"Do you think they might not have looked for you because they thought you didn't want to be bothered?" you ask, "They wouldn't want to make you stay there if they thought you didn't want to be there."
Crona put their head on their knees again.
"I don't know." they mumble.
"Well, this Maka you told me about, she seems pretty nice." You poke at the fire with your stick again to keep it from going out.
"Not nice enough to go looking for us apparently." Ragnarok mutters angrily.
"You two were expelled for helping the Gorgon right?" Crona flinches, and you wish you didn't have to bring it up to make your point, "Well, maybe she thinks you're still banned. It probably wouldn't be much use arguing with Lord Death, knowing his policy on witches. I'm sure she'd argue with him for you if you asked for her help."
"I thought you didn't want to go to the city." Crona says.
"We've been here in the mountains long enough, and you two even longer, I think it's time to get you back with your friend."
You're awake once the sun begins to rise, and you start boiling water for a bath in the large metal basin you stuffed into your storage area. You also bring out one of your t shirts and a pair of sweatpants for Crona to change into until their dress is cleaned. You're broader and taller than them, but it should work in the meantime.
While they get ready to go to the city after breakfast you sit in a tree and take out a square mirror about the size of a picture frame. The middle realm doesn't have nearly enough raw magic for you to do the spell like you normally do, but with some improvisation and magic your soul creates on its own you pull it off.
"Mavourneen, is everything alright?" Zadkiel asked. His eyes look like rods of teal blown-glass. They always take you slightly off guard.
"Yeah, everything's fine. Look, I'm going to have to have a chat with Death-"
"What?!"
"-about a neglected student. Remember the fiasco with the Gorgon sisters?"
"The witches?"
"Yeah. Medusa had a kid to do experiments on. They, well, their weapon which is melted into their blood, thought that if they ran away and people went looking for them then they were wanted, and if there wasn't anyone looking for them then no one actually cared. Perfectly reasonable after everything those two have been through. I need to make sure they're taken care of, and in order to do that I will have to bring it up with Lord Death personally."
"Maevie that could jeopardize everything you need to be in the middle realm! What if he makes you go back home?!"
"He can't do anything just because he's an adult." you grumble, "I don't even know him. He has no authority over me!"
"He's not going to see it that way." Zadkiel sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Well, enough about me," you say dismissively, "How's mister destruction-bound up there?"
"No luck. His vision is too clouded at this point for me to do anything."
"Are you going to come down here with me then, if you can't stop him now?"
"You're going to need someone to tell you his plans, won't you?" he said slyly.
"Yeah, I guess I will. I don't like the prospect of you being found out though."
"Well I'm willing to take the risk, which is all that matters anyway since it's my own life-"
"Yes I get that." you snap. Zadkiel chuckles.
"I'm just as trained as he is you know, and everyone would be able to tell that I wouldn't be the one attacking, especially since he's so aggressive when on the offence."
"You're doing a pretty shit job of making me feel better about this." you mutter.
"Oh Maev, always too emotionally involved," Zadkiel teases, and you feel your face grow a shade closer to charcoal. "Keep in touch!" he says, never goodbye.
"Yeah." you say quietly, after he's broken the connection.
You hadn't been to Death City until the more recent events unfolded in roughly 700 years. It's an interesting place. You like the atmosphere of the market because it reminds you of the town square back home, but all of the wares are mostly foreign to you. Once you have gotten Crona and yourself into the school building via convenient shadows they take you to the Death Room. You are grateful that they seem to have a good sense of direction in this place.
"This is simply absurd." you mutter, looking at the long tunnel of torii and sighing inwardly. You pick up Crona and flash-step your way up the slope. Your father and companions are clearly alarmed when you appear at the top of the steps. You don't look at him, and instead you turn to your left and set down Crona, who proceeds to shrink behind you. You turn to him.
"Lord Death. It is nice to see you." you say stiffly, holding out your hand. When he does not take it you let it rest at your side. "I am here to discuss one of your former students."
Instead of speaking, he hugs you.
You have to tamp down the urge to dissipate with an iron will.
"Look at you, all grown now! Last time I saw you you were just a baby!" he releases you and steps back.
"I was 87, I was a toddler."
"You and your brother were both toddlers right after you were made. Anyway, it's good to see you. Now Crona," Crona shrank behind you even more, which was impressive, "Why did you leave?"
"We ddidn't thhink you wwanted mme bbecause I was a traitor, a-and then no one came looking…" they chattered. Lord Death sighed.
"The only reason I can think of for Maka not going after you is if she thought I had banned you again."
"Well does that still stand?" you ask, shifting your weight.
"No, you are welcome to be here if you wish."
You sigh in relief.
"Well, I guess we're going to have to go re-unite you with your friends then," you say, smiling down at them.
"Wait, Rowan," Lord death says, putting one of his comically large hands on your shoulder,
"We're holding a Council, so your mother is here."
"I know."
"Oh, well, have fun while you're here!"
"Mhm."