"Trust me, it was nothing to worry about," Maria assured the Sonya, "you know how teenagers are, Sunshine, how we were- okay maybe we are bad examples, but still."
She then turned to say good bye to Rain but never got the chance as she was already leaving when Maria opened her mouth.
"I would love to," Maria said with a big smile as she waved goodbye to the two, "take care!"
Then she headed back inside her home.

"While it may appear that i get along with everyone, i don't," Maria answered, still a bit too boozed to stop herself. Besides, Rain had saved her, so she figured some answers were earned, "there are those who have a... disregard for mobian lives, the kind who don't seem to be able to grasp how their actions hurt others... or, even worse, don't care about it. Those are the people i don't get along with. Scourge was one such person and for that reason there weren't many people that liked him. He was a villain, scum, the worst. He would burn down an entire orphanage for nothing but the thrill and attention."

She took a small break for a sip of water and to calm her nerves, she was getting more worked up than usual and yet she couldn't stop.
"The reason Alexa got along with him was because she was just like him, a deranged medic that took everything we stand for as medics and gave it the finger. The Hippocratic oath meant nothing to her and she was just as cruel as Scourge was. I am willing to bed she'd be the first to film him burning down the orphanage before torturing the survivors."

Once again she had to stop as she took another big swig of her water. She was panting and her heart was racing, she was getting way too heated about it. But it was evident that these two really brought whatever anger she had in her. She hated them both with a passion, not to mention Alexa's assistant. But that was not for now, there was one last answer.
"As for your temper, no, it's nothing like his..." she ended up confessing, "it might be quick to light and intense, but you're nowhere as cruel and destructive as he is. Like it or not... you're like your mother there. You care for others, no matter how much you try to hide it."

Everything happened so fast suddenly. In the blink of an eye, Rain was back there and had used a bottle to knock out on of the drunk men. The sudden attack also made Maria back off with a gasp, ending up against the counter once again.
"I- i am s-" she started only to be cut off when the other man turned to target Rain, which didn't sit right with the doe in any way, "h- hey, leave her be!"
Thankfully, Rain was ready to take matters into her own hands as she fought back against the man and managed to make him back off, although the pained screams he made after falling made the doe cringe. Once again though, she didn't have too much time to think about it as Rain picked her and blasted off out of there.

Once Rain came to halt, Maria could finally try and take stock of everything. The night had been... eventful to say the least. She dared think it had been awful, yet... she couldn't remain too mad. Although her face turned very, very stern as she looked at the shaken girl.
"I am not mad at you, i am disappointing. What you did was irresponsible and stupid. You left me when i was tasked with keeping you safe and failed to judge what could happen in doing so," she said as she took Rain's hand and started to walk back to her home as her face lightened up a bit, "however, you did see your mistake and came to my defense when it was needed. For that i am grateful. Now, let's get home and try to calm down. Do you still want some hot chocolate?"

"That's payback for picking this... thing," Maria said while gesturing to the dress, "besides, i only said no heavy alcohol. Also, i don't think i specified who would have which."
With that she took the fizzy drink and let Rain have the ale, "as for treating you like child, i am only going to do when you're doing something that could get you seriously hurt. Otherwise, i dare say i am very lenient in how i treat you when you're over. Now drink, before i make it worse."
She took a swig herself and tried to relax, however, she was still very much embarrassed about it all. This wasn't a place for her, much less a 16 year old like Rain. However, she could only imagine what it would be like to be walled up with herself, so she'd try to power on to the best of her ability. It was also the reason she didn't call her out on the ID being fake. Still, she wasn't gonna let her drink hard alcohol and ruin her brain development.

Maria looked herself over and sighed. This was not what she had expected when she allowed Rain to help her. What she had expected just being some pointers had turned into her raiding her wardrobe, fixing up this old thing she had hoped vanished and then done her hair over. Granted, she was kinda impressed that she had made her hair look good outside her ponytail. Now it was out of it and going down to her mid-back.
"I am not showing myself like... this," she answered Rain with a sigh, "i can respect not going out in my normal clothing but this... this is too revealing. I would prefer some modesty and dignity. Besides, this is hardly the place we should spend our evening."

"Don't worry, i still have a fair few blends to choose from, i am sure you'll like it," Maria argued as she tried to remain positive, "i can also whip up some hot chocolate in the evening. You used to love that when you were younger."

She settled down in her armchair and listened to Rain as she gave her a very sarcastic answer. It was understandable, but still she found it a bit rude.
"I see, yeah, i admit it sounds like life could've been better. But it could also be worse," she tried to argue, although she was a bit unnerved at the intense gaze Rain leveled at her after flopping on her sofa, "i... mean, your brother i kind enough and your mother tries her best. That's more than can be said for some people."

The questions Maria got back made her gently tug on her shirt collar and take a deep breath to keep it together. It was common knowledge between her and Sonya to no show weakness around Rain or she'd exploit to the best of her ability.
"Well... how to explain this," she trailed and tapped her fingers together, "life has been fine. I get to help people at the hospital, help people who can't afford medication normally and have a roof over my head. Truthfully that's what i want in life. As for... being single. Well... i- i guess we can say it is just a lack of desire and effort on my end. Nothing more."

Maria heard the knocks and took a deep breath as she put her book down and got up to answer it.
She knew who was coming and had done her best to prepare herself mentally. She didn't mind having Rain over, she just knew she had to be a bit gentle around her. She loved the young lady, but didn't want to upset her, hence why she had do at least a little bit of preparation.

"Hello there, Rain," she said with a smile once she opened the door and looked at the girl, "i am glad you agreed to come over. Please come in, i will get the kettle going for tea."

Maria looked to Mallow as she took the rope and saw the kids do the same while lining up behind her. Now she was supposed to lead them out, at least she knew where the door was... roughly.
"Right, fall in, don't stray... and don't stop walking," she nodded as she started to lead them out, "we'll be out of here in- in no time."

It didn't take long before the murmurs started behind her and they cut deep. She had to do something... anything to ease them. This was already taxing on them all, the last thing they needed right now was doubt, "no... no we won't die. The others are making sure you can get home safely. Just- just push those thoughts away and think of something... happy, or try at least. It will all be over soo- Felicity! Get back here!"
Her attempt to calm the kids was interrupted as Fliss broke from the line and went to try and help another kid, a good intention but she was putting them all at risk. To make matters worse, when Fliss got closer it caused a massive blood creature to start forming and tower over them. It was bigger, firmer, on fire and much much more intimidating. Indeed it left Maria paralyzed in fear as she looked up at it.
She didn't remain inactive for long though as she saw the creature's first attack and made a snap decision as she pulled on the rope hard to intentionally make all the kids, and Mallow potentially, fall over before she let herself fall on the back. All in a desperate gambit to get all the kids out of the weapon's reach.