LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City

Episode 12: Riddler Diddler Me THIS!
Release Date: August 26, 2025
Hosts: Natalie Jean & Jackie Zebrowski

Episode Overview

This episode continues LPN’s signature irreverent, highly detailed deep-dive into Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City series, specifically focusing on the events of House of Sky and Breath, covering Chapter 20 through pivotal developments in the plot and character relationships. Natalie and Jackie blend their comedic energies and fandom expertise to break down the Tharion and Hunt storylines, Bryce’s emotional turmoil, the introduction of Apollyon, and—of course—a healthy dose of racy, erotic moments, topped off by the special “Dudes Grappling With Erotica” segment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cosplay, Costumes, and Comedic Banter

[02:36 – 07:49]

• Jackie and Natalie open post-ads with a playful discussion about their unpredictable costume choices and running gags about sharing a “dog costume,” which has seen better (and less hygienic) days.
• They joke about their chaotic energy:
  • “I'm worried that somebody would see the two of us and would think that maybe somebody paid to watch us go go at it in a room somewhere.” (Jackie, 02:36)
  • Regular banter fosters a casual, approachable vibe, prepping listeners for a mix of humor and critical fandom analysis.

2. Chapter 20: Tharion’s Dilemma & the River Queen’s Daughter

[11:19 – 16:02 | 16:34 – 21:44]

• Transition to the book: Tharion is introduced, tinkering with his wave skimmer (not a car, because he’s a merman!).
• Tharion’s emotional state: processing plot overload, tangling with his feelings about titles and expectations (“Captain Whatever”).
• The arrival of the River Queen’s Daughter:
  • She’s described in lush, aquatic detail—a blend of sensual appeal and elemental otherness.
  • Jackie and Natalie riff on how being "so hot that somebody would ruin their life for you" is a wild power to have.
  • “I can't imagine being so hot that somebody would ruin their life for you.” (Jackie, 12:03)
• Tharion’s awkward, excuse-laden attempt to dodge an intimate rendezvous:
  • "No, babe. Look at how busy I am. I gotta tink." (Jackie, 14:41)
  • They highlight the River Queen’s Daughter’s insecurity and Tharion’s cowardice in handling his obligations, noting the classic gender role reversal ("princess in the tower" motif).
  • “That’s what happens when you make promises in order to have your erection milked, I guess.” (Natalie, 15:36)
  • “Yeah, that’s what you get, milk boy.” (Jackie, 15:57)
• Discussion of Tharion's entrapment, resentment, and using the investigation as leverage—a surprisingly nuanced take on agency and consequence in fantasy romance.

3. Hunt’s POV: Awkward Roommate Comedy & Emotional Depth

[22:02 – 31:48]

• Scene shifts to Hunt leading Baxian around the dorms (the ultimate “begrudging tour guide” energy).
  • They riff on “Clueless” and “Encino Man” as apt cultural analogies for Baxian’s adaptation struggles.
  • “It’s Clueless meets Encino Man.” (Jackie, 25:42)
  • Extended joke on dorm room “twin XL sheets” and capitalist nonsense.
• Pollux arrives, increasing tension and piling on the stress for Hunt.
• Dorm drama triggers Hunt’s PTSD—punctuated by his recall of Justinian’s execution.
  • “It’s just like…talking for a living, but him, hundreds of years of torturing people!” (Jackie, 27:33)
  • Natalie offers a relatable aside about missed joke opportunities and self-criticism, likening herself to Hunt.
• Isaiah discusses moving out of the Ox, an unexpected break from oppressive old leadership.
• The group collectively processes their post-rebellion trauma, Hunt admitting he truly intended to give up rebellion, mostly out of hope for the future with Bryce.
  • “For the first time ever, he was allowed to start thinking about a future.” (Jackie, 30:36)
  • “He was horny for a future.” (Natalie, 30:40)

4. Bryce & Hunt: Intimacy, Insecurities, and “C-blocking”

[34:20 – 47:16]

• Natalie and Jackie walk listeners through a deeply personal scene:
  • Bryce and Hunt alone, but awkward—Ethan in the next room is killing the mood.
  • Deep dive (and comedic asides) into college/roommate sex logistics.
  • Bryce feels suddenly “unhorned” by emotional baggage (Danika’s papers).
  • A frank, comedic discussion of their sexual histories and mutual nervousness.
    • “This is the longest she’s gone without sex since she was 17. She’s not counting the couch session she had with Hunt as sex, which is fair.” (Natalie, 40:30)
    • Hunt admits it's been six months for him, which surprises Bryce. Jackie and Natalie riff on dry spells and the pressure of “being the first” after a long time.
    • Jackie: “I love that it’s only been six months.” (42:06)
• Anxiety and self-doubt—Bryce worries she’s not Hunt’s type (comparing herself to a “waifish” nymph), weaving relatable body image themes into the conversation.
• Meta-commentary on romance tropes (“alpha holes”), writing explicit scenes, and the relatability of sexual insecurity.

