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The Delightfuls watched as their chauffeur drove away. How they wished they were leaving with him. In front of them, obviously eager to rush in but sticking the acceptable amount of closeness to them, was Kuki. The young girl carried a smile that seemed permanently plastered to her face, and she skipped and twirled down stone trail, the frills of her pink dress fluttering with every sway.

How a child could remain that happy eluded them to no end.

Having accounted for Sanban, the five turned their eyes to the structure before them. The manor stood almost proudly as if flaunting its class superiority. They snorted. Their mansion was much more impressive.

"I can't believe I finally get to go to a real tea party," Kuki all but squealed, her gloved hands failing to contain her mirth. "Thank you so much for taking me with you.

"But of course. It's the least we can do after you forced us to come. After all, why should we suffer alone?"

"Now don't be such negative Nancies." Kuki went up to dust them off and straighten the boys' ties. "We're going to have a great night, and you'll be thanking me later."

"The day we thank you is the day we willingly give you a slice of our cake. Speaking of cake, did we neglect to mention that it's the only reason we're here?" they said with sneers as Kuki pulled away. "We're not here for your amusement, nor are we here to have fun. We're here to show up, demand what is rightfully ours-"

"And drink lots of tea."

"-and drink lots of tea. Wait. No!" they stuttered as Kuki grinned. "Once we get our cake, we're leaving."

"You'll have fun, just wait and see." Kuki turned and urged them to follow. "Now let's go inside!"

They groaned, wondering if their words had gotten through to her at all. What were they saying? Of course they didn't. Nevertheless, the five took collected steps forward to walk past the threshold of the gate-

-only for it to slam shut as soon as they were in the grounds.

This was going to be terrible.

They wandered to the entrance, ignoring the rather off-putting lawn ornaments and fountain displays. They scaled the steps, meeting Kuki at the top and the obvious doorman.

The adult had his nose stuck in the air, not even bothering lower it or open his squinty eyes as he said, "Your invitations, please."

Kuki looked at them expectantly and they gave obedient smiles as David dug around in his breast-pocket and handed the parchment over. Well-behaved children must respect all adults on principal, or so the mental mantra droned.

The doorman unfolded the paper, his face still frozen in that sniveling position.

"Ah, the Delightful Children from Down the Lane," he greeted evenly. A thin brow arched as he counted heads. "From my understanding, they were only to be five of you."

"Yup, but I'm their plus one," Kuki smiled to her well-dressed acquaintances. "Right?"

"She is correct," they said without missing a beat. "We do believe the correspondence stated we were allowed a plus one, sir."

"Indeed it does. I am afraid, however, that I cannot allow you to enter on account of tardiness."

Their eyes widened. "T-Tardiness?"

"Yes. The festivities were to begin at seven."

They sputtered a brief bout of nonsense before glaring at Kuki. "You said it started at eight."

"No, it started at seven," Kuki said, leaning in to whisper, "but we have to be fashionably late, remember?" Their expressions froze in a stupefied manner as Kuki patted Bruce's shoulder. "Let me do the talking."

She pulled away and cleared her throat. "My friends are the most delightfulest Delightful Children in the entire world, my good sir," she said with a haughty accent. "They have much more serious matters and thingys to do before they can honor you with their presence. Isn't that right, my dears?"

"Uh, yes?"

"Precisely!" Kuki said triumphantly as she waggled a finger. "Do you not know how important they are?"

The doorman sneered. "No. I do not."

"You do not?" Kuki continued undeterred. "How could you not know how important your guests are?"

The doorman rose a brow. "I assure you I-"

"My good sir, are you suggesting your hosts would not invite the most importantly important people to their most important tea party?"

His stoic expression cracked. "No, I would never-"

"I do say, it sounds to me you are suggesting what I'm suggesting."

"Suggesting what?"

"My suggestion."

"What are you suggesting?"

"I'm suggesting what you are suggesting."

"I'm suggesting something?"

"Are you?"

"Yes?"

"Ah, so you admit it."

"Admit what!?"

