#happy 10 thermidor everyone!

[alittletoosaintjust]

“There is little evidence for what Saint-Just really thought during the early weeks of the Convention, so there is now no way of knowing whether he hesitated or not between factions, or what factors inclined him to make up his mind. We only know that he chose Robespierre, unequivocally, and for the rest of his life. His choice was all the more striking since, out of the twelve deputies from the Aisne, he was the only one to align himself with the Montagnards.”

- Marisa Linton, The Man of Virtue: The Role of Antiquity in the Political Trajectory of L. A. Saint-Just 

[anotherhumaninthisworld]

Do you think the rumors of a romance/marriage between Robespierre and Eleonore are true? Or is there any hard evidence at all?

”Hard evidence” I suppose would be statements from Robespierre and/or Éléonore themselves that the two were a thing. Such things would however appear to not exist. For Robespierre, the only time he is even recorded to have mentioned Éléonore that I’m aware of is when writing to her father while on a trip to Arras in the fall of 1791 and asking him to say hello from him to the rest of his family:

Please present the testimonies of my tender friendship to Madame Duplay, to your demoiselles, and to my little friend. Robespierre to Maurice Duplay, October 16 1791

Present the testimonies of my tender and masterful attachment to your ladies, whom I earnestly desire to embrace, as well as our little patriot.  Robespierre to Maurice Duplay, November 17 1791

As can be seen from the letters, there’s nothing here suggesting he thought anything in particular about Éléonore. But it’s also unknown if the two were even a thing at this point, considering they hadn’t known each other for even half a year.

As for Éléonore, she hasn’t left behind any written material at all that I’m aware of, nor do we possess anything written to her. This just leaves us with contemporary claims regarding the two. Below are those I’ve been able to find, cited in chronological order:

[Robespierre’s] host's daughter passed for his wife and had a sort of empire over him.  Causes secrètes de la révolution du 9 au 10 thermidor (1794) by Joachim Vilate, page 16

It has been rumored that [Éléonore] had been Robespierre's mistress. I think I can affirm she was his wife; according to the testimony of one of my colleagues, Saint-Just had been informed of this secret marriage, which he had attended.  Mémoires d’un prêtre regicide (1829) by Simon-Edme Monnel, page 337-338

Madame Lebreton, a sweet and sensitive young woman, said, blushing: “Everyone assures that Eugénie [sic] Duplay was Robespierre’s mistress.” “Ah! My God! Is it possible that that good and generous creature should have so degraded herself?” I was aghast. “Listen,” cried Henriette, “don’t judge on appearances. The unhappy Eugénie was not the mistress, but the wife of the monster, whom her pure soul decorated with every virtue; they were united by a secret marriage of which Saint-Just was the witness.”  Souvernirs de 1793 et 1794 par madame Clément, Née Hémery (1832) by Albertine Clément-Hémery

Madame Duplay had three [sic] daughters: one married the conventionnel Le Bas; another married, I believe, an ex-constituent; the third, Éléonore, who preferred to be called Cornélie, and who was the eldest, was, according to what people pleased themselves to say, on the point of marrying my brother Maximilien when 9 Thermidor came. There are in regard to Éléonore Duplay two opinions: one, that that she was the mistress of Robespierre the elder; the other that she was his fiancée. I believe that these opinions are equally false; but what is certain is that Madame Duplay would have strongly desired to have my brother Maximilien for a son-in-law, and that she forget neither caresses nor seductions to make him marry her daughter. Éléonore too was very ambitious to call herself the Citizeness Robespierre, and she put into effect all that could touch Maximilien’s heart. But, overwhelmed with work and affairs as he was, entirely absorbed by his functions as a member of the Committee of Public Safety, could my older brother occupy himself with love and marriage? Was there a place in his heart for such futilities, when his heart was entirely filled with love for the patrie, when all his sentiments, all his thoughts were concentrated in a sole sentiment, in a sole thought, the happiness of the people; when, without cease fighting against the revolution’s enemies, without cease assailed by his personal enemies, his life was a perpetual combat? No, my older brother should not have, could not have amused himself to be a Celadon with Éléonore Duplay, and, I should add, such a role would not enter into his character. Besides, I can attest it, he told me twenty times that he felt nothing for Éléonore; her family’s obsessions, their importunities were more suited to make feel disgust for her than to make him love her. The Duplays could say what they wanted, but there is the exact truth. One can judge if he was disposed to unite himself to Madame Duplay’s eldest daughter by something I heard him say to Augustin: “You should marry Éléonore.”  “My faith, no,” replied my younger brother.  Mémoires de Charlotte Robespierre sur ses deux frères (1834) page 90-91

