Chapter Two: Assisting Sisters
"You dumbass!"
The cries of a angry little sister rang throughout the house. Escape had just finished telling his sister, Roseluck, about his thrilling confession to Princess Celestia, and she had responded appropriately with a swift kick to the jaw.
"How could you be so stupid?!" she yelled.
"Relax," Escape said, massaging his jaw. "I don't see what's so stupid about it. I finally confessed to Celestia, just like I always wanted to!"
Roseluck shook her head in shame. "Yeah, but you did in during the Royal Day Court for everypony to see! I bet that'll be on the news for Faust's sake! I can see the headlines now! Dumb Brother, Rejected By Princess For All To See. All of my friends back in Ponyville know you're my brother! I'm not going to be able to live your humiliation down!"
"Hey! I never said she said no!"
"Did she say yes?"
"W-Well..."
"Then it's a NO!"
Escape put on a pouty face. "I thought you were trying to help me, Rosey!"
Roseluck sighed, calming down. "I...I'm sorry, I am. Really, I am, but couldn't you have been just a little more...subtle with your confession?"
Escape scratched the back of his head in thought. "Well...how many other ways is there to confess to a Princess? She's guarded practically everywhere and unless you're a leader of a country or have a fair bit of bits to your name, those guards won't even let you talk to her. I know; I've tried 27 times already."
"But you do have a fair bit of bits to your name. You're Escape, The Earth-Pony Magician, aren't you? Most of Canterlot knows who you are and I know every one of your last four shows has been sold out."
There was a twinkle in Escape's eye. "Well, as you say, I am pretty awesome."
"I said you were rich, dummy. That's the reason I even feel comfortable rooming with you while I build up enough revenue in Canterlot selling flowers without needing to worry about housing expenses."
Escape chuckled. "Nothin' but a gold-digger you are. By the way, you ever thought about just staying here in Canterlot? Your flower business does so much better here than it does back in Ponyville."
"Silly brother," said Roseluck playfully. "Canterlot blows; everypony's so rude and the place reeks of big business. I'd much rather live in Ponyville, where it's nice and peaceful...other than the occasional catastrophe."
"Yeah, well, I have to give you that one. Anyway, I'm going to hit the sack; I'm tired and I need to come up with some more ideas to convince Celestia to go out on a date with me."
She yawned. "Good idea, I think I'll do that myself. Good luck I suppose. Also, don't forget you owe me for those flowers you used during your failure of a confession."
"...Right."
Escape headed up the stairs of his house to his room, while his sister headed to the guest room.
"Jeez" he thought. "My little sis is ice cold. She must get it from Mom or something. Well, at least I feel motivated now to come up with a killer plan. But first, what window am I going through this time...?
As he got into bed, Escape quietly drifted out on conciousness, his last thoughts about what was essentially home invasion.
This was a dream Escape knew all too well.
There he was, on the streets of Canterlot as a foal at the age of 6. He'd only gone out in public a couple times with his parents and being a kid, he had enjoyed it, but today was a very different day. This was the day Escape had met his true love for the first time.
Escape's parents had always been busy ponies. Whenever they would go out, it would generally be out of the necessity for something, and they would try to make the trips out of the home as quick as possible. It didn't help that they had Roseluck to care for on top of him. While shopping one day, Escape's parents had been especially stressed, unable to find the right type of powdered milk for baby Roseluck. With all the commotion, it's no surprise that nopony would notice a little colt wander off by himself.
For a while, he thought it was fun wandering the streets of Canterlot. He got to see new sights, smell the nearby bakeries, and discover some of the city for himself. It had only turned sour when he realized he'd forgotten the way back.
He had been so very frightened. Lost, all alone in the big city of Canterlot. He had tried to talk to somepony, tell somepony he was lost and needed help, but in the bustling city, nopony heard his pleas. What more could a foal do then sit down a cry?
That's when he met her.
"My little pony, are you lost?" came a voice as silky as satin.
Escape looked up at his guardian angel; Princess Celestia in the flesh. The Princess gazed down at the little colt with great compassion and care in her amethyst eyes. Her ethereal mane illuminated her already-heavenly figure which only made Escape's jaw drop further and his heart jump higher. Realizing the Princess had asked him a question, he quickly nodded.
"Don't worry for even a moment. My guards will find your parents in a jiffy. In the meantime, would you like to stay with me in my carriage over there?"
He nodded without even fully realizing he was nodding, and quickly followed the Princess back to her carriage. It only took the guards about 15 minutes to find his parents, but those 15 minutes had been so magical for Escape. The Princess had entertained him the whole time with silly tales, and even sillier jokes. When his parents had come for him, she had whispered:
"When you're older, pay me a visit at my castle. You're welcome any time."
This was the start of his first crush...a crush that persisted 13 years later to the day...
Little did Escape realize while he lamented of his foalhood dreams, a Night Princess watched in secret, smiling softly.