A spool of frayed black velvet ribbon had unraveled across the dark varnish of the desk, its trailing tail twisting into unruly loops. Such casual disorder required an immediate, measured correction. Gathering the edge between my fingers, I guided the velvet back around the turned wooden spool, smoothing each layer flat so the plush grain aligned seamlessly. Once the excess was tamed, I slotted the spool between two upright filigree dividers of the brass rack. It rests upright now, centered and composed.