01x09 - A Birdcage and Flowers

[bunniefuu]

Faces will lose their

sense of self in due time,

becoming but faithful

servants of their shadows.

Then shall shadow and face

unite as a complete being.

In that sense, it calls into question

the methods of Edward's debut.

It's a mistake to have shadows

be friendly with their face.

Faces are meant to be taken.

Having faces rescue their masters

creates an emotional bond

and encourages them

to think for themselves.

Is it not important to promote loyalty?

However, a debut that could

cause them all to fail is quite a risk.

Quite the experiment.

Some are showing signs

of new powers blossoming.

In that respect,

Sophie looks favorably upon Edward.

Do you wish to mass produce Star Bearers?

No good will come of having

them ponder matters to no avail.

This means there are yet many

possibilities here in Shadows House.

What an interesting debut.

Edward's methodology is revolutionary.

It will be difficult

for him to judge swiftly.

Bah! That Edward makes one's blood boil.

He's rolled out quite

the lavish performance.

Is he trying to steal Ryan's thunder?

No, no.

However

that was uncalled for.

The union of bodies is

this house's great secret.

It was foolish to do so

where the candidates might see.

Ed, you have sunk too far

into your own world.

Aileen!

Yes, ma'am.

What becomes of these five pairs

upon the debut's conclusion

shall be a sight to see.

"A Bird Cage and Flowers"

"A Bird Cage and Flowers"

Oh, how wonderful it feels

to have clean clothes once more.

That soot remover is superb!

There would be no need to change

three times a day with one of those!

Then there's this map.

This debut is so much fun!

Well, Shaun?

Can we get through those bars?

I figured it out.

They're locked by this

bar sunk into the ground.

They should turn if we lift it.

But there's also a bar on the other side.

Both have to be lifted at the same time.

We can't move the bars

without someone on the other side?

There's nothing we can do.

We'll have to take a detour.

We can check on Mistress Kate on the way.

No, John's not going to meet with her.

He promised not to

until he passed this test.

Then we won't--

But John would save her if she asked!

You're the last person I wanted to see.

Huh?

Oh, I get it.

Shaun, you want to get to this side.

Get down on your knees

and beg. Then I'll help you.

If you came from that direction,

you want to get to this

No. I've already saved Master Patrick.

I'm just k*lling time

with a little stroll.

Is that Patrick's face?

Master John?!

That's right. I've figured out more

of the labyrinth than you, Ricky.

I even know where Master Patrick is.

All your bluster was in vain.

Considering where you are right now,

you haven't yet saved him.

Shaun, would you mind answering this?

Yes?

Doesn't having your master here

give you an unfair advantage?

John wants to learn about

the relations between dolls.

So please proceed as if John weren't here.

But Ricky would obey you

if you told him to.

What a unique shadow master.

In any case, I've got the advantage.

We still have plenty of time,

even with a detour.

I already know most of the paths.

You, however, have a long way to go

before you'll see Master Patrick.

Your path will take you

about twice around the garden.

I'll tell you what.

If you apologize for hitting me,

I'll lend you a hand.

One point for Shaun.

Not so fast.

From what you said,

can I assume Master Patrick is here?

I really had no idea.

I must thank you for

your loose lipped leak.

One point for Ricky.

I'm done wasting time here.

Let's go, Master.

W-Wait! I'll apologize!

Hitting you was wrong.

That was utterly insincere, but drawing

this out will only waste more time.

Emilico would probably help him,

no questions asked.

All right, let's open the gate.

What? But it's still a two to two tie.

Enough with that!

And when did we each score another point?!

Okay, we'll lift the bars together.

Aren't those the shears Lou chose?

Ricky, what have you done to her?

Lou gave them to me.

I swear upon Master Patrick

that I'm not lying.

Why would Lou give you her shears?

You've tried to trick people into

doing your bidding the entire time.

I can't trust you.

Wait! Answer my question!

You won't believe me no matter what I say.

That's the same as

insulting Master Patrick!

Mistress Louise has arrived!

To think we'd be greeted

so grandly at the exit!

