LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City / Episode 12: You, Me, and Jelly Jubilee

Summary

LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City Episode 12: You, Me, and Jelly Jubilee Release Date: January 7, 2025 Hosts: Natalie Jean and Jackie Zebrowski

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Overview

In Episode 12 of LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City, hosts Natalie Jean and Jackie Zebrowski delve deep into Sarah J. Maas's popular adult science fiction novel series, Crescent City. Titled "You, Me, and Jelly Jubilee," this episode offers a comprehensive analysis of pivotal plot points, character developments, and thematic elements present in the latest chapters of the series. The hosts blend insightful commentary with personal anecdotes, providing listeners—both avid fans and newcomers—with a rich understanding of the narrative's complexities.

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Key Discussions

1. Sabine's Mysterious Involvement

One of the central topics of this episode is the character Sabine and her possible involvement in the murder of Danika. The hosts explore Sabine's motivations and the potential depth of her animosity towards Bryce. Jackie Zebrowski (Page 7) remarks at [10:18], "Could she have killed her own daughter? Her child?" highlighting the gravity of Sabine's possible actions and their implications for the storyline.

2. The Dynamics Between Hunt and Bryce

Natalie Jean and Jackie discuss the intricate relationship between Hunt and Bryce, emphasizing Hunt's supportive yet reserved nature. At [21:15], Jackie shares her admiration: "I love that what they have is about being supportive without being overbearing." This mutual respect and understanding underpin their interactions, especially during moments of crisis, such as when Hunt strokes Bryce's knee to provide comfort without imposing his presence.

3. Integration of Magic and Technology

A significant portion of the episode delves into the novel's portrayal of magic intertwined with technology. The hosts discuss how characters like Ruhn explore the possibilities of combining magical practices with medical technology to address supernatural anomalies, such as Luna's horn. At [37:37], Natalie muses, "Which is cool," referring to the innovative blending of these two domains, underscoring the series' unique approach to world-building.

4. Introduction of New Characters and Lore

The episode also touches upon the introduction of new characters and the expansion of the Crescent City universe. Natalie hints at upcoming chapters that may reveal more about the witches and their ancient magic, drawing parallels to other works like Throne of Glass. Jackie expresses excitement about the evolving cast, stating at [82:05], "The characters only get better. It's really crazy that there's so many characters."

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Notable Quotes

• Jackie Zebrowski on Sabine's Potential Crimes [10:18]:

  "Could she have killed her own daughter? Her child?"

• Jackie on Hunt's Supportive Nature [21:15]:

  "I love that what they have is about being supportive without being overbearing."

• Natalie on Magic and Technology Fusion [37:37]:

  "Which is cool."

• Jackie on Expanding the Cast [82:05]:

  "The characters only get better. It's really crazy that there's so many characters."

• Jackie on Captivating Relationships [39:20]:

  "I think you're captivating."

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Insights and Analyses

Character Depth and Development

The hosts provide a nuanced analysis of character motivations and growth. For instance, the exploration of Hunt's restrained power due to the halo introduces a layer of vulnerability and complexity to his character. Jackie reflects on this at [22:31], highlighting Hunt's internal struggles and his unwavering loyalty to Bryce.

Thematic Elements

Themes of trust, betrayal, and the blurred lines between good and evil are prevalent throughout the discussion. The possible murder committed by Sabine serves as a catalyst for these themes, prompting both characters and readers to question the true nature of those they trust.

World-Building and Lore

Natalie and Jackie commend Sarah J. Maas's ability to create a richly detailed universe where ancient magic coexists with modern technology. This blend not only enhances the story's intrigue but also allows for innovative plot developments, such as the investigation into supernatural occurrences using both magical and scientific methods.

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Concluding Thoughts

Episode 12 of LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City effectively captures the essence of Maas's Crescent City series, offering listeners a thorough examination of its most compelling aspects. Through engaging dialogue and thoughtful analysis, Natalie Jean and Jackie Zebrowski provide valuable perspectives that enrich the reading experience. Their ability to intertwine plot discussion with personal reflections makes this episode a must-listen for fans eager to deepen their understanding of the series.

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Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to ad-free new episodes of LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City.

Transcript

[Natalie Jean]

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[Jackie Zabrowski]

4.

[Natalie Jean]

For a clean you can feel good about, all you need is all free.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Clear. Welcome to Crescent City with your hosts, Natalie Jean and Jackie Zabrowski.

[Unknown]

I swear in person, it doesn't look as bad as this.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I don't think it looks bad.

[Unknown]

I look a little bit like John Travolta.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I was just about to say that you do look like John Travolta in Pulp Fiction, but, like, in a sexy way.

[Unknown]

No, I'm having a bad face date. It's fine. They happen. I'm hormonal. It's. It's okay.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I mean, I was just saying that I feel like I look like I've been on a bender and I'm not, and maybe I'm just plump and luscious.

[Unknown]

Yeah, right. I feel great. Oh, you feel bloated.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I guess, but I feel like I look bloated on the camera. You know, this is.

[Unknown]

I'm taking this jacket off.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. Now. Now, you can't be John Travolta in Pulp Fiction if you don't have the jacket on.

[Unknown]

No, because look at my breasts.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, you've got breasts under there.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And I will say I did accidentally think that maybe you were being hunt gender bent, but I also am.

[Unknown]

I too. I think that's a great idea for a future costume. And it could kind of just be this.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, it certainly could.

[Unknown]

I had one of my costumes that I was planning on today. A piece of it had not arrived yet, and so I decided to dress up as Victoria the Wraith, even though there's like, literally zero fan art of her.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, but that's good, though. You're bringing her into reality, and I bet she thanks you somewhat.

[Unknown]

If you have not read these books and you're just listening through you, you're in for a surprise about her future surprise. That's all I'll say.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

All I know is that I've been spending a lot of time staring at Etsy and trying to not purchase, like, I live in the books shirts. I want every shirt. That's like, if you want me, I'll be In a book. And I don't need to turn into that woman.

[Unknown]

It is a choice.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

In her late 30s.

[Unknown]

It's a choice to make.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Not that there's anything wrong with it. I just know that I'm like, I'm so. I have so many in my Etsy shopping cart right now.

[Unknown]

Sorry, I can't right now. I'm with my book boyfriend.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That's it. Because that's how I feel. I'm reading this one book called Consort of Fire right now. And oh, man, I'm just like. It's just me and my dragon God and that's all I care about.

[Unknown]

For your patreon. Is that what you're doing?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No. Just for life.

[Unknown]

Oh. Just for. You're not doing it to make content?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No.

[Unknown]

What's wrong with you?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It is. Honestly, it is the first book I have read that is just for me and I think two plus years.

[Unknown]

I'm glad for you.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Thank you. I know that I need to do it and I feel like what I love here in our book club that we experience on lpn, romantasy deep dives, is that we're encouraging each other to read more and especially to. Do we wanna live in our current reality? No. So why not read smut?

[Unknown]

There's a reason fantasy is making a huge comeback rate.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Dude. It just put me in the book. Leave me there. You know, someone dared try to recommend a book to me that didn't have fucking in it. And I was like, why weird? Why read it?

[Unknown]

Why would I read that?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I don't understand. What's the point of reading the book? What a good story, a good character. I get all of those things inside of my smut. Thank you very much.

[Unknown]

And you're well read. You've read many. It's not like you weren't a reader before this.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No, I was a voracious reader.

[Unknown]

I didn't know I could have an enjoyable story with also a bunch of erotica in it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. And it wasn't until the true resurgence for me of erotica. Like, I didn't know that everything was changing in the world of it up until we started with Acotar a couple of years ago.

[Unknown]

LeVar Burton never told me.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, I thought I could fly twice as high. All right.

[Unknown]

He didn't say there was erotica.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No. And now I'm taking a look, and if it's in that book. Yeah, baby. Oh, baby. I got a reading rainbow. And the pot of gold is right.

[Unknown]

Down yonder sporting towards her junk.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That's a really good Pickup line. I mean, it's a creepy pickup line, but I think that can't use it.

[Unknown]

You're married.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You're right. And even though we've been watching a lot of 90 day fiance before the 90 days, it is just not. Doesn't show good relationships, guys. You can't learn about a relationship.

[Unknown]

No, that show doesn't show that.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I dare say it actually makes me feel even better about my relationship, which is why I watch it.

[Unknown]

I do think a lot of people watch it for that reason.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I was just like, well, at least we ain't doing that, huh? Yeah.

[Unknown]

I do think the Sabine in you, because you are dressed as Sabine currently, would hit pick up on somebody by using their reading rainbow line.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You're right. I actually feel like she's more like a. Goes up to them, grabs them by the lapel and just kind of drags them out afterwards. And then she goes like. Like the person. Just like, I guess we're gonna have sex and you can't do those things.

[Unknown]

No, that sounds like assault brother.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Shouldn't do those things. I'm not saying Sabine is a good person.

[Unknown]

No, she doesn't seem to be. We'll find out a little bit more.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No, we certainly will. I'm sorry. Yes, we certainly will. No.

[Unknown]

Yes, we will.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But I can't not be attracted to Sa.

[Unknown]

Well, she's. I mean, yeah, she's hot.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

She's hot, but she's so mean. And that's my biggest downfall.

