"Hey Pharynx."
The aforementioned changeling turned his focus from his game of solitaire and towards his nine year old stepsister, Flurry Heart. She was sitting on the living room floor with her favorite toy soldier tucked under her wing, in front of an open book full of family photos.
"What'd ya want, brat?"
"Why are all my baby pictures so creepy?"
The alicorn filly turned the book toward her brother to show him said pictures.
Each image of the foal had a heavy piercing gaze that made observers uneasy. She was still objectively cute, but that didn't change the fact that he'd seen more light in the eyes of a dead fish.
Pharynx looked away from the book and straight into Flurry's eyes.
"That's because you didn't have a soul until you were four."
The filly pouted. "That's not true!"
The older royal shrugged. "If you don't believe the truth, then I don't know what to tell you."
"If I didn't have a soul, how come I have one now, huh? Explain that!"
"Easy. You stoll Sunburst's. Why else do you think he doesn't babysit you anymore?"
"But you said Starlight stole it when they got married!"
It was at that point Thorax walked in.
"Are you telling Flurry that she didn't have a soul again?"
The older of the two changelings had already returned to his game of solitaire. "It ain't my fault she can't accept the truth."
Flurry blew a raspberry at him. "And it ain't my fault you can't accept that you're a jerk."
Thorax sighed. "You wanna go get some ice cream, Flurry?"
The filly stood up and pranced in place excitedly "I want Neapolitan!"
"I want chocolate." Pharynx chimed in.
Thorax pulled Flurry into a hug as they both half-heartedly glared at him.
"I'm soooorry. But ice cream is for nice changelings who aren't mean to their little sister."
The older bug boy rolled his eyes, but smiled nonetheless.
"Fiiiine. I'm soooorry Flurry.
"Harrumph!"
"And you were both with a soul."
"Hmmph."
"And you're *ack!* best princess."
She snorted, but was at the very least satisfied. "At least say it like you believe it. Jerk."
Thorax giggled at the duo's antics before heading out to the hallway. "Come on. If we leave now, we can be back before dad realizes we left."
Flurry tilted her head.v"Wouldn't flying be faster?"
"I like walking."
Pharynx scoffed. "Along your coltfriend's patrol route more like. What's his name? Flash Fire?"
Thorax blushed a bright green as he protested. "His name is Flash Sentry, and he is not my coltfriend!"
His brother smirked. "Oh riiiight. You're more into dragons, aren't you?"
"Pharynx!" His face was completely green now.