Serena stared wide-eyed at the strange and wonderous creatures that were the first members of the Second Chance Ranch. The round blobs of sentient magic surrounded her to the point that everywhere she looked was a sea of pink, blue and red creatures. No creatures was not the right term for magical constructs. Outside of the growing circle of entities were normal animals and quite a few mutated animals and beings that would be considered monsters. From cows and sheep, to chickens and giant tamed hounds that protected them all, they waited for their turn in acknolwedgement.

The ranch had been her idea and a way for the former slaves to regain their sense of self-worth by becoming ranchers, breeders, farmers, merchants and specialists in magical and monster plants and parts. Marama managed to buy and combine some failing farms, ranches and businesses in the farmlands outside of Netherthorne and the construction of Second Chance Ranch started. It took months to finish the buildings and to get the paperwork and initial creatures squared away, but the first members of her extended family had settled down.

Kalani and Marama were avoided by the normal animals, which made far more sense for the huntress. Animals could tell when something was off, and to have monster flesh in their body was probably bad. Kalani would have likely played too roughly with them so they distanced themselves first. Arima on the other hand seemed to be thrown to the ground by normal sized cats and dogs, being rubbed against and licked all over. It was adorable to see the serious boy laughing like the child he was.

The slimes, as the blobs were really called, wiggled and made various high chirps, squeaks and hums. Serena realized that they were trying to communicated with her, and that the higher pitch and the more energy to the movement were more positive or happy noises.

The three year old began to hum and wiggle her body in time with the little drops of mana and that seemed to get them even more excited.

A few of the pink slimes jumped on her, followed by red, and she was sent to the ground. The slimes beind her leaped or followed out of the way and with her now down to their level began to rub against her. A few jumped and twirled, humming and chirping in excitement and happiness.

Laughter bubbled up and soon Serena was as much a giggly fool as Arima was. It felt good to just relax and do something silly for a change.

The slimes made her curious about what other changes there were to the world as she had never encountered them before. Or even heard of them.

There would be plenty of time to discover that and she had all the time in the world to do so.

Serena relaxed on the ground, letting the slimes bond with her. Overhead, she saw Soot her crow familiar and extra eyes and ears sweep over the ranch to check it out. Through the bird, she had a connection to the Lord of Lies who was always watchful of her activities. Such a dreary thought couldn't hamper the joy she was feeling, and Serena couldn't wait to learn what slimes could be used for.