I am not an expert in these digital modes, however FT8 is not one for the exchange of anything more than signal reports, so although good for testing and racking up contacts, it would not be useful for conversation.
JS8 is proposed as an alternative to FT8, and is said to allow more of an exchange of text, however I have not yet gotten that mode to operate here.
I have a small experience with PSK31, and it appears easier to carry on an exchange. It allows you to initiate and continue a dialog with another station, not limited to a brief handshake exchange.
I am running FLDIGI at my location. I am sure there are others available, this is the only one I am familiar with. I see it able to decode multiple data streams, simultaneously on slightly different, but adjacent frequencies. I think this would allow for multiple conversations, as many can be seen, and hopefully followed.
Just a suggestion.
'73
KA2DTH
Glenn