questions

1. What do you go by collectively? (a system name, a shared username, group pronouns... etc)

The Dovecote. Our main fronting members also go by the bridge crew!

2. How should people refer to you? (should people address individual members whenever possible, or would you rather be referred to collectively, etc)

You may refer to us collectively in issues which regard us collectively. Otherwise we prefer individual members be referred to.

3. What terms do you prefer for referring to yourselves as individuals (headmate/alter/system member/...), or as a group (system/collective/household/...)? Is there any other terminology for yourselves or aspects of your experience that you use and want people to know, or that you dislike and want people to avoid when talking about you?

Headmates, Heteronyms, Soulbonds, Crewmembers. We prefer you don’t call us Alters or Parts.

4. Who in your system are people most likely to interact with? (names, pronouns, short Twitter-esque bios, etc)

V’Las/Pigeon (ze/hir) - our most front-facing member. Pigeon and Vulcan with lots to say.

Ewan (he/him) - famous 60’s folk musician from another universe.

Jinny (she/her) - 1920’s modernist writer/displaced ghost. Likes to talk but is a bit self-conscious.

Kitty (she/it/mew) - Ten year old kitten girl. I fell in love with a lovely kitten, that kitten was myself.

Kas (it/it’s) - a vintage chess computer with dreams of grandeur. Likes to write poetry but can be a bit shy.

Phoebe/T’Pring (xe/xer): a Vulcan and cheetah with an interest in music and a desire to be very punctual.

5. Will people be interacting with any child members? How should they treat them? Is there anything they should know when interacting with them?

Yes. We have one child and a few teens and age sliders. You should assume competence and generally treat them like adults. They know what they can do and what is right for them. In the case of our little, she has existed ten years longer than the second oldest extant member. She can handle herself.

6. Are there any system members who are nonverbal or otherwise have difficulty communicating? What should others expect when speaking with them? (having other system members translate, can speak normally over text but will need accommodation over voice, etc)

not really, currently. We have a headmate who struggles to speak in prose and can only speak in poetry, but should hopefully be understandable.

7. What should people do if they don't know who's at front?

You can ask. You may also refer to us as a collective.

8. Is it okay for people to ask if they can talk to someone who isn't at front at the moment?

Yes. We cannot always guarantee that however. We do not take offence to it, and it is often possible for us to fulfill that request.

9. If someone talks to one of you, will other system members be aware of the conversation? Will they be actively watching, or just able to remember it later?

Sometimes, not always. Our amnesia seems to be system-wide with only weak amnesia between headmates. So we may not remember things, but it will usually be all of us who can’t remember. Be patient with us! There’s usually at least two of us co-concious at any given time so keep that in mind.

10. Adding onto the above – if multiple system members will be aware of a conversation, will they want to chime in? If someone wants to speak to a system member one-on-one, what expectations can they have and how should they communicate this? (for example, it may not be possible to block everyone out but they can try to pay attention to something else and not interrupt)

a truly private conversation is rare, however you can speak with us one-on-one. We do often want to chime in if that is welcome! We are all floaty-around and intermingling with each other.

11. How out are you? What should people do when talking to people who don't know you're plural? (do you have a “singletsona” name and pronouns they should use; can they talk about knowing someone who's plural in nonspecific terms, without naming you; etc)

In the rare likelihood you recognize us IRL (you probably won’t) We are somewhat out. Most of our friends know, however it is probably best to not be super explicit about it in most contexts.

12. Do you have any internal communication difficulties, memory issues, switch triggers, etc that others should be mindful of?

We do experience amnesia. We don’t tell people our switch triggers unless we really trust them.

13. Your stance on being asked questions? (about personal experience, preferences, plurality in general, etc)

Ask away! We love them!