We were not the only ponies who were interested in the carriages and the furniture van rolling through the gates of the Silver Mirror estate in my Equestria dreamscape. Ponies started coming out of the mansion and the outlying buildings to see who and what was arriving.
The carriages and the van came to a stop on the roundabout in front of the mansion. Some members of the house staff came out to welcome the newcomers and to start unloading their luggage. While another group started assist the teamsters with the cargo in their van. It soon became apparent that several of the newcomers were well known by Scratch's crew and various greetings and salutations were heard.
Of course none of my household recognized any of the new arrivals, but one in particular really caught Carousel's attention. Ducking his head way down to keep his horn from catching on the doorframe of the carriage a very large unicorn stallion stepped out. The golden afternoon sunlight made the stallions copper brown coat and platinum blonde mane and tail glow. For unicorn he was large. Not quite as large as Big Mac but several inches taller than me. He wore a black tooled leather vest with matching choker collar. Rounding out the stallion's wardrobe was fire-blue steel anklets on all 4 of his legs with little gold bells that jingled when he moved.
Petina various nonverbal sounds of approval at the stallion's appearance, but both myself and unicorn were very much aware of the low, throaty, whinny that suddenly came from Carousel. We both glanced over to see the earth pony gaze locked onto the stallions. Petina smiled and leaned over.
"Is Cari liking what she sees?" The earth pony nodded her head without saying anything. At that moment the stallion reared up and tossed his head in laughter; his long, straight, mane flowed like a waterfall spun gold in the sun. I watched as Carousel's nostrils flared a little and she stomped a back hoof firmly on the veranda floor. I just giggled a little and shook my head.
"Why don't you go over and introduce yourself." I said. It was rather amusing to watch her. Normally it was Petina who would act like this, but this stallion had definitely captured her attention. Taking my advice the mare trotted down the steps of the veranda and over to where he was standing.
Unfortunately for Carousel the stallion was surrounded by a circle of other ponies who were taking all of his attention. Then Scratch came out and the 2 immediately starting talking shop. This continued as the stallion and the other ponies he'd arrive with moved into the mansion. Then he disappeared for awhile into his assigned room to unpack.
For the next hour or so the other newcomers along with the cast of characters we'd come to know mingled around the main gallery. From conversations we were able to determine most were just short-term guests/visitors and would be leaving in a week or so. Some wouldn't even be staying at the Silver Mirror but had made arrangements in Ft. Trotterdale. Also there was another group that would arrive just before the big beach party. However the most important thing for Carousel was that she learned the name of the stallion she'd been eyeing. His name was Flying Gallop.
Around 7 in the evening the stallion came down and joined everypony in the gallery. He still had the ensemble he'd arrived in, but now he was also wearing a bridle of matching tooled black leather with 4 gold bells on it. During his absence Petina and Carousel had learned that Flying Gallop was one of Scratch's go-to ponies when it came to designing costumes and wardrobes for her tours. The bells on his bridle and anklets jingle softly as he glided into the room. He was one of those ponies that seemed to move effortlessly.
Fortunately for Carousel she didn't have to think of a reason for introducing herself to the stallion. Scratch waved us over. "Petina, Carousel, Sky Brush I wantcha ta meet a pony who usually doesn't git as much credit as he deserves. This here is Flying Gallop from Manehattan! He's one of the best stage costume ponies in the business!" Then she looked back at us. "And you have to admit. He's easy on the eyes as well!"
Thus began the rounds of the usual hoof shakes and small talk one makes when introducing oneself. However when it got to Carousel she stepped up and shook his hoof with a wide-eye expression. "Hello. I'm Carousel. Please to meet you." She then took another step closer and looked up at the stallion. For a second she just stared at him very intently then she said very softly.
"You are very big. And very pretty."
For a second Flying Gallop just looked down at mare looking up at him. Finally he smiled a little. "Why, thank you."
Carousel kept looking up while I chuckled softly and Petina and Scratch smirked.

To be continued.