costofwar

[costofwar]

                         “Or, are you really so spineless that you would fold                                   over some bullshit, trivial threat on my life?”                                                                  ♟️                                              Indie, priv., highly selective Akechi from P5/P5R                                                 Lovingly written by Bri

#; Promo || Self ☀ #//Finally working over on my main blog today!

[costofwar]

          "The sun is but a gem in the sky. Oh far and bright beauty. None ever shall compare even with the distance we share.”

#; Starter || Open ☀ #; Commentary || Ferdinand ☀ #//I love Ferdinand loving poetry. #//Also I know nothing about writing poetry so I tried asdfghjklkjhghjkl

[costofwar]

I want to be on here and writing so much but every time I get on to make an attempt I get so overwhelmed by everything. It also doesn’t help that I’ve been struggling a lot with personal stuff on top of that. So I have found myself pretty backed up on replies, inbox stuff, and even starters and it’s really daunting to try tackling it all.

That being said, I think for the sake of my sanity I need to kind of clear house a bit. Or at least, for owed starters from that last call being dropped alongside anything that I maybe don’t have muse for. And I’m sorry if that upsets anyone, especially if we have yet to write. But I promise it’s nothing against anyone else! I just need this space to not be so disorganized and not a lot to handle. Otherwise I might just stop writing on here entirely. Still, if anyone ever wants to write with me just let me know! I’d still be more than happy to write with you. 💙

#; OOC || Bri ☀ #//I feel terrible anytime I have to do these types of blog cleans but god do I need it. #//I want this space to be fun and most of all just a hobby. But when it gets like this it feels like work. #//And I don't want to write if it's overwhelming instead of enjoyable. #//So I hope everyone understands.

[costofwar]

Is he now? Usually he finds any occasion to criticize me. Same here. Ha! Is that so? And here I thought he had taken a shine to you. If he has, he sure doesn’t show it.

#; Visage || Ferdinand ☀ #; Mercenary || Shez ☀ #Three Hopes Spoilers

[costofwar]

WHAT KIND OF “I LOVE YOU” ARE YOU?

i love you, i've always loved you, i will always love you

it's commitment, it's devotion, it goes often without saying, but is felt nonetheless. it's accepting that you would travel to hell and back for them if they asked and knowing that they would do the same for you. it's an old ache, long after they've burrowed deep into your chest and settled there like a weight- grounding, an anchor point. even when you're apart, you can still feel the shape of them, it's like phantom pain. neither of you can help but succumb to the other's gravity, yet neither of you fear the collision. it means that you trust them, that they make you feel safe, that they feel like home.

#; Dash Games || A Healthy Competition ☀

[costofwar]

; Verse || Red Fields of Revenge ☀

(Warning: Spoilers for Azure Gleam)

After his defeat at Arianrhod, Ferdinand returns back to their temporary base with his head hanging low. He had already failed Edelgard once against the Alliance and now this was just another blow to his confidence. So he waits for her return to apologize and make sure that, in Hubert’s stead, she is faring well after the battle. That time never comes to pass as he waits, and it’s only cut short when the mages that had been working alongside the Empire make mention that the emperor was returned safely to Enbarr.

There’s some semblance of relief that she is alright, especially after the mention of a beast emerging on the battlefield after he was forced to retreat. So he takes the information and heads back towards the capital city.

Once arriving he’s greeted by his father. He’s all too smug when Ferdinand demands to see Edelgard to check on her well-being. His wish isn’t granted as he’s told that she still lives and is resting from her almost fatal injuries. When he goes to press, he’s instead escorted away by those very same mages. They completely bypass the turn for Edelgard’s quarters and even his own as he’s led, now roughly, towards the depths of the castle. It’s there that Ferdinand truly learns the might and greed of Those Who Slither.

Their experiments and rough treatment are painful. What’s even worse is not knowing Edelgard’s current state as they opt to tell him nothing.

The days are long and difficult. He spends the better part of what he can only assume is several months beneath their mirthful gazes. He’s left wondering if they delight in their torture against him. It’s an even grander reoccurring thought when they mention that a second crest, the major crest of Daphnel, was successfully transplanted and forced to take root into his blood. It’s a painful process that made him feel like he’d never make it through alive.

