LPN Deep Dives: HOFAS / Episode 5: Large Format Torture

Summary

LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City – HOFAS / Episode 5: Large Format Torture

June 23, 2026 | Hosts: Natalie Jean & Jackie Zebrowski

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Overview

This episode of LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City sees hosts Natalie Jean and Jackie Zebrowski break down key torture sequences, complex character relationships, and the ongoing saga of Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City universe. With their trademark blend of sharp insights, irreverent humor, and a dash of cosplay talk, Natalie and Jackie dissect the latest chapters, focusing on Hunt’s harrowing time in captivity, the evolving group dynamics among the fae, wolves, and the Viper Queen’s court, and Bryce & Nesta’s mysterious journey through ancient tunnels.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cosplay, Character Aesthetics, and Identity

• The hosts open by joking about dressing in tracksuits and pleather bell bottoms, channeling characters like Apollyon and the Viper Queen.
  • “Of all the choices for Apollyon…Rigel is still picking that twink. That young teenage twink. That really shows how in the head he is.” – Co-host (06:12)
• The recurring topic of character aesthetic—like demon princes’ fashion, angelic white hair, and suits with nips out—serves as a springboard for exploring character motivations and perceptions.

2. Hunt's Torture: Parallels and Pain [11:05–27:33]

• Detailed discussion of Hunt’s brutal captivity, physical agony, and hallucinations.
  • “Not only is Hunt Athalar in pain, strung up, arms above his head, barely touching the ground…but he's also numb in some parts of his body, as well as having an endless itch on his back as his wings regenerate.” – Jackie (11:09)
  • Natalie draws a parallel between Hunt’s itching and her own allergy patch-test agony, making the torture viscerally relatable.
• The appearance of the demon princes (Apollyon and Aidas) in Hunt’s chamber leads to a cryptic, riddle-laden exchange that hints at Hunt’s mysterious origins and his importance in the larger cosmic game.
  • “To ensure that we can continue to rely on you. When the time comes…” – Co-host, relaying Apollyon (22:56)
  • “What you are born to do. To accomplish the task for which your father brought you into existence.” – Co-host relaying Apollyon (23:16)
• The segment ends on gallows humor, with Aidas’ final words to Hunt: “Stay alive.” (27:03)
  • The hosts riff on Bee Gees lyrics and disco bell bottoms, providing comic relief from the intensity of the torture scene.

3. The Viper Queen’s Lair: Addictions, Deals, and Found Family [27:42–44:10]

• The narrative pivots to the Viper Queen’s lair, where Tharion, Ethan, Ariadne, and Sigrid regroup and argue about loyalty and choices.
  • “My assistants. My—the people who can’t leave.” – Co-host jokes about the Viper Queen’s underlings (28:56)
  • “Therian decides…he doesn’t have to make hard thoughts a lot. He just kind of…” – Jackie (30:45)
• Discussions about addiction to Viper Queen’s venom, the moral costs of bargains, and whether the Queen can be out-dealt.
• Ariadne chides the group for revealing too much in front of her but proves herself a valuable, if aloof, advisor.
  • “She’s been around enough sneaky assholes to know that the Viper Queen is only going to do what snakes do…they wrap tighter when their meal is fighting to escape.” – Jackie (36:05)
• The group considers how to secure Tharion’s freedom: money, pleading, or an even greater trade. Sigrid’s alpha energy and attempts at confrontation are amusingly rebuffed by the Viper Queen.

4. Hind’s Arrival and Heightened Stakes [43:28–44:10]

• The tension ratchets up as the Hind enters the scene, threatening Rune’s life should anyone try to escape.
  • “You open that door behind—Prince Rune dies.” – Hind, relayed by Jackie (43:42)
• The hosts note no one is sure of the Hind’s knowledge or allegiances, leaving the group on edge and the plot crackling with paranoia.

5. Bryce & Nesta’s Tunnel Trek: Danger, Lore, and Banter [44:10–67:18]

• Transition to “Fey World”: Bryce and Nesta, navigating ancient tunnels after escaping the midden guard worm, face both darkness and deadly booby traps.
• The hosts muse about Nesta’s surprising preparedness and stash of snacks, connecting it with their own snack-carrying habits.
• Bryce, using her Indiana Jones-style expertise, helps prevent disaster by recognizing trap warnings in Fae wall etchings.
  • “She explains that because she studied ancient Fae art, maybe she is Midgard’s Indiana Jones.” – Jackie (54:16)
• Detailed description of the tunnel’s carvings unfolds Crescent City’s dark history (fae, humans, Asteri). Parallels to real-life systems of power and exploitation are drawn.
  • “It’s a very—you could say that happens here on Earth all the time. Placating people so that they can siphon off of their power and, you know, be a parasite. Almost like something like billionaires, for example, do…” – Jackie (63:26)
• Bryce and Nesta’s wary alliance strengthens through mutual resourcefulness and candor—though always laced with sarcasm.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Demon Princes and Fashion
  “Blazer with nips out. Good for you.” – Co-host (06:35)
• On Torture and Empathy
  “My whole back is currently covered in patch testing from the allergies…Flamed and itching right now. Hold my hands in my lap so I don’t scratch myself. And I am dressed as Hunt today.” – Co-host (11:38)
• On Asteri, Destiny, and Frustration
  “Just riddle me this, Jim Carrey, like, peel off that stupid question mark suit and answer the question for me.” – Co-host (23:25)
• On The Viper Queen’s Workforce
  “My assistants. My—the people who can’t leave.” – Co-host (28:56)
• On Subverting Evil Stereotypes
  “I love that all the evil people are subs…They pretend they’re not.” – Jackie (38:58)
• On Relationship Red Flags & Romantasy Mockery
  “If your partner’s doing that, you might need to really take a step back and think about that. Because your partner should not be mocking anything that you’re interested in.” – Jackie (46:44)
• On Traps and Resourcefulness
  “Bryce suggests throw a rock at it.” – (58:38)
  “Silver flame wreathed her fingers…cool.” – (59:10)
• On Booby Traps and Board Games
  “It makes me think of the board game 13 Dead End Drive…In reading this, I just remember thinking, this is what 13 Dead End Drive should have always been. Yeah, it should have been these kind of booby traps, like…dusty booby traps, you know?” – Co-host (59:29)

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Timeline & Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cosplay, Viper Queen, Fashion & Humor: 01:16–11:02
• Hunt’s Torture, Hallucinations & Demon Princes: 11:05–27:33
• Viper Queen’s Den, Addiction & Group Dynamics: 27:42–44:10
• Arrival of the Hind, Tension in the Suite: 43:28–44:10
• Bryce & Nesta’s Tunnel Adventure: 44:10–67:18

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Episode Tone & Takeaways

The episode blends playful, irreverent banter (“Never shed their skin—except that’s exactly what snakes do!”, 02:27) with earnest literary analysis and feminist critique. The hosts draw out emotional nuances—Tharion’s longing for acceptance, Hunt’s suffering, Bryce’s struggle with trust—while also gleefully riffing on fangirl dreams, relationship red flags, and the logistics of sexy fantasy world-building.
Natalie and Jackie’s dynamic is rich in callbacks (references to classic board games, pop culture, and previous episodes), punchy jokes, and the kind of intimate critical reading that makes this series a must-listen for SJM and Romantasy fans.

Tune in next week for coverage up to chapter 12—and more deliciously off-kilter deep dive banter!