"Admit that your hosts have no taste in company."

"Yes. I-I mean no! Never!" The Delightfuls followed this back and forth with rising curiosity until the doorman finally broke into tears and began kissing their feet. "Oh do forgive my offense, sirs and madams!"

They looked uncomfortable as they tried to free their ankles from his grip. "It's quite alright. We, err, shall overlook it this time."

"Oh, your generosity knows no bounds, thank you!"

Kuki smiled with smug satisfaction. "I do believe you were about to invite us in?"

"Oh, but of course." He scrambled to his feet, opening the door and bowing lower than what was normally necessary as he ushered them inside. "Right this way!"

The Delightfuls looked to Kuki, whom nodded and strutted inside. They followed suit, their eyes wandering to the closing door as the last few minutes caught up with them.

"That was…different," they concluded. "We feel the need to give due credit to your…may we call it resourcefulness?"

"Oh, but you may," Kuki answered with a curtsy. "I wasn't going let that stuffy britches be rude to my friends."

They frowned. "Such rudeness would have never been called for had you not purposely made us late."

"But I fixed it, didn't I? Now everyone will know how important and popular you are!"

"Well, we are quite popular," they chuckled, soaking up the praise.

"And that's why we needed to be fashionably late."

"Interesting." They began musing to themselves, wondering if such a tactic would be effective in other situations. It was never a bad thing to remind others of their justly earned superiority. They blinked as Kuki's last remark caught up to them. "And we are not friends!"

"Whatever you say," she said in an irritatingly sing-song voice. She then danced across the foyer, no doubt heading to the source of the commotion they could hear in the background.

The Delightfuls attempted to protest, but scoffed it off as Kuki went away. Let the girl keep her fantasies; as long they got what they came for, she could believe whatever nonsense she wanted. There were far more pressing concerns at the moment; such as studying the playing field as they fell into the trail the girl left behind.

The foyer was massive, giving them the odd notion that it was bigger on the inside than outside. The room was lit with low light, their eyes taking a minute to adjust to the subdued ambiance. The walls were coated in dark colors, deep red and black patterns splashing about everywhere. There were brighter decorations tossed in here and there, clashing so much it was almost tacky.

Only for them, tacky was a kind term compared to what they truly thought. Their annoyance with this place had instantly turned them off to any charms the hosts had laid out to win guests over. Whomever they were had already earned spots in their "posterior-to-be-kicked" book for stealing their birthday cake, no amount of flashy flair would change that.

This was obviously some sort of trap. Who would go through the trouble of stealing their cake only to invite them to a party to rub it in their faces? No. The hosts had grander ambitions, yet they were pained to admit they had no inkling as to what they might be.

Before they knew it, they had caught up with Sanban. The girl stood before a beaded curtain; the only thing standing between them and the party happening on the other side.

Kuki straightened her dress for the buhmillionth time this hour. "I hope they like my dress."

"That should be the least of your worries."

"Do you like it?"

"Uh, sure. Whatever," they mumbled, fighting off their blushes as they tried to be serious. "But stay alert. This is no time for you to clock out into La-La land as you are so prone to do."

"You guys really need to relax," Kuki said as she pushed through the curtain. "What could possibly go wrong at a tea party?"

"Kids Next Door!"

"Yes? Ah!"

The Delightfuls poked their heads through the curtains, curiously watching as a yellow-blur snatched up Kuki. This was followed by a jolt of confusion as they recognized the man has he took a swig from his gigantic mug of coffee.

"Shoulda known you brats would show up," Cuppa Joe said after taking a long gulp of expresso. He wiped off his mouth, then snarled at the girl in his grip. "But I'm running on seven cups of black coffee, and it's more than enough to finish you off!"

"Do not kid yourself." Another voice shouted right before Joe was blasted away by a stream of root beer. Kuki fell on her behind, but smiled up to thank her savior. Her smile vanished, however, when she looked up to stare down the barrel of Mr. Fizz's soda canon. "That caffeinated charlatan is not worthy of the honor of destroying this girl. I, however, am a different case."

