Jasper (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
guffawsungraciously) wrote2020-06-30 04:08 pm
guffawsungraciously) wrote2020-06-30 04:08 pmpsl time: single dad au edition
oops, someone fucked up!
guffawsungraciously) wrote2020-06-30 04:08 pm
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...well. It wasn't like that didn't set off warning bells in his head to start with given how clear he was about wanting to remain unattached in those situations, but. Well.
...well.
He was still kind of numb to the whole situation as he quietly determined quite how he would reenter the castle while attracting the least amount of attention... like, he wasn't terrible at sneaking back in even when impaired, but there were two major differences in circumstances from the last time he'd tried to do a stealthy walk of shame.
The first was, you know, the king was possessed now, and he had the occasional tendency to just kind of melt out of the shadows when he least wanted it... and the second was that he didn't usually have some small bundle wrapped up in his cloak to keep warm... right, he needed to make a decision quickly, so... stables. Stables are probably the best entry route. Part of this is all up to luck and making sure he doesn't run into anyone, but it's after dinner in the winter so people probably shouldn't really be... around...? He'll just... scope things out and then head on into the castle entrance...]
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Hendrik grabs a stool from a corner of the stables and carries it over to a particular stall, setting it down and slinging down his rucksack to fish out some vegetables for his horse. Obsidian is a stubbornly intelligent stallion, and it's taken a good number of months to get the horse to accept a saddle, let alone a rider. He's proud to have accomplished both.
Obsidian greets him with a snort, tailing flicking. How restless he and the other horses must be, stuck inside through this heavy snowfall. But it's better than being stuck out on a field somewhere.]
Bored with the hay already, are you? Or perhaps you do not like the weather? I know it is an extreme difference from Gallopolis, but you will adjust. Eventually.
[The black stallion snorts again, nosing at his callused hands. Hendrik pulls back, tutting the impatient horse before offering a turnip. Obsidian crunching on the root vegetable is a satisfying sound, though not loud enough in his ears to block out the creaking hinges of the far stable door being open.
...Did one of the stablehands return? Hendrik leans over to look down the aisle towards the doors.]
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... oh no who is that. There's someone there.
...
Oh no, it's Hendrik, and he's looking right at him. Thanks to Zoom he's only been gone most of the day instead of, like, an appreciable length of time, so maybe he can just... pretend he's got cake...? If nobody gets a good look they can probably assume he's just got bread.
...
But that's only if Hendrik actually says something. He might just, you know, ignore him, like he always does. So he can play at that game as well! He pretends he does not see, he is walking quickly...]
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But that's not even half the story. He can't pretend that was the only reason he hasn't seen Jasper. It just seems like he barely has the time to be by himself, let alone seeking out his friend's company.
...It doesn't even occur to him that there's anything strange about Jasper visiting or passing through the stables at this hour. He just smiles in greeting.]
Jasper. Good evening.
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...and of course, he stops in his tracks when addressed, because this is the first time Hendrik has actually spoken to him in Goddess knows how long and despite everything telling him to keep moving or lash out in anger, he...
...
Damn it, he wants an excuse to have an actual conversation. Or at least test the waters for a conversation. He wants things to feel even vaguely like they used to, if only for a few minutes. By all indications she’s still asleep, it’s fine, he can continue to pass her off as a loaf of bread...]
It certainly is an evening, yes, though given the weather I am reluctant to call it “good.”
[...okay, he’s pretty sure his tone was level. He doesn’t want to just discuss the weather, though... ah, wait.]
I see you are still keeping in Obsidian’s good graces, then?
[.........obsidian is cool okay he likes obsidian even if he’s never going to ride that horse.... he doesn’t need to he likes just saying hi..............]
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Well. She does, at the very least, wake him up at a reasonable enough hour that he thinks breakfast is still being served, so...
...
Wait. No. He... needs to ask one of the maids to get some warm water and take care of... other things first... so he steps out his door, upon which point he is immediately descended upon by... fuck, he doesn't know, perhaps half or more of the maids currently on duty who have somehow caught wind of the castle's newest resident and are practically falling over themselves to meet her. His initial suspicion falls on Hendrik, but... no, apparently one of them did see him rushing to his room with a wailing baby in tow the previous evening, and rumors spread as they often do, and...
...well, even if the experience is initially mortifying, they're all extremely helpful. Certainly, some of the younger ones just want to coo over Celestine as she gazes at them with the natural bewilderment of every baby experiencing a large amount of people for the first time, but they do, at least, offer to keep an eye on her while he gets breakfast, and the older members of the staff with families of their own offer even more advice than Hendrik had last night and give him some ideas for where to look for possible wet nurses and the like.
It's all surprisingly heartening, given that even the stricter individuals that he expected to lay into him a bit are at least happy he's taking responsibility, and it's also the most interaction he's had with people in general for a good long while given how much he's been keeping to himself, so he finds himself blinking blearily at the paperwork he's started on once the initial excitement has died down and he has a moment to himself and wondering... what on earth... just happened.
