「Final Fable」

The First Crumbs

Ow.

There's a concussion on my forehead. I gently open my eyes.

"Oh he's finally awake", comes a poise female voice.

"About time, I must say", says another young voice next to the previous one.

I adjust my vision, blinking a bunch of times. A brown house, filled with colourful motifs across the walls. Where.. am I?

An eerie silence.

Also, I'm on the floor. That concussion came from me falling off a chair. I slowly get up and try to raise my hands up to the bump on my head, when I notice there's a purplish, thick and tough rope tied across my hands.

In front of me are two girls, about my age. One had silky blonde hair flowing down to her waist, supported by a blue ribbon. A mature maiden's face, unmarred by any marks save for the stern expression as she gazes at a painting. She wore a blue frock, and a white apron-like covering.. not sure what you'd call them. The other girl sat on a chair opposite to me, merrily flailing her legs about as she stared around the room in wonder. Her hair was a wavy mess, coming to her shoulder, red as the fresh tomatoes I pick everyday. It covered her eyes. The freckles across her cheeks widened with her goofy smile. She wore a dark Lederhosen over a white shirt and a red skirt. Quite a curious fashion statement.

"Who... are you? Where is.. this?", I ask, propping myself up.

"I don't know the answer to that, but we're about to find out", spoke the blonde girl.

"Alice is gonna save us all!", boomed the spirited redhead.

"Shut your trap, Dorothy"

"I'm sorry, what? Is this some prank? Where is this?". I grow more curious.

"Well, we sure would like that wouldn't we?", Alice grimaced. She had a troubled expression on her face.

"Do you both live here or something?"

They both exchange glances as if I'd said something offensive.

"Oh no we.. we just met, you see"

"Alice and I just woke up a few minutes ago, just like you did just now. By the way, why's that still on your wrist?"

I look at the hard flexible rope.

"I don't know what this is.."

"Eat it"

"I'm sorry what?"

"Eat it!", they scream in unison.

"That's licorice, my friend. Won't harm ya"

"Why.. was I tied up with licorice?"

I take a bite. It's sweet.. and sour.. oh my.. it's really sour. I end up gobbling the makeshift handcuffs. Dorothy reveals her own licorice she'd kept stashed in the roof of her mouth, and begins to chew it.

"No clue, we all were. By the way, what's your name?"

"I'm.. Jack Torikawa. Must've heard of me, I'm the famous giantslayer!"

"Nope, never heard of ya. Your hair is funny", she retorts, pointing at a mirror to my left.

Damn, she's right. All that black mass came down like a mop. I quickly shuffle it about and set it right. Apart from that, I see a hulking figure with strong muscles and a nice goatee.
I stroke it with pride.

"You're one to talk, tomato. Your hair's a wild tangle"

"I happen to like it this way", she says, getting off the chair. She's much smaller than I thought. She comes up to my chest. I let out a loose giggle.