True being involved is great as long as you are actually contributing to the discussion. But by the time I see a topic that interests me, someone else here has summed up any point I wanted to make. And with all the talent that is here, they usually express said point more eloquently than I ever could.
Why does she have to kill him? Why doesn't she just call the cops?
That Lindy compares herself to Precia because she'd do anything for her daughter is a pretty base comparison and generally something all mothers would feel. The real worry about becoming like Precia is the whole going crazy and physically abusing a young girl thing.
Late reply...sorry.
I will have everything explained as best as I can as soon as the fic wraps up. And... yeah... I discussed this with Nanya on my DA Journal. I had to give him an abridged version of the fanfic. And... well, you have to wait a bit.
I can't help but feel that this statement is totally off coming from Erio. He out of anyone except Fate ought to have more sense than to say such a thing as a victim of Project Fate. I just can't see this from him.
Otherwise a rather clean read.
I'll probably just chalk it up to a 'foot in mouth' attack since the comment was made in the heat of the moment.
__________________
Thanks to 00-Raiser for hooking me up with the sig!
After being put in charge of the search for Jail, Fate had decided to head to where he was spotted on Alzas in an attempt to find anything that may lead her to his current location.
“This is where Jail was seen?” Fate asked, looking around the area. There wasn’t much to see besides a lake surrounded by a small forest.
“Yes, the shuttle he stole was seen landing in this area. I couldn’t find anything that could be used to track where Jail went from here. The shuttle was found at the bottom of the lake, I arranged to have some bureau personnel remove it from the lake but it’ll be an hour or two before they get around to it.” Traviq informed Fate.
“Is there a reason they can’t get out here faster?”
“They don’t have the equipment they need to get it out from underwater on hand, it takes time to get everything they need and get it out here.”
“Great. I’m going to go underwater and try and see if I can get in the shuttle. Maybe it will still be in working condition and I’ll be able to just fly it up out of the lake.” Fate said as she activated Bardiche and her barrier jacket. Flying out to the middle of the lake Fate floated a few inches above the water before creating a barrier around herself and letting herself drop underwater.
Once she reached the bottom of the lake Fate saw that the entrance to the shuttle was open, causing it to fill up with water, she wouldn’t be able to fly it out of the lake. Before letting the barrier drop and flying out of the lake, Fate took a quick look around and noticed what looked like an entrance to an underwater cave.
“There’s a cave underwater, I didn’t see it mentioned in your report. Did you see if there‘s anything in there?” Fate asked Traviq.
“No, I didn’t even know there was one.”
“Then I guess I'll have to.” Fate then went back underwater and flew through the cave entrance as fast as she could. The entrance to the cave gradually curved upward leading to a cave that wasn’t filled with water and appeared to have been man-made. Throughout the cave there were lights placed at a consistent distance from one another, illuminating the cave and a tunnel on the far side of the cave. Alert for traps Fate slowly walked towards the tunnel, after walking through it for a few minutes she realized that the tunnel looked incredibly long.
After about an hour Fate reached the end of the tunnel and found that it led to the basement of a building in a mostly abandoned, incredibly rundown area of one of Alzas’s cities. Once there, Fate came to the conclusion that Jail had some way off planet planned, whether it was through having transport available or knowing of a smuggler who would provide him transport. Fate had Bardiche open up a communication screen to talk to Traviq as she had a question for him.
“I found a tunnel leading to a rundown section of a city, do you know if there are any smugglers who would be capable of getting Jail off planet here?” Fate quickly asked. Fate was slightly annoyed when she saw that he had been sitting on a large tree branch apparently taking a nap until she called.
“I’ve spent a lot of time working cases here, so yes I do. There are even a couple who owe me a favor or two.” Traviq said
“Could you tell me who they are and where I could find them?
“It won’t be easy for you to learn anything from them, they don’t have any reason to talk to TSAB personnel. They only know me from when I was on some undercover assignments, I should go talk to them, alone.”
“I’m likely closer, and in charge of this investigation. I’m far from inexperience when it comes to keeping the fact that I’m an Enforcer secret when it makes it easier to deal with criminals.” Fate said, slightly indignant at the fact that she was being treated like an amateur.
“I know that but recently you’ve become incredibly recognizable thanks to that movie about the Jewel Seed incident, and your involvement in the JS and Huckebein incident is relatively well known.” Traviq said
“I know that, I wasn’t going to just walk in as myself. All Enforcers learn how to use magic to disguise themselves when they need to meet with criminals and can‘t let them find out who they are.“
“Well…I guess there’s no reason I shouldn’t tell you. Just try not to do something that would get you killed, I‘d hate having to explain it to my superiors or ending up as your replacement in this investigation.” Traviq then listed off every smuggler on the planet that he knew about and where to find them, and had his Intelligent Device transfer pictures of them to Bardiche.
_______
After using magic to disguise her appearance so that people would be less likely to recognize her, Fate’s hair was now blue instead of blond and she appeared older, Fate entered an incredibly dirty, crowded bar that smugglers whom Traviq knew about and believed would talk could frequently be found at. After looking around the room she sat down at the bar.
“What’s a pretty girl like you doing alone in a place like this?” One of the people sitting at the bar asked Fate. His appearance matched that of one of the smugglers in the picture Fate was given.
“I’m looking for some information, I was told I could learn what I needed to know here.”
“What could you possibly want to know that someone here could tell you?”
“I’m looking for someone who may have used your services to get off world. You’ve probably heard of him before, his name’s Jail Scaglietti. I’m looking for him or any of the four women who were probably with him.” At the mention of Jail’s name the man Fate was talking to suddenly looked incredibly afraid and began looking around to see if anyone was listening in.
“I didn’t have anything to do with him, but I know someone who did help him get off world. See the guy sitting in the corner watching for any sign that someone’s interested in him? Rumor has it he gave Scaglietti transport off planet.” After saying this the smuggler Fate was talking to discreetly pointed to the far corner of the bar where a dangerous looking smuggler was sitting.
“Do you know his name?” Fate asked.
“No one here gives out their real names in case a client tries to sell us out to the bureau. Now if you don‘t mind I‘m leaving.” The smuggler Fate was talking to left quickly while Fate walked over to the table the other smuggler was sitting at and sat down.
“Go away.”
“I’ve got a question or two I’ll pay you to answer.” Fate said, seeing simply paying for information that could quickly lead to the possibility of Jail being recaptured as better then having to fight someone of unknown strength and then convince them to tell her what she needed to know. Especially in an area that had a large amount of people who wouldn’t take kindly to having an Enforcer around.
“What would you like to know?” While the smuggler seemed like he didn’t expect any trouble, Fate saw that he was reaching for some kind of concealed weapon while trying to avoid making Fate suspicious.
“I’m looking for Jail Scaglietti, I heard a rumor that you helped him leave the planet, and might know where he is.”
“If you want to know the answer to that it will cost you.”
“I’ll pay, but I’d like some proof that you did indeed get him off planet.” The TSAB had a small fund set up for Enforcers to access if needed as they had learned a long time ago that paying criminals for information on the location of criminals who’s capture was a higher priority was occasionally a better idea then arresting them and getting the information out of them through other means.
“Fine” the smuggler said before having his Device display a video screen showing him leading Jail and the Combat Cyborgs that were still loyal to a shuttle before he paused it.
“That’s good enough for now, I’ll have my Device transfer the money you want. Just tell me where they were going.” Fate said knowing that if he was lying she could easily track have him down and have him arrested and imprisoned.
“He asked if I could provide transport to Uninhabited World 1341.” Fate was then unnecessarily provided with the planet’s location. After briefly calculating how long it would take a TSAB ship to arrive there Fate realized it would take nearly two weeks to get there, and probably slightly less for Jail to.
“If this information’s correct Jail could very well end up recaptured quickly and I could get back to Nanoha and Vivio faster then I expected.” Fate thought as she walked out of the bar before calling her superiors in order to arrange for transport and to get some mages sent along with her to ensure Jail was captured when a fight against him, Uno, Tre, Quattro and Sette inevitably began once they were found.
Spoiler for Author's Notes:
Sorry for the low quality writing, my muse has been uncooperative when it came to writing this part and wanted to skip ahead
This chapter is still unbeta'd as you probably noticed, if you have any constructive criticism for me I don't mind, I plan on making some improvements before uploading it to FF.Net
Warning contains NanoFate.
Spoiler for Chapter 3:
It had taken slightly under two weeks for the TSAB patrol ship to arrive at Uninhabited World 1341. In that time Fate had gotten frustrated with how long it was taking to arrive there, she desperately wanted to arrest Jail before he damaged anyone's life and then to go home to her family as quickly as possible.
The location of Jail's hideout on the planet was easy to find as the planet was mostly one large desert, the only entrance to the base that they'd been able to detect from orbital was built into the side of one of the planet's few mountains.
Once she was down on the planet Fate entered Jail's base on her own, some of the Bureau personnel she had managed to get temporarily assigned to the investigation guarded the entrance, while the rest searched for any other entrances or exits to prevent Jail from having an escape route if he was here.
Once inside Fate saw that the room she was in was just an empty entranceway with multiple hallways leading in different directions, after briefly considering which way was the best to go Fate took the hallway that was farthest away from the entrance and carefully moved deeper into the base, alert for any traps Jail might have had set up.
After descending a floor Fate began to notice similarities between the base she'd arrested Jail in roughly six years ago and the one she was currently in.
"Bardiche did you hear anything?" Fate said believing she faintly heard the distinctive sound of metal scraping against metal.
"No Sir."
"Are you sure…?" Fate had turned around to see if anything was following her, only to notice the faint outline of a Type IV Gadget Drone almost directly behind her, which she effortlessly destroyed by cutting it in half with Bardiche's Haken form.
Farther down the hallway a group of Type IV Gadget Drones appeared as they deactivated their stealth systems and started generating an AMF. Not waiting for them to get closer Fate used her basic shooting spell, Plasma Lancer, to destroy them. Feeling slightly hopeful Fate continue to head deeper into the facility, believing that if there were active Gadget Drones inside, Jail had to have been there recently and might still be.
________
As she moved deeper into the facility Fate began to doubt her belief that Jail was hiding there, and began to consider the possibility that Jail had only briefly stayed here before leaving. That idea was becoming more and more likely a possibility to Fate as she failed to find any trace of Jail and only encountered small groups of Gadget Drones of varying types.
_______
After nearly finishing her search through Jail's hideout Fate came to an area that resembled a control room for the entire facility, and contained a large computer that might contain useful information about the facility or provide a clue to what Jail was planning or where he was going. Fate attempted to hack into the computer but didn't have the necessary skill to do so. Seeing that she wasn't going to make any progress she activated a communication screen to contact Shari who was on the bridge of the TSAB ship that had brought her to the planet.
"Shari could you remotely hack into this computer? There might be some useful information on it but I'm not getting anywhere."
"It'll take a couple minutes. But I should be able to." Shari said
"Alright. While you're doing that I'm going to keep looking around." Fate said before closing the communication screen and leaving the room to continue her search.
________________
A communication screen appeared in front of Fate after she destroyed another group of Gadget Drones.
"What's wrong?" Fate asked seeing that Shari looked like she was about to deliver some very bad news.
"This base has a self-destruct mechanism, and it's going to go off very soon. You need to get out as fast as possible."
"How long until it goes off? Do you have time to shut it down?"
"From what I can tell it can't be shut down, so instead I'll try and download as much of the computer's memory as possible. We might get lucky and find something useful on it." Shari regretfully answered.
Fate switched her Barrier Jacket from Impulse to Sonic Form and then flew back the way she came in as fast as possible, avoiding poorly aimed attacks by the handful of Gadgets she encountered on her way out.
Once outside and what she assumed was a safe distance she watched as the self-destruct mechanism went off causing the mountain that Jail's hideout was built inside of to collapse, destroying everything inside. Fate returned to the TSAB ship in orbit after checking on the Bureau personnel that were standing guard and seeing that they were fine and none of them saw anyone or thing exit the mountain.
Fate went to her quarters after returning to the TSAB patrolship, sat down on her bed and looked at the recently taken picture she brought with her. The picture was of her and Nanoha holding hands after their wedding, while Vivio, Erio and Caro stood next to the two of them. After looking at the picture Fate activated a video screen so she could talk to Nanoha and Vivio now that she was allowed to as the TSAB patrolship had reached it's destination and their mission was completed, it was more or less a complete failure but it was completed.
