LPN Deep Dives: HOSAB / Episode 29: It's a BRO-thel!

Summary

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LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City

Episode 29: It's a BRO-thel!

Hosts: Natalie Jean and Jackie Zebrowski
Release Date: December 23, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City delivers Natalie Jean and Jackie Zebrowski's signature mix of raucous humor and thorough fandom analysis as they plunge into chapters 56 and 57 of Sarah J. Maas's House of Sky and Breath (HOSAB). It's high drama, emotional vulnerability, and a lot of sexually charged banter as the ladies recap major character developments, trauma responses, and the highly anticipated build-up to the Fall Ball—all with their trademark wit, improv, and honest friendship.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Masks, Balls, and Horny Chaos

Segment: 03:07–08:19

• The hosts open by riffing on masquerade attire, Ruehn's emotional issues, and getting "tithilated" by beaks (yes, really).
• They poke fun at the genre's tendency toward heavy-handed sexual tension, bringing in playful non-sequitur about animal anatomy.
• Notable recurring bit: The "bridge" (refers both to plot setting and the "mental bridge" of communication).

“You're given... Like Mr. Fantasy right now. Someone help me. Someone help me. You're gonna try and find my daylight holes?” – Jackie (05:00)

2. Brotherhood, Male Touch, and Boundaries

Segment: 08:20–13:39

• Dive into the Crescent City "bro squad"—Ruehn, Flynn, Declan—contrasting male and female group dynamics in both the books and real life.
• Conversation expands to social boundaries: why people touch pregnant bellies and tattoos without invitation.
• They argue that male-male affection is often more overt, but more easily sexualized in fiction.

“I have watched different men interact with him [Jeff] differently in a way of, like, being like, man, you're big... It's not shamed to grab on a big dude no matter what you are or who you are.” – Jackie (10:25)

3. Recap: Ethan’s Screw-Up and Trauma Processing

Segment: 13:47–23:13

• Picking up in Chapter 56, Ethan is in recovery after a botched mission. Jackie and Natalie pile on him for being “annoying,” even as they understand his trauma around Connor.
• Empathy for Ethan is balanced by eye-rolling at his inability to move forward—a refrain for much of the segment.
• Hypaxia’s kindness and Ethan’s self-doubt are highlighted; the hosts identify Hypaxia as “too good” for the group.
• Notable insight: Trauma is universal in Maas’s world, but some characters (like Ethan) get more sympathy than others.

“Everybody in this world has really bad trauma. Okay, Ethan... so be less annoying about it!” – Natalie (19:49)

4. Pack Dynamics, Found Family, and Fae Bro-Bonding

Segment: 23:14–25:12

• Deep dive into Ethan’s realization about the difference between wolf pack severity and the more supportive, if sarcastic, Fae friend group.
• Found family theme resonates: the Fae boys let Ethan in—“Why not?” as Declan says.

“Why they'd brought Ethan into their little circle was beyond him.” – Natalie (24:31)

5. Power, Titles, and The Princess Plot

Segment: 25:24–29:37

• The trauma and weight of titles for Bryce: her new status as a “princess” and Hunt’s as a “prince.” The hosts draw real-life comparisons to British royalty—never sexy, always fraught.
• The burden of inherited power and the complicated feelings that follow are unpacked, laced with sarcasm.

“If daddy wants a princess, that's what he's going to get.” – Jackie (26:13)

6. Therian and Hypaxia: Unlikely Friendship and Witch Politics

Segment: 29:37–36:12

• Natalie and Jackie explore the friendship between Tharion and Hypaxia, reminiscing about how their own support group might look like for “people forced to be engaged while loving other people.”
• Hypaxia’s tension with her coven is set up for later drama.
• The pair riff on the need for designated support groups for the romantically doomed.

