Justin Finch-Fletchley (ash_and_mirrors) wrote in whatprice, @ 2009-04-19 21:04:00 |
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Current location: | London, England |
Current mood: | calm |
Current music: | "What A Catch, Donnie" - Fall Out Boy |
Entry tags: | !backstory, justin finch-fletchley, phillip hughes |
...they say the captain goes down with the ship, so when the world ends, will god go down with it...
Who: Phillip Hughes & Justin Finch-Fletchley
What: A chance meeting
When: January, 2009
Where: Outside a Catholic church in London
Rating: G
Phillip found himself late for the noon service across town that he had decided to attend since the choir was supposed to be performing as part of the mass. One weekend enough was not enough to 'do his priestly duties' and get some sort of spiritual retreat from working for MI7 all the time. He'd have to talk to his supervisor about raising it to two or three weekends a month. His spiritual life and pastoral duties should not be allowed to suffer. Spotting someone outside the church, he slowed his hurried pace. Dressed in a cassock since it was a special occasion, Phillip came up to the stranger, hoping that maybe luck was on his side. "Excuse me," he began. "Has the service not started yet?" Something about the man looked vaguely familiar and he tried to process whether he actually knew him or not.
"Sorry, Padre," Justin said, stuffing the twenty pound note into the donations box before looking up. He paused, taking in the vaguely familiar features of the man standing in front of him, then continued, "I wouldn't know. I'm just dropping something off."
"Of course, I-" Phillip stopped whatever he was going to say when his brain finally caught up with him and put a name with the face in front of him. "It's Michael, right? You seem to be doing alright. I'm Father Phillip. I doubt you remember me."
"I remember you just fine," Justin said, nodding toward the donation box. "Never was one for church, but I figured I owed something back now that I can give it."
"You don't owe the church anything," Phillip said, momentarily torn between excusing himself to go inside the church and staying to chat with Michael. "It's the church's duty to help out other human beings," Phillip said. "But I'm sure the church appreciates the donations nonetheless. Not everyone has that dedication."
"Everybody's got a different sense of what's owed and what's not," Justin said, shrugging philosophically. "I do what I feel's right."
Phillip chuckled.
"Also true," he said with a smile. "By the way, I never did thank you for your generous donation to my church. It was much appreciated. Put it towards the homeless shelter."
"Should've been a bit more than just one, but that was the whole point of mailing it, instead of showing up in person," Justin said, shrugging. "Don't need any recognition or anything. I'm good, just knowing it's helping people."
Phillip gave him a genuine smile. "I think the world would do well with more genuine people like you."
"Hah..." Justin shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Not sure about all that." Genuine wasn't precisely the word he'd use to describe himself at this juncture of his life. "Just trying to make sure other people get the same chances that I did. The same kindnesses."
"I hate to break it to you, but that's a very noble goal," Phillip said, allowing himself a small smile. "So, you're doing well?"
"Yeah, I'm good," Justin said, considering that for a moment. "I'm actually doing... really well. Got a job and stuff."
"Excellent! That's good news. You don't mind if I say a prayer of thanksgiving for that, do you?" Phillip asked. "Any other things you'd like me to pray for?"
"Don't mind at all," Justin said, shrugging again. "And just... people, I guess. Things've gotten rough for a lot of folks."
"Of course," Phillip said worriedly. "Is there anything I can do? Donations? Food? Clothes?"
"Nah, I think things'll come out alright in the end," Justin said. How could he tell a priest about the troubles in the wizarding world, the people who really needed help and couldn't get it because they had no recourse? "Just keep up your praying, Padre."
"Always," he said with a smile. Reaching into his pocket, Phillip pulled out a small medallion and held it out to Michael. "Michael the archangel. For protection. Should you ever need anything - for yourself or friends, you know where to find me."
Reaching out, Justin took the medallion. "'s who I was named for," he said, giving the other man a rueful smile. "Thanks, Padre. I'll keep that in mind. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday."
"You too. God bless," Phillip said, nodding to Michael before heading inside the church to catch the rest of the concert.