Disclaimer: I don't own anything, thankfully.
Note: I'm still trying to figure out formatting, so thanks for bearing with me too. If you haven't read Fairest, I'll try not to give anything away. This is meant as a prequel anyway, it's how I explain why Skulni the evil mirror has all those rules to him while Lucinda's other gifts are so simple. Thanks for reading!
For as long as I can remember, I've hated weddings. Disgusting little affairs, I always thought them. The only good part was the food, which was thankfully always abundant and tasty. This one seemed no different at first, perhaps a little more boring than usual.
A monstrous boar roasted in an open pit, while attendants milled about the room with refreshments to be served. No one seemed to notice my presence, although with my dark leathery skin and spider-like features I stood out in the mostly human crowd. If anyone did see me, they hid their disdain well. Imps are masters of mischief and chaos, and I was no exception. Having an imp guest at a wedding is considered by humans to be the worst of ill omens.
I helped myself to a second cup of ostumo as I moved to the back of the room. The ceremony commenced as I tried my hardest to block out the endless droning of the various speakers while thinking of all the trouble I could start. Even the humans around me were fairly bored. Only one listener was paying any attention, smiling as she followed every word – a fairy! How could she swallow all that tripe?
Imps are sworn enemies of fairies, and we come to these vile events to spoil it for them, though I also come for the feast. Without blinking, I gathered a fireball in my open hand and flung it straight at her.
It hit her squarely in the back of her head and ignited her hair. My aim was excellent – no one else was even singed, but someone screamed. I assumed that they noticed my spell on the fountain near the bride – it had stopped spouting water and started spewing frogs – or perhaps they saw the roast boar come alive and rampage across the dessert table, tossing pecan pies and cream tarts into the crowd. I began to laugh and pelt the hapless guests with bananas, until I saw the fairy, indignant, advancing quickly towards me, not even bothering to put out her flaming hair.
The room was deathly silent now. Humans know better than to interfere in squabbles between magical beings, especially when it involves fairies and imps. "You!" her angry cry filled the silent room. "How dare you ruin this good couple's wedding!"
As she reached me, she conjured a hand mirror and, before I could do anything, brought it crashing down on my head.