11.

"Now that the invitations have been sent, let's decorate!"

Kadaj huddled behind Loz who was trying to hide behind Yazuu, with little success. The littlest remnant peeked around his brothers for a glimpse of the crazed woman who was even now stapling festive streamers to the ceiling. "She's scaring me!"

Ms. Stewart's aide – one "Mrs. B" – herded the three brothers into the laundry room. "I'm so sorry about that," she whispered. "Miss Martha hasn't been quite right since the whole stock scandal, the poor dear. She's developed a bit of a wobble. Normally she wouldn't dream of faxing invitations at the last minute, but you've gotten her a little over-excited."

"Over-excited?" Yazuu echoed, his expression one of honest fear. "She hasn't slept in seven days!"

"That can't be good," Loz murmured.

"Oh, she'll be fine," the woman reassured them with a bright smile. "If it weren't you, it'd be the new Macy's ad campaign. It'll run its course, she'll throw a magnificent party, and then sleep for a week or so."

"Let me guess," Yazuu growled, "she has a special box in the basement for long-term hibernation."

"Now, don't you go poking around down there!" Mrs. B scolded, wagging her finger. "There are some things young men are just not meant to know!"

A resounding crash reminded them all why they were hiding out in the laundry room.

"Oh! Oh my! Excuse me, won't you?" Not waiting for an answer, Mrs. B scurried out, leaving the remnants on their own.

"This kind of shit didn't happen when I was in charge," Kadaj snarled.

"Do you have a better plan?" Yazuu countered. "Because, if you do, this would be the opportune moment to tell us about it!"

"But we can't leave now!" Loz wailed. "We've already invited everybody!"

Yazuu turned to slap him, but Kadaj blocked his hand. "Wait. He's right."

"Go on," Yazuu prompted grudgingly.

Kadaj began to pace as he worked things through. "We made sure the President was invited –" (turn left at the washing machines) "– and we're pretty sure he has Mother –" (reverse direction at the wall of cleaning supplies) "– so if he comes, he'll have to –" (dodge the mop) "– either leave her unguarded, or –"

"Bring her with him!" Yazuu chimed in, thoroughly pleased with himself and rather proud of his little brother, too.

"Won't she be upset about us liking Martha's cooking better than hers?" Loz asked.

"It won't matter," Kadaj told him with a happy smile even as he struggled to get untangled from a rogue Swiffer-vac. "The reunion is the only thing she'll care about."

Ever the voice of bemused reason, Loz asked, "Um, but what if Shinra doesn't come?"

Yazuu grinned evilly and rubbed his gloved hands together, making them squeak. "Nobody, but nobody, turns down an invitation from Martha Stewart!"