Moth Cathedral: The New Vegas!?

"The dress is real, the zombies are real, however mind-controlled. The musics, lighting, floral decoration and the make-up on the undead are my own artwork" said the Priest, positioning three candles before the alter. "Anyone able to attune their senses and pierce the illusion would see a rather dark, dank and damp wedding. So, lets all take joy in what we do not see. Its what you get for choosing Halloween of all days to get married." The priest hoped he delivered the humour well, but there was no time to find out. The musicians had arrived.

The lead choir was a woman in a smart blue dress, followed in by a dozen musicians and a handful of choral singers. They took position along the choir stand, ready for the prelude.

"All please be seated" said the Priest, and two groups of dressed-up zombies filled the rear rows of benches, smiling happily among themselves, as though they were genuinely glad to have been invited. "May the groom, his best man and groomsmen stand to position. Choir, the wedding song please, while we wait for the bride."

From their chair near the alter, the zombie-pianist and other musicians began to play. A male zombie-vocalist took the lead and begun to sing, ever so beautifully. All the while, the church readied for the bride's entrance.

He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts.
Rest assured this troubadour is acting on His part.
The union of your spirits, here, has caused Him to remain
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
There is Love. There is Love.

A man shall leave his mother and a woman leave her home
And they shall travel on to where the two shall be as one.
As it was in the beginning is now and til the end
Woman draws her life from man and gives it back again.
And there is Love. There is Love.

Well then what's to be the reason for becoming man and wife?
Is it Love that brings you here or Love that brings you life?
And if loving is the answer, then who's the giving for?
Do you believe in something that you've never seen before?
Oh there's Love, there is Love.

Oh the marriage of your spirits here has caused Him to remain
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
There is Love. There is Love.

<Shrouded in mist, Rachel made herself at home at the back of the cathedral. She kind of hoped Brit and Suzi didn't ask how she'd found them. From close distance, it had been easy. Follow the zombies.>

A set of documents appeared near the Priest's large bible, on the raised pulpit. There was a marriage certificate, register and list of members of the wedding party, coupled with a sheet showing the order of service.

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[u]The Wedding Party[u]

Officiate………………..…… Father Pious Hunter

The Bride…………………….. Suzanne White, also known as the White Vampyr
The Groom ………………….. Eric Mitchell, also known as the valiant Britanic

Maid of Honour……………….. Rachel Mitchell, Adopted Daughter of the Bride and Groom

Best Man……………………... Paul Stone, Close friend of the Groom
Groomsmen……………..……. Bastinado, Leader of the Hyperion Watchmen
………………………………... Dr Edward Mechano, Cathedral Guest of Honour.

Organist………………………. Zombie Horde
Vocalist………………………. Zombie Horde

[u]Order of Service[u]

Introductory Rites
Prelude - "The Wedding Song" by Noel Paul Stookey
Seating of the Families
Greeting from Father Pious Hunter
Entrance of the Bride - "Bridal Chorus" by Wagner
Opening Prayer
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading, Genesis 2:18-24
Hymn – “Love Divine All Love Excelling”
Second Reading, 2 Corinthians 12:31-13:8
Gospel Acclamation, "Celtic Alleluia"
Gospel Reading, Matthew 5:1-12
Marriage Rite
Invitation
Stating Intentions
Exchange of Consent
Blessing and Exchange of Rings
Lighting of the Unity Candle
Hymn - “Ave Maria” by Shubert
Prayer of the Faithful
Nuptial Blessing
Concluding Rites
Signing of the Register and Certificates
Hymn - “Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us”
The Lord's Prayer
Final Blessing
Dismissal and Procession out of the Church
Organ - "Wedding March" by Mendelssohn

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With the congregation settled and members positioned, the Priest politely greeted the church. “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”

Entrance of the Bride

On cue, the incredulously skilled zombie-trumpeter rose to his feet and began to play the Bridal Chorus. In unison, the congregation turned their heads towards the spiral staircase, waiting to see the gorgeous bride descend the steps in all her beauty. The lead vocalist and the church organ snuck in afterwards to support the trumpet with an operatic voice, singing the beautiful lyrics of the hymn faintly and gently.

Here comes the bride,
All dressed in white,
Sweetly, serenely in the soft glowing light.
Lovely to see, marching to thee,
Sweet love united for eternity.

