////Characters to interact with about the curse
///Rathazul [Cursed Shirt] Tooltip: "Something is wrong with this shirt."
Being direct with the knowledgeable old rat, you explain the shirt you got from a maniac at the lake is stuck to your body. He looks you up and down and huffs quietly. [say: I have some doubts I will know what to do, but let us have a look...]

He touches the [if (stage 3+) {thing and its flesh-like drapes|cloth}], running his hand over it. [say:Perhaps a powerful lye might damage it--admittedly, less an alchemical deduction and more of an unfortunate story of doing laundry in my youth.] A chuckle punctuates his reminiscence. Rathazul looks through his alchemy supplies for a short while until soon beginning to mix ingredients.

The minutes pass on and on, but the small sample of lye-based concoction is assembled relatively quick. [say:Lye is quite useful for making soaps, and for neutralizing certain things,] he explains as he lifts the dangling cloth behind you. [say:But by itself, it is quite dangerous to skin and even fabric.] The lye is rubbed into the material and--

[b:A worrying, burning, caustic sensation afflicts you.] Rathazul's brows raise at your immediate reaction, and he is quick to scrub some other chemical into the spot. [say:It would appear this is not so simple for alchemy. The more magically inclined could have answers?] he muses.

With all the time he spends at the lake, you had higher hopes for his insight. Alas, you'll need to find someone else.
///Izma [Cursed Shirt] topic. Tooltip "You found it at the lake, perhaps she knows something." Shark-people came to be roughly 30 years ago, when Izma was 7. She's almost 40?
You pilfered what seemed like a nice shirt from a fanatical zealot, and now it isn't coming off. [if (any TF event happened) {What's worse, it's changing|Without a doubt, that's a bad sign}]. Izma furls her brow at this and rubs her temples. [say: It... is familiar, actually.]

You are pleasantly surprised to hear this. Perhaps she can help you out with the predicament, or shed more light at least.

[say: It's tough... When I was a child, the elders of my village were experimenting with magic, they wanted the lake that had given our people life for so many generations to be as livable as the shore.] She winces as she strains to recall more details. [say: There were many garments and ceremonial objects. I was only 7, so I wasn't privy to much. I do know that I didn't go through what you're experiencing now, but maybe the elders created that one too?]

Magic isn't so much her forté, so you don't expect deeper insight than that. It's a stretch, but you ask if she knows where any of those elders are now.

Izma blinks in bewilderment. [say: I don't think I'd recognize them if they are still around, and I don't think enough of their minds would have survived the corruption to be of any help.]
///Ceraph [Cursed Shirt] topic. Tooltip "Her specialty is cursed equipment, is it not?"
You pilfered what seemed like a nice shirt from a fanatical zealot, and now it isn't coming off. [if (any TF event happened) {What's worse, it's changing|Without a doubt, that's a bad sign}]. Ceraph listens to your explanation with apparent amusement.

[say: [Master], if you wanted curses, you could have asked for one.] She grins and runs a finger along your [if (hasgills) {gills|collar}]. The pleasant scent of her breath fills your nostrils before her forehead touches your own. [say: My trinkets would have done far more exciting things to you, you really should think of me more.]

No insight has been given. Cutting through her teasing, you need to know if she can remove the curse.

[if (stage 2+) {The demoness releases you and sighs. [say: I'm afraid it's a little late for that, the item is bonded to your body like a limb. A more tailor-made counter-spell is necessary.] Ceraph lays a finger on her chin to express deep thought before continuing. [say: I don't know where to start without the original, before it started changing itself to suit your body. My expertise won't be much help.] It's a dissatisfying answer; you'll have to investigate this elsewhere.{end scene}|The demoness drags her sharp nail down into the ruffles of your shirt as she ponders it. [say: Trivial. The binding is nothing special--I can tell that much by touch alone.]}]
[Remove Shirt].tooltip="No sense waiting, have her solve this." [Leave It].tooltip="Knowing you have the option is enough, it hasn't done anything too worrisome. It might even have benefits yet to be revealed if you wait."
/Leave It
You'll come to her when you're ready; however, this curse isn't threatening your life at the moment. Exploring the situation will take priority until you decide otherwise.

[say: As you wish, [Master].]
/Remove Shirt. Replace [Cursed Shirt] button with this if the player chose to Leave It.
/stage 2+
Ceraph stares for a moment and furls her brow. [say: [Master], something certainly appears to be different about this 'shirt'.] Your demon slave starts to walk around you, pondering aloud as she assesses this development. [say: It has merged with you and been molded by you as much as you have been molded by it. There is no simple fix for this.] She sighs and wraps her arms around you before whispering into your ear, [say:It makes you look pretty though, doesn't it?]