[Unknown]

You want her. You want somebody to be mean to you?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, sometimes.

[Unknown]

Well, yeah. I mean, like in the toxic parts of your brain.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

In the toxic parts of my brain. It's why I'm not married to a woman. Yeah. Oh. But I love it when they're mean to me. Tell me what to do. Put me down. Tell me what to do and put me down. That's why, again, not married to one. But Sabine, I would have quite a weekend with. I'd be terrified.

[Unknown]

Yeah, I don't think I could do. I don't think I can do that. But I appreciate your. Your fantasies.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Thank you again. You know, it's better than the reality.

[Unknown]

I mean, you have a personally very nice life.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, my relationship is great. No, no, no, no. My relationship is great. I just meant the state of the world. No, no. Sometimes I hide in my relationship as well. And if we could do nothing but like, lay on each other and look into each other's eyes and have sex and never see anybody else ever again. Me and my husband. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. No, I mean, you dressed as John Travolta in Pulp Fiction. That's who I've been dreaming of since I could remember.

[Unknown]

First, I'm having a bad face day, guys.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Your face is part of the beautiful person that you are, and I think you're always having a good face day.

[Unknown]

Oh, thank you. My face card is not facing right now.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You know what it is? Sometimes it's hard to build each other up when you're both feeling like you're not feeling your prettiest, and then you want to be like, no, you're the prettiest. I'm the one that's a nightmare. No, you are, but I just. I'm the dad. It's like, never talk about yourself like that. But me and I feel like there's so many friendships that, like, when you're just like. I have to get to a point where you're like, maybe we're both just in a bad place tonight.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Maybe we're both just not feeling it.

[Unknown]

I do have to actually say, though, randomly, we're wearing almost the same makeup right now. It's like, green.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, my God.

[Unknown]

Glitters and red lipstick.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes, it is. Oh, my God. Sisters. Sisters.

[Unknown]

Twin ravens. One white, one black. Different book series. Okay, we should talk about the books.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Okay. Part three.

[Unknown]

Guys, we're at part three. The canyon.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

I didn't actually notice it until I was reading through this time, but the parts are based on bigger and bigger holes, so it's like.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

How to get stretched out.

[Unknown]

Let's get it out.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

All right, I got it out.

[Unknown]

The. The. There's, like, basically, like, wider. Press a piece.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

That she's going. So I think it means to say that things are getting a little bit darker. We'll see.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Into the chasm we go.

[Unknown]

Oh. This third part, unlike the second, doesn't have the massive time jump, because, if you recall, the second part comes two years after the first part.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Right.

[Unknown]

This is actually just moments later from where the second part ended.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But it is a different part.

[Unknown]

It is now I'm wondering. We'll find out that this is the moment she chose to shift to the third part. But it is. You know, there was a reason she did that.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, yeah.

[Unknown]

So this moment takes place just a few minutes after the phone call with Declan. That signifies that Sabine had something to do with the tape being manipulated.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But I'm so beautiful.

[Unknown]

I know. I always say, pretty people do not commit crimes.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No. So I couldn't get away with it because everyone would be like, but she's so beautiful.

[Unknown]

How did she do it? Unfortunately, I think that does happen a.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Lot in real life, I think. Yeah. It's also the. But they're so rich.

[Unknown]

Yes. Why would they ever.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

They're so.

[Unknown]

They must be so happy. They would never. What?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh.

[Unknown]

So they don't know why Sabine might be involved. But one big reason could be is because she maybe was the one who killed Danika.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Bum, bum, bum.

[Unknown]

Could she?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

My own daughter?

[Unknown]

Yes. But she obviously held a lot of animosity towards her daughter. More to Bryce. But is she evil enough to have killed her own daughter? Her child? Bryce and Hunt are pondering this as Hunt decides to call Isaiah over to go over the notes he took the night of Danika's death. When Bryce seems haunted by hearing the awful things Sabine was saying, Hunt begins to stroke her knee. So Isaiah, basically, they call him and say, like, can you read back everything she said that night? And it's a lot of her saying, like, Bryce is a whore. That stupid tramp.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's having fall that over again, which, again, I.

[Unknown]

That seems crazy. She. She was the one who was trying to. Whatever. I know. You need to have a fall guy. And they want to blame Bryce, but it's like she. Why?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. And it's just because she didn't like her.

[Unknown]

I know. Exactly. So.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, God. If my mom, at some point in my life, had to blame, like, my bad influence friends to get them out of my life, man, she would have been like, whoo. Terr. Terrifying.

[Unknown]

Little does she know you were the bad.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I've never been bad a moment in my life. Mommy, Mommy, Mommy. Never look towards me, Mommy.

[Unknown]

You were just a little naughty.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. That lighter in my pockets. Because everybody else was smoking cigarettes. Wasn't me.

[Unknown]

Oh, you just wanted to fit in.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

So Hunt starts. He sees her kind of shaking, and he starts to stroke her knee. Okay. You know how you do. Anyway, co workers do all your co workers. The notes are essentially dictating. Again, Sabine was trashing Bryce and kind of blaming her for everything that happened, also saying that Danika could never keep her mouth shut. They wonder if Sabine was the one who stole a horn and Danika was going to rat her out. So the idea of maybe Sabine took her out because Danica's like, you stole this and I'm going to report you. She. Could that be a thing? Maybe it's a possibility.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Is there like, a double jeopardy thing when it comes to mummies?

[Unknown]

I don't think so.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Because you can't testify against your. Your married partner. Right. Is that the rule I think.

[Unknown]

And under certain circumstances.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But I don't think. Forced to testify, right?

[Unknown]

I think so. But I also wonder. That depends on the charge. I don't.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You know, I just asked you because you look so corporate. I'm like, you would know. You've got a button up shirt.

[Unknown]

Let me think for a second.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Let me go do my encyclopedia of lawyer dumb. I don't.

[Unknown]

I don't. I. Let's. Let's just.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

We're just pontificating. I don't know.

[Unknown]

Say.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I guess I'm assuming you can testify against mommy. You know, I would guess. Yeah.

[Unknown]

Especially because, like, you, if you're an adult, likely you're not living with her and all that stuff. Like, so kind of. You kind of just have to do it. So.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So I'm sorry for my tiny slurps. I, for some reason put a very little straw in my very large cup of coffee. And so I keep going like. Like when bartenders put like a little stirrer in your little drink. And sometimes I like to drink it out of the tiniest of straws so I can make my lips really, really small.

[Unknown]

Oh, because she's so little.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And yeah, I'm just a little lady. And sometimes sweaters are too big for me.

[Unknown]

You can't see my can little.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Cuz I'm so little. And you could think like, maybe Jackie, you don't need to consistently drink the coffee through the entire episode, but.

[Unknown]

No, that's you. That's not how we operate.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'm a Kathy, okay? Ack. A. I need my coffee. I need Natalie and I need our coffees, okay?

[Unknown]

I wish we had a box of chocolate shaped like a heart right now.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes. Cuz you never know what you're gonna get.

[Unknown]

No.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Was that a Forrest Gump reference?

[Unknown]

I assume. Okay, is it another reference?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No. I didn't know. I was like. I thought maybe there was a box of chocolates with coffee somewhere that I wasn't thinking about.

[Unknown]

Oh, no.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And then I started weirdly thinking about the movie Cigarettes and Coffee, which is not the time to bring up this movie.

[Unknown]

No, we're having.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

We're in the middle of a knee stroke, Jackie.

[Unknown]

We're. We're stroking knees over here. And Bryce is in her pajamas at this time. As they're back, if you'll recall, they're back at her apartment going over this information, getting this call from Declan, and she's receiving this or no, now. I'm sorry, they're talking to Isaiah and they're receiving this information from Isaiah about what Sabine said That night, and she's kind of just like, curled up in a ball on the couch next to Hunt. And he removes his hand from her knee as he begins to fantasize about licking her toes, which are currently painted red.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You know, I really. I try not to kink shame ever. And I think it's good that SJM gives him something. Oh, yeah. You know, to thirst for, because that is not my thing. But I still want to kiss Hunt very desperately, so that's what he wants. Dude, ain't no skin off my back.

[Unknown]

Of all of the kinks there are, I feel like it's one of the least egregious.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I think so, too.

[Unknown]

It's not my thing.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Don't get me wrong. It can get egregious. Oh, yes.

[Unknown]

Well, especially if it's like, non consensual.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, no, that. I shame that. Yes, I shame that. But, you know, he's just fantasizing. And what happens in a person's brain happens in a person's brain.

[Unknown]

What are you going to do?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You're sometimes thinking about things as she's.

[Unknown]

Like, sitting up on the couch or, like, her knees are drawn up and so he can see her toes. And he had to basically remove his hand because his mind started to wander.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

This might be too personal of a question question, Natalie, but as a dancer, did you ever have people that were into your feet because they liked, like, dancer feet specifically?

[Unknown]

I mean, not that I'm. Maybe not that I'm aware.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Nothing that was ever, like, told to you. I just wonder if it also goes. Because I know that people like, you know, very definitive, like, unique feet as well. But I just. I'm curious if there is a whole. I'm sure a whole portion of the kink that is just for specifically dancer feet, like, because they're so dark. Yeah.

