Rhythm – procedure marked by the regular recurrence of particular elements, phases, etc.:

(music) the pattern of regular or irregular pulses caused in music by the occurrence of strong and weak melodic and harmonic beats.

(Art, Literature) a patterned repetition of a motif, formal element, etc., at regular or irregular intervals in the same or a modified form.

(Physiology) the regular recurrence of an action or function, such as of the beat of the heart.

The standard mundane application of this innocuous word invokes a certain image in those that hear it. A catchy tune or beat; perhaps a particular work of an artist or writer; or even of science.

Though one might find by taking a hop just one reality over this word became associated with a radical, world shaping concept, adding a new definition to its stack:

(force) the life energy which all things possess.

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In a world where this miraculous energy could be possessed, channeled, or otherwise altered, one would find even what should have been identical to Earth would become a beast of its own making.

Resonators – those bearing animalistic traits like tails, ears, and wings, but are otherwise human in form. Their magic is leashed by another, powerless on their own, they have great potential yet to be unlocked.

Maestros – outwardly normal humans, they possess the ability to pass on their Rhythm to Resonators whom they command. For a majority of Resonators, their Maestros command is law, there is no disobedience.

Naturals – beastly bipeds covered in fur, scales, or feathers; their dwindling populations are the masters of their own magic and answer to no other.

All that being said, the people of this alternate earth, these people of “Riterra”, aren’t so different from you and I. Even with the magic available at their fingertips, they still drive cars, use the internet, talk love and politics just as any normal denizen of Earth. Though their fundamental understanding of their world would be entirely different from what we would call common sense.

Or would it? Are there those who rebel against what is common? Certainly, it’s only natural to wonder – to even question what it all means. To question why the status quo is set. To question what’s appropriate.

Maybe they’re not so different after all.