Fionan's Grove - after the carnage

[Edd]

Reuben runs into the grove, his frantic, paniked actions desterbing the peace that had finally began to return to the place after the demons had been stopped. He pushed his way past the volunteers clutching his stomach, his eyes wide with fear.

"RILLA!? GIZMO!? KAY-EN?! FERREK!?"

He fell to his knees, his arms wrapping tighter around himself, until he retched. Nothing came out. He retched again, his eyes squeezed shut, tears pouring down his face. He stopped. Looked down at himself, the pain gone. Then, in an instant, it was back. This time, as he retched, fire poured from his mouth. Burning and blistering his lips and tongue, singing the grass of the grove. Reuben hunched over, hugging himself, face first on the ground, the grass around him black and burnt.

[spsblue]

Fionan, having just finished tending to an injured tree, rushes to Reuben's side and looks him over quickly before flinging himself into a hug.

(OOC: Have I had long enough to regain essense - or is it the same day still? ref - you've regained essence)

[dainul]

A familiar voice on the wind catches the giant feline's attention. Reuben, no, wait, Reuben shouting.

Hauling himself to his feet quickly, Mezacoatl shoulders his huge mace and sets off at a brisk jog toward the sound of the voice. Getting closer, he picks up familiar scents, and finds his way towards the centre of the destruction where Finn and Reuben were found. Scanning the area for threats, he freezes, relying on sound and scent as much as sight to try and spot anything out of place.

[Edd]

Reuben throws Fin off him, staring up at him, with hatred in his eyes. Hatred and fire.

"Get off me you fool. If I'd wanted your help, I'd have called for you. Where is Rilla? Or Kay-en? I want their help not....ack...ack"

He starts to choke again, the fire and loathing fading from his eyes. Sand pours from his mouth, and after about thirty seconds, he slumps to the floor, unconscious.

[dainul]

A low growl eminates from Mezacoatl's chest. He stalks over toward Finn and Reuben, and tries to support him as he chokes, easily supporting his weight as he slumps down.

"What is going on?" He demands of Finn.

((Improved sniff. Anything unusual from Reuben?))

[spsblue]

" He shouted for Rilla, then threw up flames, then sand... "

Fionan spends a short while studying Reuban intently (Sense Power 1), then begins casting " Oh great Celestial Dragon, Protector of Innocents, lend me thy wisdom and help me to discover what it is that ails Reuben. DIAGNOSIS ".

He then stretches out his senses to see if by any chance Reuban now has a soul (DS).

[Edd]

((Sniff reveals that he smells of panicked sweat, there is also the smell of wood smoke, fresh air, clear water and freshly turned earth.
Sense Power - earth magic
Diagnosis - Something is blocking his respiratory system.
Discern Soul - it's odd, instead of a soul you find earth magic))

[spsblue]

" That sand is blocking his airway, hold his mouth open would you please. "

Fionan begins to clear Rueben's mouth and throat of the stand, carefully and manually without magic.

<Fionan>

[dainul]

Mezacoatl does as asked, as carefully as he can to avoid breaking the sorceror with his considerable strength.

[Edd]

Sand pours from Reuben's mouth, Fin's fingers find a rock, about the size of a fist, logged in Reuben's throat. Pulling it out has Reuben breathing again...after a minute or so he wakes. Looking at his two friends, he speaks absently, but not in his normal soulless manner.

"Thank you. I'm glad I can breathe again. Um...what's happening to me?"

[Niamh]

Gizmo wanders over from a distnat part of the grove, having missed everything. Seeing the rock, the pile of sand and the concerned faces of the trio, she hurries over.
What's wrong? What's happened? Can I see that rock? Reuben, are you alright? What did I miss? Did you hurt yourself on the rock?

She checks over Reuben and the rock (OOC Know the magic)

[spsblue]

" Reuben, your soul seems odd, rather than being absent as I have come to expect with you since your sacrifice, it seems to be Earth Magic - and I would bet if I had checked it earlier it would have been fire magic. Shall I go and look for Rilla for you? "

<Fionan>

[dainul]

Meztacoatl shifts his grip and lifts Reuben to his feet. "What happened?"

[Edd]

((Know the magic - Reuben has a Rockskin 2 upon him. The rock is a rock.))

"I don't know what happened, I just woke up hurting. I don't know what anyone can do for me. If you don't know what to do Fin, why would Rilla? Maybe...ack...ack"

Light flares around Reuben, causing temporary blindness to every one (as per Flash). After a few seconds, once every one's vison clears, the sorcerer seems different again. He hold himself differently and a new light is in his eyes.

"This is rather strange...I really have no idea what's happening to me."

[spsblue]

The flash startles Fin and leaves him blinking.

"We need someone with more knowledge than me on magic. Rilla might be able to ask, besides she's been worried about you since you left - she definitely wants to hear that you have returned. "