Townhouse 24

Diana Prince dropped the last box of clothes on her bed and left her room. She floated an inch off the floor so as to not make a noise to surprise her sister, Donna Troy. Donna had taken the room across from her and was busy unpacking her things into places around her room. Diana grinned wickedly as she spied her sister, her back turned to her as she placed some books on a bookshelf. Diana drifted over slowly, raising her arms to pounce and startle her.

‘I know you’re their sister,’ Donna said softly, her back still to Diana, sliding a copy of The Rise and Fall of Rome into place.

Diana floated on the spot, bewildered by Donna’s sensing of her presence. She was sure she had not made a sound. ‘What gave me away?’ She said, a pout on her face.

Donna turned to face her, a smug grin on her face. ‘Silence.’ She said, and at seeing Diana’s confused face, elaborated for her. ‘You make a terrible racket, packing things in your room, cursing in our native tongue when you can’t find something. I knew you were up to no good when things went silent.’

Diana grunted, annoyed at giving herself away so easily. ‘Have I become so predictable?’

‘Only to me dear sister, only to me.’ Donna said with a smirk.

‘Are you two done up there?!’ Artemis shouted from downstairs, ‘This kitchen, as you say, needs setting up if we are to eat tonight!’

Diana and Donna shared a playful look and went downstairs to help their fellow Amazon. Artemis was behind the kitchen island holding up several different pots and pans and looking at them wearily. Diana and Donna shared a concerned look and took up the seats opposite her.

‘What’s the problem, Artemis?’ Diana asked.

‘These would make excellent weapons at a moment’s notice. Are we sure they are cooking utensils?’ She asked, swinging the pot and pan experimentally. After several graceful, and deadly, practice swings, she nodded happily to herself, seemingly pleased with how they were weighted.

‘They,’ Diana said, pointing at the two offending pans, ‘are for cooking. In the event we need them to defend ourselves, you have my permission to use them.’

Artemis nodded in thanks and put them down, before pulling out two more and testing them like the others.

‘Are we sure this is wise, sister?’ Donna asked.

‘Of course. These were gifts from Shayera. Given the abundance of Nth metal leftover from the Invasion eight years ago, Shayera collected them. When she returned to the league, she gifted them to many. Other’s she melted them down and turned them into different but useful items.’ Diana picked up a pan and mimicked Artemis. She too nodded happily, pleased at the weight and balance of it. ‘Shayera assured me the metal will last for centuries and could be useful in an unexpected situation. ‘We must be prepared for all eventualities sister. We are Amazon's first, and champions of Man’s World. Goddesses know we get attacked by all manner of creatures and enemies randomly. Having sturdy cooking equipment will be useful for making feasts fit for royalty, and in the event this dwelling is compromised and attacked.’

‘And the other thing, Diana?’ Donna asked, glancing at Artemis nervously. Artemis had discovered the knives and was gleefully examining them.

‘They too are made of Nth metal, Artemis. As for your question Donna. This townhouse is spacious and in a good neighbourhood. I did not doubt we wouldn’t be lacking in the applicants for a roommate. An unaware roommate will not create problems for us. In fact, it may provide us with some much needed cover.’

Donna pursed her lips, unsure of Diana’s reasons, but aware that Diana had never failed her before. ‘I'm sure sister. I believe it would serve us well to experience some of the customs Man’s World offers. Living away from home is one, but if we are staying at the embassy and not outside as the rest do, we miss out on their perspective.’

Artemis, who had been eyeing the two wearily, placed the knives she had been testing down on the island bench and addressed the two.

‘We will be fine, Donna. I am here to ensure that nothing happens to you, or Diana. I am sworn to protect you both and will carry out my duties to the letter.’

‘But no killing.’ Diana added brightly.

Artemis rolled her eyes and crossed her arms defensively. ‘Yes. No killing. If the princess insists.’

Diana beamed at her, stood up and stretched. ‘Come now Artemis, Donna! We’re living the true lives of Man’s World. Sisters, united in arms against the world and living our lives to better others.’

‘With a few creature comforts...?’ Donna asked hopefully.

Diana sighed and nodded. She stepped back from the table and walked out to the open lounge room, the couch, sunken into the floor looking up at the television. ‘Yes. I have seen to it that we have a few “creature comforts” as you say. One of them is several spare rooms, one for a housemate…’

Artemis frowned

‘…One for a gym,’

Artemis’s face brightened somewhat.

‘One for a home studio for your photography sister,’

Donna beamed in excitement.

‘And the others are a garden with statues of our goddesses, a spa we can all use after battle, to relax.’ Diana finished with a flourish, opening a sliding door to reveal a small oasis in the city.

Artemis and Donna both rushed over to look and found themselves staring at a garden not too dissimilar from home. Tall tree, stone paths with the gentle flow of a round pond at the end. To their left, the spa of pure marble with a small statue of Aphrodite. Water spilled from her hands into the spa creating a small water feature.

‘Sister, you have outdone yourself!’ Donna praised and Diana preened a little under.

‘If our new roommate asks, our boss, Wonder Woman, is generous to her employees of Man’s World.’ Diana explained.

Donna and Artemis nodded absentmindedly, awestruck by what they were witnessing.

‘Is there anything else we should know about?’ Donna asked.

‘There are three separate bathrooms in the house. Artemis and I, will share one. One is down here, with the guest room. The last one, Donna and our housemate will share.’

Donna spied the frown on Artemis’s face, but said nothing as Diana walked back towards the kitchen.

‘There are two car parking spaces. For appearances obviously. And the other, is a basement.’ Diana said, indicating a door. ‘The door there is our personal armoury and Zeta tube and is hidden by a glamour charm by Zatanna. The Zeta tube here is perhaps the most secured one on the planet. It’s linked to the entire network, but only Batman, Cyborg and Powergirl are aware of its existence.’

‘Karen knows of its existence?’ Artemis asked curiously.

‘Indeed. Her company made it for me, as a gift.’ Diana said cheerfully, before turning to address her sisters properly. ‘Our housemate will not be aware of this door. Only we, and Zatanna, can see it, but we can invite others to, if we so desire. Do not, invite our new housemate.’ She ordered.

‘Yes, your highness.’

‘Now,’ Diana started. ‘Our new housemate does not know of our other work in the Justice League. He has been vetted by the Oracle and the Batman and does not present any clear and present dangers. He is just a little out of luck and looking for a cheap and easy place to stay to get into the city to find work.’

‘He?!’ Artemis exclaimed, bewildered by such an idea of a man sharing a home with them.

‘Fear not, Artemis. He is not a threat and is not to be harmed in any way. It is a short term contract of three months, if anything happens in that time, which is suspicious, he will miraculously find a job and apartment outside the city and be on the receiving end of a visit from perhaps every league member for daring to hurt us in some fashion. If he survives us three that is. You are not to create problems. Am I clear?’

‘Yes, your majesty.’ Artemis said, bowing her head in acknowledgement.

‘When is our new housemate coming?’ Donna asked.

‘Should be today. I believe his girlfriend was helping him move.’