Transcript

[Natalie Jean]

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[Jackie Zabrowski]

And now for a bit of breaking news. Between your breaking news with me, the Geico Gecko, here are some things you ought to know today. People who switch their car insurance to geico save about $900 a year. Experts are calling that nice to know.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Also, plants can hear when bees buzz.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

My ficus just heard that. And finally, animal experts have confirmed that

[Natalie Jean]

goats have regional accents.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I'm getting a hint of Irish there.

[Natalie Jean]

It feels good to get good news.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It feels good to Geico.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Welcome to Crescent City with your hosts, Natalie Jean and Jackie Zabrowski. Is this because you're a prince of the pit?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Prince of the pit? The show. The prince of the hospital.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh, my God. You're Dr. Robbie's angel. Oh, my God. Are you gonna take care of him when he's on the motorcycle? Yeah, you better, because I don't know what we're gonna do without him. All I know is I am feeling like slay worthy over here. Do I need to add tracksuits into my life?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, you look. I actually. I feel like you would vibe really well in general with the Viper Queen's decisions fashion. Fashion wise and also taking male slaves to fight for you.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Suck upon me wrist.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Give her a sock.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I think that everybody, honestly. I'll give you the neck if you want. If you'd prefer any orifice you want to get in there for. Fang wise with h I Support.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I mean, I think you're already on the way then.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Thank you. Viper serpent never sheds its skin. Except that's exactly what it does. Even though Riverdale always said a serpent never sheds its skin. About the Riverdale Serpents, and. Excuse me. Oh, my God, The Southside Serpents. And they always would say that. But that's literally what a snake does. They do shed their skin. Skeet.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Are you blaming on Skeet or.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, yeah, I am. I. Because that was. Man, what a comeback everyone's been screaming about ever since. They're like, give us more Riverdale. And it's like, no, you only get seven seasons and two time jumps. All right? That's all you get. One Future time jump. One time jump back to high school.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I can't ever like Skeet because of the craft. I hate.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

It's not his fault.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I hate him. Natalie, that was. He reminded me so much of the boys at my high school.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, you did a really good job of it. But you know, I have been throwing it out there and I do love Matthew Lillard. And Skeet have been going to a bunch of cons and stuff, talking about how for them also canonically they were kissing. And I love this for all of

[Jackie Zabrowski]

us and I love a Matthew Lillard.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh my gosh. Do you think he'd like me in a tracksuit? I am upset. The only thing about Viper Queen that in this scene that is just not me is the fact that actually the tracksuit is supposed to be silk. And I don't think I'm a big. Even though I think we were talking about it last time. It's just that silk, it don't give on a body. Know what I mean? And maybe it's given.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But you need flowy silk. The. The benefit of silk is you wear it that something that like flows around you. You want to wear a tight. If you're wearing a tight pillowcase like silk outfit, that would be a lot.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

But that's the thing is that in this scene a Viper Queen is wearing a silk tracksuit. And I was trying to find a. And I was like, I guess maybe they don't make silk tracksuits for a reason. I think it's.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I think they usually want to spend,

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I think of dollars. You spended it. Cuz I could have gotten some blue silk pajamis, but I was like. Like Viper Queen would ever roll up in blue pajamis. I don't think so. This sleeps silent. You'd think that would mean nude, but it doesn't. She sleeps like this. Unlike the way we sleep. We just.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh no. Jackie, I have to tell you something. You're gonna die.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh my God. I've got the yips. Someone's gonna put me down. Yep. But you better not because this queen is here to slay.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And you are a slaying.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Thank you.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I was really impressed that you guessed my costume really well because I had to look up how this person even what. What their appearance was. It is.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

You know, it's funny too because I've. I think it's also because I've looked up pictures of Polly and for thinking of dressing as a Polly and as well. But fascinating that all of these like big scary guys, all of them have very, like, the white hair.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Well, they're all. They're demons. Yeah. Yeah.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Except we don't directly know that they're demons, but we know that they're.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, they are. Look at it. Look at this. A blazer with no shirt underneath.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

They really.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'm wearing bell bottoms.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah. And are they leather bell bottoms?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I mean, they're not weather.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

We know that they're pleather, and we know they're pleather, but I think that you're killing it, and I love that. Of all the choices for a pollen, because you know that they can wear whatever form they want to wear. But really. And I know we've discussed this before. Rigel is still picking that twink. That young teenage twink. That really shows how in the head he is. Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Like, I like that. Honestly, it makes me, like, aolan more that I'm like, you know what? Yeah. Blazer with nips out. Good for you.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Black hole in his mouth.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Whoa.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

God, G. I dated a couple of those before, and I'm like, where's my tongue?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, I thought more. There's no end to your throat. You just shut the up.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh, that's.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I've never said that to a man before, but sometimes I've dreamt of it.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

And she's always dressed like this.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I wish. I kind of feel this vibe.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

You. I mean, I think the two of us could really go out and stunt together at or. We would definitely be asked to leave the airplane. I think if we showed up. I think if. I think if flight attendants saw us, they'd be like, turn right back around. Get right out of here.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I think TSA would add a lot to say before we even got to the plane.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

But, yeah, like, nice horns. I appreciate the dedication to your outfit.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I don't know what they would do if I rolled up wearing a latex men's male chest mask. Chest with nipples out.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

It would be funny to watch you being dragged away where you're just like, there's no liquids in it. There's no liquids in it. But it's like, also, your nipples are shooting out milk, and you don't even know where they came from.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

You know, Princes of Hell can lactate, too.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That's a fun surprise.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I imagine. I feel like any hole they got, I imagine it's like that jugga. I'm about to really destroy this. I got a jugga in dnd, and it's not called a jugga, but I refer to it as my jugga because it's got all These holes in it. And when you uncork different holes, you can make any liquid you want come out of it. And it's my jugga. And I feel like a lot of people could get a lot of use out of that. Not on a plane, though. And so they're gonna see that juggle and they gonna say, turn right back around.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, yeah. All kinds of liquids. Acid.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, but poison or. I tell them it's only travel sized booze bottles. Ah, just a little bit.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Although you're not allowed to do that either.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I tell you not to do that either.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, they don't let us do anything fun on the plane.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

No, they don't. And they don't let us get to all sing a rousing rendition of 99 bottles of beer on the Wall together as a plane. No one wants to do things together as a plane anymore.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, man. Can you imagine what I mean by the middle of that flight? Oh, there'd be like pure. Just rebellions, chaos. There'd be different warring segments of the plane and people would have gone completely mad.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Absolutely madness. That's what I want. Don't you know, Natalie? I'm a bit of a chaos demon. Serpent never sheds the skin.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I feel as though I'm the Chaos demon. You're not a demon, Right? We don't think she's a demon.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I guess it. Was she a demon? No, but I don't know. We don't know. But I think I was just thinking more of like in my life, I want to be bringing more of like less gizmo, more stripe. Spike.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Spike, you just want to make everybody on edge. Walk around on eggshells around you.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, and I want to feed you.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Wonder what's going to set you off. And.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, like when on Springsgiving, when we were feeding everybody and then all of a sudden everyone started going and then

[Jackie Zabrowski]

poisoned all of us.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

We know you made a bunch of new friends out of your back. And that's what Springs Giving is all about.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I forgot about that. Sorry, my bad.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Well, I. Hopefully you. You. You tend to go into another state of reality when you're giving birth via back.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, I did. I just dissociated and I let somebody else take care of those.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, maybe. You've been sucking on me, Natalie. You've been sucking on my blood. You ain't even asking, Natalie.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

