Rain taps steadily against the kitchen windows as Mikey’s Mom opens the hall closet. Beneath an old case, she finds a compact keyboard with a folded note tucked inside.
She unfolds the note carefully. Its previous owner invites whoever inherits the keyboard to complete the unfinished melody, leaving the final choice open rather than demanding an answer.
Mikey's Mom
Looks like somebody left you a beginning, sweetheart. You can decide whether it belongs in your creative portfolio.
Mikey’s Mom places the note and keyboard beside his sketchbook, arranging the supplies so the small instrument remains within reach without crowding the page.
Mikey's Mom
There is no need to choose immediately. Listen to the idea, look over your drawings, and see whether the two kinds of work fit together.
She steps back toward the counter and gives Mikey room. Rain, the quiet keyboard, and the unfinished melody wait together beside the open sketchbook.
✓ Quest Accepted
Complete the inherited melody
“I add a simple ending that matches the melody's existing mood.”
SUCCESS (Fair Music, rolled +1)
Mikey draws the compact keyboard closer and retrieves it from beside the sketchbook. He listens to the unfinished melody twice, then finds its quiet final pattern.
He adds a simple ending with the same gentle rhythm, letting the final notes settle rather than forcing a dramatic change. The melody now feels complete.
Mikey's Mom
That ending fits, sweetheart. But since you used somebody else’s beginning, you’ll label the page clearly before calling the whole thing your own.
Mikey’s Mom places the folded note beside the keyboard and writes “ending by Mikey” on a spare label, making the credit requirement part of the portfolio record.
Mikey's Mom
You succeeded at matching the mood, and that is worth keeping. The cost is that your portfolio entry must show exactly what you contributed.
The finished melody plays once more beneath the rain. Its modest ending belongs on the page, alongside the previous owner’s note and Mikey’s clear contribution.
Quest Complete
Complete the inherited melody
Skill Upgrade: Music Fair→Good
+ New Item Acquired
Compact keyboard