[Come on, Cecelia, be real. An entire universe? One (1) entire expanse of space and time? How would you even display the physical representation as a reality? As a big string floating with others in a region outside of existence itself? That's so silly. Who would do something like that? Season 8 never happened.]

[It's a big question, though, isn't it? What is the best way to talk to people you already know, despite them suddenly being so different from how you thought you knew them?]

I would say the best place to start is... well, simply talking through it with them, while keeping an open mind about what may be different. Start with some of the things you shared with them, that you cherished. And remember why they're important to you, regardless of all else.