guffawsungraciously | psl time: single dad au edition

She is very much like her father when he was young, when it comes to food.

[He tries to ease the bottle away from Celestine, amused by how she remains latched onto the bottle and follows his hand. It's impressive for a little baby!

The small crowd does attract the attention of some of the patrolling guards as well, some slowing down to take in the boggling sight of the general with a baby and some a little more bold to stop altogether and stare more openly. It's even more reason to retreat back into Jasper's room with Celestine.

Besides, so much stimulation is bound to either tire out a baby or overwork her so she can't sleep. One outcome is definitely preferred over the other.]

[...oh, is food over? ...she’s not really hungry anymore now that she’s been eating for a while but she likes food! Oh well, she isn’t really angry about it, so she doesn’t give Hendrik any lip once he successfully pulls the bottle away from her. Between all the excitement and now having a full belly, she is feeling a little sleepy... of course, she does need burped first, but you know.

The maids are understanding, and they take their leave cheerfully discussing that Sir Jasper hasn’t changed that much, and they really need to ask him how he keeps his great figure...]

[As the door shuts behind him, Hendrik walks over to the table and seats in the middle of the room and sets down Celestine's milk bottle, rocking her briefly before adjusting her to rest against his shoulder. He takes a seat on the chaise as he talks to her.]

Your father chose an apt name for you. You are already shaping up to be quite the little star.

[He rubs her back as he encourages her to burp.]

I have every bit of faith you two will make each other very happy. Your father needs someone in his life so he does not overthink.

[Celeste responds by burping and drooling a bit on Hendrik’s shoulder afterwards.

...well, okay. She is not really sure what he’s saying because language is new, but it sounds nice and Hendrik’s comfy so she also lets out a bit of a chirpy little burble into his shoulder.]

[Honestly, this is all kinda therapeutic for Hendrik as well, as he doesn't get to share his thoughts privately with anyone other than ... well, Obsidian. It's possibly even preferable, seeing as grooming and taking care of Obsidian is considerably messier than feeding and changing a baby.

...In any case, Hendrik stands up to get a towel to clean up and put Celestine in her makeshift cradle to check her over as well. He can't help but think it will be very cute when she needs time on her stomach to start developing her neck and back muscles.]

[Celestine is very well behaved while Hendrik wipes her face, though she lets out a mildly confused squawk when set down in her bed. She is starting to feel a little sleepy, though, and this is where she’s been sleeping. So maybe she’ll just yawn some and settle in instead of fussing. She kind of misses the warm arms already though... they still exist, right?

...

She can kind of see them so probably. Hopefully they will still exist... later... or the other pair she likes a lot, that are smaller but a little more familiar at this point. She’s kind of... dozing off a bit now... because she is cozy, regardless. It is time for a nap, maybe. Yes, probably...]

[Hendrik smiles as Celestine yawns, adjusting her swaddling and the cushioning of her little bed before hanging back a little to keep an eye on her. After her fussing earlier, it seems like a good idea to stay close until she's shut her eyes, if not fallen asleep entirely.

...Well, seeing as she is just a little baby and cannot truly comprehend what's going on, Hendrik busies himself removing his jerkin and coat to check on the spot where she had spit up. Not that he's extremely worried about the mess, but it does have a bit of a smell.]

[Celestine, indeed, does not know or care what is going on, because her eyelids are heavy and the adjustments made her even more comfy, so it’s very easy for her to fall asleep.

...so she just kinda slips off into dreamland and sleeps for the rest of Hendrik’s time babysitting.

Which is, you know, still a while, all things considered....]

[What a good baby. Two days now (well, technically, one full day) and no considerable issues. He can only hope things continue like this for the foreseeable future.

He folds up his spotted coat so it can be washed later (he wouldn't be nearly so presumptuous as to toss it in Jasper's laundry) and considers putting the jerkin on alone. Maybe if he has to step out.

Once he's assured that Celestine is asleep, Hendrik considers what he can do with his time. He had hoped to do some training today before everything had gotten so chaotic last night, but he's not about to duck out to go to his room or the training hall. Besides, even he knows it's not a good idea to swing a sword around someone else's room.

So ... what can he do?

