BATTLE-HARDENED

Dedue finds himself smiling very softly at Felix’s words. They’re so distinctly Felix, in the way that he always have been just a little abrasive. Dedue and he never saw eye to eye on most things (including, and perhaps most notably, how they should treat His Majesty) and as such never were really close. But that doesn’t mean he’s apt to ignore him or treat him poorly. After all: they won a war together, had they not?

He makes his way over to Felix and offers him a nod of his head. “It is good to see you,” he says, his expression gentle. For all their past interactions, he still feels glad – Felix is another soldier who survived the war. “How long have you been here? I’ve only just arrived myself. I’ve seen His Majesty, have you made contact?”

There’s a sore spot, there, he knows. He won’t press too hard, but after all that’s happened Felix has to be on better terms with Dimitri… right?

      there is a look of uncertainty on felix’s face as dedue smiles at him. there’s nothing wrong with it, objectively, but felix doesn’t know immediately how to respond to it. he never has known just where he stands with dedue. how much dedue hates him for the way he behaved during their school years, toward him, toward dimitri... it’s a complicated situation to be sure.

      complex at the very best of times, and certainly worse now. felix just stiffens up, back straight like a flagpole. it’s good to see you, dedue says, and felix ignores that, pushes it aside to deal with in due time. dedue’s question is simpler to deal with. smaller. the answer will fit in felix’s mouth better than any lie about how it’s good to see dedue, too, because it’s not, it’s frightening.

      “ i’ve been here only for a few weeks, ” he says, curt. focus on what’s easy, and what’s true. “ i’ve seen--seen dimitri. ”

Huh…was he curious, or just being gracious? Either way, Ashe is more than happy to indulge himself. Talking helped clear his head, helped him think about things that he would otherwise either avoid or dwell on too much. Though he was not really prepared to talk to anyone outside of the Golden Deer about it, he’d try his best.

“…working with Claude really taught me how to question things, and people. He always wanted the truth and, really, that’s all I wanted too. Even if it was hard sometimes.” Ashe shrugs, a little distant. Doubting and questioning the character of others without blatant proof was still uninherent to him, and perhaps it would always be that way. He’d met enough good people to convince him it wasn’t a complete necessity, anyway.  “Oh, I don’t think I would’ve ever learned to ride a Wyvern without him, either! I do much better with them than horses for some reason. Strange, isn’t it?” He could never really imagine why, but they’d never once flinched at eachother, never startled. Lugh really did suit his need to be in and out of target’s range quickly, without worrying about terrain. He didn’t have much trouble picking off opposing Pegasus mounts either, though it’s not an image Ashe liked to dwell on.  Suddenly, Ashe goes quiet again. His hands fold in his lap, clenching and unclenching paired with a nervous smile. “I…I haven’t told Dimitri yet. I’d never ask you to lie, but I’d appreciate it if you would let me be the one to tell him when the time comes if it’s possible.” If it ever came–his majesty had so much on his mind despite the past five years feeling like a bad dream now. He supposed those dreams wouldn’t leave any of them for some time.  “I…didn’t have much of a choice. There was the church…and then the Dimitri I knew went mad and died. But I can’t help the feeling sometimes that I should’ve died with him.” there’s a silence that follows, a strange smile different than the rest. He didn’t think his presence would’ve changed much–Ashe was a commoner, easily replaced, like any other soldier. But fighting for your country and a good king would usually seem right, if the circumstances were different. But they weren’t different, they weren’t black and white. They were complicated and involved those with whom he shared close ties.  “I still had my siblings to look out for, so I couldn’t afford to die. I think he’ll understand, kind as he is. Still…I can’t help but feel guilty for abandoning him anyway.” a weak laugh; some knight he was. Ashe returns to his food, hoping that would punctuate the awkward request. 

“Caspar is here. You’ll see a lot of familiar faces. But everyone seems friendly in spite of it. I think we’re all tired, no matter where we came from.”

      the truth, huh? felix understands the desire for the truth, even if he himself has things that top that in terms of his priorities. he didn’t know claude was looking to root out the truth (of what? he can’t help but be curious) but it makes a little more sense in hindsight. claude was always inquisitive, even if he was subtle about it, during their school years. it makes sense that that hasn’t changed.

      the truth can sometimes be hard, felix knows that much, even if he doesn’t really like to think too hard about it. it’s also not objective, something he wishes more people understood. rarely were things... simple. again, his mind is drawn back to dimitri, and he scowls at himself for that. he quickly rearranges his face into a more neutral expression--he doesn’t want ashe to think he’s scowling at him.

