Charles
There was very little that Abel cared about more than his church. He loved everything about it, from the wooden pews to the alter up at the front. 

All of it, was something that he was proud of being apart of. So, when it came to wear and tear, he was on top of it. Recently, a few problems had emerged in the church that needed to be fixed. Small things but things nonetheless. 

One of the pews had become lopsided, and had tilted, people would slowly begin to slide down to one side when in prayer. The podium he stood at, the wood had gotten worn away, chipped and torn. He needed to sand it down and repaint it. It had also gotten a bit dusty, and it was a big church, a beautiful one. 

Because of this he took it upon himself to hire someone to come fix it, which is how he had come across Charlie Marsh. As he waited for them outside the church, he gave the other a smile when he saw them approach and he he crossed his arms over his chest. 

"Thank you for coming out, Charlie." He said as he gave them a glance over. "I have quite a few things I need to get fixed around here.." He said as he opned the doors to the church and ushered the other in. 

"I hope you don't mind hard work, because you've got it."
Gregory
If you'd told Charlie earlier that week that their job search would result in them stepping foot in a church for the first time in ten years, they would have laughed. Their family had always been 'appropriately' religious: attended church every Sunday, performed enough goodwill, and donated what they could spare, but not overly so.

Unfortunately for the congregation, Charlie didn't fit the mold they'd been thrown into. To every scripture, a question. To every expectation, something different- alien, even. Their last memory concerning choirs and stained glass had left an older woman close to fainting after they refused to wear a stuffy, hideous formal dress for a Christmas service.

A fond thing to look back on, really.

They'd been shopping around for a job to make whatever income they could, especially after the incident at Maldorano's, which led them to the pastor's request for help. Not their first choice, but money was money, and they were hesitant to try their hand at stealing once again.

At least the place would be mostly empty.

"It's no trouble at all, Pastor Hughes." They nod once, stepping closer to the church's entrance. "I figured that I'd be getting my hands dirty."

To Charlie's credit, they seem to have tried to wear their best work clothes, though most of it is too big for their frame.

"Lead the way?"

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Charles
Abel nodded at the other, before making their way through the church. "It's a bit dim in here, sorry about that." He said as he made his way towards the windows, throwing open some drapes that hung over them. 

"I like to keep it dark when no one's here, I think of it as a sort of rest for the church. It does so much for the people." He said as he made his way over to one of the pews and clapped his hands together as they he looked over towards them. 

"So.. The main problem here is this pew, people keep sliding on it which.." He took in a deep breath, "Is unfortunate.. Made worse by the children, they seem to think it's some kind of joke." He said rolling his eyes. "They like to play on it which.. Is obviously not what it's here for so.. I wanna level out the pew. I want.. To sand down and repaint the podium and then well.." He looked around gestured to the dusty interior. 

"I can do most myself, but.. I need some help with the cleaning it has gotten.. Well.. Overwhelming." He said taking in a deep breath. "You know.." He said as he looked over towards Charlie and crossed his arms. 

"I appreicate you coming on such short notice.." He said as he trailed off for a moment, standing near the other before he spoke again. "So.. I don't really see you in here much, hm?" He asked arching a brow. 

"Why is that?" They asked, the question clearly loaded as he eyed them.
Gregory
It takes them a moment for their eyes to adjust as the pair enters the church proper, but once they do? The place is pristine by Charlie's standards, aside from the issues listed. Dust was always easy to take care of, if tedious, and the pew didn't look too complicated to fix. Sanding and painting were almost child's play, too.

"I can level that out, sure." Charlie nods once again. "The sanding and painting won't take very long, and the dusting will go faster with the two of us."

They start to wave off what they believe to be the beginning of thanks from Abel until it becomes clear that this is only a ploy for a pointed question.

"I'm not the most religious?" Charlie chuckles uncomfortably, rubbing at the back of their neck. "I used to be when I was younger, but now I'm more impassive to it. Not that I don't believe it has its own merits, mind you- I just don't think it's for me."

They aren't sure as to *What* Sort of preacher Abel is just yet: the sort that speaks of fire and brimstone as his voice booms, or is he the sort to be as gentle as a lamb? Hell, is he one of the types that masquerades around to get church donations to keep for himself?

"Is that... Going to be a problem, Pastor?"

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Charles
Abel nodded as the other spoke, "I can help with just about all of it, just don't have the tools.. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty but ah.." He took in a deep breath as he looked around. "I don't wanna get anything half done, if you're going to do it.. Do it right." He said as he made his way over to a closet off to the side, which contained anything he might need for up keep, as well as some communion wine and goblets. 

He grabbed a couple of brooms, and a few other things to continue working on the church, and making it nice. As the other continued, Abel quirked a brow, and leaned forward, leaning on the handle of the broom as they spoke. 