"Excuse me."

Mr. Fizz turned to offer a polite smile. "Yes?"

Only to scream as he was greeted with a face-full of laser.

"This brat is one of my sister's stupid friends. If anyone has dibs, it's me." Blowing off her smoking gauntlet, Cree smirked as she sauntered up behind Kuki. "Where is little Abby anyway? Hiding as usual?"

Kuki awkwardly laughed. "Actually, she's back at the treehouse. We can go visit her later if you want?"

"Not a bad idea," Cree said with a pleasant smile. Kuki let out a relieved sigh, only to suck in air through her teeth as Cree charged her gauntlet. "But how about I play with you first?"

"Yo, Cree." Cree lowered her weapon a tad and Kuki peered around the teenager's legs to see The Steve himself walking up, the only formal thing about him being the fact that his jacket was partially zipped. "I can't find the nacho bar."

Cree sighed. "There is no nacho bar, Steve."

"Really? That's lame, babe."

"Yeah, but you wanna know what's not lame?" she asked before smirking down at Kuki. "Wiping out an annoying KND pest."

Steve lowered his shades a tad as he looked down at Kuki. His eyes squinted for a moment before snapping his fingers in recognition. "Sup, lil dork?"

Kuki smiled and waved. "Nothing much, doo-doo head."

"Cute," Cree groaned. "I may actually miss that about you."

"We insist you lower your weapon, lest the evening becomes even more unpleasant."

Cree snorted, preparing to tell off the voices speaking to her. That's when it clicked that voices spoke to her. She turned her head to the curtain, shocked to see the frowning faces of Father's little angels. "What are you guys doing here?"

"We could ask the same of all of you," they said. "And we intend to, but as we said before, drop your weapon."

"Are you crazy? This is Numbuh 3!"

"Thank you for clarifying. For a moment, we thought we'd gone blind," they said dryly. "We shall not repeat ourselves again, Ms. Lincoln, or would you rather have us inform Father of your insubordination?"

Cree growled as she stepped back. Her gauntlet retracted back into her glove, and she stubbornly crossed her arms as she moped about. Steve simply came up and gave her an awkward pat on the shoulder.

"We figured as much," they said smugly. They dropped their smiles as they looked at Kuki. "Stop sitting there like an idiot, it's embarrassing."

Kuki hopped to her feet and evened out the ruffles of her dress. "Thanks, friends!"

"We are not friends," they felt the need to repeat. "And don't think that an act of charity; your assistance is needed for cake retrieval, and you're of no use to us as a pile of ashes."

"So they are here for the cake?" said a voice in the back belonging to Count Spankulot. The spank-happy vampire slumped and sighed. "And here I thought I vould finally partake in its yummy goodness!"

Steve looked to Cree for answers. "There's cake?"

"Yes, Steve, there's cake. The cake we're here to get for the prom after-party," Cree explained. "You know, the whole reason why we showed up to this stupid tea party?"

"This is a tea party?"

"Hey!" The Delightfuls snapped their fingers to draw attention back to them. "Just who do you people think you are? That cake is OURS and last we checked, none of you have permission to eat it. Just what the heck is going on here anyway?"

"A TEA PARTY OF COURSE!"

"AHH!" they screamed. They tingled with fright, Kuki coming up to pat at their faces with a handkerchief. The growled, ignoring the girl as they eyes scanned for the voice. "What is it with everyone and their mother trying to give us a heart attack? Who said that!?"

"Why I did, you see!" All eyes turned to the center of the room. There, having appeared out seemingly nowhere, was a smiling, stub of a man, his only defining feature being the large top hat upon his head. Satisfied that he had won the crowd, he tipped the large article and swung it around as he bowed. "I welcome you, one and all, to the greatest event you shall have the pleasure of eventing. The Fabulous Tea Extravaganza!"

Mr. Fizz rose a brow. "Not a very creative name."

"My mistresses are most uncreative with their creativity; one of their many charms, I assure you."