A shiver runs down your spine as you unthinkingly agree.
/else
At your request, Ceraph pushes her hand against your sternum, nearly throwing you off balance. [say: Ah, there we go,] she says. The demon goes on to mutter something under her breath, and then she raises her hand up, provoking your shirt to rise as though levitating. [say: And, release.]

The cloth settles. You delay for a moment to see if anything else might happen, but nothing does, prompting you to attempt to remove the shirt on your own. The loose fabric feels different, bunched up between your digits, and when you pull, it tears apart! The entire garment breaks into pieces with ease.

[say: Well, perhaps I wasn't quite delicate with it. Whoever crafted it must not have been concerned for durability.]

Nevertheless, the cursed shirt is off now, saving you plenty of trouble.
//Ceraph if the cursed shirt was removed previously and the player has a new one in inventory: [Disenchant] "Could she remove the curse that is on this?"
Once again, you've found yourself a fancy-looking shirt that will undoubtedly twist your body given the chance. However, you'd like to see if Ceraph has any insight into removing the curse without damaging the garment.

The demoness grins and puts a finger under her chin to express thoughtfulness. [say:Yes, I should be able to do that, [Master], but does that not ruin a little of the fun?]
[Binding] [Dispel]
/Binding. Tooltip "Perhaps a little bit of fun, but with less commitment."
Admittedly, it's possible there's some use to its magical effect, but the way it binds to the wearer is a problem. If you could just have that much control over it... After briefly pondering it, you relent, she can keep it 'fun', so long as it can be undone easily.

A devilish grin spreads across her face. [say: I'm delighted to see you embrace a little adventure, [Master].] Ceraph mystically levitates the shirt and chants some arcane spellcraft. It seems to demand a lot of focus, but then suddenly there's a flash of light! [say:Now you can have all the fun you want, and it will come undone at your leisure.]
/Make sure the description reflects whether it's the cursed version, unbound, or dispelled.
/Dispel. Tooltip "You are sure you want no trace of a curse on this."
You give her a knowing look and confirm what you want. Submitting to your whims, Ceraph takes the delicate fabric and you watch in captivated intrigue as her eyes glow brilliantly. The shirt, too, shines with some kind of aura, and after a few arcane words, Ceraph hands it back to you. [say:Anything for my dear [Master].]

You now have a harmless, but still attractive and comfortable noble's shirt!
/This shirt won't do anything weird.
///GretasGarments.hx [Cursed Shirt] "Greta knows something of magical clothing."
Addressing the seamstress, you begin to explain--[say:Oh my, what a cute enchant on you!] exclaims the succubus.

While it might be rude to interrupt, you're more caught up in hopefulness that she must know something about breaking the curse. To that, however, Greta scoffs. [say: Live a little, honey.] You protest, but she smiles at you quietly, not budging. The offer of payment crosses the conversation, and the seamstress quickly becomes more amiable. Greta takes hold of the loose material draping down your backside and contemplates it.
//stage 2+
[say:Wait a moment, hold on,] she utters, her hands glowing. Quiet incantations drag on, and soon she scowls. [say:I actually have no idea how to fix that.] {back to shop screen}
//else
[say:You look [if (isfeminine) {gorgeous|handsome}], it's a waste to tamper with it, but I can break this enchant for 200 gems.]
[Pay] [No]
/No
You'll take your chances.
/Pay
She is a business-owner; you can't be too surprised at this arrangement. Relenting, you hand over her fee and Greta sets about [if (armor != none) {stripping you down, without any warning, then }]scrawling various mystic symbols on your shirt. Her large, heaving breasts knock against you constantly, pushing you around, yet her penmanship appears sharp and clean no matter your movements. Chanting something, Greta shimmers with energies, and you feel nauseous.

She stops, and silence settles over.

[say:Rettahs!] she yells, thrusting her palm into your chest! There's a rush of heat like the belch of a volcano, and your once fine-looking shirt explodes off of you! It leaves you a little bit stunned.

[say:There you go, sweetie, curse lifted,] Greta assures you as she wipes her brow. You're not an expert on enchanting, but there's something distinctly inelegant about the experience. However, it did work, and you got your money's worth. [if (armor != none) {Re-dressing, y|Y}]ou bid the seamstress farewell.
///GretasGarments.hx [Disenchant] if you have one of the shirts (not worn) and previously removed it somehow. "Could she remove the curse on this?"
Knowing the seamstress's advertised knack for enchanted clothing, you bring up your fancy-looking shirt you found around the lake. It is most certainly cursed, just like the last one, and you would like her to remove it--without damaging the garment, you add.