[Unknown]

Oh, absolutely. I mean, you can find accounts all over the place of that. But yeah, I would get sometimes people reaching out on my model Mayhem account that I had early aughts. Anyone? That was it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Like Facebook, but for models.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Ah, gotcha. Wow. Oh, yeah. I bet you got hit up.

[Unknown]

Yeah, I got some calls about my feet.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. Yeah, I bet.

[Unknown]

You know, it's tempting. I have friends who did the, like, who would give, get invited to, like, a party where they would, like, feed out, get paid.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

What?

[Unknown]

I was tempted. I was always just too scared. I. I have seen too many horror movies, and I just could never make myself do it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

If it does it, I understand. If it's not worth it to try to battle Your anxiety to. To overcome. To get. To do that. So that I understand. But also, like, it's great money.

[Unknown]

Yeah, of course.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And if it's in. In a good consensual space where you feel comfortable and you feel safe.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Always remember that.

[Unknown]

Get.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Safety is first consistency.

[Unknown]

Get your bag, girls.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. Get back.

[Unknown]

So he chastises himself for his filthy little mind while Bryce sits beside him, concerned and oblivious to where his thoughts are wandering. But he's having a hard time and starts to think about how she made him feel at the gun range.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, hard time, huh?

[Unknown]

Someone needs an ice bath. Hunt, the whole.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Not like his hot, scalding showers that he usually takes.

[Unknown]

Well, that's the opposite.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

He's not horny during that time.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No.

[Unknown]

This whole scene, Bryce is wallowing in contemplation over what Sabine has done. And Hunt is just about to goon. Bryce again, oblivious that he's imagining licking her entire body jumps up, telling him that she needs to go running despite it being 1am I used to actually do this.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Whoa.

[Unknown]

It was the only time I ran in my life, but it was because I was so broke. I think I've probably said this on the show before, but it was the only thing I could do, and I hate it. I was like in a depressed space and I hated being around people. And so I would go running through the streets of Philadelphia by myself at night.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

In the middle of the night.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That's insane.

[Unknown]

Yeah, it was really stupid.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I bet you also stopped. I only. There was a short period of my life where I tried running, but I remember that I would stop to smoke cigarettes. Were you stopping to smoke?

[Unknown]

I had quit by then.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Okay. How many times me and my best friend Madeline were like, yeah, we did enough. And then we just sit on a curb, smoke a cigarette, and then keep running. But, like, we would keep running.

[Unknown]

It's a ballerina's diet, to be honest.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Don't do that, please. No, there wasn't any, you know, hunk angels standing by my side when I did that.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Maybe they were. They were just creepily in their homes watching you from their beds. Sadly. Yeah. Maybe an unknown, like an undiscovered angel. Wow.

[Unknown]

Just leering at me.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. Hiding in the shadows.

[Unknown]

Great.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Like angels do.

[Unknown]

I think we're learning the wrong lessons about angels from these books.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes. Yeah. Maybe we're learning the right.

[Unknown]

Oh, the right one. So we cut over to Bryce's pov and they. They've both. Basically, she's gotten dressed. He's like, I'm not letting you just go out there. I'm going to come with you. He says, I'll just tell you. He, like, lets her put her earbuds in, and she's like, oh, I got this big hunky man behind me. I can listen to my music full blast without being worried that I'm going to get attacked. Which is nice.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That's nice.

[Unknown]

Yeah. I'll take it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's nice that she has to have that to feel like she's not going.

[Unknown]

To get attacked, but it's not nice.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It is realities. We're not living in reality. We're living in the books. Natalie. I guess I don't want to live necessarily in these, because then she's getting attacked by a crystal house all the time. She's not just worried about regular men. She's also worried about demons.

[Unknown]

I feel like the benefits outweigh the risks.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. Being immortal and stuff. Yeah.

[Unknown]

So we're over at Bryce's POV on this run, and she's just, like, running and running through the streets, trying to get her nerves, her system kind of regulated so she can go to rest. Cause she's just, like, all up in arms thinking about how Sabine, like, could she have killed my best friend? Her leg is bothering her. You know, the place where the Kristalos attacked her? And that's again, the place Hunt showed up. And Hunt clocks it and kind of is concerned, but she ignores him, acting like, my leg's fine, it doesn't hurt. He never drops his pace with her, though, that whole time. And he doesn't try to convince her to stop. He just accompanies her.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, God.

[Unknown]

When they get back, there's just so.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Much of this relationship that I feel like, so seen in. And I think that's part of, like, I never identified as a Bryce in any way. But their relationship. And why I think I like Hunt so much specifically, is as someone that was very, very guarded for a really long time. And finding a husband who is very supportive but also very protective of me. And I remember at first being like, I don't fucking need you to protect me whatso fucking ever. But it was never anything he was forcing me to do. It was always just like a let me just stay. Like, I just want to support you so you can be you. And I feel like that is what, like, this moment is of, like, no. Okay, you need to do this. I see that you're hurting yourself. I'm not going to step in because you need to get this out. And that makes. Makes the most Sense for you right now. I'm just gonna be here for you to support you.

[Unknown]

You wanna dislocate your entire leg, you go right.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Go ahead. I'll be here, and I will carry you home. And I love that.

[Unknown]

Oh, sure. I mean, I am not a. I am in no way a Hunt hater by any stretch of the imagination.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No. I think I just need to, like, fully explain myself, because I am. Obviously. It's just forever. I want a cast mixed with. With Hunt.

[Unknown]

I get it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I just want the two of them put together into one character. Yeah. Oh. Oh, God. How bisexual is she?

[Unknown]

Yeah. You turn the two men into a vagina.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Maybe. It's all I want at the end of the day. I mean, yay. Wrong.

[Unknown]

Okay, so how about you have both of them, like, with you, but, like, how do you feel about them being, like, sissified a little bit?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'm fine with it.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I could get into it. Yeah. I could get into that. Yeah. Whatever they need. Yeah.

[Unknown]

Anyway, so let's. When they get back to her place, she's noticeably limping. She tries to brush off his concerns, but concedes to him that it. Yes, this does happen a lot. The limping and the pain. She lies, however, when he asks if she's gotten it looked at by a Medwich, she says, yeah, definitely. I've got it looked at. She thanks him and closes her bedroom door before he can question her further.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Because we know he knows that's not true.

[Unknown]

Yeah. And we know, as the reader, like, she's not dealing with this for whatever her reasons are.

[Natalie Jean]

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[Unknown]

Chapter 39 is with Ruhn, who is fulfilling his promise to try to pull info from the Medwiches about whether they know anything about the horn, because that was Ruhn's task. When they're trying to figure out horn stuff, he said, I'll talk to witches. He's in the waiting room.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Did say it like that. I was like, oh, my God, are you gonna eat some gabagool while you do it?

[Unknown]

No, actually, I don't want to give him that accent. I don't feel like he's from Staten Island.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I don't want to put that. Fine with. I'm fine with it. No, Give me that trash rat. Oh, baby, let's ride a ferry together.

[Unknown]

No, no. Staten island over here.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Also. How dare you know my father's from Staten Island.

[Unknown]

I actually forgot that your dad was from.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

How dare you. You should. That's your. Never forget, Natalie. My father from Staten Island.

[Unknown]

And look what. What did he do? Run away at as a teenager from.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It Got out of Staten Island. He did get out of Staten island. Never returned.

[Unknown]

Did you ever go there with him?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Like, was there still people that he visited in Staten Island?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, we used to go when we were little, and even then, I feel like there was the like. And we were from Queens, and I think it's because the only borough that Queens could look down on is Staten Island. And that is for those of you that are not familiar with the city of New York. It is very funny that it's like, of course, you know, Manhattan's all the way up here, but Queen's definitely at the bottom. But so Staten island always forever right below it.

[Unknown]

Yeah, that's right. At least you're not from Staten Island.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But like, that's the thing. And I feel like. But that was still, like, the comments of, like, my family members that lived in Staten island, you know, like, I'm not saying this to be untoward. I think that everybody knows you're being untoward. I'm sorry. I am want to do that. It's just. It's the Sabin.

[Unknown]

I know Sabine would not tolerate Staten Island.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Could you imagine Sabine in Staten Island? Could you imagine her on the ferry being handed a Fausta's Australian forbear and her being like, what do you want me to do with this? Where am I going? I thought we were. Wait, we were just in Manhattan, and now we're what?

[Unknown]

I want to watch a comedy, a buddy comedy about Sabine stuck on Staten island.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

How she's gonna get off but make it like a holiday, you know, like where she's stuck there for a hol holiday.

[Unknown]

Her and Pete Davidson.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes, please. Like Bill Burr, get out of here.

[Unknown]

So sorry.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I didn't want to go on a tangent. A little Staten island tangent, everybody.

[Unknown]

So he is. I did it. He is. Wait. He is in the waiting room of. Of the medical office awaiting the witch he's made an appointment with in chapter 39. I noticed something at the beginning of this chapter, something about his shadows relaxing in this waiting room.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Interesting.

[Unknown]

And it made me think of a bonus chapter of Acotar. And I can't say more than that, but if you have read all the bonus chapters, you might know what I'm talking about because it gave me some thoughts about what might be coming up in the next book.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

My mind just went to 30,000 different places as you're saying. I was like. I felt the Rolodex of like, which chapter?