"Tell me about your problems. You sound real fucked up. And that means I want to be your friend." – Jackie (27:52)

7. Masculinity, Hot Tubs, and Cold Plunges: Satirizing Fantasy Male Culture

Segment: 30:34–36:12

• Mock discussion of the “tough guy” antics of the Dread Wolves (Hammer and Mordoc), jokily picturing them in cold plunges and boas.
• Cold plunges become a metaphor for toxic masculinity—and the hosts make no secret of their preference for “hot tubs” instead.

“Listening to someone being like, 'You gotta be in the cold plunge'… It is just that mansplaining.” – Jackie (32:21)

8. Fall Ball Anticipation and Power Plays

Segment: 36:12–63:33

• Setting up for the ball, there’s elaborate discussion of Hunt and Bryce’s preparations—their outfits, the absurdity of etiquette training, and how stress is channeled into sex.
• Bryce’s bold move: announcing her mating to Hunt as a political maneuver, upending her father’s (the Autumn King’s) plans.
• The Asteri (godlike rulers) appear—virtually—at the party, setting an uneasy mood; anticipation and dread are palpable.

“She played their butt and their father, who hated public scenes. He could either risk calling his own daughter a liar, thus embarrassing himself, or play along.” – Natalie (61:35)

9. Ruhn and Day: Brain Bridge Banter and Masquerade Rendezvous

Segment: 41:01–51:18

• Ruhn and “Day” continue their mysterious mind-bridge flirtation, negotiating trust, friendship, and possible in-person rendezvous at the ball.
• “If you crap on your friends, they'll usually forgive you if you buy them a beer”—Jackie, turning the philosophy of friendship into literal toilet humor.
• Building up massive tension for an imminent reveal at midnight.

“She hesitated. Then she said softly, ‘Yes.’ Her flames seemed to reach for his stars and shadows. Midnight, she faded into embers on the wind. Midnight, she promised.” – Natalie & Jackie, quoting (51:18)

10. Closing Moments: Fan Theories, Sibling Sarcasm, and the Looming Threat

Segment: 54:00–64:36

• Sibling banter between Bryce and Ruhn is celebrated—“He tells her he's really glad she's his sister.” (62:52)
• The hosts joke about the “brothel” (BRO-thel) as a home base for emotional men.
• Fallout from Bryce’s public display remains, with the Autumn King fuming and the Asteri watching everything. A cliffhanger with palpable tension as the ball continues under their shadow.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• [04:55] Jackie: "Tithilated? Yeah. I don't know."
• [10:25] Jackie: "It's not shamed to grab on a big dude no matter what you are or who you are."
• [19:49] Natalie: "Everybody in this world has really bad trauma. Okay, Ethan... so be less annoying about it!”
• [24:34] Natalie: "Declan just kind of says, 'Why not?'"
• [27:52] Jackie: “Tell me about your problems. You sound real fucked up. And that means I want to be your friend.”
• [32:21] Jackie: “Listening to someone being like, 'You gotta be in the cold plunge.' It is just that mansplaining."
• [40:34] Jackie: "Who? Bryce. She's always got an idea full of them."
• [51:18] Natalie & Jackie (quoting): "She hesitated. Then she said softly, ‘Yes.’ Her flames seemed to reach for his stars and shadows. Midnight, she faded into embers on the wind. Midnight, she promised."
• [62:52] Natalie: "He tells her he's really glad that she's his sister."

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Important Timestamps

• 03:07 – Episode proper begins: banter about masks and character cosplays
• 13:53 – In-depth book recap starts: Ethan’s recovery and recap of previous action
• 21:13 – The Fae friend group offers Ethan emotional support
• 23:24 – Contrasts between wolf pack and Fae support/friendship
• 25:24 – Bryce’s new title and its emotional cost
• 30:34 – Tharion and Hypaxia’s unlikely friendship; political maneuvering
• 41:01 – The mental “brain bridge” and the heated build toward a masquerade rendezvous
• 52:18 – Preparations for the Fall Ball, including Hunt and Bryce’s outfit admiration
• 59:07 – Bryce’s act of defiance at the ball, throwing off the Autumn King
• 63:33 – The Asteri appear at the ball, tension ramps up
• 64:36 – Episode content concludes