Kuki smiled. "I like it."

"And they shall like you, I am most sure of this," he said grinning ear to ear. "Do not be shy, for now that our final guests have arrived, we can finally commence with the gathering. Everyone, follow me, if you do so please."

He drunkenly swung himself around, teetering as he walked down the corridor. Everyone in the room shared skeptic looks, but shrugged and followed. The Delightfuls remained suspiciously lurking in the back, Kuki blabbering on and on about her excitement while they tried to keep their focus.

The crowd was herded down a hall that only seemed to get tighter and tighter the further they all marched. By the time that had reached the dining room, they felt as if they were lining out single file.

The oddness, however, was lost on everyone as they took in the room around them. The dining hall was a massive complex; a long table with embroiled cloth fashioned to the wood. The fancy chairs were cushioned, the utensils and cups sparkled radiantly, and the heavenly aroma of the baked goods sprinkled about lured in even the pickiest of eaters. Despite their reservations about the party, even the Delightfuls could give credit where credit was due. These hosts, whoever they might be, had definitely went all out with the catering.

But what held everyone's eye was the marvelous centerpiece. There, sat suspended in time behind a glass cover, was a three-tiered, chocolate frosted cake. Strawberries were lined upon each row with creamy pink icing floral designs painstakingly etched along the sides.

Truly the cake was a testament to Father's baking, which was most certainly more than a hobby.

"And that there is all I came for."

The Delightfuls gasped as a yellow whirlwind rushed by them all. They frantically looked around, searching for the cause of the disturbance, and were only drawn back to the table as Kuki redirected their gazes to the adult standing atop it.

"Cake and coffee," Cuppa Joe smirked with a lick of his lips. He hiked his leg up, intending to dash away with the dessert. "I think I'll just help myself!"

"But I will help you instead," the attendant that lead them in spoke up. Right before Joe knocked over the glass, the man popped in front of him. The fact someone had managed to beat him to the punch was enough to stop the coffee tycoon in his tracks. "And help you I shall, by helping you not make a grave mistake, my good surly sir."

Cuppa Joe settled down, tapping his foot impatiently as he stared the little man down. "How the heck did you move so fast?"

"Motivation. Motivation to insure my mistresses' soirée goes off most splendidly," he answered with a tip of his top-hat. "I am quite the motivated mover, I do so say to admit. Might I motivate you to take your seat?"

Joe narrowed his eyes before taking a deliberate slow sip. "Crafty little bugger, I'll give you that."

"You need not give me a thing, for I ask for nothing," the man laughed. Not wanting to test his mettle against the odd little attendant, Cuppa Joe backed down and hopped into the nearest seat. He kicked his feet up on the table, and the attendant turned to the remainder of the crowd. "But I lied, for I shall now ask for you all to take a seat."

Adult and teen villains alike moved to the table, grumbling as it appeared simply taking the cake by brute force wasn't going to work out.

As everyone else sat down, the Delightfuls stood stubbornly. To the normal outside observer, their eyes were transfixed on their cake and obviously plotting some devious scheme to make off with it. That was not the case, however, for upon a closer second look, one would notice that their glassy gazes were looking past the cake. The best-behaved children in the world had fell victim to a notion every other kid had succumbed to: allowing themselves the guilty pleasure of staring off into space.

This entire scene sat frozen in their minds as they took it all in. That eerie feeling they always felt when their minds wandered to tea parties returned ten-fold as they studied the décor. Warning bells were ringing, yet they knew not why. The setting screamed doom, but they could not describe the terror. Even the attendant made them uneasy, an ill tremor nesting in their bowels. There was something very familiar about all this.

Something very wrong.

"Come on!"

They were jerked from their thoughts as Kuki pulled them to the table. Before they could whip up a protest, she had already had them in their seats. "We gotta sit down, sillies. The party is about to start."

"I swear, we sometimes wonder how you've survived this long," they mumbled as they sat, suddenly suspicious that a chair that could fit all five of them had materialized when they weren't looking. "Are you that blind? Can you not see this an obvious ploy?"

