Pretty sure you'll like this chapter ;)

Ily

Have to dash!

~Nobody's POV~

"What should we do now?" Angelique asks as they walk out from the exit of Big Thunder Mountain. Thea looks thrilled, her eyes lit up from the exhilaration of the roller coaster. Videl looks rather bored, but even he doesn't look quite so cranky anymore.

"I don't know what there is to do," replies Thea honestly.

"Well lucky us, I got a map earlier," says Angelique cheerfully, pulling out a colorful Magic Kingdom map from her purse. She unfolds it, and Videl and Thea crowd on either side of her, trying to look.

"We're here," says Angelique, pointing to the left-side of the park, at the area labeled "Frontierland". "Is there anything over here we should do?"

"I suggest we go back to the room," says Videl, leaning away from them and crossing his arms moodily.

"You don't mean that," says Thea.

"Yes I do," retorts Videl, who doesn't.

"Okay," says Thea, "Well, you're not helping any."

"Haunted Mansion," says Videl, who hasn't even looked at the map for more than ten seconds. "See if you're on your high horse then, idiot."

"What?" squawks Angelique.

"You heard me," says Videl.

"Ah, I'm not sure that's a good idea," says Angelique, glancing at Thea, who has fallen silent. "Thea, we can do something else, since-"

Thea glances up at Videl. He regards her with a dare in his amber, glittering eyes, and one side of his mouth twitches. "It's okay," she says, in a convincing voice, giving Videl an impish look, "This'll be fun! And Videl will get scared twice as much as me, so I'm all for it."

"Videl," says Angelique firmly, "Can I have a word with you?"

Videl raises an eyebrow and then meanders over to Angelique. He pulls him by the elbow to a spot several feet from Thea, near where a flock of seagulls is squawking over a dropped turkey leg. Angelique notices that Videl positions himself so that, although still moody, he can still see Thea, who looks half-confused, half-annoyed, her thin arms crossed just like Videl's.

"What are you thinking?" demands Angelique, "Thea has been having bad dreams as it is, barely sleeping, apparently, and now you want to take her into a haunted house?"

"In my great defense," says Videl, "I didn't think she would actually say yes."

"Well, she's Thea, of course she did, and-"

"This is a children's park. It's not going to terrify her out of her mind," says Videl.

"We don't know that! For goodness sake, she's already seen someone die in front of her! Multiple people! Do you even know what a haunted house is?"

"Of course I do," replies Videl, "I'm not stupid."

"Well you don't act like it," retorts Angelique. "Now you better make it clear to Thea that she doesn't need to go on this ride right this instant."

"So controlling," smirks Videl, "I like it."

She smacks his arm, and then pushes him over to where Thea is waiting for them, running her sneaker over the ground absentmindedly.

"The answer is yes," says Thea, before Videl can open his mouth.

"I'm sorry?" asks Videl.

"Yes, we are still going on the Haunted Mansion," says Thea.

"Um," says Angelique as Videl looks at her with a triumphant "I-told-you-so" look, "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," says Thea steadfastly, "Do you really think this'll scare me? I've seen worse."

"But Thea," says Angelique pleadingly, "I don't think this is necessary. I mean, you could-"

"Angelique," says Thea, "I'm fourteen, not four, and-"

"Really?" inquires Videl, "I thought you were four."

Thea ignores him, "I'll be fine."

"Well," says Angelique, twisting the strap of her purse, "If you really think so..."

"I do." says Thea firmly.

"Excellent," says Videl, "Now let's hurry up, because this is absolutely the last ride I will be going on for the night."

"You say that now," says Thea as they begin to walk back up through Frontierland, "But I don't think you mean it."

"You just wait and see," says Videl.

It's about nine-thirty by the time the three of them approach Liberty Square, where the Haunted Mansion is located. The actual Mansion is located in the left-hand corner, overlooking the large river spanning between Frontierland and Liberty Square. It's a brick structure, with towering chimneys and an iron gate. In the dark, there are foreboding lights illuminating the intricate brick of the house, so that it almost looks cast over by gray lace. Spooky sounds emanate from the Mansion, including the howling of some distant werewolf or wayward spirit.

"Hold on," says Videl, taking one look at the Mansion. He takes Thea's arm and pulls her away from Angelique, then says, "Thea, you don't need to do this if you don't want to. I didn't realize that it looked so much...it looks like Neidra's place, and-"

"First of all," says Thea, "You're being ridiculously creepy, trying to care this much. Second of all, it doesn't look much like Neidra's mansion, unless you count the scary part of it. I'm literally fine. I've been in haunted houses since I was seven years old."

