Chapter 13
Once they were back at the transportation center in the Magic Kingdom, they walked over to where the Monorails were running. L looked up at the signs that listed their destinations and at one in particular and smiled.
"What do you see that I don't that's making you smile?" Light asked him.
"The monorail goes to a destination I am quite interested in," L answered and began to walk towards the entrance of the park.
"Where's that?" Light asked and L merely waved his hand at him.
"You'll find out soon enough. Right now I wish to see the 3D show as I've never really seen 3D." Light grinned at him.
"You want to see Mickey's Philharmagic? How did you even know it was there? You must have been looking at the brochures while I was shopping! This is priceless!" he said laughing and L stopped walking long enough to turn and look at him.
"This is merely still part of my ongoing study of the power that rodent holds over people. That and the fact that I've never truly seen a 3D production and I am quite interested. Do not over think this."
"Sure, sure part of your study," Light said as L turned to continue walking, "My ass." He added under his breath as he caught up with the stridently walking raven.
"Oh right I almost forgot!" Light said as they approached the castle and walked over to the entrance to the restaurant making L groan.
"I am not going back in there," he warned and Light laughed.
"It's okay you can wait out here. I just remembered that I never picked up our pictures from this morning!" L groaned and shook his head.
"They are not necessary, Light you've taken many on your own," He said walking past the castle and Light shook his head.
"If you think I'm going to not get a look at you and Cinderella you're out of your mind! Don't go anywhere!" Light answered and ran into the restaurant. When he returned a few moments later it took him a few moments to find L; who was watching the ducks go by on the lake in front of the castle. For a few moments he just stood and watched him as L leaned forward throwing pieces of his biscuit into the water. He marveled how someone who consistently saw the worst of people still seemed to enjoy the simple things in life; like his intense love of watching the animals from the balcony, or trying to feed the ducks. He was all at once the most aggravating, annoying, childish and most wonderful, loving and amazing person he had ever met in his life and he couldn't love him any more if he tried. He walked over to where L stood and touched his arm.
"You know you're not supposed to do that," he said and L shrugged.
"It most likely isn't good for them either, but for some reason I had to do it. I don't recall ever doing anything like this," he sighed and turned to face Light replacing his bag of goodies into his pocket. "Let me see that hateful picture so I can get it over with." Light grinned and handed him the picture.
"It really is a fun picture Ryuzaki, it isn't as horrible as you're making it out to be." He said as L looked it over. As he suspected, he looked as if he wanted to run, while Cinderella and Light smiled beautifully for the camera; Light's smile a little wicked than it should have been, as he knew he was holding L in place. He sighed and handed it back to Light, turned and headed for the castle again.
"I thought I might have it blown up and maybe put over the bar!" Light said as he put it into his pocket. L stopped and turned, his glare not amused.
"That thought will get you locked out of the apartment," he said and turned back around. Light laughed and sprinted to catch up with him. When he got next to him, he leaned over and whispered into the ear hidden by the hair.
"You know you can't live without me," he said and L snorted.
"Perhaps, but I would keep it to myself," he answered making Light laugh again.
"Come on, your 3D ride is right over here," he said pointing towards the left as they emerged from under the castle. They walked over and got into the long line, L checking out the décor of the building that looked as if it was an offshoot from the castle itself. Once again he found himself surrounded by various versions of mouse ears not only being worn by children, but by many adults as well.
"Do they get some kind of discount if they are wearing mouse ears?" he asked Light who chuckled at the idea.
"No, they're doing it simply because they want to," he leaned closer to L and wiggled his eyebrows, "Makes them one with the mouse." He said and then laughed at the look on L's face. He looked at how long the line was in front of them and then looked at the Fast Pass Machines.
"Look, why don't we get out of line, get a couple of fast passes for a later time so we don't have to wait in the sun right now. I don't remember seeing you put on any sunscreen and I can get you the chocolate covered banana I promised before coming back." L thought a moment and nodded his agreement, following Light over to the machines and getting their pass for a time about thirty minutes away.
