"You are probably aware." She was being demure. Maria knew her duties were not critical to the city running, whereas Peony's daily activities had a real effect on those around her. Also throughout the city. Her mind flashed to the chunk of dull metal sitting on top of her desk. She had been of a mind to give it away, but thought better of it. Somehow, staring at it gave her focus to think more clearly. Perhaps it had its use in her life still.
"So we are tasked." A sigh, another quiet sip. "Were my prayers always for benevolence." They had spoken once at length - one of their most intimate discussions - about Maria's holy powers. How her prayers with direct answers somehow felt more hollow than those private ones you spoke at night. Its answer immediate, but empty. Maria herself had advised a younger Holy Knight that their class of knights had to struggle with their faith more because their prayers were answered. Faram was testing them, that they continued to push themselves to see beyond the harm they could cause to his real message.
"How is Almalexia?" They had just missed one another often, but for sightings during service.