Suzi steeped nervously from the room to the top of the staircase. She had soehow been transformed into a breathtaking vision in a beautiful and full white gown, her hair, still a stunning vibranr red swept up in the fine, silver tiara that held her veil.

A single step behind was the still watchful Bastinado, face impassively masked by the dark glasses, there was still something about his demeanor that seemed somewhat moved by the occassion.

He stepped beside Suzi and took her arm to lead her down the steps instinctively. Of course, he was still who he was, and the shotgum remaned in his other hand. Inwardly he smiled at the idea of playing the role of the father of the bride with a shotgun in hand, but the solemnity of this undoubtedly magical occassion let him keep his dry observation unspoken.

Suzi marched down the stairs in unison with Bastinado, her eyes fixed brightly upon the figures gathered at the altar, especially her husband to be, who looked back at her as awestruck as one of the fans at her gigs.

Suzi wore the amulet that Brit had thrown to her earlier, in the cemetary, as a necklace at her throat, blue crystal sparklin in the artificial sunlight. The amulet was obviously old, her bright red hair was still new. The beautiful gown was borrowed. The crystal of the amulet completed the necessities perfectly.

As Britanic stood at the altar, and stared back at Suzi as she stepped down the stairs, he couldn't believe he'd wasted so much time, and not married her before.

When Suzi suggested they just head off to Vegas, and get wed there, Britanic was dead against the idea. He had always wanted to make sure when he wed Suzi it would be an unforgettable experience, and although this wasn't the fairytale wedding he always envisioned for her, there was no doubt that everybody would remember it.

The only real regret Britanic had was that his friends, and family were not there to witness it. Well except Rachel that is.

He wasnt exactly sure how she got there, but he suspected the young streetwise heroine had probably followed him from Pocket D. Still he figured she could fill in his other adopted daughter Cassidy while she was grounded for the next week.

Still rather than waste anymore thoughts, Britanic started to focus once again on the wedding. To think a few words, me slipping a ring on her finger, and then Suzi will be my wife... he thought to himself.

Britanic's face dropped, and he started to feel sick to his stomach. THE RING!!! Panic started to set in. The problem with off the cuff weddings was you didnt necessarily have everything you needed. In this case it was the wedding ring.

Britanic started to look around him until his eyes fixed on a female zombie member of the choir. Oh my God, I really can't believe im about to do this. Britanic quickly walked over to the Zombie. For some bizarre reason he felt obliged to force a smile, and talk to her as he carefully worked the gold band off her cold hard finger.

"Im really, really sorry about this luv, I just need to borrow this for a little while." The zombie didn't seem to acknowledge him, and continued to sing as he carefully tried to prise her cold dead finger.

Please God, just the ring, not the finger too! he thought as the ring finally slid off. Smiling like a pirate who'd just acquired some valuable plunder, he walked over to Powerstone, and slapped the ring into his hand.

"Now we are ready to get this wedding started."

Edward placed down his shotgun, it was obvious father Michael had the situation under control. He smiled and hummed along to the tune of amazing grace, not wanting to spoil the moment with his awful singing.

"hmm best assume something more wedding like, can't have a big honking demon in ya wedding photos now can we?" shadow tendril wrapped around him, dispersing as he appeared in his human form, "much better.."

Paul looked down at the ring Britanic placed in his hand with amazement. Even the professional tomb-robber and incurable rogue, Sir Lionel, would not ever do something that ... wrong for this situation. Britanic was going to have to learn a lot about romance, even the eternal batchelor mage could see that.

"You really do need a Best Man, don't you, Eric old chap... I am about to save your life" he said in a low tone he hoped would carry no further than his friend.

Powerstone opened his other hand, and resting on his palm was a simple band of white metal, gleaming brightly in the illusory sunlight thast appeared to stream in through the Cathedrals fine windows.

Britanic's mutant eyes could just discern the incredibly discrete pattern that seemed etched within the shining surface - a lion against a rather tribal-paterned gothic rose in the finest delicate detail.

"I had a white gold ring that I use in a protection spell to represent an unbroken circle" The Mage explained quietly with the faintest of smiles. "Adding the etching... well, metal is a mineral of the earth, old boy"

With the faintest hint of merry mischief in his grin, Paul flourished his hand like some stage magician, and Brit saw that there were actually two rings there, one sized for Brit's own larger fingers.

