E1 - A Lady Out of Place

Source: Crunchyroll
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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[00:33] Yukiya
    Yukichi!
[00:37] Yukiya
    Yukichi! Yukichi!
[01:06] Yukiya
    H-Help me.
[01:08] Yukiya
    Please help.
[01:09] Yukiya
    Save my brother!
[01:11] Yukiya
    I beg you! I don't mind if I die! So please!
[01:33] Yukiya
    A golden raven?
[01:41] Nazukihiko
    Have no fear. I'll return
    both of you to your nests.
[01:46] Nazukihiko
    We may meet again someday.
[01:50] Nazukihiko
    For now, forget and go to sleep.
SIGN    YATAGARASU
SIGN    The Raven
    Does Not
    Choose
    Its Master
SIGN    Yamauchi
[02:05] Narrator
    Yamauchi.
SIGN    The yatagarasu race
    
    has long called
    
    this land of
    
    deep mountains home
[02:07] Narrator
    The yatagarasu race has long called
    this land of deep mountains home.
[02:18] Narrator
    Once these strange, three-legged birds
    took human form and trod the earth,
[02:26] Narrator
    they tilled fields and built towns.
[02:31] Narrator
    The lord of the yatagarasu is
    called the kin'u: the Golden Raven.
SIGN    The lord of the yatagarasu
    
     is called the kin'u:
    
     the Golden Raven
[02:36] Narrator
    The kin'u wields supreme
    authority in Yamauchi.
[02:40] Narrator
    The title is passed from parent
    to child, generation to generation.
[02:45] Narrator
    The kin'u has long ruled the people well
    and has brought plenty to Yamauchi.
[02:53] Narrator
    Yet its history has also been replete with
    scheming by those who flock to the throne.
[03:01] Narrator
    The plots reach their height in
    the choice of the crown prince's consort:
SIGN    Rite of
    Ascension
[03:06] Narrator
    the Rite of Ascension.
[03:09] Narrator
    Noblewomen contest a single place
    at the future kin'u's side.
[03:16] Narrator
    They shoulder their families' fates
    in the fierce battle about to unfold.
SIGN    Wisteria Hall, Cherry Blossom Palace
[03:29] Empress
    What do you say to "Asebi"?
[03:32] Asebi
    "Asebi"?
[03:34] Empress
    As your alias.
[03:38] Empress
    A lady who might marry
    the Prince, however lowly,
[03:43] Empress
    can hardly remain
    a nameless second daughter.
[03:46] Empress
    Or does my choice of name dissatisfy you?
[03:51] Asebi
    P-Perish the thought!
[03:53] Asebi
    A name from Your Majesty's own lips
    honors me more than I deserve.
[03:58] Ladies-in-Waiting
    Goodness.
[04:00] Ladies-in-Waiting
    "Asebi," she said.
[04:00] Ladies-in-Waiting
    Her Majesty took the joke too far.
[04:03] Ladies-in-Waiting
    Does the girl not realize?
[04:04] Empress
    Then, let it be so, Lady Asebi.
SIGN    Spring Hall
[04:09] Empress
    I leave the Spring Hall in your care.
[04:12] Asebi
    Y-Yes, ma'am!
[04:14] Takimoto
    Congratulations.
[04:17] Takimoto
    Today, through the Rite of Ascension,
[04:19] Takimoto
    you have formally entered contention
    for His Highness's hand.
SIGN    First daughter of
    the Southern House
    Hamayu
[04:24] Takimoto
    First daughter of the
    Southern House, Lady Hamayu.
SIGN    First daughter of
    the Western House
    Masuho-no-Susuki
[04:27] Takimoto
    First daughter of the Western House,
     Lady Masuho-no-Susuki.
SIGN    Third daughter of
    the Northern House
    Shiratama
[04:31] Takimoto
    Third daughter of the
    Northern House, Lady Shiratama.
SIGN    Second daughter of
    the Eastern House
    Asebi
[04:34] Takimoto
    And second daughter of
    the Eastern House, Lady Asebi.
[04:38] Takimoto
    Yet only one among you will be chosen.