...well, he does at least manage to get some done before Hendrik is supposed to stop by, although his attention keeps being diverted to Celestine seemingly attempting to figure out how her limbs work when she's not napping since he moved a table over to keep an eye on her. He kind of ate a late breakfast anyway, so when it's time for Hendrik to arrive, he's kind of intermittently watching her wiggle a bit while he signs things...]
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When he politely tries to inquire, they positively gush over the rumors about Jasper having brought in a baby. They must have somehow missed him entering Jasper's room, though that doesn't seem too surprising given he arrived later in the evening.
But he feels ... both awkward and heartened by their reactions. Awkward for playing dumb to the situation and heartened that they seem supportive of his friend's decision to take care of his baby (even if they only think it a rumor right now).
Once he is ready for the day, he immediately heads to the barracks for inspection. Lazarite is already there, checking over notes handed over from the senior knights, and he's able to take a few minutes prior to inspection to talk to the older knight about Jasper as a possible successor -- or at least an additional hand in the intelligence office. Lazarite welcomes the suggestion, mentioning that Jasper had already been on his list of potential replacements. Hendrik is happy to hear his recommendation may have helped his friend onto the shortlist.
The dismissal of the apprentice knights ... goes. He never feels properly inspiring or grateful as he gives his speech, but everyone assembled applauds and cheers regardless. He chalks it up to them being excited to go home until the turn of the season.
With his responsibilities for the day over, Hendrik heads back to his room to change out of his armor and into a coat and jerkin combination before heading across the hall to knock on Jasper's door. It's ... been ages since he's done such a thing, and it feels happily nostalgic as he knocks on the door.]
Jasper? Are you in?
[...He can't imagine him having already gone out, but it seems polite to ask...]
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Oh! It is that time.]
I did get a few offers for someone to take over for you, but I am not one to leave you off the hook. Come in, Hendrik.
[He straightens out his paperwork and sets it to the side, caps his inkwell, and checks on Celestine... yep, still cute. Still baby. Still too young to do even the bare minimum of trying to fit her foot in her mouth.]
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...And oh, does he have a few words.]
Ah. And so begin the days without proper rest.
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Do I look that bad...
[Maybe he should take another moment in the mirror before actually leaving...]
Well, in any event, I believe I did well enough for my first night. There may have been a rough spot or two, bur Celestine is fed, clean, and generally seems like she is generally content enough.
[He looks back at her fondly and gives her nose a gentle poke, which elicits a mildly confused squeak out of her.]
You would let me know if you were not content, would you not?
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Two people is a family, right? Being a parent was kind of exhausting, sure, and some parts were honestly pretty gross, but seeing her slowly become able to do more things and... just seeing her in general on account of her being incredibly adorable was all worth it. Plus, it wasn't as though he didn't have help with her. Hendrik had been a great help, and while he wasn't present at the time due to being out on an expedition, he wouldn't be gone too long.
In fact, he was supposed to come back today-ish!
...unfortunately, Jasper couldn't be very excited for that, because Celestine was ill, and that was terrifying. The doctor had told him her fever would break in two days, but it was three days and she was still feverish. It was an absolute nightmare, really. He had been trying to work through it, but Sir Lazarite could tell he was so stressed out that he'd given him some time off to take care of her. So... that's where he is at present, nervously checking on her every thirty seconds, perhaps...]
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On one hand, it was good to clear out the monsters before their numbers swelled. On the other, it was just a little strange for them to pursue monsters that were not deemed a large threat to a settlement.
The cold weather hampered their journey back up to the castle town, turning the drifting spray from the coast to ice as they traveled. It's a relief to make it back into the protection of the city walls, and even more so as he gets back into the castle proper. He hears nothing of the happenings of the castle until the late afternoon of the third day, washed and clean after all the travel.
He heads for Jasper's room as soon as he hears that Celestine has taken ill, knocking on the door for entry.
He has a bad feeling Jasper is not taking the situation well at all.]
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...
Ah, Hendrik. You have returned from your campaign, then.
[...it's an obvious statement, but he's not really feeling up to being witty or anything...]
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[Much earlier in the day, really, but it stands to reason that he would have a number of things to do after returning before he can even think about relaxing. He hasn't even eaten, to be perfectly honest.]
I just heard from the maids that Celestine had taken ill. I wanted to check on you.
[...Ah, that might sound a little callous.}
Both of you.
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Yes, she has. I thought she would be well by now, but she is still feverish, so it is...
[...]
I am... concerned.
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Wash. Change his clothes. Nap for an hour. Head off for his debriefing and meeting over inventory of supplies spent and brought back from the expedition. Grab something to eat. Check on Obsidian after the first full day back. Head back to his room. Nap for an hour.
It seems pretty uneventful after yesterday. Speaking of which, he should head back to the check on Jasper -- see if he indeed had a fever and would need to be resting for the next few days.]