"I am fairly certain that giving your betrothed a ring from a dead woman wouldn't just delight her with your ingenuity, Eric" Paul cautioned as he hid the evidence of the grave-robbery in a pocket until it could be returned to the dead woman after the ceremony.

Britanic chuckled, and then whispered "Still it would of made a great story for the grandchildren oneday, but yes you are probably right. I really wish you had said something while I was trying to get the bloody thing off her finger though, better still before I even tried. Lets just keep this ring business under wraps."

"Unless that veil is solid lead, old boy, I doubt she can have missed your actions right in front of her, but not to worry..." Powerstone whispered, then more loudly, so that it would carry, "Perfect - that let me size the lady's ring splendidly, Eric, thank you"

Opening Prayer

When Pious saw that all was well and organised, the groom and bride stood equally side by side, he stood before them and opened the ceremony with prayer.

“Father, you have made the bond of marriage a holy mystery, a symbol of Christ's love for his Church. Hear our prayers for Eric Mitchell and Susanne White. With faith in you and in each other they pledge their love today. May their lives always bear witness to the reality of that love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.”

“Let us pray. O Almighty God, who pourest out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to thee, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship thee in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

"Eric Mitchell, Suzi White, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit you will go unto the Altar of God, even the God of our joy and gladness. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who has made heaven and earth."

"My brothers, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the Sacred Mysteries let us call to mind our sins." Silence follows a pause, and then the priest continued. "Lord we have sinned against you. Lord show us your mercy and love and grant us your salvation."

"May Almighty God have mercy on us, to forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life. Amen."

"Let us pray. Mercifully regard us O Lord, as we plead the sacrifice of thy Son Jesus Christ, and grant that the feebleness of our intention may be perfected in the fullness of that intention wherewith He offered Himself upon the Altar of the Cross, both priest and victim; who now lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen."

Rachel checked through her jackets' multiple pockets for items she could add to the situation on cue. Apple corer, fluff, a penny, some lint, a restaurant flyer, a handgun - which she pushed under the aisle - a bus ticket and a wad of chewing gum. She'd wondered where that had gone. She assembled the fluff, lint, bus ticket and commenced quietly ripping the restaurant flyer to shreds for confetti...

At the mention of the word 'sins' Suzi, who'd felt as though she were walking on air, crashed back to reality. Panic started to set in. Sin's didn't get much more mortal than the doozy she'd committed in February 2006.

"Amen" she intoned, in the right places. Each time wondering if lightning might strike her damned soul, or whether she might incur some even greater wrath.

"Please, God, I acknowledge and repent my sins. I accept damnation as the consequence for myself. Don't let my soul tarnish the noble one I love!" she prayed silently with all her heart.

As the prayer finished muttered a quiet 'Amen' of his own, before turning back to look at Suzi. Despite the bizzarre circumstances the wedding seemed to be going surprisingly well.

Liturgy of the Word

"Let us consult the book of Genesis, chapter 2 verses 18 to 24" said the Priest. "The LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner." So out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken." Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh."

As Britanic listened to the sermon, he wondered that if perhaps he should of just asked for the quickie ceremony. However with that the image of a rushed wedding in Vegas popped into his head, and he decided that perhaps putting up with the sermon wasnt so bad after all.

"Let us rise, for the hymn Love Divine" announced the Priest. The energetic zombie-organist leaps into action and the choir enters with the vocals.

Love Divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down,
Fix in us thy humble dwelling,
All thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love thou art;
Visit us with thy salvation,
Enter every trembling heart.

Come, almighty to deliver,
Let us all thy grace receive;
Suddenly return, and never,
Never more thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve thee as thy hosts above,
Pray, and praise thee, without ceasing,
Glory in thy perfect love.

Finish then thy new creation
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation,
Perfectly restored in thee,
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise!

Suzi threw herself enthusiastically into the hymn. Music had always been a way she could deal with fears and worries. However, this time, not even music could transcend the foreboding and misery she felt starting to overwhelm her.

Was this a sin too? Was singing hymns an affront being a damned soul? Suzi wished she had as many answers as she did questions.

Pious was picking up stray thoughts around the room, he tried to ignore them, to no avail. "Let us bring our attention to Second Corinthians, chapter 12 verse 31 to chapter 13 verse 8."

