lazarecarnot

[lazarecarnot]

Couldn't agree more, tsk.

Fouché being a killjoy

(from Carême ep. 3)

The blonde man dressed in blue who looks like a pirate is Talleyrand fyi

[lazarecarnot]

Carnot sneered, not at all intimidated by those petty remarks, though he was surprised to hear Talleyrand talking in such a shameless way.

"And why would he ever?" he replied with a rhetoric question. "It would mean he'd have to resort to me as a conversation topic, because his mind can't produce anything more elaborate or compelling. Besides..."

Carnot paused for a few seconds, before giving Talleyrand a sharp look; he then added defiantly: "I have never - not a single time - hidden my contempt towards such a shameless turncoat like you are, Talleyrand. You simply weren't there to witness it."

[@serpentofotranto & @monsieurdetalleyrand]

It is a lovely day to go for a walk. Talleyrand is, understandably, not fond of walking around "without aim or reason" but Fouché has managed to coax him into it. Some fresh air and exercice is good, he's been told since he was a child in a desperate attempt to make him worthy of his father's legacy.

Today the air is warm and the sun is shining, but the sky is mottled with clouds. He has fun pointing out various formations to Talleyrand, and explaining the thermodynamics behind the appearance of the cirrus, the stratus and the altocumulus. His companion seems reasonably invested, proof that he hasn't lost his touch as a teacher in the many years since the Oratoriens.

Of course, Charles Maurice being himself, he manages to stir the conversation into gossip about various people populating their afterlife, new arrivals and new dynamics. It is pleasant, arm in arm along what looks like the banks of the Seine in bloom.

They have strayed rather far from their respective territories, but Fouché is familiar with the complex web of the various realms surrounding them. It seems unlikely that they will come across anyone here, and certainly not the dark forces that lurk at the edges of the maps and the minds.

He hums in agreement with something Talleyrand says.

"Of course, they're always squabbling. A little clash of egos and a real fight are much too different to put much stake on the line taking sides."

[ @monsieurdetalleyrand ]

[lazarecarnot]

Oh chérie, tu sais très bien combien désolé j'étais quand tu m'avait confessé tes premières impressions sur moi... Je voulais seulement te frapper avec mes connaissances scientifiques, vu que tu me semblait aussi beaucoup intéressée à ces arguments...

Heureusement j'au eu l'occasion de me rendre plus aimiable !

When did you and Lazare meet? Was there something that impressed you about him?

Excerpts from Sophie's diary:

November 13, 1788

Today was far too cold for our usual walks in the garden. Our activities consisted in keeping the fireplace burning and remaining close to it. Even so, we didn't remain alone, as Dad was keen to invite some of his acquaintances. I finally had the chance to meet Claude-Marie, whom my sister has been dreamily telling me about for weeks. Adélaïde and I prepared dinner for the arrival of him and his brother. Or should I say, I prepared dinner, because she kept making clumsy mistakes while daydreaming. Claude-Marie seems quite gentle and courteous, and very enthusiastic in his conversations with us. His brother Lazare, on the other hand, gave me the impression of a very pretentious man. Most of the time, he was quite silent and observant, only speaking up to correct my mistakes. I suppose it was my fault for trying to redirect the conversion to the latest scientific discoveries, in the belief that this would make him more comfortable if we talked about something that actually interests him. I don't think he and I will get along very well, as I dislike the company of people who patronize and belittle others to make themselves greater.

May 13, 1790

I haven't been able to take the time to write in the last few days. Preparations for Adélaïde's wedding took a lot of our time. From what I have been told, it was a sumptuous and moving ceremony. I couldn't come, as Dr. Levasseur strongly advised against it, and my legs can't carry me for more than a few minutes when I get out of bed. I slept a lot and felt like the heaviest of burdens. I heard that Lazare Carnot was looking for me at the ceremony and asked about me. I guess this man must have been disappointed he couldn't humiliate me in front of both our families with his knowledge, his unbearably charming smile and his huge brain.

September 5, 1790

Dad brought home a copy of the Père Duchesne, the new newspaper in vogue in Paris, calling it an offending and vulgar piece of rag. I leafed through it and found it rather amusing. Everyone talks about Minister Necker's resignation with gravity and restrained anger, and I found it quite refreshing to read a writer that lets himself say out loud what everyone else is thinking in silent. In other news, Lazare Carnot is now living with us in Saint-Omer. He was the victim of a terrifying accident while supervising works on a lock, so he will probably be staying for a couple of months. Over the last few days, he's been neither talkative nor curmudgeonly, perhaps because the family has assigned me as his nurse for the time of his convalescence, and he doesn't want to upset me in his present vulnerable position. A wise decision, if you ask me.

September 25, 1790

I finally came to understand that Lazare wasn't trying to belittle me, but to impress me with his extensive knowledge. When he found out why I was acting so distantly toward him, he looked very confused and apologetic, as it was not his intention to appear so rude. So I softened up more. Since he is here every day and I take care of him, we talked a lot. He showed me his book of poems, but refused to believe me when I told him they were really lovely. How strange. So I tried to cobble together a musical composition for one of them which I really enjoyed, “Histoire des chapeaux”, to brighten up the afternoon with singing and music. Lazare clapped along with the others, but his cheeks were very red. I really hope he's not angry with me.

November 13, 1790

My friend Faustine asked me if I was in love with Lazare, because she thinks I smile a lot in his presence. I replied that I wasn't. So she said, "Could I make it clear to him that I would like him to court me?" and to be honest, I didn't know what to say. I think it would be reasonable for me to say no. Not because I feel anything for him, of course. But because he shouldn't be thinking about anything other than his recovery and I'm responsible for him and what might happen to him! Faustine laughs at me and says I'm possessive and want to keep him all to myself. How dare she! She's no longer welcome in my house! By the way, Lazare pointed out to me that a year has gone by since we first met. Time has passed far too quickly. Part of me hopes that his injured leg will heal as slowly as possible so that he can stay longer. His presence and conversation bring a little sunshine and warmth to these dreary winter days. But let's be clear: I'm NOT in love with him, and Faustine is nothing but a prat!