My older sister had been promised to Robespierre.  Memoirs of Élisabeth Lebas (written around 1844)

The eldest of the Duplay daughters, who Robespierre wanted to marry, was called Éléonore. Robespierre allowed himself to be cared for, but he was not in love.  Notes historiques sur la Convention nationale, le Directoire, l’Empire et l’exil des votants (1895) by Marc Antoine Baudot, page 41

All the historians assert that [Robespierre] carried out an intrigue with the daughter of Duplay, but as the family physician and constant guest of that house I am in a position to deny this on oath. They were devoted to each other, and their marriage was arranged; but nothing of the kind alleged ever sullied their love.   Recollections of a Parisian (docteur Poumiès de La Siboutie) under six sovereigns, two revolutions, and a republic (1789-1863) (1911)

I personally believe in the version reported by Élisabeth Duplay and Joseph Souberbielle here (that is, that Robespierre and Éléonore were unofficially engaged and nothing more) since they were the ones to be in a position to actually know. The account of Charlotte Robespierre, who I suppose also was in this position, I’m dismissing due to her obvious jealousy of the Duplays. Plus, she’s done so many other shady things that lying about an engagement is honestly the least I expect from her at this point (and she lied about her own so…)

[yakumtsaki]

I taste just like ice cream, bitch I am so icy, heart cold like an ice queen, that's why they don't like me 🎵

-What the hell was that.

Traditionally I start Union updates with semi-relevant song lyrics.

-Why did you start an update at all.

Because it’s time, Shajar! I took a holy oath in my 2020 simming goals post to update Unions once a month, and I’m already a month late.

-But nothing interesting is happening. 

That’s never stopped me before. Now listen to Rico Nasty, cry some more about Sophie blowing you off, and shut up.

-Ugh please, I couldn’t be more over Sonia if I tried. I hardly ever texted her links to wedding pinterest boards and quizzes to determine if our parenting styles are compatible. 

Did she ever reply? 

-She did once and said ‘who dis’. Of course the letters unscrambled spell out ‘do wish’, meaning she did wish me to keep messaging her. I just don’t know where it all went wrong. 

-Hey there, 17 year old girl, maybe you’ve had enough neat whiskey for the night? We’re actually running out of bottles. 

-Beat it, ponytail, I need to dull my pain. I’ve just been stabbed right in the gut by the love of my life. Just like my style idol and general role model, space opera fascist Kylo Ren.

Shaj I really hate seeing you like this, and not just because the red neon light is super unflattering on your complexion.

-You can fuck right off too, I was perfectly happy with my dads who hate me and my imbecile sister and my brother who might as well not exist, noogie-ing people all day AND night long, but you had to be all ‘OMG IT’S SOPHIE MIGUEL SHAJAR GO TALK TO HER’. Life-ruining-moron. 

But I was totally right about you two hitting it off, I mean look how sad you are now that she dumped- yea never mind, that’s not a good argument.

-Look what I can do even though I’ve had 46 whiskeys!! How you like me now, Sophie???

-You’re paying for all these broken glasses, I’m going to need your name and a credit card.

-Yes, fair enough, my name is Cyneswith Union-

-I LOOK GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT

Yea, you really should eat something to soak up all the alcohol. And not to kick you when you’re down, but you should also disregard all those cliches about ~a smile being the most beautiful thing you can wear~ because MAN. Watch out Joaquin, there’s a new Joker on the prowl. 

-So.. 20 lobsters thermidor and our most expensive appetizers?

-Aha.

-Would you mind settling your bill now?

-Of course not! My name is Cyneswith Union and this is the credit card my parents got me when I was 6 because we’re super duper best friends! I love my parents! They don’t care about their other daughter at all, even when their other daughter is going through a really hard time because she got the emotional equivalent of a lightsaber wound in the gut. You know what, let me also get 20 bottles of your most overpriced champagne to go with the lobsters.

Feeling better?

-Well it’s hard to feel bad when you’re spending your parents’ money recklessly and with malice aforethought.

It sure is. Alright well, the sun is coming up, maybe we should head home.

-What’s the rush? What is going to happen if I don’t go home, my parents will get worried? LOL

God your life sucks. Ok let’s hit a couple more places.

-Greetings. Welcome to our establishment. I am a human employee from this planet.

Great, nice to meet you.

-I just want there to be no doubt that I am indeed an earthling, born and raised under the earth’s exosphere and not above it.

Leave us alone.

-And I’m the resident community lot sim with that one face template you hate! There must be one of us on every lot you visit!

