OOM: Javert in London for the scond time

[witchfinder_general]

It' the same featureless blue corridor as before, but this time, there are still people about in it.

Nobody, however, is paying any attention to them: two women with papers under their arms are chatting to each other, and a man is wheeling a trolley of scientific equipment into an open door.

Father Harman holds the door of the supply closet open for Javert.

Comments

[never_shall_yield]

'Ganymede has one, and I have ridden in it. Perhaps I will again, I do not know.'

He will not hold out hope, and will certainly not ask, but there is a chance.

[witchfinder_general]

"Well, if you enjoyed it, I'm sure he'll take you for a ride again," Father Harman says.

[never_shall_yield]

'Mmm.'

The answer is entirely non-committal, and he will not be expanding on it.

[witchfinder_general]

Father Harman is walking down a street on the middle of which there is a church -- the same as last time.

"I don't think riding in a fast car is very sinful. On a sliding scale from poking badgers with a spoon to genocide, it's still very close to the badgers," he volunteers, still slightly amused.

[never_shall_yield]

'...badgers with a spoon?'

What?

His confusion will be evident.

'I did not think it was sinful at all.'

Now he is unsure as to whether it is.

'Is it?'

[witchfinder_general]

"It's a joke that's so famous even I know it," Father Harman says. "A humorous misdefinition of 'original sin' as a sin that's so bizarre nobody's done it before."

[never_shall_yield]

'Oh.'

He looks blank.

'I suppose it is modern.'

[witchfinder_general]

"It's not so funny if it has to be explained," Father Harman says. "Never mind, it's not important."

[never_shall_yield]

'...very well.'

England. And the English. Very strange.

He starts looking up at the church, instead. A knot of apprehension begins to form, but he gives no sign of it as he walks.

[witchfinder_general]

When they reach the church, Father Harman walks up the steps and pushes open the door. "Shall I go get Father Meunier?" he offers.

[never_shall_yield]

'Yes, thank you.'

He does not feel right wandering around, searching out a priest.

'I will wait near the confessional.'

[witchfinder_general]

At this time of day, the church is somewhat busier than the other time, at night; a few people are lighting candles, or sitting in pews as if praying, or waiting for their turn at confession.

Father Harman soon returns with the French-Canadian priest. They are speaking, and Harman points out Javert with a minute gesture of his hand.

Father Meunier nods.

[never_shall_yield]

Javert, standing quietly, waits. He is nervous about this, but not as nervous as last time.

It is something that has to be done, and be done it will.