...and now I have yet another crack fic idea, for a Fontane/Lehndorff body switch tale across the centuries. Set when they're both young, before their respective marriages and procreation, since "abandoning your wife and children" is an angst factor. (Also: since Lehndorff's journals haven't been published yet, Fontane has no preconception of who he is.)
So, young Theo, involved in the 1848 revolution: Okay, I've just written an article saying Prussia has to go, but this is fascinating for the history lover in me! I seem to have ended up in some court official who knows most of the interesting people. Thank God my French is up to speed. Hang on, Frau von Katte, we seem to have some kind of history, and are you related to Hans Herrmann? Yes, I'm totally accepting the invite to Wust. Meanwhile, what's your husband's take on his cousin? Hang on, this gentleman approaching me looks vaguely familiar... huh. So. Looks like Prince Heinrich and I have some sort of history, too. Hmmmm. You know, my 21st century biographers do point out that while I'm mostly straight, I do have one intense long term relationship with a friend of my youth whom I exchange romantic poetry with, and who knows what else, my kids will ask for my letters back and burn them. Also, I'm into Prince Heinrich as a historical figure. Clearly, a bit of hands-on research is called for. *switches on flirtation mode* *unlike Lehndorff, Fontane all his life was a causseur, i.e. a brilliant and witty conversationalist* *Fritz: for the first time notices his wife's chamberlain who hangs out with his brothers all the time*
Lehndorff, straight from Hotham-related depression: Did I just get my escape wish, albeit without dear Hotham? Hooray, no more boring attending to the Queen! Hang on, though: I'm some... educated commoner. Not even a professor but an apothocary! Who - oh my God. These people around me are all commoners who talk about uniting the various German principalities as some kind of constitutional monarchy, and the way they disrespectfully jest about Prussia is just - granted, I did just complain about the King and his harshness. And nobody here seems to need permission to travel. But I am a loyal noble, not a rabble rouser! Though - hello, good looking man with a fascination for literature and me. Well, commoner me. I must admit this is not entirely terrible. Hm....
*back switch*: Ensues.
TF: Okay, ending up in a love triangle with the One King and his brother was taking historical research too far, but on the bright side, seeing as the revolution just failed without me, I now have a wealth of material to write about.
Lehndorff: I'm not sure what inspired Heinrich to finally declare his love for me and suggest I should become his chamberlain instead of the Queen's, but I'm taking it. Also, that was one interesting look into the future. How did that speech go which all those constitution-wishing commoners kept quoting from again? Sire, geben Sie Gedankenfreiheit...?
Fontane-Lehndorff
So, young Theo, involved in the 1848 revolution: Okay, I've just written an article saying Prussia has to go, but this is fascinating for the history lover in me! I seem to have ended up in some court official who knows most of the interesting people. Thank God my French is up to speed. Hang on, Frau von Katte, we seem to have some kind of history, and are you related to Hans Herrmann? Yes, I'm totally accepting the invite to Wust. Meanwhile, what's your husband's take on his cousin? Hang on, this gentleman approaching me looks vaguely familiar... huh. So. Looks like Prince Heinrich and I have some sort of history, too. Hmmmm. You know, my 21st century biographers do point out that while I'm mostly straight, I do have one intense long term relationship with a friend of my youth whom I exchange romantic poetry with, and who knows what else, my kids will ask for my letters back and burn them. Also, I'm into Prince Heinrich as a historical figure. Clearly, a bit of hands-on research is called for. *switches on flirtation mode*
*unlike Lehndorff, Fontane all his life was a causseur, i.e. a brilliant and witty conversationalist*
*Fritz: for the first time notices his wife's chamberlain who hangs out with his brothers all the time*
Lehndorff, straight from Hotham-related depression: Did I just get my escape wish, albeit without dear Hotham? Hooray, no more boring attending to the Queen! Hang on, though: I'm some... educated commoner. Not even a professor but an apothocary! Who - oh my God. These people around me are all commoners who talk about uniting the various German principalities as some kind of constitutional monarchy, and the way they disrespectfully jest about Prussia is just - granted, I did just complain about the King and his harshness. And nobody here seems to need permission to travel. But I am a loyal noble, not a rabble rouser! Though - hello, good looking man with a fascination for literature and me. Well, commoner me. I must admit this is not entirely terrible. Hm....
*back switch*: Ensues.
TF: Okay, ending up in a love triangle with the One King and his brother was taking historical research too far, but on the bright side, seeing as the revolution just failed without me, I now have a wealth of material to write about.
Lehndorff: I'm not sure what inspired Heinrich to finally declare his love for me and suggest I should become his chamberlain instead of the Queen's, but I'm taking it. Also, that was one interesting look into the future. How did that speech go which all those constitution-wishing commoners kept quoting from again? Sire, geben Sie Gedankenfreiheit...?