Time seemed to pass by slowly as I sat in the truck that carried the cargo for Menagerie. I was sitting in the passenger seat next to the driver, Coco. Yatsuhashi was sitting with the cargo, while Fox was sitting behind us in the back seats. It had been a couple of hours since we had departed from Beacon Academy. So far, we have had next to nothing to do. Coco was driving the truck, Yatsuhashi was meditating in the back with the cargo, Fox was asleep behind us and I was sensing for anything that could attack us, so far nothing. It was getting tiring, using my semblance and sensing for anything that might mean harm. I was about to fall asleep, but I felt something nudge me awake.
"Come'on Fran, you've got to stay awake." I heard from Coco.
"Yeah, I know. It's just hard staying awake."
"Yeah, I think we need a break." Coco said as she pulled over and switched off the engine. "Hey Fox, Get up. Let Yatsu out the back."
"Yeah, Yeah. Give me a minute." He said as I heard him bang on the back of the truck. "Hey, Yatsu, get up. Time to eat." Fox then got out of the truck.
"What about you, Fran? Are you going to eat anything?" Coco asked.
"No, it's okay. I had a blood pack this morning, so I should be fine until the morning."
"About those blood packs, how are you keeping them from going off? I assume that you'll be ill, if they go bad?" Coco asked.
I nodded my head. "Yes, I have to keep them cool and fresh. But don't worry, I already have a plan about keeping them fresh." I just have to make sure to cool them down. I'm sure a couple minutes of ice will do the trick. Now where can I do it, without showing my Maiden powers to the others?
"Will you guys be going far?" I asked.
"No, we'll just be outside, here okay." Coco answered. Good, that gives me time to put my blood packs on ice.
"Okay." I said cheerfully to her, with a wide grin. As I sensed her leave the truck, I took off my bag and took out my blood packs. Hopefully, Coco and the others won't notice me. With a simple flick of the wrist, I had surrounded the container with ice, to cool down the packs, yet keeping them fresh. As I placed my packs away in my bag, I opened the truck door, and sense that Coco was here alone.
"Where did Fox and Yatsuhashi go?"
"Oh, those two went to gather some wood for a fire, the truck isn't cutting it as a heater." Coco said as I sensed her fiddling with something leathery.
"What's that?"
"Oh, this? Just my little baby." Suddenly I heard a noise coming from her bag. "Here, hold this."
As I felt Coco hand me something, I immediately nearly dropped it, thankfully Coco had managed to catch it from falling. How can Coco carry something so heavy?
"Whoa there, Fran. That's expensive equipment there."
"Sorry." I apologised as I hung my head, however I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"Hey, it's fine. Velvet was the same." Coco then chuckled. She must have remembered that memory.
"If I may ask. How did you and Velvet meet? I really want to know. I didn't think she would go for someone so... high-spirited. Not that's a bad thing or anything." Wow, did I just make this awkward or what?
Coco however, looked unfazed by my outburst. "Wait... You think that Velvet and I are together?"
"Well, yeah. When I first met you, you called her 'bun bun' and with how protective of her, it sounded that you two were... familiar with each other. I thought you two were together? Was I wrong?"
Coco chuckled. "Way off the mark, little wings. Actually, it's Fox and I that are together." That took me by surprise. Wait if her and Fox are together, does that mean—
"Does that mean I stopped anything happening between you two? I'm sorry if you two were planning something."
"N-No, I wouldn't say we were planning anything like that. We just wanted to spend time together."
"Well, if you two need time alone, then I'll take Yatsuhashi away." I said as we were interrupted by Fox and Yatsuhashi returning.
"Who needs time alone?" Fox asked.
"I think she was alluding to yourself and Coco." Yatsuhashi said dryly.
"N-No we weren't. We were j-just having some girl talk. That's all, r-right Fran?"
"Y-Yeah, that's right." I nodded, trying to sound convincing.
"Yeah... okay. Anyway, we got some wood. Where do you want the fire?" Fox asked.
"Just place it around the front of the truck."
"Got it." I heard Fox's and Yatsuhashi's footsteps walk away from Coco and me. As Fox and Yatsuhashi disappeared from Coco's view, I picked up on footsteps that were nearby. I thought they were just the footsteps of passersby, but their sound did not replicate the feeling. I quickly but quietly grabbed my bow and notched an arrow. Coco must have noticed my sudden reaction.
"Fran, what's wro—" I interrupted her. by holding a finger out in front of my mouth and indicating where I heard the noise. I silently pulled back the string of the bow and let the arrow loose. An audible 'thunk' was heard, which accompanied a monstrous moan. Grimm.
Next, I heard a mechanical noise coming from somewhere near Coco. Must be her weapon.
"Fox, Yatsu, get back in the truck. We've got company, get the truck ready." Coco shouted.
I sensed four or six eerie footsteps near the trees again. "There's more coming. Judging by the footsteps, I would say three more." I said as the howl from three Beowolves was heard. Suddenly the truck bursts into life.
"Coco, Fran, trucks running. Get your asses in here." Fox announced.
"Got it Fox. Fran, you're with me. Get on the roof of the truck. I have a plan." Coco ordered as I sensed more roars and footprints erupt from the trees. With Coco's help, she guided me to the truck and pulled me on top.
"This is where the fun begins. Fox, keep driving until we are in the clear. Fran, if you sense any more Beowolves get closer to the truck, let them have it. I'll lay waste to the rest."
"Got it." I said as I notched another arrow. I launched it when I sensed one of the now many Beowolves leap at the truck. The arrow collided with the head of the Grimm. Coco on the other hand was mowing down any of the other Beowolves with her weapon that threatened to get too close to the truck.