It was five thirty in the morning, and Asuka was waiting in front of Lili's mansion, with three suitcases by her side. She was frowning and tapping her foot impatiently – Lili had told her that she was to meet her at four.
Eventually, the large front doors to the mansion opened, and Lili walked out gracefully, tossing her hair, which whipped lightly in the dawn breeze.
"About damn time!" Asuka said. "You said for me to be here an hour and a half ago!"
"That's right. I admire your punctuality"
"What's the point in me being here on time if you won't show up?!"
Lili tutted. "There's no need to take such a tone, Asuka Kazama. Packing took me a little longer than expected – the maids shall bring them shortly"
The doors burst open again, and twelve maids walked out of the mansion in single file, each carrying two or three suitcases. They waited obediently at the bottom of the steps leading to the mansion. Asuka stood dumbstruck.
"I thought you said that this vacation was going to last three weeks!" Asuka said.
"That's correct", Lili replied.
"This", Asuka shouted, pointing at the plethora of suitcases, "is three weeks of packing?!"
"What can I say, I wanted to travel light" Lili chuckled slightly. "Sebastian!" she called. Within seconds, he had appeared at her side.
"Yes, Ms. Lili?"
"Load these suitcases into the private jet. Don't forget those belonging to our guest"
"Most splendid, Ms. Lili" Without another word, he took a number of the suitcases and made his way towards the jet. Asuka was still stunned.
"You have a PRIVATE JET?!"
"Of course. How else are we supposed to get to Attendorn? Now, if you'll excuse me, I must use the rest room before we depart. I shall be back shortly."
She disappeared back into the mansion. At around this time Sebastian was coming back for the next load of suitcases. Asuka took him by the shoulder.
"How do you put up with this girl?"
"Ms Lili is a most pleasant young lady, and she seems to have a great level of respect for you. My duty is to serve, and it is a task I undertake joyfully"
"But why can't we just catch a train to Germany rather than going by aircraft?"
"Oh, Ms Lili wouldn't dream of using public transport – there wouldn't be nearly enough room for her belongings"
"You've got that right", Asuka muttered.
"I am sorry, but I really must carry on with loading the plane. We can continue this conversation once the plane has taken off"
For the next half an hour, Asuka continued to wait for Lili to re-appear. Once Sebastian had finished loading the aircraft, he joined Asuka, standing firmly, ready to take new orders.
Eventually, Lili emerged, wearing a brand new outfit. Her white lace dress had been replaced by a flowing canary yellow gown with matching opera gloves. Asuka was incensed.
"I thought you said you were going to the bathroom, not getting poshed up!"
"What can I say? On the way to the bathroom, I glanced at my outfit in the mirror, and decided I needed a new look!"
"You look marvellous, Ms Lili", Sebastian said, bowing.
"Oh Sebastian, you're too much sometimes. Anyway, let us depart!"
"Finally!" Asuka said, exasperated.
Soon enough, Asuka, Lili and Sebastian were seated inside the jet.
"I can't wait until we arrive in Attendorn!" Lili said happily. "It has such lovely caves!"
"Oh please, like you'd be brave enough to explore a cave", Asuka jeered.
"Excuse me?"
"Within five seconds you'll be moaning about getting your dress dirty and how dark it is and then you'll touch a bug and scream your head off – you flip out whenever something doesn't go exactly your way!"
"If you dislike me so much, Asuka Kazama, why did you agree to this trip in the first place?"
Asuka shrugged. "A free vacation is a free vacation. Even if it's with someone as unpleasant as you"
"Now, now, ladies, please calm down. Shall I fetch you both some tea?"
"Oh yes, please, Sebastian", Lili said enthusiastically. "White with three sugars, as always. What about you, Asuka Kazama?"
"No tea, thanks. And please stop calling me 'Asuka Kazama' every time – just call me 'Asuka', damn it!"
"Very well. I hope Sebastian made sure to pick a good in-flight movie…"
Asuka sighed. Shortly afterwards Sebastian appeared and handed Lili her tea. Within minutes the plane had taken off, and they were on their way to Germany.