a Roman commander as Rome's power is leaving England, and then meets the pict Grantaire (+ fun soulmark stuff !)

• You Started Foreign to Me : Enjolras moves to america and R is the overnight grocery clerk who helps her learn Spanish - cute fluffy lesbians with a wonderfully written driven Enjolras

• Love Is Touching Souls : very cute soulmate AU - and one I really love for really truly considering the implications of soul marks and creating historical lore around it

• Ten Years : R is a musician, and it non-linearly charts his relationship to Enj from high school to 10 years later

• put up with me then I'll make you see : Grantaire lives above Enjolras, and its christmas - I find it to have a very fun interpretation of pining Enjolras

• A Cat Called Trash Can : this was one of the first les mis fics I ever read (yes I know it says it was published in 2020, but I think it has to be a re-upload or something?) and it does still have a special place in my heart - Grantaire rescues a cat, but Enjolras is the only one with an apartment free to look after it 

• Still I'm Begging to Be Free : inception AU where les amis have to rescue a sleeping R from his own brain

•I'm in it for You : cw: illness, cancer - R has cancer and is being a martyr about telling his friends so Enjolras drives him back from chemo

• walls come tumbling down : sky high au - a very good high school AU with the perfect level of campy superhero powers

• This brave new world's not like yesterday : Enjolras needs a job, so ends up working in a bowling alley with Grantaire and bonding

Enjolras/Grantaire/Combeferre

• In Defiance of All Geometry : les amis are a student co-op house, Enjolras and Combeferre are pining friends and Grantaire is the newbie

• Still the Same : this is very good writing and very compelling - if you can get over the (imo) plot hole of Enjolras working for the FBI. R was an art thief Enj put away and is briefly helping the FBI out, and Combeferre is Enjolras' husband

• To Kingdom Come : cw: war and PTSD from that, Enjolras and Combeferre are part of a group of refugees that have crossed into a more fantasy land, and Grantaire is a lone traveller from that land that attempts to help - that was a shit summary of this very emotional, wonderfully written fic about war and love in all forms

• Gonna need (a spark to ignite) : I always love a twist on a classic trope, and this is a very fun take on the soulmate AU - Enjolras loses feeling in his soul mark as a child, falls in love with Grantaire and then his soulmate, Combeferre, turns up

Eponine/Cosette

• Pretty Girls Don't Know the Things That I Know : simply stunning writing - perfect example of soft writing about a harsh world

• she knows her way around : Eponine and Cosette bond, ostensibly so Eponine can find out about her for Marius, and their interactions are so playful and realistic, its wonderful

• always find me floating on oceans : Cosette stows away on Eponine's pirate ship - I do always have a soft spot for eposette fics (not just cause I ship it) because they truly characterise Cosette in a really considered and interesting way

• There's No Making Love : I'm putting this under eposette even though there is some significant enjolras/grantaire content, because the Cosette characterisation is so fun and cute

• round and round again : this fic really beautifully translates Cosette's bad childhood and then isolated teenage years, and the impact that would have on her as an adult into a modern AU

• Underwater Thunderheards : this is based off the book The Scorpio Races, and is just a really nice short fic  about longing

• How To Change The World Without Taking Power : Marius has a crush on Cosette and she's tried being polite and subtle in turning him down, so just ends up fake dating Eponine instead

• blood red fruit and poison's kiss : Snow White AU - Cosette as Snow White

• The Winters Cannot Fade Her : Snow White Au 2.0 - Eponine as Snow White - this was written as a pair to the one above which is just so cute to me

• marriage à la mode : Cosette and Eponine run a bridal shop together and it's very cute !

• Temporary Hold : I personally find this a really fun and very unique take on Cosette - with exams coming up she decides she needs to get laid on the reg and so hits up Eponine to act as if they're already long term girlfriends

Combeferre/Courfeyrac

• better than you had it : fake dating but kick it up an emotional notch - Courf and Ferre pretend to still be together after breaking up for a family event

• take flight, come near : nice and cute low fantasy, where Combeferre runs a dragon sanctuary and Courf finds an injured dragon

Rare Pairs

• The Future's Owned by You and Me : cute Enjolras/Feuilly with actual radical politics and real life organising difficulties and wins

• First Dates and Other Dangers : Combeferre and Grantaire agree to go on a blind date and it's awkward until it isn't - just cute !