[04:42] Takimoto
    Here in the Cherry Blossom Palace,
    you will spur each other to new heights,
[04:46] Takimoto
    so that you may experience
    a joyous day in one year's time.
SIGN    The Empress
    Her Majesty
    Omurasaki
[05:04] Haruhito
    Still, I can't help feeling lonely
    without our guest of honor.
[05:10] Haruhito
    I had hoped he would accept
    the invitation for once.
[05:14] Genya
    Honestly, what is His Highness thinking?
SIGN    Lord of the North
    Genya
[05:18] Genya
    I wish he'd show the people sending him
    their dear daughters some courtesy.
SIGN    Lord of the East
    Haruhito
[05:23] Haruhito
    And I believe Lady Shiratama is only 14.
[05:26] Haruhito
    You must worry for her.
SIGN    Lord of the South
    Toru
[05:28] Toru
    He can't neglect the Four Houses
    and still hope to govern.
[05:33] Toru
    I don't doubt he'll realize that soon.
[05:35] Akira
    Oh, I'm shaking in my boots!
SIGN    Lord of the West
    Akira
[05:37] Akira
    Whatever are you plotting?
[05:40] Akira
    In any case, there will be no hard feelings,
    no matter whose daughter he chooses.
[05:48] Fujinami
    Sister!
SIGN    Princess
    Fujinami
[05:53] Asebi
    Your Highness!
[05:56] Fujinami
    How many years has it been?
    I never dreamed I'd get to see you here.
[06:00] Asebi
    Forgive me. I didn't even write.
[06:02] Asebi
    Seeing you well brings me
    the greatest pleasure.
[06:05] Fujinami
    Stop being so formal.
    There's no need for ceremony between us.
[06:10] Asebi
    Very well. Princess Fujinami, then.
[06:14] Fujinami
    Still, you really have grown into a beauty.
[06:19] Fujinami
    You're sure to catch my brother's...
    I mean, His Highness's eye.
[06:24] Asebi
    Really? Thank you.
[06:27] Asebi
    But I wouldn't go that far.
[06:29] Fujinami
    No, I mean it!
[06:31] Fujinami
    I hope he chooses you.
[06:35] Fujinami
    I mean, then we really would be sisters.
[06:40] Hamayu
    You're busy winning over
    His Highness's little sister already?
[06:45] Hamayu
    Not half bad.
[06:47] Asebi
    Um, aren't you the Southern House's—
[06:50] Fujinami
    Lady Hamayu, you forget yourself.
[06:52] Hamayu
    Do I? I hope you'll forgive me.
[06:59] Hamayu
    You, uh, second daughter
     of the Eastern House.
[07:03] Asebi
    Y-Yes?
[07:05] Hamayu
    Are you really happy to
    receive a name like Asebi?
[07:11] Asebi
    Yes. It's a lovely name.
[07:15] Hamayu
    If that doesn't top it all!
[07:17] Fujinami
    Hamayu!
[07:18] Asebi
    Um, did I say something odd?
[07:21] Ukogi
    My lady, allow me to explain—
[07:24] Masuho
    You write "asebi" as
    "horse intoxicating tree."
[07:32] Masuho
    Asebi flowers have poison in them.
[07:37] Masuho
    Nibbling on them makes
    horses disgracefully drunk.
[07:42] Masuho
    The flowers symbolize you.
    And the horse...
[07:48] Hamayu
    Tell her straight. Don't try to dress it up.
[07:50] Hamayu
    The "horse" is the Prince.
[07:53] Asebi
    What?
[07:54] Hamayu
    "Just like brainless horses
    get drunk eating asebi,
[07:58] Hamayu
    a man of the Prince's caliber
    will lose his wits over you."
[08:03] Hamayu
    "So have at it."
[08:05] Hamayu
    Basically, the Empress used
    your alias to insult the Prince.
[08:12] Hamayu
    It's just the sort of thing she would do.
[08:15] Asebi
    What? His Highness, a horse? I never—
[08:18] Ukogi
    My lady! You mustn't say another word!
[08:23] Asebi
    Princess Fujinami...
[08:26] Masuho
    What a shame. After hearing
    her dear brother so insulted, well...
[08:32] Masuho
    You aren't to blame.