"Mmm.." He said as he let the information sit for a moment, before he took a couple steps closer, moving his broom along the ground as he began to work on sweeping it up. 

"I wouldn't say it's going to be a problem.." He said as he looked them over, before his eyes dropped to the ground again. "It won't be a problem for me, anyway." He said, moving a hand to his chest as he spoke, looking back to the other. 

"It doesn't concern me, where your soul goes.. Obviously.. I would love if all the people of Briar Ridge join me in eventual paradise but.. That just isn't possible hm?" He asked as he took in a deep breath. 

"Damnation is your choice after all, isn't it?"
Gregory
Charlie takes another broom for themselves once Abel pulls them from the closet, quickly joining the preacher in his efforts to clean. Simple work to start, and all of their tasks here would be relatively easy- it's still a boon to start with basic cleaning.

Something about Abel feels off, though. Not that he seems like a bad man, but the way he speaks puts Charlie on edge; it's familiar in a way that makes them grit their teeth. It doesn't help that he's a stranger, of course, or that he has some form of power in this town, to whatever scope it may be. Prestige does things to people, but they don't know what kind of man it's made Abel to be.

The answer, unfortunately, comes sooner than they'd expect.

As he speaks again, that edge turns into something they can recognize: annoyance. Hell and damnation are things they've heard before, of course; being anything outside of the mold tends to bring the expectation of eternal suffering.

"I thought God loved all his children, Pastor Hughes," Their voice remains even as they speak, "Surely he's not as callous as to send someone like me to hell over not attending a weekly service?"

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Charles
He let out a hum as the other began to speak, and he shrugged his shoulders. "God loves all of his children, yes, but he only rewards those who praise him in their life." He said as he glanced over at them. 

"You know.." He said as he looked down at the floor, sweeping as a bit of dust that covered the floor made a small cloud around his feet as he swept the mess towards the door. "You say it's not for you but.. You recognize his existence.. You recognize his love, and his kindness.." He said as he thought for a moment, looking back over to them. 

"So tell me, what exactly is.. It that is not for you?" He asked as he stopped sweeping for a moment, "You know.. You're not the first person to tell me something of the sort." He said as he took in a deep breath. "And you know.. What I can't help but think.. Each and everytime is that you.. And the others who make this point, aren't willing to give up a life of sin." He almost hissed. 

"Sin.. Is the basis of everything now days, all the extravagance, and the new world of evil.. Creeping around every corner.." He said, his voice somehow both quiet and booming at the same time. "You know, we're cursed here in Briar Wood.. I know it.." He said taking in a deep breath. 

"So tell me, is that it? Not willing to trade your sin for the price of everlasting love and life?" He asked, making a tsk noise as he continued to sweep. 

"What is your sin, hm? What keeps you from his love?"
Gregory
Possible CW: Mentions of period typical homophobia
"I've seen a lot, Pastor. A lot of pain and suffering- most caused by people saying the same type of thing you're saying now." They barely fight off the urge to roll their eyes. "It's not that everlasting paradise isn't for me, I just think our definitions aren't the same."

Charlie blows some of the hair out of their face. "The preacher back home told me I was going to hell because I kissed his niece, and then turned around and used the church donations to make his life cushy. Choir boys would try to beat the shit out of me because they could, and they'd be called perfect angels. I'd walk by women who'd clutch their pearls and tug away their children because I was *Different*."

They stop sweeping for a moment, looking up to meet Abel's eye. "Call me a sinner if you want, but I'd rather burn in hell than be in heaven with those folks."

As if nothing ever occurred, Charlie starts sweeping again, though their grip on the broom leaves their knuckles white.

"I'll have to go pick up some wood somewhere to fix the bench, but I'll get to that once we're done with everything else." They sniff. "You should let me know what type of wood you want, though."

A job is a job, they have to remind themselves. Money is money.

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Charles
As Abel listened to the other, he kept a stedy pace sweeping. It wasn't that he was unaware of the world of contempt laid by many of those who were religious like him, but.. The fact of the matter was that he knew one thing rose above all that. God. God was everlasting and true, and many sacrifices had to be made in his honor. 

"Mm.." He said as he looked over at them and nodded. "Hm.. It seems that you have had.. A very painful bout with religion." He said as he stopped sweeping for just a moment to speak to them, face to face. 

"I understand that you know.. It is important to note that well.. God gives these battles to those who he wants to test.. He wants to test your faith.." He said as his voice rose a bit. "He wants to make sure, to understand your devotion. Oh God, many of us have been tested.. My own has been tested, time and time again and yet.." He took in a deep breath. 

"I remain faithful, because I believe in his plan for me. I discourage the sins you describe because I believe that God cares for me and for all his lambs.. Even the ones like you.. Who have strayed from the herd.. Become something.. More.." He paused for a moment, "Sinister." 

