The Roses and The Lilies

𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 17－ 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑑𝑜 𝑎 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔

"Gem! You fucking twat!" Mini almost roared as she tackled her brother. "I am going to-,"
"Mini," Ophichius chided, lifting her into the air. "Don't kill your brother,"
"Let me go," she struggled. "I need to kill him. He made me worried sick!"
"Don't kill him. He can be useful," Aries called. "Without him we wouldn't of figured everything,"
"Aries," Leo placed her hands on her hips and stared at her sister. "You have got a lot of explaining to do,"
"I'm an adult," she grumbled. "I can legally do whatever I want,"
Leo narrowed her eyes.
"Okay. Let's just sit down and talk about our next movements to get Pisces," Libra intervened. "We can punch Aries and Gem afterwards,"
"Good idea," Sagittarius agreed. "Prick," he added, sticking his tongue out at Gem.
"Jeez sorry," the man grumbled, getting up. "We had a hunch but weren't sure. Leave us alone,"

"I tracked her to here. An abandoned stable in Gretna Green," Gem tapped the map. "So we just go there, guns blazing?"
"Sounds good," Aquarius said. "We should leave,"
"We have to remember we always need to try and talk to the Scottish first. They're our upstairs neighbours, we need to try and cohabit with them," Ophichius reasoned.
"Doesn't concern us. I'll do whatever to get Pisce back," Leo said. "Got it?"
"Hopefully it won't come to violence. But in case, Sag, you're gonna have to-,"
"I'll find a tree to sit in," Sagittarius interrupted Scorpio. "We good," he flashed him a thumbs up.
"We need to avoid guns, so we avoid the police," Aqua said.
"Yeah I do not want to have a conversation like that with my dads," Sagittarius nodded.
"What?" Libra looked over at him.
"One's a police officer, the other a doctor," Sag shrugged. "I don't wanna explain why I'm going to jail for gun warfare,"
Ophichius cleared his throat. "Let's bounce,"
"Did you actually just say that?" Gem muttered.
"Never say that again," Mini scrunched up her nose.

"They're approachin'," Lynx said. "What do we do boss?" He looked over at Aquila.
"Wait. We should hear 'em out," She answered. "Get your swords out ready though. Don' wanta cause a scare,"
"Good idea," Lyra unsheathed her sword. "This'll be fun,"
"We should try not ta violence," Delphinius spoke up. "Maybe a good idea?"
"Shhh," Lynx hissed. "They're just coming up to the door,"
"Aquila?" Ophichius poked his head into the room. "Bigger on the inside," he noted, opening the door wider. "Could we have Pisces back, please?"
"Ya gotta agree to ma terms," Aquila got to her feet. "Meaning you lot gotta never come back to Scot'und, got it?"
"Wasn't planning on it," Aquarius muttered, shuffling inside after Ophichius.
"We want freedom," Lyra raised her sword. "That an issue?"
"Of course not," Ophichius said smoothly. "But you have freedom. You know that, right?"
"Ophi," Aquarius warned. "Don't argue with a woman who has a sword,"
"I wasn't arguing," he protested. "This is a peaceful conversation with a woman wielding a sword,"
"We hate ye' fer what ya country has done ta us. We may not be the government, but we wan'ta be a sep'rate country n'all. Ya not letting us,"
"I, myself, am not. I don't associate with the government. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but they're utterly useless," Ophichius said easily. "I can't really do anything to help you here. I just do what I want and get away with it. I suppose I am like politicians in that respect though," he added.
Aquarius sighed.
"Don' attack," Aquila said.
"Attack?" Lynx turned. "Kill 'em!"
"Wait-,"
"Launch the arrows!" Lyra shouted.
"I am sorry," Aquila grimaced. "Ma accent can come off a wee bit strong sometimes,"
"I can see," Ophichius grimaced.
"STOP!" Aquila yelled.
Lynx paused as he raised his sword.
"We already got the archers ta start fightin'," Lyra grumbled.
"Tell 'em ta stop. Whilst ya do that, Ophichius an' I are gonna do some talks," Aquila instructed. "Don't kill the girl here," she gestured to Aquarius.

"Wire cutters," Scorpio handed the tool to Libra.
"Thanks," she replied, breaking the lock and opening the door.
"Libby?" Pisces blinked. "Hey!"
"Pisce!" Libra beamed. "You ready to go?"
"Hi, Pisces," Scorpio took back his wire cutters as Libra heaved Pisces to her feet and dragged her out the little stable place.
"Leo's waiting outside with the others, come on!" Libra said cheerfully.
"Aries and Aqua? They okay?" Pisces asked.
"Fine! Aqua went in to help Ophi talk or whatever. The rest of us are outside. Sag's up a tree,"
Then, they hears screaming.
"Shit. Let's go," Scorpio cursed.

"Ready?" Aries turned to gem.
"Ready," gem confirmed. "It's here," he took a small device out of his pocket. "Everyone cover your ears!"
"Why?" Libra panted as she sprinted over.
Pisces and Scorpio were following.
"Just do it," Aries scowled. "Pisces!" She brightened immediately.
Scorpio and Pisces slammed their hands over their ears as gem threw the device, which let out an earth shattering noise.
Libra didn't clap her hands over her ears quick enough, and was knocked out by the wave of sound.
"Libra!" Pisces shrieked.
"This is a bloodbath already," gem noted as Scorpio heaved Libra onto his back and continued running towards them.

Capricorn, Virgo, Mini and Leo were standing under Sagittarius' tree.
"Guys, get out the way. They're shooting arrows!" Sagittarius shouted.
"What about you?" Capricorn yelled back.
"I've been shot before!"
"You don't build up an immunity to arrow wounds you idiot!"
"Come on Cap. They should've found Pisces by now," Leo tugged on his sleeve. "Sag's done this before, trust him,"
"Fine," Capricorn ground out. "If you get hurt I am going to kill you then let Aquarius kill you again,"
"Won't get hurt then," Sagittarius muttered.
"Stay safe Sagi!" Mini waved cheerfully.

"Thanks Aries," Gem turned to her as the Scots started to surround them. "I've had a nice time, with you,"
"Same here," she gave him a rare smile. "We'll be okay,"
"Yeah, I gotta let people punch me," Gem agreed. He took her hand and she squeezed it once before letting go and drawing her gun.
"Seriously, a gun? That'll draw attention,"
"I don't really have a medieval weapon at hand," she snarked.