• after midnight : Combeferre has insomnia and meets Grantaire in various all night fast food chains

• as you are : Bahorel and Jehan getting ready together

• Almost Romantic : Jehan works at a museum, and takes Combeferre on a little tour

• Understudy : Jehan/Combeferre, with Combeferre's insecurities regarding being seen as second best to Enjolras

• Here There Be Dragons : Courf/Enj/Ferre - Courf and Enj are superheroes and Ferre is the doctor that patches them up

• To Let it Occur (Laisser Faire la Nature) : Feuilly has a stupidly long stopover in Paris and meets Enjolras

• rule of three : Courf/Enj/Ferre as spies and loving boyfriends

• Good Rhetoric : snapshots of cute cuddly courf/enj/ferre

• subluxate, dislocate, replace : found family and chronic illness with Joly/Bossuet/Musichetta

• Strike stone, strike home (like lightning) : so this fic took one minor piece of lore about Tolkien's dwarves and made a beautiful j/b/m fic from it

• Almost Inevitable : Bahorel/Feuilly friends-with-benefits

• god only knows (what I'd be without you) : Bahorel/Feuilly with a closeted Feuilly and a beautiful Feuilly and Eponine friendship

#les miserables #fanfic rec #les mis #les miserables fanfic #les miserables fanfic rec

[lyssismagical]

I love your stories, but i kinda wanna see something from you: whatever lingual Peter. Also Parkner because why not. Do whatever you want just tag me if you do end up doing it💕🌼

 {Idk if this is what you meant, but this ft Peter who can speak like six languages but specifically French!Peter bcs I’m kinda bilingual}

*

Coming from a small town like Rose Hill, they barely even offered a decent English class, let alone any foreign language classes. Harley still doesn’t even know how to use commas or spell most words longer than six letters. But he knows how to fix a car up, he knows tons about biology and engineering and chemistry, he just couldn’t write an essay to save his life.

Which is why meeting Peter is so strange. He goes to a school that teaches three foreign languages, all of which Peter had taken, and he’d learned Italian from May, not to mention that Delmar kept him sharp in Spanish.

It was strange for him to meet someone so linguistically intelligent.

Peter was capable of writing essays without a second thought, able to formulate ideas not only in English but in six other languages as well.

Harley normally stumbled over everything he tried to say, getting excited and tripping over his words, and mumbling. But Peter was a wizard with words when he was trying, as long as he wasn’t too excited or tired.

When he was trying, Peter could string together sentences Harley couldn’t even begin to understand, and it just made him fall head over heels even faster in love with him.

“Je t’aime, mon amour,” Peter will murmur into his chest late at night.

“Ti vedrò stasera,” he’ll tell May when they’re leaving his apartment.

“¿Cómo estás?” he’ll say to Delmar at lunch.

It makes Harley’s heart swell, despite only knowing some of the things he says.

Sometimes, of course, it makes him feel left out, confused, like an outsider. May and Peter will argue in Italian, Peter will converse with Delmar and other Queens friends he has in Spanish, he’ll murmur French endearments, he’ll talk to Ned in quick Filipino, he’ll whisper in Russian to himself under his breath. And Harley can sometimes barely hold an English conversation.

It sometimes makes him feel stupid, like he’d never be smart enough to understand Peter, never be able to catch up with him intellectually.

But Peter’s never once talked down to him, never once skipped a beat when repeating phrases in English or when editing his papers, fixing all his grammar without blinking an eye.

“It’s not like it’s a big deal. It’s all just because of people I know. May taught me Italian, Natasha taught me Russian, Ned taught me Filipino. I’m sure if you had family from elsewhere, you would’ve learned to communicate with them too,” Peter says, always simple and easy in his solutions.

“But I know you,” Harley points out. “You’re like family, I love you, why haven’t I learned all these languages so I can communicate with you?”

Peter shakes his head, curling a little bit closer to Harley on the couch where they’d just finished watching a movie. “It’s not like that. You can communicate with me just fine.”

“I know, I just can’t help but feel a little stupid when I can’t understand half the things you say.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll try to be more conscious of it. It doesn’t make you stupid, either, you’re the smartest person I know, Harls. And if it really makes you feel bad, I’ll teach you, alright?”