_____________________
"Fate-mama!" Vivio yelled upon answering Fate's call, which surprised Fate as she expected Nanoha to be the one to answer it.
"Hello Vivio, how are you and Nanoha doing?"
"I'm fine, but I miss you. Nanoha-mama has been sleeping later then she normally does but she seems fine."
"I miss you too Vivio. Could you get Nanoha so I could talk to her?" Fate said realizing she hadn't checked to see what time it was on Mid-childa causing her to feel slightly embarrassed the she called early in the morning but glad that at least it wasn't the middle of the night.
"I'll see if she's awake, but I need to head to school soon." Vivio said leaving the area of the house Fate could see through the video screen.
Two minutes later Vivio walked back into view followed by Nanoha, who looked slightly tired.
"Thank you for waking me up Vivio, but you should head to school now. You don't want to be late." Nanoha said patting Vivio's head
"But Nanoha-mama I want to talk to Fate-mama longer!" Vivio protested, pouting.
"I'm sure Fate will call back when you get home."
"Of course I will Vivio, I don't want to make you late for school." Fate quickly added.
"Promise?" Vivio asked.
"I promise."
"Okay then, I'm going to school now." Vivio said before walking out of view. Fate could faintly hear the sound of a door closing.
"Fate…how did everything go? Did you find Jail?"
"No, he was there but left before I got there. But Jail isn't the reason I called, I wanted to talk to you. How is everything going? Are you feeling alright?
"Fate, I'm pregnant not sick. I know how to take care of myself, there's no reason for you to worry."
"But Vivio said..."
"I'm just having trouble sleeping alone since it's been awhile since you last got an assignment that took you away form home for awhile. And I've been staying up late worrying about you." Nanoha was lying as the real reason she was tired was that she was overworking herself out of a desire to teach her students as much as possible before she was reassigned to a desk job, but she didn't want Fate to know that and just said the first thing that she thought of.
"I won't be gone much longer Nanoha, I'll find Jail soon."
"I hope you do Fate, but for more reasons then just having you come home. I need to go now, I need to change into my uniform and head in to teach my students."
"I'll call back when you get home and when Vivio's out of school then." Fate said ending the call.
"Fate, are you there?" Shari said knocking on the door to Fate's quarters.
"Yes Shari, what is it?"
"I need you for the mission debriefing."
"I'll be right there."
___________
After an exhausting day of training Bureau recruits Nanoha returned home shortly after Vivio did. A few hours later the two of them began making dinner together while waiting for Fate to call like she'd promised.
"Nanoha-mama when do we get to find out if my new sibling is going to be a girl or a boy?" Vivio asked Nanoha once the two of them sat down to eat.
"It's going to be a few more weeks before we can Vivio."
"Awh, why do we have to wait so long? I want to know if I'm going to have a little sister." Vivio hoped that Nanoha and Fate's child would be a girl, as she wanted a little sister instead of a brother.
"That's just how these things work Vivio. You're looking forward to being a big sister aren't you?"
"I am mama, I just hope I just hope I'll be as good a big sister as Caro-Nee-chan is to me."
"I know you'll make a great big sister Vivio."
"But..what if she doesn't like me?" Worry shone in Vivio's heterochromic eyes.
"You have nothing to worry about Vivio, your little sister will definitely love you." Nanoha said, deciding that until she learned otherwise she would refer to the child she was carrying as a girl.
After answering Vivio's question she seemed like she had another one that she desperately wanted to ask but was unable to bring herself to, apparently afraid of what Nanoha's answer would be. After a couple of minutes she finally brought herself to ask it.
"Nanoha-mama will you...still see me as your daughter even after you have a real one?"
"What do you mean a real daughter? Vivio you are my daughter in every possible sense of the word. Don't think for even one second that I'll love you any less or treat you differently because of this baby."
"But..."
"You have nothing to worry about Vivio."
"I...believe you Nanoha-mama. Um...would you like to hear how school went?"
"Of course I..."
"Master, incoming call from your wife." Raising Heart interrupted.
"Put it on a video-screen Raising Heart." Responding to Nanoha's request a video-screen appeared in view of both her and Vivio.
"Hello Nanoha, Vivio. I'm not interrupting anything am I?"
"I was just about to tell Nanoha-mama how school went Fate-mama." Vivio said.
"Oh, well I'd love to hear too."
"Well I was almost late to class because I stopped to talk to Einhart..." Vivio then went on to tell Nanoha and Fate about her day, her fears completely forgotten for the moment.
Spoiler for Author's Notes:
Sorry for the lack of detail on the fights, fight scenes against completely expended characters isn't something I'm that good at.
I hope my portrayal of Vivio isn't too unbelievable
This chapter is unbeta'd.
Here ya go for those who was confused about the posting earlier this week. The fanfic "I Kill For You Happiness (The Lindy Harlaown Remix)" and BTW, this is the pretty decent beta version and it does involve sensitive matters. To warn you.
Here ya go for those who was confused about the posting earlier this week. The fanfic "I Kill For You Happiness (The Lindy Harlaown Remix)" and BTW, this is the pretty decent beta version and it does involve sensitive matters. To warn you.
Wow that was really...dark.
Why didn't Nanoha do something to protect herself? She had Raising Heart with her after all...
Why didn't Nanoha do something to protect herself? She had Raising Heart with her after all...
In the DA version, which has the extra short of her rape, it was too quick for her to respond. Her mouth was covered so no command would be said, and her mind got cluttered with pain from a kick to the stomach so the only thing she could do is for RH to record it.
Location: Pennsylvania. It's sort of like a real state.
Age: 39
Taking the thread in a mildly less dark direction, here's some of that Hayate/Vivio crack that DC requested from me ages ago and I only just got around to writing.
It... er... doesn't exactly fit the canon she, Shigan, and Eagle have put together.
At all.
But if it gets a laugh, I truly don't mind. XD
Spoiler for Unforeseen Complications:
“Lieutenant General Yagami, it’s been too long.” Chrono Harlaown said.
“Chrono, please. We’re friends, you don’t have to stand on decorum when it’s just the two of us.” Hayate Yagami said as she sat in front of the desk of her fellow flag officer and old friend, Admiral Chrono Harlaown.
Chrono smiled softly, but continued, “We are here on business, General. I think ranks are appropriate.”
“… very well, Admiral Harlaown.” Hayate said.
“Thank you.” Chrono. “I know it’s inconvenient, but you’ll have to bear with me for the moment. The top brass has been getting some… disturbing reports about you.”
“What sort?” Hayate asked.
“Keeping unusual hours. Repeatedly seen in the company of a young female recruit. Certain… erm… cases of rumpled uniforms, shall we say? And I believe an ensign saw you coming out of a storage closet last week when your keycard said you were logged into a terminal on the other side of the base.”
“… … … busted, eh?” Hayate said.
“I’m sorry.” Crono said. “I know this must be awkward for you, but you know as well that relationships between flag officers like yourself and lower-ranked members have to be carefully monitored. Amy and I had to do the same thing before she too early retirement to take care of our children; we can’t allow special treatment of recruits by their superiors, you know that.”
“Of course.” Hayate said sadly. “It’s just that… well, the relationship is very young, and admittedly a bit awkward. I had hoped to shield myself and Vivio from the public eye.”
Chrono winced.
“… are you okay?” Hayate asked, not sure what to make of the expression.
“Vivio. You’re… dating Vivio?” Chrono said.
“Yes…” Hayate said doubtfully.
Chrono winced again.
“What was that?” Hayate asked. “Is it… is it her age? Because I’m not doing anything illegal. I won’t lay a finger on her until she’s eighteen. And if it’s her status as my junior officer, obviously that’s why I’m here, so…” Hayate said.
“It’s not that…” Chrono said, still trying not to look Hayate in the eyes. “It’s just… well.”
“… what? Well what?”
Chrono murmured something that couldn’t be quite heard.
“C-Chrono?”
“That’s… kind of a dick move.” Chrono said.
“… … … … eh?”
“It’s a dickish thing to do! Dating your best friend’s daughter? Really?” Chrono asked.
“She’s dating who?” Griffith Lowran, Chrono’s current aide, said as he poked his head into the room.
“Her best friend’s daughter.”
Griffith winced. “Vivio? Wow. Dick move.”
“… that’s… that’s what…” Hayate began. “You’re not concerned with her age, or that she’s my subordin-“
“Her best. Friend’s. Daughter.” Griffith said. “That is just… wow.”
“I know, right?” Chrono said. “Just… gah. It’s just gaaaaah.”
“… … … eh?” Hayate said.
“Dick move. Such a dick move.” Griffith said.
“I’m confused.” Hayate admitted, about ten minutes after such a statement was warranted.
“Look, Hayate, if you want to date someone underage, or someone who’s a subordinate, then that’s workable.” Chrono said. “You have to be very, very cautious about it. Give your relationship a ridiculous amount of transparency to ensure you don’t give her special treatment, don’t break any laws, but if you’re willing to put up with that scrutiny the relationship is permissible. But…”
“Your friend’s daughter.” Griffith said.
“Such a dick move.” Chrono said.
“I… you can’t explain why?” Hayate said.
“Because she’s… well…” Chrono said.
“She’s your friend’s daughter.” Griffith said.
“Really? Wow, dick move.” Vice said, wincing.
“... where did you come from?!” Hayate squeaked, jumping about a foot in the air and turning on Vice. “And why does everyone keep wincing?!”
“I came from outside.” Vice said vaguely. “But what about you? Your best friend’s daughter? Seriously, now?”
“Look, why are you all focusing so much on th-“
“Because it’s such a totally dick move.” Vice said.
“… why?!”
“Because it is.” Griffith said.
“It just is.” Vice said.
“It’s so obvious it doesn’t need explanation, honestly.” Chrono said.
“I would kick your ass.” Vice said without the slightest hesitation.
“But… but why…?” Hayate asked.
“Because it would be a total dick move.” Vice and Griffith said in unison.
“… … I am confused.” Hayate said, thus entering into the running for ‘Understatement of the Year Award’.
“Look. Hayate. It’s like this…” Chrono said. “Dating your friend’s family is a dick move. It just is.”
“But you and Nanoha were friends, and she married your sister…”
“Hayate… when was the last time you saw me really speak to Nanoha? Even be in the same room as her?” Chrono said.
Hayate thought back over the last decades. The Scaglietti crisis, the Einhart Stratos case, the Huckebeins… “… I… can’t recall. Even at work, it was mostly Fate or I that you usually speak too…”
“That’s because it’s been years since I’ve had a genuine conversation with her.” Chrono growled. “She was my friend, and then she… she defiled my little sister…”
“God, what a dick move.” Vice said, patting Chrono on the shoulder.
“Nanoha and Fate couldn’t possibly be happier with each other! Why are you so upset that your sister is happy?” Hayate asked in growing disbelief.
“I’m overjoyed that my sister is happy. I’m happy that she found someone.” Chrono said.
“Then-“
“I’m just not happy that someone found her.” Chrono snarled. “I never thought Nanoha was such a dick, but I can hardly ignore the evidence.”
“She was totally your friend and she still went after your sister like it was nothing.” Vice said sympathetically.
“Dick move.” Griffith said, nodding.
“Why?!” Hayate moaned.
“It just-“ All three men began.
“-is. Yeah, yeah.” Hayate grumbled.
“So, Lt. General. Your… relationship…” Chrono said, saying the word as though it were poisonous. “Is technically not in violation of any military or civilian law, provided you submit to a certain level of scrutiny. You can pursue it as long as you wish… if you’re a dick.”
“Totally.” Vice and Griffith said in unison.
Hayate blinked a few times. She considered saying some words, but honestly, none came to mind.
“Well? If there’s nothing else, I believe our discussions here are concluded.” Chrono said, once again quite suddenly all business. “Good luck with your new relationship, General.”
“… … … thank you?” Hayate said.
***
“And he really just called you that? Right there in his office?” Verossa Acous said, raising one eyebrow in disbelief.
“I know!” Hayate said, sipping her coffee. “It was intensely unprofessional, and frankly insulting... he's not even my superior! We're in different service branches! He had no right to say any of that, but I was caught so off-guard that I didn’t know how to respond.”
