Chapter 1 Carousel Kissing Chaos
“BIG BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU HAVE CUSTOMERS!!!” Silver Bell squeaked as his older roused from his small nap. Elusive sighed heavily, he walked towards his armoire giving his mane a few rough brushes to make himself presentable. Elusive had been working his hooves to the bone, Hearths Warming season was always the busiest time of year at the Carousel Boutique. Everypony coveted the garments he put so much time into and the young mare standing at the counter right now was no exception.
“Good Afternoon and welcome to the Carousel Boutique my name is Elusive how may I help you?”
The gray coated black maned mare huffed in discontent. “Yeah save it glamour hooves”, she quipped, “I’m here to pick up an order.”
“Oh is that so?” Elusive said slightly offended “Name please?”
The Mare huffed again very irritated as if he had asked her if she was pregnant “The name is Silver.... Silver Vein”.
Elusive sighed “Well miss Vein, I’ll be right back with you-”
“NOW" she yelled. Elusive ran off the clopping of his hooves heard as he came back carrying a light blue gowned levitated by his magic. The craftsman presented his work and awaited her critique. She huffed again and said in a very annoyed tone, "I suppose it will do." She left a small purse of bits on the counter, stuck her head up high and walked out of the store.
Elusive could hardly breathe a sigh of relief before another mare entered the shop. "Good afternoon" the mare said politely, "my name is Harmony Moon." Elusive could hardly believe his ears Harmony Moon was the lady of Baltimare and a lesser known niece of the royal pony brothers, and a real beauty her royal blue mane fell beautifully on her amazingly contoured body, her wings kept flawlessly not a single feather out of place.
Immediately he reached out and kissed her hoof and then said, "It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Elusive and welcome to my humble boutique." Harmony blushed, although she was used to being kissed on the hoof, she found this particular stallion to be more handsome than any she had ever seen before. She stood there dazed for a minute before remembering why she came in, she then shyly asked if he could make her a new dress for the royal celebration in Canterlot tomorrow evening. Elusive sighed heavily, calculating in his head exactly how he’d have to maneuver his orders to finish hers on time. Then he turned to her and said reluctantly, " Yes, I can have it ready for tomorrow." She smiled and nodded in approval before leaving the store.
Elusive banged his head in the counter in defeat. Taking that order meant that he would have to close the store early today, which was bittersweet. On one hoof he'd have more time to work on his orders, on the other hoof he'd be taking less orders and therefore less money. But he knew if he was going to do a stellar job on this royal dress, he'd need all the time he could get. And with that he walked to the store's entrance and flipped the sign reluctantly from open to closed. He then promptly collapsed in his couch and began crying into its cushions.
Not five minutes later there was a knock on the boutique's door. Elusive didnt even lift his head but let out a curt "we're closed". When the knocking persisted he grudgingly got up and opened the door, prepared to curse the pony behind it. His anger burned until he saw the face of his assistant Feather Stitch.
The amber coated chocolate maned pegasus stood in his doorway her long mane ruffled and messy and her tail kept short and neat next to her cutie mark, which was a feather pulling thread through a fabric. Her glasses were slightly askew and her feathers all ruffled as she carried a large brown bag in her mouth. Elusive's anger dissipated as she trotted in and set the bag on the counter.
After she did that she turned and greeted him with a cheerful "Good afternoon Mr. Bell."
"How many time a must I tell you, it's just Elusive my dear" he replied in a grin. She practically fell flat on her face hearing him call her dear.
"Of course, sorry mist-I mean Elusive. I brought us-I mean you lunch."
Elusive smiled at her and said, "Thank you darling, you're a lifesaver." He then proceeded to fix her glasses and feathers, rolling his eyes and saying, "Oh Stitchy, what am I ever going to do with you?" He then levitated the lunch out of the bag and the two began to eat their meal. As they ate, Elusive vented to her about his problems, but she couldn't help but focus more on his appearance then his woes. She had liked him ever since he had hired her three months ago to help with the oncoming workload. At first their relationship was rocky to say the least but they were now friends and came to enjoy each other's company. Her mind then drifted to the day they first met.
••• [flashback] •••
Feather Stitch had walked into the carousel boutique and sat down nervously on the couch. She shuffled her hooves anxiously, clutching an ad from the Ponyille Express as she gazed around at the wonderful dresses and gowns around the store.