-And I am here in my revealing outfit to use the dance sphere and make everyone uncomfortable!

You’re actually pretty, I need to keep you in mind for after Don Oates takes a wrecking ball to our genetics, but yea, let’s bounce, Shajar.

Time to visit the happiest place on earth, Deh'Javu Modern Art Museum, home to my favorite piece of art in any medium, The Toilet of Fire. Shove that Fountain up your ass, Duchamp. How we feeling, Shaj?

-This trash can reminds of Sophie :( She used to go around town throwing money she stole from charities in trash cans and then send them riddles for where to find them :(

Enough with Sophie, we’ll find you someone better! Like..

..your aunt! Get the hell out of here Brit Brit, you’re taking up townie space. 

-I won’t be long, Gunther’s amazing close-up portrait of my hair was rejected by the museum so I’m here to set this shithole on fire. 

In other words Gunther just painted a canvas black and called it a day?

-His art doesn’t cater to plebs. Yes, offense.

Our old friend Ugly Teen Townie is here so finally we can have some fun. Shajar had gone almost 12 hours(!) without noogieing someone and I was starting to worry for her health.

-Yes, yes, I’m starting to feel like myself again..

Good for you, Shaj!

-Hope you’ve made peace with your God, Ugly Teen Townie, this water balloon is filled with horse feces! 

-WHERE DID YOU EVEN GET HORSE SHIT

-I ordered it from some guy named Leod McGreggor.

-How about a another joke, MuRRAY?

-What?!

-Now you say, ‘no, I think we’ve had enough of your jokes’. Say it!

-No, I think we’ve had enough of your jokes.

-What do you get when you cross a mentally-ill loner with a society that abandons him and treats him like trash? Now you say ‘call the police, Gene!’

-Call the police, Gene!

-I'll tell you what you get..

-YOU GET WHAT YOU FUCKING DESERVE. HAHA oh man! Good stuff. 

Alright I’m starting to feel bad for Ugly Teen Townie, first he had to come to all the toddler birthday parties during the Victoria/Komei era and now this, he has suffered enough at this family’s hands. Time to go home, Shaj.

-Not so fast!

Wow, the Countess and Mrs. Crumplebottom on the same lot, top 10 anime crossovers.

-I have been sent here by the Limp Dick Vamps United organization to recruit Shajar Union.

Ugh you people are still around? Haven’t heard of you losers since the Count wouldn’t let Victoria bang him, which I’m still annoyed about. 

-Indeed we are, and it’s clear Shajar is ready to join us, dedicating her life to evil deeds without romantic distractions. I have no idea what Crumplebottom is doing here.

-I’m here to recruit Shajar to my own organization, Bitter Sims Worldwide Alliance. We’re always on the lookout for new members who want to spread their misery to their fellow Sim. 

It sounds like it’d be more effective if you guys just merged your organizations.

-I will NEVER merge my organization with someone who displays her bosom like a common whore. 

-Eat a dick, Crumplebottom!

-MAKE ME, FANGTOOTH

-Alright here I am, what the fuck do you want?

-Shajar, it is a pleasure to meet you! Ardent admirer of your work.

-What work, freakshow?

-Torturing everyone around you, what else!

-What? I don’t torture people around me, if anything they torture me.

-Why don’t you talk to me about it?

-I’d rather not, you look like a bejeweled snowman.

-Look deep into my eyes, Shajar..

-And now look deep into my razor sharp teeth..

-Ugh fine, let’s talk. 

-Is that Victoria and Komei’s teen granddaughter hanging out with a vampire?

Yes it is Kennedy, keep it moving.

-God, wtf is wrong with this family. 

Nothing now that you’ve been removed from our social circle, go away! Just kidding, you’re an icon and I’m marrying you in at some point. 

-Hard pass. 

Your loss, hombre. 

-It definitely isn’t.

-If I had known your turn on was vampires I would had set you two up!

STOP SETTING UP TEENS WITH ADULTS, LAKSHMI. And Shajar’s turn ons isn’t vampires, it’s fitness/fatness. Body positive queen. 

-Well, Shajar, you alphabetically listing all the people who have wronged you while I was trying to kill Crumplebottom telepathically has made for a very productive conversation. We’ll be in touch. 

-Thanks, Countess, it’s been real.

Shajar!!! Who cares about Sophie when you might bag a hot, rich vamp??

-Meh.

I’m gonna need you to be more excited about this prospect because a vampire spouse might just be enough of a draw to beat the comedic factor of fucking Don Oates turning us into an unintentional uglacy and I’m doing whatever I can to avoid my fate.

