ARIEL: Thank you. *soon does her up and places a beautiful seashell tiara in Valentina's hair* There you go... All dressed for our people

ERIK: *appears* are you ladies done with whatever you were doing?

VALENTINA: Daddy look! Mommy made me into a real princess! *has on a tail skirt that is a deep blue and her long hair has been braided and has the tiara on it*

ERIK: and you look wonderful.

ARIEL: *has a purple longer tail skirt and has curled her hair and has her crown on* Sorry it too so long, darling

ERIK: its alright. You look gorgeous, my sea Angel. *kisses her softly*

ARIEL: *blushes* Thank you, my king.

VALENTINA: Eww! Nasty!

ERIK: *laughs* *kisses Ariel again*

VALENTINA: That's gross!! *looks away*

ERIK: *laughs again* At least we won't have to worry about losing her to boys yet.

ARIEL: *laughs* Yeah

ERIK: *smiles* lets go.

VALENTINA: wait!

ERIK: What is it, Valentina?

VALENTINA: Daddy you're missing something!

ERIK: What? *hand covers face to make sure the mask is in place*

VALENTINA: You're not wearing a shirt!

ERIK: I never have. Only when I was on land did I wear a shirt. *smiles fondly at his daughter*

VALENTINA: Why don't mermen wear shirts?

ERIK: It's rather impractical. You see, shirts are extra weight and slow us down. We must keep a slim profile for speed and agility.

VALENTINA: So I can't wear dresses?

ERIK: correct. Mermaids only wear skirts for special occasions. The only clothing you will be wearing is a pair of sea shells.

VALENTINA: But isn't that bad?

ERIK: Merfolk has a different sense of modesty than humans. So, to a human it would be horrible but to the merfolk it's considered normal.

VALENTINA: Daddy always told me to... *gulps*

ERIK: What did he always tell you?

VALENTINA: To take off my clothes...

ERIK: *eyes flare angrily* Why? *asks as calmly as he can*

VALENTINA: I-I'm not supposed to talk about it

ERIK: He's no longer here, Valentina. You're safe. *hugs her gently* What did he do? *said softly and kindly, masking the anger*

VALENTINA: *whispers it in his ear*

ERIK: *eyes darken in fury* I should have killed him when I had the chance... *growls slightly*

VALENTINA: Every night...

ERIK: *holds Valentina close and protectively* *looks up at Ariel* I'm leaving right after the ceremony. Don't expect me back for a several hours. *says to Ariel*

ARIEL: Why Erik?

ERIK: I have some business to deal with. *eyes are hard and angry*

ARIEL: *nods* Lets go

ERIK: *takes Valentina's hand in his* Let's go introduce my kingdom to their new princess. *leads her towards the square*

VALENTINA: *swims along* Daddy?

ERIK: yes, Valentina?

VALENTINA: What are you gonna do to him?

ERIK: I believe a full description would be unsuitable for your ears.

VALENTINA: Oh... Yay! You're gonna hurt him!

ERIK: Most definitely. I'm an expert. He deserves all he'll get. *looks down at her* When I'm done, you won't ever have to worry about him again.

VALENTINA: I wanna help! *grins* Can I help??

ERIK: *looks at her* No. I know you hate him but I don't think you need to be there.

VALENTINA: *pouts* Aww...

ERIK: You may be used to some horrible sights but I don't think even you should see what I will do. I'm trying to protect you, Tina.

VALENTINA: Daddy... One thing...

ERIK: yes?

VALENTINA: Don't call me Tina... Call me Val

ERIK: of course, I'm sorry. I should have asked, Val.

VALENTINA: Thanks! *hugs him*

ERIK: *hugs her back* You're welcome.

*merfolk are gathered around the center of the kingdom and are anxiously waiting to see the princess*

ERIK: *leads Val onto a plat form* Merfolk of Atlantica, I present to you your new princess, Valentina!

*they all uproar and cheer*

VALENTINA: *blushes*

ERIK: *pushes her forward a little and stands behind her*

VALENTINA: T-Thank you...

*they all listen at attention for her to speak*

ERIK: *whispers in her ear* They want you to say something. *smiles encouragingly*

VALENTINA: I... I just want to say that I'm very happy to be your princess. I used to be a human but now I'm a mermaid and I love it! I mean, everyone has the coolest tails and I love swimming!