5. Hunt’s Dream: The Riddling of Apollyon

[47:17 – 54:21]

• Hunt is “dream-visited” by Apollyon, Prince of the Pit, who delivers cryptic warnings (“Riddler Diddler” energy).
  • Dialogue highlights the surreal menace:
    • “A greater warrior would have already figured out how to free himself by now.” (Apollyon/Natalie, 49:14)
  • They joke about pronouncing Apollyon’s name (relatable audiobook confusion) and speculate about his motives.
  • The conversation is notably ambiguous—Apollyon claims Hunt and Bryce have untapped power and a looming connection to war and Hell.
  • Jackie: “Another riddler. Good.” (52:19); Natalie: “Riddle don’t diddle.” (52:31)
  • Hunt wakes rattled, instinctively protecting Bryce.
  • “He simply pulls Bryce in closer to him, wishing he could protect her from whatever was about to rain down upon them all." (Natalie, 54:21)

6. "Dudes Grappling With Erotica" Segment

[55:08 – End]

• Special appearance from Marcus Parks and Henry Zebrowski, reading the “almost-sex” scene dialogue between Bryce and Hunt.
  • Comic delivery undercuts the typical “smolder” of Maas’s writing, but preserves the enthusiasm:
    • “Tell me yes, Bryce.” (Henry as Hunt, 56:34)
    • “I'll say yes when I've had my fill." (Marcus as Bryce, 56:55)
    • “You got big tits. I got for a man, I have man tits, big man breasts. That’s the least sexy thing anyone has ever said to me.” (Marcus & Henry, 57:49)
  • Syrinx, the animal companion, kicks the door shut as things heat up—reminding listeners Maas’s sex scenes always come with at least a touch of comic relief.
  • Encounter ends with an instruction for listeners to read up to Chapter 23 for next week.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tharion’s Situation (Power, Sex, and Awkwardness):
  • “That’s what happens when you make promises in order to have your erection milked, I guess.” — Natalie (15:36)
  • “Yeah, that’s what you get, milk boy.” — Jackie (15:57)
• On Dorms & Capitalist Schemes:
  • “It’s so weird that there are extra long sheets only in dorms…Capitalism's really good at it, huh?” — Jackie (25:36)
• On Post-Rebellion Trauma:
  • “For the first time ever, he was allowed to start thinking about a future…He was horny for a future.” — Jackie & Natalie (30:36–30:40)
• On Sex and Self-Doubt:
  • “This is the longest she’s gone without sex since she was 17…She’s not counting the couch session she had with Hunt as sex, which is fair.” — Natalie (40:30)
  • “I love that it’s only been six months.” — Jackie (42:06)
• On the Riddler Energy:
  • “Another Riddler. Good.” — Jackie (52:19)
  • “Riddle don’t diddle.” — Natalie (52:31)
• On Body Image and Insecurity:
  • “She wonders if Hunt prefers the waifish nymph type, the body shape she ‘should’ve had for ballet.’” (43:08–44:41)

Important Timestamps by Chapter Segment

• [02:36 – 07:49] – Comedic costuming & show open
• [11:19 – 21:44] – Tharion, the River Queen’s Daughter, “princess in the tower”
• [22:02 – 31:48] – Hunt, Baxian, “Clueless” analogies, trauma, the group’s future
• [34:20 – 47:16] – Bryce & Hunt, sexual tension, insecurity, “longest since 17”
• [47:17 – 54:21] – Hunt’s dream with Apollyon ("Riddler")
• [55:08 – End] – “Dudes Grappling With Erotica” (Marcus & Henry Zebrowski) read Bryce/Hunt

Overall Tone & Language

Zany, R-rated, and intimately familiar with SJM canon, the hosts blend snarky humor, self-deprecating stories, and genuine emotional depth. Conversations riff naturally from plot breakdown to Fandom in-jokes, with a recurring focus on how Crescent City’s supernatural melodrama intersects with very real feelings about desire, power, and self-acceptance.

For Next Week

Read up to Chapter 23!

This episode is a masterclass in blending fandom analysis and comedy—listeners leave with a strong grasp of character motives, plot twists, and the emotional core of Crescent City…plus a good laugh and some affirming, tongue-in-cheek discussion about the messy realities of love and power in fantasy (and real) worlds.