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Tone and Style

• The hosts deploy a mix of racy humor, fangirl energy, and deep character empathy.
• Their improv veers between irreverent (beak fetishes, animal anatomy, smutty bridge jokes) and heartfelt (processing trauma, found family themes, boundaries).
• They are affectionate with Maas’s world, but unafraid to call out annoying tropes or character behaviors.
• Sarcasm, mutual ribbing, and inside jokes abound, especially about “the bridge,” the sexual fumblings of fantasy men, and the traumas endemic to Maas’s universe.

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Episode Takeaways

• It’s a BRO-thel! is both a pun and a fitting theme: this episode is about the spaces where men in Crescent City can be vulnerable and affectionate with each other, in contrast to their society’s expectations—mirrored in the hosts’ own honest friendship.
• The fall ball looms as a crucible for secrets, sexual tension, and power plays—with Bryce’s chess move redefining her fate in front of the entire city.
• The impending masquerade meet-up holds promise for major reveals and fan swooning—but danger from the Asteri (and family drama) remains ever-present.

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Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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[C]

And you can too, join us in.

[B]

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[C]

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[B]

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[B]

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[C]

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Dreamers and readers, Baby, I cannot wait for this.

[B]

Gimme.

[C]

Gimme that swag.

[B]

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

[C]

I thought this was gonna be a sexier mask, but this is a little bit less Eyes Wide Shut and more.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

I think it's gross.

[B]

I think it's more like Hark the Raven nevermore than. Really. Yeah, I think it's more given that than an Eyes Wide Shut. I don't think it's really given the. Like, I don't even care about the weirdness between Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. I'm actually really gelling with this movie sex, But I don't think that that's what you're giving today. Hi, ladies. Oh, God. Is that my lover on the brainbridge? I don't. Is that my lover's daddy?

[C]

It is.

[B]

It's me. Oh, God. Is that what you look like out on the brain bridge? Cause I thought you looked more like nighttime, and I was more into the night version. Like, if you could put the crow away.

[C]

I have ravenitis.

[B]

Oh, I.

[C]

Face. This is my face.

[B]

This isn't even a mask. I know. The last time I saw you, I called you a Nepo baby, but maybe you should, like, go to a hospital. I think there's something wrong. Like, plastic surgery, maybe. You know, not that, like, I'm here. I'm made out of daylight, so it's like. It's hard for me to judge a corporeal form such as this, but, like, I really wanted to be sucking and fucking on you, but now I'm kinda scared. You got one of those. Do birds have. No, they don't have corkscrew dicks.

[C]

Ducks do.

[B]

Ducks do.

[A]

So.

[B]

All right, not a crow. But I am scared of your beak and where you might.

[C]

Or are you. Are you tithilated by it?

[B]

Tithilated? Yeah. I don't know.

[C]

Look at the length on this.

[B]

Whoa. Yeah, but I'm also looking at that curve, like, the sharp curve on the end of it. And I know that, like, I'm not like the other girls, and I am made out of daylight, but I don't think I want that inside of me. You're given. You're given. Like, KGPPA. Like Mr. Fantasy right now. Someone help me. Someone help me. You're gonna try and find my daylight holes? No. It's a bed but a man. Not a bed, but a man.

[C]

Surprise.

[B]

It's me. Are you. Are you son or daddy?

[A]

Huh?

[B]

You are son, right? Oh yeah. With the piercings. Daddy. I didn't know if you were daddy or not. I didn't know if you were Autumn King.

[C]

He just has red hair.

[B]

Oh, well, yeah, he's got red hair. You just have like a big man's coat on. It's just like I feel like ruin.

[C]

We're at the ball.

