Veiled in White

It's back again, huh?

Yeah. Got everyone real spooked like. Can't even concentrate on workin' right.

These guys seem agitated.

Much like the rest of the village, in fact. The atmosphere here is heavy and nervous.

Something wrong?

Ah, visitors! Listen, maybe you can help.

There's been these...sightings, recently.

Sightings? Of what?

Ghosts, man! Apparitions! What else?

Really?

I know it sounds crazy but it's as real and true as the ground beneath our feet. At first they only came out at night, but...

And now you've sighted them in the daytime too? That is indeed rather rare.

Yeah. How'd you know that? You an expert on the paranormal or something?

You could say that. Or something.

Well, all the better if y'are. Dealing with the supernatural is risky business for laymen like us. Who knows what might go wrong?

What do you think, Toova? Is there anything we can do to help?

Maybe not. But maybe yes.

Waaaaaagh!

Was that a scream just now?

'Course it was! Heavens protect us! Even jus' talkin' about 'em's got 'em showin' up now!

It sounded like it came from outside. Let's investigate.

N-No! Leave me alone! Please!

Is that...a will-o'-wisp?!

Oh, thank heavens! You two! You over there, please! Help me! I'm being set upon by some invisible demon!

Damn it! Toova, can you exorcise this thing? I don't know if my sword will have any effect on it!

Just a moment. I recognize you.

T-Toova?!

By the stars, it IS you!

Wait, what? You know each other?

Well, we know each other too, my boy! You're the young man who helped me gift that ring to Toova!

Wait a second...

Okay, Toova. Would you...take this ring?

You're that old man who was madly in love with Toova?!

Ohoho, stop it! Hearing it said that way makes me blush like a silly schoolgirl! Or it would if I still had a body. But yes, that was me. One day I was living as usual and the next I was attending my own funeral in spirit. Literally!

Really? But you seemed so full of life.

Go figure. Happened in my sleep, it did. Sudden death by snoozing. Hah!

I'm really sorry to hear that. But if you died, how are you still here?

That is what happens when a person dies with an overwhelming regret or unfulfilled wish. Their soul remains here, unable to fully pass on.

So that's why.

Do you have any idea as to what your lingering attachment to this world might be? Any particularly strong motivations or emotions?

Hmm... Good question. Do I? Strong motivations or emotions. Hmmm...

If nothing major stands out, how about something small? And maybe talking about it will help something bigger spring to mind.

Aha! That's it!

When I was alive I dreamed of truly legitimizing my relationship with my first and only love.

I MUST be joined with my beloved Toova in the most sacred and soul-binding of ways!

What the?!

Oh, stop it, you.

Goodness! I don't know what came over me.

You became an evil spirit for a moment. But only a moment. It's fine.

Fine?! How is it fine?!

For now. But if he doesn't pass on to the next life soon, it won't be, that's for sure.

So what do we do?

Most simply, grant him his unfulfilled dying wish.

But that's...

Yes, indeed! My beautiful, beloved Toova...

WILL YOU MARRY ME?!

......

Look, I'm sorry. I know you really wanted that to happen while you were alive, but...

*sigh* I suppose so.

What?!

I-Is that a yes? An affirmative? An "I do"?! To be wedded husband and wife from this day forward?!

Are you sure about this, Toova? I mean, getting married is a pretty big deal and all.

It'll be just a ceremony. Enough to grant his final wish. We won't actually be married.

That makes sense. Okay, I'll help you. What do I need to do?

My word! I never thought this day would come. The day when my sweet Toova and I would wed! I'm so happy I could live another 50 years, I tell you!

Did you seriously just forget that you're already dead?!

Ahhh, I'm so...fulfilled. I feel like... Like I have no more regrets left in this wor...

Oh! Excuse me. I almost passed on to the other side for a second there. Ohohohoho!

I mean, that's exactly what we want to happen, but...

Aw, don't say that, sonny boy! If that'd happened there'd be no wedding! No, I won't shuffle off this mortal coil until the happiest moment of my life is fulfilled!

All right. Whatever you say.

So what are we standing around here for? We've got a wedding ceremony to prepare!

Well, let's get this over with as soon as we can.

Sure. What do we need to get?

The ceremony differs from region to region, but I suppose food and drink is always a common factor.

Good call. I guess we could ask over at the tavern for...

I beg your pardon?! This might be my wedding, but it's also Toova's too! And nothing but the finest cuisine is good enough for my future wife!

O-Oh, I'm sorry. Who should we ask to do the catering, then?

*sigh* Acteul. Let's try there. That's our best bet for finding food to the old man's liking.

Excuse me, sir. We're looking to order some, uh, fine dining. I think. But to go.

No problem. Comin' right up.

Well, old man? Will refreshments from this place do?