February 2nd, 1791

Lazare kissed me on New Year's Eve. Does that mean I am pregnant? Should I tell my father? Last night I dreamt that he-

Oh, OH, UHM.

ALRIGHT, LET'S JUST- I THINK I SHOWED ENOUGH OF IT.

I hope it answered your question, Anon!

[lazarecarnot]

Not wanting to displease and disappoint her wife, Carnot reluctantly sat next to her. He waited a few minutes before he shyly uttered the first words of Le Fils de Venus, the poem he wrote on the occasion of their marriage. Sophie's slender fingers were indeed playing the music she composed herself for it and it didn't take much to Carnot to recognize the notes: it was one of the pieces that his wife played the most.

Qui définira cet enfant... ... aussi vieux que le monde ? [...]

The more Sophie played, the more Lazare gained confidence and by the end of the second stanza, he was managing to follow the rhythm pretty decently. He still felt like being off-key, so he let the music cover his mistakes, by not raising his voice too much. His wife's radiant glances were what encouraged Carnot to go until the end.

Once Sophie had stopped, he placed his head on her shoulder, softly kissing her neck.

Merci pour m'avoir enchanté encore un fois avec tes notes sublimes, mon trésor, mon amour. Quand je suis à tes cotés, je sens que je peux reussir à tout faire.

[lazarecarnot]

Lazare lowered his gaze in embarrassment: unlike his brother, he had no talent for singing and was well aware of it.

Ma chére, tu me flattes en demandant cela, mais je finirais seulement pour ruiner tes notes sublimes... Tu sais que je ne sais point chanter...

[lazarecarnot]

Oui, je t'e prie, mon trésor.

Ta musique, c'est un médicament pour mon âme.

[lazarecarnot]

Ça me rappelle de toi, mon coeur. Bien que tu sois infiniment plus belle, @demoiselle-dupont ♡

[lazarecarnot]

was Saint-Just pretty?

Mh, if we are talking purely about aesthetics, no, he wasn't. His appearance was nothing special and rather forgettable. Moreover, his long visage, plump lips and harsh traits weren't exactly considered conventional beauty standards at the time.

It was his attitude and character who made him charming, leaving a strong, significant impression on everybody who had the chance to listen to his speeches and to work with him.

[lazarecarnot]

Why did you name your son 'Sadi'?

I named him after my favourite poet and writer Saadi Shirazi.

[lazarecarnot]

... Or you happen to die before computers are invented!

you either die a mathematician or live long enough to see yourself become a computer scientist

[lazarecarnot]

A honor? Really?

I don't deserve such praise, General, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness.

On the matter, an esteemed colleague and close friend of mine, @hermite-du-gros-caillou came up with a brilliant term to describe these gestures: patriotic effusions.

Would you kiss Napoleon

Oh... *blushes* Well... I would, yes, if Napoléon agrees of course, but in any case I'll make sure @general-junot isn't around first...

[lazarecarnot]

Uhm..? [hums perplexed]

A ball rolls along a sidewalk toward a gutter. The position of the ball on the sidewalk is:

x(t) = 0.000015t5– 0.004t3 + 0.4t.

Position x is in meters while time t is in seconds. What is the ball’s instantaneous velocity at t = 10.0 s?

Why do you bring this to the attention of the Marquis? I am not proving your problem! I am no physicist! Take this query to Claude Pouillet, it should interest him more than I. Of any gutter, this ball belongs in your ass!

[lazarecarnot]

You think you're so clever, monsieur mathématicien, with your differential equations and your tactics? Solve this then, smart guy!

You forgot the initial height, monsieur Le Représentant

[lazarecarnot]

More roses I had the pleasure to find during one of my daily walks🌹

[lazarecarnot]

What a pity!

There are some women who find men of science and mathematicians rather intriguing and attractive, n'est-ce pas, @demoiselle-dupont ?

A ball rolls along a sidewalk toward a gutter. The position of the ball on the sidewalk is:

x(t) = 0.000015t5– 0.004t3 + 0.4t.

Position x is in meters while time t is in seconds. What is the ball’s instantaneous velocity at t = 10.0 s?

Why do you bring this to the attention of the Marquis? I am not proving your problem! I am no physicist! Take this query to Claude Pouillet, it should interest him more than I. Of any gutter, this ball belongs in your ass!

[lazarecarnot]

You ought to substitute "10" where "t" is written so that you get the position "x" at that specific time. Then you divide x by t to have the instant velocity.

Weren't you taught Physics at military school?

(//genuine question: I remember reading that Sade was in the army when he was very young. Do I remember correctly? Was he trained as a military man?)

A ball rolls along a sidewalk toward a gutter. The position of the ball on the sidewalk is:

x(t) = 0.000015t5– 0.004t3 + 0.4t.

Position x is in meters while time t is in seconds. What is the ball’s instantaneous velocity at t = 10.0 s?

Why do you bring this to the attention of the Marquis? I am not proving your problem! I am no physicist! Take this query to Claude Pouillet, it should interest him more than I. Of any gutter, this ball belongs in your ass!

[lazarecarnot]

An accurate depiction of my true reaction.

Carnot reaction against Tallien and Barras

Carnot, on the day he learned that he would have to work with Tallien, and later with Barras:

He must have missed the good old days of the Committee of the Year II even with the big political differences.