A to Z Challenge 2026 - H - Contessina’s Collection of Human Treasures

“Hats,” she said. “Sometimes it’s the really simple things that get you excited. Humans love hats! They have an infinite variety of those, too. Of course, the Danab have those helmets of theirs, that they fashioned to look like the Tikanni, that they never remove, or never when observed, or that anyone would notice, given the circumstances…”

Michelangelo was in fact sitting in a hat at that very moment. It may’ve been why Contessina was thinking about them. She had also caught Shelby staring at her, and Shelby had quickly looked away, as these things tend to go…

There was soon a knock at Shelby’s door, and when she answered it there stood Contessina. Shelby, whether or not she was Danab, was a tall woman, and Contessina, regardless of how tall Shelby was, looked very small indeed compared to her, since she was Puck, and there are few enough peoples who are shorter than the Puck…

“Shelby,” she said. “Can I help you.”

“Was that a question?” Shelby replied.

“It was not,” Contessina said.

“Your…cat,” Shelby said. “It was wandering the corridor again. You should mind it better.”

“He goes where he pleases,” Contessina said.

“He could wander through an airlock,” Shelby said. “That would be a shame.”

“We both know there’s very little chance of that happening,” Contessina said. “I need you to stop.”

“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Shelly said.

“And I’m sure that you do,” Contessina said.

“Good day, madam,” Shelby said.

“Good day…ma’am,” Contessina said. And then went wandering. Very much like…a cat, thought Shelby, as she watched.