Cinnamon Ass - Reborn Like a Zombie

Madlax Episode 9 - scent

Vanessa illicitly books herself, Elinor and Margaret into the Hotel Allium, which is owned by her company. When their car breaks down they are rescued by a man named Luciano who turns out to be an assassin from Gazth-sonika sent to assasinate Carossur (Mr. Doe), who is also staying there. Margaret accidentally foils this when she runs past Carossur clutching Secondary (her book), and he ends up being shot by Rimelda - his dying thoughts are how Margaret reminds him so much of Gazth-sonika, and a time when Luciano saw Retitia (who Margaret also sees for the first time in this episode, much to Retitia's surprise - "Someone tried to cross over", she tells the mysterious blond boy).

Vanessa also discovers that her country has been dealing in illegal arms with Gazth-sonika this episode, and it looks like she'll at least vaguely meet Madlax in the next episode from the preview (I liked the effect - traditionally the preview is done in "split screen", but the shot of Vanessa and Madlax is done full frame to show the two plotlines converging). We get some more hints as to the idea of parallel worlds with the juxtaposition of Retitia's war-torn world right next to the greenery of the land around the Allium, but the one thing I wish they'd do is have some sort of female Victim of the Week - all the poor blokes getting bumped off is getting a little silly!