And it’s dropped from there, pushed aside, forgotten.

It takes until a simple Friday night that Harley really realizes his feelings about Peter’s fluency in other languages.

Peter had barely slept all week, worked himself half to death between university classes and homework, his internship with Tony, patrolling as Spider-Man, and ending the week off with a gruelling thirty-six-hour long mission out of country. He was clearly exhausted, slurring his words, eyes half-shut.

“C’mon, honey, let’s get some food in you before you pass out for the night,” Harley murmurs, one arm keeping Peter upright as they head to their cramped kitchen.

Peter smiles sleepily, “Tu m’as tellement manqué. Je ne pouvais pas arrêter de penser à toi et à notre vie ensemble.”

Harley has no idea what that means but he smiles anyway because Peter, voice all rough and sweet as honey, murmuring all these French words to him, it makes his chest feel all tight and warm with love.

“Il n’y a rien que je ne ferais pas pour toi. J’espère que tu sais. Tu est mon univers. Je veux t’épouser assez tôt. J’aimerais pouvoir être ici toujours, dans tes bras, ressentir ton amour. J’aurais aimé que nous n’ayons aucune responsabilités. Qu’il n’y avait que toi et moi, ici, toujours. Seulement nous.”

“I don’t know what you just said, but I love you,” Harley says in response. “I forgot the last time we talked about it, but French is a love language and god, I love it when you speak French like that.”

Peter grins a little brighter, leaning tiredly against the counters. “Parfois, je ne peux pas croire que tu m’as choisi.”

“C’mon, I can’t even guess what you’re saying to me.”

“C’est le but, mon cher.”

Harley passes over the dinner he’d left in the microwave while awaiting Peter’s return and he grins, shaking his head. “You’re a cheater. You could be telling me that I’m a dumbass, and I’d be over here complimenting you and saying I love you.”

“Je t’aime, chéri.”

“I know that one!” Harley exclaims, planting a kiss on his boyfriend’s forehead. “You taught me that! I love you too.”

Harley wraps his arms around Peter, and he sways them while Peter eats up quickly, and when he finishes, they leave the dishes for the morning.

They head to bed, Peter just collapsing into the mattress and letting Harley peel the suit off him and tuck him in, staying limp and pliant.

Harley tucks Peter into his chest, peppering kisses over his face and shoulders and hands, murmuring soft endearments to him.

“Je ne sais pas si je pourrais te le dire sit u comprendrais mais je t’aime plus que les mots ne peuvent le décrire. Je mourrias pour toi. Je tuerais pour toi. Je ferais n’importe quoi pour toi. J’aimerais pouvoir expliquer à quel point vous comptez pour moi. Je t’aime, Harley, plus que tout.”

“Sweetheart-”

Peter smiles, eyes already closed, looking like an angel with his curls a mess around his pale face, freckles splattered across his cheekbones, mouth curved up into a smile. God, Harley loves him.

“I just love you is all,” he whispers, voice so vulnerable and gentle. “So much. More than words in any language could describe.”

Harley kisses him, pulling the blanket tighter around them, their little safe haven. “Imagine how I feel. I only know one language, and trust me, English doesn’t have the words.”

“Mon amour,” Peter responds quietly, baby browns gazing up at Harley. He curls just a little closer, letting Harley protect him from the world. “Il mio amore. Mi amor. Mahal ko. моя любовь. Iubirea mea. Min elskede. My love.”

“Je t’aime,” Harley says, nearly stumbling over the pronunciation. “Beaucoup.”

Peter lights up, pressing a kiss to Harley’s collarbone. “Goodnight, mon bel ange.”

“Night, darling.”