[Unknown]

It's a bonus chapter.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And now I think I do know what you're talking about. And that is did not think about that. Maybe I think I know what you're talking about.

[Unknown]

I can't say it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

God, I want to crack your mind like an egg.

[Unknown]

Or you could just wait till we're off.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, yeah, we'll be off.

[Unknown]

That's the other point.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

So anyway, just thought I'd bring that up. Maybe I'll bring it up on the oops all spoiler stream or something.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Please.

[Unknown]

So which is, guys, we have the live stream every so often for Throne of Glass.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Next point is going to be Heir of Fire.

[Unknown]

Air of Fire. Yeah, it's a book we're on. But you can see the old ones. I think I've already said this on the show. You can see the old ones on The Last Podcast YouTube channel.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

YouTube.

[Unknown]

Help us beat the true crime algorithm. Because that's who gets sent to Last podcast YouTube. And they don't always over. They don't cross over necessarily.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No, we need the romantasy. We need you guys to watch our YouTubes, please.

[Unknown]

Anyway, we learned through his thoughts that he had spoken with particular Medwich at the crime scene the previous night. If you want to go back and recall, that is where they had been. They had found another body, unfortunately. And she had been there attending to the body. And Ruhn had been impressed with her enough that he made an appointment today to speak with her because she seemed like she really knew what she was talking about and doing. As he is greeting this particular witch at her office, he starts to have his just kind of reflect on the witches of this world. How they have an ancient magic that can vary from seeing to healing.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But the power was inherited from some ancient source that the witches claimed was a three faced goddess, which is a.

[Unknown]

Direct reference to something in Throne of Glass. Y'all. That's not a spoiler.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No, it's not. I just think I am so excited with the inclusion of the witches in Throne of Glass and the witches are.

[Unknown]

Like one of my Favorite parts of Throne of Glass.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I kind of wish that I could watch a whole YouTube, just discuss the different witches in the different, like, times of SJM and, like, comparing and like, I want to just read. I mean. Oh, my God. We could.

[Unknown]

Natalie, we have a green screen room.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, my God.

[Unknown]

Natalie.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I just spoke it into existence.

[Unknown]

Yeah, manifested.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I just manifested it. What do you do it? Yeah. Oh, my God. I witch. I was.

[Unknown]

No. Get out here.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I can't believe I just made you laugh with that. You know, I get her every once in a while. You gotta slang them daddy jokes at her every once in a while.

[Unknown]

That was a little bit of a daddy joke and I loved it. So, yeah, that is a. A cross reference to Throne of Glass in the witches that live in those books. Just interesting. So Ruhn mistakenly assumes her name is Solomon based upon the nameplate on the front counter. But she corrects him, saying that Ms. Solomon is her sister and that she's filling in for her. He doesn't realize till much later that he never catches this witch's name in the interaction. Is that a foreshadow of some sort? I don't know. He finds this witch a raw beauty, and he had been captivated by her large brown eyes, even at the crime scene.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I love that these dudes are able to, like, still be like, oh, God, a murder. I'm looking at a corpse. But also, I'm kind of hard. But also. Oh, my God, this is so upsetting. But, like, I could be all right.

[Unknown]

But also noticed her intellect.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, I guess that's nice as well. I just, you know, I'm.

[Unknown]

I have to stand up for my Rune.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You're right. You're right. I just. You know what? Honestly, I'm surprised at the amount of multitasking because I feel that that is where their multitasking begins and ends.

[Unknown]

Well, I guess noticing their intellect could also make them hard.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You know, I mean, I would hope.

[Unknown]

I also hope for the men to be.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Especially with Ruhn. You know, Rune, he is a sensiboy. He's our emo boy.

[Unknown]

He's not intimidated by a strong, smart woman.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No, he's not.

[Unknown]

So.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Because that's your number one, right? In these books, you're a Rune. You're in these books, you're Rune Dooner.

[Unknown]

I'm a Rune Dooner.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, God.

[Unknown]

Yep.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Just disgusted myself.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Sorry.

[Unknown]

You crossed too many things. Cross the. Cross the streams in a bad way. So. So he's also drawn to her voice, which is lilting to his sensitive Fae ears. They can hear more complex sounds than our Boro Snorro human ears. He thinks about the sexual encounters he didn't repeat because the sounds they made.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

While they were climaxing. Oh, man, we've been so busy thinking about all the Fae smells that they could smell that I wasn't busy having anxiety about what they could hear. Oh, my God. Even just thinking about, like, I feel like if you're younger, like, I would probably be even embarrassed by like the sounds. My hungry stomach would totally. You know what I mean? Because I feel like. Do you remember those years in your life of like, oh, I can't. I couldn't possibly have make my stomach make a sound in front of a boy.

[Unknown]

Of course.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So. Oh, yeah.

[Unknown]

It's a heart. It's hard. It's hard to be a girl in general.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

But yeah, some. I guess some of their screeching when he was filling them with so much pleasure was just like, can't do this again.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Too performative, you know?

[Unknown]

Yeah. He sits with the witch in the courtyard of this office, which sounds very pretty. It's flowers everywhere. And he can scent lavender and I think jasmine. I forget what he smells. He smells a bunch of smelly good things. And he sits with her in this beautiful courtyard over tea and cheese. So it's a pleasant experience. From their conversation, we learn a few things. Things the witch he's speaking to was taught by ancient scholars in some place called Pelium by the Rocken Sea. This is just a place we haven't really heard about. So we get like the idea of the world's bigger, but we don't know how it's laid out at all. I've seen a couple people do fan theories of maps of how the world is set up around Crescent City, but it's like pure. Just like speculation.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, it's all conjecture, but they can.

[Unknown]

Kind of base things on, like stuff is north, stuff is south, you know, across a thing.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That's the kind of thing I never could be asked to do. I don't understand. I'll be like, I don't know, around, yawn. That way especially.

[Unknown]

I am not good with direction. Like north, south, east, west kind of directions. Like, I get. I. I'm not paying attention.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

My favorite. How many times Jeff has been like, just look at the sun. I'm like. You say this as if I know. Like, I just like, obviously. And he says obviously as he point. I'm like, what? Where are the hands on the sun's clock? Okay, if it's obvious, I'd like it to be digital.

[Unknown]

Also, if a man tells me to look at the sun, I'm going to keep looking until my eyes, my eyes are blind. And I say, when do I stop looking? How will I know? And then by that point, I'm already blind. And that he said, he's like, that's not what you're supposed to do. And I didn't know. Yeah, I'm just trying to listen and obey.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

As we should, everybody. I just think, think it's kind of fun sometimes how I continue to surprise my husband with how unobservant I am. I, I, I don't pay attention to anything of anything. Mostly anything.

[Unknown]

Like, as in you're like walking off the edge of a pier and stuff.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I mean, I kind of live in my own world up here, which is great and also very frustrating, I imagine, for someone that has to deal with me all the time.

[Unknown]

Oh, no, I don't, I don't think that about you at all. But also, that's probably because I'm constantly in.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I think that's why we get along so well. I think we both are wrapped up in our own brain spaces. And then we see each other and we go, oh, my God, I love it when you're in my brain space. It's so much more fun when you're here too. Why don't I do that more often?

[Unknown]

I think it's fine.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Talk about how much we can't rely on ourselves. The backdrop shifted half an inch, and Natalie and I's reaction was not doing anything, not moving out of the way of possible, any danger it might fall.

[Unknown]

We'll see.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Well, I think we should keep it. And I like our reactions.

[Unknown]

It is exciting for everyone. What will they think of next? So, yeah, Roggensee. Roggensee. He asks her about repairing broken objects, which is what they're trying to figure out. If somebody could repair Luna's horn. Do the witches have any idea? Has she ever heard of the witches doing something like that? And he admits, because she doesn't say the words Luna's horn, but she's like, are you talking about Luna's horn?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

And he's, he's, he kind of hedges, but then he's like, yes, that's, that's kind of what we're trying to figure out. She tells him that she knows of no way and that other more talented witches than her have tried before. None succeeded. He offers the suggestion of maybe considering. Have you ever thought about your magic mixed with the technology that you use in the medical field? And she hasn't. And she thinks about it and she says, yes, perhaps it would be worthy of attempting using medical equipment mixed with magic and treating the horn as though it's a living being. It's almost like doing surgery on it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Which is cool.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Well, because something that's surging with that much magic has got to be treated with more of, you know, of a respect, like a living, breathing, actual object.

[Unknown]

Which is a cool concept.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So, see, that is if magic exists. I mean, we've got to. Guys, everyone.

[Unknown]

This is where the signs point scientifically. So she says, you know, perhaps she says with a little more warning, maybe somebody already has done that. And then he asks about that weird thing that they know about the horn, which is that allegedly, it's only to be repaired by light. That's not light magic. That's not magic.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

What is it? Another sphinx over here?

[Unknown]

I mean, it's all riddles with the fae.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, man.

[Unknown]

And he does point out that kind of sounds like that could be technology.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Like, isn't that electricity? Is that not the Internet?

