The slime saw them and jumped over, making soft chirping sounds that sounded almost friendly. It went around Greg's feet, leaving a small trail of moisture but not attacking or trying to dissolve anything.
Felix said, "It's cute! Can we keep it, Sensei!?"
Greg said, "We're not keeping a slime, Felix," but he couldn't help but smile as the creature bounced around him happily. "It does seem friendly, though."
Bork walked over to look at the skeleton more closely and said, "It probably belonged to this blacksmith who died years ago, judging by the skeleton."
"If they have enough food and water, slimes can live for hundreds of years. This slime might have been the blacksmith's friend or possibly a pet."
When the blacksmith was mentioned, the slime bounced up and down and made sad chirping sounds that made Greg's heart ache. It pushed against his leg, and Greg reached down to touch it. The slime's body was cool and surprisingly hard, like touching a balloon full of water.