Taglist: @littlemissagrafina  @fancyxparker  @romeoandjulietyouwish @c-artara @shadedrose01 @likeaphoenix13 @misskirkstark @you-get-killed-walk-it-off @kitkatwinchester  @emo-girl10  @hold-our-destiny @imalivebecauseirondad @spiderman-peterman @dykeragee @maryserrao @heeeyitskay @parknerandirondad @lilacsandlilies4 @loveliestdisappointment @joyful-soul-collector @genderfluid-and-confuzled @fallenstar07 @gyurolls @sdottkrames {Lemme know if you wanna be added or removed}

#lyss writes #lyss answers #parkner #parkner fic #parley #harley keener x peter parker #peter parker #spiderman #harley keener #sorry if there's mistakes in the other languages lmao i did use google translate for some #the french is on me tho like i should know that after like twelve years of learning french

[pureanonofficial]

LES MIS LETTERS IN ADAPTATION - Cloistered, LM 2.8.9 (Les Miserables 1925)

Cosette had permission to pass an hour with him every day. As the sisters were melancholy and he was kind, the child made comparisons and adored him. At the appointed hour she flew to the hut. When she entered the lowly cabin, she filled it with paradise. Jean Valjean blossomed out and felt his happiness increase with the happiness which he afforded Cosette. The joy which we inspire has this charming property, that, far from growing meagre, like all reflections, it returns to us more radiant than ever. At recreation hours, Jean Valjean watched her running and playing in the distance, and he distinguished her laugh from that of the rest.

For Cosette laughed now.

Cosette’s face had even undergone a change, to a certain extent. The gloom had disappeared from it. A smile is the same as sunshine; it banishes winter from the human countenance.

#Les Mis #Les Miserables #Les Mis Letters #Les Miserables 1925 #Les Mis 1925 #LM 2.8.9 #Cosette #Valjean #Fauchelevent #Cosette Fauchelevent #Jean Valjean #lesmisedit #lesmiserablesedit #lesmiserables1925edit #pureanonedits #silentfilmedit #filmedit #Gabriel Gabrio #Andree Rolane #This is probably the last time I shall gif her for this project :/ #she's so good!! #The best little Cosette ever

[dragonmartellstark]

AU: Aerys II and Rhaella, the kings of the new world (2/2)

Rhaegar I Targaryen- He was king of the Seven Kingdoms after the death of his father and kingdom for fifteen years full of prosperity, peace and a stable economy. Rhaegar was considered cultured, expert in weapons and intelligent being known as "The Harp King". His queen was Elia Nymeros Martell, the second Dornish woman to be queen consort of the Seven Kingdoms. Rhaegar's heirs were his sons Aegon VI and Rhaenys Targayen who his descendants were united with the lesser branches of the Targaryen house.

Rhaegar passed away in 309 A. C., at 50 years of age, his body was found lying next to his dragon Silverfire. It is believed that the king had a cardiac arrest while feeding his dragon or others that his soul fused with the dragon's being both one.

Shaena Targaryen- she was the second daughter of the kings and considered one of the most beautiful women in the Seven Kingdoms. At the request of her brother, Rhaegar Targaryen, Shaena was betrothed to Stannis Baratheon, the second son of Steffon Baratheon even though he did not have the possibility of inheriting Storm's End. Despite this, Aerys accepted the commitment because of the great friendship she had with Steffon Baratheon and because his brother, Robert Baratheon, refused to break his commitment to Lyanna Stark.

The marriage was stable and Stannis felt a certain passion for his beautiful wife with whom he could have four children: Steffon, Aegon, Vaegon and Rogar; and a daughter, Rhaelle. Despite her daughter not being Mistress of Storm's End, Rhaelle became Mistress by marrying her Lord cousin Orys Baratheon, son of Robert Baratheon and Lyanna Stark.

It is unknown when Shaena passed away, but it is believed that she may have died shortly after hers, her son Vaegon, after falling down the stairs and breaking his neck. Shaena probably died of grief.

Daeron Targaryen- He was commander of the City Guard during the reign of his father and his brother. He married Lady Lysa Tully, daughter of Hoster Tully in an alliance to win favor with the Tully. Although his wife came to love him, Daeron had several lovers and it is believed that one of them was his sister Shaena, but it has not been confirmed. Lysa gave Daeron two daughters, Minisa and Shaera, even though Daeron had many illegitimate children it is known that he came to love his daughters whom he called "My pussy" and "My sun."

Daeron passed away in 300 A. C., at 31 years of age being stabbed by a servant who was trying to steal some jewels from the dowager queen Rhaella. His body was cremated and his ashes lie alongside those of his family.

Aegon Targaryen- He was the most unknown son of the kings and considered the least interesting. It is known that he was the least favorite son of Aerys II and therefore Aegon was sent to Antigua to become a master even though he maintained contact with his mother and his brother, Rhaegar.

