Ffff I have tags to do I should not be watching Buffy, but ..........
It's up to you! Lots of freedom. You can play them via the NC journal if that's less confusing or just mention their shenanigans via narrative :) Al-Cid might be cocooned at this very moment so if Xerc encounters 'him' and anything happens (which I'm open to and will play if you want!) the real one won't remember it later (sorry Xerc).