01x01 - The Shadow and Her Doll

[bunniefuu]

Let us ever remember.

The Shadows are an

outstanding family of nobles.

To serve them is the pride

and joy of every living doll.

Good morning, Mistress Kate.

I'm the living doll who will

be serving you starting today.

Your name?

Ma'am?

You must be given a name.

Yes, ma'am!

Katie, Kathy, Kat

No, perhaps not.

Maybe later.

Yes, ma'am!

"The Shadow and Her Doll"

Could you not stare?

Forgive me!

Kate does not

Yes, Mistress Kate?

Kate doesn't like

looking people in the eye.

If you looked at their forehead,

wouldn't it seem like you

were looking in their eyes?

Like this?

Well, it's not like you can tell.

It looks like you're looking at me.

You're just saying that.

After all, no one can see a shadow's face.

Excuse me, but

The soot? It emanates due to

anger or other negative emotions.

Are you angry right now?

No. Anxious, perhaps.

Anxious.

Soot collects in nooks and crannies.

I had no idea.

You are staring again.

That makes Kate more anxious than ever.

Forgive me.

She's anxious.

I feel anxious, too, Mistress Kate.

I can't read this.

I can't read any of these.

How will I ever be of

service to Mistress Kate?

Forgive me, Mistress Kate!

What's done is done. Just clean it up.

Yes, ma'am.

I'm really sorry.

Kate is going to take a bath.

Yes, ma'am! I'll finish

cleaning up before you're done!

My body isn't working right.

Can I fix it by applying oil somewhere?

If I break, will I be thrown out, too?

No, no! I'm completely fine!

I am as fit as a fiddle!

I did it again.

It seems dolls feel pain, too.

Clothes are not for cleaning up spills.

You're absolutely right.

But I needed a big cloth.

I don't mind looking like this.

Listen. The Shadows family's

living dolls are not mere servants.

They were created to

precisely mimic human beings.

Without faces, it's hard to tell the

members of the Shadows family apart.

Living dolls, such as you,

serve as our faces.

As such, we cannot have you

neglecting your appearance.

Forgive me for bringing

shame upon your family.

There is so much you don't know,

but you will gradually learn.

Um

Yes?

I'm a doll someone created, aren't I?

That's right.

Why are we created to look human?

Perhaps because it allows

you to move about, work,

and serve as our faces.

Mistress Kate, are you human?

You ask too many questions.

Forgive me.

What is it? Are you all right?

I think this might be it for me.

I'm broken beyond repair.

My body won't move.

I can no longer fulfill my duties.

I wish I could've had more

time with you, Mistress Kate.

This will not do.

Without you, Kate cannot--

Hmm?

Now my body is making strange sounds.

Have you eaten?

No, I'm a doll.

Food supplies the energy your body needs.

It should be delivered

to your room each day.

Forgive me. It's my first day.

I only ate a tiny bit.

Well, eat more!

I thought the rest was yours,

so I left it on the cabinet.

Wait there. Kate will bring you something.

Mistress Kate

Wow! Is this all for me?

It is.

This is the bread you eat.

It's not like the bread

that's brought to my room.

It's white, and soft,

and so yummy looking!

No! No matter how hungry I am,

I don't want to become a doll so greedy

she'd dare eat her mistress's bread!

You are Kate's face, are you not?

Yes.

Kate would like to see what she looks

like when eating something delicious.

So that's part of my job, too?!

Then I won't hold back!

Thank you for this bread!

What is it? Does such food

not suit a living doll?

It's so yummy!

How can bread be this good?!

It's so very, very delicious!

Hmm? Mistress Kate, why do

you suddenly seem so merry?

It's quite amusing to see someone

so delighted over some bread.

But it's so delicious!

This is just too yummy!

Don't roll around while you eat!

Kate is going to bed now.

Thank you for cleaning all day.

You're welcome, but I'm afraid

I was nothing but trouble.

I'm so very happy, and I thank you

for bringing me such delicious bread.

You're welcome. How do you feel now?

I feel wonderful and full of energy!

You sure are positive, aren't you?

Did you forget already? Don't stare.

Forgive me. The thought of not seeing

you till tomorrow made me feel lonely.

Huh?

You're a strange one.

Good night.