We're back to this, huh? Back to you trying to get me to suck on your.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I mean, I am the Viper Queen. And part of the reason why I dress as the Viper Queen was Because of the conversation we had.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Ah, good, good, good. Yes. Let's talk more about sucking.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

And if I'm in a tracksuit, are you really gonna say no?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes. Yes.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I can't do anything right.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, that's what Hun's thinking right now.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh, my God.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Speaking of being at the airport and how awful it is, it's just like

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

being in a torture room with your.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Just like what Hunt is going through right now at ch. Not only is Hunt athelar in pain, strung up, arms above his head, barely touching the ground, but he's also numb in some parts of his body, as well as having an endless itch on his back as his wings regenerate.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

And I am also man. I am Hunt. Right now.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'm getting an itch just to get about it.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I have. My whole back is currently covered in patch testing from the allergies.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, that's right.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

And I am currently.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's like you're him.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Flamed and itching right now. And I have to sit here holding my hands in my lap so that I don't scratch myself. And I am dressed as Hunt today. I should have. Honestly, I was thinking more of putting something on my back, like wings, and that made me want to never be awake ever again because I can't have anything resting on my back right now, or else it makes it itchier. So, Hunt. Oh, my God. Babe. I see. See you. I feel you.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And you could have been him because he. He doesn't have wings right now, so you wouldn't even had to put them on.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh, God. It would have just been the open wounds and sores.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. You would have had to, like, blood all over yourself.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It would have been yuckier.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Would have been. Also, he's got some injuries. Again, I'm not going to say too much about what's happening here, but he has some.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Thank you.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Now injuries that would require a lot of prosthetic makeup, and I would expect you to commit to the role. So you would have to have done all of them.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. No, Natalie, she makes sure she looks you up and down and goes, not right for the scene. And then she wins.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I send her home. Yep. Until after. Until she's perfect.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Well, I was gonna say licking the salt lick, and I didn't want anyone to think, like, what is she saying that she's licking? I just imagine you had a really big salt lick, because I'm always, like, thirsty and want to be hydrated, and you're like, lick the lick, lick, the lick. And I'm like. And then I'm so thirsty. Driving home to go change my costume

[Jackie Zabrowski]

that I. All right, well, that's where. That's where her mind went. I think about. We have to just accept it.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

You know, it's just guinea pigs living in there.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Skinny Bigs. You can't tell right at this moment as he's hovering on the like verges of maybe death. He can't even tell if he's unconscious or not. But he curses himself for going against the Asteri and the archangels once again. He's just sort of reliving this moment, these choices that have led him here. Yeah, he is so close to death that he's not really ever awake or asleep anymore. But the shadow is. That shadow that he saw before or thought he saw seems to be back. His hallucination or is smiles at him. He wonders if maybe it's death. You would do well in hell. The shadow snickers.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

And I say, give me that candy bar. I'm hungry.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, look at the candy bar. Yeah, because he said he is hungry. He would have really probably appreciated it if they would have brought him one.

[Natalie Jean]

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[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

You got to get in there.

[Natalie Jean]

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[Jackie Zabrowski]

He feels a moment of disappointment that it's not death. He realizes it's Aolon with his nipples.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Out with your little wings.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Another prince has shown up. And I bet it's another series of riddles.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

What do you have in store for us today, Natalie?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Apollyon seems enthralled with Hunt's pain. Not excited, per se, but seems drawn to the torment. I can't get a read on these princes. They're so complicated. Are they good? Are they bad? What does he want? He wants to sniff the torture. Is he helping them?

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I can't. Almost, like, power is completely complex, Natalie. Yeah. Yep. And all of them are different, and they all. Even though maybe they all have this beautiful light hair that I think that in their brains, they're just like, that's what angels have. And I just dare say, you know, go explore a little bit more. Go do a highlighter yellow. Wouldn't that be something?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, that'd be crazy.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

And then Rigel is. What? Are you worried about what he's gonna say? He's gonna be like, okay, highlighter head. And he'd be like, stop. Rigel is pollen.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Doesn't care what Rigel is saying.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Whoa.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That's the enemy.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

You dye your hair whatever color you want.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

They're the enemies.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I know, but I just feel like that's why I think it's fascinating that they both have similar hair.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I mean, they're very. It's very dandy. It's very, like, fineries. I think that's what they have in common more than anything is they, like, the. The. The finer things in life. Right.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

And also. And it is truly. It's playing with the idea of what SC. Aggressive males are like, too. And I. I do know. I like. I get that.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. I don't want them looking like manosphere dudes.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh, my God. They came in just looking like that, talking to you, like, doing the triangle fingers. If that's how SJM wrote the bad guys, I don't think I would be able to read these books. Although you would just be like, I can't.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Can't wait to get them slapped down. I. I'm trying not to. See, this is why I don't read the other books. But now I finally got into the fourth wing, and now that's all I'm thinking about, because the one character in that book, I punch in the face so hard, like, the whole time.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Jack no. Oh, the other one.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Dean.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, my God. Is he annoying? Yeah, he is. Wow. Anyway, that's not the book we're in. And that's why I try not to read the other books while we're doing this.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

This is what this gets. Triggers other things in the mind. I need also everyone to know I am reading other things. Besides the first two books of the Kiss of the Basilisk series, I'm reading multiple things. That's just what keeps jumping out in my brain. I'm reading in the veins of the drowning. I love Siren. Shit.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Suddenly, Hunt remembers. Wait, the prince. Hell, do they have Bryce?

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

All he's thinking about, man.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

He's trying Paulie. I mean, come on.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

He is torn out. I know. Because he doesn't know where she is.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But the plan was for her to get to hell, and they're hoping that's where she made it. Apollyon seems genuinely confused at this question. What do you mean, do I have. Was Bryce what? Hunt tries to explain that she should be in hell, but he's beside himself with, you know, pain, with terror, with sadness. Apollyon blinks out for a moment and then returns. Only this time, Aidas is at his side. On a side note, it's so interesting to, like, the princes seem to have no trouble infiltrating the walls of the Asterisk palace. And is it because the queen been moved?

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh, from the mystics room.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I don't know.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Huh. That is an interesting theory. I like that theory because you're right. It should be more. Especially in this, like, it does seem a lot more effortless than I would expect.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. Or are the princes still kind of just with the aer a little bit in some ways, I don't know.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Or is it different, like going into the torture room? Because they're like prince of Hell guys. And they're like, come on, just let me in the torture.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Like my space. Like, let me shine.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I have a membership card here, right?