[B]

Oh yeah. I forget your big big boy at the ball.

[C]

He's wearing a black unblocked my ear.

[B]

Oh God, man, your face fell off. Your ears are falling off. I don't think I wanna suck and fuck you. Whether on the bridge or nay Our.

[C]

Birds heads are falling off.

[B]

Oh my God. Put it back on with a little bit tape. Come on. Give it the dumb and dumber.

[C]

Do you see I have a boat? My pla.

[B]

Oh, I didn't even notice your plastic bow tie. And no one can see it. No, but I love that you do have it on. And also the dedication that this person sitting next to me of that Natalie does have a full muscle suit on underneath her clothes. I watched her put it on. I. Oh my God, he doesn't have any pants on. Swing, swing, swing. That's a kind of mess. I want take your pants off on the bridge. Who needs pants when you're on the bridge? Ah, you're me tonight. I think there's stars in your ass and who needs pants when you're out on the bridge?

[C]

I have. I have pants, but I don't feel like putting them on right now.

[B]

Fuck it. Yeah, well, I'm not gonna be able.

[C]

To leave the slip ring on because I can't talk with it.

[B]

It does look really good. Have you ever had a lip ring?

[C]

No, but I had quite the taste for them as a young.

[B]

Ah, yes. Didn't twill except until you find a friend of yours that man, I'll never forget when my bestie got her tongue piercing infected. And man, nothing will make you never want one of those piercings until you see somebody's tongue get infected.

[C]

Oh, I think I've told this already cautionary that I had a labre and I had a tongue piercing and they receded my gums so much.

[B]

Oh, yes, yes. That you had to get gum grafts.

[C]

Not yet, but close. I hear they're fun and also they are incredibly Painful. Especially at the dentist because it's down to the root. Sucks, dude. But man, I was.

[B]

But I love slipping on them.

[C]

Oh yeah.

[B]

I love sucking on others piercings. Just imagine just going up your nose. I want to get on the inside of it. Oh.

[C]

Like.

[B]

Yeah. You know, maybe you're just into licking piercings and doesn't matter where they are. We don't. We don't fetish shame here out on the bridge.

[C]

I do.

[B]

I don't think Rune would though. I bet Rune is down to get a far. Okay.

[C]

I think he would be into try. He's. He's try anything. He's a trisexual. Yes. You know, he's had some bisexual experiences. Oh my God. You know, he has.

[B]

You know he fucking has. And if he hasn't out there, he certainly has up here.

[C]

Oh, I think he has out there.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

I think he has. He's tried a little bit of everything.

[B]

He's hanging out with Flynn and Declan. You think that they're not all like. I mean like, we haven't tried kissing each other. And I do assume that all men go through this in their group of friends. Or at least Adam is going, yes, we all do. He's. He's environmentally going, yes, that is very correct. We all do that. Wow. That's.

[C]

Boys, boys. Weekends become a little bit come a.

[B]

Little bit and then we come a lot of it.

[C]

Yep.

[B]

You know, I do love talking about the differences between like, you know, a bunch of dudes hanging and a bunch of bitches hanging.

[C]

I know they always sexualize the girl hangouts, but, you know, the boys are doing that. They're the ones that are like jumping on a bed together. I mean, like, let's wrestle because we're so strong.

[B]

They're always wrestling when they. It's like you see a bunch of boys get together and they start acting like a bunch of puppies and they're all just like, oh, wrestle around. I think it's the ones that have like any. Any of them that have like brothers, I think is usually what it is.

[C]

Oh. See, I think sometimes it's just because they want to. They're toxic and they want to be able to touch a boy.

[B]

I hope that is what it is for them. But I hope that if you want to be touched by a boy, you can just hope that you go out there and you get touched by that boy. It is kind of funny to watch.

[C]

My favorite show of mine, Dutch Violet.

