The minds of the clones slowly process what they were just told, slightly taken aback by the sudden turn of events. Ley the forest sea blue wolf clone licks it's chops once while Fey the large crow-like flyk turns there head back and forth and the ears of Rey the horned rabbit twitch. The atmosphere is beset by the heavy breathing of Dalman the large but young purple-blue iridescent dragon. Dee and Kuro in their purple and blue dragonkin forms look at each other for a moment before Kuro speaks.
" We apologize but we do not know what this bloodflower seed oil is nor what is has to do with us being vampires and coming here. Like we said we are but travelers and we happened upon this oasis plateau village by chance. Would you mind telling us what it is.
The man's eyes widen in surprise and confusion. "You don't know about the bloodflower seed oil? But then why are you here if not for that?" He lowers his spear slightly, still wary but less aggressive. "The bloodflower is a rare plant that only grows in the deepest parts of the desert. Its seeds contain an oil that is highly sought after by vampires for its restorative properties. It can heal almost any wound and even replenish lost blood. And for vampires it can even allow them to walk during the day."
He looks the group over again, taking in their unusual appearances. "And you're definitely not normal travelers, with a dragon and... whatever those creatures are." He gestures to Fey and Rey. "I've never seen anything like them before. "
Kuro smiles warmly at the man and speaks again as all the clones lower their respective limbs.
" We were using the plateaus as shade and came here by chance. And you are right, we are not normal travelers we tame vampiric animals. As you can see our companions are all vampires, as for what they are. A flyk as you can see is just a large black bird their name is Fey. As for the horned rabbit rey, being the desert maybe you are familiar with the jackalope. The horned rabbit is just the cousin of the jackalope from forested lands. As far as the oil is concerned, we would love some, do you take labor as trade. We unfortunately do not have much else to offer. However, we do have some iron and can make you iron tools that can help with your trees and flower fields. I guess we lucked out coming to a place that grows bloodflowers."
The man's expression softens slightly, and he lowers his spear completely. "I see... well, if you're willing to work, I suppose I can spare some oil. The harvest is always a lot for one person, and having some extra hands would be helpful."
He thinks for a moment before continuing. "I can offer you each a vial of bloodflower oil in exchange for a day's labor. Help with the harvesting of the flowers and fruits, and I'll give you the oil when the work is done. As for the iron tools, I'd be interested in trading for those as well. What kind of tools can you make?"
He looks at the group with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
Kuro keeps smiling as they answer the man kindly.
" As far as the labor is concerned, we would love to help, but perhaps our vampire companions could use some oil first. So let's trade tools and as for the tools we can make Any tool you desire from long cutters to help with the fruits, to loom paddles, saws and hammers. You will find that we have many talents besides taming"
The man nods, seeming to accept the arrangement. "Very well, I can provide a small vial of oil for each of your vampire companions now. And in return, I'll take a set of those tools you mentioned - a pair of long cutters, a loom paddle, and a saw. Those should be quite useful for the harvest."
He turns and walks back into the windmill, returning a moment later with several small vials filled with a dark red liquid. He hands one to each of Ley, Fey, Rey, and Dalman.
"Drink up, it should help with any fatigue or hunger you might be feeling." He then looks back at Kuro and Dee. "We don't get strangers around here often but if they're as friendly as you then we welcome them with open arms."
Ley, Fey, Rey, and Dalman all drink up the vials of coppery sweet oil and each of them receives a notification.
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Consumed: Bloodflower oil vial
+72 hours of sunlight protection
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Kuro and Dee thank the man as they pull out the sphere of Iron and smile before they use metalbending to carefully shape the tools to the surprise of the mill keeper.
The mill keeper's eyes widen in amazement as he watches Kuro and Dee effortlessly shape the iron sphere into the requested tools. "By the gods, I've never seen anything like that before! Metalbending, is it? You truly are full of surprises."
He takes the finished tools, examining them with admiration. "These are excellent quality. I'm sure they'll make the harvest much easier." He sets them aside and turns back to the group.
"Now, let's get started on the harvesting. Do each of you know how to use a wand?" He leads them out of the windmill and towards the cluster of red-leaved trees near the oasis.