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, it's their Costco. Yeah, it's their Costco large format torture.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. A. You need like, you know, if you need like 50 shackles.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yes.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Aidis also seems confused on Bryce's whereabouts. So Aidas, who has been kind of coaching Bryce along the way, is like, what? What? Where is she? With the only energy Hunt has left, he snarls. What? That she did what they told her to do. Go find them. Go build an army. The two princes look at one another and have sort of a cryptic discussion with each other.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh, brothers having a cute. Like, they're like speaking in pig Latin. It's like, yeah, we get your brother language.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's not cute to Hunt in the moment.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

No, no. He's in torture jail.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And also he's trying to find out what they know. About what? What has happened to Bryce. They seem to be pondering if Bryce has gone to some third place. Not here, not hell, that they. But they seem to know about something. What Aidas wonders to Apollon Apollyon, if the star, quote unquote, had led her there, quote unquote. Hunt pleads with them to tell him what they're talking about, but they say they can't risk Rigelus torturing this information out of Hunt. However, they think Rigorless might already suspect the same thing that they do, but they don't give him any other input. But at the very least, it's kind of suggesting that they think she's alive somewhere, which I guess good.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Or at least they know she's not dead, right? I feel like they think she's not. They think, but like I feel like they would know, right?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And then they didn't know she was gone.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

But. Yeah, but that means. I just feel like. Don't they know when someone is that like, because of like being in the world of like hell?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Well, I mean, from what we've learned so far, it might not be the place souls go.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

It's.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

We've learned a little bit more about what this happens to souls in. In Midgard. But also, they don't even know what happens after second light, so maybe that's not what they know.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Well, Apollyon, you're giving us a lot of truth bombs, but you're not at all.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, almost like. No.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Like, not though.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So do they suspect what we already know as the reader, that she fell to her home planet? They. They're certainly well aware of the home planet since we've learned that they fought alongside the fae in the first wars against the Asteri. So they're aware of it. And do they think that's where she went? Hun asks them with despair why they're even here if they aren't going to help him. To ensure that we can continue to rely on you. When the time comes,

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

send me a lettergram. Like send me a singing hot dog. I. I don't even want to look at you, dude.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

What? And what it. What does that mean? Hunt doesn't understand what are you talking about? What you are born to do. To accomplish the task for which your father brought you into existence.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Apollyon said before fading into nothing, leaving Ada standing alone before the prisoners.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Okay, What?

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Just leg. Riddle me this, Jim Carrey, like, peel off that stupid question mark suit and answer the question from me.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, nude.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yes. I mean, you're showing me the nipples already. Take off that blazer and get down to business.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, so.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh, he's not. Oh, you're gonna do. Oh, the brothers too. And do. Oh, great. Thank you so much, you little winged freak.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Sorry, you're not. I'm a little bit.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, you are. And also you look great in those pleather bell bottoms.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I know.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I don't know what century you got those from, but you're really bringing them back.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's giving Jimi Hendrix a little bit.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Honestly, it's giving. Oh, when he bent over and his dick came out, he bent over. Lenny Kravitz, that's who it's giving. Thank you. You're Lenny Kravitz.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Poor Lenny Kravitz. That's all anyone ever.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Lenny Kravitz, he's a real prince of hell. Except not though, because it seems like all the get along. No, I think all the exes get along with him. Like daughter really loves it. Like I think it actually is. I think he seems like a hard working man. So I take back what I said.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'm sorry that, that's what we'll always remember, but that's very impressive.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

You remember when he. You remember I. That shattered my existence when he was wearing it. For those of you that don't remember, he was performing in leather, I'm assuming leather pants. The leather pants were so tight they split. He didn't have on any underpants. And then his dick was just hanging out in front of everybody on the stage. I think about it too often.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, I know it's, it's. It's technically a horrible thing to happen, but very well.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

It's. I mean, yeah, I really, you know, it's, it's. It's no good. But at least he looks great.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Anyway. Anyway, that's. Anyway, we're not talking about thinking about that anymore, so. Yeah, but if you'll just like refer to what we just talked about. They're talking about his father. As far as we know, didn't have a father.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh my God.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Even through all of this agony, Hunt can feel the shock of this statement. He has no father. None that would ever count. At least he was raised only by his mother. The princes, of course, might as well work for a. Never a straight answer on Artemis too. Yeah, because they never tell him anything he Just all they say he said all the ADA says because he's the only one left in theirs. That Hunt never asks the right questions. And it's like, how.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

What.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

What questions you want? Just tell me. Aidas continues. That is halo, referring to the halo on Hunt's head.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

And the Beyonce song that's about this.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So the branding is not a new device for the Asteri that they had existing tested for a millennia with this haloing, which doesn't mean anything to any of us and not to Hunt, certainly. Aidas starts to fade away. And as Hunt's just like, thank. Thank you. Thank you very much. I. You could have, you know, I don't know, lifted me up out of the chains for a second so I could get some relief on my arms or whatever.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Dad. Or just tell me who my daddy is. You're gonna keep bringing up Daddy sprinkles. Give me that. Daddy ice cream.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Or maybe just a drink of water.

[Natalie Jean]

Sure.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I mean, it would be nice.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But instead, all that Aidas says is, stay alive as he fades away.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Thanks.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Like, great. I know that I'm wearing bell bottoms, but we're not at the discotheque right now. Whoa.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Aidis also has bell bottoms on. Do they?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes, of course.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

You gotta stay alive.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You gotta stay alive.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

And Han's like, please don't try to shove that many words into the chorus.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

As he's fading away into hell.

[Natalie Jean]

Stop.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Stop. This is the torture. You singing the song. Stop.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And then he goes, you made me forget about the pain for a second.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh, now he's just got the Bee Gees stuck in his head. And that is also. He's just like, how deep is your love? Is your love. And we know his love is deep.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

We know how deep. Cut over to Therian. So we leave Torture Town for a minute.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Come on over to my side of town, boy.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Is. Which is not exactly Torture Town, but it's not the best either.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Heavenville either.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's Heaven Hollow. Cut over to over the Viper Queen's lair. It's the following morning after Ethan and the bros, the Fae men males, escape the wolves for the moment and have crashed within the Viper Queen's labyrinth of apartments, I guess you'd call it. Like, she has all these different sweets and stuff. Yeah, they're in. They're in one of them.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

And I can use any suite I want whenever I want.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, you own them. We understand.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Isn't that cool? I can be like, yeah, are you

[Jackie Zabrowski]

renting the place you own and live in? You can stay wherever you Want.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, maybe someday I'll be a landlord. Wouldn't that be cool?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

She kind of is a landlord.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, she is. I mean she's a layover for all of it, but also she's running all of it. You know, she's this is girl bossing

[Jackie Zabrowski]

her way into the sun.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

It's too much.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Too much.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

She must have an assistant or something.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I think she has many because they're all doped up and she can just boss them around.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, I guess that's what you call your assistance.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, my assistants. My. The people who can't leave.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh, wouldn't that be awesome if I just could get workers addicted to my essence.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You keep fantasizing about it. I mean I think you can just get somebody addicted to drugs and then provide them with the drugs.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Then I gotta go get the drugs. Yeah, I just want me to be the drugs.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You are the perfect drug.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Goodbye.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, that was. I was going the Nine Inch Snails direction. Very obscure 90s game show.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

That is not obscure. Everybody makes those references all the time

[Jackie Zabrowski]

folks out there. Do you know what the weakest link is? Okay, so. So he. We are with Therian's thoughts. He is dope sick. It's the next morning, but he stumbles to the commons room where he finds the Fae boys in Ariadne as well as Ethan. Where most of them had slept in that commons except for he consent in his own Therian's own bedroom that Ethan had slept in that room the previous night. This female they had introduced him to as a Fendir, this new wolf person is missing. He wonders if he hallucinated that part because she's simply not in the room. As they all slug back coffee to try to erase the restless night they had, the gang begins to argue with Tharion, calling him kind of an idiot for swearing himself to the Viper queen.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

It's like I know that he felt it was the only thing that he could do. I get that it really just like you never thought about defecting for a second. Like you never thought about it at all. You never thought of what the steps you would take. You just got addicted to the Viper queens that you thought that was the best choice.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You know he doesn't have to make hard thoughts a lot. He just kind of.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

No, he just has to make hard dick a lot.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, he just walks in the room and he kind of just. People go like okay.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh yeah, yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Okay.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

He's waterlogged. We got a really sponge.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

He doesn't have to think that hard. My most of the Time.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh yeah. Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So this is technically him having a learning lesson. It's like he is at community college right now and he's trying to learn how to have, you know, a deductive reasoning and, and, and, and thinking like through his thoughts and having like reading comprehension and things like that. He's learning right now. Okay.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

And how do you get all of your credits and learn how to party as hard as you want to party? It's really. You got to find the time.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I had. It took me five years to get through college.