"Does this mean we don't have to wait in line?" he asked and Light nodded.
"Not a long one anyway, I read about this on the way back from the market. I'm surprised more people don't use it."
"If they did then it would only create another long line and thereby rending it useless," L answered and looked around, "You promised me chocolate." He said and Light rolled his eyes.
"Okay, come on," he said looking for the nearest ice cream vendor.
Twenty minutes later they were walking back to the attraction, L happily halfway through the chocolate covered banana Light had purchased.
"I don't know why I have not thought of this before," he said as he swallowed a bite, "I love chocolate covered strawberries so it is only logical I would enjoy this."
"I knew you would enjoy it," Light said finishing off the drink he had purchased for himself. He stopped drinking as he watched L practically inhale the rest of the banana and then handed him the stick it had been on.
"That was quite good, come it is our ticket time," L said and walked towards the attraction. Light rolled his eyes and disposed of the stick and empty drink container in the nearest receptacle and ran to catch up with him.
They gathered inside the building after receiving their 3D glasses which L studied deeply as they stood in front of a series of doors with the rest of the waiting audience. Light had to laugh at L as they were subjected to the voices of the characters, as they were apparently getting ready for the show. Suddenly the doors opened and they all walked into, to L's great surprise, a huge theatre with what appeared to be very comfortable seats and a huge curtained stage in front. He looked back out of the door and back in front of him in confusion, the building certainly didn't look it held an area this large inside. He had put on the glasses ahead of time and stumbled as he misjudged how close he was to the seats. Light grabbed his arm to help him and then laughed when he realized he'd already put on the glasses.
"Fool," he said as he took them off, "Don't put these on until the show starts no wonder you stumbled." L pouted at him as he took a seat and snatched the glasses back from him.
"You needn't be insulting, how was I to know that this wasn't part of the experience?" he defended which only made Light laugh.
"Yes, sitting down in 3D could be exciting," he said and L huffed at him turning away from him and stared at the stage in front of him. The red curtain was bathed in light and had a gold frame around it that had instruments in relief all along it. Suddenly Mickey Mouse was introduced by who could only have been Minnie Mouse and the theatre erupted in applause and screams causing L's thumb to come to his mouth as he studied the audience around him. Mickey came out carrying a large blue wizard hat, placed it on the stage and ran back out to get other things ready warning Donald to get the instruments up and ready and not to touch his hat. Of course, once the instruments were done the first thing he did was touch the hat. Upon putting it on all the instruments came alive and Donald began a fight with a flute which gave L his first experience with 3D as the duck threw the flute away from him and it came flying into the audience and seemingly stopped directly in front of his face, spinning around and around. He heard Light laugh next to him and watched as others in the audience ducked or reached for it. It went spinning back to the stage and suddenly all of the instruments began flying towards the audience and then sucking Donald into a vortex out of which he kept reaching towards the audience for help. L continued to watch the audience as members reached out their arms as if they really could help the hapless duck, and was surprised when he himself leaned further back away from the reaching hands.
After an explosion the duck found himself being sung to by a living candlestick with a French accent and dancing dishes inviting him to be their guests. As the various dishes of food seemed to practically land in his lap and then he was aware of the aroma. He turned to Light in surprise.
"Have I gone insane or do you also smell the food?" he asked and Light nodded.
"Yes, I smell it too, that's pretty amazing!" he answered and L turned back to the screen. As the food and the candlestick continued to sing, Donald running around trying to retrieve the hat, suddenly champagne bottles appeared and just as suddenly the corks flew out towards the audience, seemingly flying past his head and he could feel the rush of air as they flew by and on top of that he felt the spray of the champagne. He turned again to Light who was looking back at him and like the rest of the audience completely surprised by what was happening.