“I can hardly blame you.” Verossa said with a slightly uncertain smile. He had met Hayate for lunch following her appointment, to offer her congratulations if it went well and condolence if it went poorly. He was not, at the moment, sure which he was supposed to be offering.
“Of course! You’re among my closest, dearest friends.” Verossa said.
“And… let’s say I were to ask out Carim…”
Verossa winced.
“What!? Why do people keep wincing?!” Hayate said.
“Well, it’s just… I mean…” Verossa said doubtfully. He stopped, staring at Hayate as if sizing her up. “I probably wouldn’t beat you up, but mostly because Vita would crush my bones to powder.”
“… … why?!”
“It’s just… well… I mean… my sister… it’s just… a… a…”
“… dick move?” Hayate asked with a sigh.
“Yes. Yes, that’s about right!” Verossa said. “Thanks.”
“And… just out of curiosity…” Hayate said. “If dating your sister was a… a…”
“Dick move.”
“Yes, that. Then… let’s say your hypothetical daughter was…”
“Such a dick move.”
Hayate sighed. “I am not going to be finding a lot of support among my male acquaintances, am I?”
Verossa’s eyes widened. “Wait, you are dating a friend’s daughter? … Jeez, Hayate. I mean, it’s your life, but honestly, that’s a really—“
“Yes, I get the point.”
***
“Thank you, Nanoha.” Hayate said, taking the cup of tea from her good friend. “I’ll confess, I was expecting to get some flak from people when… you know, the relationship… became known. I understand it’s not really… normal. I can admit that. But I wasn’t expecting such a wall of… well, I guess ‘accepting scorn’. It’s like nothing I’ve experienced. Nobody was openly upset, but they kept telling me I was being a horrible person.”
“I wonder why?” Nanoha asked. “I mean, really. I’ll confess that, as her mother, I feel a bit strange about Vivio seeing you. But I trust and love both of you. I know that if you truly want to be with each other, then you deserve your chance to be happy. It may be… unorthodox. But I wish you and Vivio nothing but happ-.”
Yuuno winced.
“Gaaaaaaaah!” Hayate and Nanoha said, jumping.
“Y-Yuuno?! Where did you come from?” Nanoha squeaked.
“Outside.” Yuuno said. “But… did I hear that correctly? Hayate is… is…”
“… I suppose it’s become public knowledge at this point.” Nanoha said. “Hayate and… and Vivio have begun a relationship. And Fate and I have our misgivings, but we support th—are you okay?” She said, as Yuuno winced again.
“I’m… okay.” Yuuno said, though he was noticeably making an effort to not look directly at Hayate.
“Nanoha, maybe I should go.” Hayate said, standing up.
“No! Absolutely not!” Nanoha said, placing her hand on Hayate's shoulder to push her back onto the sofa. “Hayate, you are going to stay here. Yuuno, you are going to explain why every man we know has been treating Hayate like a pariah!”
“It’s… well. Have you ever…” Yuuno began. “It’s hard to explain. It’s like… well, I mean… it’s good that Vivio is happy. And it’s good that Hayate is happy. But… that they’re happy together, is… well, Hayate, Vivio is your friend’s daughter and the whole thing is… well… dating her is…”
“I… get the picture.” Hayate said wearily.
“No! No, you don’t.” Nanoha said stubbornly. “Yuuno, you haven’t explained what the problem is.”
“You… you don’t know?” Yuuno asked. “I mean, any anger directed at Hayate is for your sake…”
“… … … … what?!”
“Vivio isn’t our daughter. The one Hayate’s being a dick towards…”
“I was wondering when that word would pop up…” Hayate muttered.
“… is you, Nanoha. You and Fate.” Yuuno said, seemingly unwilling to directly look at any other person in the room.
“Yuuno, we’ve given her our blessing. We know there’s some problems, but this is what makes Vivio happy.” Nanoha said, gently but firmly.
“I know, and that’s wonderful, but…” Yuuno said.
“But what?”
“… … … … it’s such a dick move.” Yuuno finally choked out.
“WHY?!” Hayate finally roared. “People have been saying that all damn day! There are a lot of reasons to disapprove of me and Vivio! I know it, she knows it, and God knows it’s going to be damn struggle to fight through it. If you’re going to disapprove, then go ahead! I’m ready for it! But for the love of all that’s HOLY, would you GIVE ME A REAL REASON?!”
Yuuno sighed. “All right. Okay. It’s hard to explain exactly why… it’s like… like… well, it’s how guys work. We know our friends, all right? And we know our family.
Yuuno sighed, as if this next part would be a real, physical effort to say. “And… and we know our friends aren’t good enough for our family.”
“Of course they are!” Nanoha said. “Hayate is… she couldn’t be better for Vivio. She’s kind, and gentle, and wise, and she genuinely cares for her. Of course she’s good enough for Vivio!”
“Is she? Is she really?” Yuuno asked. “Think about Hayate. Not about her good points, but about all the things you only know about because you’re her friend.”
“Well… I mean… um… she’s a bit… into cosplay? But that’s not bad… except when the costumes get extremely oversexualized. Which is always. And… well, there’s the groping. Which… is just affectionate teasing, I’m sure. Except it hasn’t stopped, even though she’s almost thirty and she’s in a relationship now. And she ignores it when people ask her to stop. Which doesn’t speak well for either her maturity or her self-control, really. But really, I know she’s mature, no matter how she acts in private! I’ve seen how hard she works! … really hard. All the time. In fact, she works most of the day. Takes so little free-time. Not really enough to maintain a relationship, I worry. So… so she works constantly and on the rare occasion she isn’t working, she’s sort of immature.”
Yuuno put a hand on her shoulder. “And now, picture that person dating your daughter. Not the elegant, dignified general. Not the person who has made you smile since you were kids. Picture the real Hayate dating your family.”
Nanoha pictured it.
She pictured it for roughly fifteen minutes of the most agonizing silence Hayate could have possibly imagined.
“It…” She finally said, in a voice barely above a whisper. “It can’t be that bad…”
“And it probably won’t be,” Yuuno admitted. “But deep in your mind, you’ll always think it is. On some primal level, you’ll always be aware that your buddy, with all her many, many, many flaws...”
“Not that many…” Hayate muttered, but there was no force behind the statement.
“… is dating your little girl. And she did it, filling you with this worry for the rest of their time together, even though she’s your friend. And Nanoha… what do you really think of that?”
Nanoha blinked a few times. “It’s… it’s rather… it’s rather inconsiderate, I-I suppose…”
“No, Nanoha.” Yuuno said gently. “It’s a total dick move.”
Nanoha looked at Hayate as if seeing her for the first time.
“I… I think I should leave.” Hayate said.
“Maybe you should.” Nanoha said, staring into Hayate’s eyes with… frankly unnerving intensity.
“Like… go home. Get some rest.”
“Maybe.”
“It’s been a very busy day. I’m… I’m rather tired…” Hayate said, taking several steps backwards toward the door. She was afraid to break eye contact with Nanoha for fear the other woman might go for her spine if she exposed it, but she also felt a driving need to escape. “I’ll talk to you later…”
“Don’t push yourself.” Nanoha said very, very quietly.
Hayate turned and ran for the door, sensing that speed was more important than safety at this point. She opened the door and ran out, leaving it swinging behind her.
***
“Mama says you’re not invited for Christmas Dinner anymore. It’s cancelled, in fact. She wouldn’t say why.” Vivio said.
“I figured that.” Hayate said glumly.
“She said you don’t have to come over on Fridays for drinks and games, either. That she ‘understands how busy you are’.” Vivio said.
“Not a shock.”
“And she has said that it’s kind of… um… hard on her shoes to walk all the way to your door, so she’s going to start dropping Vita off down the street from your house after training sessions.”
“I’ll… I’ll tell Vita.”
“… … … … … … … did you two have a fight?”
“I think for it to be a fight, I really needed to have some hope of winning.” Hayate said.
“Um… do you want me to leave you alone for a bit?” Vivio asked. “I wanted to see if you wanted to go out, but you… don’t seem in the mood.”
“… yeah, I think moping is the order of the day.” Hayate said, smiling sadly. “Sorry, Vivi. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay?”
Vivio smiled and leaned forward to kiss her girlfriend on the cheek. “I hope you feel better tomorrow, then.” She stood, walking toward the door, before halting briefly. “Um… Hayate… a quick question.”
“Hmmm?”
“Well, I saw Zafira on my way here. You hadn’t told him about us?”
“Um… no, the others know, but we’ve been out of the house at incompatible hours lately. I haven’t had the chance to sit down with him. Why do you ask?” Hayate said.
“Because I kinda let is slip, and he… well… he winced, and then said something under his breath. I’m not sure what it was, but…”
Hayate buried her hand in her heads and sighed. “I can guess.”
Spoiler for Author's Note:
What can I say?
__________________
Last edited by Moczo; 2011-07-15 at 19:26.
Reason: Correcting my dumb thing I did.
Location: Place of rocks and trees, and trees and rocks...and water.
Age: 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moczo
Taking the thread in a mildly less dark direction, here's some of that Hayate/Vivio crack that DC requested from me ages ago and I only just got around to writing.
It... er... doesn't exactly fit the canon she, Shigan, and Eagle have put together.
At all.
But if it gets a laugh, I truly don't mind. XD
Spoiler for Unforeseen Complications:
“Lieutenant General Yagami, it’s been too long.” Chrono Harlaown said.
“Chrono, please. We’re friends, you don’t have to stand on decorum when it’s just the two of us.” Hayate Yagami said as she sat in front of the desk of her immediate superior and old friend, Admiral Chrono Harlaown.
Chrono smiled softly, but continued, “We are here on business, General. I think ranks are appropriate.”
“… very well, Admiral Harlaown.” Hayate said.
“Thank you.” Chrono. “I know it’s inconvenient, but you’ll have to bear with me for the moment. The top brass has been getting some… disturbing reports about you.”
“What sort?” Hayate asked.
“Keeping unusual hours. Repeatedly seen in the company of a young female recruit. Certain… erm… cases of rumpled uniforms, shall we say? And I believe an ensign saw you coming out of a storage closet last week when your keycard said you were logged into a terminal on the other side of the base.”
“… … … busted, eh?” Hayate said.
“I’m sorry.” Crono said. “I know this must be awkward for you, but you know as well that relationships between flag officers like yourself and lower-ranked members have to be carefully monitored. Amy and I had to do the same thing before she too early retirement to take care of our children; we can’t allow special treatment of recruits by their superiors, you know that.”
“Of course.” Hayate said sadly. “It’s just that… well, the relationship is very young, and admittedly a bit awkward. I had hoped to shield myself and Vivio from the public eye.”
Chrono winced.
“… are you okay?” Hayate asked, not sure what to make of the expression.
“Vivio. You’re… dating Vivio?” Chrono said.
“Yes…” Hayate said doubtfully.
Chrono winced again.
“What was that?” Hayate asked. “Is it… is it her age? Because I’m not doing anything illegal. I won’t lay a finger on her until she’s eighteen. And if it’s her status as my junior officer, obviously that’s why I’m here, so…” Hayate said.
“It’s not that…” Chrono said, still trying not to look Hayate in the eyes. “It’s just… well.”
“… what? Well what?”
Chrono murmured something that couldn’t be quite heard.
“C-Chrono?”
“That’s… kind of a dick move.” Chrono said.
“… … … … eh?”
“It’s a dickish thing to do! Dating your best friend’s daughter? Really?” Chrono asked.
“She’s dating who?” Griffith Lowran, Chrono’s current aide, said as he poked his head into the room.
“Her best friend’s daughter.”
Griffith winced. “Vivio? Wow. Dick move.”
“… that’s… that’s what…” Hayate began. “You’re not concerned with her age, or that she’s my subordin-“
“Her best. Friend’s. Daughter.” Griffith said. “That is just… wow.”
“I know, right?” Chrono said. “Just… gah. It’s just gaaaaah.”
“… … … eh?” Hayate said.
“Dick move. Such a dick move.” Griffith said.
“I’m confused.” Hayate admitted, about ten minutes after such a statement was warranted.
“Look, Hayate, if you want to date someone underage, or someone who’s a subordinate, then that’s workable.” Chrono said. “You have to be very, very cautious about it. Give your relationship a ridiculous amount of transparency to ensure you don’t give her special treatment, don’t break any laws, but if you’re willing to put up with that scrutiny the relationship is permissible. But…”
“Your friend’s daughter.” Griffith said.
