1 Pitch and Rhythm

"Why does the world hate me so much!" Fluorine Whined to her friend Aluminum.

"You're the one who neglected rhythm training. You claimed it was a waste of time, and now it's come back to haunt you." He replied.

Two years. It had been two years since her graduation, and she hadn't been chosen for a single descent. She would meet the potential clients and get along with them just fine, but when they inevitably heard her play, things quickly fell apart. She had spent her entire time at musical academy training her pitch. As such, she shone in group performances, where she could keep time by listening to someone else. Solo performances, however, were a disaster.

"I know a few exercises you can practice. You could improve quickly with the right motivation." The two friends were arrived at their destination: the front desk of the Descent Guide Association. "Any new potential clients?" Fluorine inquired.

The long necked man who was filling out a form looked up.

"You again? I have someone who's desperate for a guide, but everyone I've sent over there has come back and told me that the client is unguidable. They say descending with him is suicide."

"Who is he?" Aluminum said, a confused look on his face.

"The third son of Conductor Lithium. Prince Argon."

Their jaws dropped open.

"There is no way you can stop me from interviewing."

The man sighed, and pulled out a form from a stack of papers. He jotted a few things down before holding it out to Fluorine. "Write your name here please."

Fluorine walked down down the stairs, approaching the stage of the district theater. She climbed onto the stage, and then made her way to the backstage dressing area. From there, she made a final climb into the dwelling of the Conductor.

Conductor Lithium met her at the door. His round stomach caught her eye as it emanated ripples through his thin white shirt. He scratched his chin with one hand as he held the door open, inviting her in. From the back of the house came a sharp thumping sound.

Cathunk!

Crack!

Thunk-Thunk-Thunk!

Crack!

"That's Argon. He's playing his taiko."

"His timing is impeccable! I don't understand why anyone would refuse to guide him, it would be a cinch!"

"Well, there's a good enough reason many are afraid to make the journey."

"That being?"

The boy popped out of his bedroom as the conductor answered Fluorine's question. "He's tone deaf."

"Father! Why do you have to go flaunting around my personal information!"

"I can take him, on one condition."

They both turned to her, surprised. "Name it." The Conductor hastily replied.

"Six months of Taiko lessons. If you can teach me to play with a steady rhythm, I can train your ears."

"Are you sure he won't throw you off? Everyone who has tried to work with him says they're thrown off by his voice."

"Not to worry. I happen to have absolute pitch."

"You're a Godsend!" Argon piped up cheerfully. "Can we start tomorrow?"

"First thing in the morning."