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...He doesn't feel that much better when he wakes up in the afternoon, but he manages to stay awake long enough that the doctor and nursemaid feel confident he can have some soup.
So, by the time Hendrik's ready to check on him, he's got a tray on his bed with a bowl of soup that he's pretty slowly sipping. Given that he was given the okay to do so, Celestine is nuzzled in the crook of his arm, looking considerably more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed than she had been even since Hendrik saw her the previous night.]
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The doctor doesn't use any particular emphasis there, but Hendrik can practically hear it. If.
He tilts his head to look past the room divider, smiling faintly at the sight of Jasper in bed with Celestine curled in his arm.]
Good afternoon. I thought I would see how you are doing.
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...uggggh, he has to listen to the doctor and rest even if he doesn’t feel like it, doesn’t he... well, he’ll probably ask Hendrik to move Celestine to her crib when he leaves, or for the doctor to call the nursemaid to keep an eye on her. Right now, she’s been happier when snuggling up with him, which... makes him happy too. It’s kind of a shame it’s not safe for him to go to sleep with her like that, but oh well.
When Hendrik walks into their line of sight, Celestine takes a break from trying to fit her entire hand in her mouth and gives a delighted little squeal of recognition, and Jasper can’t help smiling as well.]
All things considered, I could be worse. I could be without soup and moral support, but as you can see, I have both right here.
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A fine sight, to be sure. And a fine sound; I do not recall Celestine sounding quite so well last I was here.
You do not sound congested. Small favors there.
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...still, it was hard to deny that his role was important, particularly given that someone had to keep a close eye on what was going on at home. Who knew what the demon would get up to if someone wasn't keeping their eyes on the castle? ...honestly, he actually didn't even know what the demon was getting up to even keeping his eyes on the castle... but he's sure it would be worse.
It was a bit strange, thinking about it. It seemed as though at this point, Hendrik was the sword, and Jasper was the shield... well, at least he didn't have to be away from his dear little Celestine. Now that the weather was improving, it was so much easier to take her outside and let her experience new things. She wasn't quite able to move herself around yet, even if he felt she would start crawling any day now, but he didn't really mind carrying her around. She was still light enough that it wasn't a problem, after all.
The expeditionary force was due back fairly soon, and after that it would be paperwork, meetings, and more paperwork, so Jasper would be taking this particular sunny afternoon to introduce Celestine to the gardens. It seemed like a good idea, after all. Lots of colors, lots of new smells... and, well, he liked flowers too, after all. Things were just starting to bloom, so...]
Ah, we may have to come back later to see these lilies, Celestine. They are not quite open yet.
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It's a routine to be repeated every three to four weeks. Two to three weeks on the road, a handful of days in Heliodor, and then another deployment to scope out leads from scouts and requests from to settlements ranging from cities to tiny villages. Fortunately, they have not had any instances of returning early due to injuries or other incidents, but the thought remains at the back of Hendrik's mind during every expedition.
Today brings them back to Heliodor after a three-week expedition into the Manglegrove, securing the travel routes used by merchants and clearing out nests of lips and bubble slimes. While he greatly disliked being in such an insect-infested environment, they encountered several merchants who helped them keep stocked with fresh ingredients for their long stay. He's even able to make a deal with a Puerto Valoran merchant to look into finding goods from Gondolia before they head back north to the castle town.
There is, as always, an excited clamor as they arrive in town; some knights are met by family in the street and just barely manage to extricate themselves long enough to be formally dismissed in front of the castle. Hendrik lingers long enough to see Obsidian off to the stables, most of his belongings shuttled off to his room or the wash by attendants.]
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Well, I cannot ignore your interests, I suppose.
[So he flags down a passing aide to ask him to inform Hendrik of his location, because while he would certainly like to see his friend... other needs prevailed. Besides, Hendrik would probably like to see how cute Celestine was being in the gardens after a long expedition. It sounded like a good pick-me-up.]
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He thanks his little retinue before dismissing them, grabbing the sack of supplies he had bought from the merchants before heading towards the gardens. It's not every day he gets to bring home gifts.
The gardens are not yet in full bloom, but they offer a decent preview of what will be flourishing for the upcoming month or so. Even coming from the "kingdom of flowers," Hendrik cannot say his knowledge of flowers and gardens is rudimentary at best.
...But the flowers aren't what his eyes are on as he steps through the archway denoting the start of the garden.]
Out enjoying the good weather at last, I see.
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He does pull back a bit when Hendrik addresses him to keep her from reaching out for any of the branches, and he smiles brightly to see his friend.]
Ah, yes, of course. I suppose we are not enjoying quite as much nature as you have been, but it is a start.
[He gently adjusts Celestine a bit to let her know someone's there... though she's still a little focused on the rose bush...]
Oh, come now, my dear. You will make Sir Hendrik think you no longer care much for him.
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