The next sequence involved marching mops that threw water at Donald and of course the audience had to share in that experience as well as water droplets splashed on them as the mops went by. As a rather large mop threw two large buckets of water on Donald, the audience got it as well and suddenly the scene on the screen was underwater. He watched as a red haired mermaid sang about her world, and all of the items around her swirled around and hovered over the audience and he had to remember that he couldn't actually reach out and touch them. He looked around and noticed that many in the audience were trying as well and he had to smile.
He continued to watch and marvel at the effects as the duck went through several more scenes that were obviously from movies he had not yet seen, a lion cub who couldn't wait to be king, a tiny fairy that led them to children flying through the clouds that seemed to cover him as he watched; then a couple who appeared to be straight out of the Arabian Nights tale riding on a magic carpet high above the city who at one point appeared to be sitting directly over him and as the girl waved practically everyone around him waved back. The duck then began to get sucked up in yet another vortex, which had been started by Mickey to get him back. After a stern look Mickey begins the concert and the instruments moving, Donald falls into a tuba, which blows him out and above the audience. The curtains closed, the lights came up and there was thundering applause from the audience. Light touched L's shoulder and pointed behind him and there on the wall was the back end of Donald who had obviously crashed into it, his legs wiggling as he continued to yell his displeasure.
They got up and made their way across the room and out of the doors, dropping their 3D glasses in the appropriate container beyond the doors. Light waited until they were outside and into the gift shop before he asked L what he thought of the show.
"Well? What did you think of your first 3D experience? I thought it was well done." He started and L stopped a moment and then nodded.
"I think the effects were quite enjoyable, but did you notice that the rodent had the ultimate power even there?" he asked and Light had to laugh.
"It's his park after all. Honestly, what is it that you have against Mickey Mouse?" he asked
"Nothing, I have nothing against him. It is simply interesting to me how much power a cartoon character has over people. We should bring something home for the boys," he added looking around the gift shop.
"Definitely, but I don't think they're going to want anything here," Light said looking around and L nodded his agreement.
"I agree, but keep your eyes open for interesting things," they walked out of the shop and L began to look around, "I wish to have another chocolate banana." He stated simply and Light chuckled.
"Okay, and then what? Perhaps "It's a Small World?" L stared at him.
"I thought you loved me." He said simply making Light laugh.
"Oh, I see you HAVE been reading the brochures. Okay, no then."
"You would have taken me on that ride had I not known what it was about, am I correct?" Light shrugged.
"Maybe. I'm sure your reaction would have been priceless!" he said and L walked away from him.
"I have half a mind to take back my surprise for dinner," he said and Light laughed again as he caught up with him.
"But you won't because you're having too much holding it over me," he said and L turned and gave him an almost evil grin.
"This is also correct," he said and then sighed, "I cannot believe you were even thinking of trapping me on a boat with singing dolls." He added and Light laughed again as he led him to the vendor for another banana.
After getting him another chocolate covered banana, Light led him to Adventureland and the Pirates of Caribbean ride.
"This particular ride I remember seeing when I was a child," Light said excitedly, "And I remember really being amazed at the animatronics then, I can only imagine they're better now." L stopped a moment.
"Animatronics? Light don't tell me…" Light held up his hand.
"Before you get started they are not silly cartoonish animals or overly cute dolls. I'm sure even you will enjoy this." He said and led L to the line which wasn't as long as it normally would be as there was about to be a parade. "After this I think there is one more ride I wish to try with you and then if you said reservations are at 8:30 we should get going to wherever it is we're going." L nodded and smiled, he knew Light would love what he had in mind.
They finally made their way to the front of a Spanish themed fort, in front of which was a huge ship's mast with the ride's name written on a sail and a skeletal pirate in the crow's nest above it. L smiled at the skeleton and turned back to Light.
"This does look as if it will be interesting at least," he said as they got into the line. Luckily most of the line was inside the fort, and they walked past canons and storerooms; stone walls and equipment that one would expect to find in an old time fort. Once again L found himself surprised at the incredible detail in the pre-ride area.
They soon found themselves at the loading area, and L was surprised to find they were about to get on a boat. He looked at Light who only smiled at him as they waited for their turn to get on.