    Allow me to reintroduce myself.
[08:36] Masuho
    I am Masuho-no-Susuki,
    first daughter of the Western House.
[08:39] Asebi
    Oh, I'm—
[08:41] Masuho
    I love beautiful and charming things.
[08:45] Masuho
    I think we could be great friends.
[08:48] Asebi
    Y-Yes.
[08:50] Masuho
    Still, my condolences on attracting
    such unpleasant attention.
[08:55] Hamayu
    Hah. There's that western "friendliness"!
[08:58] Masuho
    Better a people pleaser
    than a greedy southern boor.
[09:02] Hamayu
    The Southern House is honest.
[09:04] Hamayu
    We can't fake smiles that shamelessly.
[09:07] Masuho
    How nice for you.
[09:08] Masuho
    I suggest welcoming
     His Highness with a frown, then.
[09:11] Asebi
    U-Um...
[09:12] Hamayu
    Yes, I think I will.
[09:13] Shiratama
    They don't consider you a threat.
[09:16] Asebi
    Lady Shiratama?
[09:18] Shiratama
    They don't think either
    of us could ever be chosen.
[09:26] Hamayu
    That's enough.
    Any more will spoil my drinks.
[09:31] Masuho
    Well then, if you'll all excuse me.
SIGN    Spring Hall, Cherry Blossom Palace
[09:48] Ukogi
    I should have explained
    the situation more clearly.
SIGN    Eastern lady-in-waiting
    Ukogi
[09:52] Ukogi
    Everyone ascends to the palace
    determined to be chosen.
[09:55] Ukogi
    Every house leaps at the chance
    to make one of its ladies a kin'u's bride.
[10:01] Asebi
    I'm exhausted. I can't even tell what...
SIGN    m 0 0 l 0 0 b 5 -3 10 -4 14 -4 l 42 51 b 38 51 33 52 27 56 l 0 0
SIGN    The Singing Beak of Yamauchi
[10:07] Ukogi
    The Singing Beak of Yamauchi.
    We'll begin your studies here.
[10:11] Ukogi
    Remember, my lady?
    I read it to you when you were little.
[10:15] Asebi
    Oh, the book that put me to sleep—
[10:18] Ukogi
    My lady!
[10:19] Ukogi
    We'll start with the absolute basics
    and review Yamauchi's origins.
[10:24] Ukogi
    Pay close attention.
[10:27] Ukogi
    When the Mountain God visited this land,
     water gushed from its peaks.
[10:33] Ukogi
    Soon, trees, flowers,
    and ears of rice hung heavy.
[10:38] Ukogi
    The Mountain God named
    the bounteous land Yamauchi,
[10:42] Ukogi
    and appointed a golden raven
    to rule it in his stead.
[10:46] Ukogi
    The golden raven apportioned
    lands to his four children.
[10:50] Ukogi
    To the first, an eastern land
     awash with flowers.
[10:53] Ukogi
    To the second, a southern land
     ripe with fruit.
[10:57] Ukogi
    To the third, a western land
     thick with rice.
[11:00] Ukogi
    To the fourth, a northern land
     gushing with springs.
[11:04] Ukogi
    Thus began the domains of the Four Houses.
SIGN    Royal House
SIGN    Royal House
SIGN    Northern
    House
SIGN    Northern
    House
SIGN    Eastern
    House
SIGN    Eastern
    House
SIGN    Southern
    House
SIGN    Southern
    House
SIGN    Western
    House
SIGN    Western
    House
[11:07] Ukogi
    Meanwhile, the golden raven
     gained the name of "kin'u,"
[11:10] Ukogi
    and his line would dwell on the
    central peak, closest to the Mountain God.
[11:16] Ukogi
    In contrast to the Four Houses,
     this royal house...
[11:19] Ukogi
    My lady! Are you awake?
[11:22] Asebi
    O-Of course I am!
[11:24] Asebi
    The kin'u serves the Mountain God,
    maintaining peace in Yamauchi, right?
[11:29] Ukogi
    Exactly.
[11:31] Ukogi
    His Highness may be crown prince now,
[11:34] Ukogi
    but he will accede as kin'u
     before much longer.
