A bit more of a somber piece for this scene. Enjoy~
 
 
The soft click of hooves on crystal flooring echoed through the hall, making any guard in the area turn their heads to see who was approaching. As the eldest princess turned the corner, they all bowed their heads out of both habit and respect, uttering the same thing they did when any royalty passed them: “Your Highness”.
 
Persephone barely seemed to hear them, walking past with only a small nod as her eyes stayed glued ahead of her. She seemed lost in thought, wandering the castle if only to calm her mind. Unlike her usual appearance, with flawlessly coiffed curled hair and a proud posture, the Crown Princess now roamed the halls in a way most of the castle staff had never seen. Her mane lay limp on her head, hanging as straight as if she had been out in the rain. She no longer held her head high with dignity, such body language leaving the guards in silent confusion. Was the princess alright? Should they go get someone? But none moved, not wanting to overstep their bounds.
 
Besides those working through the night, the castle was empty. There were no lights, only the occasional candle from castle staff as they sluggishly completed necessary chores. As Persephone made her way to the throne room, a door behind her opened with familiar golden eyes peeking through the crack. Seeing her older sister, the pegasus smiled. Persie, however, did not.
 
“You should be in bed, Snowflake.”
 
Shrugging, Snow Quartz opened her door enough to enter the hall, covered in a thick, fluffy robe. She seemed wide awake, which wasn’t a surprise to her older sister in any way. With all the naps Snow took, it was surprising that she could get any rest at night.
 
“I couldn’t sleep.” Snow muttered. “And it looks like you couldn’t either. Should we go down to the kitchens and get some cocoa?”
 
At this, Persephone shook her head. “I’m not in a cocoa mood, go ahead without me.”
 
Snow Quartz immediately started to catch wind of her sister’s dampened spirit, either that or her eyes began to adjust to the dark of the hallway. “I can’t remember the last time you wore your hair like that. If it’s not perfectly fixed, it’s in curlers.” She laughed at her own words, clearly attempting to brighten the mood. When it didn’t work, and made the changeling shuffle uncomfortably, Snow’s smile faded. “Persie, what’s wrong? I’ll walk with you.”
 
The oldest princess nodded silently and they began to walk, her little sister having to take two steps for every one of Persephone’s long strides, even as she walked slower to try and match pace with the pegasus. It took a few minutes of Persie opening her mouth and closing it repeatedly, as if she figured out what she wanted to say and immediately decided against it, before actually speaking.
 
“I look a lot more like her than I thought.” She muttered, looking away momentarily to take a shaky breath. Her little sister turned her head, giving a puzzled expression.
 
“Who? You mean Mom?” The pieces started to connect in Snow’s head as the words fell out of her mouth, and she realized a few seconds too late what Persie had really meant. “Oh, you mean… HER her, right?”
 
The changeling princess nodded slowly, glancing over to her sister as they neared the throne room. “I tricked Sunburst into showing me a picture of her. He keeps a private collection of old books in his room and I knew one of them had to show her somewhere…” With her magic, she opened the large doors, her parent’s thrones coming into view. Overwhelmed with emotion, a few tears fell from Persie’s eyes and onto the cold crystal floor. “I didn’t think she’d look so much like me. And it makes me think… others will see me as they saw her, even if I do everything right like Mom.”
 
Snow Quartz listened quietly, knowing that her sister would start talking more if she just let her. Once it seemed like Persie had said everything she wanted, it was the young mare’s turn to try and make the changeling smile. “Well even if you look like her, I still think you’re bound to be much prettier! You’ve got such pretty blue eyes and your shiny armor makes it look like you’re wearing big gemstones. I think you’re beautiful.”
 
Persie gave a small smile, but it was fleeting and disappeared within seconds. It was clear that the next thing she said had been on her mind longer than tonight. “Do you think everyone deserves love? Even if they came from a place of deception? Even if they were born because of a lie?”
 
“I don’t think I could be the child of Mom if I didn’t believe everyone deserved love.” Snow responded, trying once again to be lighthearted before giving a more somber answer “Persie, none of what happened was your fault. You couldn’t have controlled any part of that situation. You weren’t even born yet. I don’t think you get punished because of something you didn’t do.”
 
More tears rolled down Persephone’s cheeks, her head lowering as she slumped her posture even more than before. “But how can anyone see past that? No one will ever fully forget the invasion of Canterlot or all of the damage she did. How can someone look at me and not see the spawn of a tyrant, even after Mom took me in as her own?” Persie paused and glanced down to her little sister, her sorrowful blue eyes being the only real light in the throne room. “Snow, how can I believe there’s someone out there for me that can look past it, when I can’t even do that?”
 
“Because someone is going to be asking the same thing when they meet you.” The pegasus stated confidently. “I’m sure you’re not the only one that feels like this, Persie. I know you didn’t come from the most normal place, and it hurts you to know the truth, but someone will be able to relate to you in some way. And they’ll realize that you’re an amazing, beautiful, strong creature who does her very best every day to be better than her past. And if they don’t see it, they’re dumb.” Snow Quartz smiled up at her big sister, knowing that even if Persie’s frown stayed, at least she would hear the words of a pony who absolutely adored her.
 
Another brief smile crossed the changeling’s face before she glanced back up to the empty throne and sighed. Her mind seemed to finally slow and as she turned, her glowing eyes landed back on her little sister. “You still want to get some cocoa, Snowflake? It sounds good after all.”
 
“Absolutely!” Snow grinned, catching up with Persie by quickening her pace.
 
The two walked to the kitchens without speaking much more, Persephone occasionally peeking over to look at her excitable sister. She felt so much love flowing from the small pegasus, and it was all directed at her older sister. The emotion was as sweet as any dessert and Persie consumed a small portion of it as it flitted in the air around her. Snow Quartz glanced up to her, knowing well enough that her sister, just like any changeling, fed off of the love provided to her.
 
“Don’t worry, you can eat more than that. I have plenty, and I doubt I’ll run out any time soon.” Snow mentioned, sure that feeding would make her sister feel better, even if it was only temporary.
 
Persie gave a sheepish smile, accepting Snow’s offer and taking a bit more of the pure, delicious emotion for herself. Perhaps she wouldn’t find that kind of love, not like her parents, but she could hardly deny that she was unloved in this moment.