Let's Play Umineko, Episode 2 Scene 1: The Wish

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The story begins quite far from the usual spot. Goodbye Rokkenjima, hello Okinawa!



I can safely say that I have never once wanted to eat something out of an aquarium.

As expected, it's George and Shannon.



Two young lovers, enjoying a day together free from their usual obligations.



The aquarium tank is a tiny slice of the true sea. An isolate world whose inhabitants give little thought to what lies beyond.

Don't we know an island like that?



Umineko no Naku Koro ni, Episode 2: Turn of the Golden Witch

This episode will be a little different. The witch has given you time to rest, and now expects great things from you.

Think carefully about your next move.



After the aquarium visit, the two enjoy a peaceful lunch.



George was pretty bitter and surly as a single person. Being with Shannon has done a lot to mellow him out.



The point is, they're enjoying themselves quite a bit.

After lunch, a walk on the beach.



Despite all their love and joy, Shannon can't quite shake the feeling that there's a shadow hanging over them.



That the two of them could be together like this, a member and a servant of the family, can only be called a miracle.



Or it could be called hard work, understanding, courage, and luck, like how most relationships happen.

But why not just let it be magic instead? Shannon seems unexpectedly firm on the fact that it is, in fact, magic.



Shannon thinks back to the events that led to these peaceful days.



She wishes to know love, and become a person instead of mere furniture.

If she hadn't known this happiness, maybe there would have been no temptation.



The witch is merciful to those who respect her. She can make Shannon's wish come true.

But there is a price. With witches, there is always a price.



At the small shrine off the coast of Rokkenjima, an old mirror has been left as an offering.

The witch's request is a simple one.



Break the mirror.



Part of her knows this is a terrible idea. Part of her is willing to side with the witch regardless, if it means she can secure a future with George.

This is the only way to change her fate.



In the distance, the sound of thunder.



She held up her end of the bargain. The next movie is for Beatrice to make.



Video: Opening



Even earlier.

Shannon's mind is wandering, but that's all unimportant right now. The mansion has some visitors!



It's not yet October, but Eva, Hideyoshi and George have come to visit. Kinzo is, as usual, too immersed in his research to send his regards.



George is getting harassed by his elders, as happens pretty often. A lot of people are expecting great things from him.



The same could be said of Jessica, but she's yet to show the same level of business potential that George has.



Shannon is as reliable as ever, I see.



When she gets scolded, Shannon has a tendency to start fumbling, and make even more mistakes. It's a vicious cycle.



George swoops in to the rescue with some low-impact small talk on a different subject. His broad tea knowledge comes from time spent with the president of Okonogi Foods.

By sharing the secret to the taste and aroma of Earl Grey, George calms down the atmosphere in the room. Crisis averted.



Later, Shannon and Jessica catch up in the garden. The topic is, of course, George.



Jessica knows, of course. She loves this kind of thing.



No, go away, George! This concerns you too much!



The reason Eva's family is here before the conference is to try to get Kinzo to loan them some money.

Getting money from Kinzo is possible, but hard. He lends it out only to those who are on the offensive, and expects it paid back with sharp interest.



But hey, that's all just for the adults to worry about. For the kids, such concerns are years away.



More flirting.

Shannon thanks George for bailing her out earlier. He acts like he doesn't know what she's talking about. Jessica teases them both.



Shannon can't quite connect with the stories of the two cousins.

She is a servant. It is not her place to delve into the lives of her masters.



But she's a little bit more than a servant now, isn't she?

All thanks to a little broken mirror.



Jessica indiscreetly pries into George's love life, forcing him to admit that he doesn't have a girlfriend. This line of questioning is for Shannon's benefit, of course.



Jessica gets the short end of the stick in family discussions, where George is always talked up as the diligent and admirable one. So, any opportunity she gets to have the upper hand in a conversation, she takes.



But no more! Eva is here to drag them away.

George is being summoned, because the family plans to talk to Kinzo about him.



George is a member of a family obsessed with wealth. So, it's only natural that Eva would try to ensure he got married to somebody beneficial to the family.

Apparently Eva and Hideyoshi were married under such circumstances.



Not to fear! Eva assures her son that she'll find him a wonderful bride.

And on that note he is whisked out of the garden. Eva assures Jessica that she'll find someone suitable for her some day, too.

And as for Shannon... a discreet message.



She knew from the beginning, of course, and she doesn't approve.



Shannon reflects on her mistake. She forgot an important fact:

She is furniture.



Furniture might be loved, but it cannot love.



Her wayward thoughts are distracting her from her duties.

Due to her carelessness, the cleaning of the study and staircase were not complete, so Natsuhi had another servant - a girl named Runon - take care of it.



Natsuhi orders Shannon to deal with the reception hall at once. She will not be permitted food or rest until it is perfectly clean.



A person who is under pressure will find whatever place they can to put pressure on others in turn. That's the sort of person Natsuhi is.



If George were here, he would casually show up, acting like he didn't know what was going on, and resolve the situation with minimal effort.

But, well, he isn't.



Kanon expresses his hatred of Natsuhi and Runon so that Shannon doesn't have to. She doesn't now how to make such an expression, anyway.



Kanon is the kind of person who gives no thought to his own needs or desires. After all, why would he?

He's not a person. He's furniture.



A lesson Shannon diligently tries to reflect on, but she can't. An impossible dream has captured her heart.



So Shannon begins cleaning the reception hall.

There are a lot of portraits here, but one of them has special meaning.



How could it be any other? Beatrice, the master of Rokkenjima's nights.

Shannon has always respected Beatrice, and gives the portrait reverence as if it were Beatrice herself.



The portrait is the only one who hears the protestations of Shannon's heart.

As she cleans the portrait, Shannon tells her sad, sad story. If she is only furniture, why was she given a heart? Why does she have the capacity to love?




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