The Hypernatural and Supernatural in Madlax -- Episode 12

Episode 12: one more genre axis added
"Vanished Will ~close~": (消意: Shoui)

In the avant, Vanessa is trying to open the salvaged data at the hotel. But the files have been protected by a password. Though Vanessa seems to be taking the leading role of the show, it is to be questioned how her own purpose and actual actions may converge with the story’s development. In Bookwald Company, Vanessa’s status is altered from business trip to Gaths-Sonika to temporary transfer to the branch. Charles, Vanessa’s fellow staff at their section, cannot help being suspicious. Elenore is also worrying about Vanessa, but Margaret seems to have confidence in Vanessa’s safety.

Friday Monday is receiving a report on Madlax from Carrossea. In front of Friday, there is a strange shaped machine that seems to be a computer terminal. “It’s been a while I last heard that name.” Friday was acquainted with the name. He is now displaying the data relating to Madlax.

Carrossea gives a mission to Limelda, that is to recover the data taken by Vanessa. Carrossea determines to go and see Margaret in person. “Now then, I believe I’ll at least go and introduce myself to her. To the girl who possess Secondari.” Madlax advises Vanessa to be more careful on her activities. “No attracting unnecessary attention. …You’ll die, you know.” The line that seems to construct one of the fictional perspectives has been uttered toward Vanessa this time. Vanessa tells Madlax her purpose and her expected activities. “I want to go public with the data inside this.” But Madlax answers, “The moment you try to go public with that data, Enfant will kill you.”

Carrossea is on flight on his way returning to Nafrece. “For Secondari to be in Nafrece… I could well call this destiny.” In the same flight, Nakhl is following him. This girl suggests the existence of unknown perspectives not yet introduced in the show. Madlax goes to the information vender’s to inquire the activities of Enfant. The vender tells, “But there’s someone who’s trying to find out where you are. …Someone from the elite guard.” Madlax mutters, “The scary person.” Vanessa had prepared a meal for Madlax who came home late. “They don’t taste good.” Saying so, Madlax keeps eating it. Madlax says, “I’ll sleep on the sofa.” Vanessa speaks to Madlax, “You can just sleep here, can’t you? …With me.” Lying in the same bed, Vanessa and Madlax are starting an intimate talk. “You know, I have a friend that’s the same age as you.” “In Nafrece?” “Yes.” “I bet she is happy.” “Now, yes. She wasn’t before.” An intimate friendship Madlax has not experienced before seems to be brought up by Vanessa. This is a very interesting scene that indicates quite different genre determining axis is being introduced from the ones such as mystery and hard-boiled gun action, that seemed to have established the basis of this show.

In the apartment of Margaret in Nafrece, Elenore is worrying about Vanessa. “I wonder it will be a long time before we can see her again?” But in answer to her, Margaret utters queer words, “Elenore, there’s something strange going on with me. …Vanessa’s not here, but I feel like she’s really nearby. That’s strange, isn’t it? Why do you suppose that is?” The cause of this strange feeling is to be revealed around the end of this show.

Madlax goes out into the night city alone, leaving Vanessa in the bed. “Vanessa Rene, you’re the princess. And… I’m the prince. So I have to go. Because the scary person is coming.” This line indicates that this show is going to adopt still one more genre determining axis at this part of the story. Madlax comes to where Limelda stays for herself in the midnight city. “Were you looking for me? …Why me?” Limelda answers, “I’m on orders. I’m to recover the data you stole.” After this, “Girls gun action” scene ensues just like the episode 1 introduced. The battle between Limelda and Madlax is developed with the insert song “nowhere” that has the impressive refrain of “yanmani”, establishing remarkable detailed scenes endowed with peculiar reality. Madlax, who has never been injured in any battle, gets hurt for the first time, by the hand of Limelda who she calls “a scary person”. But Madlax doesn’t dare to kill Limelda and manages to run away, finding out that they believe it is Madlax herself, not Vanessa, who stole the data. Though the fact that Madlax was injured here by Limelda seems to indicate Limelda’s superb ability as a soldier, it actually comes to be understood functioning as an underplot that describes the hidden relationship between them, looking back after Madlax’s psychical peculiarities are disclosed.

Returning to the hotel, Madlax tells Vanessa her presence has not been detected by Enfant. It seems her purpose for showing herself up in front of Limelda has been to corroborate this. “It looks like the official word is that I took the data. …Enfant probably doesn’t know about you. …If you leave now, you can go home. To your country, to Nafrece.” Vanessa answers, “I won’t go home.” Madlax says, “You’ll die.” Once again, that particular words that have special meaning in this show are told by Madlax to Vanessa in this scene. But Madlax seems to be impressed by Vanessa who is able to speak in this way in fixed determination.

At the same time in Nafrece, Margaret is getting that strange sensation. “I feel her. I feel Vanessa.” There, Carrossea speaks to her from behind, “You’re Miss Margaret Burton, aren’t you?” At the same time, Poupee is agitated reacting to something. Laetitia asks him, “What is it?” But this boy just keeps silent as always. “You’re…” Asked by Margaret, Carrossea introduces himself, “My name is Doon. Carrossea Doon.” At last, at this scene, Carrossea has realized his intention to meet her. But there is no clue at all, what he is going to do with her.