guffawsungraciously | psl time: single dad au edition

Ah, lemon and sugar as well, please.

[Jasper’s tastes are predictable, at least. And he is very nearly done with his meal, so he will keep eating as he waits for Dessert. He does turn to Celestine with a smile, though.]

Once you have teeth, I may very well share my desserts with you. I hope you are excited about that.

[The maid leaves to finish preparations for tea, and Hendrik again looks over at Jasper speaking to Celestine. His penchant for speaking to her throughout all of this is ... charming. And a good sign.]

I am glad to see you speaking to her so much. Before you know it, she will be hearing your voice as a source of comfort.

I do hope so. It seems like it is the sort of thing that would be good for her language development, at the very least.

[He watches her... well... watch him.]

I know she does not understand me yet, but I think we both enjoy these slightly one-sided conversations. I do hope I am not overwhelming her, though...

[Hendrik tilts his head to get a look at Celestine, studying her for a moment.]

As far as I know, babies react in similar ways to adults when they are overwhelmed -- they will either fuss or freeze up. She still seems to be quietly looking around, so you should be fine.

[...]

You could always tickle her foot to see if she reacts.

Hm. Well, she is cute when I bother her...

[He reaches over and lightly tickles one of her feet. She squeaks and wiggles, lightly kicking his hand in the process.

...

It’s very cute, and Jasper laughs at it.]

Well, she certainly let me know how she felt about that!

She certainly did.

[He sighs contentedly at Celestine's little sounds. Is it any surprise at all that Jasper would have an adorable daughter?

...Well, it isn't really a surprise to him, at least. Even if he's never seriously thought of them as having children and their own families.

That's. That's probably just a sign of what he imagined his future to look like, when he was younger.

Two maids arrive shortly after, one carrying a tray with a teapot, teacups, dessert saucers, and accompaniments, while the other carries a tray with the desserts Hendrik had mentioned before -- pear tarts and berry cobbler. The berry cobbler specifically still has a delightful aroma, warm as it still is from the kitchens. After presenting the desserts on the table, the maids linger to fawn over Celestine again.]

You will have to keep that up, my dear. Never be shy about telling anyone that they are out of line.

[He gently boops her nose instead, which provokes a significantly less annoyed squeak. Though, he is quickly distracted by the heavenly scent of dessert, and he waits just as long as it takes to remain polite before scooping a large helping of berry cobbler onto his plate. He keeps an eye on the maids’ interactions with Celestine to ensure she isn’t getting stressed, but it’s still very cute seeing her look curiously between the people surrounding her. It’s... nice, honestly. Hopefully he can introduce her to children her age once she’s old enough, but he’s happy to see that it seems as though she will never truly be lonely.

...

Then again, he had felt so for quite some time even though all he had to do was begin speaking to the people around him again. Though... he does wonder if people are more interested in the baby...

...well, he wants her to be happy, so that’s fine, isn’t it? She deserves to be loved, and it’s nice to see that just about everyone loves her.]

[Hendrik watches with a small smile as the maids continue talking about how cute Celestine is. It's wonderful that there's a pleasant source of positivity in the castle ... even if it is strange to think of a baby as a morale booster. She was more than a morale booster, after all.

...Coffee would probably be preferable over tea, but tea is certainly welcome after only wine. He carefully takes a tart from the platter and starts in on it, commenting quietly.]

I hope all the attention does not make you uncomfortable.

Do not fret. I have not found it particularly irksome.

[If anything, it feels like a nice change of pace from almost feeling like he’s invisible to everyone. Well, perhaps that was an exaggeration of sorts... but at the same time, it was better than it had been.

He thinks about it a little harder as he eats some cobbler.]

I will admit that I was concerned her presence would be an issue, but it had turned out well for everyone, really.

An issue with whom? The staff?

[He watches at the maids reluctantly pry themselves away from Celestine, nodding to them as they take away the dinner dishes for washing.]

I suppose she could become a distraction, but that would be a personnel issue, not her fault. You cannot very well keep her in a corner all day.

[What a sad existence that would be.]

Well, people are not always kind to children with only one parent around, regardless of whether she is or is not an inconvenience.

[He knows that from experience...]

Everyone has been kind to her so far, though, so there is no cause for concern.

...Ah.

[Right. Right. Things like that did happen while they were younger...

He continues eating quietly for a little while, but he can't really feign an appetite for dessert. After finishing the tart, he sips at his tea.]

Well then, I wish you good productivity tomorrow while you work on that proposal tomorrow. I look forward to seeing what comes of it.

I do, as well.

[....he gets a little more cobbler.]

Do you have any plans for after this, then? I will be starting on work, of course, but I am sure Celestine would not mind spending time with you, at the very least.

For this evening...?

[...]

No, no plans. I have meetings and a review of the armory tomorrow, but the rest of today is free.

[He glances over at Celestine over the brim of his teacup as he drinks.]

I would not mind staying over longer, but I cannot help but think she will be sleeping soon.

Edited 2020-09-29 09:52 (UTC)

Ah... that is true, I suppose.

[He looks over to Celestine, who... yep, she gives a big yawn.

...

Jasper also yawns as a result.]

...

That might be true for the both of us, actually... perhaps I ought to take a nap after I get my research materials together.

[He can't help but chuckle as father and daughter yawn, nodding in approval at Jasper's plan.

...He may also have to stifle a yawn himself. Contagious things, those yawns.]

Yes, you should get some sleep while she is also taking a nap. It is hard to be productive while you are yawning every other minute.

Well, I considered asking you to perhaps check on us about four hours from now to make sure I have awoken to feed her and get to work, but it almost seems as though you may require a nap as well.

[It’s more of a jest than anything, since Hendrik hasn’t been up on and off all night making sure a baby is fed, but you know.

...then again...]

On the other hand, I have possibly asked enough of you today.

My offer of assistance is still quite new, Jasper. I do not mind helping out if you have a need.

[There is an obvious issue, of course.]

If checking on you in four hours will help you in establishing a schedule of some sort, I would be happy to drop by. It need not be long at all; once I have confirmed you are awake, I can leave you to your work.

I believe it will, yes. I feel as though I did a reasonably good job keeping up with her last night, but I did eventually find myself sleeping just a bit too long during the last break before the day proper started.

[...he looks kind of guilty about that...]

So it would be helpful to have another set of eyes on that sort of thing.

...Ah. Yes, that is understandable. Especially for when you are usually sleeping.

[Well. Presumably when Jasper is usually speaking.

... ... ...]

If it would help, I can check in for the next few days. In the evening.

[While he's available to do so.]

Ah, I would not be opposed to that at all. At least for the next few days.

[...]

And when conditions are better, I ought to take you for lunch or dinner out of appreciation for your assistance.

That may be awhile yet, to avoid overwhelming Celestine.

[But he smiles at the prospect, pouring a little more tea for himself.]

I look forward to said better conditions, though. Perhaps we will have other things to celebrate by then as well.

Well, I hate to put it off for so long, but I imagine between the weather and Celestine being a bit older, spring should be a good time, should it not?

Mm. Indeed, that may be the best time to do it. When I am not on a mission.

[He's never really looked forward to these campaigns, considering the reasons why they have to be sent out so often, but now he's somewhat disappointed to know they will be obstacles in a way.

But it's a sacrifice all knights under his command take for their country. Who would he be to not stand firm, as their commanding officer?]

Well, I am sure I will have a better idea of your schedule in due time, all things considered.

[.........he grabs a pear tart just to try it.]

Until you are sent out, however, I suppose it would not be too much of an issue for us to meet during meals again.

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