I wish we could've seen more of original Clea and Verso's relationship, and while we don't directly get any crumbs (Sandfall you greedy little bunch j/), I think we actually get a glimpse of how they might've been through Esquie and Francois.
Our favourite giant marshmallow and moody local turtle can both represent Verso and Clea.
I have a hunch that those two were the closest of all family members, they grew up together, played together, created the whole canvas together.
It's like when Esquie tells us Francois used to sing and play and go on many adventures with them. Until Clea grew up and her responsibilities and interests grew with her. She'd have retreated into her shell (like a turtle would).
I can picture her kicking Verso out whenever he invited her to play (older sibling things yk?), portraying herself as cold and as sturdy as a rock, while deep downs she's still just a softie (who wants to see the art of the world, collect fables, and have... fun).
It's a parallel to how Francois yells at Esquie to leave him alone, to stay on his side of the caves, only to then cry his little heart out when he sees the mini FranFran and Clea rock.
And all the while Esquie (and probably Verso with Clea) doesn't really take it to heart. He quotes, "Francois is just sad." He understands that this hard exterior is because their's a pain inside.
Verso would have 100% seen Clea in that same light. For us, as players, when we first meet her, we see her as harsh, cold. If Verso was sitting with us and heard us say that, he'd definitely just smile sadly and say the same thing Esquie said about Francois. "She's just carrying a lot."
And I actually believe that Clea loved Verso more and valued his sacrifice more than anyone else in the family did. But that's an analysis for some other time. (Maybe.)
UGHHH THE DESSENDRE SIBLINGS YOU WILL BE THE DEATH OF ME