The answer comes quickly enough. If he can't train with a weapon right now, he can at least train his body. Pushups, sit-ups, and the like. Jasper wouldn't be terribly bothered if he used his floor, right?

So that's what he does. Pushups. Start with 100 with both arms, 100 with one arm each, end with another 100 together for a set of 400 pushups. Three sets.]

[It’s still a few hours before Jasper returns, because he was picking up a whole lot of things! So many things. He just kind of... practically barges into his room with a huge sack slung over his shoulder, as he looks over his shoulder to address the carpenters who he’s employed to set up Celestine’s crib.]

Right, so I will let you in and show you where to set things up, but do try not to be too loud because there is a young baby—-

[...and then he turns... to look over... to see how Hendrik’s doing...

...

...

Okay he should not stare. He will not stare. He was already kind of staring.]

...and be careful not... to trip over Sir Hendrik, if you... will...

[A few hours sees Hendrik getting through several exercises and stopping to rehydrate along the way. By the time Jasper walks in, Hendrik has his legs over the side of the chaise so he can do sit-ups with his legs elevated. Being halfway through his second set of 300 sit-ups has Hendrik drenched in sweat but quite alert, and he looks over at Jasper from his place on the floor, more than a little confused.

And then he sees the people behind Jasper and he's soon scrambling to his feet to not look utterly disheveled in someone else's personal room. The sweat and heavy breathing doesn't help matters much as he runs a hand through his hair.

Being half-naked helps even less.]

Er... Welcome back.

Good to see you have been keeping yourself occupied, Hendrik. I suppose I should be happy I did not see you using my daughter as a weight.

[...it’s meant to be lighthearted teasing, but Jasper is tired enough from the long day that it comes off a touch snippier than intended. He is kind of smiling, at least. Kind of.

...also in fairness one of the carpenters is one of the bull-masked shirtless musclemen that seem to be everywhere in Erdrea, and after processing for a moment he nearly drops the crib frame he’s holding in excitement.

“Cor, I didn’t think I’d also be meeting General Hendrik today! When we’re done here, could you maybe give me your autograph and some workout tips?”

Jasper rolls his eyes, but takes the momentary diversion as an opportunity to set the big sack of baby supplies down and check on his daughter, who is still sleeping peacefully. ........goddess she’s so fucking cute.

Anyway, right, he needs to take care of everything else. He’ll begin walking over to his bed area and talking over his shoulder again.]

There is currently a table where I would like the crib to be placed, so let me go and move it aside.

[Hendrik is about to stammer out a reply to Jasper when the excited muscleman bloke calls out to him, and he stands there, mildly perplexed and wondering if he should probably put on a shirt. He retreats closer to the windows to get out of the way as the carpenters carry in the sectioned pieces of the crib, belatedly deciding to carry the chaise out of the way so there is more open room for maneuvering.

Just what Jasper wanted on a busy afternoon, right? Muscular men, some half-naked, working and grunting in his personal room.]

[...

Like. He’s not... unhappy about this........

...but he can’t really stand around and gawk because he needs to move the table next to the chaise and start unpacking his big old bag of baby supplies.

...and, well, he may as well ask Hendrik how the day went while he’s doing so.]

So, you did not have any problems, then? She seems content as she sleeps, and you do not seem particularly grim, so I presume it went well.

[Glancing between Jasper and the sleeping baby in the corner, Hendrik decides to dismiss the initial confusion and focus on reporting.]

No issues, no. I had to request assistance with milk from the maids, but Celestine was happy enough to listen while I read for the good part of an hour.

[He frowns a bit in thought. Was it less than an hour? Tough to tell. In any case...]

She did fuss when I walked out of sight, but I presume she has done the same to you.

Ah, yes, I should have mentioned some of those things, but really, they just seemed... well, I had been barely letting her out of my sight myself, really.

[he knows she will probably not explode if he looks away for five seconds.

but what if she does.]

But yes, I am very happy that she enjoys when people read to her. She seems generally very agreeable to most things as long as she has at least some attention being paid to her, though I suppose we have all only known each other a day.

[let’s see... OH... THERE THEY ARE, THE OUTFITS...]

Ah, look at this hat I found her!

[IT HAS A LITTLE BABY CHICK FACE ON IT....]