Yet somehow he continues to live. He goes for many moons being forced to test out the might of his new crest alongside that of his original, Cichol’s minor one. The satisfaction of his captors only growing with their continued cruelty due to the success.

Finally, it all comes to an end. He’s not quite sure how Hubert made it to him. He’s not even sure how they both made it out of there before Ferdinand had collapsed in on himself from malnutrition and lack of sleep. But he’s out and taken back to a safe space with Hubert and his special unit, hidden away right along the boarder of the Empire and Alliance.

They bide their time to rescue Edelgard with their meager knowledge of her status.

Ferdinand’s appearance:

Once freed from beneath the palace, Ferdinand has certainly lost muscle mass. The shine from his eyes are also dulled and his skin a bit paler. And unlike others with forced dual crests, Ferdinand ends up with streaks of light yellow-ish highlights within his hair. It becomes an insecurity of Ferdinand’s, but he quickly adapts to blending it out with the rest of his natural color.

Crest combination:

- Minor crest of Cichol

- Major crest of Daphnel

Both work well to keep him both protected (Cichol) and strong (Daphnel). It’s perfect for combat situations, but also proves to be hazardous as he adjusts to the new crest. The downside being that it’ll activate uncalled for, especially in moments of stress or the heat of the moment during training. He asks Hubert if there’s a way to remove it, and once told no he settles on learning how to control it with the other’s help.

#; Verse || Red Fields of Revenge ☀ #//A shiny new verse~ #//I've been wanting to write something like this for him for what years now? And AG finally opened up an opportunity! #//So I'm taking the chance by the throat and handing you my angst :)

[costofwar]

ferdinand playlist icon! 🧡 lotta musical theatre on this one but what else could it reasonably be

#; Visage || Ferdinand ☀ #; Music || Choir Practice ☀

[costofwar]

I finally finished Azure Gleam! It was certainly a wild ride from start to finish. Honestly I was surprised at the directions it took. Some where interesting and others were a bit bothersome. But overall I did enjoy it (aside from one big key thing). Personally I don’t think it’s as bad as I’ve heard people say it is, but that’s just my take from my run of it. SB is still my favorite so far (I’m biased sue me), but I did really enjoy seeing the deeper bonds of the Blue Lions (especially since they were my first and favorite route in Three Houses). Though I feel like the ending for AG wrapped up a bit nicer. But still, my point still stands that overall it was a really nice and fun experience!

#; OOC || Bri ☀ #//Now I just gotta do GW and I will be done. #//I also have some verses and stuff to write up for Ferdie later too so that'll be fun!

[costofwar]

The intense urge to proclaim Ferdinand as non-binary or somewhere beneath the trans umbrella simply for self-projection, gender envy reasons.

#; OOC || Bri ☀ #//'But Bri didn't you do that with Goro??' #//Yeah and?? Ferdinand does not align with gender norms and I can do what I want. I'm just not sure what exactly I want yet. #; To Be Deleted || You Are Nothing ☀

[costofwar]

The way they treat Duke Aegir in Hopes is very odd (dare I say even borderline disgusting). We learned in Three Houses that he was a part of the Insurrection of the Seven. We also know that he seems to deal with Those Who Slither. So it’s strange to me that they almost victimize him? I can’t speak for GW just yet, but it’s obvious in SB and even more-so in AG.

In SB it’s kind of more subtle in that Duke Aegir mentions that if only Edelgard had promised him a spot in her reformation of the Empire then all could be solved. But all of this started way before she became Emperor or before even her ideals were known. How would he know that she would strip him of his title right as she became Emperor? He seems pretty shocked about the entire situation in CF, after all. Not only that, but all of this with Edelgard started when she was really young. So if anything him mentioning that “if only she did this” feels like a massive shift of blame instead of taking it upon himself. He sees himself as a victim of circumstance instead of those that are actual victims of his actions.

