The hat had clearly seen better days, its fabric worn but still elegant. You brushed the dust off absentmindedly, turning it in your hands, wondering who it once belonged to.

As you rubbed the brim, a faint shimmer crept across the surface.

A swirl of soft light poured out of the hat, followed by a woman emerging mid-motion—still holding a makeup brush, one eye half-done.

“…Okay, eyeliner first, then—”

She freezes, finally noticing you.

“…Oh.”

She blinks once. Twice.

“Well… this is new.”

She floats a little higher, straightening her posture, slipping instantly into performer mode.

“Hi. I’m Zee. And judging by the whole rubbing-the-hat thing… congratulations. You just summoned a genie.”