guffawsungraciously | psl time: single dad au edition

[As Jasper falls into a contemplative silence, Hendrik continues standing there, watching. As the silence stretches on, he shifts his weight from foot to foot, somewhat uncomfortable. The lack of distraction causes him to focus on the fact that he's still without his shirt, and he heads off to retrieve his shirt at long last.]

Fortunately, she does not have to worry about you going anywhere. Unless you had any intentions of taking an assignment out at sea.

...

[aw fuck that is a possibility, isn’t it. Especially given... you know...

...]

Perhaps she could get her sea legs early enough.

[He gently rocks Celestine’s bassinet with a smile.]

It cannot be too different in calmer waters, can it? Though I suppose there is no guarantee of those.

[That... That was a joke, right? He couldn't possibly be thinking of taking a baby out to sea?]

I would imagine it may delay her ability to walk. With the rocking of a ship and such.

[Er. He really shouldn't be humoring that idea. He walks back over to offer the small slime plush to Jasper. The rest of the toys pressed to his chest with one arm while his hand holds his shirt.]

Here. If something else, she may eventually think this is a pillow.

Ah, yes, of course. That would be unfortunate...

[His brows furrow, though. What does he do if he has to be stationed away from her...

...ah, right, toys! He'll take the slime and hold it out to her.]

See, I did not just get you a bed, Celestine. I procured some friends for you!

[...she is at least looking at it! She's not scared! ...but, um, it's still hard to read her reactions outside of that...]

[...Hm.]

Perhaps she is still a little tired.

[That's probably a generous assumption. He adjusts some of the other toys in case Jasper wants to set some of them in the crib.

And he should ... really...]

Jasper, you-- er, you would not seriously consider a sea assignment now, would you?

...perhaps she simply needs some time to learn how to express herself.

[She does at least follow it with her eyes as he puts it next to her bassinet, so that's... something!]

I imagine it is difficult, being her age and having absolutely no idea how to do anything.

[...but he does... think that over...]

...

Not unless there was no other option, no.

[If things were normal, he wouldn't be worried about it, but...

...

He's worried.]

[...

The hesitation isn't comforting. When he looks at Jasper, his eyes focused on his new daughter, he can see concern.

The source of that concern is a little less clear, but it obviously would have to do with potentially being separated from Celestine.

Seafaring knights received a considerable commission due to being stationed away from Heliodor and any guard posts in the kingdom. If it was a matter of money...

...So...]

You may be interested to know that Lazarite had you on his shortlist even before I recommended you for succession.

...ah, is that so?

[That at least shakes Jasper out of his ruminations, and he sounds legitimately hopeful. If Lazarite recommended him for his position, it might be somewhat suspect if the king turned it down...

...but he doesn't know that for sure. Maybe he should temper his expectations...]

I will hope that his considerations reach the king, then, and I will doubly hope that the king agrees with his recommendations.

[He knows now of the friction between His Majesty and his friend, so the way Jasper phrases his hopes both makes sense and saddens him.

...And yet. Something about what he's said strikes him as odd.

...

It takes him a long moment to realize what it is.]

I... Now that I am thinking about it, I do not think His Majesty's approval is needed for you to be appointed as Lazarite's successor.

[...

you know... you know... he'd been distracted by thinking of all the things that could go wrong that he hadn't thought through the strategic implications of how this could go right.

It's true. If the "king" did go out of his way to censure Lazarite, it would probably look really suspicious in a way that would be difficult for others to write off. Then, maybe, he could have an easier time exposing the demon... or, if the demon didn't take that risk, he'd get the promotion he wanted.

Either way, it's a win for him, and it does cheer him up a bit.]

Well, do let Sir Lazarite know that I am open to a meeting to discuss the possibility at any time. I do have a new responsibility to take care of, admittedly, but it is not as though other knights do not manage to balance their families with their careers.

[Hendrik is still trying to think through his rather complicated tangle of facts. Lazarite had opted not to officially be named the new chief of staff because he still intended to retire as soon as possible -- even if that was three years ago now. Lazarite did not necessarily need his approval for choosing a successor; Lazarite was keeping him in the loop primarily because he and the chosen successor would have to work together.]

I will pass on that information when I see him next -- either tomorrow or the day after. I am sure he will be mindful to give you enough to arrange for a sitter.

[He shifts his attention back to Celestine in her bassinet for a moment, then looks at the toys he's still holding. He makes the bold move to put the platypunk toy in a rounded corner of the bassinet by her feet, its tail curled around its base. He'd considered the teddy bear, but the platypunk had less of a chance of falling over.]

[Oh... another new... friend? Celestine is interested, but it's not quite clear what kind of interest it is yet. Maybe when she has motor control outside of wiggling...]

I am sure he will, as well. He always struck me as a reasonable man, but he has certainly been... dealing with much over the past few years.

[...hmmm...]

And I do have one lined up, but I am hoping to have her walk me through a few things as well...

[He smiles when he notices Celestine's eyes following his hand as he puts the toy in the bassinet, carefully reaching over to play with one of her tiny feet.]

Ah, yes, I am sure there is still much to learn. Babies develop quickly in the space of a few weeks.

[He tilts his head as he thinks.]

