Peony arrived at the cathedral long before the first mass was set to begin. Her colleagues were accustomed to her late arrival in her office on this day every year, but even so, she preferred to light her candles and say her prayers before the crowds descended, and though she would remain for the early mass, she dd not wish to linger after.
The Cathedral was never quite empty, but it was nearly so. Still, there was one other woman standing by the collection basket near the candles. "Good morning." The words were quiet, a polite greeting to someone who, like herself, seemed to prefer solitude on this day of reflection. Peony had already deposited her donation and selected her single candle before she realized who the woman was; she turned her head to offer a gentle smile and a few more words: "It is good to see you are well." They had only met once, but that meeting had been... memorable. The last time Peony had seen the blonde, she had been gravely injured.