Arlow Tsai is a great guy (really). Around the time space aliens became known to the human race, Arlow was informed about something strange. Copies of him were appearing around the multiverse. When he found out that he was in line for huge inherit...
Arlow Tsai awakes on the examination table pleasantly surrounded by pillows and blankets. Horrified at his behavior last night. What does this mean? This is still a girl's body, I am in. Who am I, though? I cannot say that my past still defines me. This copy body may not have all the limits I think I measure up to. I will need to be more careful, to not act on instinct, to ask for help more; because my real self is home. I just need to be true to myself, like they used to say at the commune.
Arl looks around and sees something odd. The elLans have new clothes. No, wait. They are now men, wearing a new style of clothes.
Arl gets up and looks them over. Placing them according to how he first met them.
You were on this side, you over here, and you arrived behind me right? The Lans are quite pleased since it is rare for other species to be correct in differentiation. Arl tells them that he needs to name them. "1", "2", and "3". They understand their systems find each other automatically. Not true for Arl. They tell him that he has ordered them according to their ages (eldest first). This leads to minor discourse on how magnitude numbers are ordered (opposite of earth's digit ordering system).
Arl is pretty sure this swap of forms was an attempt to help him cope with the shocking news.
As the day goes on, Arl notices "3" appears tired. Arl walks up behind the male Lan and wraps arms around him. "3" straightens up and smiles.
Arl says: "Standing tall and confident is good for you and others. This is a thing that instills confidence to those around you. Even when you are down, you always have this one thing that you can do."
"3" had been bothered by the growing Lan 'Regard Points' that had been collected because she was relaying Arlow Tsai's first contact information. Knowing how slim Arl's prospects are looking, it makes her information more valuable. That is not feeling right to her.
Arl gets back on the examination table and looks over to "1" and "2".
"So anything new in the universe? How is the price of tea in china?"
They look at each other and say: "[bump over]"
Arl says: "what?"
You have galactic core translation equipment. It sometimes cannot translate. It also often takes a complex verbal thing and clumps to a basic concept. Arl thinks a bit about the translation of things, especially names. They tend be just job roles.
Arl walks over the Lans on the bench. Steps up and says. "I Like You!"