There must be books available as well. But my mother seemed to learn everything she needed to know from family and friends.

I did hear something about two weeks being old enough for her to be on her chest for short periods, and that that is necessary for proper growth, but I am not certain I want to do it unsupervised.

[He watches Hendrik play with her and smiles when she wiggles and lets out a squeak. It’s not a distressed squeak, so it’s fine...! It’s very cute.

...

b...oth of them. Goddess. Why is the large wall of muscle so adorable... he’s like a former puppy that’s grown into his very large paws, yet has effectively the same personality...

...anyway, he uh. He should continue on that line of thought.]

I suppose there is no shortage of people to ask, at the very least. People do so love her thus far.

[Not wanting to overstimulate the baby, Hendrik only plays with her foot for a little while before reaching up to give her wispy blue hair an affectionate strike and withdrawing his hand. He's still smiling when he turns to look at Jasper.

It ... takes him a moment to remember to say something, those gold eyes looking at him with an unexpected warmth. Not that he can't be warm, but it's an expression he's seen little of in years.]

Mm... Yes, I am sure you will have your pick of a number of volunteers. Myself included, should our schedules align.

You will at the very least need to stop in and say hello every so often. She seems to have taken a shine to you already.

[Celestine burbles positively, almost as if in agreement, and Jasper strokes her hair as well.]

I imagine it would do you both good, given how much you already clearly adore her.

[...he kind of wants to tease Hendrik about making time to find a nice girl and start a family with her, but he can’t do it. Not now. Somehow, it was easier years before, when he still kind of... maybe felt a certain way... in roughly the same amount... but...

...

He should probably get over it at some point, shouldn’t he...]

I am sure it is only a matter of exposure. She may have protested more had she understood I was reading a history book to her.

[...Not that there's anything wrong with history books! They just do not seem like usual fare for reading to babies and small children.]

But I would be happy to stop by whenever I am able. Besides Celestine, I am sure I owe you more than a few visits.

[His smile is apologetic even as he looks away, setting down the rest of the stuffed toys close to the bassinet and busying himself finally putting on his shirt.]

Well, she is my daughter, after all. She may very well have enjoyed them even if she did know you were reading her history books.

[Jasper begins arranging the stuffed animals around the bassinet for... well... aesthetics, at the moment. They look like a bunch of fluffy sentinels keeping an eye on the baby, really.]

You do practically owe me interest at this point in that regard.

[Hendrik grimaces a little at Jasper's agreement with him owing interest, but it's hidden as he tugs his shirt over his head. He should really think of ways to make up for the completely unnecessary silence the past few years.]

Then... Hm.

[He glances back in the direction of the windows in Jasper's room. There's still light out, so it's not terribly late into the afternoon yet.]

Perhaps I can, ah, interest you in a meal?

[It's not quite a pun, so it's not quite the lowest form of comedy, right?]

[...Jasper kind of squints at Hendrik in an attempt to figure out if that was a pun without actually acknowledging it. If he acknowledges it, it will encourage him.

...still... man, though...]

Oh, of course. Though, I do have to wonder if we ought to arrange something for her...

[maybe they can take her? Should they...?]

[There is a moment of nervous tension that's doubly heightened by his attempt at a joke. Unsure whether or not he wants the joke acknowledged, Hendrik ends up simply attempting to keep a straight face while Jasper squints at him.

It's. It's difficult.

Jasper is fortunately merciful, turning his attention to his actual question. He averts his attention to Celestine, who is seemingly wide awake and looking up at them.]

It would be unwise to take her somewhere too noisy. Perhaps we can pick up something from the kitchens and take her somewhere different but quiet?

[Though that does beg the question of where to go...]

I suppose we could just bring it back to the room and keep her by our side, though that seems a bit dull and it might be nice to give her a change of scenery.

[HMMMMMMmmmmm...]

All of the spots that come immediately to mind are outdoors, which... well, perhaps in the spring, but certainly not now. Granted, given all the knight trainees have left for the winter, the dining hall itself may very well be sedate enough...

Ah, that is true. There may be a few around into the evening if they could not arrange to head home right away, but certainly more sedate than usual.

[The senior knights were to keep an eye on them in the meantime, so they would at least not be causing any restless trouble.]

It would be a good opportunity to get Celestine more milk for the evening as well.

She does not seem terribly shy, at the very least, so if anyone is around it will likely not disturb her too much. It is also close enough that if she is upset, we can bring her back here easily enough. I am sure she ought to be hungry once we have finished eating, as well.

[...hmmm... he leans over and looks her over.]

Though, are you hungry now, I wonder...? You do seem happy enough at the moment. It would be nice for all of us to eat together, at least.

[Celestine wiggles a bit...! That seems like a yes, he guesses.]

I am still unsure of her age in comparison to what I remember as a child, but I remember a neighbor's baby who was always attached to a bottle anytime they were awake. I suppose this means she is a little past that age?

[He looks at Celestine again. She doesn't appear to be an unhealthy baby.]

She has not eaten in over two hours, so now or after our meal would be good timing.

[He's rather hungry himself, but it's far less of an issue for him to grab his jerkin and find something to eat if he's suddenly ravenous.]

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