Multipup post: May Sunday by the church

[witchfinder_general]

On this fine May Sunday afternoon, there are several people out by Javert's little church -- which is 'the church' for all intents and purposes by now.

• Father Harman, of course, who is busy pasting a rather elaborate exlibris into the inside cover of a stack of new hymn books
• Teja, who is checking all the hinges and locks on the door, and polishing the metal
• Dorian Gray, who is admiring the workmanship and sometimes asking questions of the other two
• and finally Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who had been collecting the last of the wild garlic in the woods and now strolls around the church with his basket of pungent herbs that give an almost heathen counterpoint to the lingering scent of cold incense.

[[OOC: Say in your tag whom you would like, or you might get several -- but never an uninvited Hannibal, of course!]]

Comments

[never_shall_yield]

Javert is out for a walk later, feeling the limitations of this place keenly today. He comes to the church as a matter of course, even though it is practically finished.

The amount of other people around is something of a surprise. He nods towards Teja - though still frowning - and gravitates towards Father Harman.

'Good afternoon, Father.'

[witchfinder_general]

"Good afternoon, Javert," Father Harman says, smoothing down the exlibris and looking up.

[never_shall_yield]

'What is that you are doing?'

Actually-

'And where did you get the hymn books? I had not thought to provide any.'

He is not complaining! It is a rather glaring oversight of his, in fact.

[onceholyknight]

Michael has taken advantage of Milliways to gain a little time to think out how he'll best explain this to Charity.

He walks into the church and kneels to pray - both in thanksgiving for Uriel's loan, and for guidance.

[witchfinder_general]

"I had the bar make them up, actually," Father Harman says. "They need to incorporate hymns from many different backgrounds, after all, starting with some employed by the Arrian church, and the Celtic church. Christians here come in many flavours."

[witchfinder_general]

Father Harman nods to him as he comes in, but otherwise leaves him to his prayers while he carries on with the exlibris, slowly and precisely.

[onceholyknight]

When he finishes, he stands back up. There's no stick in sight, nor any sign of difficulty.

[never_shall_yield]

'Oh.'

He would never have thought of that. He is reminded again that is a good thing Father Harman will be in charge.

'I will finish this week, I believe. I only have to piece the glass together, and set it in place. The confessional is in pieces in the shed, it will not take long to assemble.'

And that will be that.

[witchfinder_general]

"And then we should have a service to formally celebrate the church being finished," Father Harman says. "Next weekend is Pentecost by Milliways reckoning, so that is very fitting."

[witchfinder_general]

"Hello, Michael," Father Harman says when he sees the man coming towards him. "Your leg seems improved."

[onceholyknight]

"Not permanently", he says calmly. "The doctors of my world have done all they can in that regard. This was given to me just to allow me to complete a task."

[never_shall_yield]

He looks a little uncomfortable at that, and makes a noncommittal gesture.

'You may do as you please, Father. When I have finished, I will give you my key. I am sure one or two people will come.'

He himself will not, unless Valjean makes him.

[witchfinder_general]

"Including you and Valjean, I hope," Father Harman says.

[witchfinder_general]

"By whom?" Father Harman asks. "And what task?"

[onceholyknight]

"Lent, I should say, rather than given... an old friend of mine, by the name of Uriel. And it's a soul at stake, though I don't know whose."

Harry's, he suspects but doesn't know for sure.

[never_shall_yield]

'I cannot speak for Valjean. I doubt I will attend.'

It would not feel right at all. He only finished it because he will not leave a job half-done. His disillusionment with the Church has not improved in the last year.

[witchfinder_general]

"At stake in what way?"

[witchfinder_general]

"No?" Father Harman says. "Have you completely fallen out with God?"

[onceholyknight]

"I asked him why I should allow him to put himself at such risk, what was so important. And he said, 'a soul'."

That was enough for Michael.

[never_shall_yield]

'Not God. It is not His fault the priests cannot be consistent.'

Just the Church, then. He cannot reconcile differing opinions towards the thing that is wrong with him. How can any of them claim to have God speaking through them when they cannot agree with each other.

[witchfinder_general]

"Have I been so very inconsistent that I put you off the faith altogether?" Father Harman says. "If so, I am very sorry."

[witchfinder_general]

"Healing you, even if it's just temporary, is such a risk for him?"

Pause.

"Uriel, as in the angel?"

[onceholyknight]

Michael looks at him steadily.

"Yes. And he couldn't heal me, as such, because my injuries came about through my own choices." He glances around, keeping his voice low. "He has loaned me his Grace."

[witchfinder_general]

"Which is a special angelic power he is now going without?" Father Harman guesses.

[onceholyknight]

Michael looks rather surprised that Father Harman doesn't know, but nods.

"It's what makes him an angel... and he has entrusted me with it. I didn't know until he was accidentally hit in the face and his nose bled."