(text: Hi everyone! Quinn here. This comic is going to be the first in a series about plurality, which is a fascinating and extremely misunderstood topic, and one very close to me. So, without further ado...
Title text: "What is Plurality?"
Plurality is the phenomenon where multiple self-aware entities are housed in one person's brain. It is often conflated or grouped with schizophrenia, but the two are unrelated. This is very important! If someone is plural, it does not imply that they are schizophrenic whatsoever! Not that there's anything wrong with being schizophrenic, though!
A person who's plural is called a system, or collective. They often use the pronouns we/they, but of course anyone can have any pronouns, so ask them if you don't already know theirs. You can think of a plural system like a group of roommates. Except instead of an apartment, they have a body. [Panel shows woman with a house inside her. One person is sleeping in a bed, the other reading a book.]
Individual members of a system, or headmates, can often communicate with each other by thinking, like an internal telepathy. Others may write letters to their headmates, or make voice recordings. It's simply a matter of what works best for them.
They can also take turns being in front -- that is to say, being in control of the main body. This is why a plural individual can seem to "switch personalities" at certain times and seem like a different person. They objectively ARE a different person.
In fact, it can be problematic if you DON'T treat your own headmates like real people. [Panel shows headmate crouched, thinking "Am I even real?]
They can struggle with emotional issues just like anyone else! If they are denied from expressing themselves, they can exhibit anxiety and depression, which will be felt among the whole system! [Panel shows the host's hand reaching down to the headmate and saying "Yes you are."]
Therapy for systems often involves the host talking to their headmates, taking them seriously, and allowing them to have time in front so they can learn about themselves.)
