Aria the Origination #13: To That New Beginning…

Akari has a question about the account book for Aria Company, but when she turns around, Alicia isn’t there. She’s retired now, and Akari is alone. This time, it’s not a dream. The sadness of having to say goodbye is mixed with the joy of a hopeful future. Akari now feels that she is a person Alicia can rely on.

Then Alicia confesses that she is already relying on Akari. When a mentor teaches an apprentice, or a parent to a child, the student will necessarily take on some of her instructor’s personality. Akari was afraid to let go of Alicia because Alicia didn’t want to be alone.

Akari was never at risk of feeling lonely. Now that she’s a prima, her days are full of customers, talking with other undines and business owners, and the many friends she’s made in Neo-Venezia. Alicia, although newlywed and working full time in the Gondola Association, still goes out of her way to drop by Aria Company. In time, she’ll visit less often. But then Akari will be busy teaching her own apprentice. That young pair will grow up under the influence of Akari’s personality, as Akari had grown under Alicia’s.

That concludes three weeks all about Alicia. Next week is a lighter episode, Aria the Natural #11: That Precious Sparkle…

Aria the Origination #9: Surrounded by That Orange Wind…

Lewis Carroll’s follow-up to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was Through the Looking Glass. When Alice Carroll is asked to assess her strengths and weaknesses, she looks at her reflection in the water. Something we’ve seen many times in the Aria series. Here she is in With That Transparent Young Girl…

And in the second season, The Smile Reflected In that Mirror…

Finally, this episode…

Although she says she’s worried about her singing, truthfully it’s her self-image that Alice has the most difficulty with. She hesitates to look into the mirror because she doesn’t want to see something she won’t like. So when she was able to answer Athena’s questions honestly and confidently, that proved she had matured to not be afraid of her own shortcomings.

And we see many other examples of how far Alice has come. There was a time when she was embarrassed to be seen next to Athena. Now there’s nothing but admiration in her voice as she states, “time stands still when Athena is around.” After the graduation ceremony, she warmly smiles as she gives away her second button. Those girls once asked her for an autograph but were turned down because Alice didn’t understand their feelings. The girl we see in this episode is much more positive, outgoing, and good-natured than in any other episode. Even if Akari is the star of Aria, the most satisfying part of the show has been watching Alice blossom.

Graduation time is approaching for the students reading this, too. Good luck!

Next week I’ll be watching Aria the Origination #4: Those Who Aim for Tomorrow… and also picture drama #2.