[Natalie Jean]

Whoa.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Hell yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So yeah, at this point they're all yelling at him, but Tharion's pretty much apathetic. He just continues to brush off whatever they're saying. He said it would have ended badly for all of you if I didn't do this. Blah, blah, blah, blah. Ithan gets angry when Tharion suggests he's just trying to help him because of Ethan's hero complex. Ithan angrily retorts that he cares because Tharion is his friend.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh my God. Ithan.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Okay. All right.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

We know you're.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You're.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

You're the pack guy.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And Therion, he doesn't want to accept the friendships, but he's touched by it because no one has ever really cared about him before. I mean he had parents who were

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

very sad and the sister and I imagine. I feel like that. I imagine that murder probably was just like. Well then I'm not going to be. You know, I'm sure it all has to do.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Your sister was murdered.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

And it's like you make. Makes sense of why he ended up banging the River Queens. You like.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

He's sad.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

He gets right. But then this is also goes to show this is a cycle for him not to get into. Not to armchair fate psychologize over here.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

We're in armchairs. Why not?

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

We are.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

And everybody on the street calls me Jackie Freud and I say your mother. Your mother. But I look at this the. And I just think you shouldn't. Like you didn't think then, you didn't think now.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I hope you learn from this experience.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Will he.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I don't know if he will.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I have to maybe have to try to kiss it out of him. Might help.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Natalie, thank you for sacrificing your.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Thank you. I appreciate you noticing my. My sacrifice.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

My sacrifice. Creed.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Ew. Therian decides. Okay. Imagine a honeybee is out here doing her thing in an orchard, lands on a mystery apple blossom, then carries that pollen over to a honeycrisp tree. Fast forward a few months and no exaggeration, something amazing is the Sugar Bee Apple. Packed with notes of honey, caramel and molasses, plus an extra crisp crunch, Sugar Bee apples are perfect for snacking, baking and everything in between. Download our new free recipe book and find a store near [e-mail] Sugar Bee apples, naturally sweet from B to you. Carter's has your family covered for every summer.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

First for steps, first swim lesson, or first sleepover. Our clothes help kids and parents shine, thanks to comfy design and easy dressing details. Visit Carters.com to shop the latest styles

[Jackie Zabrowski]

or find a Carter store near you. So Tharian is feeling, all of you know these complex feelings, but at the same time they're not. He's sort of feeling apathy at the same time. Tharion decides to reveal Cormac's death as they fill each other in in the last few days. So we're all trying to keep in our own minds track of who knows what right now. Therian was there when Cormac sacrificed himself, the others weren't. They're all still trying to get all of this information in. So, you know, they learn about Cormac. Some of them learn about Cormac's death in the room, and they're all in shock. The weakened Therian wishes that he could escape into a dose of Viper Queen venom as all of these people, who he's fond of, receive this bad news.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh, come on over.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

She's not there yet.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Come on.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

After the shock recedes, Flynn takes initiative in the room. They need to access the depth charger. They need to get to the Eternal City so they can find a way into the palace. Ariadne, who is in the room but has been doing her best to ignore all of them, just sort of reading a book quietly in the corner. She chimes in here, tells them that Therian's not going to be let go by the Viper Queen, so it's stupid to try. They all realize they've just said a lot of sensitive information in front of this dragon, but she hardly seems interested, just telling it like it is. She's like, you can try, but it's not gonna work and it's gonna you up.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I also imagine it probably somewhere pisses Ariadne off that they do kind of just talk about all of this stuff in front of her as if she doesn't exist. And I imagine she spent a lot of time living a life as if she doesn't exist. And I feel like I would just be sitting there like, oh, go ahead, keep Talking like I don't know. Keep talking like I don't know anything.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Okay, fine. Technically, she holds a lot of people's secrets.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

She holds a lot of secrets, doesn't she?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So you better be nice to her.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

But also because she's so mean.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

And I like them when they're mean.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Of course she tells them she's been around enough sneaky assholes to know that the Viper queen is only going to do what snakes do.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Never shed their skin.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

They do shed, but they also wrap tighter when their meal is fighting to escape.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Never forget that. Lasagnas.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No. Or Tharion, who is the meal in this metaphor.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yum.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Because if he tries to go, she's gonna be like, no, I'm gonna make it even harder for you to leave.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

That's what I did to my husband.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, no. Who is he? Where'd he go?

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I don't know. No one's ever gonna see him ever again.

[Natalie Jean]

Wow.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Just admitted to, I guess murder.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah. But it's because he's in a cocoon of peace.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

A coffin.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

No, a coffin.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Okay. So. Cocoon. So Sigrid then appears in the doorway. It turns out she had been in the shower. So she's real. Wasn't a hallucination. Tharion looks at her more clearly today and notices she has giving. She's giving off major Alpha vibes. Oh. I feel like Alpha brain stuff.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I like the road. Her alpha frequency, because I just love. It's like the whole aura thing of just like I am seeing your Alpha and you are giving it. Yeah. And theory is like stink lines rising off her body.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. Of Alpha smell.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Which I think is probably BO. That would be my guess.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So she's now invested in this conversation. She then asks Ariadne what they would need to do to get him free Therian. Ariadne tells them they would need to offer a comparable or better trade. As in an exchange for Tharion. She would need something equally valuable to her. What would you want instead? Viper Queen.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I mean, a cocoon of peace would be really great. Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

A spare coffin.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

But not like a forever. Like one that I just get to go into, you know, and. And pretend like a cryo chamber. Like a heavy on the cry. And I am definitely going to be doing a lot of. No one needs to see the Viper queen spiral.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So you need. You trade a cry coffin for. For theory.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I don't need much. All right.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Okay. You are not as good at bargaining as I thought you might have been.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

No, no, no, no. But I. But that's also why I'm not the Viper Queen. Because I really would be. It's like, really? That's all you needed? I. I don't think. I'm not. I think about this a lot. I'm not evil enough to become very powerful.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No, you are. You are evil.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I'm not evil enough to become powerful. And that sucks. And like, maybe I just love living a subby kind of life, but, you know, I could be bad.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

A lot of evil people are subs. Yeah, they pretend they're not.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

You're right.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

The money. So she doesn't need money. She has more money than she could ever have.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yep.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You can't plead your way out of your bargain. No, that will never work. Ariadne, who's extremely bored by all of them. She's just telling them what the truth is. She says, also, the Viper Queen's coming right now. So she just finished meeting with a pretty blonde in an Imperial uniform. And then Ariadne saunters out of the room.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh my God. Is it Natalie dressed as the Hind, but also kind of looking like a Nazi who I was having the meeting with.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Listen, I didn't make the costume, okay? I went. I went accurate to the text.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

You did. It is very scary. And I do imagine the Viper Queen just had the meeting with that. Even the Viper Queen's like,

[Jackie Zabrowski]

that's a little in my face.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

No, that's not my speed. But I'm more of the suck out my wrist never leave me kind of gal, you know? Therian peered down the hall in time to see the door swing open. The Viper Queen, clad in a blue silk tracksuit and white high top sneakers, sauntered toward them. Hooped golden earrings swaying behind her black bob. Just a moment, she said to whoever was in the room behind her.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You kind of poisons downstairs. Takes a minute to get. Whoa.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

You mean my downstairs? You want to suck it out of there.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Very sexy.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, I know how to be sexy. You want to go down there? Down there. It is very fascinating as I am now having to write a bunch of scenes that I am starting to realize I'm horny but I'm not very sexy. And I'm really struggling with writing Cryptids each other but like trying to make it romance rather than just dirty torkin, you know, Give me both. Oh, it's both.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Well, that's why I do think smart writing is hard because I really love reading sex scenes and are. It's not like you can just go and then they fall and then you make it happen.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, I know. It's just you. It's not.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I love the build, like the anticipation building and stuff.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

It's hard to do the sensuality. And I really am having a. A very difficult time recognizing and getting

[Jackie Zabrowski]

creative with the different ways in which they start things and the things they do. And it can't just be like, what if I put his dick in her ear?