Kuki gave them a skeptic look.

"Don't tell me you haven't figured it out!" they whispered loud enough for her to hear while the others chatted. "Making off with our cake, inviting every villainous cad this side of the world, tacky table-furnishings," they said as they pinched the fabric. "It doesn't take a genius to figure out we're all being played for fools."

"Aw, lighten up and mingle. That's always fun." Kuki demonstrated by trying to spark up conversation with Cree. "So, do you come to these sorts of things often?"

Cree sneered. "No."

"Me too! This is actually my first time," Kuki paused, ogling the teenager's outfit. "Your dress is really pretty."

"Please stop talking to me," Cree said as she turned away. She hesitated a moment before adding, "But thanks. Yours, uh, looks good too."

"Thank you." Kuki then turned to her Delightful companions. "See? Try it."

Knowing how unrelenting the bubbly girl could be, the Delightfuls looked to their right and saw Cuppa Joe. The man jittered impatiently, taking measured sips of his emptying mug.

"So," the Delightfuls awkwardly started. "Done, err, anything particularly evil lately?"

Joe's twitchy eyes snapped to the five and he narrowed his gaze. "Not since you goody-two-shoes let the KND blow up my coffee refinery."

"It's rude to hold a grudge," they said. Four of them broke away to single out Lenny. "Besides, it was his fault!"

The boy grumbled under his football helmet. "Real mature, guys."

"Last I checked, y'all count as one unit. Which means you brats still owe me a gazillion pounds of coffee beans to make up for my losses!"

"Father said he would reimburse you, so back off!"

"I think that's enough mingling for now," Kuki tried to dissuade as she popped up between the squabbling. "Uh, besides, we should be drinking tea, not arguing."

"Why I do believe the little miss has a point," the attendant spoke again, the conversation dulling to a droll as he hopped on the table. "While we await my mistresses, we shall wet our whistles with the finest brew your taste buds have had the privilege of being scalded by."

The man took off his hat, reaching inside to pull out a tea-kettle. Not bothering to explain himself, the stubby man began swaying around the table, some guests leaning away cautiously as he threatened to fall over. Yet he never did, and continued to pour everyone a cup of tea with amazing precision.

The Delightfuls fidgeted as he stumbled by, him having to stop to pour them five cups separately. They took a moment to study the tea-kettle, their eyes drawn to it. It was a jade antique, tiny scratches and scuff marks dulling its glimmer. It was obviously quite old and they were surprised the man would still use it.

Beyond their causal observation, there was something off about the kettle; its jagged patterns and swirl designs tickling the back of their memory. Before they could inspect it further, the man moved on, and they pushed the thought away.

"Drink up, drink up! The hotter it is, the more satisfying the sting."

Count Spankulot smiled to himself, bringing the cup to his lips as he lifted his pinky. "Mmmm, this is quite good. I may convert to a tea-happy vampire before the night is through."

"Indeed," Mr. Fizz joined in as he lowered his cup. "Soda is well and good, but it is refreshing to partake in something deliciously different."

"Pft, I'd take a strong mug of coffee over this any day," Cuppa Joe butted in, ignoring his tea. However, as he went to sip his coffee, he panicked to find it empty. His fingers drummed against the table, causing tiny tendrils of steam to rise. He looked to the cup of tea and caved. "But I need caffeine, so bottoms up!"

Steve downed his tea and went back to analyzing the food. "So are the tacos coming out with the main course or what?"

Cree sighed in between sips. "There are no tacos here, Steve."

"But you said there would be tacos."

"I said we would get tacos after we got the cake."

"So they'll bring out cake but skimp on the tacos?"

"See, this is why I told you not to skip lunch."

Kuki watched amused as the adults and teenagers around her sipped at their tea. After hearing such positive feedback, she could not wait to sample it herself. She slowly brought her cup to her mouth, the tea gracing her lips. Yet before she took a gulp, she noted the Delightfuls sat bored in their seat; arms folded and their tea untouched.

