Victoria Manor

Artemis was sitting in the taxi impatiently; the taxi driver had yet to be cleared by the security in the mansion. He tapped noisily on the side of the window while the driver was bargaining with the security guard or so it seemed. The security guard was actually Cal, a computer, short for Calcolatore, Italian for computer.

In a perfectly human voice, Cal said again, "I told you sir; unless you can provide proper credentials you aren't allowed in. You didn't pass my DNA scan."

Artemis wound down the window, leaned out of the window and plugged in his computer. Naturally he did the first thing that came to mind, hacking. He managed to get in of course but that was after the computer gave out a very loud warning.

"I'm sorry," a new voice crackled through, "Cal is sometimes really over reactive. I should reprogram him sometime."

The taxi driver grunted thinking that it was a joke, turning to Artemis he said, "Kid, pay me already, I've got other customers."

Artemis pulled out some money and passed it to that taxi driver who left after he confirmed Artemis was on the doorstep and was safe although he hardly cared. Automatically the door opened to reveal a tall brunette girl with pretty purple eyes.

"Hi," she smiled, "I'm Athena. you must be my mother's friend's son."

"Yes I am. Can I come in now or are you going to freeze and become far from a welcoming committee?"

Athena's smile faded, she turned to the back and saw her mother look at her threateningly. She rolled her eyes and turned back to Artemis. "Listen, whatever-your-name-is, I am forced to be nice to you whether I like it or not. I am so not in a good mood right now, so just come in," she hissed.

Artemis smirked, "Thank you for your, interesting, welcome."

Athena rolled her eyes again and closed the door behind him, "Well, that means I'll be in my room."

"Bring Artemis with you dear," Victoria Hawk called out to Athena, "Oh and make sure Veronica and Atlanta get to their curfew on time."

"Okay mum," Athena replied, "Follow me Artemis."

Artemis nodded, he was sure that he had heard this voice before. But this girl couldn't be the one in Britain that night. The girl seemed similar to Juliet, pretty, talkative and quite unusual. He would have preferred to listen to the conversation but he followed the girl because she was quite intriguing and he wanted to find out if she was the girl in Britain.

"Artemis, isn't that a girl's name?" he heard her say. He was annoyed and yet he didn't show it.

"It is generally a girl's name," he agreed, "But there is no law that states it's illegal for a boy to have a girl's name."

"True, true," she nodded. "Plus, baby names dot com says that it's for boys and girls."

"What is your name, again?"

"Athena and unless you know about my real name I suggest you call me that."

"Your real name?"

"Government files," was Athena's brief answer, "This is my room," she said pointing to a door, "Hold on for a sec."

She typed in a code on a special box like object and a drawer with gel in it appeared. When she pressed her thumbprint into the gel, a laser scanned her and her surroundings.

"Clear," the metallic voice of the computer confirmed.

"High security," Athena explained, "My sisters like the mess around with my items and some of it is dangerous."

"What could possibly be dangerous?" Artemis asked when he entered her room. "All I can see is a perfectly harmless room." Smirking at the colour theme he continued, "Why is your room coloured with the theme of salmon and cream? I would have expected something different especially since your personality shows a different colour."

Automatically Athena rolled her eyes again, "How could you notice the difference between salmon and pink? Or cream and white?"

"There's a subtle difference," Artemis pointed out.

"This is not my real room," Athena smiled, "Press the button on the table side."

"I don't see a button," Artemis said, staring at the table.

Athena laughed, "Finally something you don't know. Anyway, I have a knack for doing stuff like that. Let me do it." Athena bounced on her bed towards her table side, "There we go."

The whole room transformed before Artemis' eyes. "Hmm, this is a fascinating design. Although I have to change my answer and say that salmon and cream is indeed a much more suitable for a girl like you."

"You don't say." Athena rolled her eyes, "I would have thought that this described my personality in the finest detail. What do you think of my personality? I've heard your ambition is to be a psychologist."

"Well, I can tell you definitely aren't what you seem to be. You seem to have different personalities which was quite clear when you greeted me."

"I guess that's true," said she nodding reluctantly. "Wait a minute, what time is it?"

"A quarter past eleven. Why?'

"I have to meet a friend."

"Strange but so do I. Am I allowed to go out without you?"

"I don't know," Athena shrugged, "I most likely have to bring you along. You know, to see Los Angeles, America. Since, I'm supposed to have an early lunch due to my appointment," she paused, "So you want to tag along?"

"I suppose. Except what method of transportation do you have? I doubt you have a licence now and I no chauffeur in his or her right mind will transport us and leave us alone."

"You have a car? You can't be that old."

"It pays to bribe and act."

"You are so not driving. I'll call Libra, Geraldine and Priscilla can take care of your parents."

Artemis sighed, "Fine but will she leave me to my own business."

"Yes, she is, after all, a Rowler." Athena smirked. "Libra," Athena said speaking through the intercom, "Please ready the one of the cars. I need to bring a friend for a ride."

"Okay, Athena," was the fuzzed answer.

"I need to build a better intercom," Athena said picking up her backpack, "Come on. If you are with me my mother can't say I'm being a terrible hostess which I am."

Artemis just nodded, and followed Athena out of her room and down the stairs, he saw his parents talking with Victoria although it was mainly his mother speaking.

"Mum," he heard Athena call, "I'm just going to show Artemis around."

"Okay, dear. Have fun."

"That was surprisingly simple," Artemis commented.

"Mum likes to talk," Athena smiled, "There's Libra, let's go."

One more time, what is Vinyanya's position? And this time, more reviews per chapter please. I seriously need more opinions. Flamers still NOT welcome.