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Would that be different? And it's like, that's not what. Unless that's what you always wanted from a Bigfoot. I don't know, maybe you thought Chupacabra and go in my ear and if you have quiet, maybe you're gonna find it in our game in the future.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Whoa. I'm very excited for it.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Who knows?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So the Viper Queen then walks through the commons room, making her way to another doorway where the drugs she is fetching sit. I guess despite the dragons warning, the Viper Queen won't take threats or pleading. No. Sigrid immediately demands that she let Ariadne and Therian free, which is not a good. She's not. Maybe she's an alpha, but alphas sometimes don't make good strategies. You know, like, that's not the best thing to do because you were immediately told not to do that. Viper Queen just laughs, almost like it's cute. And she's like, no, they're fine. I'm having fun with them. So now not. I'm not doing that.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Like you said, give me something I want more.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yep. Sigrid accuses her of being no better than the astronomer. But it doesn't seem to cut to the core of the Viper Queen. She's not offended by this.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

That's the thing. It's like. You really think it's like, oh, no.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, I thought I was good.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh, don't compare me to the astronomer. You're right. I'm fucking bigger and badder than he is.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Much hotter. Certainly in better fashion. Thank you. She walks away. Then Viper Queen walks away towards the supplies. And then the room hears footsteps rapidly approaching from where the Viper Queen just entered. Tensing, they all reach for their weapons.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Put those away, said a cool female voice. Terror stole any last traces of Tharion's brain fog. Oh, Flynn breathed. You open that door behind Said mildly,

[Jackie Zabrowski]

and Prince Rune dies.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh great. Oh God. Because remember, they don't know.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

They don't know anything about what's going on there. This is just. The hind has just shown up and the hind is not good. The hind is not a good person to be in front of right now. Because they're also, they're like, does she. Does the High know what we've been up to? Who knows what where is. What's happening? Everyone is a mess. Everyone's chaotic.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yes.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But right now we're gonna travel through time and space and we're gonna go to Fey World.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Fall through the hole with us. Another shadow daddy. God, I just want to go in a hole and find another shadow daddy.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Man, again. I get what all the habub was about with Zaden Roy.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh yeah, it'll keep you. I mean, it keeps you around even though those dragons. You're not watching the dragons.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But it'll keep you proud about that.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Again, like, it doesn't imply that they don't have romances.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But no, there's. Sex is important to the plot line

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

and I want to know about it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Let's give them something to read about. Rebecca Yaros. What's her name?

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah. Rebecca Yaros.

[Natalie Jean]

Look at me.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Look at you.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So we're in chapter nine. Not in Dragon World. We're in Fey World. Nesta and Bryce have just evaded the midden guard worm. They ran across that big bridge. The worm tried to snap at him, but they were really just trying to get the flying lizard things, but they bypassed all of it and now they're back to tunnel walking.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Also, can I just. As this quick sidebar bring ups. One of my friends was telling me that one of her good friends reads a lot of Romantasy and her husband is old, is always making fun of her for the Romantasy and she really likes Acotar right now. And the husband keeps being like dragons in there, dragging that dick. And he thinks he's like the funniest. Like. And I. I just can't understand why any person wouldn't want their partner reading romantic. Like, why you feel so threatened.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Feels like insecurity.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

It has to be insecurity. It's just this. I'm like, don't you all understand that if you don't make fun of a partner who loves Romantasy, you're probably gonna get laid more? It's just like, I don't. I know that's not the be all, end all for all people's relationships, but if it's obviously coming from a place of insecurity. So how about you turn that into why don't I learn about fucking you better? Because I guess maybe I'm not doing it well enough since I have to make fun of you for liking books.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Looks, look, I don't know these people and I know we Dismiss people easily on there. But it does feel a little bit of like a red flag because mocking your partner's interests in general should not happen.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

But I feel like a lot of people that get into romantasy deal with this. I think that, like, that it is something that. And I, I, that's.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I mean, there's a difference between like a delight, like teasing. But if you're mocking somebody's interest and you're in a relationship with them, you need to deal with something going on here. Or if your partner's doing that, you might need to really take a step back and think about that. Because your partner should not be mocking anything that you're interested in. Like, they shouldn't be belittling it regularly. If it's a, if they're, it's a Joshua jab at each other a little bit, that's different. But if you're being like, openly mocked and like degraded for something that you enjoy, I don't know if you really need to. Maybe you want to revisit your, your

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

stuff not to be like this. I feel like that energy too. I don't want to bang that. And if you're gonna make fun of me for it, make fun of me properly. There's no dragons in here, so don't. Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

At least make a craft a good joke.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Right.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

This is what I'm saying.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

It was like, at least talk about the bat boys wings or talk about the wingspan. Like, there are many things you can make jokes about.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, yeah, because she's reading Acotar. Yeah. That's why I was like, like even

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

down to the point that I was like, I wouldn't be attracted to you because you're not even making good jokes about it. It's like, get better at it, then read it and come at me with a tight ten. Then I'm impressed.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Sure. Of course, that means you are actually paying attention to your partner's interests, which is also.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

It is funny because Jeff did read the first Acotar Said really not for me, but I've told him more about the world that like, he makes jokes every once in a while, but he jokes around about what I've made jokes about, about the series.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And you don't have to like him the same things, but it's different if you're just like you. Oh, your little books. You're reading your little books again. That reeks of insecurity, which is very unattractive.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Sorry, it's just a little sidebar. I felt like I had to say because I think a lot of people deal with this.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I and I think that sucks. Yep. That's all I'm going to say on that. So we're in chapter nine. We are in a. We're tunnel walking. We're walking down and we're walking and we're walking down these tunnels. More and more hours pass by with little to change the view what view they have at least with Bryce's starlight. Because if you'll remember, they're in utter darkness. All they have is Bryce's magic. When they take a brief break, Bryce is surprised when Nesta gives her a fresh baguette fresh roll from her bag. Oh, Bryce is a little confused by this. She says, that's weird. You brought food when you thought we were just retrieving me and then going back up there. Nessa basically doesn't explain it, but she does say, you know, she had a feeling that Bryce is. Was going to be difficult.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

How interesting is the call coming from inside of the house. But she also one wrong, wasn't wrong.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So it's a little questionable like why she was planning for a big long trip.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Although if you look at my bag, the amount of snacks I have on me at all times because I have to like people do with children, I need to make sure that if I get hangry, I have something. Oh yeah. So it's like I have my own