Hmm?

You made a sootman!

How long have you been there?!

From the very start! It's a masterpiece.

It was merely to pass the time.

There's nothing else to do.

You may return to your room if you'd like.

No! I enjoy watching you, Mistress Kate!

It makes Kate uncomfortable

to be stared at like that.

Would you care to play a game of cards?

May I?!

Excuse me. How do you read this one?

I can't read this one or this one, either.

You taught me so much today. I'm so happy!

I want to study even more

so I may better serve you.

You're right.

If you get up to clean

an hour earlier tomorrow,

Kate will continue today's lesson.

Hurray! That's wonderful!

Mistress Kate taught me

this letter. This one, too!

So that's how you write this.

It's kind of hard to read.

But I'm sure I'll be able to read

better tomorrow. I can't wait!

I overslept!

Good morning.

Good morning.

You're late.

Kate is going to take a bath.

Please clean up this mess.

Yes, ma'am! I will do my best!

You've made good progress.

Mistress Kate! I could see your face!

Please stay like that a moment.

Perhaps your profile

will tell me how you feel.

Please smile.

Like this?

Could you try a big, loud laugh?

Kate's never done that before.

Like this.

Amazing. Such laughter

with no cause whatsoever.

As you said, profiles are very important.

Yes, ma'am!

I'm done cleaning.

Well done.

You're quite dirty. Go wash up and change.

Then we'll have tea.

Together with you?!

I'll prepare at once!

That's better!

It's almost ready.

You only washed what you

saw in the mirror, didn't you?

What?! Oh, forgive me!

Come here. Let's wipe you off.

I was wondering.

Do all members of the Shadows

family have a living doll like me?

Though the timing differs,

we all get a living doll as

recognition of our coming of age.

Oh, I see.

What is it?

I was wondering. Am I defective?

Mistress Kate, you are so prim

and proper, so utterly unlike me.

Will I ever be beautiful?

You can be made more ladylike.

Kate is skilled at

makeovers. Come sit here.

Oh, no, forgive me.

Please forget I ever said that.

There's no need to make

a fuss over me. I'll be fine.

Kate wants to play with her doll. Sit.

It's so sparkly!

I wish I had one!

It's a makeup box. You'll look

beautiful if you learn how to use it.

What's this?

Powder for making your face

look pretty. But you don't need it yet.

I just had a wonderful idea!

If you use this, maybe we'll

be able to see your face.

No! Don't!

Forgive the raised voice, but

Kate does not need such things.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that.

After all, I'm your face.

You are Kate's cherished identity.

I'm your identity?

I wonder if I'm serving you well.

I will just have to try harder!

Be still.

Forgive me.

Maybe we should play dress-up, too.

My clothes are in the room

over there. Go try something on.

Yes, ma'am!

How do I look?

Actually, it is prohibited to dress up

a living doll in a shadow's clothes.

What?! I'll change at once!

The reason is clear now.

Dolls look like perfect human beings.

That's not true!

I don't notice when I get dirty,

and my behavior is uncouth.

Even if I wear a lovely outfit,

I'll end up falling and ruining it.

Mistress Kate, you're the one

who made me look like this!

I am your mirror.

See? You're smiling!

Do not presume to control Kate's emotions.

Forgive me! I got carried away!

That wasn't my intent.

I just thought you were smiling.

Oh, but you're not emitting soot.

You no longer feel anxious around me.

Perhaps you're right.

You just laughed!

It was as plain as day.

You know what?

Ma'am?

You are still in need of a name.

But it is so hard to decide.

One idea is "Emily,"

the heroine of this book.

Emily? How wonderful!

She's positive and cheerful just like you.

I'm so happy!

But you are rather

strange and funny to watch.

I'm funny?

How about Emily with

a twist? Maybe "Emilico"?

Emilico.

You don't approve?

No, it's a wonderful name!

Emilico. Starting from today,

I'm Emilico. Hurray!

Make us proud, Emilico

in your own special way.

I'll try my hardest to be of

service to you, Mistress Kate!

Thank you so very much!

Emilico.

Ma'am?

Isn't that spot outside?

Outside?

I wonder if there are other members

of the Shadows family out there.

Next episode, "Outside the Room."

Next Episode