Jing Yi visibly blanches.

"That is... many."

Terrence considers this. "I mean this question quite seriously - were they attacking the guests?"

"No. But... then, the ritual hadn't ended."

"All the more reason to not let it get that far!"

"It felt like... something bad was going to happen. Or arrive, specifically."

"Interesting. Alright. ... Because I don't think we're equipped to handle hundreds of them, I must say."

"But if they're behaving themselves - I suppose it's worth a shot."

"Yes, they were so polite."

"Currently, my best idea is explosives."

"Ah."

So this is the level of plan we're at! Okay! Okay okay okay.

Is Jing Yi still on speaking terms with the guy he knew who knew explosives? ...no, no he is not. He will let Inaaya handle that.

"--I mean, if anyone else has a different plan, I'd be thrilled to hear it. I am open to critique on this one."

"No, explosives seem sensible. Ideally we'd have a better idea of what specifically can kill a bat, but explosives are a place to start."

"My best plan just involved guns, which has less chance of collateral damage but also less chance of saving us if things go south."

"It's the best idea so far. Can someone else buy the explosives? I don't think it looks good if I do it."

Sal might know how to get explosives, actually? He'd have to think about it.

"Did the bats start there, or were they summoned at some point in the ritual?"

"--Point of order: is there any of us he looks good if they buy explosives? See, Terrence, this is why you really should have become a chemist."

"I have a friend who's an engineer who I was going to ask."

"...I guess I have two friends who are engineers now."

"They were still arriving... Jing Yi, you know pretty well about my history with police."

All he's going to say about that.

For the first time in this conversation she's perked up a bit. "I can talk to someone."

"You know my history too." Well, unless he's found something out, he knows about his history as the World's Worst Fence, so.

"Anyways, I don't want any suspicion that I'm about to commit propaganda of the deed."

Terrence has to take a moment to process this entire situation. He is an academic. He has opinions about Herodotus. He has opinions about translation.

"Starting a fire at the venue might be easier," he suggests.

"A fire's a perfectly good first resort! I'm just not sure I want it to also be our last resort."

Oscar's ready to hear his argument in favor of arson. It's also frankly reassuring that Terrence is not dragging his feet or playing Devil's cultist's advocate.