*audience laughs*

ERIK: *chuckles slightly* I want everyone to show this new mermaid the ropes and keep her safe. Understood?

*they nod*

VALENTINA: And... I think that you guys have the best King and Queen because... I have the best mommy and daddy now. *hugs him warmly and happily*

ERIK: *hugs her back and smiles* *whispers to himself* I'm going soft...

VALENTINA: I love you daddy...

*they all "awwwwwww"*

ERIK: And I love you too, Val. *ignores the "awwww"s*

*they all cheer and one merman snatches Valentina*

ERIK: *watches them*

*they start to carry her over the crowd lifting her up with their hands*

VALENTINA: Wee! This is fun!

ERIK: *watches with a proud smile on his face*

*they chant her name as they set her down*

ERIK: *swims over to her and sets her on his shoulder*

VALENTINA: *giggles and looks out*

ERIK: *beams proudly*

VALENTINA: Any questions?

ERIK: *looks around to see if anyone has any*

*one raises hand*

ERIK: what is it?

MERMAN: Is she going to take over the throne after you

ERIK: *thinks about it* I have no idea. We haven't thought that far into the future.

VALENTINA: Good question!

*shouting is heard*

ERIK: *hears the shouting*

SECOND MERMAN: You can't let a HUMAN be princess!

ERIK: *turns to face the speaker* She isn't human! She's a mermaid as anyone here.

SECOND MERMAN: And you deserve to have a daughter of your own

ERIK: She is my daughter.

SECOND MERMAN: Orphan

ERIK: She is no orphan. She belongs to me as much as if she was born to me.

SECOND MERMAN: Lies!

ERIK: I DO NOT LIE! Do you have something against her? *growls*

VALENTINA: *starts to cry at the man's words*

ERIK: *wraps her in close to him* She's mine. If I decide to make her queen then queen she will be.

VALENTINA: D-Daddy... I'm scared

ERIK: don't be, Val. Nothing will hurt you.

VALENTINA: But

ERIK: but what?

SECOND MERMAN: She's part human!!!

ERIK: SHE'S FULL MERMAID! There is no human left in her.

SECOND MERMAN: I'm not going to have her as princess

ERIK: it's not your choice. *smirks*

VALENTINA: I want to go h-home

ERIK: alright. *waves for Reza to come over* *whispers to him* keep an eye on that one. Don't let him cause any trouble. *swims away with Valentina*

REZA: *nods*

VALENTINA: *sobs*

ERIK: *takes her back to his room* *holds her close and hums softly to sooth her*

VALENTINA: *sniffles* T-They h-hate me...

ERIK: not all of them. They love you.

VALENTINA: No they don't!

ERIK: Yes, they do! Didn't you hear them cheering for you?

VALENTINA: Daddy... Am I pretty?

ERIK: Yes, you're beautiful.

VALENTINA: But... But I'm human

ERIK: You. Are. Not. Human. *says firmly* You're a mermaid.

VALENTINA: But I used to be human

ERIK: 'Used to be' makes no different. It's what you are now that matters.

VALENTINA: Thank you daddy...

ERIK: You're welcome, Val.

ERIK: I love you too. *sets her down on the bed* Now, where did your mother go... *looks around for Ariel*

ARIEL: *is in the throne room, crying*

ERIK: *swims to her* Sea Angel...what is it?

ARIEL: I-I... I don't know what to do

ERIK: about what?

ARIEL: The people are starting to not trust us...

ERIK: What do you mean 'not trust us'?

ARIEL: That merman is spreading rumors

ERIK: Rumors about what?

ARIEL: Us teaming with humans

ERIK: Because we adopted a human girl? Teaming with humans is impossible. Those stubborn land dwellers as a whole don't like us and consider us to be scientific marvels. Nothing more.

ARIEL: I hate humans...

ERIK: But, you don't hate our daughter?

ARIEL: I don't... I couldn't

ERIK: then, that proves she isn't human.

ARIEL: You're r-right

ERIK: Now, I want you to work on suppressing that rumor and keep our daughter occupied while I go murder her ex-father.

ARIEL: Erik... Thank you. *kisses his cheek*

ERIK: You're welcome. *kisses her lips*

ARIEL: *swims off*

ERIK: *swims to the surface* *changes into a human and finds the captain's house*