When it was finally their turn, it was his turn to be amused as Light looked annoyed, as the seats appeared to be damp, which could only mean one thing.
"There must be a point where we get splashed, that should be interesting!" L teased and delighted when Light looked worried.
They got in and the ride began quietly, the boat moving along in the water rather slowly and uneventful as they rode in almost pitch-blackness. They heard the sound of a waterfall and as the boat turn slightly they saw the waterfall ahead of them…and on the water itself a projection of a pirate whose beard appeared to be alarmingly made of tentacles. L stared at Light for an explanation and Light only shrugged, as he didn't know what it was either. The heard some of the younger passengers screech as the boat went under the waterfall, which meant they got distressingly closer to the pirate until they went under it.
Immediately beyond that waterfall it was clear they were going through a pirate cave, and the next sight for them were the skeletal remains of a pirate with a sword through his chest as he leaned against the wall beyond an obvious digging spot, the incredibly creepy voice that had begun at the beginning of the ride, saying "Dead Men Tell No Tales" over and over as they rode by. L turned to Light again, his thumb at his lips.
"This is rather dark for a family ride is it not?" he asked and Light nodded his agreement.
"Makes it more interesting doesn't it?" he said and L agreed and looked around at the other occupants in the boat; noting that smaller children, especially the boys, didn't look particularly frightened at the sight, which surprised him. He put it in the back of his mind to try to research as to why.
The next thing they saw made L's eyes widen in surprise at the sheer epicness of the scene before him. In between flashes of lightening he could see what was left of a wrecked ship, hearing the booming thunder of the storm that probably destroyed it. At the wheel, most likely steering it into hell, was another skeletal pirate, what was left of its tattered clothing blowing in the wind around his bones.
Before he could comment the boat began to move a little faster and in the complete blackness he could see nothing. The eerie voice warned the passengers that there were rough seas ahead, and suddenly, without warning, the boat careened downward at an alarming speed. A smile spread across L's face as the boat slammed into the water at the end of the dive, water splashing up and into the boat…and onto Light. He laughed as he heard Light swear quietly beside him.
Before he could make comment, the boat moved in an area that once again surprised him. Before them was what appeared to them to be a full sized pirate ship, guns a blazing from inside at the fort across the water from them. L looked to the fort, seeing their canons also blazing at the ship. All around them it appeared canon balls were slamming into the water, the spray flying up and into the boat, but Light was so amazed at the sight he didn't even seem to notice that he was getting splashed on yet again. L looked up into what appeared to be a perfect night sky, the stars above weaving in and out of small wispy clouds. There was nothing he could see that let him know that he was not really in the middle of a pirate fight.
The boat continued to move past the ship with it's captain taunting the fort, and they found themselves riding through the town that the pirates were currently looting. He heard a song start up about a pirate's life as they went through the town. Light looked to L to see if he was enjoying it and knew he was by the intense look on his face, his thumb at his mouth and his large eyes going back and forth at all that was going on and he smiled, reaching down into the boat to grab L's free hand and squeeze it. L squeezed back, but then immediately turned his focus back on what was going on around him.
There were all kinds of scenes of pirate naughtiness, dunking a man into a well to get information while his wife screams at him to keep quiet and not be a chicken, an auction of the town's women, all of which look terrified except one rather exuberant red head who seemed more eager than normal to be auctioned, buildings were on fire, pirates chasing and being chased, and as they passed under a bridge on which a rather drunk pirate was hanging over, L had to marvel at the leg that was hanging over them…it even had real looking hair and a very dirty foot.
They both enjoyed the real movements of the figures and for a moment completely forgot they weren't real as they searched for someone named Jack Sparrow who they assumed was the pirate that kept peeking from behind things, and out of barrels. Light laughed out loud at the few pirates who had been captured and thrown in jail as they tried to entice a dog to come to them as it had the keys in its mouth. As they went past that scene they came across the pirate they seemed to all be looking for, sitting in an ornate chair, a goblet in his hand and all the spoils around him. He rocked in the chair, gesturing with his hands at all the goodies around him, offering a portion of it to those going by in the boat. L was surprised that he felt disappointment that the ride was over after that scene as he saw the loading station directly in front of them.