[B]

Oh, no, that's called Seventh Heaven. It's crazy. As my husband Gets more big and burly. He's been really, like, getting into. He's been working with a trainer this year. He wants to get as big as possible. Huh? Ba, ba, ba. But it is kind of to watch. I have watched different men interact with him differently in a way of, like, being like, man, you're big.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

And like, like, grabbing on him in a way that I was like, do you feel like. It's like. Because he also has a long beard, and I've watched people touch Jeff's beard a lot, and he's being grabbed and he's like, you know, it's something about, like, it's not shamed to grab on a big dude no matter what you are or who you are. And he's like, it doesn't offend me when it's by my. But it is a little crazy that people just assume that, like, oh, you have muscles. I can probably touch them.

[C]

It's so interesting the different things that strangers find boundary you can just get past because it's the other side, too. With, like, girls, I know we never.

[B]

Had pregnant bellies, but I hear tale that apparently a lot of people feel like they can touch your pregnant stomach without your permission.

[C]

That. And when I was younger and girls didn't have tattoos as much, my tattoos were constantly. I mean, they still might be, I don't know, but constantly people being like, what's your art? Oh, my God. And they would take my arm, like, literally and, like, pull it out and be like, what's the. What's this piece mean? And I'm like, I'm here.

[B]

I'm a person. You know, I'm not just a canvas.

[C]

And I know that I am art.

[B]

My God, you are. And thank you for saying that.

[C]

And then also, of course, we hear constantly women of color saying their hair is touched, which is.

[B]

It's just the audacity of any stranger to touch another person if they're not literally going want a hug, you know, it's like, outside of that crazy, dude, you're crazy.

[C]

You're crazy. But that's.

[B]

Anyway, right here we're talking about. We are here to. And suck out on a bridge. Or are we here to go to a bow? Maybe we need to go to a bow.

[C]

Oh, a ball. To go to a ball. Yeah, please.

[B]

Your plastic bow tie is saying everything about it.

[C]

Yeah, it is.

[B]

Oh, my God. And I know you've got those pulsing tattoos under there, Although if you were Ruhn, my touch. Sorry, sorry. Natalie didn't even ask.

[C]

It's your fault. For being so hot.

[B]

Ruhn, it's your fault for wearing the muscle outfit underneath because you knew I was going to have to touch.

[C]

Oh. I mean, I've already come to know that you will touch me whenever you want as a family member.

[B]

Oh, it sounds like I'm scary. No, you're not. It sounds like I don't care about your consent.

[C]

You actually don't ever really touch.

[B]

We actually don't really touch.

[C]

You barely ever hug, even.

[B]

No. Yeah, we don't. It's good. It's better this way.

[C]

It's fine.

[B]

Honestly, when people say, how do you talk about all these sexy things? You know, same way that Henry and I can pretend to be husband and wife on stage. You don't touch.

[C]

Yep. There you go. That's. That's your advice? There's your advice.

[B]

Don't touch your family ever. Not out of niceness, not out of meanness.

[C]

Ever.

[B]

Don't even look them in the eyes. I usually am only looking at Natalie's pinky fingers. Oh. Oh, how'd you get so long?

[C]

Yeah, now I don't like how you're looking at it.

[B]

You deserve a piano.

[C]

Because of my pinky?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Oh, see?

[B]

Let me stare at your hands more often.

[C]

I can't stop you. We're in chapter 56.

[B]

It's an episode.

[C]

Yep. We just came back. There was a whole thing where Ethan did not do his job and became immediately attacked and had to be saved.

[B]

And even though we are all hoping, did his throat get ripped out? And does that mean that we're not going to have to hear any more about Connor? The answer is no.

[C]

Now it's coming back bigger and stronger, I think, because when it gets healed, maybe it's better afterwards. It's gonna be even louder.