How fine it feels to come in first.

There's Barbie.

Louise made it out. That means

Ricky was telling the truth.

Oh, you're a sight for sore eyes, Lou.

Let's see that face.

A living doll would never

lay hands on a shadow master.

I'm not some fool who'd let a moment

of passion disgrace Master Patrick.

Ricky.

Here.

Mistress Louise's orders?

No, it has nothing to do

with Mistress Louise.

It's a secret.

I wanted you to have them.

I've never done such a thing before.

It feels strange.

But I had fun while I was with you.

I want you and Master Patrick

to make it past the debut.

Ricky!

I owe you an apology.

I'm sorry for doubting you!

Come back!

You will abandon this

path out of pride, Ricky?

The path you've chosen

doesn't lead to the finish line.

It's all over for you.

That half-wit was right.

I've no chance if I take this detour.

Damn it.

Ricky came back.

Huh?!

What?!

Boulder!

Lift the bar on your side!

I'd like to, but then

I'd be the one in danger!

Hang on! I'll think of something.

Take care of Master Patrick.

He's quite sensitive.

I fear for him once I'm gone.

Who knows what will

happen if he fails the debut.

But if he does survive this

Master John! Shaun! Please help him!

Master John!

This body has a mind of its own.

This can't be happening! Master John!

Master John!

Nice face, Ricky. That's three points!

What just happened?

How very marvelous.

Such a great volume of soot.

If only I could get a closer look.

Oh, John! So very irresistible!

I wonder what he tastes like.

Hey, Sophie. You're so excited,

your face is showing.

Her face is showing?

So it seems.

To liven up the moment is a fine thing.

So they say.

Sophie, you utterly change when

it comes to soot. It's frightening.

At last, the end of the debut draws near.

Hey, why are these three going in circles?

John went to the other side,

and now he must get back.

But he can't rejoin Shaun

unless Ricky goes back.

A heroic effort wasted by a feeble fool.

And Rum

She's advancing after some confusion.

That is the tunnel Ricky did not take.

Did Sunshine put some

funny ideas in her head?

She's become positively heroic.

John and Shaun are heading for the exit.

And Ricky and Rum are

reuniting with their masters.

The living dolls are growing up

by overcoming many difficulties.

He's so pleased, he's chatting up a storm.

But can he open the crate?

What does it matter? It's adorable.

He has noticed something.

The various confines Edward

designed all have soot as their key.

Ricky has found a mold for

making a key from hardened soot.

John was also in a crate,

but he used his power to destroy it.

It seems Ricky has learned by seeing

Louise's rescue and John's wondrous power.

Truly magnificent.

Well, he's soundly cleared that hurdle.

The shadows gain trust toward their faces

and praise them for their efforts.

Thus their bond deepens.

Shirley has yet to emit any soot.

This may prove difficult.

What's this? Is she channeling Sunshine?

She better be careful.

The sap will splatter all over.

This is too scary to watch.

Doesn't she know it causes a burning rash?

Like Kate's cage, the upper area

comes loose if exposed to soot.

The rash causing flowers

were meant to fall on her.

She found a workaround.

Rum seemed quite wishy washy,

but she is unexpectedly resolute.

It's an act of loyalty toward Shirley.

What's this? Is Shirley speaking?

An emotional reunion.

How unfortunate we cannot hear them.

The worst candidates staged a comeback.

Patrick and Ricky took a detour,

but at this rate,

they'll likely make it in time.

The grand finale to

a most beauteous debut.

They better not all make it

merrily holding hands!

Ryan couldn't stomach

such an imbecilic ending!

Well, Gerald?!

Aileen?!

Shadows House is not so kind as

to keep the incompetent around.

The fact is that at every debut,

there have been useless individuals.

Edward has failed in his task

if he cannot find them.

Now, now, Ryan. It is not over yet, is it?

They are still in play.

The most pitiful of all.

Mistress Kate!

Mistress Kate.

It is you.

No, I mustn't cry yet.

I'm so glad you're safe.

I was so worried.

I couldn't wait to see you again.

Forgive me. I imagine this made you

far more anxious than I was.

