He got to go into the tower! To the tower! Koh danced with excitement, shaking his bum in his room as he dressed. Finally, after fifteen agonizing years of WAITING, and YEARNING, he finally got to go! Woo hoo! Koh brushed a hand through his buoyant hair, and, snapping the last buckle on his boot was ready to go. There was one thing though, that stood in his way. The priest.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl that could shame a snail in its sluggishness. For the first time in a long while, Koh seriously began to believe he would die of boredom, and never even make it to the tower. The bearded man droned on and on, his voice fading into a dull buzz. Koh looked out of the window and swore he could see the sun moving across the sky, signaling the passage into noon day. Glancing back at the priest, Koh was surprised to find the old man not even facing in his direction as he spoke, and was rather addressing his mother. Koh saw the perfect opportunity and bolted for the door.
"Freeeeeeeeeeedooooooom!" Koh cried as he raced as fast as his legs could carry him. He bound down the street, leaped the hedge rows and the bridge, scuttled around the temple and bolted for the bridge. In his rush, he couldn't quite see where he was going and ran smack into a little blue object. Boy and Bird tumbled and rolled down the bridge.
"Ow!" Cried both voices simultaneously. "Look where you're going!"
"Whoa, that is just too creepy." Koh said
"Yeah." The blue bird replied, getting up to brush off his wings. "Hey," he paused, suddenly getting in very close to Koh's face. Koh was just a little unnerved by the presence of the little jay.
"Hey…back up. Ever heard of a little thing known as personal space?"
"You remind me of someone."
"Okay, you creepy little bird, whatever." Koh stood up and was about to leave when the bird snagged him by the sleeve of his shirt.
"I know you! I was your father's pet." The bird said, Koh was thunderstruck.
"What?" He inquired, finally pausing to listen to the energetic little bluejay.
"I knew your father."
"What do you know about him?"
"He was a good man…" The bird broke off, Koh was hanging on his every word.
"You planning on going into the tower alone?" He asked the boy.
"Yeah, why?" Koh shrugged,
"ARE YOU INSANE?"
"Yeah, why?" Koh shrugged again, the bird sweatdropped.
"Look, going in on your own is suicide, so…I'll come with you."
"No thanks." Koh gently stepped away.
"Hey!" The bird shrieked, indignancy lacing his voice.
"Geez! What's got your feathers in a knot?" Koh whined, shooting a look to the flustered avian.
"Weren't you listening to me? You'll get killed."
"Ok, ok FINE. You can come with."
"I believe now is a fine time for a little introduction. Here is a red collar."
"Cool! I get a collar?"
"No, it's for me."
"Oh. Damn."
"It is so you cannot lose me. I am yours now."
"Cool! I get to name you? You're mine right? Can I name you?"
"My name is Kewne-"
"I think I'll name you…Winky." Koh cut in suddenly,
"W-Winky!?" Kewne spurted.
"Yeah, you look like a Winky type bird. Now, C'mon! Let's go!" Koh began to drag Kewne…err…Winky toward the tower enterance.
"Wait until I tell Ghosh I've got a monster named Winky, he'll be so jealous" Koh beamed.
"My name is Kewne."
"Sure, whatever Winky."