I suppose so. After all, the waters of Acteul are clear and fresh, meaning the food and drink here is of excellent taste and hygiene.

Shame you can't have any, huh?

Why not? My gut is in perfectly good health for my age, and with a good pair of dentures I can safely tuck in to pretty much anything!

He's forgotten again, hasn't he?

It doesn't matter. The food is primarily for decoration, not consumption.

Oh, I see. Okay.

I'm getting rather bored waiting on this food. In the meantime let's pick out the beverages we'll have to accompany it.

Here y'are, all nice and wrapped up for you.

What?! What is this garbage?!

What's that? Did either of you two say something just now?

These shelves are lined with nothing but the cheapest of smoothies! How shameful!

There it is again! I swear I just heard somebody talk!

Barkeep? Do you stock any premium smoothie mixes in this establishment?

Funny that y'ask but just last night we had a real big party of smoothie-lovers in here and they drank us clean dry. Be a while before I can get more of the good stuff in. But if ya want' it now, I can give ya the cheap stuff for free to make up for it.

This is unacceptable! Not for the happiest day of my life AND death!

Where the heck is that noise comin' from?!

More importantly, do you have any stock suitable for an important celebration?

It needn't be a premium blend. Perhaps something unusual?

Hold on, lemme think. Well, I guess there's this one type o' smoothie I overheard one of my customers mentionin' yesterday. Could be nothin' more than a tall tale, but he said he found an old bottle in Lake Tiilen. Seemed to be a vintage punch o' sorts but he got chased off by a monster before he could get a better look at it.

Ain't that something!

Well! If a monster's guarding it, it must be some really rare, valuable punch!

We've got to get our hands on it before anyone else does!

But the barkeep said that story might not even be tru...

Who cares?! It might be! And then we'd have the most exquisite of punches at our wedding!

Since we've come this far we may as well take a look.

Well, if you say so, Toova. Next destination, Lake Tiilen!

Are we sure we're not barking up the wrong tree here, Toova?

If we are, it's the same as if we never bothered. Then we'd have to go to Palsifal Palace to acquire a suitably rare or expensive beverage.

You have a point there. Guess we'll have to hope and pray that this story about an old, washed up bottle of punch is true.

Look! Over there! I think I see something!

Hey!

We'll have to go after him.

Whuh huh huh! Every now and then a bath in water instead of lava really hits the spot!

Hey, I swear I've seen that thing somewhere before...

Is that Lord Ukulele? Then that monster...

Oh, it's a friend of yours? Perfect.

Excuse me, my good man. Hand over the punch 'fore ya get hurt!

Damn it, Old Man! What the heck are you...

Whuh? What are you doing here, puny humans? Come to steal the great Lord Ukulele's precious punch, have you?! Villains!

No, you've got it all, actually, yes, we have.

AHHH! I remember you! You're the fiend who assaulted me to get your hands on my precious, precious Mirth Punch!

Aah, I get it now! You're here to take all my Mirth Punch again, just like last time!

Assaulted you? Hey, you attacked us first!

Hey, you attacked us first!

You won't get your filthy hands on it this time! This punch is my precious! And it's mine! All mine!

Very well. Prepare yourself, creature!

Whuuuuuuh! Enough! Enough! Spare me, please!

Fine, take the stupid punch! Just leave me alone, huh huh huh!

Now we can put on the wedding.

Yes! YES! This is it! I simply can't wait! I'll go ahead before I spontaneously combust out of excitement, okay? See you there, my love!

Wow. I've never seen a disembodied soul so fired up.

None of this making you uncomfortable, Toova?

No. It'll be over when he finally passes on. Like I said, as much as he goes on about getting married, the wedding isn't real. It's just a pretend one.

Sure, I get it. But say something if it gets too much at any point, okay?

*giggle* It won't. All that's left is to assemble the props and commence the fake wedding ceremony. Not long to go now.

Yeah, I guess so.

But your concern is nonetheless appreciated.

So, without further ado, let's follow the old man's spirit back to Ratle.

Aldo, would you go ahead of me and find out where our groom is now? I should think he's somewhere in the vicinity of the village altar.

Sure. You're not coming with?

There's yet work for me to do.

Uh, there is?

Well, all right, then. I'll see you later.

Ah, yes. What better location to tie the knot than right in front of the village's altar? None, that's what! Ohoho!

Sorry to have kept you waiting. Those preparations took longer than expected.

What were you doing?

Asking the villagers not to leave their residences for the duration of the ceremony.

Oh? Why'd you do that?

Wouldn't the old man feel more fulfilled or whatever with lots of attendees at the wedding?

And how do you think the villagers would react to seeing the walking dead? Let alone a wedding for the undead?

Not well. But I've thought of that.

You make a good point there, Toova. Okay, is everything ready now? What do we do next?