Aegon had a close relationship with his uncle Aemon Targaryen, who was a master in the Night's Watch and through letters advised the young man on the work of the church, the septon, and the maesters.

Jaehaerys Targaryen- He was the king's favorite son and the hearsay counselor of his brother, Rhaegar I. He was considered as attractive as his brother Rhaegar, but Jaehaerys had shared a bed with women since his teens.

He married the daughter of the king's hand, Cersei Lannister and both were very attracted to each other, but when his wife got pregnant Jaehaerys sought out other lovers which infuriated Cersei.

It is legend that the prince and his lady argued heatedly over Jaehaerys extramarital affairs, but it is also known that they had passionate reconciliations from which seven children were born: Aerys, Tywin, Daena, Shiera, Joanna, Jaime and Aegon.

It is believed that her children Shiera and Jaime were not the prince's since it is known that Cersei had some encounters with other men and one of them is believed to be her own brother, Jaime Lannister.

Jaehaerys passed away in 313 A. C., at 39 years of chickenpox, but it is believed that he was poisoned by his own wife, Cersei in revenge for the infidelities. His sons Aerys and Tywin passed away from gray psoria and his daughters Daena and Shiera joined House Lannister.

Viserys Targaryen- He was an advisor to the edicts of King Rhaegar I and the favorite son of his mother, Rhaella. He was considered a young man very similar to his mother, calm, quiet and obedient, but with the passing of time he became a more confident, faithful and sometimes impatient man, but he is always remembered as a faithful brother.

He married her little sister, Daenerys with whom he felt great affection and little by little he began to feel attracted to her. The two were married in 298 A. C., and it is known that their marriage was passionate and calm, having four children in common: Visenya, Rhaena, Alyssa and Vaegar.

Viserys was forced to leave his post as edicts counselor because of his fragile health and it was discovered that he suffered from gout. In the year 317 A. C., Viserys fell down the stairs, killing himself in the fall at the age of 41.

Daenerys Targaryen- Known as "the mother of dragons" she was the most popular daughter of the kings since thanks to her the dragons returned to her life.

The princess herself always felt a great fascination for dragons, which had disappeared centuries ago. It wasn't until 293 A. C., when she was executed by a young man for stealing from the crown and it was decided to burn at the stake. In those moments, Daenerys put a dragon egg and when the flames stopped taking the condemned man, a baby dragon hatched being a miracle for everyone who looked. The princess took the dragon in her hands and named it "Balerion" in honor of the Black Terror.

After the death of her father and the coronation of her brother Rhaegar, he appointed her as a dragon breeder, the princess being in charge of taking care of the dragons and their eggs.

Daenerys got married in 298 A. C., with her brother Viserys Targaryen with whom she was more united and they had four children in common to whom she was full of love, in addition to giving each one a dragon egg.

In the year 317 A. C., her husband brother Viserys passed away and Daenerys mourned him for a year, but the rest of her life she had some secret lovers and the best known was Daario Naharis, a mercenary from Tyrosh whom the princess met while flying through the Free Cities. on his dragon, Balerion. This romance was a scandal for her kingdom and Rhaegar forbade Daenerys to visit Yunkai, in addition to threatening to take her to a convent and the princess agreed to leave Daario to be with her children.

In 333 A. C., Daenerys and her dragon Balerion mysteriously disappeared along with three dragon eggs, creating the legend that the mother of dragons has become a protective deity of dragons casting curses on those who dare to hurt or kill the dragons and their offspring .

(If in this Universe Rhaegar does not screw up with the theme of the three heads of the dragon, Rhaella's dead children live and Viserys is not the paranoid and cruel brother seen in the books)

AU: Aerys II y Rhaella, los reyes del nuevo mundo (2/2)

Rhaegar I Targaryen- Fue rey de los Siete Reinos tras la muerte de su padre y reino por quince años llenos de prosperidad, paz y una economía estable. Rhaegar era considerado culto, experto en armas e inteligente siendo conocido como “El rey arpa”. Su reina fue Elia Nymeros Martell la segunda dorniense en ser reina consorte de los Siete Reinos. Los herederos de Rhaegar fueron sus hijos Aegon VI y Rhaenys Targayen quienes sus descendientes se unieron con las ramas menores de la casa Targaryen.

