"Ah," Malachi dipped his head in sudden understanding.

Mister Tully was not the first person to say something like that to him. In fact, he'd heard more warnings in his life than anything else, and had already been labeled as... somewhat unconventional, in certain spaces. It did not scare him, the thought of being looked down upon or gossiped about for having simply offered a listening ear. Others could make of his methods what they would.

"I will not speak for Father Richards, but you do not have to worry about me, Mister Tully. I'm here to serve God and all of his people, not build a worldly reputation."

As for... making jokes with Father Richards, well...

"Anything you share is safe with me," he assured, and leaned slightly closer to be heard when he continued in a whisper.

"If I might ask it of you, though, I would appreciate it if you tried not to joke with Father Richards when you see him."

The other priest had more than enough to deal with already. Malachi knew not the full extent of it, but he knew enough to assume that teasing was not what he needed, no matter the intended nature of it.