Videl snorts, "Fine, but don't come crying to me afterwards."

"Same to you," says Thea.

"All right," says Videl, striding forward, towards the sign that marks the Fastpass line, "Let's get this over with."

Thea follows him, with Angelique trailing behind them, humming to herself. After Videl gets past the Fastpass guard, the three of them walk under the striped overpass, towards the actual Mansion. Eventually, the line dumps out to mingle with the regular line, and just before the doors to the Mansion, there is a graveyard that they walk through.

"Look at that," says Thea, pointing to a hearse, "There's no horse."

"Or," says Videl, "The horse is invisible."

"Or it's a ghost horse," says Thea.

"Or, it's pretend, and doesn't matter," says Angelique in a snappy voice.

Videl and Thea exchange surprised looks, and then look back at Angelique. The young woman is standing very still, her face upturned to the Mansion as if rather wishing it weren't there. Her eyes are taught.

"Angelique," says Thea, trying to figure out how to put this question, "Um, are you okay?"

"Yes," says Angelique shortly, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"No reason," Thea squeaks. Angelique had never snapped at her before.

Videl looks like he wants to say something, but the trio is pushed forward by the impatient quests behind them. Thea puts her arm through Angelique's as they continue to walk through the graveyard, which is complete with mist swirling around on the ground. At one point, they reach a large crypt that is distinguished by two greenish fish bordering the sides, and by, more creepily, a green statue-figure positioned so that he appears to have been sitting partially in a bathtub- only his feet, his hands, and his hat is visible.

Thea points to the inscription on the crypt, "'Here floats Captain Culpepper Clyne. Allergic to dirt so he's pickled to brine, he braved the sea and all her wrath, but drowned on land while taking a bath.'" Thea coughs back her laughter, "Come on, Angelique, you can't deny that it's a little bit funny."

Angelique smiles, and even Videl looks like he is trying not to laugh as she says, "Just because it's funny doesn't mean much to me."

Thea runs forward, and reads out loud another inscription, "'A composer of note and renown here reposes, his melodies fade as he decomposes,"' Thea looks up, a silly grin on her face.

Videl chuckles. "These are ridiculous."

"Yes they are," agrees Angelique.

Thea crosses her arms stubbornly, and then darts off to read another, "'Here lies good old Fred. A great big rock fell on his head.'"

Videl chokes, and Angelique presses her lips together, although it's fairly clear she's again attempting to not laugh.

"I found one," says Videl, and, leaning over to see another inscription on another grave, reads theatrically, "'Dear departed Brother Dave, he chased a bear into a cave.'" He raises an eyebrow at Thea, "Stupid Dave."

She sticks her tongue out at him.

At this point, they have reached the entrance to the actual Mansion, and at the request of a shouting attendant, they turn left, into a low-lit, octagon-shaped chamber, with striped walls. It's a bit crowded, and Thea finds herself squished between Videl and Angelique.

"Welcome, foolish mortals," intones a deep voice from somewhere inside the chamber, echoing loudly, "To the Haunted Mansion!"

"Oh dear God," whispers Angelique. Videl is regarding her with mixed confusion and concern, his eyes drawn.

The voice continues to introduce himself as their "Ghost Host" (Videl snorts derisively at this). People are still chattering, as they are pushed into the chamber, a bit like sardines. There are four portraits at the top of the room: a young woman holding a parasol, a bearded, middle-aged man, a smiling elderly woman who looks quite conceited, and another, confident-looking middle-aged man.

"Is this haunted room actually stretching...?" their dark Host continues, "Or is it your imagination, hmmm?"

Sure enough, the walls above them and around them appear to be stretching creakily.

"And consider this dismaying observation!" the voice continues, "This chamber has no windows...and no doors!"

Angelique closes her eyes and continues to hum to herself.

The "Ghost Host" laughs, "Which offers this chilling challenge! To find...a way out!"

By now, the portraits have stretched too, and Thea begins to laugh. The young woman is now on a tightrope, above the jaws of an alligator. The bearded man is in his boxer shorts, on top of a barrel of dynamite. The elderly woman is holding a rose over her late husband's grave, a stone bust with an ax in his head. The confident man is sitting on the shoulders of a man, who is sitting on the shoulders of another man, who is looking down at the quicksand in horror.

Angelique's mouth is twisted, half-smiling, half-trembling.

"Of course...there's always my way..."

The light suddenly go out, and in a thunder-and-lightning clap, the three look up to see the shadow of a corpse hanging from a noose, swaying from the ceiling. A piercing scream cuts through the air, and the sound of bones breaking vibrates through the chamber.