Rhaegar falleció en el año 309 d. C., a los 50 años de edad, su cuerpo fue encontrado tirado al lado de su dragón Silverfire. Se cree que el rey tuvo un paro cardiaco mientras alimentaba a su dragón u otros que su alma se fusiono con el del dragón siendo ambos uno solo.

Shaena Targaryen- Fue la segunda hija de los reyes y considerada una de las mujeres mas hermosas de los Siete Reinos. Por petición de su hermano, Rhaegar Targaryen, Shaena fue prometida con Stannis Baratheon, el segundo hijo de Steffon Baratheon aun que este no tenía la posibilidad de heredar Bastión de Tormenta. Pese a esto, Aerys acepto el compromiso por la gran amistad que tenia con Steffon Baratheon y por que el herdero de este, Robert Baratheon se negaba a romper su compromiso con Lyanna Stark.

El matrimonio estuvo estable y Stannis sentía cierta pasión por su bella esposa con la cual pudo tener cuatro hijos: Steffon, Aegon, Vaegon y Rogar; y una hija, Rhaelle. Pesé a no ser señora de Bastión de Tormenta su hija, Rhaelle se convirtió en Señora al casarse con su primo Lord Orys Baratheon, hijo de Robert Baratheon y Lyanna Stark.

Se desconoce cuando falleció Shaena, pero se cree que pudo fallecer poco después que su hijo Vaegon tras este caerse por las escaleras y romperse el cuello. Probablemente Shaena murió de pena.

Daeron Targaryen- Fue comandante de la Guardia de la Ciudad durante el reinado de su padre y su hermano. Se caso con Lady Lysa Tully, hija de Hoster Tully en una alianza para ganarse el favor de los Tully. Aun que su esposa llego amarlo, Daeron tuvo varias amantes y se cree que una de ellas fue su hermana Shaena, pero no se a confirmado. Lysa le dio a Daeron dos hijas, Minisa y Shaera, aun que Daeron tuvo muchos hijos ilegítimos se sabe que llego amar a sus hijas a las cuales llamaba “Mi minina” y “Mi sol”.

Daeron falleció en el año 300 d. C., a los 31 años de edad siendo apuñalado por un sirviente que estaba tratando de robar unas joyas de la reina viuda Rhaella. Su cuerpo fue incinerado y sus cenizas reposan junto a las de su familia.

Aegon Targaryen- Fue el hijo mas desconocido de los reyes y considerado el menos interesante. Se sabe que fue el hijo menos favorito de Aerys II y por ello Aegon fue enviado a Antigua para convertirse en maestre aun que mantuvo el contacto con su madre y con su hermano, Rhaegar.

Aegon tuvo una estrecha relación con su tío Aemon Targaryen, quien era maestre en la Guardia de la Noche y por medio de cartas aconsejaba al joven sobre el trabajo de la iglesia, del septon y de los maestres.

Jaehaerys Targaryen- Fue el hijo favorito del rey y el consejero de los rumores de su hermano, Rhaegar I. Era considerado tan atractivo como su hermano Rhaegar, pero Jaehaerys si compartía el lecho con las mujeres desde su adolescencia.

Se caso con la hija de la mano del rey, Cersei Lannister y ambos se sintieron muy atraídos el uno por el otro, pero cuando su esposa quedo embarazada Jaehaerys se busco otras amantes lo que enfurecía a Cersei.

Es leyenda que el príncipe y su dama discutían acaloradamente por las relaciones extramatrimoniales de Jaehaerys, pero también se sabe que tenían apasionadas reconciliaciones de las cuales nacieron siete vástagos: Aerys, Tywin, Daena, Shiera, Joanna, Jaime y Aegon.

Se cree que sus hijos Shiera y Jaime no eran del príncipe ya que se sabe que Cersei tuvo algunos encuentros con otros hombres y uno de ellos se cree que fue su propio hermano, Jaime Lannister.

Jaehaerys falleció en el año 313 d. C., a los 39 años de varicela, pero se cree que fue envenenado por su propia esposa, Cersei en venganza por las infidelidades. Sus hijos Aerys y Tywin fallecieron de psoriagrís y sus hijas Daena y Shiera se unieron a la Casa Lannister.

