"Perhaps." And between the psychic bohemian friend and the closeted work friend and the sister who as it turns out has known him for her entire life they might be able to put together an entire Sal.

"I can ask Hannah, I guess."

Except he's not going to do that because Hannah has a bunch of great reasons to hate hearing about anything shaped like an infatuation. (Terrence has clearly never been married!) And also she doesn't know anything about magic.

"And... I guess if Inaaya thinks I'm acting strange she's probably right."

Great! This is a great plan. Terrence is proud of himself for thinking of a handy solution. It would be really bad if any of them got mind controlled by something really malevolent.

"I guess I'm just... going to avoid my fiancée, in case it clears my head."

"I am sorry. I think it would be for the best."

"I'm still rattled from the coma, and not myself. And if she tries anything-- maybe I'll notice this time." He smiles ruefully.

"Given she seems to live here is there a place you have to stay."

"--I have some friends I may be able to lean on." Ruby may not want him to darken her doorstep after some of his decisions, but he might be able to convince her to let him stay for a week. "Though she is going to notice my absence."

(If all else fails maybe tell her the landlord objects to there being an unmarried woman in the house and you hate to kick her out but you'll all get evicted otherwise. This would be enough of an asshole move that she's not going to suggest it until it comes up, though.)

"So, I think we have a plan?"

"I think so." Terrence smiles, tentatively. "...For the mind control, at least. We'll need to figure out our game plan for the, the ritual as well."

"I really would like to see the invitation as soon as possible."

"Ruby gave it to me. It's kind of personal."

"Seeing it would be useful."

"I mean, you know all the important parts, right?"

"I know the date and that it's a ritual filled with bats, if that's what you mean?"

"Well. I think my comparative advantage in this operation is going to be, um, our... shared appreciation for The King in Yellow. Me and the other guests, I mean. The more I know of what they're doing now, the more helpful I can be."

"Let's see, what have we got. Jing Yi avoids Evie, preferably staying with someone who could physically restrain him if he suddenly decides he still needs to stab Parker, we all keep tabs on each other and find people to keep tabs on us. I send that letter to Aarons about Roby's whereabouts -- I do think it would be more convincing if I could give him the invite, I think we burned a lot of capital with him regarding our ability to just claim things happened. In the lead-up to the ritual, I at least intend to get a gun and learn how to use it, also source some explosives, maybe some other things. When the time comes we... head to Scotland and... crash a party, I guess."

"We'll make it night to remember."

"Well, I've read Roby's work and the letter, you know? I'm not sure if the latter needs any kind of textual analysis. It was addressed to Ruby... who knows none of this."

Terrence is probably going to have some kind of opinion on the affectionate language aimed at Ruby, if he reads the letter, but that's not the primary concern.

(Is Oscar doing the right thing? Maybe, maybe not. He just has a bad feeling about mind control and text and Terrence.)

"I don't follow - I mean, I'll learn whatever I can about what they're up to there, anyhow. This just might be a head start."

"...I hardly know Ruby and I'm, I mean, I'm hardly going to judge her, for, for whatever, if that's what you mean - the stakes are a bit beyond all that."

Honestly, his brain's already been eaten, how much worse could it get?

It's kind of a relief to hear that Terrence didn't get a letter. Unless he's lying. "I know you're not judgmental but I'd prefer not to share," he says, "on principle. You know how I am, Terrence."

He smiles, trying for conciliatory. Hopefully no one will remark upon how they read it. Everyone please cooperate this is important.

This is an odd thing for Oscar to be doing, but he presumably has his reasons?

He has very good reasons and also, principles (many).

Terrence is very confused. "Well. Alright."