#bergen_county

Symon hands the weapon up, it taking both of his arms to heft. Once his hands are freed, he pauses, and presses a hand to his chest. He does not look pained, or worried, but... thoughtful. Intent. A glance up at Dagmar.

She blinks, and rubs at her sternum.

Sylvi looks first at one, then the other. "You guys okay?"

Before the three is the whirling remains of smoke on the floor before them, amidst the shattered chains. It is starting to dissipate, but slowly.

"I... think so?"

Symon nods slowly, and his gaze is drawn to the smoky ruins.

She runs a hand over his head, doing a quick check for injuries.

"Cairrean's gone. Not sure where."

"Let her." Symon whispers, the fanatical obsession having left his eyes. "Let her go. Let her be gone."

Grunt. ("Fuck her.")

"Okay. Um." Another glance between the two. "I'm going to be right outside...." And she makes an exit that's only slightly awkward. "Call out if you need me."

"Sylvi..."

"Thank you." Symon whispers, she may need to be looking to read his lips.

Sylvi pauses right at the door. "Yeah?"

A nod to Symon.

"Just... thank you. For getting her to help. I don't think I could have talked to her, not and... " a wavey gesture. "And just... thank you, for everything."

A slight grin, and Sylvi shakes her head. "No worries." And she's out.

Symon reaches for one of Dagmar's hands as they are left alone. "Do you.. feel that?"

She nods. "Yours?"

She rubs her thumb across the back of his hand, her own heartbeat speeding up. "I... you're okay? Your head? Everything?"

"I.. don't know." He presses a hand on his chest, then reaches up, hesitating to make sure she doesn't move away - before laying a hand on Dagmar's sternum as well.

Well, atop her armor.

She touches her gauntlet one last time, pulling the armor back.

"I'm sorry."

"Why?" He rests his hand lightly, feeling the beat of her heart, listening until he feels assured that it is normal.

A hint of glamour stirs in the smoke.

(Wait, sorry - I missed a post)

Dagmar nods. "Yours?"
Symon: "I... don't know."

Dagmar rubs her thumb across the back of his hand, her own heartbeat speeding up. "I... you're okay? Your head? Everything?"

He considers this, taking a moment to take mental and emotional inventory. "...Yes. Yes, now. Thanks to you."

Her mouth curls downwards. "Hurting you."

He seems uncertain. "I'm not hurt. I actually... feel... better than I have... then I can remember. Since before... all of this. I feel like... I'm myself, finally.

Are you hurt?"

"You were hurt, that's why..." A vague gesture. "Because of me. And I'm sorry. And I was angry and selfish when I broke the treasure, and that hurt you, too, and..."

He looks up at her, his eyes finally clear and focused, and focused on her. "I know it matters to you. It hurt you to hurt me. I understand. But... I'm free now. That's worth that, and then some. A few ouches, some stupid bit of nasty cantrip... it's in the past. We can atone for that as needed. The important thing is... now we can move forward." A pause, and he says, "Together?"

She reaches for his hand, the twist of guilt in her gut making the gesture tentative where minutes ago she didn't hesitate to place herself bodily between Symon and the threat of harm.

He takes her hand without hesitation.

She bites on her lip and there's a crease between her brows as she latches onto his hand. She manages a nod. "...yeah. That. I want... I.... us."

A grimace as she struggles, squeezing his hand. " Sorry."

"I want us, too." ... "Do you feel that?" Dagmar can feel the glamour stirring, yes. Through Symon's clammy palm, she can feel his heartbeat. He's so fragile.

From the smoke, a beat echoes.

"Glamour? Yes."

He kneels to take a closer look. But he does not let go of her hand, so she may need to stoop or also lower down, else he may... dangle.

She drops to one knee beside him, not ready to let go.

The smoke dissipates as they lower down, and there is a small... lump, covered with a thin layer of soot. It stirs!

"Something alive?" She hazards.

She's not an expert on magic, but she can ken.

"Is it safe?" He reaches out a tentative finger and brushes off some of the smoke...dust... residue - then he pulls back in surprise. "It's... warm!"

Dagmar helps brush away the soot.

A small figure rises, and there is a sudden shake, flapping, and a cloud of soot rises into their faces! Flap flap flap!

As it drifts away, they see...

A tiny chimerical beast. It's shaped like a songbird, but no living bird ever looked like this...

within the ribcage, there is a pulsating beat that echoes the pulse Dagmar feels through Symon's hand in hers. As it beats, so does his heart. It's not clear if one echoes the other, or if they are just in time, twin pulses.