Viserys Targaryen- Fue consejero de los edictos del rey Rhaegar I y el hijo favorito de su madre, Rhaella. Era considerado como un joven muy parecido a su madre tranquilo, callado y obediente, pero con el pasar del tiempo se convirtió en un hombre mas seguro, fiel y a veces impaciente, pero siempre se le recuerda como un hermano fiel.

Se caso con su hermana pequeña, Daenerys con la cual sentía un gran cariño y poco a poco empezó a sentirse atraído por ella. Ambos se casaron en el año 298 d. C., y se sabe que su matrimonio fue apasionado y tranquilo llegando a tener cuatro hijos en común: Visenya, Rhaena, Alyssa y Vaegar.

Viserys tuvo que dejar su cargo como consejero de los edictos por su frágil salud y se descubrió que padecía de gota. En el año 317 d. C., Viserys callo por las escaleras matándose en la caída a la edad de 41 años.

Daenerys Targaryen- Conocida como “la madre de dragones” fue la hija mas popular de los reyes ya que gracias a ella los dragones volvieron a la vida.

La princesa siempre sintió una gran fascinación por los dragones, los cuales habían desaparecido siglos atrás. No fue hasta en el año 293 d. C., cuando se dio la ejecución de un mozo por robarle a la corona y se decidió quemar en la hoguera. En esos momentos Daenerys metió un huevo de dragón y cuando las llamas cesaron llevándose al condenado, una cría de dragón salió del cascarón siendo un milagro para todo aquel que miraba. La princesa tomo al dragón en sus manos y lo llamo “Balerion” en honor al Terror Negro.

Tras la muerte de su padre y la coronación de su hermano Rhaegar este la nombro como criadora de dragones, encargándose la princesa de cuidar a los dragones y los huevos de estos.

Daenerys se caso en el año 298 d. C., con su hermano Viserys Targaryen con el cual estaba mas unida y tuvieron cuatro hijos en común a los cuales lleno de amor, además de entregarles a cada uno un huevo de dragón.

En el año 317 d. C., su hermano esposo Viserys falleció y Daenerys le guardo luto por un año, pero el resto de su vida tuvo algunos amantes secretos y el mas conocido fue Daario Naharis un mercenario originario de Tyrosh al cual la princesa conoció mientras volaba por las Ciudades Libres en su dragón, Balerion. Este romance fue un escandalo para el reino y Rhaegar prohibió a Daenerys visitar Yunkai, además de amenazarla con llevarla a un convento y la princesa accedió a dejar a Daario para estar con sus hijos.

En el año 333 d. C., Daenerys y su dragón Balerion desaparecieron misteriosamente junto con tres huevos de dragón creándose la leyenda de que la madre de dragones se a convertido en una deidad protectora de dragones lanzando maldiciones a quien ose lastimar o matar a los dragones y a las crías de estos.

(Si en este Universo Rhaegar no la caga con el tema de las tres cabezas del dragón, los hijos muertos de Rhaella viven y Viserys no es el paranoico y hermano cruel que se ve en los libros)

#prince rhaegar #elia martell #aegon vi targaryen #rhaenys targaryen martell #shaena targaryen #daeron targaryen #aegon targaryen #jaehaerys targaryen #viserys targaryen #daenerys targaryen

[vapaus-ystavyys-tasaarvo]

Alright, notes on 1.1.10 for Les Mis Letters:

"a former member of the Convention"

The Convention here refers to the National Convention which governed France through the first years of the First Republic (from September 1792 to November 1795). This was an eventful period which involved some massive progressive reforms for the time, various interesting experiments such as coming up with a new calendar, a new form of religion and the metric system, as well as the trial and execution of the former king and queen, and of course the famous Reign of Terror.

The Convention did some genuinely good things like abolished slavery (until Napoleon RE-ESTABLISHED IT BECAUSE HE SUCKS) but obviously also some extremely questionable things.

The Convention was abolished in 1795 and replaced by the much more conservative Directory.

"when people called each other thou"

The Hapgood translation tends to use the very archaic thou to translate the French pronoun tu. French (like most languages) has two words for "you": tu in singular and vous in plural. Vous is also used in place of tu as a form of polite address. In this era tu was actually used in very limited circumstances.