Ugh.

UGH

UGHHHHHHH

LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOO VICTORIA

-GET FUCKED, BROKEN FACED WEIRDO

God I miss you Vic 💔

-Donnie-bear, not to be not-nice, but mopping your pee off my front lawn is not exactly what I pictured doing during this date.

This guy won’t even mop up his own piss, what a catch.

Wow, manipulative much?? You are a piss piece of work, Donaldo.

-Don’t think we forgot about you, you 10-nice-point disgrace!

-VICTOR NO

-GET THAT MOP READY

-Finally, some peace and quiet.. Just me, alone with my broken heart, pondering my hopeless, loveless future..

-💗💗💗OMG SIS THERE YOU ARE. DONNIE AND I MADE OUT!!! 💗💗💗 But then grandma’s ghost scared him into soiling himself. 

-Good for grandma, hopefully next time she gives him a stroke. Now shut up and let’s eat in silence while I ponder my hopeless, loveless future.

-Okie dokie! 💗💗💗

-Um, I think mine has vomit in it.

-Yea I did that, but it’s just whiskey and lobster, if anything it increased in value. 

-Awww thanks sis! 💗💗💗

-Stop patronizing me, you little bitch. God I want to poke your eye out with this chopstick so badly.

-I love you too Shaj! 💗💗💗

And I hate both of you. Where’s your brother, I haven’t paid attention to him in 3 days. 

-He went upstairs, I think he’s pusshurt we forgot his birthday LOL

IT’S HIS BIRTHDAY????

-Don’t feel bad, I forgot it too! 💗💗💗

GODDAMMIT. WULF! WULF WHERE ARE YOU

-I’m here, I just grew up and dare I say it could not have gone better! 

Really?? Finally some good news! Let me look upon you-

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA

WULF WHAT THE FUCK

-I was Mozart musical genius boy but now I’m a sk8ter boi! Character development!

Ok this is the most iconic birthday look since Gunther grew up in the pirate costume, we’re obviously keeping it. 

-Great! And as if the fact I’m a Wyatt face template with 0 Jojo genes wasn’t enough to make me unelectable, I also rolled family! :D I’m doing everything I can to ensure I live that sweet motherlode spare life! 

Honestly you should had picked another outfit cause now that you’re dressed like this I unironically want you to win. Hoisted with your own petard.

[fashournalist]

A coffee-buffet-stroll-grocery-coffee kind of day with bb (best eat-all-you-can experience so far!)

When all you think of are work and adulting, it’s great to have a break, escape from your routine, and spend the whole day with someone who genuinely cares and reminds you to enjoy life--explore the world one adventure at a time. It’s like going on a field trip, but instead of being surrounded by 100 kids (whom you may not know well), you’re with someone you can be 100% yourself with. And when all stresses pile up, sometimes you just have to be reminded that you have each other. : )

One of the earliest plot twists of this year is having this escapade with my close friend/sibling (and favorite buffet buddy!) Karl! It was truly something Niu. First we had Bonitos buffet in LB (2017), then Buffet 101 in Alabang (2018), then Sambokojin at Megamall with Hannah (2020), and now, Niu by Vikings! (View some of our past adventures here )

I decided to make this a text-form post because photo diaries are limited to 10 pictures at a time; but oh well, I’d love to share our January 30 in detail :)

Our first stop was Capitol Commons Starbucks (8AM-10AM)

Second stop: Niu by Vikings (11:00 onwards)

Third stop: SM Aura stroll

Fourth stop: S&R grocery

Fifth stop: Paseo de Magallanes

I had three first times in a single day!! Thank you so much bb for inviting me to hang out and making time for me despite your very, very busy schedule <3 I will never forget this day and I’m excited to create more beautiful memories with you--whether it’s a simple sound trip at a parking lot, a road trip, a coffee date, an acads session, or a “field trip” with five stops like today!

Read on if you want to view more photos from today’s escapade (mostly from Niu :) And thank you bb for taking my OOTDs too hehe)

Part I: Capitol Commons

We forgot to take a selfie at Starbucks and didn’t notice how fast the time was haha. Two hours just flew by and it was time to go to Niu. Actually, the whole day just flies by when I’m with you.  

I missed our road-trips-slash-sound-trips!! It seems only yesterday when we headed to MainLib, or IRRI, or Calamba, or Southwoods so we can study (or just chill.) It’s because of a road trip with you that I loved Ben&Ben in 2017!

Part II. The Niu experience

It was our first time here, and whoa, see the difference from the usual Vikings!

Loved the interiors and the ambience!