“Such a dick move.” Chrono said.
“I… you can’t explain why?” Hayate said.
“Because she’s… well…” Chrono said.
“She’s your friend’s daughter.” Griffith said.
“Really? Wow, dick move.” Vice said, wincing.
“... where did you come from?!” Hayate squeaked, jumping about a foot in the air and turning on Vice. “And why does everyone keep wincing?!”
“I came from outside.” Vice said vaguely. “But what about you? Your best friend’s daughter? Seriously, now?”
“Look, why are you all focusing so much on th-“
“Because it’s such a totally dick move.” Vice said.
“… why?!”
“Because it is.” Griffith said.
“It just is.” Vice said.
“It’s so obvious it doesn’t need explanation, honestly.” Chrono said.
“I would kick your ass.” Vice said without the slightest hesitation.
“But… but why…?” Hayate asked.
“Because it would be a total dick move.” Vice and Griffith said in unison.
“… … I am confused.” Hayate said, thus entering into the running for ‘Understatement of the Year Award’.
“Look. Hayate. It’s like this…” Chrono said. “Dating your friend’s family is a dick move. It just is.”
“But you and Nanoha were friends, and she married your sister…”
“Hayate… when was the last time you saw me really speak to Nanoha? Even be in the same room as her?” Chrono said.
Hayate thought back over the last decades. The Scaglietti crisis, the Einhart Stratos case, the Huckebeins… “… I… can’t recall. Even at work, it was mostly Fate or I that you usually speak too…”
“That’s because it’s been years since I’ve had a genuine conversation with her.” Chrono growled. “She was my friend, and then she… she defiled my little sister…”
“God, what a dick move.” Vice said, patting Chrono on the shoulder.
“Nanoha and Fate couldn’t possibly be happier with each other! Why are you so upset that your sister is happy?” Hayate asked in growing disbelief.
“I’m overjoyed that my sister is happy. I’m happy that she found someone.” Chrono said.
“Then-“
“I’m just not happy that someone found her.” Chrono snarled. “I never thought Nanoha was such a dick, but I can hardly ignore the evidence.”
“She was totally your friend and she still went after your sister like it was nothing.” Vice said sympathetically.
“Dick move.” Griffith said, nodding.
“Why?!” Hayate moaned.
“It just-“ All three men began.
“-is. Yeah, yeah.” Hayate grumbled.
“So, Lt. General. Your… relationship…” Chrono said, saying the word as though it were poisonous. “Is technically not in violation of any military or civilian law, provided you submit to a certain level of scrutiny. You can pursue it as long as you wish… if you’re a dick.”
“Totally.” Vice and Griffith said in unison.
Hayate blinked a few times. She considered saying some words, but honestly, none came to mind.
“Well? If there’s nothing else, I believe our discussions here are concluded.” Chrono said, once again quite suddenly all business. “Good luck with your new relationship, General.”
“… … … thank you?” Hayate said.
***
“And he really just called you that? Right there in his office?” Verossa Acous said, raising one eyebrow in disbelief.
“I know!” Hayate said, sipping her coffee. “It was intensely unprofessional, and frankly insulting... he's not even my superior! We're in different service branches! He had no right to say any of that, but I was caught so off-guard that I didn’t know how to respond.”
“I can hardly blame you.” Verossa said with a slightly uncertain smile. He had met Hayate for lunch following her appointment, to offer her congratulations if it went well and condolence if it went poorly. He was not, at the moment, sure which he was supposed to be offering.
“Of course! You’re among my closest, dearest friends.” Verossa said.
“And… let’s say I were to ask out Carim…”
Verossa winced.
“What!? Why do people keep wincing?!” Hayate said.
“Well, it’s just… I mean…” Verossa said doubtfully. He stopped, staring at Hayate as if sizing her up. “I probably wouldn’t beat you up, but mostly because Vita would crush my bones to powder.”
“… … why?!”
“It’s just… well… I mean… my sister… it’s just… a… a…”
“… dick move?” Hayate asked with a sigh.
“Yes. Yes, that’s about right!” Verossa said. “Thanks.”
“And… just out of curiosity…” Hayate said. “If dating your sister was a… a…”
“Dick move.”
“Yes, that. Then… let’s say your hypothetical daughter was…”
“Such a dick move.”
Hayate sighed. “I am not going to be finding a lot of support among my male acquaintances, am I?”
Verossa’s eyes widened. “Wait, you are dating a friend’s daughter? … Jeez, Hayate. I mean, it’s your life, but honestly, that’s a really—“
“Yes, I get the point.”
***
“Thank you, Nanoha.” Hayate said, taking the cup of tea from her good friend. “I’ll confess, I was expecting to get some flak from people when… you know, the relationship… became known. I understand it’s not really… normal. I can admit that. But I wasn’t expecting such a wall of… well, I guess ‘accepting scorn’. It’s like nothing I’ve experienced. Nobody was openly upset, but they kept telling me I was being a horrible person.”
“I wonder why?” Nanoha asked. “I mean, really. I’ll confess that, as her mother, I feel a bit strange about Vivio seeing you. But I trust and love both of you. I know that if you truly want to be with each other, then you deserve your chance to be happy. It may be… unorthodox. But I wish you and Vivio nothing but happ-.”
Yuuno winced.
“Gaaaaaaaah!” Hayate and Nanoha said, jumping.
“Y-Yuuno?! Where did you come from?” Nanoha squeaked.
“Outside.” Yuuno said. “But… did I hear that correctly? Hayate is… is…”
“… I suppose it’s become public knowledge at this point.” Nanoha said. “Hayate and… and Vivio have begun a relationship. And Fate and I have our misgivings, but we support th—are you okay?” She said, as Yuuno winced again.
“I’m… okay.” Yuuno said, though he was noticeably making an effort to not look directly at Hayate.
“Nanoha, maybe I should go.” Hayate said, standing up.
“No! Absolutely not!” Nanoha said, placing her hand on Nanoha’s shoulder to push her back onto the sofa. “Hayate, you are going to stay here. Yuuno, you are going to explain why every man we know has been treating Hayate like a pariah!”
“It’s… well. Have you ever…” Yuuno began. “It’s hard to explain. It’s like… well, I mean… it’s good that Vivio is happy. And it’s good that Hayate is happy. But… that they’re happy together, is… well, Hayate, Vivio is your friend’s daughter and the whole thing is… well… dating her is…”
“I… get the picture.” Hayate said wearily.
“No! No, you don’t.” Nanoha said stubbornly. “Yuuno, you haven’t explained what the problem is.”
“You… you don’t know?” Yuuno asked. “I mean, any anger directed at Hayate is for your sake…”
“… … … … what?!”
“Vivio isn’t our daughter. The one Hayate’s being a dick towards…”
“I was wondering when that word would pop up…” Hayate muttered.
“… is you, Nanoha. You and Fate.” Yuuno said, seemingly unwilling to directly look at any other person in the room.
“Yuuno, we’ve given her our blessing. We know there’s some problems, but this is what makes Vivio happy.” Nanoha said, gently but firmly.
“I know, and that’s wonderful, but…” Yuuno said.
“But what?”
“… … … … it’s such a dick move.” Yuuno finally choked out.
“WHY?!” Hayate finally roared. “People have been saying that all damn day! There are a lot of reasons to disapprove of me and Vivio! I know it, she knows it, and God knows it’s going to be damn struggle to fight through it. If you’re going to disapprove, then go ahead! I’m ready for it! But for the love of all that’s HOLY, would you GIVE ME A REAL REASON?!”
Yuuno sighed. “All right. Okay. It’s hard to explain exactly why… it’s like… like… well, it’s how guys work. We know our friends, all right? And we know our family.
Yuuno sighed, as if this next part would be a real, physical effort to say. “And… and we know our friends aren’t good enough for our family.”
“Of course they are!” Nanoha said. “Hayate is… she couldn’t be better for Vivio. She’s kind, and gentle, and wise, and she genuinely cares for her. Of course she’s good enough for Vivio!”
“Is she? Is she really?” Yuuno asked. “Think about Hayate. Not about her good points, but about all the things you only know about because you’re her friend.”
“Well… I mean… um… she’s a bit… into cosplay? But that’s not bad… except when the costumes get extremely oversexualized. Which is always. And… well, there’s the groping. Which… is just affectionate teasing, I’m sure. Except it hasn’t stopped, even though she’s almost thirty and she’s in a relationship now. And she ignores it when people ask her to stop. Which doesn’t speak well for either her maturity or her self-control, really. But really, I know she’s mature, no matter how she acts in private! I’ve seen how hard she works! … really hard. All the time. In fact, she works most of the day. Takes so little free-time. Not really enough to maintain a relationship, I worry. So… so she works constantly and on the rare occasion she isn’t working, she’s sort of immature.”
Yuuno put a hand on her shoulder. “And now, picture that person dating your daughter. Not the elegant, dignified general. Not the person who has made you smile since you were kids. Picture the real Hayate dating your family.”
Nanoha pictured it.
She pictured it for roughly fifteen minutes of the most agonizing silence Hayate could have possibly imagined.
“It…” She finally said, in a voice barely above a whisper. “It can’t be that bad…”
“And it probably won’t be,” Yuuno admitted. “But deep in your mind, you’ll always think it is. On some primal level, you’ll always be aware that your buddy, with all her many, many, many flaws...”
“Not that many…” Hayate muttered, but there was no force behind the statement.
“… is dating your little girl. And she did it, filling you with this worry for the rest of their time together, even though she’s your friend. And Nanoha… what do you really think of that?”
Nanoha blinked a few times. “It’s… it’s rather… it’s rather inconsiderate, I-I suppose…”
“No, Nanoha.” Yuuno said gently. “It’s a total dick move.”
Nanoha looked at Hayate as if seeing her for the first time.
“I… I think I should leave.” Hayate said.
“Maybe you should.” Nanoha said, staring into Hayate’s eyes with… frankly unnerving intensity.
“Like… go home. Get some rest.”
“Maybe.”
“It’s been a very busy day. I’m… I’m rather tired…” Hayate said, taking several steps backwards toward the door. She was afraid to break eye contact with Nanoha for fear the other woman might go for her spine if she exposed it, but she also felt a driving need to escape. “I’ll talk to you later…”
“Don’t push yourself.” Nanoha said very, very quietly.
Hayate turned and ran for the door, sensing that speed was more important than safety at this point. She opened the door and ran out, leaving it swinging behind her.
***
“Mama says you’re not invited for Christmas Dinner anymore. It’s cancelled, in fact. She wouldn’t say why.” Vivio said.
“I figured that.” Hayate said glumly.
“She said you don’t have to come over on Fridays for drinks and games, either. That she ‘understands how busy you are’.” Vivio said.
“Not a shock.”
“And she has said that it’s kind of… um… hard on her shoes to walk all the way to your door, so she’s going to start dropping Vita off down the street from your house after training sessions.”
“I’ll… I’ll tell Vita.”
“… … … … … … … did you two have a fight?”
“I think for it to be a fight, I really needed to have some hope of winning.” Hayate said.
“Um… do you want me to leave you alone for a bit?” Vivio asked. “I wanted to see if you wanted to go out, but you… don’t seem in the mood.”
“… yeah, I think moping is the order of the day.” Hayate said, smiling sadly. “Sorry, Vivi. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay?”
Vivio smiled and leaned forward to kiss her girlfriend on the cheek. “I hope you feel better tomorrow, then.” She stood, walking toward the door, before halting briefly. “Um… Hayate… a quick question.”
“Hmmm?”
“Well, I saw Zafira on my way here. You hadn’t told him about us?”
“Um… no, the others know, but we’ve been out of the house at incompatible hours lately. I haven’t had the chance to sit down with him. Why do you ask?” Hayate said.
“Because I kinda let is slip, and he… well… he winced, and then said something under his breath. I’m not sure what it was, but…”
Hayate buried her hand in her heads and sighed. “I can guess.”
Spoiler for Author's Note:
What can I say?
Hee hee hee.....
Awesome crack, and just like Hayate my puzzlement on this odd dating rule was satisfied . Seeing poor Hayate get more and more wound up in confusion and frustration was oddly hilarious . Not to mention Nanoha's slow shift in thought at the end, LOL!
Despite this being against my crack shipping, I love it!
