*comment INTRODUCTION

"Your apprentice is in that lantern? Really!"

You can see, distorted by the thick glass around you, a plump shape step down from a throne and approach the lantern in which you reside.

She says, "I see! I think. But [i]why[/i] is your apprentice in that lantern?" Her voice is high-pitched and it rings in your ears through the glass surrounding you. She reaches a finger out to touch the lantern but the man holding it — the wizard [b]Tarson[/b] — withdraws it from her reach. You steady yourself against the glass in front of you to keep from toppling over.

"Please do not tap the glass, madam. Much like goldfish in bowls, people living in lanterns generally dislike having their houses thumped upon. As for the reason my apprentice is inside this gaslight, it is because my apprentice is entirely unclothed, madam."

The woman's frowning face comes closer to the lantern. Even through the distortion of the glass, you can see the fine hairs above her lip and the wrinkles like sunbursts around her bright blue eyes.

"So you've come to ask me for clothes for your apprentice?" Her squealy voice scoffs. "Oh, fine! Whatever helps the cause! Say, you, in that lantern! [i]Hellooooo![/i] I shall have clothing fetched for you. Hmm. My eyes are not as keen as they once were."

*comment ---------------------- DECIDE GENDER

*gosub_scene sub_gender

"Oh yes, of course!" the duchess says, although her voice lacks conviction. "You! Fetch this ${boygirl} something to wear. Immediately!"

"Madam," Tarson says, "I am afraid there is no use in that. One fateful day several years ago, ${heshe} happened upon an enchanted pair of sandals and they have bound themselves to ${himher}. Tis a jealous and terrible enchantment and the magic will allow no other clothing upon ${himher}."

"Oh, my! Scandalous!" The duchess fans herself and presses the back of her hand to her forehead. "I'm aware of frugal fashion, sir wizard, but this is no fashion at all. Your kind [i]are[/i] a particularly perverted variety of creature, aren't they?"

"I assure you this curse was not my doing, madam."

"So you say! But however interesting this is, [i]why[/i] have you brought your tiny naked apprentice here, lamp and all?"

"You called for a hero to come forth, madam. My apprentice's curse has the power to return your beloved to you. All that need happen is for ${himher} to touch the cursed cloak and it will be destroyed, releasing your love from the wicked enchantment which binds him."

"Oh! Marvelous! Yes." The lady claps and nods. "Then I am glad you've brought ${himher} here, lamp and all, naked or no!"

"Of course, madam. If we might discuss—"

"I will have my guard-captain escort your apprentice to the sorceror's keep," the lady says, talking over Tarson. "Bring me Oferi!" she shouts out.

Blurry forms around the room leave through the door behind you in a shuffle of footsteps.

*page_break

The lady stoops to peer through the glass at you again. "Hello there, tiny naked ${boygirl} in the lantern! What is your name?"

*comment ---------------------- DECIDE NAME

*gosub_scene sub_moniker

"$!{hisher} name is ${name}, madam," Tarson tells her.

"Pleased to meet you, ${name}!" the lady shouts. "I am the [b]Duchess Hurstott[/b]. But I'm quite sure you've heard of me, haven't you? Of course you have!"

"Madam, if we might discuss—"

"Oh, what is it, you silly magical man? But hold that thought a moment! Shouldn't we, perhaps, uncage the poor ${boygirl}? I assume that ${heshe} will not be staying in this wretched contraption for the entire duration of the quest?"

"Of course, madam."

Tarson twists a knob on the side of the latern and in a puff of smoke you are standing, stark-naked except for your everpresent pair of sandals, in the middle of a spacious room ornately decorated in silver and marble.

You look down at your sandals out of habit. The cursed things that have caused you to stay hidden away in the wizard's tower for the past [i]six years of your life...[/i]

*FINISH