prof | Let's Play Umineko, Episode 2 Scene 3: The Single Element

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Ushiromiya Eva

Kinzo's second child. She is hostile towards her brother Krauss and opposes him whenever she can, from issues dealing with the family fortune to the question of who will succeed the family headship.

Normally, she would have lost her place in the Ushiromiya family register upon her marriage, but she managed to forcibly overcome this by having her husband take her family name.

Much later.

Jessica and Shannon continue to catch up on all things George. Jessica is scandalized by how non-scandalous the stories are.

Shannon is happy with the trip regardless. Jessica is mostly mad that she doesn't have a boyfriend.

Jessica's savage act of revenge is complete.

No, wait, she's actually upset.

Jessica is eighteen years old. All of her friends have boyfriends, now up to and including Shannon.

She's getting pretty insecure about it.

Jessica urges Shannon to leave before she gets in trouble for wasting time. Shannon picks up on the subtext that she wants to be alone, and excuses herself.

Outside, Shannon has an encounter with a familiar figure.

Beatrice is back to check on her favorite underling! The magic appears to have worked wonders.

In talking about this, she emphasizes two points: That Shannon getting together with George would have been impossible, and her power was so great as to overcome that impossibility.

Beatrice's laugh lacks even a drop of malice. She's giving her blessing to the happy couple.

This isn't the only time Beatrice has shown herself to Shannon. She's dropped by every now and then, being nebulously creepy each time. But hey, she delivered, right?

Beatrice is quite surprised to receive a gift. Normally, she's only giving, not receiving.

This side of her almost seems human.

Shannon would like to return the magic that Beatrice gave her. From here on, their relationship will grow by their own power, not by the witch's spell.

Beatrice insists that, wear it or not, she keep it as a gift, or a symbol of their friendship as servant and witch.

It's a strange experience for her, being appreciated instead of cursed.

There's an edge of sadness in the witch's laugh.

Shannon still knows very little about Beatrice. It seems like she's invisible to most people.

Each person's wavelength varies, but only Shannon and Kanon are able to talk to her directly. Krauss and Natsuhi seem to have the worst compatibility.

No, the real worst is Kinzo himself. His blood grants him not a drop of magical talent.

And yet, despite that, he persevered, and became a magician.

When she talks about Kinzo, her atmosphere is different. After all, the two have quite a history.

What Kinzo lacked in magical talent, he made up for in business and gambling.

Beatrice waxes nostalgic, even as Shannon remains silent. Everyone on Rokkenjima knows this story by heart.

Beatrice underestimated Kinzo's power as a magician, and so she got trapped on this island.

But thanks to Shannon breaking that mirror, her power is beginning to return. The mirror was a device to ward off evil spirits, not an anti-witch barrier, but it was interfering with her power regardless.

Shannon is much happier now that she's become human.

The quality of her work has improved, as has her relationship with the family. They talk to her, and enjoy life together.

By knowing love, Shannon has learned to be human.

With a flick of the wrist, Beatrice sends her spoon flying towards a nearby bush. Someone emerges from it.

Kanon has never trusted Beatrice, even for an instant.

Beatrice dismisses the tea set at once. It's time for her to leave.

And she's off again.

Kanon chastises Shannon for associating with Rokkenjima's least trustworthy character.

Shannon just wants to take the chance and try to understand Beatrice, but Kanon sees it in a different light.

Shannon's human soul was given to her by Beatrice, and Beatrice can take it away. Shannon is her prisoner.

And once again, Shannon has forgotten what she is. Even if it's been granted a provisional soul, furniture is furniture.

Shannon insists that she has become human, but Kanon refuses to accept it.

Kanon is furious at Shannon for going on that trip. She's been fooled by a witch into thinking she's a real person.

To emphasize what she's saying, Shannon asks Kanon to look out at the sea.

Kanon says that it's a vague, dark grayish color. Shannon says that it's a beautiful deep blue.

Shannon gives Kanon the brooch she received from Beatrice.

With this, maybe Kanon can learn love. Then, maybe he'll understand what Shannon meant about the sea.

Another time. Another place.

Kinzo is out of his study! A rare sight, but it doesn't mean that he's thinking about non-Beatrice things or anything as ridiculous as that.

Any time Kinzo spends talking to servants is an interruption of his research. He would prefer to be left alone.

Yeah, he still does this.

Kanon looks back at his weeping master, and sees something he shouldn't.

Beatrice is right behind him, but Kinzo cannot see her.

After all,

Kanon looks at the brooch he received from Shannon. Without love, it cannot be seen.

What is it? What can love teach him?

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