#of feeling it's more just like. 'ah. a nice glimpse of an alternate reality. perhaps one day microsoft solitaire. perhaps one day.

[icewindandboringhorror]

Recent random life images ~

[joachimnapoleon]

“Perhaps you love me still in the depths of your heart.”

Finally finished translating the Murat letter I mentioned in this post. I was just going to post some snippets of it, but decided I’d rather put it up in all its unabridged, rambling glory, because the totally random campaign details and assorted minutiae Murat starts throwing in through his alternately sarcastic, bitter, and angsty tirade are a nice glimpse into his (admittedly chaotic) thought process; they’re his way of trying to convince Napoleon that Murat’s Sicilian campaign is actually going quite well and is perfectly winnable if only Napoleon would just let him carry on with his business without further interference (which Napoleon won’t).

Some brief context: Murat, in the summer of 1810, is attempting to wrest Sicily from the Bourbons and reunite it with Naples. Or so he thinks; the reality is that Napoleon’s primary motive for sanctioning this campaign--though Murat is apparently oblivious to this--is to keep the British troops in Sicily distracted as long as possible so they don’t go reinforce those fighting the French in Spain. While this is going on, Caroline Murat is in Paris, alternately helping Napoleon’s new Empress to get her household up and running, and trying to keep her husband’s relationship with Napoleon from unraveling any further than it already has been for over a year now (and very likely beginning an affair with Metternich as well). Louis Bonaparte, who has been quarreling with Napoleon, is on the brink of losing his throne in Holland (he will be forced to abdicate by his brother less than a month after Murat writes this letter); Caroline is afraid of Napoleon’s wrath coming down on them in a similar manner. Napoleon begins interfering with Murat’s ongoing preparations for the Sicilian expedition; a letter from the Minister of War is sent to Murat instructing him that “the Emperor regards the enterprise as impossible, unless there are the means of transporting 15,000 men at the same time.” (Murat has the men, but not the means to transport them all simultaneously.) Additionally, Napoleon has the Minister “remind you that the French troops are to be commanded by French generals”--meaning, if it came to it, that they could refuse to obey Murat’s orders if they view those orders as contrary to Napoleon’s. Lastly, an aide-de-camp of the Minister--and a mere colonel, compounding the insults to Murat yet further--has been sent to Naples to inspect Murat’s fortifications and report back to Napoleon personally on any potential inadequacies. 

At which point Murat has a bit of a meltdown (neither his first nor his last of the year) and writes Napoleon the following letter. (From Lettres et Documents Pour Servir à l'Histoire de Joachim Murat, Vol. 8.) (Any translation errors are my own.) 

***

Joachim Murat to Napoleon Scilla, 11 June 1810

Sire,

I just received a letter from Your Majesty's Minister of War, which announces to me your will relative to the expedition of Sicily. Your orders are going to be executed, and I regret not being in Naples in order to support the mission of the aide-de-camp of the minister whom you sent there to take secret information. Sire, no one will ever provide you truer information than me. The minister, speaking to me of the expedition, explains in these terms: "The Emperor orders that you only attempt the expedition with the certitude of success, and only if you can cross fifteen thousand men at the same time." Sire, when I possessed your confidence; when I could count on your kindness, this double condition would not have stopped me, but today everything announces to me that everything is changed for me and I foresee what must await me, if Fortune were to abandon me in this circumstance.

Sire, the expedition will not be attempted, because there is always some uncertainty to face, and no maritime expedition especially is exempt from this. The plaza of Gaeta and the forts of Naples will be armed and provisioned. I think that there will be very little to do in this regard, Y.M. might have convinced himself of this, if the state of this place had been brought to your attention by your Minister of War. All the French soldiers that Y.M. order returned from my guard are going to receive the order to return to their former corps. The convention passed with Broadwent never had its effect, and this American was not able to introduce muslin into the Kingdom; it would be very cruel to have exposed such falsehoods. Would I have written to Y.M., if I had wanted to leave you unaware of what I might have done with this man? Everything that you ask for my navy will be executed, and, in a word, command in Naples and you will be obeyed, perhaps better than in Paris.

As to the secret mission of M. the colonel Leclerc, I regret not being in Naples in order to facilitate for him the means of fulfilling it, but I dare to assure that my ministers who know my sentiments for everything that comes from Y.M. will procure for this officer all the information he will need. May he consult public opinion, I don't fear judgement!

At Compiègne, I begged Y.M. to tell me if he wanted me to make the Sicilian expedition; I presented it to him as necessary for the repose of Italy and to prevent English contraband, and a plan was given and approved, because the Duke of Feltre wrote me in these terms: "The Emperor approves your plan of operation against Sicily in all its extent." I had thus to prepare the means of its execution, the paranzella barques* from nearly all the Kingdom were required, gathered at different points and loaded with everything that might contribute to the expedition, and the convoys have followed one another since 8 May, so that as I write, everything that should've been part of it has left Naples and is in the moorings of Pizzo, Tropea, Bagnara, and Scilla. The convoys of the siege artillery have not advanced, I think they are in the golfs of Policastro or at Palinuro; all the troops are cantoned or encamped from Monteleone to Reggio; all the batteries are armed to be able to protect them; and I await only my siege artillery in order to attempt the passage, the success of which no one doubts, not even the English. Such is my position, Sire, at the moment when I received the letter from the Duke of Feltre, and I am going to make arrangements accordingly.