      “ i won’t tell dimitri a thing if you don’t want me to. i... haven’t really said much to him myself. i don’t like thinking there’s a version of myself who stayed with him, and i hate making him think that i’m that version. it’s... dishonest and i don’t like lying to him. no matter what he’s done, he doesn’t deserve that. ”

      no, dimitri, or at least the version of him that felix remembers, was not a good king, perhaps he isn’t even a good man, but felix doesn’t feel comfortable deceiving him. he owes him more than that. mostly, he’s just been avoiding him entirely, which likely isn’t fair, but it’s all he can do.

      “ it’s your secret to tell anyway. ”

      ashe’s next words make felix go quiet for a moment. the dimitri he knew had also gone mad and died. so, that’s two timelines where that happens, though likely in different ways. he doesn’t pry--he doesn’t want to know how dimitri died in another timeline. it was bad enough seeing it for himself--he’s not that much of a masochist that he’ll want more information than he already has. “ i’m glad i didn’t die with him. i’d hate to waste my life like that. ”

      “ don’t feel guilty for doing what you had to. especially if it was for your family. ” felix’s relationship with his own family was... complicated at the best of times, though it’s simplified significantly since he became the only one left. he pushes aside his gallows humor and tries not to think about running his father through with his sword.

Of course if there was even a hint of magic mentioned, Annette would be the first one there. The plants had caught her eye, initially. It reminded her of the monastery, of home. It seems that some people were holding an assortment of pots, filled with.. plants? Maybe? Were they tending to them? Oh, maybe they’re coming up with different ways magic could help plants!

She inched closer, curious as to what those kiosks would hold. Is that where the pots were coming from? Annette had yet to test her powers, yet to know that she they weren’t as potent as before. Hopefully they wouldn’t ask her to use them here, now. But, as stubborn as she gets, she proceeds forward, only to clumsily bump into someone. Typical Annette.

Oh, but those clothes.. That hair..!

❝ Ack, Felix!

What are you doing here? ❞

@illcutthrough​

      it wasn’t the magic which drew felix to this particular part of the festival, but he couldn’t deny a passing interest in the subject nonetheless. the plants were interesting, though, and though he was hardly a top gardener, he knew a thing or two from his time at the monastery. there were things which occupied his time more than the greenhouse, of course, but all of the students had spent some time there.

      leave it to this pointless festival to dredge up old memories of simpler times. he makes a face as he thinks about it, but endeavors to enjoy himself regardless. he’s shaken out of five-year-old nostalgia by someone bumping into him. not hard enough to hurt, or even really to make him stumble, but he holds out a hand to steady the other person regardless. his eyes widen at the sight of her, though, and he quickly withdraws his hand. the last time he had seen annette was from opposite sides on a battlefield.

The color of the camouflage is so unlike what Edelgard is used to wearing. She was often dressed in red – something about it made her look regal, she’s been told. That just makes her all the more drawn to it, it’s something different, something that will make her blend in more here.

“Harder to be seen in this? How so?” she asks as she touches the fabric. “I should be the most prepared, in case something happens, you’re right… you never can be certain when war will strike.”

      in addition to the tactical benefit felix has been assured of already, the shades of green are a little calmer than edelgard’s typical clothing. not that the reds look bad, not at all, but she certainly stands out as a leader, a commander, someone with eyes on her. she’s not emperor here, though, or at least not to most of the people in this city.

      “ the greens blend in with foliage, or something. i can sort of tell, if you’re in a forest, you’ll be harder to observe. i’ve definitely seen people wearing this pattern in the city, though, so it’s probably pretty popular. ”

@illcutthrough

     “Felix!”