[In Hendrik's amazing amount of experience, babies do not tend to explode the moment no one is looking. But it does seem like a good idea to be skeptical when one's first child is at risk.

Hendrik glances over to the carpenters to watch them start working before focusing on Jasper, watching as he starts scooping out baby supplies. He blinks at the particular hat that Jasper pulls out, slowly smiling as he looks it over.]

I hope this is the first of an entire wardrobe you found for her.

[It is completely unfair that there are no instantaneous contraptions that can capture one's appearance as a handheld portrait.]

Oh, well, of course. It would not do if she did not have several outfits to wear, and I did attempt to plan ahead a bit for when she has grown.

[look, he got a few pairs of little mittens, too! And a fancy bonnet for formal occasions! And some other little hats and gowns and whatnot...!

There is also a cozy-looking portable bassinet that he pulls out, then places on his desk next to the sleeping baby’s current crib and thinking...]

Ah, but I do not wish to disturb her. I will move her once she awakens, I think.

[Goodness, Jasper really went all-out for his first shopping trip for the baby. He looks so enthusiastic as he showcases the various little accessories and clothes that will need to be put away in their own place eventually. It's highly commendable. And cute.

...Er.]

She has slept a good while. Perhaps it is still too early, but you will want to have a rough schedule for her sleeping as she grows older.

[Yes. Focus on other things. Such as gesturing at the working carpenters.]

It is also good to see if she is a light or deep sleeper.

Hm.

[He ponders. She looks so cute and content, though...]

If she has not awakened by the time I have put everything in order, I shall wake her up then. She does seem as though she has slept through the current racket, at the very least...

[the clothes are out, as is the bassinet... now for the hygienic supplies, and, of course, an assortment of cute little toys....]

[Hendrik nods in approval of Jasper's decision; it's a reasonable way to approach it, especially given what little is known about Celestine's behavior other than apparently being a rather calm baby. He finds himself looking forward to learning more about what she is like, whether it be witnessing it himself or hearing about it from Jasper.

He picks at the little gowns and accessories that were bought, noting they are loose or big for Celestine's current size. The little booties and mittens will definitely be helpful if Jasper ever takes her outside... Not that he would blame him if he decided to keep her indoors. She has many years ahead of her to learn what winter and cold weather are.]

Ah. You were able to find stuffed animals.

[Well. Stuffed monsters. It's funny how stuffed monster toys, like slimes and platypunks, are rather popular despite being dangerous to children.]

I did speak with a well-recommended nursemaid who should be in for a proper visit tomorrow, and she told me that babies do not truly appreciate them until a certain age, but it cannot hurt to have them waiting in the wings.

[there's also a rattle not unlike the ones typically carried by khalamari kids... and a mobile of normal animals of various kinds. So there's a little bit of everything!

And of course he already took the extra milk to the kitchen, ssso.]

I imagine I will think of other things to pick up as time goes on, but I feel this should be a good start.

Yes, they do know they can hold objects for ... awhile. But it can become something familiar. For comfort.

[Of course, some children then become overly clingy with their toys, but ... that can be averted. He's pretty sure, at least. It's been a long time since he's been around children with that particular habit.]

She is very fortunate. I can just imagine how many girls have sought after your attentions, and your eyes are only for her.

[...Perhaps not the best topic while there's others in the room, but Hendrik's thoughts have wandered to the maids who had fawned over Celestine.]

I am sure she will appreciate the company, at least. She does seem to love it so.

[or at least tolerate it well! He does smile fondly thinking of it...

...and hah. He does chuckle a bit, even if...

...don’t look too closely at Hendrik...]

Ah, she truly will be the envy of Heliodor. Admittedly, it may have been nice to have someone else by my side for this, but... well, I suppose you have made a decent equivalent thus far.

[The remark about being a "decent equivalent" fills Hendrik with more warmth and pride than it probably should, and he lifts his chin a little higher as he smiles.]

Mm. If I am to be present anywhere in her life, I will strive to be a good role model for her.

[Perhaps an uncle or a godfather or ... a life companion to her father? They have known each other the majority of their lives, after all.

Only two of those have actual titles associated with them, though. What would she call him otherwise? "Sir"?]

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