To Rule the World | A Zodiac Story

Forging Friendships

Actor: Francisco Lachowski

Gemini was behind her counter, wiping it down. Her face was still stained with batter and her hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail as she wore her ever prominent smile. A man walked into her shop.

"Virgo! The usual?" Gemini asked, flashing him a cheeky grin.

"Actually, I'm placing an order," Virgo said. "Can I get a cake with the logo of my bookstore on it? I want it for the Pax Universum Fest." Virgo slid her a picture of the logo.

"Just one?" Gemini asked, examining the logo.

"One will be fine." Virgo nodded.

Gemini smiled at him. "Pickup or delivery?

"Pickup, since Pax Fest is in Commetes this year," Virgo told her. Gemini smiled at him.

"Sounds good." Gemini folded the logo into her pocket as the bell signaling the door opening rang. Gemini peeked behind Virgo. "Hey, Aries. Pisces."

"Hey, Gem. Who's your friend?" Aries asked, walking to Virgo's side.

"I'm Virgo Vermillious," Virgo said, sticking his hand out.

"Aries Ramus," Aries replied, shaking his hand.

Virgo snickered. "I'm sorry, your last name means branch?"

"Yeah, it does," Aries chuckled.

"Well, I have a shop to attend to. I best be going," Virgo reminded himself. "It was nice to see you, Gem. Nice to meet you Aries, and your friend."

Virgo walked out of the store with a smile and a wave. Aries leaned on the counter and gave Gemini a cheeky grin. Gem arched an eyebrow at him. She leaned on the counter.

"What do you want, branch?" Gemini asked him.

"You know me too well, Costello. But it's not me that wants something, actually. It's Pisces," Aries informed and grinned. Gemini rolled her eyes.

"What is it that he wants? Can he tell me or are you going to keep leaning on the counter I'm trying to clean?" Gemini sassed him.

Aries chuckled and got off the counter. Pisces walked up to Gemini as she continued to wipe it down. Gemini glanced up at him as he started to speak.

"Uh, hi." Pisces shifted around a bit.

"Hi," Gemini replied, her eyes darting around. "What's up?"

"I was, um, wondering if you, uh, cater," Pisces mumbled out.

Gemini laughed a bit. "Sure. What do you need me for?"

"There's some very important stuff going on that's confidential right now, but we're having a dinner with the rulers of Solis and I want you to cater desserts," Pisces explained. Gemini's jaw dropped.

"Have- have you consulted your parents?" Gemini asked, mildly alarmed by the large request.

"That piece of pie, I gave it to them and they immediately loved it. They asked me to seek you for dessert." Pisces scratched the back of his neck.

"Okay. Okay, I can do this. When's the dinner?"  Gemini asked cooly.

"Tonight?" Pisces said, though it sounded like a question.

Gemini looked like she was internally screaming. "As in the night of today? As in, in three hours?"

"It's more like four hours. But being there a half hour early would be nice." Pisces noticed the task was stressing her out and tried to fix it. "Don't worry though! I'm sorry it's such short notice, so if you decline, I won't be offended!"