I won't get deeper into this topic because I would need to do more research into the specifics but generally speaking, in this era, the general use of tu for everybody in all contexts was seen as ideological and radical. I don't actually know how common it actually was among the radicals, I'm not a FRev expert.

The "citizen" thing definitely was a thing though.

"How did it happen that such a man had not been brought before a provost’s court, on the return of the legitimate princes?"

This indicates that we must be at least as far as the year 1814 now. The words of the Conventionist seem to confirm this date, although it's a bit ambiguous; it could also be later. I would assume that it wouldn't be later than 1815, but apparently the law that exiled the "regicides" wasn't passed until 1816, so idk, maybe this does take place later actually! In that case this episode would come chronologically after The Fall, which is the next book.

"The legitimate princes" would mean Louis XVIII and Charles the Count of Artois, the younger brothers of the overthrown Louis XVI. Louis XVIII was put on the throne by the Allies after Napoleon's defeat in 1814. (The reason why Louis XVIII is called the "eighteenth" rather than the "seventeenth" will be explained soon.)

The Bourbon Restoration, as this return of the royal family to the throne is called, was not a complete return to the pre-revolution system; there was a new constitution (the Charter of 1814) which at least in theory limited the king's power, and the Napoleonic Code was kept as the basis of the legal system.

The reception of Louis XVIII varied, and a lot of people obviously weren't happy that he was placed on the throne by foreigners who France had only just been at war with, but this is the South which was generally more royalist. (This reminds me, I should relisten to the 1814-1815 episodes of the Siècle podcast...)

"'93!"

I already talked about the year 1793 earlier so I won't repeat all that now

“Louis XVII.?”

(CW: child abuse)

As a royalist Myriel refers to the son of the former king as "Louis XVII". According to the royalists, at the moment of Louis XVI's death his son automatically became Louis XVII, despite never being crowned king. This is why the actual next king, Louis XVIII, is called the eighteenth. (As a recap: Louis XVIII was "Louis XVII's" uncle)

Little Louis died in captivity in 1795, at the age of ten. In the autopsy it was discovered that his body was horrifically scarred due to physical abuse.

"the brother of Cartouche"

Cartouche (1693-1721) was a famous highwayman and a folk hero, eventually caught and executed in 1721. I don't know much about him but now I kinda want to look more into it. His little brother Louis AKA Louison was hanged two years later as an accomplice despite being only about 15 (meaning he would have been only about 13 at most when he was supposedly being an accomplice to his brother.)

"fleur de lys"

⚜ The heraldic symbol of the French monarchy:

Supposedly representing a lily but apparently it might actually be an iris, idk.

"Bossuet chanting the Te Deum over the dragonnades?"

Bossuet was the bishop of Meaux 1681-1704, and a famous orator. He will come up again later in Les Mis.

The Dragonnades were part of Louis XIV (the Sun King)'s persecution campaign against the Huguenots.

Te Deum laudamus is a hymn and the title means "we praise thee, God".

"Carrier is a bandit; but what name do you give to Montrevel? Fouquier-Tainville is a rascal; but what is your opinion as to Lamoignon-Bâville? Maillard is terrible; but Saulx-Tavannes, if you please? Duchêne senior is ferocious; but what epithet will you allow me for the elder Letellier? Jourdan-Coupe-Tetê is a monster; but not so great a one as M. the Marquis de Louvois."

.... Okay I'm not gonna bother with all of these. Skip!

"the Abbey of Sainte Claire en Beaulieu, which I saved in 1793"

Several religious buildings were torn down during the Revolution, apparently the Conventionist spoke in favour of preserving this one? I don't actually know which abbey this is though or if this is a more specific reference. I can't be bothered to do any more research either tbh

According to an annotation on my edition of the novel, this might be an allusion to Hugo's father saving convents in Italy.

"those who despise it in a cap revere it in a hat.”

The red cap they're talking about is the Phrygian cap, which was worn by emancipated slaves in ancient Rome and which thus became a symbol of the Revolution (as it was a symbol of liberty). The cap is famously still worn by Marianne, the anthropomorphic personification of France.

The red hat Myriel alludes to, I assume means the galero, a wide-brimmed hat worn by cardinals. I could be wrong though, let me know if you have a better idea!

#les mis letters #myriel #god this got long #oof #im exhausted now xD #i hope there aren't mistakes bc i don't have the energy to double check this