[Unknown]

Yeah. So she doesn't know exactly what that means, but, you know, she doesn't, like, shut him down. She stares at him and offers him a warning of caution that he needs. He needs to be very careful if he is going to be looking into this horn deeper. He seems dazed by her beauty and her scent, though he hasn't expressed whether that is him being drawn in a sexual, romantic way. He just seems sort of captivated by this woman.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

God, if only. Again, it's like that. I know I've said this before, but, like, I wish that I could pull off mysterious. I wish I could pull off captivating.

[Unknown]

You know, like you can. I wouldn't say you could be mysterious, but I think you're captivating.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Do you hear how I, like, snort, laugh? Like, can you imagine someone watching that and being like, wow, a goddess at work?

[Unknown]

I think people do think that about you.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Meanwhile, I make my Muppet noises when the backdrop moves.

[Unknown]

No, I think. I think that you are captivating. I would not necessarily classify you as mysterious, but I also wouldn't about myself. You know, I don't think that's our strength. And that's okay.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I think you're captivating, though.

[Unknown]

Oh, I thank you.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, I do think that you are, especially with. Oh. Your strength and how you own yourself and you own any situation you go into. That is captivating.

[Unknown]

Oh, my God. Stop it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

We're here to build each other up, Natalie.

[Unknown]

Okay, good.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And thank you. Yep. Slurp it down, bitch. Captivating. Captivating.

[Unknown]

He offers his condolences to her at the loss of their recently departed witch queen, which seems to deeply sadden this Medwich. He thinks about the deceased queen, whose name was Hecuba. The queen was beloved by her people and he knew it would affect their community for a long while. He wants to know if the new queen might hold the answer in the Medwich's opinion. The Medwich smiles and tells him that he'll have to wait because she's going to make her first appearance at the summit. And perhaps he can ask her then.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, it's a date.

[Unknown]

Then something. He seems taken by this witch, almost feels connected to her somehow. We'll see what happens there. All right, the next chapter. We're back with Hunt, who is being visited by Isaiah on the roof of Griffin. He's there to deliver the news that Victoria has discovered some more security camera abnormalities. Isaiah tells Hunt how on edge everyone is due to Sandril's presence, especially since she's delighting in the knowledge that she holds of when Pollux, the cruel and infamous Pollux is going to be arriving to join her for the summit. So nobody in this area. In Luna, Nathan is looking forward to Pollock showing up because he is cruel. And she's kind of enjoying that. People don't know when. And so they're all like, like looking over the shoulders, acting like the wall's falling down behind them or something.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It makes for a difficult work day, I will say, too, too much stress.

[Unknown]

I know, right?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's like on, you know, like, today is a good pud day. It's like a good pud day here at work. Everybody's on edge. Everybody's so like, just like, ha, ha, when will the puds arrive?

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And it's is scary to think about Henry and I eating savory pudding.

[Unknown]

Well, I just, I know Henry gets into that presidential mode on good pud days where I don't even try to ask him questions.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

He can't.

[Unknown]

He. He's. He's like basically above me somewhere in some high castle wall room and just like, well, I'll have a husband tomorrow.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes. No, he must sit in his prince's chair and he must stare for at least four and a half hours on the day of good put.

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'm glad that we finally, like, confessed this to other people because we're all really sitting on pins and needles over here.

[Unknown]

Sitting on pins and needles. Is that the phrase?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I think it's walking onto eggshells, capping on mushrooms. Oh, back on the mushrooms.

[Unknown]

Put them caps on, maybe.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I've been looking at a lot of stuffed mushroom recipes. Natalie.

[Unknown]

No.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'm hungry. You gonna get some stuffed mushrooms in your future, bitch.

[Unknown]

Oh, my God, that sounds exciting. And I'm hungry right now, and that's making me angry.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'm here to feed.

[Unknown]

She's got the need to feed. Guys. Hunt offers. I. So, like, he's getting all this information, this intel from Isaiah. And Hunt offers to Isaiah his assistance if Isaiah needs any help with dealing with. With Sandriel. And then Hunt proceeds to feel a bit of shame when Isaiah is sort of gobsmacked that Hunt is offering assistance. Not because he thought Hunt was a hateful person or anything. He's just incredibly closed off. And he's not used to hun. Volunteering his energy and time to.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

To work with other people. I think it's also it, too. Is that like, he's. He usually seems like it works alone.

[Unknown]

What could have changed?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, a bit of a knee stroke. Is it?

[Unknown]

A bit of a stroke and light.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That's all it takes.

[Unknown]

Isaiah tells Hunt that Vic wants to see him in Bryce in person. He reminds Hunt a little pointedly that he best not jeopardize this mission. Hunt thinks he means Bryce. I don't know if he's got her on the brain much.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Damn, son.

[Unknown]

But Isaiah's like, yeah, don't do that. But I mean, wrongfully accused. Accuse Sabine.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, just like, hold on. Why don't you wait until you definitely have some proof or something?

[Unknown]

Yeah, because she ends up not being a part of all of this, and then she gets her name thrown in. It's going to be. You're gonna be on a shit list, buddy.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Going down.

[Unknown]

Hunt's like, gee, thanks. I didn't realize that just then. He gets a series of texts from Bryce and is startled to realize that she has somehow broken into his phone. She eventually informs him that she watched him type it in a few times.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

While he watched Sunball Bryce.

[Unknown]

She broke in, changed her contact name to Bryce RocksMySocks, and added a picture of herself to it. She's texting him at that moment, teasing Hunt about he and Isaiah being pigeons on the roof of the antiquity store. And he texts her back as Isaiah watches. As he puts his phone away, he.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Found Isaiah watching him carefully.

[Unknown]

There are worse things than death, you know?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Hunt looked toward the committee, the female archangel lurking in it.

[Unknown]

I know.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, he already knows.

[Unknown]

But I just love that he's, like, so thirsty for her. Like, Isaiah can just, like, Tell by the way his face goes when he's texting him.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. But also seeing that, like, she changes to Bryce Rucks my son. Like, you know, that all of that. How could he not pretend like that? It's not affecting him? And, like.

[Unknown]

But Hunt isn't a silly. But, is he? What if he is a silly? What if he's a silly? This is, of course, you know, this is Isaiah talking about, in reference to Bryce being forbidden fruit and that, you know, he's got to be very, very careful. Even though Hunt insists that nothing's going on, Isaiah is not convinced nor fooled.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Nah, dude. Because, like, besides the look on your face, again, sense change. Like, things change when you start falling for somebody. It is so insanely apparent.

[Unknown]

Oh, yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

To almost everybody else.

[Unknown]

I think we were talking about that one of the recent episodes. But yeah, like, even if you think you're hiding it, you never are.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No.

[Unknown]

Yeah. So not only is she off limits for work reasons, she's also a reminder she has rejected Micah publicly. And me thinks he won't be too understanding if Hunt swoops in.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Probably not. And especially not understanding about the deal that they made. And I imagine him fucking Bryce is not a part of that deal.

[Unknown]

No. A little later, Bryce and Hunt are about to head over to see Victoria and learn whatever info she has to offer. But it's raining. Bryce is irritated about getting her suede shoes wet, but. But Hunt wants to fly them over. But she's also casually noticing how Hunt hasn't changed out her name and photo in his phone as he types on it. So she's like, oh, well, he didn't change it, so he can't be that mad.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Can't be that mad.

[Unknown]

He tells her he'll get them there quickly, and she kind of starts to protest, but before she can argue too much, he just sort of scoops her up and launches her into the sky, at which point she clings to him and hisses like a cat. Quote.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I know this. That's not hissing like a cat, but that's the sound I would make.

[Unknown]

You don't think you would scream?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No, I definitely would, but I think I would scream like that.

[Unknown]

You wouldn't feel like complete terror, though?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No, I feel like I wouldn't either.

[Unknown]

Just because, like, he flies all the time.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. He's not going to drop you. Like, I feel like, honestly, you'd want that. Kind of like an angel's not gonna drop you. Hunt is not going to drop her. There's no fucking way.

[Unknown]

No.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And I feel like, but, like, you have to be able to talk about these things. I remember going to a pool party for the first time with when Jeff and I were just dating, and I had to do the whole, like, I am not joking. Do not push me into this pool. And I'm not saying that in a. Like, don't put me in the. Like, I'm terrified of the water. I will, like, it will not be okay. And it is not something that I will come back from easily.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And. And like. Or at. I made that very clear. And he was, like, heard and then never did it.

[Unknown]

Well, I mean, it's that litness test that was going around on social media for a while of the husband smashing the cake in the woman's face on the wedding day. Had you followed any of that?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No.

[Unknown]

So basically it was like all of these very unfortunate captures of people on their wedding day where the wife is. The bride is asking, like, please don't do that. And the husband refusing to not stop some of them.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I would stop the wedding. I'd be like, reverse it. Well, take it back.

[Unknown]

And a lot of times it would get kind of like half violent. Like, he would, like, shove her over and stuff. And that is a thing that people are kind of pointing out. Like, this is sort of like subtle. Letting you know that he's never going to respect anything about you.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

In your marriage.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That's insane.

[Unknown]

And obviously that's a huge overarching. Like, that is a. Not an exaggeration, but, like, it's not always going to be that case.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No, but like, but especially if you've asked him not to. Like, it's one thing, it's like, oh, well, if he just does it. Well, that's just being stupid. And thought that they were being funny. But if you specifically asked not to do that. And they still did that. Hell no.

