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Sunny: Hey Dad? Val: Yeah?

Sunny: I love you. Val: Oh. I uh-

I love you too. (💙🎵)

Light rain softly tapped and rolled off the large tropical leaves outside. The only thing breaking the suffocating silence enveloping his daughters smallish domain.

Valerian paused - taking a steadying breath, and began.

Val: Helia- Sunflower.

Sunny: I don’t wanna talk to you.

Val: Then you will listen.

Val: I know its not - particularly easy for you at this lifestage, being confined to the island.

While our home is well fortified, and fairly defensible, I can also understand how it could all feel a bit . . . isolating.

As was it's original intention.

Val: And while this design lends itself rather well to my own career and lifestyle; favoring above everything seclusion and the company of my creations -

I admit when originally conceived, not much thought was put into how it would affect well - you.

Val: You - who was always by design.

A touch revised from the original draft maybe - but more brilliant than anything I could have possibly imagined.

Val: I am sorry. I should not have lost my temper.

It is my responsibility as both your creator and your father to set a good example. This will be my last time failing you in that regard. It will not happen again.

Val: Your father and I, our world is full of many dangers. People on both sides who wouldn't hesitate to cause you great harm - if it meant a chance to gain the upper hand.

Val: I just ask you, my sunflower, that in the future - you make a conscious effort not to beat them to it.

HANSEL: And maybe next time you'll consider LISTENING TO ME before freezing yourself half solid or getting stuck in some sort of dimensional rift! Val: H.A.N.S.E.L. please.

With the sudden intrusion of her robotic guardian, the littlest sunflower sprang out from the safety of her thoughtfully posed bedcovers - snapping back with a searing defiance.

Sunny: That's not true! I just needed it to make my ice skating rink! AND YOU TOLD!

Val: . . .

What?

🎵 That's the best part - The outside is new, But now it reflects what's already in you 🎵