Merlin didn't have to wait long. Only a few minutes later, a man and girl walked into the shop. The man was of Japanese decent, perhaps in his fourties dressed in a simple suit and carrying a briefcase in one hand. The other was clutched in the little fingers of his eight year old daughter. She was much brighter and more unique than him by comparison, wearing jean dungarees, pink converse sneakers with rainbow laces and a pink shirt with a picture of a teddy bear on it. Her hair was long, pulled back by a pink bow.
"Look at all the neat stuff daddy!" The girl said, twirling around.
"Yes yes, princess. Can we please hurry? Daddy has another meeting!" He said looking at his watch. The girl huffed.
"Ok ok!" She said, leaving him behind. She approached the owner who caught her attention. "Little one, just a moment, I might have just the thing for you." he said offering out the ring. "What is your name?"
"Keiko," She said proudly.
"I see and how old are you, Keiko?" Merlin asked with a mischevious grin.
"Eight an' a half" she answered proudly, revealing a missing front tooth.
"A half hmm? I bet you cant wait to be nine. Well, I tell you what Keiko, this magic ring can grant wishes when it comes to age. It is my gift to you to use wisely, as I know you will. No charge. I won't need to charge for it this time."
The girl blinked and looked at it and then to her Dad, "But Daddy said not to accept gifts from strangers."
"Your daddy is very wise, but I wont be a stranger to you and him. His name is Jason, isnt it?"
The girl nodded, "How'd you know that?"
"Well I have a magic ring, among other powers. I can prove it works, put it on and make a wish, any wish. I bet you have plenty when it comes to age!"