[Unknown]

Also, even on the day, if the bride is very much like, you can tell she's being serious. Like, please don't ruin this makeup. That took three hours.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So much money, most likely to get.

[Unknown]

Done, and then still does it. Like, that is some red flag behavior, but a little bit late, unfortunately.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, baby.

[Unknown]

You still have time for an annulment.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes. At that point. Yeah. Oh, I would get that reversed. Foreign.

[Natalie Jean]

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[Unknown]

She is swooped up in his arms and she Would you scream?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'm sorry, I didn't even ask you.

[Unknown]

I think it would be like a roller coaster scream. Like I'd be excited about it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, yeah.

[Unknown]

She buries her face in his chest. Merely for staying dry, of course.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Course.

[Unknown]

It's just because she doesn't want to get wet.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. Don't worry about the shoes. But her face.

[Unknown]

She can't help notice the scent and warmth of him.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

God, I bet he smells good.

[Unknown]

He coaxes her to look, but she's resistant. Feeling scared of the height, though. I think she doth protest too much. Personally, I think she's doing a little bit of like. No, I can't. No. He tells her not to be a baby.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

The richness of his voice skittering over every bone of her body.

[Unknown]

He teases her, offering a reward of a milkshake if she will look and see the sights of the city.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Her toes curled in her shoes at the low, coaxing voice.

[Unknown]

Uh oh, guys.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Uh oh.

[Unknown]

Got a toe curl.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's a toe curl, everybody. Uh oh.

[Unknown]

That means.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I guess. I'm guessing curling my toes right now, Right? I'm doing it, but I feel that's more of a clench. And I don't know, I guess your toes curl if you're like, you know, about to orgasm. I'm sure. But I don't know if I'm turned on. If I'm clenching my toes, I kind of get it.

[Unknown]

Like, it's not necessarily what I would do, but I get like when you get like the. The like tingles in your belly. Yeah, I think it's like that.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Okay.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And I just. I do it lay it upon everybody. So, feet, do your toes curl. And maybe it's something that I just don't experience. And it's like, jacket. I have a body that's Autobot. Like, it's H. Cr.

[Unknown]

Right. And you have Toad efficiency.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh my God. I've got toad efficiency. Natalie. Is it because I don't wear heels?

[Unknown]

You've got Toad Efficient deficiency. But you've got toad efficiency.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Whoa. Which is good toad. Like ribbit.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

A. All right. I'll eat flies. Oh my God, it'd be so cute on a lily pad. But anyway, sorry.

[Unknown]

She finally peels her eyes Open and we get a very Superman and Lois Lane moment. This is a little bit of a long passage, but I think it's a really good visual of the city. And I know for me, that helps me keep storylines straight. So if you would. If you would mind.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

In the rain, the marble buildings gleamed like they were made from moonstone. The gray cobblestone streets appeared polished a silvery blue, splashed with the gold of the first lamp lights. To her right, the gates in the old square, Moonwood and Fearow rose through the sprawl like the humped spine of some twining beast breaking the surface of a lake, their crystal gleaming like melting ice. From this high, the avenues that linked them all, the ley lines beneath them shot like spears through the city. The wind rattled the palms, tossing the fronds to and fro, their hissing, almost drowning out the cranky honking of drivers now in a traffic standstill. The whole city, in fact, seemed to have stopped for a moment, except for them swiftly passing above it all.

[Unknown]

I like to toss the fronds to and fro sometimes.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Man, my fronds are always rustling. Means I am bustling, baby. Get on it. I'm a fern.

[Unknown]

Fern.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I.

[Unknown]

We have two palms in our. In our yard at our house.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So I guess you are a fern.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Do you ever watch the fronds pass to and fro?

[Unknown]

I do. I do love it because the squirrels climb all the way to the top and they are tall.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, though. Oh, the big, big palm trees. Oh, yeah, those are cool. They're interesting here. And I believe that they were brought here from Tahiti, if I remember.

[Unknown]

They're not.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, that they were. I think it was like an Uber driver was telling me about how that they were put in Los Angeles and they are not native to Los Angeles, but the ones that stayed are also, like, they're so bendy that they work with the winds, and that's how they've been able to stay all of these generations.

[Unknown]

Yeah, they were. They were basically brought here, I think, to make it more exotic and like. Like, not. Not seem like a desert.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And now, I mean, it is known for its palm trees, so I guess they did their job. A little bit of Los Angeles history for you.

[Unknown]

Invasive species never hurt anything. It does hurt a lot of stuff.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, I think it does. But, you know, not us.

[Unknown]

Nah, we're crushing.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

They get to the lab where Victoria is finally. So they go through this romantic slash, not romantic flight over the city. I loved the description of the city that she gave there. It's very it's very romantic and beautiful.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And also, you know, I'm lied to you, Natalie. I would be screaming this entire time. I feel like in the same way that I feel like I could get in a hot air balloon. And anybody that's. Anybody that's ever been in a hot air balloon is like, Jackie, you will be actually terrified if you even attempt to get inside of a hot air balloon. So I really probably would cry the entire time.

[Unknown]

As somebody who's really not afraid of heights, I have no interest in getting in a hot air balloon. It seems like an insane decision.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Basket in the sky.

[Unknown]

You're just, you are just open air in a basket, hip level.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

What if you tried trip anything? What? You gotta go, you gotta get down at some point and that sounds scary. I don't think a basket can handle it. I know.

[Unknown]

Big open flame above you.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So it's like hot but it's cold and you can't hear anybody the entire time. I'm sure that it's beautiful. Also I will say anybody that's anybody that's ever been on a hot air balloon has told me it's one of the most magical things they've ever done. But it's also pure fear. But you know, who am I?

[Unknown]

I feel like I could have a more magical experience than that.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'm proud of you, Natalie. Get up there. And also again, if you were in the arms of someone that you know you will never be dropped, I would.

[Unknown]

Much I would immediately choose being carried by hand by an angel over a hot air balloon. What crazy person would choose a hot air a balloon over for that? Safety wise even. I'm not even just talking about sexually. I just mean.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh yeah, I'm only much safer with an angel. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. No, I'm sure a hot air balloon can be sexy. Are you enjoying. Do you want a sandwich? I just imagine screaming as you're trying to have a picnic in the basket.

[Unknown]

Imagine if this book ended cuz he dropped her.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh God. And there we go. Lsjm I guess didn't want to continue with the mystery.

[Unknown]

So they go through this flight. They end up back at the lab where Victoria is and Bryce is brought back in her memories to the night of the murders. Which is not very fun for her. Both she and Victoria greet each other as if they are meeting for the first time, though they both know they've already met. Because if you recall the way back at the beginning, Victoria, Vic was the one interrogating her when she was in like her catatonic. State and she was being like hard on her because they were trying to get information about all of these murders that just happened.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That's her job.

[Unknown]

Sorry Bryce, if you'll call. Also, Vic is a Wraith, but that means she doesn't have her own body. But she's been in this one body with black hair, alabaster skin and green eyes. And the halo tattoo can't hide her. Lovely.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Obviously you are having a great fa. Stay. I am having a huge mental block right now. Natalie.

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

The Wraiths were. That's the same race species of creatures that Feyre helps with Tamlin. Right. Were those the Wraiths that were in the water? Do you remember that?

[Unknown]

No, those are.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Sorry, maybe this is not for the podcast. I'm just. Now my brain started going into that. That. What were they?

[Unknown]

The. The one that couldn't pay the toll. The tithing. That's not a Wraith, cuz a Wraith is a shadow creature.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's a Water Wraith.

[Unknown]

Oh, okay. A Water Wraith.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I just didn't know. I just was like are they like. Is this Victoria the same kind of person? Because like that. That kind of creature. So I imagine a Water Wraith is very different than. And a Wraith. Wraith.

[Unknown]

Yeah. Because I'm pretty sure that Sarah Nual and Sarah Drino Wraiths remember the shadow.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes. Like that. The. The ones that help put. Oh yes. Oh I. Sorry. I'm just like. I could like lose myself for the next half hour reading about water raids versus regular raids.

[Unknown]

It doesn't make sense though. Cuz like the Water Wraith is nothing like a shadow.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But a Wraith is a type of fae creature associated with death and darkness. While a Water Wraith is a specific kind of Wraith that specifically draws power from water. Essentially a water based spirit with ghostly characteristics. Making the Water Wraith a more specialized form of the General. General.

[Unknown]

General.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

A new way of saying it. You're welcome. The General Wraith in the Akat our universe.

[Unknown]

I. It's. It's because that's not the way she describes the physicality of the Water Wraith.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Slender and gray skin and they wear no clothes.

[Unknown]

She can use her imaginations and make it up.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Sorry, this. It probably didn't matter. I apolog. Thank you for. For.

[Unknown]

You don't gotta apologize.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Entertaining me.

[Unknown]

It's too late to apologize. I don't care. I like talking theory series, but this Victoria is a Wraith. As in she has no form except for the body she inhabits and she's been in this body for a while. Unlike the night where she was trying to gain info from Bryce, Victoria is friendly and open with her. And Bryce kind of takes to her pretty fast. She presents what she has to show the duo. A grainy surveillance photo of a foot foot from the night before.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Whoa. Interesting. Like our conversation from earlier. I hope they got paid good money.