No, but it would've

been nice to have a book.

It was so dull here.

But you must have had

a terrible time getting here.

That's right! Lots and

lots of stuff happened!

Please do tell.

We were told to proceed

through the garden alone.

It must've been so lonely.

I saw lots of strange puzzles and traps.

We would've had fun strolling

through it together.

Kate wishes she could have.

I met other masters and dolls,

and together we solved some mysteries!

Really?

John came across Kate. He is an odd one.

I saw him, too. He was a lot of fun.

Would you like an orange?

Maybe later.

Oh, what a wonderful apron.

Hurray! I made it

hoping that you'd like it!

Seeing you look like you

always do is reassuring.

This test has shown me that all the dolls

hold their masters dear, just as I do.

That's right.

And I defeated a bunch of scorches!

You had to do such a thing? Are you hurt?

I'm fine!

What did you think about while you waited?

Giving you that bread you love so much.

Let's continue this later over

a cup of tea in Kate's room.

Yes, ma'am!

Kate has something to talk to you about.

There's that bell again.

Someone must have passed.

You can just see the exit from here.

It's not clear who,

but someone is being greeted.

Now about how Kate ended up in here.

The controls for this cage are on

the other side of the thorn trees.

Edward said,

"It is necessary for the debut."

There was no choice but to get in.

As he operated the controls,

the crane started to move

until it hung on the other side.

The cage itself is the problem.

As soot enters the ceiling vent,

the chains by which it's hung break.

It's only hanging by five chains now.

Oh, no! We must do something quick!

How do I get over there?

There is a path behind the cage.

But the entrance is locked.

Edward said the key will be

available at the sootglass plaza.

The keys! He must mean those!

You don't have them?

There was but one chance.

Out of my great benevolence,

I gave you one chance of passing.

You had to choose the keys at the start.

You were doomed to fail the moment

you left the sootglass plaza.

Emilico, what are you doing?

I can reach the controls

through these thorn trees, right?

Well yes.

That's true, but

Then if I can cut through here,

I can save you!

You never give up, do you, Emilico?

Kate likes that about you.

Mistress Kate!

I better hurry!

But

there's no time.

Yes! I knew Emilico wouldn't give up.

How marvelous!

Show the third floor masters how

you struggle in vain until the very end!

Mistress Kate!

Only two chains left!

Emilico is trying her hardest, but I

Emilico.

Someone's coming.

Ricky.

Patrick? Why now?

Those are the shears

that Lou chose, aren't they?

It's a long story.

Did he steal them from Louise?

I wouldn't be surprised.

He must think that eliminating rivals

gives him an edge.

I knew we couldn't trust the others pairs.

What a relief!

That bell or the one before it

must've been for Lou!

Lou gave you the shears to thank you

for helping her, didn't she?

Mistress Kate! Are you all right?!

Y-Yes, but

I'm afraid I can't talk right now.

There's something I must do!

Give Emilico the shears.

There is a debt to pay.

Thank you!

I will save Mistress Kate!

Shaun, Rum, Ricky, and Lou

are all supporting our efforts!

But it didn't start out like that.

They changed because of you.

I was a fool.

From the very start,

I was making enemies, not friends.

Emilico! It will take too long

to cut it all down.

Just cut enough to get through.

Careful you don't get hurt!

Yes, ma'am!

Mistress Kate!

I've reached the crane's controls.

Well done! Do you know how to use it?

Oh, no! I need a key here, too!

But

Oh, no! The soot is

It's no use.

The soot won't stop.

At any moment, I'll be

I'm scared.

I'm scared!

I'm so scared!

I won't give up!

I'll save you no matter what!

Emilico!

Mistress Kate!

Mistress Kate, give me your hand!

Mia once told me that

she was born brilliant, but

in my case, it seems I was

born with a sturdy body!

How very thrilling.

It is getting quite interesting.

Interesting?

It's just made them

fret over trivial matters.

Ryan was looking forward

to their spectacular deaths!

Nevertheless

Is this not the end?

And their end as well?

Next episode, "The Final Pair."