     Petra drops her sword and runs to her friend. he’s grasping his hand, face pinched. Petra agreed to spar with him, a test of strength and skill based on such terrible weapons. but they had paid the price, for the wooden swords they’d used seemed to nip Felix with a splinter. thankfully, Petra has a pair of tweezers in her side pocket (technology is so advanced in this city! these tweezers have so many uses).

     she takes his hand into her own, observing his palm for the splinter. his hands her calloused, hard; a result of years of training and hard work. his hands have held a variety of weapons over the years, fought so many battles. is he proud of how far he’s come? does he like the person he’s become? to turn his back on the Kingdom, to join the Empire… although Petra admires his will, she could never imagine going against Brigid.

      “I can remove the splinter if you would be liking,” she says at last. surely Felix can tell that she’s distracted.

Felix grimaces at the splinter. He’s had worse wounds, of course, but this still stings, it’s still unpleasant. He’s about to snap something harsh and biting and pointless, when Petra comes over with a pair of tweezers. His words die on his tongue and instead he simply sputters a little before he calms himself. It was his own fault, regardless. This wood was insufferably useless.

He lets her take his hand without protest. Removing the splinter on his own would be tricky, and he doesn’t mind the help, if he’s honest. Not that he’d say anything. He just grimaces, his fingers grazing her palm. Petra has been a good friend to him, a steadfast ally on the battlefield, fierce to her enemies... It’s nice to train with her again, even if their weapons are worse than useless.

@illcutthrough​

As much as they had plans to approach the swordsman with casualties—and they still planned to, really—they had to give pause for a moment. It had been evident that with Byleth, everyone came from all over. Could this be the same Felix that fought beside them in the war, or one that wanted to and may have in fact, gutted them with a sword. The latter thought made them shiver a bit. It wasn’t something they would like to think on, really. Really something they would like to avoid.

So they decided to be more reserved about it, slipping into the chair across from him rather than possibly startling him from speaking from behind. Best leave space between them, after all. That was probably a good move when dealing with Felix at all.

“Felix, how nice to see you again.” It was sincere, regardless of where this one came from.

“How are you coping with the loss of a real sword? I’ve seen others only receive wooden replicas, can’t be too useful, hmm.”

Despite Linhardt’s best attempts not to startle Felix, he still flinches a little as they sit across from him. It’s--he likes Linhardt, he does, but it’s still unexpected. Still, he turns his eyes upward from the meal he has in front of him and offers a friendly expression. It’s not really a smile, but it’s certainly far from a scowl.

“It’s nice to see you, too,” he says, perhaps a little curtly. The contrast there, between words and tone, will probably be lost on Linhardt, but Felix likes it.

And there it was. Leave it to Felix—it’s what Ashe appreciated about him, made him trustworthy, but the casual question still struck him like a blow to the skull. Ashe fumbles for words. Claude? Had he mentioned Claude? Did someone else mention him? Felix’s expression didn’t betray any contempt, so did that mean…?

Well, it wasn’t like Ashe would’ve been particularly good at lying even if he was inclined to do it here. He clears his throat.

“…I admire Claude a lot. There are a great deal of things I could say about him, but I’ll spare you the details.” still a little shaken but more optimistic, he wrings his hands out with a smile. “I doubt I need to ask about her unless you want me to. I trust where you came from you saw the best sides of Empress Edelgard, too.” he suddenly feels safer, more confident. Though there were a number of skeletons left, perhaps the most imposing one was finally brought put to rest. Just for the moment, but it was enough. Leave it to Felix. After getting the food, it’s set down on a nearby picnic table. Ashe looks more than impressed by the comment. “Really? Now that I think about it, that seems like it would suit you. Have you talked with Caspar about it?” though it might seem unlikely, Ashe had a feeling there were definitely some things those two could find common ground on. He’s right, though, and Ashe is a little jealous. He’d never have the stomach to directly cut someone down, not without it haunting him for a long time after. He’d been fairly decent with a lance, but there was a reason he picked up the bow and ax rather than a lance or sword. Fists felt even more personal.

Eyes suddenly light up. A change of topic is in order!

“Oh! I’m not sure if I ever got to tell you this in person, but I finally grew taller! Are you surprised?” comically proud of himself, this one. He gets a better look at Felix, and gasps. “In fact, I think I’m as tall as you are!” 