He took in a deep breath, and cleared his throat. "Oak. You can get it from Dallas Sinclair. I will give you the money for it."
Gregory
For a moment, Charlie thinks they've gotten through to Abel a minuscule amount. However, as he continues, it becomes clear enough that they shouldn't even bother with the pastor. It's not completely surprising, but it's enough to make their teeth grind.

"A test, huh?" The words feel like sandpaper in their mouth, but they continue, "Sure is a fascinating way to inspire faith, hurting the very same people you're supposed to guide and protect because you want to test their devotion?"

Charlie stops to breathe, lest they snap the broom's handle in two. It's a job, they can do this, they just need to ignore how much they want to sock the local preacher in the jaw. Easy! They have self-control!

"It's an interesting take, Pastor." Their voice wavers, but Charlie manages to stay... Somewhat calm. "We should get to finishing up this cleaning, though, so I can move on to fixing what needs to be fixed. How much wood do you want me to get?"

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Charles
He shrugged his shoulders and put his hands up in defense, the leaning the broom against himself as he spoke. "It is not my position to judge God's motives, or speak on why he does what he does.. It is only my job to speak his word to those who need to hear it." He said as he took in a deep breath, grabbing the broom and getting back to work. 

He looked over to the other and noticed that they did seem tense, and he arched a brow. "Seems you don't like my words.. Most sinners don't like to know they are doing wrong.." He said as he glanced over at him. "You know, once you give up your life of sin, you'll see how miserable you are, and how your sin is eating away at you." 

He began to sweep the dust out the door, and glanced over at them. "But.. Some people are destined for damnation, I suppose." He said as he leaned the broom against the door way and nodded. 

"Enough to fix it?" He asked rolling his eyes, "Tell Dallas the dimensions are 10 feet and six inches, he'll help you figure it out."
Gregory
"Oak, ten feet and six inches." They nod, the movement stiff. "I'll finish this sweeping and head out to pick it up."

Silence is a good ten leagues better than whatever the hell Abel thinks about God and sin, so Charlie sets their gaze solidly on the floor. His expressions makes all of this worse- as if he's the eldest sibling scolding the youngest for something foolish.

If they were better equipped and fully healed, they'd do *Something* About all of this: bust in a few windows, steal a few things, maybe set something on fire. Even if they *Were* Healed and had the right equipment, who knows how much trouble they'd stir by targeting a man of the cloth? You might as well ask them to jump in the jaw of one of those werewolves!

"I'd appreciate if we didn't talk about this moving forward, pastor- it'd be easier for the both of us."

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Charles
Abel nodded as the other spoke, and continued his own cleaning. He had no interest in conversation that did not revolve around his own thoughts on the word of God. He had learned long ago that it was all that mattered in this world. 

God had chosen him, as someone who could speak to those in Briar Ridge, to get them to understand that they needed to repent for their sins, or it would lead to damnation. He cared abput the people in town, he wanted what was best for them. Even the sinners. 

He took in a deep breath as the other spoke again and looked towards them, nodding. "Sure.. Understanding is not for everyone. Some prefer to live in blissful ignorance and one day.. When you see the errors of your ways well.." 

He paused for a moment and shrugged. "In that moment I will be here to guide you. Towards God." He said with a nod. He took a pause, "Send my regards to Dallas, will you? Tell him he is dearly missed in service."
Gregory
Understanding, he says. Charlie knows many things, understands many other things, but they don't understand *Him.* They don't understand his harsh devotion, his assuredness that he's absolutely correct. In some ways, it's admirable, but in others, it only inspires pity.

"I will." Their tongue feels like lead in their mouth, but they continue, "Do you want me to come back with the wood today, or wait until tomorrow? Either way, I'll come back to sand the podium, but you'll have to decide on the paint."

*Money is money, Charlie.*

"I could always pick that up too, along with some brushes, if you need?" There's a hope that he helps pay for it, of course, but Charlie won't hold their breath.

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Charles
He looked at the other and he could tell the mood was tense. But what was he to do? To hold his tongue in his own place on not only employment but also worship? No. 

He said what needed to be said, and that was that. 

He thought for a moment and shook his head, "Let's pick it up tomorrow. It's getting late, I don't want to get things started when they can't be finished." He said and nodded along as the other mentioned that they would pick up some brushes and paint as well. 

"Get brown, a deep brown. As close to what's there as you can." He said as he made a motion towards the podium, and fished around in his pocket to pull out a wad of cash from his pocket, and held it out towards them. 

"Whatever is left you can keep, and then of course I'll pay you on top of that, when you return." He said as he looked to them, and took in a deep breath. "I'll see you then.." He said as he turned back to what he was doing.