The waiting room settles into uneasy quiet. Santana, Keiji, Eric, Mu-shi, Brent, Cass, Kalista, Jesse, and Stella remain outside while Yuki and Gideon consult with the nurse over the documents.
Stella steps directly into Keiji’s path, blonde hair shifting over her blue headband. Her bright eyes stay fixed on him, determined and openly impatient.
Stella
Give me one trial. My style is volatile, unconventional, and exactly the edge Sazabi needs right now.
Keiji Shinoda
No. Your style clashes too heavily with our darker sound, and I am not turning the band into an experiment.
Eric watches the exchange with guarded curiosity. Mu-shi stays seated beneath his trucker hat, while Brent, Cass, Kalista, and Jesse turn their attention toward the widening argument.
Stella
You keep calling difference a clash because you are afraid it will expose what the band is missing. Let me prove I can belong without becoming you.
Keiji Shinoda
You are making your case in front of witnesses. Fine. Santana, do you think Sazabi should hear her out?
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish a concrete audition for Stella
“I convince Stella that this band is full of gloomy people and being around them won't be all that fun.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +0)
Sazabi's Santana
Stella, look at Keiji and the others. This band is full of gloomy people. Being around us will not be nearly as fun as you think.
Stella
He is not wrong. Half of them look like they are attending a funeral for a song that has not been written yet.
Stella studies the waiting room: Keiji’s guarded posture, Eric’s wary silence, Mu-shi’s stillness, and the others watching the argument. Her determination visibly loses some of its shine.
Stella
That is a remarkably persuasive warning. I wanted an edge, not a permanent appointment to a room full of miserable people.
Keiji Shinoda
If you are withdrawing, Stella, do it without turning this into another performance.
Stella points at Keiji, then lets her hand fall. The argument has lost its urgency, and the waiting room returns to its uneasy watch over the consultation room door.
“I offer Stella a low-stakes trial performance”
SUCCESS (Legendary Performance, rolled +1)
Sazabi's Santana
Stella, give us a low-stakes trial performance. One song, no promises beyond hearing what you bring.
Stella
That is all I wanted. One song, one chance, and no funeral vows afterward.
The proposal changes the room’s temperature. Keiji studies Stella instead of dismissing her, while Eric leans forward and Brent’s attention sharpens.
Keiji Shinoda
Fine. One trial, with the band listening. No claim that you are joining until we decide what we heard.
Mu-shi taps a quiet rhythm against his knee. Cass folds her arms with an interested smirk, and Kalista shifts aside to clear a small space near the doorway.
Stella
Then listen carefully. I will keep it short, and you can tell me honestly whether the edge belongs anywhere near Sazabi.
Stella steps into the cleared space, no longer arguing for permission. The trial is arranged, witnessed by the band, while the consultation room remains closed behind them.
Quest Complete
Establish a concrete audition for Stella
Skill Upgrade: Psychology Mediocre→Fair