Greta takes the piece of clothing from you and fondles it for a bit. [say:Sure honey, it won't be too long to make sure it doesn't bind itself to anyone. 200 gems, I'll get it done.]
[Pay] [No] [Dispel]
/Dispel Tooltip "Wait hold on, you don't just want it not bound, you want all of the magic removed."
You stop and clarify--you aren't asking for it to not stick to your skin, you want the entire magical effect removed. Your body needs to be kept intact. To this, she rolls her eyes.

[say:Fine, honey, but that's more work. Especially to keep the shirt in one piece. 300 gems.]
[Pay] [No]
/No
You are not going to be paying that, but at least you know she'll take the job if you change your mind.
/Pay
You take a hefty breath and exhale before deciding it's a fine deal. After fumbling briefly with your money-pouch, you hand over the fee and Greta smiles brightly at you. [say:I can have this done by tomorrow,] she assures. Your face flinches a little, but you shrug off the wait time.
//Any day after this, you can collect it
You walk into Greta's Garments and observe its colorful interior amid your approach to the resident seamstress. Greta greets you and stands up, swinging her fat breasts around in the process of looking for your commissioned work.

[say:Ah here it is.] The pink succubus holds up the noble shirt for you to see, and it looks just like it did when you gave it to her. [say:It'll be fine, no more [if (dispel) {curses|binding}][if (silly) {, but--ah--it's hand-wash only now}].]

Graciously enough, you take the garment.
///Arian [Cursed Shirt] tooltip "Adept at magic and enchanting, surely Arian knows a thing or two that could help."
You pilfered what seemed like a nice shirt from a fanatical zealot, and now it isn't coming off. [if (any TF event happened) {What's worse, it's changing|Without a doubt, that's a bad sign}]. The dilemma seems to drive [arianhim] frantic. [say: T-that's not good, are you hurt?]

Whatever is going on, your life is at least not presently threatened, as you explain. This quells the anxiety of the lizan somewhat, but [arianhe] seems no less intent to wrack [arianhis] brain for a way to assist. [Arianhe] places a hand on your chest and concentrates.

[say: This isn't some parasite, this is magic. There's some kind of enchant at play, but I haven't seen anything quite like it before.] Arian sighs and continues thinking on it for some time. [say: I just don't know where to begin... B-but if you find any books or scrolls about this magic, I will read every word of it and do anything I can to help!]

Books or scrolls. You'll bear that in mind, but who's to say you'll ever find any so directly relevant?
///Arian [Disenchant] tooltip "Arian might know how to remove the curse before it springs."
Pulling out the noble, seafaring shirt from your [inv], you hand it to Arian and begin explaining what you know about it. [ArianHe] listens intently, absorbing every word as you go over the way it binds itself to the wearer and twists them.[if (talked to Izma about [cursed shirt]) { Izma had said it may be the work of the same magics her people practiced when they were trying to turn into sharks decades ago.}]

The albino lizan feels out the fabric and mulls over all the information you gave. [say:I don't know anything about this magic, but I believe if I spend some time studying it in this form, I could break the binding on it.] [ArianHe] sighs. [say: A couple of days, probably.]
[Do It] [Nevermind]
/Nevermind Tooltip "Don't bother."
The offer is noted, but you won't take [arianhim] up on that just yet. Perhaps, even, there is someone more knowledgeable about it. [say: I understand.]
/Do It
A couple of days sounds just fine to you for some free disenchanting service. Arian smiles brightly, saying, [say:I'm always happy to be able to help you.]
/After 2 days, the player can get the unbound but still transformative shirt
You approach the lizan, whose face easily reveals that the job is done, and ask about the shirt.

[say:I managed to break the binding on it!] [arianhe] says as [arianhe] hands you the folded up garment. [ArianHis] face drops before continuing.[say:I couldn't manage to remove all the magic without destroying the material, however, so it is still going to twist your body if worn for long periods of time.]

Patting [arianhis] shoulder, you assure the lizard that the effort was still appreciated and not altogether useless.
///Circe? I don't feel like reading her content right now. Maybe she has books or scrolls directly relevant.
///Marielle isn't really magically inclined.
///Minerva, the siren at the oasis where the spring water is. Maybe add a small scene of singing with her at some point when the player has [Chant]