[B]

You know, it's one of those things. I know that we forever talk about things that we wish in these books were real life, but I feel like it's like it's so the opposite of getting older the second you. Like. I hurt my back earlier this year, and now it's like, oh, great, now every once in a while, I'm just gonna be in pain if I move the wrong way. And it's so the opposite of how we age as human beings. It's not fair. It's like, oh, they hurt something, and now you're gonna be stronger. Well, I mean, med witches be here.

[C]

I will add that when you're building strength, you are tearing. You're causing minor injuries in your muscles.

[B]

Like you are repairing hairs.

[C]

And also a lot of skin care is about causing damage to have the repair, so. Whoa.

[B]

Cellular turnover.

[C]

Cellular turnover. It's science, okay? And let me tell you more about science, because I.

[B]

Because, you know, it did it in school. Carbon and divination. That's the opposite.

[C]

It's not.

[B]

I was trying to say division and I.

[C]

That's also divination. Instead. You're just too much of a witch.

[B]

Sorry, I can't even get my brain out of witch territory.

[C]

Yes. So we hit. We talked about Ethan last episode. We talked about Bryce is now called Princess Hunt. Is now Prince Hunt. Prince Umbramortis Hunt.

[B]

Although I'm gonna throw it out there. Prince doesn't really do it for me. Unless you're, like, High Prince of the Valbar and Faye. You know, it's like if you've got a full name, which I imagine. I mean, he does have a full name.

[C]

It's because in our world, our connotation is the princes of England. And they're not, like, necessarily, like, super sexy, you know?

[B]

I mean. Yeah, not since the Wanna Marry Harry days.

[C]

No. I mean, they were both very, very handsome.

[B]

Oh, I remember. I remember being a youth, being, like, what they got over there. Hey. Oh, big old. Yeah. Oh, I'm ready to be a royal.

[C]

I can tell. So we had that. Her name change. She's trying to deal with that. She met up with Hypaxia. They reveal some secrets. But now we are in chapter 56, and we are with the wolf himself, and he is coming to as, like, coming to consciousness at the witch's embassy. So we're just basically picking up right where the last chapter. For a moment, he shoots up, thinking he's still in that second he saw the demon. And then he hears Hypaxia tell him that he's safe. He asks if she and Bryce are okay, and then correctly feels foolish for getting ambushed immediately. Hypaxi informs him that Ariadne fled prior to the altercation, but that her and Bryce are fine. Ethan's angered at Ariadne leaving. But, like, you should be mad at yourself. And.

[B]

But, like, you should be mad at yourself, babe.

[C]

Yeah. But like Bryce. Hypaxia counters that it's not surprising the dragon would want to be released fully from servitude. Her freedom was stolen for so long. Why should she put herself on the line for a new master? Just saying.

[B]

When she's not being actually, like, kept inside of a ring.

[C]

Yeah. Hypaxia gives him a recap of what happened, and Ethan apologizes for immediately things Up. Hypaxia. Being a gracious person, insists he did no such thing.

[B]

I wouldn't have been that nice. But like, yeah, you did up. Yeah, and I'm not gonna give you that responsibility again.

[C]

Regardless. He immediately asks if she'll still summon Connor on the equinox.

[B]

But wait, you're still go. You said that you were gonna. Hey, it's Chris K from Target wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas. Hit it, Dasher. Give me some Jingle Bells. Dancer, Prancer. Let's hear a beat and mouse chorus. Oh, it's a beautiful job, everybody. Alright now bring it home. Happy holidays, everybody.

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[C]

Yes, immediately. He's talking about his brother after they almost all just died.

[B]

I feel like I literally can hear everybody out there being like, Jackie, how would you act if you lost your brother? You know, I would also like break the world to go and find him. I know I'd. What dreams may come him I'd fucking do that shit. But Ethan's annoying about it.

[C]

Yes. I. I do also understand people have traumas. Yeah, but he also.

[B]

But also be less annoying about. I know you have trauma.