However, Sire, who was able to bring about a change that makes me so unhappy? What have I done to be able to lose in an instant so many rights to your kindness? How did my enemies, who still number more than yours, manage to break an instrument that has never ceased to loyally serve you, and what are my wrongs? I am unaware of them and you will only ever find in me the one whom you have cherished like a father, like my benefactor. Am I not your creation, your pupil, are you not the author of my elevation? Have they hoped, my enemies, to make me revolt against Y.M. and to succeed in making of Italy a new Spain and in reversing your vast projects? Ah! sooner perish my fortune and my happiness, and your brilliant destinies be accomplished! Sire, there, there are my feelings; they are immutable, they are sincere, and you would have no trouble believing them, if only you would recall all my past conduct. Have you ever seen me change? Have I not heard you say: Murat is the only one of my family who has never given me cause to complain of him? Hasn't general opinion always shown me to be your minion, and do I not still have that reputation? And which of my actions could have bred suspicions about my loyalty? About my gratitude? There is only one: my opinion on your marriage; yet this was dictated by my attachment, I could be mistaken, but my heart alone was culpable, because it thought it was acting in your interests. What was it to me if Y.M. married a Russian or an Austrian? What did I want? Your happiness and some children, and I hope and I am sure that the current Empress shall give you the one and the other; so I was fully reassured when I was able to to appreciate her brilliant qualities. So I had nothing more to desire than the conservation of your kindness and some occasions to be able to prove to you my zeal, and I've lost these, and I have no more hope of being happy, since a letter from an ambassador who wanted to pay court to his master has rendered me suspect and has made me lose your friendship forever. Yet you loved me, I am sure of it, and perhaps you love me still in the depths of your heart. Sire, was it not in spite of myself that I came and returned to Naples? Did I not write you in Vienna that if you wanted to reunite the Kingdom of Naples, I would demand it and work for it accordingly? Didn't I beg you in grace during my second-to-last journey to keep me with you? And why is Naples not reunited today? Recall me to you. You spoke to me at Compiègne of a dignity of general of the cavalry of the Empire; create that for me; Sire, at the first battle, under your eyes, I will justify such a kindness, I will regain your friendship, your affection of which I am still worthy. Sire, why do you want to dishonor me in the eyes of the people you have destined me to command? Why do you send junior officers to my capital where it has begun to be said: "The Emperor doesn't want the expedition." Some particular letters are soon going to tell this to the army and to Sicily, and Stuart, whom I see very embarrassed from here, will resume his original attitude. How to palliate the abandonment of the enterprise? Since I can wait a while longer in my position and no one is master of the secret, I will see later what it will be better to do. Yet a great result has been obtained: Corfu is free and resupplied and I have the certitude that the English troops who occupy the islands of Cephalonia, Zakinthos, and Saint Maure, have returned to Messina. Yesterday still around 400 arrived, among other the cannoneers, all the batteries of the coasts have been rearmed and I could bring from Puglia all the oil, without fearing the crossing of the strait, which I am going to secure and complete its armament. The provinces of Calabria will be purged of the brigandage and I will ensure the progress of their administration. There is work night and day on the opposite shore, there are movements every instant; we are assured that Stuart has lost his head, since three days ago, that is to say since he was convinced by his attempt on Bagnara that he would neither be able to prevent the union of my resources, nor destroy them. This morning I saw the raising of some tents and the arrival of new troops in Faro. Since the taking of the gunboat, the removal of all the Neapolitans from the command by the English is assured, because they don't trust them, and I know they are not wrong. The Duke d'Orleans left on the 23rd of May for Spain where he has been called to command; the Sicilian troops aren't moving, they are still in Palermo. Yesterday I saw a vessel, three frigates, and a corvette enter into the port of Messina, later two empty transports, and today another. In several days I will know positively what is happening. I am assured that the Sicilians desire us very much; a pound of meat sells for fifteen sols in Messina and bread in proportion.

I just wrote at great length to Your Majesty. I wish that he may read me, I wish above all that he will give me his kindness and friendship. I present my homages to Her Majesty the Empress.

I am...

Joachim NAPOLÉON

***

[Murat’s Sicilian expedition will continue into the fall of 1810 and will ultimately fail, considerably widening the rift between Murat and Napoleon. In my view this is the real turning point in their relationship; but that’s another post for another day.]

[snowtimeisbesttime]

Thoughts and questions on Volume 8, routes 1 and 2! ...Better late than never, huh?

