Aria the Natural #17: After That Rainy Night…

The long, cold nights of winter are a time of introspection. Families around the world gather for large meals, gift giving, and celebrations of the year past. Akari’s new gondola is stronger and prettier. The boat itself is easily replaced and not worth having an attachment to. Where her affection comes from is her past experiences with the gondola. It reminds of things she’s learned, enjoyed, or was frustrated by. She shares those memories with Alicia who relates her own adventures with the gondola. Their similar memories let Akari feel more closely connected to the people around her. Festive gatherings and hearty meals keep us from feeling cold in the winter. And so sharing her memories keeps Akari from feeling alone in Neo-Venezia.

Aria the Origination Picture Drama #7

Prima Akari is having some not unexpected growing pains as the new head of Aria Company. Grandma urges her to visit Alicia. Akari doesn’t want Alicia to worry about her. What she hasn’t realized is that Alicia is going to be concerned regardless. After four years together, she wants to know how her former apprentice is doing even if it isn’t all good news. Akari doesn’t have to be ashamed to ask for advice because she won’t be an apprentice asking her teacher but asking as a friend.

For the final week of the year I’ll watch Aria the Animation #12 & #13: That Soft Wish… / That White Morning…. Have a merry Christmas!

Aria the Natural #9: Those Honest Stars…

 The gondola is an icon of Venice. Those in the 20th century are built to a uniform standard: 10.8m long, 700kg, made from 280 piece of 8 types of wood, and all painted black. There is a blade-like ferro on the prow and a curled risso on the stern. The undines of Neo-Venezia are allowed to have more elaborate gondolas. Primas helm full-size white boats while the apprentices practice on smaller black ones. The risso has evolved from floral ironwork to a tall double-spiral. Instead of just a blade, ferros have many shapes, such as Aika’s lantern.

The aesthetic of a gondola has a practical side to it. Their flat bottoms allow them to navigate the Venetian lagoon. The ferro and risso are made of metal to protect the boat in a collision. They are built asymmetrical so they can be steered with one oar. The forcola is shaped to allow eight different maneuvers. Each feature was added to the gondola by boat builders with the insight and imagination to do what was necessary. What we see today was the result of facing challenges with the attitude of what is possible, and not bemoaning the impossible.

 This is the lesson that Alicia teaches to Akari. There are infinite discoveries waiting to be made in the universe. There is always something new to learn, someone unfamiliar to meet, or paths untrodden that you can venture on. (Didn’t we learn this when Alicia was excited to be the first to walk into a snow-covered lane?) Even today, gondola builders continue to innovate: the size of the risso is having to be reduced to account for the rising sea level. What will the Venice of the future look like? Perhaps one day there will be robotic self-rowing gondolas.

After a few months without celebrating any notable birthdays, there are three this week. Last Monday the 18th was the birthday of Akeno Watanabe (Albert Pitt) and Chinami Nishimura (President Aria). Tomorrow, the 22nd, is Junko Minagawa (Akira E. Ferrari).

Next week is the Thanksgiving holiday so I’ll be visiting family on Thursday. But I’ll make time for Aria the Natural #14: That Newest Memory…