Then in AG, one of the lords rats out just who Those Who Slither are to Dimitri. She even says that Duke Aegir is just being used like a puppet for them as well and that it’s not really him controlling the Empire. Which in a sense is not entirely false. But it’s once again victimizing him when he brought this upon himself. He made the choices that he made, and he ended up as their figurehead in the end because of it.

Either way you slice it, it’s disgusting to watch someone in power claim that they’re a victim. To an extent it may be true that he was used, but he was still a grown man that made those choices and got the hand he was dealt because of it. And he only begins to backtrack when he realizes that he’s not as powerful as he thinks he is because if anyone is above him it’s Thales. He’s still a mere underling who is showing to be all for himself and will blame anyone else instead of accepting responsibility.

It’s just really uncomfortable to watch and listen to.

#; OOC || Bri ☀ #Three Hopes Spoilers #//This also isn't counting the fact that in AG it's unclear what happens to Hubert and Ferdinand. #//For all we know he played his part in making them disappear. #//Or at least that's what I'm basing my thoughts off of as I sit on chapter 14. #//Especially since I've always thought that he'd even use his own son as a stepping stone. I wouldn't put it passed him. #//Also I don't know what to tag this since it's not about Ferdinand but it kinda counts as an analysis? So take it as you will.

[costofwar]

The temptation to write up things for Ferdie in AG (such as headcanons, verse stuff, etc.) but I have yet to actually finish it. I am close! I’ve only got a few chapters left so I could finish it tonight or maybe even tomorrow if I dedicate time to it. But gosh I have so many thoughts already. I just wanna put them out there but I need to make sure things aren’t conflicting, but I want to talk about them.

#; OOC || Bri ☀ #//Also I hate chapter 12 with my very being. I had to redo it four times because something went wrong each time and I just #//I needed to recruit you know who to get you know what. #//And it was just awful I was so stressed asdfghjklkjhghjkl I never want to play AG chapter 12 like that again. #//I'm just glad I S ranked it already but I know I'm gonna have to play it again anyway. >-<

[costofwar]

Feeling pretty sappy tonight, so I just wanna say thanks to everyone for being so supportive of me and wanting to write with Ferdie and my other muses. These last few months have been really hard, and so it means the world to have these spaces where I can just write and be goofy and make/reconnect with friends. So thank you for all being wonderful. I love ya’ll so much. 💙

#; OOC || Bri ☀

[costofwar]

Not sure if this is good news or bad news, but it is news!! I’m fixing up my multi to try and (finally) get some use out of it! So I’ll probably be working on and off on that today.

You can find it over here ––> @realmscollide

#; OOC || Bri ☀ #//I couldn't sleep so naturally my brain went 'let's freaking go' mode

[costofwar]

This seemed to be doing pretty good on Twitter so thought I'd post it here! I decided to make a new lockscreen for my phone and made this, took 16 hours but worth it ig ;-;

#//TINY FERDIE WITH A PONYTAIL TINY FERDIE WITH A PONYTAIL!!! #; Visage || Ferdinand ☀

[costofwar]

          Their weaponry had been nothing like anything Ferdinand had ever seen before. Of course he’s heard rumored tales of foreign lands that lived across the vast waters having technology unlike Fódlan’s own. But they never had seen hide nor hair of such advancements. Seeing them now was a testament to just how sheltered the Church of Seiros had kept the entire continent. It only strengthened Ferdinand’s resolve to see Fódlan’s new future through, but no matter what the army did they didn’t stand a chance against this foe.

          He watched helplessly as his comrades were ripped clean through by the opposing musketmen. Getting close was a death sentence. Their usual tricks and tactics bore fruitless results, and in turn left many dead. Losses were great, but for the Lord of Ash he had assumed that to not be a similar case as they all but pushed them back. Even Ferdinand was amongst those that had to retreat back until he was face-to-face with the commander himself. It pains him that his fight against them didn’t last very long as he was put out of commission quickly. It was so swift he was certain death would come for him, not this cushy prison where they treated his wounds.

          None would tell him what would become of him, and for all of his usual confidence Ferdinand was terrified. He was in the enemy’s hands and at their mercy. So the sight of the Lord of Ash is both relieving and disturbing. It’s even more-so when the familiar face of his former professor unmasks herself, and Ferdinand feels his heart plummet into his stomach.