Their selections offer more dishes as well, yayy!

Boy, look at all that cholesterol. Isn’t it splendid?

Happy they have lamb and lengua as The Alley by Vikings didn’t have them.

Of course, there is no forgetting that we are still in a pandemic.

Hello, addiction! Sushi, maki, and sashimi!!!

Love these refreshing drinks!! 

Boy, they have free booze! I almost gave it a try but am scared I’d get drunk with a few sips since I never tried alcohol before haha xD 

Their seafood thermidor was the bomb! It’s my first time ever to try this dish, as well as other dishes I only saw on Hayday before (shepherd’s pie, for example). Karl is an amazing chef and it’s great he knows how to cook some of these, too. Flex ko lang na sobrang galing nya rin magbake, guys, check out Packed Munchies Sent on Facebook to order his ube choco pandesal, cookies, and more sweets!

Couldn’t get enough of the salmon sashimi, pizza, dimsum, dark chocolate brittle, and French macarons! Also learned to be careful when eating food whose name can’t be pronounced HAHA.

Niu’s tempura was one of Karl’s faves, along with carrot cake and blueberry cheescake!! Hi bb :D

As a professional buffet queen, eating with five plates to taste a bit of everything is normal HAHA chour.

OOTD! I LOVE this pink jacket Karl gave!! It’s always been a dream to have a jacket in this specific shade waaa! And he didn’t know it was my dream so this was really a lovely surprise (i think it’s the platonic equivalent of maternal instinct hehe) thank you soooo much bb! :D

We really enjoyed our Niu experience, yay! But our date was far from over hehe.

Part III. SM Aura stroll

Our selfie with Momi at the Department Store.

Sigh, this is only my second time at Aura, and I remember the first time, I didn’t even have a 20 peso bill. All I had were coins. Long story short, I was invited to attend a networking event on May 13 2017 and they gave me a ride back and forth. But I didn’t have anything, couldn’t even buy a bottle of water because nothing is free at Aura. I said, someday, I’ll be back, and be able to eat here. I didn’t know that I wouldn’t just get to eat, I would eat in a buffet! And with someone very dear to me! 

Sometimes Karl and I just look back at our college days and we’re amazed at how we’re adulting now. I remember him saying in 2018 that the things that used to be only dreams before are now becoming possible for us : )

Anyway, here is another OOTD at Aura’s Sky Garden! Thank youuuu bb for taking these photos yayyy (pandemic inspired haha porma porma pa rin kahit naka face mask and face shield)

I missed uploading outfit posts hueuhe should i revive the fashion part of this blog? Haha fashournalist started as a style diary in 2011 and it evolved into a memory box filled with throwbacks and so many things in between

I tried taking a stolen photo of Karl, too haha:

Part IV: S&R grocery

I’m ecstatic you guys, I’ve never been inside S&R before haha! I remember in June 18, 2016, after my lab test at Hi-Precision Santa Rosa, Dad and I tried to enter S&R in Nuvali. I thought they could welcome non-members if it’s just the pizza we’re after. But nope, no entry for us haha! Was able to try their pizza elsewhere like at Newport and other malls, but I still wanted to stroll inside their grocery someday. The day has arrived! (next goal: sneak into Landers even without membership haha)

Only bought four items (two of which i’ve never tried before) as I made sure I would not overspend haha and am scheduled to buy stuff at Puregold the following day--little did I know that products in S&R are actually cheaper! Their Corned Lechon, for example, is 9 pesos cheaper compared to that in Puregold! 

Part V: Paseo de Magallanes

This is another first time for me as I could not reach this place without a car haha. It’s a very cozy place. 

I love that we started and ended our day with coffee :) 

Coffee, tons of food and tons of stories in between! Thank you sooo much bb for this memorable date! And super thank you for the jacket, as well as Dad’s black towel! I am touched by how you remembered Dad loves the color black so much (and how I love pink, too huhu). Every moment with you is memorable, no matter how simple, or grand. We used to study for exams, cram papers together, study in libraries or IRRI, eat in canteens like Kentz in Demarces--all the simple things. Now we get to experience more adventures in more places! : )

When all you think of are work and adulting, it’s great to have a break, escape from your routine, and spend the whole day with someone who genuinely cares and reminds you to enjoy life--explore the world one adventure at a time.

I am super glad and grateful we had this January 30 bonding, Karl :) Thank you for being so thoughtful, caring, and sweet <3 (I and everyone you love are so lucky to have someone like you in our lives) Looking forward to more milestones and memories with you bb, cheers to all the adventures ahead of us! Love youuuuuuu

Always,

Grace :)