The cores' glow brightened as they touched, but other than that, nothing unusual happened. It would appear that simply being near one another- and moreover, out and exposed in the open- wouldn't be enough to break the bond. After all, something so simple as a curious mouse could separate the cores without too much difficulty.

Perhaps Bremen and Sebastian could take some cues from the plants in the area; after all, the pearl-like objects had been flowers to begin with... right? Or, perhaps they were not just remnants, but seeds...

The flower cores were buried, their candle-like glow soon hidden from sight. Sebastian and Bremen wouldn't have to wait long before the earth trembled softly. Before their very eyes, two tiny shoots emerged from the upturned earth, which was both moist and nutrient-rich enough to host them. The shoots continued to climb to a height of around 3cm tall, before entwining with one another so that the two stems became one. They continued to grow, curling around one another, until the two stems became one. Trailing leaves formed, uncurling from the flower's stem- some an ashy colour, and others wispy, like trailing clouds.

When the growth slowed, the magic culminated into two identical flower buds, which grew, and changed, until finally the petals peeled back from a newly-awakened opalescent core. the flowers exuded a scent that was sweet and rich, almost overpowering with the two of them there, rather than the one, but lovely nontheless. The first flower, was the same silvery-grey as its leaves, and as it opened a soft breeze began to blow, rustling the leaves of itself and the other flower. The other was soot-coloured, and quickly began to smoke, before bursting into small but billowing flames that crept rapidly down its stem, but somehow failed to harm its opposite counterpart. Soon it was apparent that these were the same flowers that had crumbled before Bremen and Sebastian's eyes, a short while ago. And yet somehow, each seemed more complete with the two entwined together.

When the petals opened from the flowers, the presence faded from the Gembounds' minds- their combined emotions fading into that of one beast. But before they drifted apart, there was another feeling- fleeting and alien, but unmistakably one of warm gratitude.