Let's see. Place the punch and food at the altar, if you would, Aldo.

Like this?

Yes! Very well done, sonny boy.

That's your part done. Now it's my turn. Come out now, please.

GYAAAAAAH! Wh-Wh-What are these terrible apparitions?! Ghosts?!

Really, Old Man? Take a long look at yourself!

Now then, bestow our groom with a more befitting form for the moment.

My hands! And legs! I have them again! I can't believe it!

Whoa, he looks just like he did when he was still alive! Except a little more see-through.

True.

Now, then. The costume, please.

Huh? What do you need a costume fo...

By the stars...! I KNEW when I first laid eyes on you that you were more goddess than mortal woman!

Hardly.

You went to all this trouble picking out a special dress to wear for me? I-I'm speechless! This is every man's dream!

To be honest, I'm wearing this dress more for the ceremony's sake than yours. But if it makes you happy to think so, then please do.

I must be the luckiest man in the world to get to see my beautiful Toova all dressed up to the nines like this. And just for me...

Ack! Whoo, boy! Almost floated away there for a minute. Ohoho!

Oh, come on! After all the hassle we went through setting up this wedding at least stick around long enough to see it through!

That should be everything. We can start the wedding now.

I, Toova, do solemnly swear to send this wayward spirit on its rightful way...

Grooooooaaan...!

What was that?

Zombies?! What are they doing here in the middle of the village?!

It's all right, Aldo. A rite like this naturally attracts the walking dead.

I told you, didn't I? That this would be a wedding FOR them. The undead.

But we can't just have them roaming around here freely. We've gotta take them out before someone gets hurt!

They'll just be replaced by more.

Listen, all of you. Those who would disturb this happy celebration will be removed without mercy. Those who would join us may stay.

So, wandering spirits...dance for us!

I'm not sure I'd call that dancing, but...

Thank you, thank you! Yes, we will be holding a wedding reception afterwards too.

I see why you didn't want the villagers here.

Yes, the whole village would be thrown into a frenzied panic if they were.

Oh, how nice! Everyone appears to be enjoying themselves heartily.

(You most of all, Old Man.)

The dead share a common taste in these sorts of things. It's no surprise.

My dear Toova, there simply aren't enough words in the human language to express how happy I feel to be here with you right now. Thank you for allowing me to have your hand in marriage.

When I was still but a boy, I dreamed that one day I would experience a moment like this. When I saw you for the first time I was instantly reminded of those youthful daydreams.

To see them fulfilled now is just so... Fulfilling... Oh...

Go, now, you have nothing else left for this world anymore.

Thank you...Toov...

Old Man...rest in peace, wherever you are.

Oh, not yet, I won't! These old, phantasmal bones o' mine've still got a lotta life left in 'em!

Give me a break already!

Well, if I don't stay, how else am I gonna enjoy married life with my lovely wife?

And I reckon that'll take another THREE lifetimes!

Damn it! Is he transforming into a malicious spirit for real this time?

Oh, dear. This is a strong lingering attachment. I appreciate the sincerity of your feelings, but...

Now then, Toova, let us leave this place and spend the rest of forever together!

I'm sorry, I can't. She's already on her way to pick you up.

Huh?

Old Man...

WHAT?! Old Woman?!

You're gonna have a lot of explaining to do when we get to the other side, buster!

I-It's not what it looks like! I promise! I swear, it was only a moment of weakne...

Nooooooooo! My lovely Toovaaaaaa...!

He... He was married the whole time?

Mm-hmm. Looks like that's that...

That was quite the experience, huh? Running back and forth looking for decent food and trying to keep that Old Man from turning into a demonic poltergeist.

Although as difficult as it was I can't help but feel like it went more smoothly than it should. I mean, you even had a dress ready.

Well, that's because... Whether I like it or not I've had to do this innumerable times.

Wait, what? You have?

This isn't the first wedding you've had?!

For some reason or another I seem to be somewhat popular amongst the deceased. Perhaps my being half dead makes me seem relatable to them. I don't know.

Hey, I'm sure that's not just it.

I had this dress made some time ago just to help send off those will-o'-the-wisps whose desire to marry me kept them here. Ironically, it's more of a mourning garb than a wedding dress. Sad, isn't it?

Yeah, I guess it is.

But if it helped people like that old man find happiness, it's not all bad, right? Plus you look nice in it.

If you say so. Admittedly, that is nice to hear. I'll keep in on for a little while then.

Why not? Although, I suppose you'd hope that next time you wore it was for a real wedding of your own, huh?

Ideally. But I'd have to find someone who accepts me in spite of my partial death state first.

Don't worry. There's someone out there who will love you all the same, Toova. I'm sure of it.

*giggle* Are you implying that person could be you, Aldo?

Wh-What?! No, that's not what I meant! Seriously!