Prologue
AN: Set before the final chapter of the story, but after all other chapters
It's hard to believe what can transpire in less than a year. Just a few short months ago, I went to that local theatre in that town - a town whose name I cannot remember - and saw a talented group putting on a production of Alice in Wonderland. They were an unknown group at the time, but I knew it wouldn't be for long. And a shrewd businesswoman such as myself knows that it is better to forge connections before fame sinks its teeth in; when they will be more humble and more grateful of my attention.
The show itself was mediocre. Enjoyable, if quite juvenile, and almost certainly a waste of the group's talent. There was one member in particular, a female elephant, who had an outstanding natural talent for singing. I recall feeling a stab of jealousy in my heart during her performance. I shall have to keep an eye on her lest she threaten my position. And what better way to do so than to have her indebted to me? Of course, the easy part was congratulating the group after the performance, allowing them to bask in awe of my fame. I am Cadence, one of the most famous actresses in Redshore City, and I make sure everyone knows it. I am the girl who appears to have it all - wealth, beauty, talent, fame - and I will maintain that appearance at all costs. It was all too easy to lavish praise on the starstruck entourage, promising them a future in my beautiful city. Actually putting this into motion, however, was more difficult.
At the time, Redshore City's entertainment was monopolised by Mr. Crystal. A rather vile wolf, I had no intention of interacting with him, perhaps because he reminds me too much of myself. But I needed his favour if I were to get that koala - Buster - and his group into Redshore. So I settled for the next best thing, and seduced one of his executives. People say that money is the greatest motivator, that everyone has their price, but money has nothing on sex. An opportunity to bed such a beautiful and famous lady as myself is one that few perverted old men - the type of men that make up the majority of the Redshore upper class - will turn down. Of course, I have my standards. I grant such a privilege to married men only, and only once. Married men are far easier to manipulate, and are more than willing to keep our affair a secret in order to protect their reputation and family. I prefer it, too, as it allows me to pull my strings from the shadows, where no one can see. No one in all of Redshore is aware of my… activities. Many may object to my method, I'm sure, but it is logical to me. I'm not married or otherwise taken; I'm not betraying anyone. I do not force anyone against their will. If a married man falls into my web, then that is his shortcoming and his betrayal. There is no emotion and no love, a purely transactional affair where he gets a night of doing whatever he wishes to me, and I get whatever I want in return. Usually this is some sort of business opportunity, whether it's the chance to perform in a prestigious theatre, or a chance to star in an ambitious film, or a recommendation from one businessman to another. In this instance, the favour I demanded was for them to send Crystal's talent scout, a beautiful saluki dog named Suki, to review Buster's show. I planned for her to be as impressed as I was, and recommend them to Mr. Crystal. Mr. Crystal would then have them perform in Redshore, and I would reveal how I was the one who got them here. The group would be forever grateful and indebted to me, and I could ensure that that wretched elephant could never dethrone me. The reality didn't quite follow my plan, but all worked out in the end. Mr. Crystal was arrested for the attempted murder of Buster - not that it matters to me at all - and the group became quite famous after a marvelous performance.
After this incident, I made sure to maintain my connection to them. I dropped in every so often to watch their show and give them my praise, and I made sure to invite them to various parties among the upper class that I was privy to. I daresay I became quite attached to the mish-mash group of animals. They'd even managed to recruit the famous singer Calloway to their performance, which truthfully impressed me. But he is old and past his prime, and of no threat to me, so I was able to share a genuine happiness for them. To my surprise, but not disappointment, they had also enlisted the best choreographer in Redshore: Klaus, a proboscis monkey and an old friend of mine. We've worked together many a time before, and he has choreographed almost all of my shows.
Not long after their new-found fame, we were all attending a very exclusive party. The poor group seemed very out of place, especially the young gorilla and lynx. This party is burned into my mind and soul forever, a permanent and shameful reminder of what I am and what I am not. What I will always be, and what I will never be. It is at this party that I met her, and her fiancé. It is at this party that we were all invited to her wedding, not only as guests but as guests of honour, planners, and friends. A word that still leaves a revolting taste in my mouth.
"Cadence…?"
A timid voice peaks from between the crack in my suite door, rousing me from my reminiscing and deep thought. I look up to see a pig; Rosita. One of the few who continues the pretence of being my friend. Or perhaps it is genuine? I do not know nor care any more.
"We're waiting for you." she finishes, as she leaves abruptly.
I sigh and stand, smoothing out the creases and wrinkles from my pristine dress. I take a second to fix my feathers, and admire my reflection. I look truly beautiful. The jewel of Redshore. And it is time for my wedding.