Felix was more perceptive than people ever gave him credit for. That Ashe had looked toward the Alliance made sense--and indeed Felix would never blame someone for doing what they thought was right. He didn’t look like he had a strong moral compass, but he did, hated the spilling of blood without cause. Claude had never done that, as far as Felix was aware, Claude wasn’t one to do things without reason.

Felix didn’t understand the Alliance leader... but he had never hated him either. So of course he held no contempt for Ashe. How could he, when he didn’t even hate those who had stayed with Dimitri? When he couldn’t even bring himself to truly hate Dimitri himself?

“If you want to talk about him, go ahead. I don’t have a lot of words about the Emperor other than... that she made the fight worth it, in the end. I hope Claude did that for you. I could never make sense of that guy, but he seemed... decent. Good, even, maybe.” Felix smiles at that. It’s good, to be in the same situation as someone else, even though it’s more of a reflection than anything. It’s not exactly the same, but both of them turned their backs on Dimitri, though he imagines Ashe had less trouble with that, never having known who the Prince was before everything went wrong.

Felix certainly envies that. The ease of it all...

“Yeah,” he says, allowing for the change in subject. “If I see Caspar--is he here?--if I see him, I’ll ask him about it. He was always good at that sort of thing.” Even if Caspar was a little wild in his attacks, there was something to learn from even that. The lack of abandon was never something Felix could understand, but it had its uses on the battlefield.

It took you a little too long to hear that.

“—hm?”

Ah. You’re pretty sure you’ve met this type before— not one for socializing and perhaps not the friendliest, but always drawn to something. If that impression stands, you’re a little flattered. You’re not all that different, and you know the energy it takes to speak to strangers.

“Thanks. Suffice it to say I’ve had to be.” You give the younger man a quick scan of your own. “You look like you’ve seen some hell yourself.”

Felix might not be the friendliest, at lest on the surface, but he seeks out those who look like they have battle prowess like... well, he’s never been one for metaphors, but there’s one in there. Like something.

He doesn’t manage to smile, per se, but he does let his scowl lessen somewhat. It’s tricky, finding the balance.

      ⚘ ❝ Hmm? Oh, you mean the cars? ❞ the brunette briefly hums in thought, softly swaying side to side as she addresses the stranger now.

      ❝ I’ve seen them before, but… Not ones like the cars in this city. They look completely different from the ones I’m used to! I’m guessing you’ve never seen any type of car before, though? ❞

He nods, a little weakly. He hates looking so out of his element, but he supposes it can’t be helped. “Yeah... the cars. I just... they make me nervous.”

@illcutthrough​ // x

Edelgard had been relieved to find Felix here, in this place called the ‘mall’. It was confusing to her, but she figured it out quickly enough – this phone held all of her currency on it, and all she had to do was hand it over to the storekeep. Holding up a pair of red pants and a green and black plaid shirt, she smiled at her choices. “Felix,” she said, adding them to the pile. “I think these will suit me well. Don’t you agree?”

✦ Felix was often interested in the swordplay of others. It was something she’d noticed back at the academy and it seemed that remained true even five years later. Perhaps her talents had waned? She was out of practice, and also had no idea if Felix was from the same timeline as herself… let alone the same time in that timeline. The way this city tore people from their homes was confusing at best. 

“That’s a valid point. I’m not sure if it’s true about me though. When you’re raised a mercenary you don’t really pay too much attention to what others think.” Because people that pursued that career path were often talked about behind their backs. “Behaving unnaturally due to prying eyes could lead to death, and that’s something I plan on avoiding.” After all, it wasn’t just her own life at risk. Her students, at least back home, were also precious lives she wished to preserve.

Felix nods. That’s one thing that he’s always respected about her--whatever her reasons, exactly, she never seems to care what others think of her. It’s admirable, wherever it comes from. He pretends to be the same, but he can’t shut off the part of his brain that does care, that wants others’ approval. He could spend his whole life agonizing over it, or he can observe her technique. She hasn’t rebuked him, which is good.

@illcutthrough​ // x

“Ooh,” Ardyn sighs, a grin forming on his face. He motions to the wooden sword at the young man’s side as he makes another pleased sound.

“You have one too,” he says, pulling out his own from behind his back. Ah, he wishes he had access to his armiger, it would be easier to carry this. “Want to compare sizes?”