[Unknown]

That's what I hope Hunt doesn't get too excited. We know how much he likes toes.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, babe.

[Unknown]

So it's not like a severed foot, but they caught a foot leaving frame. And. And this isn't so. Yes. Not a wiki fee type picture. Victoria has noticed a massive temperature fluctuation. She was monitoring those things when she was informed by them that the Chrystalos is probably a demon from hell. That usually means that there's going to be this huge, like, icy freeze when they enter their world. So she started, like, just tracking temperature fluctuations and what happened in Moonwood the night prior. So she wants. She, like, goes over to the surveillance cameras at that space during that time, and she manages to grab an image from that moment. And what looks like a taloned monster foot can be seen.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Insane. I'm so glad I'm not a detective. I'd be really bad at it. I even just like that. It's like, that's a good idea.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, wow. I wouldn't have thought about that. And it's like, it's for the best, Jackie, that you're not trying to solve any crimes.

[Unknown]

Were you ever gonna be a detective?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I thought for a moment I. When I was younger that I wanted to be a. At least a police officer. Oh. And yeah, because of my dad. And my dad did talk me out. Out of it.

[Unknown]

I think that's good.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes.

[Unknown]

Not because of, like, you. I just don't.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No. Straight up, he even said, which sucks. Kind of crazy, even as a boomer, that he said, like, it has nothing to do with you at, like, being a woman. It has to do with the system and what it is and what you have to essentially sign up for. And he didn't want to watch me go through that. And I understood that totally.

[Unknown]

They know what. What this foot is. They all are aware when they see this picture, but they wait for Bryce to identify it as one of the few witnesses who's ever seen one fully clearly. And she confirms, yes, this is a Crystalos foot. She was able to account for the temperature drop right before Maximus Tertian's death as well. As in Victoria said, this is the same exact 77 degrees drop. That happened right near Max Tershine's death. Thankfully, the night before, there wasn't a death recorded. So even though she found this photo and obviously a crystal is around somewhere, nobody died last night. But also, nothing good could be happening.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No, because it's still sniffing around and we gotta go get it now.

[Unknown]

What's it doing? Especially? Maybe it's going to open mics.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Trying to do a tight five. Yeah, and then, you know, we support you Crystalos. Like, I don't want to go to your bringer shows, but I do wish you health and happiness. Oh, Crystal, you're the funniest thing from hell.

[Unknown]

So they know something. Something's afoot with the foot.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Natalie.

[Unknown]

Especially because she was able to track the demon as. And it had circled around Sabine's compound. So basically, Victoria was able to track the temperature fluctuations and, like, catch little glimpses of it. And it was circling around Sabine's compound, which is not a good sign. Who, me? Yes, you.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Uh. Oh, couldn't be.

[Unknown]

Then who?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Uh. Oh. Natalie, get your hands out of the cookie jar.

[Unknown]

I will never.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Natalie.

[Unknown]

Bryce is stuck. Bryce is struck with a flashback and rising panic. Just thinking again about how she's gonna have to deal with Sabine. Suddenly, Hunt's hand is on her thigh, giving it reassuring. She glances at him, but he's not even looking at her. Just giving her knee a stroke. Like, you know, business partners do to one another.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Obviously.

[Unknown]

As he continues to speak with Victoria, however, Victoria clocks it and gives Hunt a warning glare.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That's the thing, Hunt. Don't you realize that all of them are really good at spotting things? You think that that's not gonna get noticed?

[Unknown]

Just like stroking her bare thighs.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. In front of everybody.

[Unknown]

Can you imagine? Just like. Like somebody you know is not in a relationship, just starts doing that and you're just like this. Seems like I shouldn't be looking.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Certainly lying about there being anything between you two, because again, that's not how coworkers touch each other. Or again, unless we're doing something wrong here at lp.

[Unknown]

Maybe. Let us know. Let us know in the comments. So he removes his hand as Victoria kind of gives him a little bit of a warning. Is Victoria tells them that the demon was tracked last to the Rose Gate that night. So after the demon kind of trounced around the. The Sabine compound area, he apparently skipped over to the Rose Gate and then seems to disappear into thin air.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's like, go take a vacation, Kristalos. I think you deserve it.

[Unknown]

I know. I think so, too. Feel like, he works really hard.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

He's been really good at being a chrystalos for a while and I think he's needs a break.

[Unknown]

We have. We've blabbed a lot on this episode. We're not getting very far. We have to focus, Jackie.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Sorry, I got a running mouth.

[Unknown]

We both do. It's a problem.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Or is it why we've got this job?

[Unknown]

I don't know. Maybe we need. We need.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

We like talking to each other too much.

[Unknown]

Ryan, I think you need like some kind of stick where you like if we're going for too long.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Rap about.

[Unknown]

He wraps the desk so we can be in charge. So they've learned all this information and at Chapter 41, we're back with Hunt as he and Bryce attempt to close up Griffin for the evening. So they've like gone and done their stuff with Victoria had to go back to work so she could, like, finish her day. Lock it up. And they, of course, have to get Syrinx home, even though they have already decided the two of them need to go to phyro this evening to investigate where the Kristallos was last spotted. Syrinx obviously needs to go home though.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But somebody needs to take a nap on the couch.

[Unknown]

Oh, yeah. Sirix worked hard. So Syrinx is hysterical because it's raining and like, Bryce is like, struggling with Syrinx to get him out of the doors they're locking up because he had one gun. The rain.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No.

[Unknown]

But Hunt manages to calm him by picking him up in a magic wind and placing him in Bryce's arms.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh.

[Unknown]

Oh, okay. Wow.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

He's good with Syrinx too.

[Unknown]

Wow. Okay, Just drop her panties, why don't you?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Good lord.

[Unknown]

So he then scoops all three. He flies all three of them back to her house where they drop Syrinx off, quickly change, and head over to the rose gate where they want to try to look for clues or signs of why the demon may have shown up the night prior to the rose gate.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

In the centuries since, the fae had decided to cover their gate with flowers and clothes, climbing plants, the rose gate had become one of the biggest tourist draws, with thousands of people flocking there each day to give a drop of power, to make a wish on its dial pad, nearly hidden beneath ivy, and to snap photos of the stunning little creatures who now made their nests and homes within the tangle of green. But at this hour, in this weather, even the rosegate was quiet dark.

[Unknown]

I think I would die for a rose quartz archway with flowers growing up the sides. Oh, Please give it to me. Kill me with your exterior design, Sarah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I know she's so good at it, but imagine how heavy it is.

[Unknown]

But, like, it would be so baller to have that, like, in your backyard.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And you could make wishes on it.

[Unknown]

I mean, I would.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, my God. God.

[Unknown]

They are both still obviously juiced up for one another in this scene. And Hunt forces his mind to quiet as she leans into him so they could both look at a photo they were given by Vic to look at. You know, evident stuff, but they're, like, also having to touch each other.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh.

[Unknown]

They both ponder over what all of this means, how the demon could keep disappearing and reappearing all around town. And then Hunt is struck with an idea they had already previously considered, that perhaps the demon was using the ley lines to get that surge of energy to get, like, through these gates. Right. But there is another system that he hadn't considered running along the same lines. The sewer system. Bryce is like, no.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, dude. No, thank you. Don't.

[Unknown]

Oh, good. We get to go run, run, run around through the sewers.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'm not like a sewer kind of gal.

[Unknown]

I know, I know. People look at me and think, sewer.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That sewer. Oh, yeah. I would never call you that.

[Unknown]

You could call me, like, a trash woman, like a garbage person ever, ever.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Never ever, you know?

[Unknown]

But, yeah, not a sewer girl.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Just going to say it. Well, all right. I guess here we're not sewer bitches. And, you know, maybe you are. That's listening, and somebody's got to go down in that sewer. Yeah.

[Unknown]

You deserve the best paycheck of all.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

We celebrate you and we support you.

[Unknown]

I think it'd be badass if there were, like, I saw a woman, like, sewer, like, what's it called? Upkeeper.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, dude, somebody maintenance. Yeah, maintenance just like, like, pops off the fucking cap, off the street, and it's like, by just, like, jumps through. Yeah.

[Unknown]

I'd be like, fucking. Fucking rage and clap for her.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Like, yeah, you scary bitch. Is probably what I would say as they jumped in.

[Unknown]

Congratulate her for government benefits.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And then I would stand by the grates of the sewer being like, you got this.

[Unknown]

Keep going. Get the fuck away.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Jackie, shut up. As it's just going through the sewers.

[Unknown]

Yes, Queen.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Shut up shop. I'm already down here. Stop supporting me.

[Unknown]

As much as Bryce complains, she's the one who actually wants them to go down there as soon as humanly possible, as soon as angely possible.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, it works.

[Unknown]

She mostly wants Hunt to go down as soon as Anciently possible. But Hunt reasonably says that they have no weapons with them and creatures live in the sewer. So no. Not gonna just jump right in.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Probably not a good idea.

[Unknown]

Hunt also knows that if it really is Sabine calling the demons shots, I'm a. And he would have, if he had to face off with her weaponless in the sewer, with his full power, he would absolutely be able to do that. But his power has been restrained by the halo. And he probably wouldn't be able to face off with her weaponless. And with Bryce not making the drop, he doesn't want to risk that, not.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Put her in that kind of danger.