[11:37] Ukogi
    To become his consort is to
    uphold the peace in Yamauchi.
[11:42] Ukogi
    Every house that sends
    a daughter takes pride in that.
[11:47] Ukogi
    Or so they say in public.
[11:49] Asebi
    Huh?
[11:50] Ukogi
    This is war!
[11:52] Asebi
    W-War?
[11:54] Ukogi
    Royal authority touches all political
    and economic life in Yamauchi.
[11:58] Ukogi
    Naturally, the kin'u's consort
    receives a share of that power.
[12:02] Asebi
    You mean the Empress?
[12:06] Ukogi
    Every consort brings vast wealth
    and power to the house that sent her.
[12:13] Ukogi
    Any children brings them even closer
    to royalty as guardians and caretakers,
[12:19] Ukogi
    and a male child will
    become kin'u himself one day.
[12:23] Asebi
    And that house's future will be secure.
[12:25] Ukogi
    Precisely.
SIGN    Royal House
SIGN    Royal House
SIGN    Northern
    House
SIGN    Northern
    House
SIGN    Eastern
    House
SIGN    Eastern
    House
SIGN    Southern
    House
SIGN    Southern
    House
SIGN    Western
    House
SIGN    Western
    House
[12:27] Ukogi
    So this rite is a proxy war by ladies
    on behalf of the Four Houses!
[12:35] Asebi
    That explains it. No wonder they don't take
    a provincial know-nothing like me seriously.
[12:39] Ukogi
    You mustn't lose heart!
[12:41] Lady-in-waiting 1
    My lady.
[12:43] Lady-in-waiting 1
    Lady Masuho-no-Susuki of the Autumn Hall
    has sent you a gift by way of greeting.
[12:51] Asebi
    A sappanwood red gown!
[12:53] Asebi
    And look at this fine embroidery!
[12:56] Ukogi
    Wh-Wh-Why, it's magnificent!
[12:58] Ukogi
    Oh, whatever shall we send in return?
[13:00] Masuho
    I am hosting a tea party tomorrow.
[13:03] Masuho
    Please feel free to attend.
[13:07] Asebi
    I've never been to
    a friend's tea party before!
[13:10] Asebi
    What a wonderful person
    Lady Masuho-no-Susuki turned out to be!
[13:30] Empress
    I see a "Lady Raven" has slipped
    into the palace this time.
[13:36] Empress
    We hardly need panic to remove her.
[13:40] Empress
    Her presence may nudge things
    in the right direction.
SIGN    His Reigning Majesty
[13:54] Empress
    Let us enjoy her antics to the fullest,
[13:58] Empress
    along with His Highness's own performance.
[14:20] Kikuno
    Lady Shiratama presents this incense.
SIGN    Autumn Hall, Cherry Blossom Palace
[14:25] Cha-no-Hana
    The Northern House has
    treasured it for generations.
SIGN    Northern lady-in-waiting
    Cha-no-Hana
[14:28] Cha-no-Hana
    Its production and composition remain
     the most closely guarded of secrets.
[14:32] Cha-no-hana
    We bring it today especially for your—
[14:35] Masuho
    It certainly is an uncommon fragrance.
[14:38] Masuho
    Perhaps a bit heavy on cloves.
[14:40] Masuho
    Well, it reminds me of kurobo,
    so I can guess at its composition.
SIGN    Western lady-in-waiting
    Kikuno
[14:48] Masuho
    Shiratama, what do you think of my incense?
[14:51] Shiratama
    A bit heavy on musk, perhaps.
[14:54] Shiratama
    And it rather reminds me of jasmine.
[14:57] Masuho
    I'm impressed you can tell.
[14:59] Kikuno
    Lady Masuho-no-Susuki
    compounded it herself.
[15:03] Asebi
    What are they doing, Ukogi?
[15:05] Ukogi
    Identifying the elements
    of incense as a game.
[15:07] Ukogi
    Oh, I was right to have
    a bad feeling about this.
[15:10] Masuho
    Lady Asebi, would you tell us
     about your fragrance?
[15:14] Asebi
    Yes!
[15:16] Asebi
    Oh, I'm sorry. I don't really know.