"You have to admit that was pretty amazing," Light said to him as they walked through the fort again on the way out and L nodded.
"I have to tell you that while we were in between the fort and the pirate ship, I found myself searching for an air vent to prove to myself that we weren't really outside!" Light looked at L in surprise and began to laugh. L stared at him for a moment and then a smile found his own face as he thought about how ridiculous that must have sounded.
As they made their way through the obligatory after ride gift shop, Light looked at his watch and whistled.
"The other ride I wanted to get on will have to wait for another time if we're going to get to wherever it is we're going by 8:30." He said and L nodded
"Let us make our way back to the Monorails," he said and headed in that direction.
When they arrived he looked up at the signs again and headed for the one that was destined to arrive at the Grand Floridian and headed in that direction.
"What's the Grand Floridian?" Light asked following.
"Apparently it is another resort hotel, but we are not going to the hotel," L answered as the Monorail began to arrive in front of them. They got on and sat down, L sitting closest to the window so he could look out.
"Are you going to give me any idea of where we're going?" Light asked impatiently and L shook his head.
"You never gave me a hint, why should I make it easier on you?" he asked and looked back out of the window as more passengers came on.
In a few minutes the doors slid shut, and an announcement came on welcoming the passengers on and telling their destination as the monorail smoothly took off. L watched as they seemed to glide across the track, over the lake and towards another building where the track actually went through the building. It was announced that they were about to go through the contemporary resort and to play close attention to the multicolor mosaic on the walls. L did and studied the walls as they whizzed past, noting that he'd like to come back and really take the time to really study it. The monorail came to a stop to allow passengers to get off and a few to get on and very quickly got on it's way again.
"So what do you think about the monorail?" Light asked him and L nodded his approval.
"It is sad that the real world cannot build something such as this, it is an enjoyable way to travel," he said not taking his eyes from the window.
"It would end up being like the subways, people pushing and shoving each other to get on. I'm sure it wouldn't be half as pleasant as it is here," Light told him and L sighed his agreement.
Less than five minutes later they were pulling into the station of the Grand Floridian. As they walked out, Light whistled as he stared at the opulent looking resort.
"Perhaps I should have picked this one to stay at, it seems more like the hotels you're used to staying in," he said as they walked towards it and L shook is head.
"I am quite happy with where you chose for us to stay; I would not have the balcony and animals had you chose this one. I've stayed at the richest hotels around the world and all I ever saw out of the windows was the city outside, or the grounds of the hotel. Where we are I see all manner of animals and a sunrise and a sunset that is beyond compare." He told him and smiled at Light.
"You could not have picked better for me," he pointed ahead of him, "The only thing that his resort has that we don't is an area for boating." He said as he looked around and saw just what he was looking for. Light looked slightly confused but followed him anyway until he came to a stop in front of a very impressive looking yacht.
"I am Ryuzaki Rue and have hired your yacht for the evening," he told the man standing in front of the yacht who checked his paperwork and nodded.
"Welcome aboard Mr. Rue, I hope you enjoy your cruise." He said and gestured towards the ship. L turned to look at Light who stood open mouthed staring at the yacht.
"Are you serious?" he asked and L smiled at him.
"We will cruise around the area, have dinner and watch the fireworks from the deck," he said as he walked onto the yacht, "Are you happy with my choice?"
"Happy? This is brilliant? What is it 45 feet?" Light asked as they got onboard.
"52 and has everything we could possibly want, including a butler." He said as a properly clad man met them at the top.
"Welcome to the Grand 1, gentlemen. May I escort you down to the main lounge where you can begin your evening with wine and hors devours?" he asked.
"That's a great way to start," Light answered and he grabbed L's hand, not caring whether it was seen and began to follow the butler to the stairs that led down into the cabin.