[Jackie Zabrowski]

diaper bag and there's diapers.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh, there's diapers in it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

She eats.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Natalie, we gotta stop the show. I gotta be changed.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

She eats melted chocolate out of them like that. You play at the baby shower games.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh, which candy do I have today?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Don't worry, it's not real. So yeah, so there is strange. It seems a little odd that she would be planning. But they haven't really spoken much in these last few hours as they've walked, mostly adopting silence in their walking. I think both of them are trying not to give away too much about the other. Though I will say walking down the for hours down one dark tunnel and not talking would get real boring. And I'd probably just start talking out of sheer like sheer boredom.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

God, especially man, can you imagine how annoying I would be in that tunnel?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Well, there'd be a lot of singing.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

There'd be a lot of singing. And I also really, I. I think you've noticed with this show, I like to fill the silence. And I think, could you imagine I'd be so annoying. I think you'd just chop off my head just to make it stop. But I have One more thing to say about secret lives of Mormon wives. I feel like that's what it would be. It would be a lot of me being like, could I just. Another hot take about Taylor. Frankie. Paul, please.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh God, please no. Please, please.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

See, I upset her. And that was seconds, no more.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

While Nesta isn't going to reveal all of her own secrets, Bryce is resigned to accept that she technically got her own way. And she doesn't want to pry too much right now because Nesta is letting her lead the way. Nesta could have forced them to stay at the cave in and wait for help, but she did allow Bryce this journey. So of course this walk could lead them to a bunch of nothing. And then they'll have to turn around and walk back for over a day at the very least. But Bryce's magic seems to be pulling her this way. So they continue forward. Cut to some time later. And they're so used to the monotony of this tunnel, they both almost pass by a fork in the road. And not the kind of fork that has sex. Or is the town of Twilight. That's it.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

The one that you. That turns into a super soldier. Or the town of Forks from Twilight. And yeah, I'm showing off my forks tattoo that does that.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Really has a new meaning now that you have read the fork erotica. Now there's. Is that fork.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh no. Secretly, do I have to stop? I'll start. What if I just. If I just touch it featherly.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, no. Don't start molesting your hands.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh my God. What if it lasts? Action heroes off my body into reality.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But it's still just a big fork. And it's like, come here, baby.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I mean, you gotta the fork to

[Jackie Zabrowski]

turn it into a super middle kind like ghost.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh, right up. But I mean, you know Natalie from the book.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No. We can't give the secret away. Can't. Gotta see our lives.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

If you have to watch our live

[Jackie Zabrowski]

show or read the person's book, that's also a choice.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

It's called forked.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Anyway, yeah, so they. They come to a bypass. There's two options.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Suddenly, to the left, the tunnel continued. Old rough rock walls curving into the gloom. To the right, around the natural archway, an array of stars and planets had been carved. Crowned at its apex by a large setting or rising sun. Bryce's star glowed brighter as she faced it, guiding her there.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That sounds a little bit like they want you to go that way.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

And I'm not tricked for nothing.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'm going down the dark, boring tunnel. No, I don't think I would decide this year. Just I'd want to try something.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

No, I gotta go look at the planets. It sounds pretty cool.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But they both agree to go. So they both agree to go to right towards this. Obviously somebody made some art, which is pretty cool. Nesta starts to make her way down the right tunnel with the etchings when Bryce grabs her collar. Instinct takes over and Nesta turns on her. Her strange blade is at Bryce's throat so fast Bryce doesn't have time to pull up a defense.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh my God.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Then Bryce is like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. I was just pulling you back because I've seen apparently the Midgards equivalent to Indiana Jones. And she explains to Nesta that because she studied ancient Fae art, maybe she is Midgards Indiana Jones. Because isn't he an. Isn't he an anthropologist?

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, historian. So I know he's got to go get the stuff from the other people.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

He's got to get the stuff from

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

the people and it is difficult for him.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And she explains that she studied ancient Fae art for her job. So the carvings look to her as though they're a warning. Like there are booby traps. Yep. She's grabbed her boobs.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I grabbed my boobs for those listening. Yeah, but if you want to see me grab my breast, go over to YouTube.com pnromantasy deep dives.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Really Just trying to sell the sex of it, huh?

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Always.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Bryce tries to ignore the effect the blade has on her skin. Not only, of course the. The blade being sharp on her throat, but the magic emanating off of it seems to seep into her bones, probing her. And not in a good way.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Because usually they're always talking about getting probed in those positive ways.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I mean, you can be.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, it depends on what you're looking for. If you're into alien bangs, you know, that's. It's. I'm a monster, so I'm not here to judge.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. The closest carvings to them seem to be of a Fae female of royal descent. So this thing has been etched into the wall and it looks like. Oh, this is obviously depicting some kind of royal being. Thankfully there Bryce can read the ancient Fae language. It's the one that she was able to communicate to them. That was the only language that any could understand from this planet. That old Fay language that she knows. And this is what is the. The inscription is. Is being written in. So she reads it out loud to Nesta, who can't read it. The translation first.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

She makes fun of her because she can't read. Like she's Leah Michelle. She goes through that whole thing and like they don't understand like Leah Michelle is in both Midgard and Prythian. But you know, honestly, it's the crossover you don't expect.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, yeah. And she's always just getting up in everybody's business. So she reads the translations to Nesta and she tells her that it's saying this female's name is Silene, which we have not heard yet.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

But again we know SJM doesn't give a name if it means nothing.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yep, she tells Nessa the rest of the writing. Underneath is a list of her many fancy titles. Apparently this female named Selene and she for pay. Yeah, I love that inscribed.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh my God, that's a great. Like I don't expect to ever have a tombstone, but if I did, I would only want to say Jackie for pay.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh man, that'd be great. And she notices Nesta hiding a smile when Bryce mocks the Fae for their vanity, noting how much they like to preen and peacock. So Bryce is kind of making fun of Faye royalty and she's like oh, Nesta kind of is feeling this joke. Acotar readers know that Nesta has a complicated history with the fae and that has had to grow to tolerate them in many ways, despite her appearing as Faye herself. The carvings pass. This Cylene person tell a story of a gory battle. Bryce notes that as they slowly make their way through the tunnel that the images depicted are of a field of bodies. People are hung, some are blood eagled. Oh, she sees the Sobek like beasts that are underneath the interrogation etched into these battles.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Do you think they look like us from the other episode?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

They do. They have hair and it's uncomfortable.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Everyone's like weird wigs. Like why did they choose that?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But they're chomping down on all the bodies. She points out to Nesta that the holes on the wall that appear as wounds inside some of these corpses. She imagines they are what, maybe holes where weapons protrude if they're triggered. Nesta seems embarrassed for a second that she hadn't deduced this herself, but then composes herself and asks Bryce what she thinks they should do. Bryce suggests throw a rock at it.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Nesta sighed as if annoyed again. Bryce turned to her about to snap something about having a better idea when Nesta lifted an arm. Silver flame wreathed her fingers. Bryce backed away a step. It was fire, but not fire. It was like ice turned into flame. It echoed in Nesta's eyes as she laid her hand on the stone wall. Silver fire rippled over the carvings. Cool.