Something that puzzled me--at the beginning, you said that Chrono was Hayate's immediate superior, but later when she's talking with Verossa she says that Chrono isn't her superior?
Taking the thread in a mildly less dark direction, here's some of that Hayate/Vivio crack that DC requested from me ages ago and I only just got around to writing.
It... er... doesn't exactly fit the canon she, Shigan, and Eagle have put together.
At all.
But if it gets a laugh, I truly don't mind. XD
Spoiler for Unforeseen Complications:
“Lieutenant General Yagami, it’s been too long.” Chrono Harlaown said.
“Chrono, please. We’re friends, you don’t have to stand on decorum when it’s just the two of us.” Hayate Yagami said as she sat in front of the desk of her immediate superior and old friend, Admiral Chrono Harlaown.
Chrono smiled softly, but continued, “We are here on business, General. I think ranks are appropriate.”
“… very well, Admiral Harlaown.” Hayate said.
“Thank you.” Chrono. “I know it’s inconvenient, but you’ll have to bear with me for the moment. The top brass has been getting some… disturbing reports about you.”
“What sort?” Hayate asked.
“Keeping unusual hours. Repeatedly seen in the company of a young female recruit. Certain… erm… cases of rumpled uniforms, shall we say? And I believe an ensign saw you coming out of a storage closet last week when your keycard said you were logged into a terminal on the other side of the base.”
“… … … busted, eh?” Hayate said.
“I’m sorry.” Crono said. “I know this must be awkward for you, but you know as well that relationships between flag officers like yourself and lower-ranked members have to be carefully monitored. Amy and I had to do the same thing before she too early retirement to take care of our children; we can’t allow special treatment of recruits by their superiors, you know that.”
“Of course.” Hayate said sadly. “It’s just that… well, the relationship is very young, and admittedly a bit awkward. I had hoped to shield myself and Vivio from the public eye.”
Chrono winced.
“… are you okay?” Hayate asked, not sure what to make of the expression.
“Vivio. You’re… dating Vivio?” Chrono said.
“Yes…” Hayate said doubtfully.
Chrono winced again.
“What was that?” Hayate asked. “Is it… is it her age? Because I’m not doing anything illegal. I won’t lay a finger on her until she’s eighteen. And if it’s her status as my junior officer, obviously that’s why I’m here, so…” Hayate said.
“It’s not that…” Chrono said, still trying not to look Hayate in the eyes. “It’s just… well.”
“… what? Well what?”
Chrono murmured something that couldn’t be quite heard.
“C-Chrono?”
“That’s… kind of a dick move.” Chrono said.
“… … … … eh?”
“It’s a dickish thing to do! Dating your best friend’s daughter? Really?” Chrono asked.
“She’s dating who?” Griffith Lowran, Chrono’s current aide, said as he poked his head into the room.
“Her best friend’s daughter.”
Griffith winced. “Vivio? Wow. Dick move.”
“… that’s… that’s what…” Hayate began. “You’re not concerned with her age, or that she’s my subordin-“
“Her best. Friend’s. Daughter.” Griffith said. “That is just… wow.”
“I know, right?” Chrono said. “Just… gah. It’s just gaaaaah.”
“… … … eh?” Hayate said.
“Dick move. Such a dick move.” Griffith said.
“I’m confused.” Hayate admitted, about ten minutes after such a statement was warranted.
“Look, Hayate, if you want to date someone underage, or someone who’s a subordinate, then that’s workable.” Chrono said. “You have to be very, very cautious about it. Give your relationship a ridiculous amount of transparency to ensure you don’t give her special treatment, don’t break any laws, but if you’re willing to put up with that scrutiny the relationship is permissible. But…”
“Your friend’s daughter.” Griffith said.
“Such a dick move.” Chrono said.
“I… you can’t explain why?” Hayate said.
“Because she’s… well…” Chrono said.
“She’s your friend’s daughter.” Griffith said.
“Really? Wow, dick move.” Vice said, wincing.
“... where did you come from?!” Hayate squeaked, jumping about a foot in the air and turning on Vice. “And why does everyone keep wincing?!”
“I came from outside.” Vice said vaguely. “But what about you? Your best friend’s daughter? Seriously, now?”
“Look, why are you all focusing so much on th-“
“Because it’s such a totally dick move.” Vice said.
“… why?!”
“Because it is.” Griffith said.
“It just is.” Vice said.
“It’s so obvious it doesn’t need explanation, honestly.” Chrono said.
“I would kick your ass.” Vice said without the slightest hesitation.
“But… but why…?” Hayate asked.
“Because it would be a total dick move.” Vice and Griffith said in unison.
“… … I am confused.” Hayate said, thus entering into the running for ‘Understatement of the Year Award’.
“Look. Hayate. It’s like this…” Chrono said. “Dating your friend’s family is a dick move. It just is.”
“But you and Nanoha were friends, and she married your sister…”
“Hayate… when was the last time you saw me really speak to Nanoha? Even be in the same room as her?” Chrono said.
Hayate thought back over the last decades. The Scaglietti crisis, the Einhart Stratos case, the Huckebeins… “… I… can’t recall. Even at work, it was mostly Fate or I that you usually speak too…”
“That’s because it’s been years since I’ve had a genuine conversation with her.” Chrono growled. “She was my friend, and then she… she defiled my little sister…”
“God, what a dick move.” Vice said, patting Chrono on the shoulder.
“Nanoha and Fate couldn’t possibly be happier with each other! Why are you so upset that your sister is happy?” Hayate asked in growing disbelief.
“I’m overjoyed that my sister is happy. I’m happy that she found someone.” Chrono said.
“Then-“
“I’m just not happy that someone found her.” Chrono snarled. “I never thought Nanoha was such a dick, but I can hardly ignore the evidence.”
“She was totally your friend and she still went after your sister like it was nothing.” Vice said sympathetically.
“Dick move.” Griffith said, nodding.
“Why?!” Hayate moaned.
“It just-“ All three men began.
“-is. Yeah, yeah.” Hayate grumbled.
“So, Lt. General. Your… relationship…” Chrono said, saying the word as though it were poisonous. “Is technically not in violation of any military or civilian law, provided you submit to a certain level of scrutiny. You can pursue it as long as you wish… if you’re a dick.”
“Totally.” Vice and Griffith said in unison.
Hayate blinked a few times. She considered saying some words, but honestly, none came to mind.
“Well? If there’s nothing else, I believe our discussions here are concluded.” Chrono said, once again quite suddenly all business. “Good luck with your new relationship, General.”
“… … … thank you?” Hayate said.
***
“And he really just called you that? Right there in his office?” Verossa Acous said, raising one eyebrow in disbelief.
“I know!” Hayate said, sipping her coffee. “It was intensely unprofessional, and frankly insulting... he's not even my superior! We're in different service branches! He had no right to say any of that, but I was caught so off-guard that I didn’t know how to respond.”
“I can hardly blame you.” Verossa said with a slightly uncertain smile. He had met Hayate for lunch following her appointment, to offer her congratulations if it went well and condolence if it went poorly. He was not, at the moment, sure which he was supposed to be offering.
“Of course! You’re among my closest, dearest friends.” Verossa said.
“And… let’s say I were to ask out Carim…”
Verossa winced.
“What!? Why do people keep wincing?!” Hayate said.
“Well, it’s just… I mean…” Verossa said doubtfully. He stopped, staring at Hayate as if sizing her up. “I probably wouldn’t beat you up, but mostly because Vita would crush my bones to powder.”
“… … why?!”
“It’s just… well… I mean… my sister… it’s just… a… a…”
“… dick move?” Hayate asked with a sigh.
“Yes. Yes, that’s about right!” Verossa said. “Thanks.”
“And… just out of curiosity…” Hayate said. “If dating your sister was a… a…”
“Dick move.”
“Yes, that. Then… let’s say your hypothetical daughter was…”
“Such a dick move.”
Hayate sighed. “I am not going to be finding a lot of support among my male acquaintances, am I?”
Verossa’s eyes widened. “Wait, you are dating a friend’s daughter? … Jeez, Hayate. I mean, it’s your life, but honestly, that’s a really—“
“Yes, I get the point.”
***
“Thank you, Nanoha.” Hayate said, taking the cup of tea from her good friend. “I’ll confess, I was expecting to get some flak from people when… you know, the relationship… became known. I understand it’s not really… normal. I can admit that. But I wasn’t expecting such a wall of… well, I guess ‘accepting scorn’. It’s like nothing I’ve experienced. Nobody was openly upset, but they kept telling me I was being a horrible person.”
“I wonder why?” Nanoha asked. “I mean, really. I’ll confess that, as her mother, I feel a bit strange about Vivio seeing you. But I trust and love both of you. I know that if you truly want to be with each other, then you deserve your chance to be happy. It may be… unorthodox. But I wish you and Vivio nothing but happ-.”
Yuuno winced.
“Gaaaaaaaah!” Hayate and Nanoha said, jumping.
“Y-Yuuno?! Where did you come from?” Nanoha squeaked.
“Outside.” Yuuno said. “But… did I hear that correctly? Hayate is… is…”
“… I suppose it’s become public knowledge at this point.” Nanoha said. “Hayate and… and Vivio have begun a relationship. And Fate and I have our misgivings, but we support th—are you okay?” She said, as Yuuno winced again.
“I’m… okay.” Yuuno said, though he was noticeably making an effort to not look directly at Hayate.
“Nanoha, maybe I should go.” Hayate said, standing up.
“No! Absolutely not!” Nanoha said, placing her hand on Nanoha’s shoulder to push her back onto the sofa. “Hayate, you are going to stay here. Yuuno, you are going to explain why every man we know has been treating Hayate like a pariah!”
“It’s… well. Have you ever…” Yuuno began. “It’s hard to explain. It’s like… well, I mean… it’s good that Vivio is happy. And it’s good that Hayate is happy. But… that they’re happy together, is… well, Hayate, Vivio is your friend’s daughter and the whole thing is… well… dating her is…”
“I… get the picture.” Hayate said wearily.
“No! No, you don’t.” Nanoha said stubbornly. “Yuuno, you haven’t explained what the problem is.”
“You… you don’t know?” Yuuno asked. “I mean, any anger directed at Hayate is for your sake…”
“… … … … what?!”
“Vivio isn’t our daughter. The one Hayate’s being a dick towards…”
“I was wondering when that word would pop up…” Hayate muttered.
“… is you, Nanoha. You and Fate.” Yuuno said, seemingly unwilling to directly look at any other person in the room.
“Yuuno, we’ve given her our blessing. We know there’s some problems, but this is what makes Vivio happy.” Nanoha said, gently but firmly.
“I know, and that’s wonderful, but…” Yuuno said.
“But what?”
“… … … … it’s such a dick move.” Yuuno finally choked out.
“WHY?!” Hayate finally roared. “People have been saying that all damn day! There are a lot of reasons to disapprove of me and Vivio! I know it, she knows it, and God knows it’s going to be damn struggle to fight through it. If you’re going to disapprove, then go ahead! I’m ready for it! But for the love of all that’s HOLY, would you GIVE ME A REAL REASON?!”
Yuuno sighed. “All right. Okay. It’s hard to explain exactly why… it’s like… like… well, it’s how guys work. We know our friends, all right? And we know our family.
Yuuno sighed, as if this next part would be a real, physical effort to say. “And… and we know our friends aren’t good enough for our family.”
“Of course they are!” Nanoha said. “Hayate is… she couldn’t be better for Vivio. She’s kind, and gentle, and wise, and she genuinely cares for her. Of course she’s good enough for Vivio!”
“Is she? Is she really?” Yuuno asked. “Think about Hayate. Not about her good points, but about all the things you only know about because you’re her friend.”
“Well… I mean… um… she’s a bit… into cosplay? But that’s not bad… except when the costumes get extremely oversexualized. Which is always. And… well, there’s the groping. Which… is just affectionate teasing, I’m sure. Except it hasn’t stopped, even though she’s almost thirty and she’s in a relationship now. And she ignores it when people ask her to stop. Which doesn’t speak well for either her maturity or her self-control, really. But really, I know she’s mature, no matter how she acts in private! I’ve seen how hard she works! … really hard. All the time. In fact, she works most of the day. Takes so little free-time. Not really enough to maintain a relationship, I worry. So… so she works constantly and on the rare occasion she isn’t working, she’s sort of immature.”
