[Maria smiled at his words that he was glad that he stayed if it helped her. The expression also glowed in her tired eyes.]

I'm glad. It bothered me a lot, how he treated you. [Made especially clear when she kept speaking up in his defense. Or when she placed herself between him and her Shadow. At his offer and extended hand, she held out the box for him to take so she could get up. She could always take it back after.

She moved slowly, and was achy and stiff. But she managed to push herself to her feet without incident. She self consciously brushed at her dirtied dress. Some was from the pavement they were sitting on. But there were dark splatters on the blue fabric of her dress on the back and up a sleeve. Some smears were on her front.] I'm a little sore from sitting on the pavement, but other than that I'm okay. [She reassured with a small smile.]