Felix is annoyed enough about his wooden sword without people making jokes about it. It takes him a moment to even catch the annoying innuendo in the joke here, and when he does, his face reddens--with anger more than embarrassment.

The question prompts a quiet, ironic laugh. 

“Always. And I mean that. No matter what happened or who you fought for, I’d be a real hypocrite for saying otherwise.” he takes a moment, thoughtful, preparing for the possibility that Felix might connect the dots. When no retribution comes, he decides he won’t push it any further. The truth would have to come to light eventually, and Ashe had no qualms with admitting his actions. But there was a time and place for it, and his guilty conscience was not a good enough reason to further complicate their situation. 

The mention of food is more comfortable for both of them, and Ashe is happy to oblige. There’s a nearby food truck, and with a swift confidence he orders each of their meals and goes to pay for them before he can be stopped. 

“A promise for later, alright? I don’t imagine you have very much saved up yet, so it’ll be better if you let me take care of this.” it seems like he won’t take no for an answer, but he does give the other time to respond in case he really wanted to fight about it. Felix seemed a little out of his element, and maybe Ashe was taking advantage of that. He hopes he can be forgiven. 

“You mentioned you did your own training earlier? Does that mean you found some actual steel, or are you still working with blunt wood?” 

Felix looks at him curiously. The implication is clear, but Felix is unsure whether he wants to follow that train of thought to its inevitable conclusion. It would satisfy his curiosity but there was also the inevitable level of accusation. Felix holds loyalty to the Emperor because she earned it, she gave him the battle he craved, yes, but she also made all the bloodshed worth it. Fortuna favors the bold, though, and Felix is nothing if not that and so he asks, despite his reservations.

“You, too, huh?”

It’s not accusatory, it’s actually a little hesitant. Felix is not used to feeling unsure of anything.

“Was... was Claude a good leader, at least? From your perspective?” It was easy enough to figure out which side Ashe had defected to. It makes sense, in a way. While Felix had always chosen the more direct approach, and so had gravitated toward the Emperor, Ashe was a little more subtle. This turn of events certainly suited him. It was difficult to bear him any ill will, and so Felix simply chose not to.

Felix considered fighting Ashe and insisting he pay for his own food... but no, that wouldn’t be worth it. He just nods, his acquiescence coming easier than it would have during his schooldays.

( Force my Muse to Spill their Secrets ) - ACCEPTING

❤️- For a secret crush

( Force my Muse to Spill their Secrets ) - ACCEPTING

❤️- For a secret crush

( Force my Muse to Spill their Secrets ) - ACCEPTING

❤️- For a secret crush

Excellent. More unrequited love.

How about Ashe? Remember in their C support where Ashe immediately pins down Felix’ soft underbelly by comparing him to a storybook knight? “On the surface, he's sarcastic and intimidating. But underneath, he's kind and cares for his friends.” It doesn’t take Ashe long at all to see through Felix’ tough shell, which kind of took him by surprise--most other characters take at least two if not three supports, you know?

( Force my Muse to Spill their Secrets ) - ACCEPTING

🌟- For a secret wish or desire of theirs

He isn’t the type to just admit this, but Felix does want to find the time to hone more “pointless” hobbies, maybe even something artistic. He doesn’t think he’d be particularly good at those sorts of things, but he wants a chance to try. He feels like he’ll never get the time, though, even with the war at its end.

❤️- For a secret crush

Felix has SO MANY support chains that go up to A, which I choose to mean he is the sort of person to fall in love with actually quite a bit of ease. Of course it’s tragic, of course it’s always unrequited, especially with how prickly he is on the outside. He has a lot of secret crushes, is what I’m getting at.

Sylvain is the easiest to start with. That sort of long-term friendship can’t not leave its impression. He never spoke of it, though he sometimes wonders if it wasn’t maybe really obvious, and he always felt really... like, unworthy of Sylvain in general. Easy-going Sylvain, easy-to-like Sylvain, with his easy smiles and all the hurt Felix knew lingered beneath those smiles. What did Felix ever have to offer him but cold words and broken promises?

🐇- For a secret item they keep (stuffed animal, comfort object, etc)