[15:22] Asebi
    I do use incense, but...
[15:24] Asebi
    What could it be?
[15:25] Asebi
    Not musk or anything so costly,
     I shouldn't think.
[15:29] Masuho
    Surely you jest.
    What noble doesn't know their incense?
[15:33] Lady-in-waiting
    I can't believe it. Has the Eastern House
     fallen on such hard times?
[15:37] Ukogi
    Begging your pardon...
[15:38] Ukogi
    The Eastern House has ancient
    and noble incense traditions of its own,
[15:43] Ukogi
    but my lady was a somewhat delicate child
    and has little experience with them.
[15:50] Masuho
    My, what a pity.
[15:53] Masuho
    The doll festival is almost upon us,
    so use that to ward off evil influences.
[15:58] Asebi
    I actually have them with me.
[16:01] Asebi
    My dolls for the festival.
[16:09] Lady-in-waiting
    How shabby. Practically peasant dolls.
[16:13] Lady-in-waiting
    Leave her be. The provincial set
     can't produce anything better.
[16:20] Masuho
    Lady Asebi, are you certain...
[16:23] Masuho
    you really belong here?
[16:28] Shiratama
    Oh dear. I do beg your pardon.
[16:31] Kikuno
    My lady's favorite Grey Heron teacup!
[16:34] Masuho
    Enough, Kikuno. You're making a scene.
[16:38] Ukogi
    My lady!
[16:39] Ukogi
    Ow.
[16:39] Ukogi
    My lady!
[16:53] Hamayu
    Let me guess. Someone's been bullying you?
[16:58] Hamayu
    Was it Masuho-no-Susuki or Shiratama?
[17:07] Asebi
    I have no right to be here.
[17:12] Asebi
    My older sister was supposed to come.
[17:14] Asebi
    But she fell ill.
[17:16] Asebi
    I took her place at the last minute.
[17:19] Asebi
    I felt so happy.
[17:21] Asebi
    I've lived in a country villa
    for as long as I can remember.
[17:26] Asebi
    I had nothing but worrywart
    ladies-in-waiting for company.
[17:29] Asebi
    I barely ever got to go outside
    and play with other children my age.
[17:35] Asebi
    But it's no use.
[17:37] Asebi
    I stand out like a sore thumb.
[17:39] Hamayu
    Will you take your leave, then?
[17:45] Hamayu
    Come to think of it, we have one other
    out-of-place person this time.
[17:51] Hamayu
    Someone they say turned witless
    on a long trip abroad.
[17:56] Hamayu
    Someone who everyone calls
     an unbelievable fool.
[18:02] Hamayu
    The Prince.
[18:04] Asebi
    His Highness?
[18:05] Hamayu
    It's not exactly a secret.
[18:08] Hamayu
    You really don't know anything, do you?
[18:12] Hamayu
    Then, I guess this will be news to you.
[18:15] Hamayu
    The Prince wasn't anyone's first choice
     to succeed the current kin'u.
[18:21] Hamayu
    He's a second son.
[18:24] Hamayu
    His brother who's five years older
     should be the heir.
[18:29] Hamayu
    The brother was a razor-sharp kid.
    They said he'd make a great ruler one day.
[18:36] Hamayu
    But for whatever reason,
    the royal priests declared the infant prince
[18:42] Hamayu
    more worthy to inherit than his brother.
[18:46] Hamayu
    Even though the older prince's mother
    is the kin'u's wife, the Empress,
[18:50] Hamayu
    while his younger brother
    was born to a concubine.
[18:55] Hamayu
    I hear it caused a panic in the Center.
[18:57] Hamayu
    Factions formed and split the court in two.
[19:03] Hamayu
    In the end, the older brother lost the
    power struggle and had to become a priest.
[19:11] Asebi
    So that's why Her Majesty used
    my name as a slight to His Highness.
[19:16] Asebi
    I feel terrible for the elder prince.
[19:18] Hamayu
    Well, officially, they settled everything,
[19:22] Hamayu
    but who knows how he really feels?
[19:26] Hamayu
    You never know what might
    happen during this rite.
[19:31] Asebi
    And you, Lady Hamayu?