[Natalie Jean]

It's cool.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Nesta is cool.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It does the trick. The flames, as they pass the secret triggers, produce rusted metal poles, almost like arrows from the walls. They might not have had too much to worry about, though. They are so old, they basically burst into dust when they are fired.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

It makes me think of the board game. And I know I've brought this up before. 13 dead end drive. The one that you had to, like, set.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, yeah.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

It would kill you through the house. But it was so difficult of a game to set up. It required so many pieces. But I. In reading this, I just remember thinking, this is what 13 Dead End Drive should have always been. Yeah, it should have been these kind of booby traps, like. Like dusty booby traps, you know?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, I got dusty booby traps.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Oh, no, Natalie, you better dust those off.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Somebody needs to take a shower.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, that.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I mean, it makes me think of Goonies. I said that last time. Which just, like, changed my brain chemistry as a child. But, yeah, that or like, remember how hard Mousetrap was to set up?

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Also, I don't know if I ever actually properly set up either. I did, like, loved Mousetrap. But then we would get so annoyed because we never had, like, you know, back in the 90s, there was no parental guidance or anything. So it was just us. Like, we would be given something and then we're, like, trying to, like, mash it together. I just remember, like, ripping it all apart. And you have to put, like, stickers on everything. And none of the stickers were like.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But this is my. You know, I make little models. I know this is your free time. So this is how I learned how to like that. So I guess that's why you don't make those sound like a.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Well, now I. I guess we need to go find ourselves a copy so that you can go put it together so we can all.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, she's in the room with her mousetrap again.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Natalie's just been playing mousetrap by herself. I think she's mentally.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Well, yeah. That's what mentally healthy people do. Whatever gets you through the day is my thing, you know, it's all right. So, yes, they go past these things, they burst into, like, dust. So the old weapons are kind of like, not, you know, I mean, they still triggered, which is pretty impressive. Nesta doesn't thank Bryce for the warning, per se, but she does say, you have my gratitude, which seems like. Well, at Least you're on her good side.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

The most you're gonna get from either one of them. They. They really are T for two over here, man.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

They really are. Time passes in this new tunnel that they're. They're in. And after passing many, many steps, steps of carved walls, they take a break to rest their legs and eat from Nesta's pack once her snack pack once again. She's brought multiple meals with her, which again, is kind of curious. But Bryce ain't complaining when she gets offered cheese and bread.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I mean, it's my favorite meal.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I've been like, are we on the French Riviera over here? She tried to distract herself from how cold it's getting inside the depths of this tunnel by looking over the carvings in front of her where she sits.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I love you, Natalie, because genuinely, you really don't require much at all to be happy. Like, I do know that if you were in this slimy, stinky tunnel, you'd be like, boy, got bread and cheese.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Great. So she's. She's basically eating and she's looking in front of her, looking at the carvings that are in front of her in that moment. And the site is not a pleasant scene that's been drawn here or etched here. Tall humanoid creatures are accepting what appears to be glowing orbs from fey like creatures in the. The etching humans seem to be chained behind the fae like creatures. In other words, kind of depicting the hierarchy on Midgard, where humans are these like, nothings. And then the fae are handing over their. What looks to be like their power to much bigger beings. The humans are even carved in a rudimentary way, as though their features hardly matter. Almost like they're cattle.

[Natalie Jean]

Whoa.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

She remembers Rigelus explaining that the ex. That the Asteri gave the Fae humans to lord over as a distraction so that the fae would remain docile to their. To the mighty Asteri.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Look, I'm not saying it's a nice choice, but it makes sense.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, yeah, of course.

[Natalie Jean]

It's.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's a very. You could say that happens here on Earth all the time. Placating people so that they can siphon off of their power and, you know, be a parasite. Almost like something like billionaires, for example,

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

do, or people talking about me and my addictive blood.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes, and you are. But then you wouldn't be a parasite because you're offering them, even if it's bad.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yeah, I'm the shark.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You're the shark, she's the shark, everyone.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I guess I'm the viper. But I don't know. I was thinking of. What are they called? You know, the. It's not a minnow. What are the ones that like live underneath the shark?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

The.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Like a parasite of a shark that are like attached to. I feel like it's with an M that they attach themselves and then they eat all the stuff that the other shark eats. Remora.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Thank you. Thank you, Adam.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Those are them. And I'm the shark and they're the remoras.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But do they provide anything to that ecosystem? Do they help clean the shark?

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I think they provide like. Like buddy comedy.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, they're like the. Like the. The sidekick.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yes. I think it's like. And I.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So he. They boost the self esteem of the shark.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Yes.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Then they're not parasites.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Even if they live off of everything that I give to them. That's fine.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So she finds Nesta watching her as she's looking at the drawing. And when Nesta asks if Bryce's star is always turned on in that way, Bryce explains that no, her star's not always on. But it. It seems to react to certain things and it seems to be leading them right now. It's clear Nesta has been filled in on some of the information about Bryce by the others. And she doesn't need to re explain how she was found and all that to Nesta. Bryce asks if Rizan is Nesta's king, which Nesta finds pretty funny. She explains that while he'd love to be the boss of everything, he is known as the High Lord of the Night Court. Bryce is surprised when Nesta explains that there are no kings in these lands. At least not in the sense of the way that the mighty Asteri are.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

We'd love it if we had that in our lands as well.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, wouldn't we? Even as they talk, Bryce gets a strange sense. She's missing something. Something. There's some. There's like. There's something happening here. And she's like not. She feels a feeling and she doesn't know how to address what she's feeling. It doesn't help that she keeps hearing rocks falling in the darkness past the edge of her light.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

She.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Nesta then asks why Bryce didn't allow her to get impaled earlier on the booby traps. She could have just left Nesta there. Probably would even killed her. But it would have maimed her enough that she could have like shaken her off. Bryce tells her she's not here to kill her or anyone. She just didn't want to stick around in the interrogation room to find out how things were going to end.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Nesta didn't reply. At the sound of another scuff in the darkness, Bryce whipped her head to it and found Nesta watching her once more.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

What is that?

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Bryce asked quietly. Nessa's eyes gleamed like a cat's in the dimness.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Just the shadows.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

I don't trust you're like gleaming and I don't know if I trust you.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You gleaming.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

You gleaming. And you better start dreaming of getting out of this tunnel. But you can dream in one hand and in the other, and you're just gonna be covered in your own.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Hopefully there's a water slide that leads to a pirate ship.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

And hopefully that's also not covered in ship.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Covered in ship. Oh, get out. We have to stop by.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Please read up until chapter 12 for next week.

[Natalie Jean]

Why have I asked my electrician I found on Angie.com to bury my pet hamster Nibbles in our yard for me? Because I was so moved by how carefully he buried my electrical wires, I knew I could trust him to bury my sweet Nibbles after his untimely end. Huh, Nibbles gone too soon. May he scurry in peace. Hey, sorry about your pet, but I just wire stuff. Nibbles would have loved you like a brother.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Connecting homeowners with skilled Pros for over 30 years, Angie, the one you trust

[Natalie Jean]

to find the ones you trust.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Find pros for all your home [e-mail] your phone is your lifeline.

[Natalie Jean]

Calling your kid to say goodnight, waiting

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

on a job callback, or just sending a meme to your best friend when

[Natalie Jean]

it's been that kind of day. Wherever life takes you, the Text now

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

app keeps you connected for free.

[Natalie Jean]

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[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

favorite apps, all for $0 a month.

[Natalie Jean]

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[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

panic when bills pile up. Just phone service that's there when it matters most.

[Natalie Jean]

Text Now. We've got your back.

[Co-host (possibly Jackie or Natalie, but likely Jackie given the conversational style)]

Download Text now in your App Store today.

[Natalie Jean]

Wireless plans require the purchase of a SIM card. Visit text now.com for terms and conditions.