Angelique screams softly, and when the lights come back on, she is clutching somebody's hand. Videl's. Videl looks down at her, but doesn't pull his hand from hers, just wraps his fingers around her tightly.

The Ghost Host (as well as several harried-looking assistants) urges them to walk forward out of the chamber. "Apparently," observes Thea, who has also observed the fact that Videl and Angelique are holding hands, but hasn't brought it, "There was a door."

They approach a long track of ride vehicles that continue to loop around out of the darkness, past the brick wall in front of them, lit up by torches (some of the torches are held with what look like human hands).

Angelique immediately spots the problem, "These things are made for two people. There are three of us. How are we-"

"You two go together," says Thea, "I'll go by myself."

"NO." says Angelique, "That's-"

"Too late!" says Thea cheerfully, jumping onto one of the "Doom Buggies". Angelique isn't quick enough to board with her, so she groans, then allows Videl to pull her onto the vehicle behind Thea.

The actual ride is smooth and slow, which calms Angelique slightly... at least until the vehicles begin to move down a corridor filled with swinging chandeliers and haunting green colors.

"You could have mentioned that it was you who was scared," says Videl over the music of an organ.

"I'm not scared," says Angelique, and then promptly jumps at a rickety sound from next to them.

"You see, when I say I'm not scared, I'm not actually scared," says Videl, "But when you do, you're lying. And people say I'm the distrusting one."

"Sorry," says Angelique crankily. She's looking forward with her eyes half-shut. "Just keep talking, you know, distract me."

"You did not ask me to just do that," says Videl in a low voice, "Because if you did, you are going to regret it. Or maybe you won't."

"Uh," says Angelique, but then shuts up when Videl puts his hand on Angelique's cheek. She feels her heart begin to beat faster, and then his fingers move down to her neck, stopping where her pulse is thumping. He looks at her, and Angelique is surprised to see his eyes darkened. Something begins to course through her, something fiery, something burning, something desperate. Her breath begins to come quicker, and Videl smirks slightly.

Angelique's mouth opens slightly, and her eyes flutter as Videl bends down slightly, so that his lips now touch the pulsating spot on her neck. His lips are warm and alive, sucking gently at her sensitive skin. He sits back up, and Angelique, swallowing hard, looks down, but then, Videl raises her chin so that she's looking into his amber eyes. He leans forward, and Angelique can feel the soft tickle of his breathing on her face. His lips open slightly, so close to hers.

A shrieking sound comes from around them, and the two jump apart as green-hued ghosts begin to fly around them, dancing in a ballroom, flying up and around candelabras.

Angelique turns away, her face flushing, scarcely noticing the creepiness of the ghosts as the vehicle begins to move upwards.

And then, Videl loops his arm around her waist and pulls her close to him, enveloping his lips on hers.

She gasps slightly, and she feels Videl's smirk again on her lips. He bites down on her ever so gently, as if afraid of hurting her, teasing her by pulling on the lobe of her lip. She clenches her fists on the seat of the ride vehicle as his hands circle around her waist, resting on her hip bones as he deepens the kiss. He is pure fire, and Angelique is at his mercy, but willingly. Her hands trail up to run through his curls, soft and fine between her fingers.

He breaks away from her at last. Both of them are breathing hard, and he moves his fingers over her cheeks, then over her shining lips, thrown into a greenish light from the ride.

"'You have witchcraft in your lips,'" murmurs Videl.

His finger still on her, Angelique swallows, and then says, "Henry V? Really? I didn't know you read Shakespeare."

"How else could I have gotten so romantic?" he inquires, smiling down at her. From the lights around them, he is illuminated so that half of his face is cast in light and sharpness, and the other half is shrouded in darkness and shadow.

"Rotten luck," suggests Angelique.

"Mmm," says Videl.

"I have literally known you for two days. And you just kissed me," says Angelique, not sure how to feel about this, but not sure if she really cares.

"Yes," says Videl, definitely not caring. He tilts her chin up again, "And I'm about to do it again."

*

Thea meets them at the exit of the ride, grinning. "Well that was cool! And see, Videl, I wasn't scared."

"Congratulations," says Videl. His hair is tousled and his eyes alive, "I can now continue to not care."

Thea is looking in between Videl and Angelique. They are both flushed ever so slightly, and they are still holding hands.

"What was your favorite part?" Thea asks, "I personally liked the ghost that was riding over the moon. At least, I think it was the moon. Is that what it looked like to you?"

"A bit," says Videl, "Or maybe Swiss cheese."

Thea snorts. "There wasn't a single horse on that ride, Videl, you lying sneak. Maybe get your story right next time you and Angelique decide to make out the entire time."

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