[19:32] Hamayu
    Consider me a spectator.
[19:40] Hamayu
    Oh, and there was one other rumor.
[19:43] Hamayu
    I hear the foolish prince is a real kin'u.
[19:51] Asebi
    "Real"?
SIGN    The North
[20:24] Yukimasa
    My lord.
[20:26] Genya
    Oh, Yukimasa. In good health, I hope?
[20:29] Yukimasa
    Yes, sir.
[20:30] Yukimasa
    I cannot thank you enough
    for inviting me here today.
SIGN    Lord of Taruhi Village
    in the North
    Yukimasa
[20:34] Yukimasa
    Have you just returned from the Center?
SIGN    Mansion of the Northern House
[20:36] Genya
    Yes. The Rite of Ascension
    makes life hectic.
[20:41] Genya
    By the way, Yukimasa...
[20:43] Yukimasa
    Sir?
[20:43] Genya
    Did your boys come with you?
[20:46] Yukimasa
    O-Of course.
[20:49] Genya
    I can't wait to see them.
[20:51] Genya
    Yukiya moaned about stomach trouble
    and excused himself last year.
[20:56] Genya
    He must have done a lot of growing.
[21:00] Yukimasa
    Where has that blockhead gone?
SIGN    The Lord of Taruhi Village's
     second son
    Yukiya
[21:04] Yukiya
    So, um, you're saying you won't pay,
     no matter what?
[21:10] Lackey 1
    We told you, you've got it all wrong.
[21:13] Lackey 2
    As if we'd ever dine-and-dash
    at this peasant kid's place.
[21:17] Child
    Liar! I know you took our mochi!
[21:20] Kazumaro
    Enough!
[21:21] Kazumaro
    You hill ravens owe us court ravens
    every hospitality, anyway.
[21:27] Kazumaro
    Even if I did eat your mochi,
     what's so wrong with that?
[21:30] Yukiya
    Excuse me.
[21:33] Yukiya
    A lot of people saw you,
    so it's an open-and-shut case.
[21:38] Yukiya
    Won't you please pay for the mochi?
[21:43] Kazumaro
    You hill ravens don't know your place.
[21:46] Lackey 2
    Come on.
[21:47] Child
    Y-Yukiya!
[21:48] Yukiya
    Don't worry. We can talk this out.
[22:01] Yukima
    Yukiya, are you okay?
[22:03] Yukichi
    Yukiya!
[22:05] Yukiya
    Huh?
[22:06] Yukiya
    Big brother? Yukichi? What's the matter?
SIGN    The Lord of Taruhi Village's
    eldest son
    Yukima
[22:10] Yukima
    You idiot! Why do you
    always put yourself in danger?
[22:13] Yukichi
    It's not Yukiya's fault!
SIGN    The Lord of Taruhi Village's
     third son
    Yukichi
[22:15] Yukichi
    Just 'cause they're court ravens
     from the Center,
[22:18] Yukichi
    they made fun of us and
    threw their weight around.
[22:20] Yukiya
    Hey, isn't today...
[22:23] Yukiya
    the Northern House's banquet?
[22:25] Yukima
    Yeah. But with a face like that...
[22:30] Yukiya
    And those court ravens
    will be there, too, right?
[22:35] Yukima
    Hey, this better not be another of your...
[22:38] Yukiya
    Don't be silly, Big Brother.
    I'm not planning anything.
[22:42] Yukiya
    Well, I'll see you there.
[22:49] Yukima
    Yukiya!
[22:54] Yukiya
    Ugh. I knew this would hurt.
[24:30] Narrator
    The Northern House puts forward
    Lady Shiratama as consort.
[24:34] Narrator
    After causing a scene at the banquet,
[24:37] Narrator
    Yukiya is ordered to wait
    on the "foolish" prince.
[24:43] Narrator
    Yukiya and the Prince.
[24:45] Narrator
    Their strange fate is set in motion.
SIGN    The Blockhead
SIGN    Second Son
[24:50] Narrator
    Next time: "The Blockhead Second Son."
SIGN    YATAGARASU:
    The Raven
    Does Not
    Choose
    Its Master
SIGN    Illustration: Natsuki