The Roses and The Lilies

𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 6- 𝑃𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑠

[image above is an image of the English home]
"I hate England," Aries grumbled.
"We've been here for a week," Leo said without looking up from her papers.
"It hasn't stopped raining!" The red head whined like a toddler.
"Aries. You're a master trained fighter. You're acting like a child,"
"Maybe that's because I had no childhood," Aries quipped.
"Go outside in the rain. Go to the gym. Just leave me alone so I can finish this," Leo gestured to her work.
"Fine. See you later. I'll go find Pisce,"
"Don't bother her too much,"
"No promises," Aries said before she slipped out the room.
Leo rolled her eyes and went back to her work.

Virgo ducked as Mini tried to punch him.
"You're doing it wrong," he straightened and looked down at the woman.
"I'm not a fighter," Mini put her hands on her hips.
"And I'm not a teacher yet I'm still teaching you," Virgo mimicked her stance. "And I'm not great at fighting,"
"Then why are you teaching me?"
"Because I was bored. You seem like a- how do you say it? Buono person,"
"Good person? I'm in the mafia," mini snorted. "Speaking of which, what's your job?" She continued.
"I'm the consigliere. Chief stalker and interrogator," he answered. "And the smartest of the Italian mafia,"
"Big headed," Mini snorted and bit her lip. "I like you. You're a cool dude,"
Virgo laughed.
"What's your husband like? Can says he's cool," Mini added with a grin.
"He's a good person. A very good person," Virgo smiled softly.
"How'd you realise you loved him?"
"I don't know... I guess it just sort of happened. We met in a library- and I fell for him. It was weird, I grew up in a very strict household and wasn't used to... love. Then I met Taur. Oh that sounds so cazzo cheesy,"
"It's sweet. Romances like yours and Taurs, and Can and Scorp's show us criminals that maybe we can love," Mini smiled.
"I hardly know you. Yet I'm touched," Virgo snorted. "I like you,"
"You're my new best friend Virgo," Mini grinned widely.

Sagittarius and Libra were taking a walk.
"How do you have an eye for romance?" The man questioned.
"You tell me. I have no idea how. I don't do romance for myself. Never wanted it," Libra replied.
"You're aromantic?"
"Yeah," the black haired woman answered.
"Cool. I'm like... really bisexual," Sagittarius grinned.
Libra laughed at his surprising openness.
"Why do you trust me with that information?"
"We have an alliance. Why shouldn't I trust you?" Sagittarius replied.
Libra shrugged. "Anything can break apart,"

"It's surprising how much we're getting along with the Italians," Gem mused to Ophichius.
The two men were sat on the patio outside, watching as Cancer and Taurus had a painting session and as Aquarius and Capricorn strolled through the flowerbeds.
"They're nice people. Speaking of which, why are you giving Aries such a hard time?" Ophichius asked.
"She's annoying," Gem scrunched up his nose. "She's loud and always trying to prove herself. She's a try hard,"
"Some say you're similar,"
"Excuse me?" Gem glared at him.
Ophichius shrugged in response. "You're a prankster- and always making loud noises with your various pranks,"
"That reminds me. I should do another one. See ya Ophi!" Gem ran away, leaving the boss of the english mob sat on the patio alone.

"What the hell are you doing?"
Gem glanced down at the bottom of the ladder.
A red headed Italian was staring up at him, eyebrow raised.
"... fixing the lights," Gem lied.
"Liar. You're nowhere near a light fixture," Aries retorted.
"Fine then. I'm pulling a prank. Want in?"
"What prank?"
"I'm at the top of a door with a bucket of talcum powder, what do you think it is?"
"That's lame,"
"I kno- hey! It's not just this door. I'm putting a bucket on every door in the house,"
"That's a lot of effort for one prank isn't it? How many rooms are there in this place?"
"Just need to let you Italians know you're welcome," Gem grinned.
"By covering us in talcum powder?"
"Yes. Everyone's outside anyway, Cancer's got them painting. So, want to help?"
"Sure. Give me a bucket and I'll find a door,"

Pisces glared at her canvas.
"Non so dipingere, cazzo,"
"Don't sell yourself short Pisce," Leo patted the girl's shoulder. "It's got pretty colours,"
"What do you think it is?" Pisces looked up at the ginger.
"Uh... abstract flowers?"
"No! It's a peacock,"
"Oh..." Leo squinted at the painting, turning her head to the side to try and find the peacock.
"Nice peacock Pisces!" Aquarius chirped from their left.
"How do... how... what?" Leo stared at the girl in amazement.
Aquarius shrugged and went back to her own painting.
"Well it's still pretty Pi," Leo patted her shoulder.
"Thanks Lee," Pisce beamed. "Means a lot,"
"Yeah yeah. I'll get back to my painting now," Leo turned, flushing slightly.

Chapter translations (google translate)
Buono- good
Cazzo- fucking
Non so dipingere, cazzo- I can't fucking paint