"Construct is probably the most accurate description," Epimetheus muses. "We are certainly not undead."

"They're AGIs," 'Sidora says when Epime doesn't seem like she's going to continue. "Artificial general intelligences, created by our parents on our computer technology. We built the chassis so they could...interact with the external world and also so that it was...easier for people to connect with them." His smile turns bitter. "Fat lotta good that did." It's not entirely clear if he meant the last to be over heard.

"So...constructs, like Warforged, but better," he decides. 

"And made with 'computer technology', not wizardry. Is that a type of magic?"

There, that last question should divert the conversation away from talking directly about Epime and Prometheus. He's pretty sure they won't want to talk too much about that. 

"Warforged?" Prometheus questions immediately.

"I suppose from a certain perspective, yes," 'Sidora agrees, half speaking over 'Metheus. "What's that quote? 'Any sufficiently advanced technology will appear like magic to the less technologically advanced'? Something like that. I mean, I suppose it could be? But I mostly know it as...well. Like. Epime!" the last is a whine as he fails to find words.

"You would have made a dreadful lecturer," Epimetheus notes clinically, before providing a short, but accurate description of computer technology - from the construction of the computers, to the software that allowed interaction.

He attempts to follow the explanation, but gives up pretty quickly in favour of watching Iolana enthusiastically explain wizardry to an equally excited Raven. 

"Oh, right - Warforged are the only type of constructs who are people. They're called that because they were invented in the Crusades, to be soldiers."

He sounds distracted, and doesn't turn to look at Prometheus while he answers the question. 

Rex nudges at his hand, letting out a tiny whine.

Epimetheus falls silent when she realises she's lost Mikala, and instead tunes into Iolana and Isabella's discussion.

"So you can only cast three spells each day, no matter how you space them? If one day you cast no - "

" - it doesn't give any more the next day, I tried that."

"When does it - "

"I stayed up all night, once, it only renews when you sleep."

"...of course it does." Raven feigns exasperation, but she's fascinated. Finally, someone who can answer her questions! Every experiment she thinks to try with wizardry, Iolana has already tried; every question she comes up with, Iolana asked her tutors years ago. She's a little disappointed she can't return the favour - yet. 

Mikala looks away for just a second, and starts petting Rex again.

He goes back to watching the information exchange, eyes flicking curiously between Raven and his sister. 

Rex makes a pleased sound and his tail continues to beat a steady pattern on the floor.

"Does no-one else want more information on these Warforged? They sound fascinating. If somewhat worrying? Crusades imply religious wars. Which are almost entirely too messy."

(This pronouncement garners him a groaned: "'Metheus." from Anesidora, and Epimetheus pinching the bridge of her nose with slightly too much pressure.)

Joss gives a low chuckle. "I'm slightly more curious as to the similarities between our friends here." She gestures to Isabella and Iolana. "My gut- my ability is reading weird with them. And Mikala to a degree. Can't figure out why."

Mikala grins at her. "You noticed it too? I thought I was imagining things."

He gestures in the direction of the two girls with the hand not petting Rex. "They think the same way about things. It's like they're reading each other's minds."

Does he sound a little jealous?

"It doesn't feel like telepathy," Joss says thoughtfully. "Although I suppose you only said 'like they're reading each other's minds'."

She looks over at him. "You remind me of Isabella's brother now that I think about it. But...hard to say if it would be the same without getting you in the same room and he's resting at the moment."

'Sidora looks thoughtful for a moment. "Y'know," he says thoughtfully. "We do have someone who can probably answer these questions without us speculating wildly?" He turns and touches his fingers to his forehead in a respectful salute. "Bar, would you mind explaining the similarities between our young friends? Is it simply coincidence or is there something else at play there?"

An explanatory napkin appears. Bar thoughtfully provides Raven and Iolana with a copy each, as well as 'Sidora, so they don't have to wait for the others to finish reading.

It is a known phenomenon that sometimes, people will appear in Milliways who appear to be alternate universe versions of each other, or 'alts' for short. Some patrons have theorized that someone's alt is simply the person they would be if born in that world. Isabella and Iolana are alts, as are Michael and Mikala.

"Huh," Raven and her alt say in unison.

They look at each other, then Raven heads upstairs to fetch Cat while Iolana starts peppering Bar with questions.

"How do you tell? Can you teach us? Have any other alts of us been here before?"

As an afterthought, Iolana hands her napkin to Mikala, who takes a little longer to read it and then starts grinning widely.

"Fascin-" Prometheus starts as Epimetheus reads over 'Sidora's shoulder.

"Please stop with that word," Joss says. "I'm starting to think it isn't a real world and that's really perturbing." She accepts the napkin as 'Sidora hands it over to her and skims it-

"Oh. That is fascinating. And kinda disturbing. I mean, there is supposedly that idea that there is an infinite number of universes holding an infinite number of possible versions but... I am not a physics student for a very good reason." She tilts her head at Isabella and Iolana. "How does it feel meeting each other?"

Iolana answers, since Raven is already halfway to the stairs.

Grinning in a way that makes it obvious she's only her species' equivalent of eleven, she replies, "Fascinating." 

(Mikala giggles.) 

"Blood and bone, it's infectious!" Joss declares, managing a straight, almost concerned for face for a grand total of five seconds before giggling.

(Rex, at this point, abandons Mikala to pad over to Joss and first jump up to stick his nose in her neck, which has her giggling more, and swatting him away half-heartedly, which makes him sit back on his haunches.)

And is abruptly no longer a dog, but a six-foot-something guy built like a rugby forward, who still looks mildly puppy-ish with his smile as he sits cross-legged on the floor and looks up at Joss. He holds out his hand and accepts the napkin she hands down.

"Huh. Wonder what you'd be like from other worlds," he reaches up to poke her side. "Wonder what I'd be like."

Iolana doesn't even notice, having gone back to throwing questions at Bar as fast as the latter can spit back variously satisfying answers. 

Mikala blinks. 

"--wha?"