I only really ship her with Albel, as crackish as that is. As for why I shipped it in the first place, it all started when I talked to Maria in Airyglyph right after she joined the party and she made it clear she didn't find this great military superpower very impressive just because it's on an underdeveloped planet; it gave me the mental image of her and Albel having hilarious arguments, and twelve years ago I just couldn't resist that, especially considering they were both my favourites!. ^^;

That said, I don't mind Fayt/Maria despite certain theories that used to abound about the two. At the very least, I like what their paired ending adds to Maria's character.

There was also a point where I edited an icon for a friend to have Maria and Nel together, and I thought at the time it was the only thing I'd be remotely willing to break up my beloved Nel/Clair OTP for, but Nel/Maria was never a ship I put much if any serious thought into. (Not that I'd ever complain about two badass ladies being badass together!)

If we include BroTPs as well, I like Maria+Cliff+Mirage as a family unit of sorts.