A/N: Woo! A quarter way through! *party blowers* See, I intend for this story to have at least 100 chapters. I know it'll be slow going, but I really want to get there. A quarter of the way is a milestone. I should get a medal. *nods sagely*
.:':. .:':. .:':.
"Wow, look at that, Halt! And that! Ooh, what's that man doing?" Will let loose a nonstop stream of conversation whilst simultaneously darting around the circus grounds like a hyperactive butterfly. Halt rubbed at his temples. He still wasn't sure how he'd gotten roped into going along, though he was pretty sure it had something to do with Pauline's insistence that he should come along.
"You know, this isn't doing my enigmatic Ranger image much good," he grumbled to her now.
She smiled indulgently. "Oh, stop worrying about your 'image' and have some fun."
He gave a small snort of derision. At an event where the entertainment acts like they're crazy for a living? Unlikely.
"Halt!" Will suddenly reappeared in front of his mentor. "Can I please have some money to by a candied apple? They just look so delicious and the other children eating them look like they're enjoying them so much and... Halt?" He trailed off as the Ranger went white as a sheet, pointing a trembling finger across the fairground. "What's wrong?" He followed Halt's stricken gaze, uncomprehending. What could it possibly be that had Halt, an indomitable figure of legend, so scared that he was shaking?
Finally, Halt whispered two words that made it all make sense.
"Scary clown."
.:':. .:':. .:':.
A/N: Over the Hedge, anyone?
-pixie.