Yuuno put a hand on her shoulder. “And now, picture that person dating your daughter. Not the elegant, dignified general. Not the person who has made you smile since you were kids. Picture the real Hayate dating your family.”
Nanoha pictured it.
She pictured it for roughly fifteen minutes of the most agonizing silence Hayate could have possibly imagined.
“It…” She finally said, in a voice barely above a whisper. “It can’t be that bad…”
“And it probably won’t be,” Yuuno admitted. “But deep in your mind, you’ll always think it is. On some primal level, you’ll always be aware that your buddy, with all her many, many, many flaws...”
“Not that many…” Hayate muttered, but there was no force behind the statement.
“… is dating your little girl. And she did it, filling you with this worry for the rest of their time together, even though she’s your friend. And Nanoha… what do you really think of that?”
Nanoha blinked a few times. “It’s… it’s rather… it’s rather inconsiderate, I-I suppose…”
“No, Nanoha.” Yuuno said gently. “It’s a total dick move.”
Nanoha looked at Hayate as if seeing her for the first time.
“I… I think I should leave.” Hayate said.
“Maybe you should.” Nanoha said, staring into Hayate’s eyes with… frankly unnerving intensity.
“Like… go home. Get some rest.”
“Maybe.”
“It’s been a very busy day. I’m… I’m rather tired…” Hayate said, taking several steps backwards toward the door. She was afraid to break eye contact with Nanoha for fear the other woman might go for her spine if she exposed it, but she also felt a driving need to escape. “I’ll talk to you later…”
“Don’t push yourself.” Nanoha said very, very quietly.
Hayate turned and ran for the door, sensing that speed was more important than safety at this point. She opened the door and ran out, leaving it swinging behind her.
***
“Mama says you’re not invited for Christmas Dinner anymore. It’s cancelled, in fact. She wouldn’t say why.” Vivio said.
“I figured that.” Hayate said glumly.
“She said you don’t have to come over on Fridays for drinks and games, either. That she ‘understands how busy you are’.” Vivio said.
“Not a shock.”
“And she has said that it’s kind of… um… hard on her shoes to walk all the way to your door, so she’s going to start dropping Vita off down the street from your house after training sessions.”
“I’ll… I’ll tell Vita.”
“… … … … … … … did you two have a fight?”
“I think for it to be a fight, I really needed to have some hope of winning.” Hayate said.
“Um… do you want me to leave you alone for a bit?” Vivio asked. “I wanted to see if you wanted to go out, but you… don’t seem in the mood.”
“… yeah, I think moping is the order of the day.” Hayate said, smiling sadly. “Sorry, Vivi. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay?”
Vivio smiled and leaned forward to kiss her girlfriend on the cheek. “I hope you feel better tomorrow, then.” She stood, walking toward the door, before halting briefly. “Um… Hayate… a quick question.”
“Hmmm?”
“Well, I saw Zafira on my way here. You hadn’t told him about us?”
“Um… no, the others know, but we’ve been out of the house at incompatible hours lately. I haven’t had the chance to sit down with him. Why do you ask?” Hayate said.
“Because I kinda let is slip, and he… well… he winced, and then said something under his breath. I’m not sure what it was, but…”
Hayate buried her hand in her heads and sighed. “I can guess.”
Spoiler for Author's Note:
What can I say?
That was without a doubt likely the funniest Nanoha fanfic I have ever read
Location: Pennsylvania. It's sort of like a real state.
Age: 39
Quote:
Originally Posted by deathcurse
Something that puzzled me--at the beginning, you said that Chrono was Hayate's immediate superior, but later when she's talking with Verossa she says that Chrono isn't her superior?
“No! Absolutely not!” Nanoha said, placing her hand on Nanoha’s shoulder to push her back onto the sofa. “Hayate, you are going to stay here. Yuuno, you are going to explain why every man we know has been treating Hayate like a pariah!”
I believe this would be on Hayate's shoulder, no? ^^
Taking the thread in a mildly less dark direction, here's some of that Hayate/Vivio crack that DC requested from me ages ago and I only just got around to writing.
It... er... doesn't exactly fit the canon she, Shigan, and Eagle have put together.
At all.
But if it gets a laugh, I truly don't mind. XD
Spoiler for Unforeseen Complications:
“Lieutenant General Yagami, it’s been too long.” Chrono Harlaown said.
“Chrono, please. We’re friends, you don’t have to stand on decorum when it’s just the two of us.” Hayate Yagami said as she sat in front of the desk of her fellow flag officer and old friend, Admiral Chrono Harlaown.
Chrono smiled softly, but continued, “We are here on business, General. I think ranks are appropriate.”
“… very well, Admiral Harlaown.” Hayate said.
“Thank you.” Chrono. “I know it’s inconvenient, but you’ll have to bear with me for the moment. The top brass has been getting some… disturbing reports about you.”
“What sort?” Hayate asked.
“Keeping unusual hours. Repeatedly seen in the company of a young female recruit. Certain… erm… cases of rumpled uniforms, shall we say? And I believe an ensign saw you coming out of a storage closet last week when your keycard said you were logged into a terminal on the other side of the base.”
“… … … busted, eh?” Hayate said.
“I’m sorry.” Crono said. “I know this must be awkward for you, but you know as well that relationships between flag officers like yourself and lower-ranked members have to be carefully monitored. Amy and I had to do the same thing before she too early retirement to take care of our children; we can’t allow special treatment of recruits by their superiors, you know that.”
“Of course.” Hayate said sadly. “It’s just that… well, the relationship is very young, and admittedly a bit awkward. I had hoped to shield myself and Vivio from the public eye.”
Chrono winced.
“… are you okay?” Hayate asked, not sure what to make of the expression.
“Vivio. You’re… dating Vivio?” Chrono said.
“Yes…” Hayate said doubtfully.
Chrono winced again.
“What was that?” Hayate asked. “Is it… is it her age? Because I’m not doing anything illegal. I won’t lay a finger on her until she’s eighteen. And if it’s her status as my junior officer, obviously that’s why I’m here, so…” Hayate said.
“It’s not that…” Chrono said, still trying not to look Hayate in the eyes. “It’s just… well.”
“… what? Well what?”
Chrono murmured something that couldn’t be quite heard.
“C-Chrono?”
“That’s… kind of a dick move.” Chrono said.
“… … … … eh?”
“It’s a dickish thing to do! Dating your best friend’s daughter? Really?” Chrono asked.
“She’s dating who?” Griffith Lowran, Chrono’s current aide, said as he poked his head into the room.
“Her best friend’s daughter.”
Griffith winced. “Vivio? Wow. Dick move.”
“… that’s… that’s what…” Hayate began. “You’re not concerned with her age, or that she’s my subordin-“
“Her best. Friend’s. Daughter.” Griffith said. “That is just… wow.”
“I know, right?” Chrono said. “Just… gah. It’s just gaaaaah.”
“… … … eh?” Hayate said.
“Dick move. Such a dick move.” Griffith said.
“I’m confused.” Hayate admitted, about ten minutes after such a statement was warranted.
“Look, Hayate, if you want to date someone underage, or someone who’s a subordinate, then that’s workable.” Chrono said. “You have to be very, very cautious about it. Give your relationship a ridiculous amount of transparency to ensure you don’t give her special treatment, don’t break any laws, but if you’re willing to put up with that scrutiny the relationship is permissible. But…”
“Your friend’s daughter.” Griffith said.
“Such a dick move.” Chrono said.
“I… you can’t explain why?” Hayate said.
“Because she’s… well…” Chrono said.
“She’s your friend’s daughter.” Griffith said.
“Really? Wow, dick move.” Vice said, wincing.
“... where did you come from?!” Hayate squeaked, jumping about a foot in the air and turning on Vice. “And why does everyone keep wincing?!”
“I came from outside.” Vice said vaguely. “But what about you? Your best friend’s daughter? Seriously, now?”
“Look, why are you all focusing so much on th-“
“Because it’s such a totally dick move.” Vice said.
“… why?!”
“Because it is.” Griffith said.
“It just is.” Vice said.
“It’s so obvious it doesn’t need explanation, honestly.” Chrono said.
“I would kick your ass.” Vice said without the slightest hesitation.
“But… but why…?” Hayate asked.
“Because it would be a total dick move.” Vice and Griffith said in unison.
“… … I am confused.” Hayate said, thus entering into the running for ‘Understatement of the Year Award’.
“Look. Hayate. It’s like this…” Chrono said. “Dating your friend’s family is a dick move. It just is.”
“But you and Nanoha were friends, and she married your sister…”
“Hayate… when was the last time you saw me really speak to Nanoha? Even be in the same room as her?” Chrono said.
Hayate thought back over the last decades. The Scaglietti crisis, the Einhart Stratos case, the Huckebeins… “… I… can’t recall. Even at work, it was mostly Fate or I that you usually speak too…”
“That’s because it’s been years since I’ve had a genuine conversation with her.” Chrono growled. “She was my friend, and then she… she defiled my little sister…”
“God, what a dick move.” Vice said, patting Chrono on the shoulder.
“Nanoha and Fate couldn’t possibly be happier with each other! Why are you so upset that your sister is happy?” Hayate asked in growing disbelief.
“I’m overjoyed that my sister is happy. I’m happy that she found someone.” Chrono said.
“Then-“
“I’m just not happy that someone found her.” Chrono snarled. “I never thought Nanoha was such a dick, but I can hardly ignore the evidence.”
“She was totally your friend and she still went after your sister like it was nothing.” Vice said sympathetically.
“Dick move.” Griffith said, nodding.
“Why?!” Hayate moaned.
“It just-“ All three men began.
“-is. Yeah, yeah.” Hayate grumbled.
“So, Lt. General. Your… relationship…” Chrono said, saying the word as though it were poisonous. “Is technically not in violation of any military or civilian law, provided you submit to a certain level of scrutiny. You can pursue it as long as you wish… if you’re a dick.”
“Totally.” Vice and Griffith said in unison.
Hayate blinked a few times. She considered saying some words, but honestly, none came to mind.
“Well? If there’s nothing else, I believe our discussions here are concluded.” Chrono said, once again quite suddenly all business. “Good luck with your new relationship, General.”
“… … … thank you?” Hayate said.
***
“And he really just called you that? Right there in his office?” Verossa Acous said, raising one eyebrow in disbelief.
“I know!” Hayate said, sipping her coffee. “It was intensely unprofessional, and frankly insulting... he's not even my superior! We're in different service branches! He had no right to say any of that, but I was caught so off-guard that I didn’t know how to respond.”
“I can hardly blame you.” Verossa said with a slightly uncertain smile. He had met Hayate for lunch following her appointment, to offer her congratulations if it went well and condolence if it went poorly. He was not, at the moment, sure which he was supposed to be offering.
“Of course! You’re among my closest, dearest friends.” Verossa said.
“And… let’s say I were to ask out Carim…”
Verossa winced.
“What!? Why do people keep wincing?!” Hayate said.
“Well, it’s just… I mean…” Verossa said doubtfully. He stopped, staring at Hayate as if sizing her up. “I probably wouldn’t beat you up, but mostly because Vita would crush my bones to powder.”
“… … why?!”
“It’s just… well… I mean… my sister… it’s just… a… a…”
“… dick move?” Hayate asked with a sigh.
“Yes. Yes, that’s about right!” Verossa said. “Thanks.”
“And… just out of curiosity…” Hayate said. “If dating your sister was a… a…”
“Dick move.”
“Yes, that. Then… let’s say your hypothetical daughter was…”
“Such a dick move.”
Hayate sighed. “I am not going to be finding a lot of support among my male acquaintances, am I?”
Verossa’s eyes widened. “Wait, you are dating a friend’s daughter? … Jeez, Hayate. I mean, it’s your life, but honestly, that’s a really—“
“Yes, I get the point.”
***
“Thank you, Nanoha.” Hayate said, taking the cup of tea from her good friend. “I’ll confess, I was expecting to get some flak from people when… you know, the relationship… became known. I understand it’s not really… normal. I can admit that. But I wasn’t expecting such a wall of… well, I guess ‘accepting scorn’. It’s like nothing I’ve experienced. Nobody was openly upset, but they kept telling me I was being a horrible person.”