[Unknown]

Instead, Hunt has another idea. The sewers lead to the Istros, the river winding around Lunatheon. Maybe the water folk have seen something. Or rather, the house of many waters folk. Hunt has a contact there.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, really?

[Unknown]

Oh, he does. Satisfied with that for the night, Hun suggests they go home. So he wants to be like, look, let's wrap it up this evening. I would like to not be in the sewer anymore.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's pouring outside. They just want to go home.

[Unknown]

Yeah. But Bryce tries to coax him out to the docks to look for clues instead. But he shuts her down. He also adds a little vulnerable truth. We're not doing this. But I gotta say, I have fun with you, Quinlan. Oh, my God. Their squabbling seems to open something up in him. And she blushes a little at the honesty. And do you know what? Maybe Hunt is a bit of a silly.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I think he is surprising rocks his socks.

[Unknown]

He snaps a picture of her soaking wet and covered in sewer grit, to her chagrin, but she loves it. But he does it because she. He calls her a drown sue. A rat. And then she's like, stop it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Stop. Oh, I'm a lady. I'm not a rat.

[Unknown]

We cut back to the apartment and Bryce practically runs into the shower, feeling gross from their investigation. She's still in the shower when Hunt knocks on the door, asking more soap is he also teases her to make sure to wash between her toes. You little.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. He's gotta make sure they're clean.

[Unknown]

It is now officially canon that Hunt has a foot fetish. Yes, and he's all horned up, thinking about washing her toes.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh yeah.

[Unknown]

Bryce doesn't know, of course, his filthy little thoughts. So she just gives him the finger from the shower, even though he can't see it. Shortly after this, he knocks again on the bathroom door, sounding great grave. Bryce is just getting out of the shower and is immediately on high alert. She Puts a towel on and skids out into the hallway where he's standing in front of the linen closet. And finally we get to meet the real star of the book. Because Hunt is just with her. He's, of course, shirtless.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, has to be.

[Unknown]

But he asks her if she wants to tell him something.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

She gulped, scanning him from head to toe.

[Unknown]

About what? About what the fuck this is.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

He extended his hand, opened up his big fist. A purple glittery unicorn lay in it. This scene, I mean, everybody. Everybody gather round. Everybody's wet, everybody's cold, everybody's had a long day, and now we're talking about unicorn pegasies.

[Unknown]

So she grabs this little purpley thing from his hand and haunted, apparently, found a box containing some very glitter, glittery unicorn pegasuses in the linen closet. She is surprised, to say the least. And she points out, you asked for soap, and the soap is directly in front of you in the closet. It. Why did you go out of the way to pull this box down from the top? He looks bashful for a minute, explaining that he saw purple glitter. She accuses him of thinking that it must have been a sex toy, which is why he grabbed it. He does not answer. Instead, he asks her why they're in there. And this is an aside from the narratives part of the story that I find, like, very. It's impactful in that we're. We don't need this scene to. To move the story along, but it's very important to who Bryce is.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Well, because I feel like there's so many scenes that we learn so much about them and their relationships while they're in the middle of doing 20 other things.

[Unknown]

Totally.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And there's not that many scenes of the quiet moments because there's just so much that happens in this book that I like that she takes the time to be like. Also, you know, know they have regular moments as well.

[Unknown]

Right. No, I. I agree. This is like a moment of respite from that. And this is. Obviously, everybody knows that what he found is Jelly Jubilee.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Duh. Hunt.

[Unknown]

And Bryce goes on to explain. This is a toy from my childhood. And it's not only a toy. This was the toy of all toys.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It was the toy. It was the Tickle Me Elmo of Lunathean.

[Unknown]

Yes. She had quite a collection of these little unicorn pegasuses, but almost no little girls had the jelly Jubilee, the purple glittery one.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Whoa. I guess it wasn't like the. Oh, I guess Tickle Me Elmo was difficult. I guess it's more like the Princess Diana Beanie Baby, which I do still own. And yes, the tag is in its cover.

[Unknown]

Well, I. I also imagine this is directly a reference to My Little pony, Princess Diana. I know probably it's about the Princess Diana.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Beanie Baby. Thank you.

[Unknown]

So Jelly Jubilee is the most hard to get of all of the Starlight Fancy different unicorns or pegasuses.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I would also do anything for anything named Starlight Fancy. I already like Starlight Express, even though we know it's not good. But. But Starlight Fancy, that sounds like. I mean, mix. It's like put these unicorn pegasi in with the people on roller skates that are acting like trains. And I think that's magic.

[Unknown]

I agree. She was the hardest by far to get, but Bryce's mom had went out of her way to get it for Bryce. Bryce, of course, has always felt a little bit on the outside, a little bit weird next to other kids. And she had felt very much like an outsider around the human children she went to school with. But having Jelly Jubilee was this neutralizer for her gave the little girls and presumably, presumably gay little boys a reason to play with her. Hunt watches her wistfully run her hands over each of the brightly colored unicorns and Pegas sizes in the box.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

His eyes shone as she gently set the box on the high shelf.

[Unknown]

I'll never laugh at them again. This is what I think is an obvious reference to My Little Ponies. And if you watch any interviews with Sarah that she does from her home office, she has a shelf of My Little Ponies sitting behind her. So I think this is like her own childhood thing.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Gotcha. Because she couldn't get a Princess Diana bear. And I think that's really sad for her.

[Unknown]

Did you not have My Little Ponies?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No, I missed out on the My Little Ponies. I think it was also the whole older brother things. So I didn't really have, like, I. I would like, rip the heads off the Barbies. And I didn't want anything that was like, you know, in the early 90s, seen as girly.

[Unknown]

I loved me some ponies. Oh, my best friend had the little dance studio for the ponies. I was quality.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Did they hoof about the town? Were they dancers?

[Unknown]

They know, but like, Barbie would just. They would have different.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Ah, God.

[Unknown]

And they had a cartoon.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Do they like, fight evil? Evil?

[Unknown]

I don't remember. I think that they just like, hung out in a cool land and played.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Hell yeah.

[Unknown]

That's.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Ain't nothing wrong with that.

[Unknown]

They were so fun. Like, a lot of them had, like, they did have sense to them, like smells. Because she talks about that in the book about the starlight fancies. And they all had different little things on their butts. Like they all different little like. Oh, like Care Bears kinda.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

I know y'all love. There's a lot of you out there. Who had My Little Pony.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That's why I ask. I genuinely. I know My Little Ponies. But I guess this is my ultimate confession. I know nothing about. I've never seen an episode. I don't know. I know that they're multicolored cute ponies, but that's about it.

[Unknown]

I assume because you're the younger sister with an older brother that was probably just not in there.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, I was playing Ghostbusters. I was.

[Unknown]

I was playing Ghostbusters too, because I also had only I don't have sisters.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Younger brothers. Yeah.

[Unknown]

But I think because I was like in ballet and stuff, I was already around all the girlies.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, in that? Yeah. No, no. I. I pushed away from it early, but now I feel like I could get into My Little Ponies.

[Unknown]

Let's become creepy at all My Little.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Pony fans, are we? I mean, I know the Bronies exist, so what do you do?

[Unknown]

Isn't there a lot of problems with them?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I think there is, but you know, I think there's also like a beautiful vulnerability where people can find each other.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

With My Little Ponies.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I just want to watch the hoof about the town.

[Unknown]

I mean, I would get some vintage ones and just have them.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Hell yeah.

[Unknown]

After her heartfelt moment with Hunt in this. In the scene she's returning the box in place in the closet. She. She suddenly realizes she's only in a towel and Hunt is half dressed.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Guess you may as well fuck.

[Unknown]

She.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That's not.

[Unknown]

No, that wouldn't be a Sarah J. Mossman.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No, that's not what happens.

[Unknown]

We need to edge for like two books. So she puts, you know, she realizes like, oh my God, we're like half naked. And she puts on her smart ass armor again and teases that if he wants to find her sex toys, they're in the left nightstand in her room. Which is not really like changing stuff. It's kind of just like making it more sexual.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

But this flusters Hunt. He feels very embarrassed because he's like, he definitely thought it was a sex toy.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, he definitely did. And he was. They have that great teasing, flirty relationship. But I love that this makes him like, no, you're a jerk.

[Unknown]

Shut up.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

What?

[Unknown]

It flusters him enough that she saunters out of the hall and leaves it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Love it.

[Unknown]

So we should end here. They're going to be meeting some new cast members on the river next episode. One of my. I love this character.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, yes. I'm very, very excited.

[Unknown]

There's a couple new intro characters in this next couple chapters.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, the characters only get better. It's really crazy that there's so many characters.

[Unknown]

I mean, it goes downhill after Jelly Jubilee, obviously, but.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, I mean, sexually.

[Unknown]

No, no. Why do we. I don't want to end, actually.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Unicorns in the sky they can fly rises high Take a look at my bands there's gold.

[Unknown]

No, stop it. This is getting worse.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'm bringing it back to the beginning. All right, we got to get out here.

[Unknown]

Please read up until chapter enter 44 for next week.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

This show is made possible by listeners like you, thanks to our ad sponsors. You can support our shows by supporting them. For more shows like the one you just listened to, go to lastpodcastnetwork.com.

[Unknown]

Did.

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