"Be ambitious for the higher gifts. And I am going to show you a way that is better than any of them. If I have all the eloquence of men or of angels, but speak without love, I am simply a gong booming or a cymbal clashing. If I have the gift of prophecy, understanding all the mysteries there are, and knowing everything, and if I have faith in all its fullness, to move mountains, but without love, then I am nothing at all. If I give away all that I possess, piece by piece, and if I even let them take my body to burn it, but am without love, it will do me no good whatever. Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end. This is the word of the Lord."

With his mind, the Priest tried to reach the bride with a private message. <Almighty God shows his mercy on your soul, to forgive you your sins and bring you to everlasting life. The hymn you so wholly sing calls for the Lord to visit with His salvation, to enter every trembling heart. Suzi White, the Lord has seen you and he asks only that you love thy neighbour as he loves you.>

The choir once again rose to their feet, this time to deliver the gospel acclamation, Celtic Alleluia.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Stay awake, pray at all times,
praying that you may be strengthened,
that with confidence
you can meet the Son of Man.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The Priest's projected thought-speech came to Suzi's mind as, quite literally, the answer to her prayers. It brought shining hope to the darkest corner of her mind. Forgiveness. Redemption.

Suzi's voice soared brightly in the hymn, matching and enhancing the musical beauty of the Priest's illusions. Turning her gaze to Eric, her eyes shone brilliantly with the power of her love.

Everything was going to work out.

In a world of constant danger and life threatening conflicts, one comes to cherish the smaller things in life. The simple elevation of joy deep down inside the bride, the look of relief shining in her eyes and the sound of true love carried through her beautiful voice. It made the priest appreciate his position and responsibilities all the more. Truth be told, Pious did not truly understand the telepathic message he had delivered, but judging by the bride's positive change of mood, it was safe to call it divine intervention.

"Let us read from the book of Matthews, chapter 5, verses 1 to 12" said the Priest.

"Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you'", read the Priest, adding his own prayer. "May you find blessings in all that you do."

A moment passed as the priest lowered his bible and exited the pulpit to stand directly before the bride and groom, ready to begin the Rite of Marriage.

As Pious came to stand before them, Suzi felt so much elation that she felt she wanted to laugh, or cry, or even both. However, with all the control she'd learned as a professional stage performer, she held herself together for the solemnity of this moment.

Perhaps it was the imposing aura of the cathedral. Perhaps the sincerity in the concern and care of those gathered around. Quite probably it was the depth of her love for Britanic, who despite all his easy-going casual attitude in public, had so literally made life worth living again. Whatever it was, despite all the surreal craziness of a spontaneous marriage before a choir of zombies, in an almost deserted and forgotten Cathedral in the mists of Dark Astoria... this moment did have a solemn gravitas that gave it an undeniable majesty to her.

Suzi looked to Britanic, her eyes moist with the tears she would not shed and felt so much pride, happiness, and of course love that she felt stretched to contain it. Her face lit up in the gentlest of smiles before she turned back to face the Priest, head high, chin up, and completely ready to avow her love for her hero.

As Britanic looked over to Suzi he noticed an almost sudden change in her demeanor, almost as if some great weight had been lifted from her mind. He couldn't help but think that perhaps she truly believed he would of never married her, but now in the surrealness of their current situation all those fears must of been laid to rest. Whatever it was it didn't matter now, he could see that despite the absurdity of this Halloween night wedding she was very happy. Britanic smiled, pleased with himself for finally doing something right.

Rite of Marriage

"In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen" Pious prayed, signing the cross as he did so.

"Eric Mitchell, Suzie White, we gather here today, in this church so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of the Church's minister and this community. Christ abundantly blesses this love. He has already consecrated you in baptism and now he enriches and strengthens you by a special sacrament so that you may assume the duties of marriage in mutual and lasting fidelity."

The priest paused momentarily. "If there is anyone here who has any reason why these two shouldn't wed, speak now or forever hold your peace" he said, inviting the congregation to any objections.

Edward gave a smirk but kept quiet, the old villain side of him crept up for a moment but there was a difference between just annoying Brit...and having Brit physically want to try and kill him so he quickly pushed the thought of his mind and decided to remain quiet.

As Father Pious asked the question, Britanic made a slight gulp. Considering his past somewhat rocky relationship with Mechano, he half expected him to pipe up. Still Mechano may have been nuts, but he wasnt stupid. The fact Mechano kept his mouth shut meant that Father Pious need not perform any funeral rights today.