Not a challenge this time but another short sequence that's supposed to be funny.


Standing by

A pair of eyes, one red and one green, stared up at Hayate out of a face with trembling lips beneath which two hands balled into fists in an almost successful attempt to conceal their shaking.

"Are you telling me the truth Hayate-san?"

"Of course I'm-"

"Not, right Hayate-chan?"

"Nanoha-chan, of course I'm serious, you heard the stories when you were young to. This is a belief that's been passed down for centuries." Turning back to Vivio, Hayate prepared to continue her explanation about Halloween. "It's the one night of the year when all the spirits of the people who've passed away are permitted to return to Earth- er Mid I suppose."

"D-does that mean like ghosts and stuff?"

"That's the idea, that's why they call it All Hallows Eve, or Halloween for short." Nanoha and Hayate shared a look before she would explain the next bit, do it wrong and they'd have a flock of kids out trying to Trick-or-Treat people who had no idea what they were doing.

Following a beckoning Nanoha, Hayate followed her into the kitchen ready to be chided for her behaviour.

"You know you shouldn't tell Vivio things like that Hayate-chan."

"What's harm could it do Nanoha-chan? She'll have a nice story to tell her friends and another reason to stay in bed tonight."

Nanoha sighed, dropping her face into her hands with a look of resigned acceptance and tried patience. "You know what she's like and she's going to take this whole thing way too seriously." Another sigh "Ah well, care for a drink?"

"Sure, but nothing alcoholic I've got work tomorrow."

"Of course." Nanoha poured out three glasses of orange juice and set them on a tray that she carried out into the other room. Setting the tray on the table she handed round the glasses. "Drink up everyone."

Taking a drink from her glass Hayate immediately sprayed juice everywhere coughing. "Nanoha-chan! What was that?"

"Pumpkin juice, it is Halloween after all."

"You did that on purpose didn't you?"

"Me?"

"Never mind."

"Hayate-san?"

"What is it Vivio?" Hayate sat down next to her while dabbing at the juice stains on her top.

"When will the ghosts start to appear?" All traces of the nervousness that had been present before in her voice and actions were gone now. It had been replaced by a kind of quiet intensity.

"They say that it's always very late, when most people would be in bed, in order to avoid running into anyone I guess."

"That makes sense." Vivio was lost in thought for a while under the amused gazes of the two adults. "That's it!" she declared "I'll stand guard outside tonight; I'll meet these ghosts and learn all sorts of things!" Her announcement over Vivio leapt from the sofa and ran for the door. (She did remember to pick up her coat however. Ghosts were fun but a scolding from Nanoha-mama should always be avoided),

Watching her leave Hayate tried with limited success to stifle her laughter – at least until Vivio was out of earshot anyway – then her resolved failed and she collapsed in helpless laughter. Nanoha however was not quite so amused.

"I told you this would happen, I'll never get her back inside now."

"Just let her stand by outside there for a while. Don't worry, she'll come back in when she gets cold… or bored."

"This is what I was trying to explain to you, when she gets her mind set on something she's as bad as… well as bad as me."

"Ah – well I apologise for that."

"Don't worry about it." Standing Nanoha made her way to the front door of the house before calling, "Vivio are you all right?"

"Y-yes, there's n-nothing wron- UWWAAA!" The shrill squeal was followed almost immediately by a large bang that seemed to shake the foundations of the house.

That sound was followed by the pounding of feet running around the back of the house.

Vivio called after the retreating footsteps. "I'm sorry Zaffy! Come back!"

"And that Hayate-chan, is why you don't leave things on standby, it damages the environment."