"So why do you have an evil rapist alt?"

"We have absolutely no idea. Everyone else's alts are all the same as they are, so far, though we haven't checked many people from the world my evil alt is from. ...it has already been verified to the satisfaction of people present that it is not the case all mes are evil rapists, but if you want additional verification -"

"I expect if you were you probably wouldn't be telling me about the other one. And, y'know. Neither of Edie's alts hates you."

"They do not! Though the evil one seems to have mostly kept it secret."

"Yes but they could kill you and are attaching themselves permanently to your brother. You can't keep a secret like that forever."

"Alright, that is the extent to which I feel obliged to let people reassure themselves I'm not an evil rapist. ...thank you."

"I mean if you're comfortable with mind reading Edie could just check but it wouldn't be reasonable to expect that."

"If she needs it to really be sure I will not object but I would definitely not prefer it."

"I'm not surprised. She'll trust her alts."

"They have excellent judgment."

"Naturally."

"I'm so glad you two are here in time for the wedding. Emma is a pain to get presents for, because demon, but I found a secret solution and would be happy to share it when she's not right here."

"Shall we go outside and socialize with the squid, dear?" she asks her fiancé.

"I think we should!"

They do that.

And he explains how to find catalogues full of demon-worthy presents.

"Huh."

"It's very useful to know! Especially since we'll teach you summoning and pay demons to fix problems for us!"

"That'd be nice."

"It's a lot of fun! By far my favorite of the magic systems so far discovered, because it involves interacting with people!"

"...That's an interesting criterion."

"Most magic systems are not about negotiating for fantastic cosmic powers. It is a distinguishing trait of ours. It might be the reason I'm more functional than my alts - though that might also be the homophobia -"

"The homophobia?"

"My Arda is the only one so far that has gotten over itself on that front - I suppose 1980s Earth wouldn't have, either - and versions of me take 'genuinely being the person I present myself as to the people who trust and respect me' really seriously and therefore are fairly dysfunctional whenever the people who trust and respect them wouldn't if they knew more."

"That sounds really unpleasant, I'm sorry."

Emma and Dolittle walk in and do not immediately jump into the conversation.