Elusive emerged from the back room and sat on the couch across from her. Dark purple bags under his eyes matched the color of his knotted mane. He eyed her curiously as he levitated a wine glass to his lips, taking a sip of the red liquid. Despite his mangy appearance she knew he was very handsome and judging by his self-made bathrobe, she could tell he was an expert when it came to pony fashion.
Elusive's eyes met hers briefly before surveying the rest of her body. The light gray fedora rested stop her head complimented by her designer frames and crocheted scarf wrapped around her neck. Elusive admired the detail of the scarf and then his eyes rested on her flank, looking at her cutie mark which was a feather pulling thread through a fabric. She blushed as his eyes continued to gaze upon her flank. He then returns to her face and asked, "How exactly did you earn your cutie mark, darling?"
She blushed a deeper red before sheepishly replying, "I was sewing for a clothing drive at my school and was doing rather well until I had broken my needle and I didn't have the time to acquire another one, so I had to improvise. I plucked one of my feathers and used it instead. I finished the garment on time and it was my best one at that point. I was so elated that I ran back to my teacher, only then did she point out my cutie mark. I was so excited that I ran home and for the rest of the day, I stared at my new mark."
Elusive fixed his gaze into her eyes and they shared between them the spark of friendship. He then asked, "What was your name again?"
She replied, "Um, it's Feather Stitch, mister...." Elusive smiled tiredly, "Bell, Elusive Bell. But please call me Elusive."
"O-okay, Elusive"
He then got very close and whispered in her ear, "Congratulations, Miss Stitch, you got the job."
She turned to him and replied happily, "T-thank you, mister Bell-I mean Elusive!" She then looked at her watch, gasped and then said “excuse me sir but I really must be going for now but it was a pleasure meeting you and I can't wait to work with you” she then turned to walk out of the store when he grabbed her forehoof and kissed it gingerly before saying “the pleasure is all mine”. She blushed the deepest shade of scarlet before rushing out the door tripping in its frame before walking into the brisk ponyville streets thinking of her new employer.
••• [end flashback] •••
“Stitchy? Stitchy? Are you even listening?” Elusive spoke to her, breaking up the flashback in her head.
She jumped at his voice and spoke quickly, “Yes of course, sorry. That sounds dreadful.”
Elusive replied confused, “It’s dreadful that I’m making a dress for nobility?”
She replied “ Oh no, not at all. I just meant you’d be dreadfully busy, that’s all.”
“Precisely” Elusive replied, which is why I’m going to need you to take three jobs home tonight.”
“Really?” Stich said with almost too much enthusiasm. “You really trust me that much?”
Elusive looked at her and beamed, “Stitchy, you’ve been my apprentice ever since you graduated from Ponyville High. I have more than enough faith in you.”
She turned to him and said, “Thank you, this means a lot to me.” She then sighed, and realized the work load she had inherited. When they had finished their lunch, they stared at each other for a couple minutes. Then she snapped to attention and said, “Oh yeah I forgot!” She then pulled out of the same brown bag a bottle of Canterlot Merlot. She placed it on the seat next to him and hugged him saying, “Happy Hearth's Warming!”
Elusive blushed, very embarrassed. She had to have known this was his favorite and he had known that it cost over 250 bits a bottle. He then buried his face in his hooves, cursing himself for not remembering to get her something.
He had to think quickly, his mind then went to a special order dress he kept in the back room. Although he didn’t make it for her, he knew it would suit her perfectly. He was sure his client wouldn’t be too happy, but then again Rainbow Blitz could give a different gift for his filly friend.
He then said, “Why thank you dear, you shouldn't have. I have something for you as well.”
He then went into the back room and told her to wait there. Stitch could hardly contain her excitement and her curiosity got the better of her. She walked to the doorway and poked her head in. Elusive was quickly undressing a mannequin that displayed his finished gift. He levitated the gown into a perfect fold before walking to the door and presenting it to her.
She gasped at the sight of its extravagant beauty. The gown was a light peach pink with an emerald to accent the center. It was clearly made for a pegasus and she could tell that there was great care taken into every detail.
She said, “Why Elusive, it’s beautiful” as she marveled at the dress. “It’s the least I could do for such a promising young assistant.” She then smiled and let out a small giggle of glee. She then looked up and gasped even louder, noticing the mistletoe in the door frame.