Kuro and Dee answer no as they approach, a warm breeze carries the sweet scent of ripening fruit. The mill keeper points to a ladder leaning against one of the trees. He hands each of Kuro and Dee a wand. "Its pretty simple just channel your mana into it and touch the fruit until it's ripe. Only touch already budding fruits. Now be careful climbing as these ones don't have buildings underneath them"
Kuro and Dee smile. "That's ok we'll just get on Dalman's head he is a 20 foot tall dragon after all. Makes reaching high spots easy and we can use our spatial storage bags instead of those baskets I see others using"
The mill keeper nods, impressed. "Ah, I see. That certainly makes things easier. Very well, climb aboard your dragon and start harvesting. Remember, Ripen the fruits fully before picking them."
He watches as Kuro and Dee climb on Dalman's head then get lifted up and begin using their wands on the hanging fruits. The other villagers pause in their work to stare at the unusual sight of a dragon assisting in the harvest.
After a few minutes, the mill keeper calls out, "How's it going up there? Are you finding it manageable?"
As Kuro picks a fully ripened fruit and puts it into the basket on their back they call back down to the mill keeper. "Yes its actually quite easy thank you."
"Alright then I'll Leave you to it try to fill up 5 baskets each as you can see the baskets are in a pile over here next to the tree base. If you need me I will be in the windmill grinding more bloodflower seeds into oil."
"Alright will do." Kuro calls down with a wave before turning to another fruit bud and pressing the end of the wand into it and channeling mana into the wand moving it as the long fruit grew slowly out of the bud.
Kuro and Dee spend the next 4 hours growing the fruits and harvesting them while riding atop the head of Dalman and getting moved in and out of the branches of the Trees on the edge of town. While they work away Ley, Fey, and Rey Take the opportunity to explore Tarrasis Getting occasional weird looks and also occasionally chased by kids that want to play or restaurant owners looking for some easy meat. Luckily all they need to do to not get eaten was talk just a bit and explain that they were 'tamed' vampire beasts.
Once Kuro and Dee are done filling the baskets the others return and they all load up the baskets on Dalman's Back and return to the windmill to speak to the mill keeper and turn in the fruits.
"Thanks For Helping with the Harvest, Now If you don't mind would you take these into town to the warehouse on main street but first here are the vials I promised you. Feel free to come back and work for me tomorrow or anytime and I'll give you more. Remember each vial gives 3 days worth of protection and don't stack so spread them out."
The Mill keeper hands them 8 vials and points them in the direction of main street. The odd group heads into town getting less stares as by now most people have heard of the strangers in town. Once they get to the warehouse they drop off the ten baskets then head for the Inn which Ley spotted while exploring the town earlier.
As they approach the inn the innkeeper comes out to greet them with a big smile on her face. "Welcome strangers to the best Inn in Tarrasis the Weavers rest. I heard from the mill Keeper you trade in freshly made Iron tools. He was telling anyone who would listen about your mind blowing Metal bending making tools with ease. I'll let you stay for a week if you can repair my knives and give me some new pans and a Juicer as well, A lot of my equipment is falling apart."
Kuro and Dee return the smile with big smiles of their own. "Of course we can we'll be happy to help just show us to the broken wares and we will repair them good as new. and We're glad word is spreading, Makes it easier for us. Also are your stables big enough for our dragon Dalman? He can't really shrink down you know."
The innkeeper clasps her hands together while maintaining her smile and eyeing her guests up and down. "Yes yes not to worry there is plenty of space for all your animal companions and am I to understand from what the mill keeper told me that they are all vampires? We have bloodflower supplement that should feed them well now if you will follow me this way I will show you the items for you to repair."
The innkeeper guides Kuro and Dee in through the front door and into the kitchen where she shows them various knives pots, pans and juicers in various states of disrepair.
"Now if you would please help me out by fixing these I will let you stay here" She says the smile never leaving her face.
Kuro and Dee quickly comply stretching their arms out and using metal bending to warp and reshape each of the tools and knives ending up with brand new tools and sharp knives. They also take the ball of Iron out and shape a couple extra pots and pans as well as a juicer.
"Thank you thank you!" The innkeeper grabs their hands in thanks and shakes them up and down.
"I was beginning to worry about what to do since I couldn't afford to re-smith them. You have helped me out more than you know. Now how about I show you to your room and your animal companions to the stables."
The innkeeper then guides Kuro and Dee upstairs and down the hall, then she goes outside to guide Dalman and the others to the stables. She then returns inside and begins to cook dinner.
Kuro and Dee enjoy the meal happily and share light conversation with the innkeeper and Dalman and the others enjoy the bloodflower supplement that satisfies their hunger for blood. They then enjoy a good nights rest at the inn and prepare for another day of work in this strange temporary instance dungeon in this wide new world.