02x02 - The Best "Star Bearer"

[bunniefuu]

Is it morning already?

Yes.

How long have you been here?

We've been having you release
soot at a tremendous pace.

I was a little worried about your health.

What are you saying?

The emission of soot is a shadow's duty.

Everything...

...is for the sake of Lord Grandfather.

"The Best Star Bearer"

Let's go.

What happened to
the perfume Oliver developed?

Benjamin brought it with him.

What a foul odor.

This is no good.

He will have to make it again.

Blast it. This is infuriating.

Yeah.

Wow.

It's Barbara.

She's always angry, isn't she?

Hurry. Let's go over there.

Just a moment.

To see a Star Bearer and run away...

Have you done something
you feel guilty about?

No!

We're so sorry!

We truly respect them!

Susanna, it is time
for the Star Bearers' meeting.

Now, let us go to Oliver's rooms.

Yes, becoming a Star Bearer
is a worthwhile goal.

In the children's wing,
only four pairs are chosen! The elite!

You can live in lovely rooms,

and if you are invited
to Lord Grandfather's wing,

you are sure to receive special treatment.

If Sarah were to become a Star Bearer,

she would assuredly gain
more trust than Barbara has.

Cease such talk, Sarah.

Why?

Back then, we all had such fun.

Barbara doesn't hold a candle
to the previous leader.

Rose, even you think the previous
leader was better, don't you?

Ah, Christopher...

Do not speak that name.

W-Wait. Sarah offers her apologies.

How infuriating.

Sarah refuses to ever become
that kind of Star Bearer.

Oliver, it's time for the meeting.

Oliver.

Barbara!

The meeting...

Look!

At last, it's finished!

It's a mobile soot collector!

Olly!

Yes?

Start it up!

Immediately, Professor Oliver!

It's the newest model, using
the combustive energy of soot to operate.

The soot is conveyed by suction

into this enormous tank
where it is then stored!

What are you talking about? Turn it off!

What an incredible invention.

It's such an amazingly powerful machine.

What could you possibly use it for?

A countermeasure against
those phantoms, for example?

And how...

would you get it out the door?

It's just like a ship in a bottle, isn't it?

It seems there's room for improvement here.

Susanna has set up some sheets
outside of this room.

If anyone comes, Susanna will know.

Recently, reports of scorches appearing

due to breakages
in the facilities have increased.

Continued observation of their
movements will be necessary.

Moving on, the topics
of discussion for today are...

how to address the directives from Edward,

and vigilance against Kate's misbehavior.

Susanna, have you noticed anything?

Well...

Her attitude can be slightly defiant,

but it wasn't really enough
to make her stand out.

More importantly, her keen
interest in soot is quite wonderful!

Susanna, you are entirely too
preoccupied with soot powers.

Well, it is Susanna's job, after all.

And Edward's directives
are very vague, aren't they?

Star Bearers are busy.

They can't spend all their time on Kate.

There must be some things which
are difficult to speak of.

Barbara doesn't like Edward,

but Lord Grandfather
granted him this authority.

We will continue our vigilance.

If we say nothing's happened,

Edward is going to nag us again.

Even the previous phantom mayhem
was made out to be the Star Bearers' fault.

That is true.

He just says and does whatever he likes.

And even when he causes problems,
he's never penalized.

Our next topic of discussion is...

the mysterious figure seen on the premises.

The suspicious, robe-wearing figure?

The living dolls have reported
sightings in many locations.

Huh...

Maybe there's more than one figure?

Have there been any
reports of damage or injury?

No, not at the moment.

There is, however, no knowing how
or when this matter will develop.

What about the report to Edward?

So it's another "nothing happened" report, huh?

We'll be able to hear all sorts
of lovely snide remarks from him, won't we?

If Christopher were here...

Would things be different?

Mistress Barbara,

you are always thinking of what's best
for the children's wing,

and striving to serve your best.

We've been told not to
go out at night, but...

They even have guards in place.

Yes.

Kate may be the only one being
so openly watched this way.

Did Kate stand out too much in the debut?