“I wonder why?” Nanoha asked. “I mean, really. I’ll confess that, as her mother, I feel a bit strange about Vivio seeing you. But I trust and love both of you. I know that if you truly want to be with each other, then you deserve your chance to be happy. It may be… unorthodox. But I wish you and Vivio nothing but happ-.”
Yuuno winced.
“Gaaaaaaaah!” Hayate and Nanoha said, jumping.
“Y-Yuuno?! Where did you come from?” Nanoha squeaked.
“Outside.” Yuuno said. “But… did I hear that correctly? Hayate is… is…”
“… I suppose it’s become public knowledge at this point.” Nanoha said. “Hayate and… and Vivio have begun a relationship. And Fate and I have our misgivings, but we support th—are you okay?” She said, as Yuuno winced again.
“I’m… okay.” Yuuno said, though he was noticeably making an effort to not look directly at Hayate.
“Nanoha, maybe I should go.” Hayate said, standing up.
“No! Absolutely not!” Nanoha said, placing her hand on Hayate's shoulder to push her back onto the sofa. “Hayate, you are going to stay here. Yuuno, you are going to explain why every man we know has been treating Hayate like a pariah!”
“It’s… well. Have you ever…” Yuuno began. “It’s hard to explain. It’s like… well, I mean… it’s good that Vivio is happy. And it’s good that Hayate is happy. But… that they’re happy together, is… well, Hayate, Vivio is your friend’s daughter and the whole thing is… well… dating her is…”
“I… get the picture.” Hayate said wearily.
“No! No, you don’t.” Nanoha said stubbornly. “Yuuno, you haven’t explained what the problem is.”
“You… you don’t know?” Yuuno asked. “I mean, any anger directed at Hayate is for your sake…”
“… … … … what?!”
“Vivio isn’t our daughter. The one Hayate’s being a dick towards…”
“I was wondering when that word would pop up…” Hayate muttered.
“… is you, Nanoha. You and Fate.” Yuuno said, seemingly unwilling to directly look at any other person in the room.
“Yuuno, we’ve given her our blessing. We know there’s some problems, but this is what makes Vivio happy.” Nanoha said, gently but firmly.
“I know, and that’s wonderful, but…” Yuuno said.
“But what?”
“… … … … it’s such a dick move.” Yuuno finally choked out.
“WHY?!” Hayate finally roared. “People have been saying that all damn day! There are a lot of reasons to disapprove of me and Vivio! I know it, she knows it, and God knows it’s going to be damn struggle to fight through it. If you’re going to disapprove, then go ahead! I’m ready for it! But for the love of all that’s HOLY, would you GIVE ME A REAL REASON?!”
Yuuno sighed. “All right. Okay. It’s hard to explain exactly why… it’s like… like… well, it’s how guys work. We know our friends, all right? And we know our family.
Yuuno sighed, as if this next part would be a real, physical effort to say. “And… and we know our friends aren’t good enough for our family.”
“Of course they are!” Nanoha said. “Hayate is… she couldn’t be better for Vivio. She’s kind, and gentle, and wise, and she genuinely cares for her. Of course she’s good enough for Vivio!”
“Is she? Is she really?” Yuuno asked. “Think about Hayate. Not about her good points, but about all the things you only know about because you’re her friend.”
“Well… I mean… um… she’s a bit… into cosplay? But that’s not bad… except when the costumes get extremely oversexualized. Which is always. And… well, there’s the groping. Which… is just affectionate teasing, I’m sure. Except it hasn’t stopped, even though she’s almost thirty and she’s in a relationship now. And she ignores it when people ask her to stop. Which doesn’t speak well for either her maturity or her self-control, really. But really, I know she’s mature, no matter how she acts in private! I’ve seen how hard she works! … really hard. All the time. In fact, she works most of the day. Takes so little free-time. Not really enough to maintain a relationship, I worry. So… so she works constantly and on the rare occasion she isn’t working, she’s sort of immature.”
Yuuno put a hand on her shoulder. “And now, picture that person dating your daughter. Not the elegant, dignified general. Not the person who has made you smile since you were kids. Picture the real Hayate dating your family.”
Nanoha pictured it.
She pictured it for roughly fifteen minutes of the most agonizing silence Hayate could have possibly imagined.
“It…” She finally said, in a voice barely above a whisper. “It can’t be that bad…”
“And it probably won’t be,” Yuuno admitted. “But deep in your mind, you’ll always think it is. On some primal level, you’ll always be aware that your buddy, with all her many, many, many flaws...”
“Not that many…” Hayate muttered, but there was no force behind the statement.
“… is dating your little girl. And she did it, filling you with this worry for the rest of their time together, even though she’s your friend. And Nanoha… what do you really think of that?”
Nanoha blinked a few times. “It’s… it’s rather… it’s rather inconsiderate, I-I suppose…”
“No, Nanoha.” Yuuno said gently. “It’s a total dick move.”
Nanoha looked at Hayate as if seeing her for the first time.
“I… I think I should leave.” Hayate said.
“Maybe you should.” Nanoha said, staring into Hayate’s eyes with… frankly unnerving intensity.
“Like… go home. Get some rest.”
“Maybe.”
“It’s been a very busy day. I’m… I’m rather tired…” Hayate said, taking several steps backwards toward the door. She was afraid to break eye contact with Nanoha for fear the other woman might go for her spine if she exposed it, but she also felt a driving need to escape. “I’ll talk to you later…”
“Don’t push yourself.” Nanoha said very, very quietly.
Hayate turned and ran for the door, sensing that speed was more important than safety at this point. She opened the door and ran out, leaving it swinging behind her.
***
“Mama says you’re not invited for Christmas Dinner anymore. It’s cancelled, in fact. She wouldn’t say why.” Vivio said.
“I figured that.” Hayate said glumly.
“She said you don’t have to come over on Fridays for drinks and games, either. That she ‘understands how busy you are’.” Vivio said.
“Not a shock.”
“And she has said that it’s kind of… um… hard on her shoes to walk all the way to your door, so she’s going to start dropping Vita off down the street from your house after training sessions.”
“I’ll… I’ll tell Vita.”
“… … … … … … … did you two have a fight?”
“I think for it to be a fight, I really needed to have some hope of winning.” Hayate said.
“Um… do you want me to leave you alone for a bit?” Vivio asked. “I wanted to see if you wanted to go out, but you… don’t seem in the mood.”
“… yeah, I think moping is the order of the day.” Hayate said, smiling sadly. “Sorry, Vivi. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay?”
Vivio smiled and leaned forward to kiss her girlfriend on the cheek. “I hope you feel better tomorrow, then.” She stood, walking toward the door, before halting briefly. “Um… Hayate… a quick question.”
“Hmmm?”
“Well, I saw Zafira on my way here. You hadn’t told him about us?”
“Um… no, the others know, but we’ve been out of the house at incompatible hours lately. I haven’t had the chance to sit down with him. Why do you ask?” Hayate said.
“Because I kinda let is slip, and he… well… he winced, and then said something under his breath. I’m not sure what it was, but…”
Hayate buried her hand in her heads and sighed. “I can guess.”
Spoiler for Author's Note:
What can I say?
I am now totally going to mutter this under my breath if for some reason any of my guy friends start dating my sister.
Most awesome, and hilarious as hell. I was snickering at first, and then full out laughing by the end of it. Poor Hayate. Even in a fanon crack short, she just can't catch a break.
Why didn't Nanoha do something to protect herself? She had Raising Heart with her after all...
Quote:
Originally Posted by GonzoTheAnimeFan
In the DA version, which has the extra short of her rape, it was too quick for her to respond. Her mouth was covered so no command would be said, and her mind got cluttered with pain from a kick to the stomach so the only thing she could do is for RH to record it.
This also ignores the fact that Raising Heart has an autoguard function against physical attacks. And then there's the point that Raising Heart is an Intelligent Device, which means that it can cast spells by itself without Nanoha having to incant anything (not that Nanoha does in fact require commands to cast most spells anyway). Nor does it take into account Nanoha's own combat training (unless the fic took place when Nanoha was 9; I'm replying to the comments only).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moczo
Taking the thread in a mildly less dark direction, here's some of that Hayate/Vivio crack that DC requested from me ages ago and I only just got around to writing.
It... er... doesn't exactly fit the canon she, Shigan, and Eagle have put together.
At all.
But if it gets a laugh, I truly don't mind. XD
Spoiler for Unforeseen Complications:
“Lieutenant General Yagami, it’s been too long.” Chrono Harlaown said.
“Chrono, please. We’re friends, you don’t have to stand on decorum when it’s just the two of us.” Hayate Yagami said as she sat in front of the desk of her fellow flag officer and old friend, Admiral Chrono Harlaown.
Chrono smiled softly, but continued, “We are here on business, General. I think ranks are appropriate.”
“… very well, Admiral Harlaown.” Hayate said.
“Thank you.” Chrono. “I know it’s inconvenient, but you’ll have to bear with me for the moment. The top brass has been getting some… disturbing reports about you.”
“What sort?” Hayate asked.
“Keeping unusual hours. Repeatedly seen in the company of a young female recruit. Certain… erm… cases of rumpled uniforms, shall we say? And I believe an ensign saw you coming out of a storage closet last week when your keycard said you were logged into a terminal on the other side of the base.”
“… … … busted, eh?” Hayate said.
“I’m sorry.” Crono said. “I know this must be awkward for you, but you know as well that relationships between flag officers like yourself and lower-ranked members have to be carefully monitored. Amy and I had to do the same thing before she too early retirement to take care of our children; we can’t allow special treatment of recruits by their superiors, you know that.”
“Of course.” Hayate said sadly. “It’s just that… well, the relationship is very young, and admittedly a bit awkward. I had hoped to shield myself and Vivio from the public eye.”
Chrono winced.
“… are you okay?” Hayate asked, not sure what to make of the expression.
“Vivio. You’re… dating Vivio?” Chrono said.
“Yes…” Hayate said doubtfully.
Chrono winced again.
“What was that?” Hayate asked. “Is it… is it her age? Because I’m not doing anything illegal. I won’t lay a finger on her until she’s eighteen. And if it’s her status as my junior officer, obviously that’s why I’m here, so…” Hayate said.
“It’s not that…” Chrono said, still trying not to look Hayate in the eyes. “It’s just… well.”
“… what? Well what?”
Chrono murmured something that couldn’t be quite heard.
“C-Chrono?”
“That’s… kind of a dick move.” Chrono said.
“… … … … eh?”
“It’s a dickish thing to do! Dating your best friend’s daughter? Really?” Chrono asked.
“She’s dating who?” Griffith Lowran, Chrono’s current aide, said as he poked his head into the room.
“Her best friend’s daughter.”
Griffith winced. “Vivio? Wow. Dick move.”
“… that’s… that’s what…” Hayate began. “You’re not concerned with her age, or that she’s my subordin-“
“Her best. Friend’s. Daughter.” Griffith said. “That is just… wow.”
“I know, right?” Chrono said. “Just… gah. It’s just gaaaaah.”
“… … … eh?” Hayate said.
“Dick move. Such a dick move.” Griffith said.
“I’m confused.” Hayate admitted, about ten minutes after such a statement was warranted.
“Look, Hayate, if you want to date someone underage, or someone who’s a subordinate, then that’s workable.” Chrono said. “You have to be very, very cautious about it. Give your relationship a ridiculous amount of transparency to ensure you don’t give her special treatment, don’t break any laws, but if you’re willing to put up with that scrutiny the relationship is permissible. But…”
“Your friend’s daughter.” Griffith said.
“Such a dick move.” Chrono said.
“I… you can’t explain why?” Hayate said.
“Because she’s… well…” Chrono said.
“She’s your friend’s daughter.” Griffith said.
“Really? Wow, dick move.” Vice said, wincing.
“... where did you come from?!” Hayate squeaked, jumping about a foot in the air and turning on Vice. “And why does everyone keep wincing?!”
“I came from outside.” Vice said vaguely. “But what about you? Your best friend’s daughter? Seriously, now?”
“Look, why are you all focusing so much on th-“
“Because it’s such a totally dick move.” Vice said.
“… why?!”
“Because it is.” Griffith said.
“It just is.” Vice said.
“It’s so obvious it doesn’t need explanation, honestly.” Chrono said.
“I would kick your ass.” Vice said without the slightest hesitation.
“But… but why…?” Hayate asked.
“Because it would be a total dick move.” Vice and Griffith said in unison.