          “No. This can’t be.” All formalities vanish from his words as he stands rigid. He doesn’t want to believe this. This had to be some sort of trick. Why else would she turn against the very people she had sworn to protect? What about everything she had been through with the rest of his classmates and himself? Far too many questions circulate his mind, and all he knows is that he must not die here. No matter what foe stands before him he had long ago accepted that he would not allow himself to waver.

          His body is still sore from his brush with death, but he wills himself into a defensive position nonetheless. The beginnings of a thunder spell spark at his fingertips.

          “Why are you doing this? What could you possibly want with me?”

@costofwar​​ || Angst Starter Call

To say that the Empire’s first official clash with the Lord of Ash’s army had gone poorly was putting it lightly. The Imperial infantry and cavalry had been ripped through by the Ash musketmen cleanly cutting the central line’s fighting force in half before they even reached the enemy infantry, as the three firing squads rotated in and out, each squad given time to reload the firearms that were so alien to the technologically-stymied Fodlan people.

Ferdinand himself, meanwhile, had found himself face-to-face with the Lord of Ash with any possible reinforcements blocked off, and where he might’ve expected to find himself dead to rights after his defeat, he was instead taken prisoner. Perhaps even more surprising was that, upon being brought back to Arianrhod, the citadel that had fallen so easily to the Lord of Ash’s army, he wasn’t tried and executed… but rather tended to by the army’s chirurgeons in a rather comfortable prison cell. Healing magic and medical knowledge as advanced as their technology had the young Aegir heir practically fighting fit once again within hours, despite how badly he’d been injured.

“So, it seems the healers did fine work. Let us speak.” Thus spoke a familiar voice, approaching Ferdinand’s cell, the all-too familiar visage of the Lord of Ash soon entering his field of view on the opposite side of the prison bars. Without his black sword and legions of soldiers surrounding him, he didn’t cut as intimidating a figure, but the helmet and hood masking his face held the mystery quite well… At least, until “he” opted to remove said pieces of headgear, revealing the Lord of Ash’s true identity.

“…I’m sure you have many questions, Ferdinand.”

#obsidiansong #; Verse || This is the Cost of War ☀

[costofwar]

@armatization​​ || Send in for hurt!

" are you hurt?! hey! are you hurt?! " ;; Linhardt can be a little panicked. as a treat :D

          The hands that check him over are grounding. Even in their desperation it’s a comfort through the fog in his head.

          After all, he hadn’t expected to get knocked right from the saddle. His horse had kicked up a fuss in tandem with the collision of magic against armor. What’s unfortunate is through the haze he’s certain the mare must’ve been spooked enough to flee, leaving her rider in the middle of the battlefield. An ache being left to spread alongside the right half of his body from the impact.

          So it takes a moment to register that the hands belong to Linhardt, and that he sounds unusually panicked.

          “I–––I am okay.” He’s not sure how convincing that sounds through the ringing in his ears. Regardless, he makes to sit up with a groan as his body protests the movement. Another moment is taken to blink and finally have the mage’s face focus within his vision.

          Normally the other was calm and collected no matter the circumstances. Or rather, he was as long as it didn’t involve the sight of blood. He doesn’t like seeing the shock white pallor upon his face, and yet he can’t help but feel a bit warm that the other was so concerned over him.

          “I am just a little dazed.” His hand then moves to cover his right arm with a slight wince. “You do not have to worry. It seems I was lucky that my shoulder took the brunt of it.” 

#armatization #; Verse || This is the Cost of War ☀ #//Holds Linhardt gently in my hands. It's gonna be okay ;3;

[costofwar]

Ferdinand’s final class is Holy Knight. His magic is not as honed as his lance or axe skills, but he’s pretty adept with thunder magic. The rest of his magical skill set are as follows: • Thunder • Fire • Thoron • Heal • Nosferatu

#; Headcanon || Ferdinand ☀ #//Listen. I love my paladin Ferdie. #//But Hopes and my current run in CF having him also magic based is just so fun. #//And he wants to be good at as many things as he can. So he gets to use magic too as a treat.