((OOC: N/P, B.)<br/><br/>Melissa waited in silence, looking down at her people.  What could she say?  What could she do?  She had to ask them, first... ask them if they remembered.  She needed to know how many of them remembered how to survive, and how many would need to re-learn.<br/><br/>She watched them, and she knew they were both terrified and exhilarated.  Yes, the swarms had passed again, but they had resisted them better than ever before... yes, there was reason to fear, but reason to hope, as well.<br/><br/>She waited, smiling down at them, as still more people arrived.<br/><br/>--- --- --- ---<br/><br/>Both Mina and Onyx grinned widely, pleased that Cad remembered and somewhat flattered that he remembered the<span style="font-style: italic">details</span>.  They found themselves squirming under his gaze as he made it clear that he remembered their bodies very well indeed, both of them seeming to have to restrain themselves from begging for more than just his eyes.<br/><br/>"That's little Golden<span style="font-style: italic">Retriever</span>Mina," Mina said, trying for snottiness but only achieving breathiness as he kissed her hand.  Zeref felt her arm twitch under his lips as that mere touch reminded her of what<span style="font-style: italic">else</span>those lips could do.  "And... and of<span style="font-style: italic">course</span>I like it rough... I haven't met a real Retriever that doesn't..."<br/><br/>Onyx stood straight and wide-eyed as Zeref slid his finger down her cheek.  She pretended to snap her teeth at it as he pulled it away, but she never intended to catch it.  She smirked.  "I'm only<span style="font-style: italic">gentle</span>when I<span style="font-style: italic">want</span>to be," she pointed out.  "And if you want me to be louder about it next time, just say so, awright?"<br/><br/>When he mentioned reminding them of it, the two women looked at each other edgewise, both failing to suppress shivers of anticipation.  They didn't really mind that he evidently saw their reactions.  "Okay, sure," Mina declared, while Onyx said, "you<span style="font-style: italic">can</span>tie me up if you want..."<br/><br/>When he asked about Melissa and the gathering, however, it took them both a few seconds to find their voices again.  "Um, she wants to speak to everybody,"  Mina said first, tossing her golden hair over her shoulder as she turned toward the manor, exposing her rump to him.  The way she looked over her shoulder suggested it hadn't been a coincidence.<br/><br/>"Yeah, find out just how many of us didn't lose all our memories this time," Onyx agreed, frowning a bit, seeming a little more level-headed than Mina right now.  She started walking toward the manor, as did Mina a moment later; evidently they expected Zeref to follow.  "And I'm sure she'll be giving a helluvalot more than just one order."<br/><br/>Suddenly there came a sound... a deep, rumbling gurgle.  Mina's slim hands went to her belly.  "Oh, damn, sorry," she said seeming embarrassed.  "Guess I didn't eat very much while I was insane..."<br/><br/>A moment later a second gurgle sounded, as though in reply.  It was Onyx's turn to tap her belly.  "Wow, me either, looks like," she said, smiling self-consciously.  "Wow, guess our hunt will have to be... eh?"<br/><br/>Both the girls turned and blinked at Zeref as a third, deeper growl was heard.  His stomach, apparently reacting to the noises and to the thought of eating, had just growled in response as they were approaching the manor.