guffawsungraciously | psl time: single dad au edition

[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.

...Ah, yes, that would be nice.

[His meals were largely eaten alone, with the occasional meal out with similarly single senior knights. There were also the parties he was expected to attend as the head of the military, but he barely counted those in the first place considering he did more social drinking than eating during those events.]

My evenings should be clear for the time being. We would have to align schedules for any earlier meals.

[He appears amused by Jasper reaching for a tart.]

Not a sweet enough dessert for your palate?

Yes, of course. Dinner would be fine, at the very least.

[...hopefully the king doesn’t decide to show up again for dinner. Holy fuck, man, he doesn’t want to deal with the “king” more than he has to.]

I feel like I want to try it regardless, just for the sake of it.

[He takes a bite and thinks about it...]

No, not quite. I do not hate it, but I would not eat more.

[A faint chuckle escapes at that food critique.]

I do not think you could possibly truly hate a sweet dessert, my friend.

[He leans back in his chair a bit, fingers drumming on the table.]

If you are finished, I can walk you back to your room. So you do not have to worry about the doors.

[He feels the need to explain, as if he's somehow insulting Jasper with the implication of escorting him.]

Doing things one-handed is not too difficult... but I would rather not take any risks I do not have to with the little one.

[doing things for the sake of baby is more dignified. He sips the last of his tea and smiles.]

You know, I almost wish to put on some sort of challenge wherein contestants attempt to make a sweet dessert I actively dislike.

A contest where everyone has to meet your high standards? One that involves food? That seems like something you might enjoy to the point of overindulgence.

[That is to say, it sounds perfectly ridiculous and he wonders if he might end up roped into it somehow.

He stands up with a slight stretch, rounding his chair to walk to the other side of Jasper to peek at Celestine. She still seems rather awake considering her earlier yawn, but looks can be deceiving.]

Ready to head back, little one? Time to head home.

[It's a little silly, considering they live in the castle, but he's talking to a baby who really can't understand him, so...]

You say that as though it is a bad idea that I will regret.

[He won’t, is what he’s saying.

Celestine is at least still looking around in that kind of dazed way that very young babies do, but she could nod off at a moment’s notice on account of being baby. He stands up and picks her bassinet up and slings it under one arm. Once that's secure, he picks up the bottle with his free hand since Hendrik is offering to handle doors anyway, then smiles at Hendrik’s statement before looking down to talk to her.]

Do not fret, my dear. Though the road home may be perilous, we have an accomplished escort guiding us there.

[...it’s fun talking to a baby who has no fucking idea what he’s saying, alright.]

I feel this one will grow up with a flair for the dramatic, under your care.

[It's a clear tease following the way Jasper speaks to his daughter, Hendrik's mood light enough to be able to enjoy his own (non-pun) joke. He strides to the large double doors to hold one open.]

What perils may there be on the way? An unlit patch of corridor, a slightly wet floor?

The most likely seems to be that we will encounter more admirers at a point where she may prefer to take a nap, which is also the most horrible outcome of all.

[He's going to keep up the bit because hell, he's having fun! He also sounds more proud than irritated by the idea, because Celestine doesn't seem that sleepy just yet. And it's nice to see that everyone loves her...!]

Ah, of course. The random encounters on the path home. Always a trial when you are not at your best.

[He walks beside Jasper in the broad width of the corridor, looking at Celestine in her pleasant oblivion to their fanciful talk.]

Ugh, they truly are. Do you remember that time we were about three feet away from camp and we got ambushed by disgruntled hammerhoods...

[...huh. he's got a kid to tell dumb stories to, now, doesn't he.

...

He never thought that'd happen, honestly...]

How could I forget? We were so tired returning to camp. I am not sure who was more annoyed by the encounter, truthfully -- the hammerhoods or us.

[Frustrated. Exhausted from a long day. It had been one of those nights where he snored and had little care who had to deal with it.]

The hammerhoods did not have to listen to you snoring afterwards, so I would say they had the better time of it.

[...he's not a man who can resist the occasional dig.]

I would think you immune to it by now, but I suppose that is just hopeful thinking on my part. I must have disturbed your sleep no less than a hundred times in our lives so far.

[Between his nightmares as a child and his snoring as a young knight, he might as well have come with a warning label of some kind for anyone sharing a tent or room with him.]

Perhaps I would have if you were consistent about it, but you are not really an issue if you have not been working the whole day. I suppose at the very least, I knew that if we were having a tiring day, I would not get any rest at the end of it...

Unfortunately not. But you never failed to look impressive come morning. Like you actually managed to sleep.

[Which is, you know, pretty impressive unto itself while traveling around the countryside.]

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