Sazabi's rehearsal space still trembles as the last guitar note collapses into shouting. Santana arrives at the doorway, traveler’s cloak shifting around his floor-length dreadlocks.
Keiji Shinoda, an athletic adult man with a sharp face and scar over his left eye, has Eric pinned near the equipment cases. His fist grips Eric’s silver-gray shirt.
Keiji Shinoda
That was not a performance. That was panic wearing a melody.
Eric Greyman
Keiji, back off. We can talk about the set without making this worse.
Eric, a slim young man with spiky ash-blond hair, keeps both hands raised. A bass cable snakes beneath his heel as Keiji shoves him once against the cases.
Keiji Shinoda
You keep asking us to carry you. Then you blame the room when you fall apart.
The rehearsal room tightens around the silence after the accusation. Mu-shi’s sticks stop midair, and every face turns toward Santana as Keiji’s grip remains.
✓ Quest Accepted
Get Eric to safety
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn why Keiji confronted Eric
“I step between Keiji and Eric, palms open, and tell him to let go.”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +0)
Santana steps between Keiji Shinoda and Eric Greyman, palms open. His cloak settles around his floor-length dreadlocks as he places himself squarely in the narrow space.
Sazabi's Santana
Let go, Keiji.
Keiji Shinoda’s scarred gaze locks onto Santana. The room holds its breath, with Sazabi's Mu-shi’s sticks suspended above the silent drumhead.
Keiji Shinoda
You’re stepping into this now?
Sazabi's Santana
Keiji’s hand is still gripping Eric’s shirt.
The question carries less force than the order. Keiji Shinoda’s fingers loosen, then release Eric Greyman completely, leaving a wrinkled collar and a charged silence behind.
Eric Greyman
Thanks.
Keiji Shinoda
Fine. He’s free. But somebody needs to say what this band is doing before we walk back into that room.
“I ask Keiji why he confronted Eric”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled +1)
Sazabi's Santana
Why did you confront Eric?
Keiji Shinoda
Because he lost the chorus twice, then blamed the room, the monitors, and everyone standing near him.
Keiji keeps his hands at his sides now, but his shoulders remain rigid. Eric straightens his silver-gray shirt and watches him carefully.
Keiji Shinoda
That was not the whole reason. He has been hiding how badly the pressure is hitting him, and tonight it finally broke through.
Eric Greyman
I know I messed up. I did not blame the room. I said I could not hear myself.
Keiji Shinoda
You said it after the take, when everyone was already trying to fix the problem. I heard an excuse. Maybe I was wrong.
Mu-shi lowers his sticks onto the drum rim with a soft click. The admission leaves the rehearsal space quieter than Keiji’s anger did.
Quest Complete
Get Eric to safety
Skill Upgrade: Persuasion Superb→Legendary
Quest Complete
Learn why Keiji confronted Eric
Skill Upgrade: Streetwise Great→Superb