"Drink your tea, guys," she said as she put her cup down. "Everyone says it's really good."

"Conforming to the masses now?" they snipped before glaring at the cups. "We shall leave the tea guzzling to you buffoons. We prefer lattes anyway."

Kuki snapped her hands to her hips. "You're being rude."

"So?"

"So stop it and drink your tea."

"We don't like tea."

"You haven't even tried it."

"And we intend to keep it that way."

Having enough of their haughty attitude, Kuki leaned over and lifted the platter underneath the cups. Her intentions clear, she pushed the dish towards their faces. "Try it."

The Delightfuls scowled as they pushed it away. "No."

"Drink up."

"No."

"Here comes the train."

"Don't you baby us!"

"I will if you keep acting like babies, now drink!"

"No."

"Yes."

"No!"

"Yes!"

Finally snapping, they whipped their hands back. "We. Said. NO!"

SPLASH

The chatter died as all looked at the end of the table. The Delightfuls themselves appeared a bit shocked, their fury sapping out of them the moment they realized the damage they had done.

In slapping away the tea platter, the Delightful Children caused their tea to rain down all over poor Kuki. The girl's hair was soaked, her dress stained, and tea puddling under her chair as it dripped off her body. Her face was reddened, a side effect of the brew's temperature. But upon further inspection, the quivering lips and watery eyes serving as main evidence, everyone could firmly conclude it wasn't just the tea that caused her skin to flush.

"Um," Kuki meekly uttered, those close having to lean in to hear her. "W-Where is the bathroom?"

Spankulot waited for someone else to speak. When no one did, he squirmed uncomfortably, and pointed to the far door. "I believe it is down the hall to the left."

Kuki quickly nodded, then took off to the door, gloves wiping at her teary eyes as she disappeared.

Cree clicked her tongue. "Harsh."

"That's rich coming from someone who wanted to blast her not even ten minutes ago!" They folded their arms, glaring at the table as they firmly settled back into their seats. As the minutes ticked on, their expressions wavered as something ate away at their psyche. It was a very foreign feeling, one they hardly ever felt; especially towards a member of Kids Next Door. The nagging in their minds still raging, they threw up their hands as they rose from their chairs. "Oh fine!"

The attendant, for the first time that evening, looked uncomfortable as the Delightfuls marched to the door. He fumbled over to block their path. "You mustn't depart. My mistresses-"

"Out of our way," they said as they smacked him to the side, continuing on undeterred. It wouldn't be hard to track down Kuki; they just needed to follow the trail of tea and tears.

The attendant stood, holding his hat in his hands as his eyes watched the clock. "Oh dear me…"

"Now that the stupid kiddies are gone, can we get this show on the road?" Cuppa Joe piped up as he smacked his hands on the table. "I got things to do, so hand over the cake before I get antsy!"

"Excuse me?" Mr. Fizz spoke up. "The cake shall be leaving with me."

"No, I'm taking it!"

"No, we are!"

"That cake is mine, losers!"

The Toiletnator attempted to speak from his seat. "I'm just happy to be invited to something for once."

"SHUT UP."

"Distinguished guests, honored invitees," the attended tried to pacify as he leaped onto the table, standing defensively in front of the cake. "Settle down, for the mistresses do not abide unruly guests."

"Mistresses this, mistresses that," Cree parroted. "Who the heck are your so-called bosses anyway and why did they invite us to this party?"

"I say, perhaps it is time to give them answers, sister?"

"Oh, I think we've had them in suspense long enough."

Once again the room went silent as the attendant perked up. He jumped atop the cake-display, balancing on one foot as he tipped his hat and bobbed. "Behold, for my mistresses have arrived; Madam Selina and Madam Sasha!"

At the head of the table, continuing with the theme of people appearing out of thin air, were two little girls with small smiles. The children sat straight with matching faces and red blouses. They were obviously twins, the only telling features being that one wore glasses while the other did not.

The girls, Selina and Sasha, bowed their heads as they greeted their guests. "We're very pleased you came all this way for our little gathering. We do so terribly apologize for the wait."