During the soot lesson,
Kate was clearly regarded as suspicious.

Or could it be that something
has happened on John's side?

Was it a mistake to choose John
as the recipient of the letter?

That letter...

What did you write in it?

Well...

So, you've finally opened it.

What does it say?

What's wrong, Master John?

Stop your chattering, Shaun!

Go back to your room!

What?

That's mean!

Didn't you say you wanted to
make him your ally?

That's right.

That's why Kate wanted to give Susanna
the impression that she hates John.

It's important to know
your friends very well.

The letter was deliberately written
so that John would emit soot.

There's wax on the paper,
and those spots will repel the soot.

If he doesn't notice that,

then he will never be allowed
to say that he loves Kate again.

"To John,"

"Kate is sorry. She has a favor to ask."

"To save the children
who are suffering in this house,"

"Kate asks for your assistance."

Check to make sure that Shaun's
brainwashing has been broken, just in case,

and if there are no issues,
please leave a mark outside your rooms.

"Please. John, you are
the only one Kate can rely upon."

Kate!

Shaun!

Yes? Is something wrong?

Master John...

Shaun, you...

Y-Yes?

Did you need something?

You're not brainwashed, are you?

We're doing that again?!

I wonder if it will be difficult
to find Shaun's room...

Oh! A roll!

Emilico, come inside.

I thought you might be coming, Emilico.

I'm glad I had that ready.

We understand Mistress Kate's intentions.

I'll keep the explanation short.

I see.

So that's the method
that brought Shaun back.

I thought we'd have Lou and Ricky
drink lots of water and throw it up...

But would it be better to hit them?

Both methods are bad!

It's already been over a week since then.

The coffee has probably
seeped deep into their bodies.

But I don't think that one cup
is enough to completely brainwash them.

Right after I drank it,

my head was filled with
the magnificence of this house,

but I feel like my presence of mind
is slowly returning to me.

Which means...

once a little more time has passed...

We'll find the right timing
to bring the two of them in as allies.

Hooray!

It's too soon to celebrate.

And we're human, Emilico.

You shouldn't carelessly hug me like that.

Really?

Shaun, the fact that you're
back makes me truly happy.

Emilico! Did you oversleep?

Oh, um, yes.

Mia, did you come to get me?

I wouldn't do that.

You can find your way here
on your own now, can't you?

We are tools for the Shadows family.

We can't spend all our time
looking after other living dolls.

More importantly...

There were two dolls!

Two who were invited
to the detached wing!

So, you can be invited even
if you're not a Star Bearer?

That's right! I'm so jealous!

Emilico, you should check the blackboard.

There has been a change
to part of the team assignments.

The teams that were lacking
in numbers were redistributed,

so there's one team less now.

Huh? But...

There's empty space for two teams here.

They broke.

The... The whole team?

It's such a shame, isn't it?

New living dolls will be
supplied soon enough.

I'm sure it's because
Barbie drove them so hard.

Though, it's possible that something
happened to their shadow masters.

When I first came here...

my world got so much bigger.

It was astonishing.

Everyone seemed so joyful.

I thought that being here at
Shadows House was true happiness.

But...

When I looked again, everyone...

Everyone might only have been trying
to look like they were happy.

What's wrong, Emilico?

Lou...

Is everyone...

really happy with this?

You're fretting over trivial matters again.

That's very like you, Emilico.

It's just like John said!

The brainwashing is wearing off!

We've finished cleaning.

Is there anything else?

It's here!

We will now begin our rejoicing party.

I've been looking forward to this!

This happens once a week?

It's a reward for children
who have come of age.

Hurry up, Olly!

It must be measured exactly.

Now, line up single-file!

Don't forget your gratitude
to Shadows House!

How can anything be this delicious?

Thanks, Emilico.

Who will be the representative this time?

Me! Me! Me! Me! Me!

Me! I'll do it! I'll do it!

Me! Me! Me! Me! Me!

Right, then.

Me! Me! Me! Me! Me!

Doug!

To serve the Shadows family is
the pride and joy of every living doll!

To serve the Shadows family is
the pride and joy of every living doll!

