Wrote this after watching Aria The Origination I was disappointed that Akari was not the first promoted so I wrote a story where that happens. It is an AU of episode 7 I that gently passing time.
In that Gently Passing Time
Alicia sat at the desk reading a stack of reports on Akari one was from Amarantha the next one was from the Himeya Prima that runs the Traghetto as well as reports from the three singles Akari had worked had worked with that day. Although there wasn't anything in those reports she didn't already know. They all said the same thing that Mizunashi Akari was ready to be a Prima Undine. Alicia had known for a couple of months that she was ready, that day with Amarantha had proven it.
Alicia was afraid to promote Akari because she was afraid of losing all the great time they had spent together. Akari has had a profound impact on the way Alicia viewed the world and her job. The truth is Alicia had been considering retirement after Akari's promotion but had reconsidered deciding she was better off at Aria Co. and things would be better after Akari's promotion . With that in mind she turned down the Gondola Association and told her boyfriend she didn't want get married she was going to remain an Undine.
As Alicia finished reading the reports she looked at the calendar and noticed that Aria Co. anniversary was coming up in three weeks. To Alicia it seemed the perfect opportunity Akari had already left her mark on the company after she made "The Sky Ocean and Wind " Palina . So she pulled out two Aria Co. cards and sent one to Grandma and the other to Anna a Prima that used to work at Aria Co.. She invited them to come for the day to ride along and she wanted Grandma to do the honors of removing Akari's glove. While Akari was out she called the gondola shop and asked them to get the other Aria Co. Aoi Shiro Gondola out and ready to go and made arrangements to put the black one away until Aria Co. hired a new pair. Then she called Akira and Athena and told them and told them to tell Aika and Alice and told them not tell Akari.
The next three weeks passed quickly and uneventfully for Alicia although she remained very nervous about giving the exam and what Akari's alias would be but she narrowed it down to 2 choices depending on where she took them on the final leg of the exam which was up to Akari. Finally it was the day before and Alicia couldn't keep it in any longer as they were having super she told Akari " Your prima promotion exam will be tomorrow on the companies anniversary. Grandma will be joining us as will another former prima of the company. " Akari responded with her usual "huh" then went into a hysterical fray worried that she was not ready to be a Prima. Alicia said I know your ready you will be just fine