"But we won't wait anymore," Sasha sang as she bounced with glee. "For all our guests are here and the reunion can begin!"

"I am tired of these childish antics," Mr. Fizz grumbled. "Reunion? There was nothing in the invitation about a reunion. I came for the promised cake."

"We all did," Cuppa Joe said. "So what gives?"

"Oh my," Sasha gasped, holding a hand to her mouth in shock. "Selina, I think we may have mislead them. The poor darlings think we only invited them for tea and cake."

"That was the point, Sasha," Selina said with a controlled smirk. "I know I certainly wouldn't come if I knew of our true intentions."

Sasha was confused. "Uh, do you not remember the plan?"

Selina dropped her smile and stared at her sister."

"…oh! We were doing a thing."

Her twin rolled her eyes. "Anyway, if it's cake you want, it's cake you'll get. There's just a matter of business we need to settle."

Cree flicked her hands under the table, readying her blasters. "What kind of business?"

"Don't fret dear, it's not you we're after," Selina said with a disarming smile. Her smile widened to a grin as she stared hungrily to the opposite end of the table. "No, we're here to welcome our dear-where are they?"

The attendant began to sweat as the sisters realized they were short five guests. Well, short the five that mattered, at any rate. "About that, my mistresses…"

"They're here, right?" Sasha looked around absentmindedly before scooting up to Selina. "Right?"

"That was what I was led to believe," Selina growled, her ire focused on their attendant. "Did you let the weasels escape?"

"Eh, pardon me," Spankulot said as he rose his hands. "Might you be referring to the Delightful Children?"

"DID I SAY YOU COULD SPEAK!?"

"Calm down, dear, you're positively red at the moment," Sasha said as she reeled her sister in. Selina continued to silently fume as Sasha decided to take initiative. "But yes Sir…spanking vampire thing, we are referring to the Delightfuls. Or whatever it is those brats are calling themselves now."

Spankulot then jerked his oversized mitts to the far door. "They went to the bathroom."

Sasha blinked and Selina's anger fizzled out upon hearing that. They both looked to their attendant, whom only nodded in confirmation. Sasha looked away, staring blankly at the table. "Wow."

"Ugh." Selina face-palmed before slumping on the table with a pout. "I suppose we can wait a bit longer."

"Yo, twin dorks," Steve called out. "Can we get some chips and dip in here? I haven't had anything solid to eat all day and these sweets ain't cutting it."

The twins once again looked to their attendant, whom shrugged. They both rose a brow as they both said, "We have no chips and dip."

Steve slowly lowered his hands and gazed forlornly at the ceiling. He inhaled slowly, and then exhaled slowly; closing his eyes as he clasped his hands. "Alright then. I am officially done with this."

Everyone near them yelled in panic as Cree and Steve leaped from their seats. The older Lincoln girl let her Battle Ready Armor coil around her body while Steve's jacket encased him with his own power suit. Several adults jumped for the cake, but Cree swept them away, using the moment of distraction to grab the display and take it into the air with her.

Selina snarled as she stood. "Put that down this instant!"

"No can do, little dork," Steve denied as he landed in front of the twins. "If the babe wants cake, then cake the babe shall get. So like, we're gonna totally flake on your stupid party now, okay? Okay, cool, glad we agree on that."

Selina composed herself as she sat back down. She and Sasha simply looked to their attendant. The man bobbed with his with a hesitant nod. Suddenly, the twins were smiling as they greeted their unruly guest.

"You can't leave just yet," Sasha intoned sweetly. "You haven't even tried our tea. It's a family recipe."

"Been there, drank that," Steve waved off. "Stuff was bomb though, not gonna lie."

"Ah, so you've already had some?"

"I'm not about to start repeating myself, dude."

"Just making checking." Sasha nodded to her sister, and Selina smiled as she snapped her fingers. All in attendance waited, wondering what was about to happen.

Suddenly, Steve began choking, and all looked on horrified while Cree could only scream.

transmission interrupted