Re: Sunday Service: Mercy/Shiloh
Shiloh could've spent some time bonding over teenage mothers, but he'd only learned about his own a year ago, and he'd managed one conversation with her about it before his world had turned itself right the fuck upside down, and it hadn't righted yet. He was here, dressed staid and ignoring the sweat that dripped at the nape beneath his collar, and he looked as cool as anyone whose soul was destined for a permanent place in paradise. But, inside, he was a terrible mess. But that mess smiled pleasantly at everyone who walked past them on their procession from steeple to sky. When members of the congregation stopped to comment on his youth, he explained he was an Assistant Pastor, and that hopefully someone more experienced would be along soon.
The interruptions were few and far between, and they hardly made a dent in the conversation he was having with the man standing in front of him. "I'm glad things worked out for your mother," he said politely. He didn't go so far as to make assumptions about Mercy's life. He did wait a few seconds, patiently and before going on, in case Mercy wanted to offer up some tale about his own existence in Repose.
Shiloh chuckled again, warm and slow as the day's heat, when Mercy's smile widened to something appropriate for canonization. "If you're looking to be sainted, you need to go on to the next church over," he offered, motioning toward the Catholic church with pointed chin. His smile stayed in place. The cross that warmed the birdbone-skin of his chest, it didn't care about denomination, and Shiloh didn't care either. "I thought you were going to tell me nickle and diming was capitalism," he countered, showing too many teeth at the mention of an 'asshole tax.' "I can't condone overcharging your brothers and sisters," he said, but something about his expression was too entertained for anything resembling genuine chastisement. "And I know where I won't be bringing my Volkswagon."
He didn't own a Volkswagon, but he wasn't considering this a venial sin. Teasing wasn't a lie in Shiloh's holy book.