Elusive looked up and gasped as well. Many a time, he had dreamed about sharing a passionate kiss with a mare he loved on a cold Hearth’s Warming Eve under this very mistletoe, but not here. This wasn't right. This was his assistant and knew their relationship was to be kept strictly to business. But then he turned to her and saw a glint of passion in her eyes; something that told him that she had wanted this for a very long time. And for a brief moment he was okay with that thought. He began to lean in slowly as she closed her eyes and puckered her lips, moving towards him as well.
They were just about to taste the first fruits of love when suddenly Silver Bell tripped down the stairs and fell between the two of them. Elusive breathed a small sigh of relief before attending to his brother while Feather Stitch stood dumbfounded. It appeared the young colt had been spying on them.
Elusive spoke first after making sure his brother was alright, “Silver Bell, how many times have I told you it’s rude to interrupt when two ponies are talking?”
“But you two weren’t talking!” the younger brother retorted.
“Yes, we were.” Elusive insisted.
“No you weren't! But while I’m at it, what were you two doing?” Feather Stitch piped up this time and insisted that they had been talking. She then suggested he go play with his friends. Silver gave them both a questioning glare before exiting the shop. Elusive looked at Feather Stitch awkwardly, they both just laughed.
She then said in her quirky tone, “Thanks once more for the dress Elusive.” They then silently returned to their work.
The hours slipped away and both of them worked tirelessly into the night. Feather Stitch occasionally stole a glance up at Elusive watching the professional do his work. She admired him for all the detail and care he put into every article of clothing he made. Although, she could see he was very, very busy and very, very stressed.
She then looked at the corner of his desk and saw there folded neatly six knitted sweaters, each one done in a different color and all of them were very large and made for stallions. Each sweater had a cutie mark on them to match who it was made for. Her favorite was the white sweater inscribed with three diamonds on the chest. She knew this had to be her boss’s, she then day dreamed about him wearing it.
When she finally snapped out of it, she saw there wasn’t much time left. But she kept on working until five, which was when the shop normally closed. She then looked up at him with her big brown eyes and said, “I think I’ll be going now Elusive.” As she was walking out the door, she turned around and said, “Wait”. Elusive was already there, giving her her coat when she looked at him.
“About before,” he started, “that must have been a bit confusing for you. Would you like to discuss it over a glass of wine?”
She turned to him and shyly replied, “I would rather discuss it over tea next week.”
He said to her “That sounds lovely.”
She then said. “Oh and Elusive?” He responded with a tired “Hmm?” She then nuzzled him very affectionately and whispered into his ear, “Happy Hearth’s Warming.” He replied as she left the shop, “Happy Hearth’s Warming.”
Elusive then moved quickly to his bedroom and grabbed the key to his liquor cabinet and then went there. He shelved the bottle that Stitchy had given him and reached for an open one. He poured himself a healthy glass before returning to his work. He tried to stay focused but with each sip of wine his thoughts became more and more hazy and began to drift towards Stitchy. Granted she was awkward to say the least, he unsuspectingly found himself attracted to the young mare.
He then began to daydream as he took a large gulp of his wine. At that moment Silver Bell walked in, Elusive jumping with a start and spilling wine all over his sweaters. The wine stained Elusive’s sweaters and his coat, causing him to snap. “Oh Silver Bell, look what you made me do! That’s it Silver Bell, go straight to your room! I’ll be up with dinner shortly.”
Elusive went to go refill his glass but instead levitated the half full bottle from the shelf. He then threw together a rushed dinner and slide it under Silver’s door. He sat down by the fire with his scatterbrained thoughts, and his empty bottle of wine.
He then glanced over to access the damage on the sweaters, he knew it wasn’t Silver Bell’s fault but right now he was too drunk to care, he knew he could apologize in the morning but for now he felt he had to do something. Elusive noticed one sweater was left unstained, a lavender one with a fuchsia star it was going to be a gift to his friend Duskshine.
Elusive took one last sip from the bottle before saying “I have to deliver this gift to Dusk hopefully I can salvage this Hearth’s warming eve. He snatched up the sweater put it in a box and wrapped it; he then put on small dainty scarf before setting out with his gift into the cold and late winter night...