“… … I am confused.” Hayate said, thus entering into the running for ‘Understatement of the Year Award’.
“Look. Hayate. It’s like this…” Chrono said. “Dating your friend’s family is a dick move. It just is.”
“But you and Nanoha were friends, and she married your sister…”
“Hayate… when was the last time you saw me really speak to Nanoha? Even be in the same room as her?” Chrono said.
Hayate thought back over the last decades. The Scaglietti crisis, the Einhart Stratos case, the Huckebeins… “… I… can’t recall. Even at work, it was mostly Fate or I that you usually speak too…”
“That’s because it’s been years since I’ve had a genuine conversation with her.” Chrono growled. “She was my friend, and then she… she defiled my little sister…”
“God, what a dick move.” Vice said, patting Chrono on the shoulder.
“Nanoha and Fate couldn’t possibly be happier with each other! Why are you so upset that your sister is happy?” Hayate asked in growing disbelief.
“I’m overjoyed that my sister is happy. I’m happy that she found someone.” Chrono said.
“Then-“
“I’m just not happy that someone found her.” Chrono snarled. “I never thought Nanoha was such a dick, but I can hardly ignore the evidence.”
“She was totally your friend and she still went after your sister like it was nothing.” Vice said sympathetically.
“Dick move.” Griffith said, nodding.
“Why?!” Hayate moaned.
“It just-“ All three men began.
“-is. Yeah, yeah.” Hayate grumbled.
“So, Lt. General. Your… relationship…” Chrono said, saying the word as though it were poisonous. “Is technically not in violation of any military or civilian law, provided you submit to a certain level of scrutiny. You can pursue it as long as you wish… if you’re a dick.”
“Totally.” Vice and Griffith said in unison.
Hayate blinked a few times. She considered saying some words, but honestly, none came to mind.
“Well? If there’s nothing else, I believe our discussions here are concluded.” Chrono said, once again quite suddenly all business. “Good luck with your new relationship, General.”
“… … … thank you?” Hayate said.
***
“And he really just called you that? Right there in his office?” Verossa Acous said, raising one eyebrow in disbelief.
“I know!” Hayate said, sipping her coffee. “It was intensely unprofessional, and frankly insulting... he's not even my superior! We're in different service branches! He had no right to say any of that, but I was caught so off-guard that I didn’t know how to respond.”
“I can hardly blame you.” Verossa said with a slightly uncertain smile. He had met Hayate for lunch following her appointment, to offer her congratulations if it went well and condolence if it went poorly. He was not, at the moment, sure which he was supposed to be offering.
“Of course! You’re among my closest, dearest friends.” Verossa said.
“And… let’s say I were to ask out Carim…”
Verossa winced.
“What!? Why do people keep wincing?!” Hayate said.
“Well, it’s just… I mean…” Verossa said doubtfully. He stopped, staring at Hayate as if sizing her up. “I probably wouldn’t beat you up, but mostly because Vita would crush my bones to powder.”
“… … why?!”
“It’s just… well… I mean… my sister… it’s just… a… a…”
“… dick move?” Hayate asked with a sigh.
“Yes. Yes, that’s about right!” Verossa said. “Thanks.”
“And… just out of curiosity…” Hayate said. “If dating your sister was a… a…”
“Dick move.”
“Yes, that. Then… let’s say your hypothetical daughter was…”
“Such a dick move.”
Hayate sighed. “I am not going to be finding a lot of support among my male acquaintances, am I?”
Verossa’s eyes widened. “Wait, you are dating a friend’s daughter? … Jeez, Hayate. I mean, it’s your life, but honestly, that’s a really—“
“Yes, I get the point.”
***
“Thank you, Nanoha.” Hayate said, taking the cup of tea from her good friend. “I’ll confess, I was expecting to get some flak from people when… you know, the relationship… became known. I understand it’s not really… normal. I can admit that. But I wasn’t expecting such a wall of… well, I guess ‘accepting scorn’. It’s like nothing I’ve experienced. Nobody was openly upset, but they kept telling me I was being a horrible person.”
“I wonder why?” Nanoha asked. “I mean, really. I’ll confess that, as her mother, I feel a bit strange about Vivio seeing you. But I trust and love both of you. I know that if you truly want to be with each other, then you deserve your chance to be happy. It may be… unorthodox. But I wish you and Vivio nothing but happ-.”
Yuuno winced.
“Gaaaaaaaah!” Hayate and Nanoha said, jumping.
“Y-Yuuno?! Where did you come from?” Nanoha squeaked.
“Outside.” Yuuno said. “But… did I hear that correctly? Hayate is… is…”
“… I suppose it’s become public knowledge at this point.” Nanoha said. “Hayate and… and Vivio have begun a relationship. And Fate and I have our misgivings, but we support th—are you okay?” She said, as Yuuno winced again.
“I’m… okay.” Yuuno said, though he was noticeably making an effort to not look directly at Hayate.
“Nanoha, maybe I should go.” Hayate said, standing up.
“No! Absolutely not!” Nanoha said, placing her hand on Hayate's shoulder to push her back onto the sofa. “Hayate, you are going to stay here. Yuuno, you are going to explain why every man we know has been treating Hayate like a pariah!”
“It’s… well. Have you ever…” Yuuno began. “It’s hard to explain. It’s like… well, I mean… it’s good that Vivio is happy. And it’s good that Hayate is happy. But… that they’re happy together, is… well, Hayate, Vivio is your friend’s daughter and the whole thing is… well… dating her is…”
“I… get the picture.” Hayate said wearily.
“No! No, you don’t.” Nanoha said stubbornly. “Yuuno, you haven’t explained what the problem is.”
“You… you don’t know?” Yuuno asked. “I mean, any anger directed at Hayate is for your sake…”
“… … … … what?!”
“Vivio isn’t our daughter. The one Hayate’s being a dick towards…”
“I was wondering when that word would pop up…” Hayate muttered.
“… is you, Nanoha. You and Fate.” Yuuno said, seemingly unwilling to directly look at any other person in the room.
“Yuuno, we’ve given her our blessing. We know there’s some problems, but this is what makes Vivio happy.” Nanoha said, gently but firmly.
“I know, and that’s wonderful, but…” Yuuno said.
“But what?”
“… … … … it’s such a dick move.” Yuuno finally choked out.
“WHY?!” Hayate finally roared. “People have been saying that all damn day! There are a lot of reasons to disapprove of me and Vivio! I know it, she knows it, and God knows it’s going to be damn struggle to fight through it. If you’re going to disapprove, then go ahead! I’m ready for it! But for the love of all that’s HOLY, would you GIVE ME A REAL REASON?!”
Yuuno sighed. “All right. Okay. It’s hard to explain exactly why… it’s like… like… well, it’s how guys work. We know our friends, all right? And we know our family.
Yuuno sighed, as if this next part would be a real, physical effort to say. “And… and we know our friends aren’t good enough for our family.”
“Of course they are!” Nanoha said. “Hayate is… she couldn’t be better for Vivio. She’s kind, and gentle, and wise, and she genuinely cares for her. Of course she’s good enough for Vivio!”
“Is she? Is she really?” Yuuno asked. “Think about Hayate. Not about her good points, but about all the things you only know about because you’re her friend.”
“Well… I mean… um… she’s a bit… into cosplay? But that’s not bad… except when the costumes get extremely oversexualized. Which is always. And… well, there’s the groping. Which… is just affectionate teasing, I’m sure. Except it hasn’t stopped, even though she’s almost thirty and she’s in a relationship now. And she ignores it when people ask her to stop. Which doesn’t speak well for either her maturity or her self-control, really. But really, I know she’s mature, no matter how she acts in private! I’ve seen how hard she works! … really hard. All the time. In fact, she works most of the day. Takes so little free-time. Not really enough to maintain a relationship, I worry. So… so she works constantly and on the rare occasion she isn’t working, she’s sort of immature.”
Yuuno put a hand on her shoulder. “And now, picture that person dating your daughter. Not the elegant, dignified general. Not the person who has made you smile since you were kids. Picture the real Hayate dating your family.”
Nanoha pictured it.
She pictured it for roughly fifteen minutes of the most agonizing silence Hayate could have possibly imagined.
“It…” She finally said, in a voice barely above a whisper. “It can’t be that bad…”
“And it probably won’t be,” Yuuno admitted. “But deep in your mind, you’ll always think it is. On some primal level, you’ll always be aware that your buddy, with all her many, many, many flaws...”
“Not that many…” Hayate muttered, but there was no force behind the statement.
“… is dating your little girl. And she did it, filling you with this worry for the rest of their time together, even though she’s your friend. And Nanoha… what do you really think of that?”
Nanoha blinked a few times. “It’s… it’s rather… it’s rather inconsiderate, I-I suppose…”
“No, Nanoha.” Yuuno said gently. “It’s a total dick move.”
Nanoha looked at Hayate as if seeing her for the first time.
“I… I think I should leave.” Hayate said.
“Maybe you should.” Nanoha said, staring into Hayate’s eyes with… frankly unnerving intensity.
“Like… go home. Get some rest.”
“Maybe.”
“It’s been a very busy day. I’m… I’m rather tired…” Hayate said, taking several steps backwards toward the door. She was afraid to break eye contact with Nanoha for fear the other woman might go for her spine if she exposed it, but she also felt a driving need to escape. “I’ll talk to you later…”
“Don’t push yourself.” Nanoha said very, very quietly.
Hayate turned and ran for the door, sensing that speed was more important than safety at this point. She opened the door and ran out, leaving it swinging behind her.
***
“Mama says you’re not invited for Christmas Dinner anymore. It’s cancelled, in fact. She wouldn’t say why.” Vivio said.
“I figured that.” Hayate said glumly.
“She said you don’t have to come over on Fridays for drinks and games, either. That she ‘understands how busy you are’.” Vivio said.
“Not a shock.”
“And she has said that it’s kind of… um… hard on her shoes to walk all the way to your door, so she’s going to start dropping Vita off down the street from your house after training sessions.”
“I’ll… I’ll tell Vita.”
“… … … … … … … did you two have a fight?”
“I think for it to be a fight, I really needed to have some hope of winning.” Hayate said.
“Um… do you want me to leave you alone for a bit?” Vivio asked. “I wanted to see if you wanted to go out, but you… don’t seem in the mood.”
“… yeah, I think moping is the order of the day.” Hayate said, smiling sadly. “Sorry, Vivi. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay?”
Vivio smiled and leaned forward to kiss her girlfriend on the cheek. “I hope you feel better tomorrow, then.” She stood, walking toward the door, before halting briefly. “Um… Hayate… a quick question.”
“Hmmm?”
“Well, I saw Zafira on my way here. You hadn’t told him about us?”
“Um… no, the others know, but we’ve been out of the house at incompatible hours lately. I haven’t had the chance to sit down with him. Why do you ask?” Hayate said.
“Because I kinda let is slip, and he… well… he winced, and then said something under his breath. I’m not sure what it was, but…”
Hayate buried her hand in her heads and sighed. “I can guess.”
Spoiler for Author's Note:
What can I say?
Hmmm. Funny, although I spent most of it sympathizing too much with Hayate to really, completely give way to laughter (I don't do well, myself, with unwritten rules). I have to commend you (as the author) and Yuuno (as the character) for actually being able to genuinely come through with an answer to the question that made sense (maybe it's his "training wheels" status that allows him to explain obscure male stuff to women in words?). Though it probably would have actually been funnier if Nanoha hadn't reacted that way even afterwards, especially since Zaffy did, since it would keep the gender gag running.
(Incidentally, was Zaffy wincing because Hayate was despoiling the little girl he'd babysat and taken care of, or because Vivio was despoiling his idolized would-give-my-existence-to-prevent-her-from-stubbing-her-toe Mistress?)
Location: Place of rocks and trees, and trees and rocks...and water.
Age: 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by DezoPenguin
(Incidentally, was Zaffy wincing because Hayate was despoiling the little girl he'd babysat and taken care of, or because Vivio was despoiling his idolized would-give-my-existence-to-prevent-her-from-stubbing-her-toe Mistress?)
Or that Vivio, who is his friend, is dating his "just-like-family" Hayate?
2011-07-14, 10:46
Author
. Seeing poor Hayate get more and more wound up in confusion and frustration was oddly hilarious 
. Not to mention Nanoha's slow shift in thought at the end, LOL! 