The Shadows are an outstanding
family of nobles!

The Shadows are an outstanding
family of nobles!

Living dolls are tools
of the Shadows family!

Living dolls are tools
of the Shadows family!

Shadows House is absolute!

Shadows House is absolute!

As their faces, we can
belong to our masters!

As their faces, we can
belong to our masters!

To think they'd hold an event
to make you drink soot coffee so soon.

Making you give up your own
thoughts like that is just...

It's cruel.

But we've learned a lot from this.

What?

The method of brainwashing.

The coffee puts you
into a brainwashed state,

and then you recite the Shadows family rules.

You're made to embed them
deep in your subconscious.

These "rejoicing parties"
are held once a week,

but they can only give you one spoonful.

That means that the coffee
doesn't last very long.

It means that they can't
make very much at a time.

And...

The ones in charge of the coffee
are the Star Bearers.

Emilico, Kate has made a decision.

You and Kate will aim
to become Star Bearers!

Right!

Now, let's get this done!

Today, we'll be switching out
the broken chairs in the great hall.

I want to finish quickly
and go back to sleep.

Lou...

During the debut, did you
and Ricky become friends?

It was just chance.

We happened to be together,
that's all. I think.

Say!

Tomorrow's the rejoicing party!

I can't wait!

I want to hurry up
and drink the coffee. Don't you?

Yes... I do.

Just remembering the coffee
made our conversation stray.

This is how they'll gradually stop being
able to think about other things.

We're done!

Well, let's head back!

Ugh, it's Belle.

From the same team as Rum.

Snacking. I'll report you for that.

I've received permission from Susie.

Rum...

Oh dear. How clumsy of you.

Come on. We're going.

Which one of them is Belle?

They're both Belle.

What?

With the same name,
things must get mixed up, right?

That's right.

And that's why they only do
one person's share of work.

On top of that, they're team leaders,

so it's horrible for anyone on their team!

And in their free time,

it seems they cozy up
to the Star Bearers to win their favor.

Now, I'm going to take a nap
until Mistress Sarah wakes up.

May I go to the classroom to study?

You can't be serious!

I'm amazed that you can be
in the mood for studying after this.

I'll go with you.

Scorches are...

Um, scorches are...

How do you read this?

Rosemary?

Oh. That's "density."

I'm sorry to ask when you're so sleepy.

It's just fine.

I'm the team leader, after all.

I've been told I'm a half-wit,
and it may be true,

but I can still help you, Emilico,
since you're so eager to study.

Rosemary, you aren't a half-wit!

I can't move.

Was the previous leader
issued an invitation?

That's right.

No one so dear had ever gone
to Lord Grandfather's wing.

And that person recommended Barbara?

Barbara has some traits of a leader, too.

More importantly...

Kate.

If you intend to become a Star Bearer,
you mustn't speak of him.

Kate will be sure to keep that in mind.

The previous leader...

Will Barbara be able to make it
as a member of the main house from now on?

Barbara is worried.

You're always alone, aren't you, Barbara?

Maryrose?

How did you know that Barbara was here?

With the amount of soot you
were emitting, anyone would know.

What brings you here?

What's wrong with starting a conversation
for no particular reason?

We're peers. Let's get along.

You've already become
part of the main house.

There's no need for you
to involve yourself with Barbara.

Let's dance, Barbara.

Are you all right, Barbara?

Your movements aren't bad.

Now, one more time.

Please, don't bother yourself
about Barbara any more!

Your miserable peer, Barbara...

You're making fun of her, aren't you?!

What stupendous soot volume!

This is astounding, Barbara!

It's a splendid ability!

Even if Maryrose stood on her head,
she'd be no match for you!

You have something that Maryrose doesn't.

Maryrose may be good
at picking up the knack of things,

but she's unsubtle in everything.

On that point, you are earnest and prudent.

It may be difficult alone...

but with the two of us,
perhaps we will be able to grow.

This is a promise.

Let us become adults together.

You make a good pair, don't you?

Next time,

Next Time

A Great Cleaning

"A Great Cleaning."