~ROUTE 2~

-hell yeah, Pesterquest Megalovania!!!!

-and of course, there's no better time to get punny than this one.

-ah-RAH-dee-uh (/a'radia/, 4 syllables???) as opposed to /a'radja/ (ah-RAH-dyah?, 3 syllables)?? *disclaimer: i have no idea how to do fancy or non-fancy phonetic transcriptions in other languages than spanish orz*

-it's actually and clearly pronounced “best troll” jsyk

-Is ghost communion really that rare on Alternia??

-so. twitch plays pesterquest huh? Entire bunches of alternate MCs going wild whenever we click the good end options?

-Thanks for streamlining the whole savestate stuff aradia!

-I'm guessing the Big Spoiler was 1: meeting “our” Aradia, and 2: all the pieces we set in place for the future... like, we went apeshit enough to doom an entire reality, and reality did indeed crack, but then those cracks fixed themselves...... have we secured the Pesterquest timeline from assorted meta intrusions?

-Can we assume the powers that be are boned because of our temporal shenanigans?

(-what's up with regular PQ!Aradia, then? The girl that according to Tavros' route died not even a sweep ago?)

-Re: MC getting Funky Powers due to entering the Medium all those times: are they timebound??? heartbound??? They seem to be able to pop into the trolls' Prospit whenever they want... (are they specifically scorist???) and last but not least... they have a Class!!

-that sure was a Glimpse of Rosemary........ sure would be nice to have them meet in person...

-We finally remember our Friendsim friends, but are unable to reach them no matter how hard we try... because they're in a whole different reality than Pesterquest, perhaps? At least we make frens with a sweet eldritch squiddle... even if we soon forget them too...

-Feferi for Volume 9??? she has been alluded to in both routes... bringing bubbles and sims irl aplenty... then again we were literally outside sollux's house in vol6 and here we are...

-*aradia yeets dave's ac thing into space* wow if he absolutely HAS to meet his end then make it quick at least...

-The quest for more friends doesn't end here, though!

~ROUTE 1~

-Pesterquest 8 more like Sweet Jams: the Visual Novel.

-I was expecting Fiduspawn GO to NOT be a phone game and have actual real monsters... then again regular Fiduspawn does have them. Glad Tavros could easily catch that Wolvulpine instead of having it escape all the fiduballs ever (then again he's probably got the mythical gamer skill of actually landing curve balls or whatever figo has)

-Friendship is the greatest source of power, at least in some Alternian cartoons... that sure is an interesting thing to juxtapose with the entirety of alternia, as spelled out in this very volume

-Not talking about things isn't going to work for everyone- and it sure didnn't for Kanaya either (rose's alcoholism in the game over timeline, the entire thing with vriskan...)

-Of course, Vriska couldn't NOT appear in Volume 8.

-aaand we're back to the Thing with these two. Which more or less is: Vriska's got good intentions (she canonically and explicitly thinks of tavros as a friend, because she didn't feed him to her lusus) BUT she can't force Tavros to speedrun self-confidence because 1- as a page (the magikarp class) he's got to do stuff at his own pace and 2- doing that only brought suffering to both of them.

-And sure, Alternia sucks and it isn't going to stop sucking in a day, but Tavros isn't going to grow three self-esteems in a day either- nor is he going to forgive Vriska just like that. And it seems she isn't going to realize all of this stuff in a day, either. Basically, if they're going to ever make up, it's going to take a good while.

-Really hope we didn't lose Vriska's friendship though...

-Looks like Tavros using Prospit to escape his life's a thing he does whenever given the opportunity, but... wouldn't he wake up on his own eventually??? like, he's got to eat and stuff in the waking world doesn't he??? do dreamselves just never get tired*??? did he literally sleep away the trolls' entire SGRUB game????

*Dream Jade did grow more arms in order to play her eclectic bass to the fullest, so maybe dreamselves CAN ignore physics and stuff if they feel funky enough to do it??

-Also, MC was able to wake up Dream Tavros even though the trolls are also in a No SGRUB AU (or are they?)... and Dream Karkat also woke up because reasons apparently... where does this leave Jade and the kids?? are the trolls still going to play the game? Kanaya seems pretty sure that it's not happening, but... (is she still awake on prospit??)

-Kanaya takes the whole “fixing space” spacesylph thing to a new level: Home Renovation

-Heiresses just get the fanciest tech, don't they?

-We know the beta trolls were meant to be the most epic SGRUB players to ever exist, and that the entirety of Alternia has been explicitly fine-tuned to make them what they are... and now we know that extends to them literally having access to the SBURB building menu.

-If we succesfully separated Pesterquest from weird meta bullshit in Aradia's route, and they DON'T have to play the game anymore... then Alternia DOESN'T have to be Like That anymore... and therefore Vriska and Terezi might have the best chances at actually changing things for the better that anybody ever had.