[C]

Everybody in this world has really bad trauma. Okay, Ethan, look, I know it's sad. Everybody has had a million people die here. Okay? So she tells him she will still summon Connor.

[B]

Pax. You're too good for us, girl.

[C]

I know. He then asks if she can also help the wolf in the mystic's chamber. She questions his motives and he explains he can't bear to leave her in there as wolves are meant to be free. She's an alpha wolf, no less. And she. He just doesn't want to see her in that cage. Which is fair.

[B]

Which is also interesting. But you still want Ariadne to stay there and make sure you're safe. But. But the wolf, that one. She deserves her freedom. Okay. I just think it's interesting.

[C]

It's specious.

[B]

Yeah, it is.

[C]

She watches him and tells him that he is a good male and he is good. I Suppose. But he does fumble the ball a lot.

[B]

A regular wow ball ref. Ball times.

[C]

Sports, sports. She touches his hand and tells him that she unfortunately can not do much more to help the wolf than his Fae friends can. Varian Flynn and Declan appear in the door. To Ethan's surprise. He braces for their ball, busting about how bad he up. But instead they ask him how he's feeling.

[B]

It's very nice, but I do think that he could get a little bit more made fun of in this.

[C]

Oh ye. I mean he. I think he's like also considering the differences between them and the wolf back where he would be severely punished for up for. And like maybe there's a middle ground somewhere. That's all I'm saying. He says he's feeling okay. After they ask how he's doing. Hypaxia rats them out as checking in on him all night. You'll give him away. His big old softies packs, Tharion said.

[B]

To the queen, who shook her head at the name as if Tharion often used it to annoy her.

[C]

Ithan is touched when Declan asks how long before he can go home. As in back to the frat house. Ithan doesn't think he has had a home for a long time. Definitely not anymore. So this sounds strange to him. Hypaxia tells Declan he can leave tomorrow morning. Ethan's like, but I gotta take care. I gotta guard you though.

[B]

What about me taking.

[C]

Protecting you? She's like, it's okay.

[B]

You know what? Actually. Actually, you know, we're just gonna find somebody else. Thanks though.

[C]

Actually, I'm totally safe now.

[B]

Yeah, I'm. Wow. You. You did it. You already did it. Wow. We're so. We're so proud of you. I don't even need another guard ever again. Everybody's so scared.

[C]

She literally pats him on the shoulder.

[B]

Yeah, dude. But she's like, I'm a necromancer at the end of the day.

[C]

I mean, you did a good job.

[B]

Go wolf about.

[C]

But she doesn't totally dismiss him. She tells him to take the day off. She's still gonna like, trust him. Hypaxia takes off with Tharion, leaving Ethan with the Fae boys. He reflects on what he heard during Bryce and Hypaxia's conversation about her being in love with someone else secretly, but agreeing to ruin's betrothal anyway. And does his best to keep Bryce's face out of his mind. Oh my God, Ethan, you got enough going on, buddy.

[B]

It just all makes sense. He can't get Past it. He's. He's stopped.

[C]

He is.

[B]

He's trapped back there.

[C]

Yes, I definitely think that's partly why he's doing this. He's like he can't move on and he doesn't know how to move on. And so let's see if how his journey goes.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So he, he tried. He tried. Kind of was just like, oh, I can't believe hypoxia is betrothed. He's like, don't think about Bryce right now. He shakes himself into the present where Flynn and Declan are teasing each other. He marvels at how different it is from when he was in Amelie's pack and how serious they always were that maybe they took themselves a little too seriously. He can't believe the Fae boys were looking over him at all and not here to chastise and punish him. He feels a wave of emotion cross him as he remembers the faraway feeling of being cared for by Connor and by his Sunball team. Like being a part of a team, you has a certain feeling. And now he just feels like he's all alone. Flynn tells him in that moment that they have his back.

[B]

It's cute.

[C]

It is. Why?

[B]

The question slipped out before Ithan could wonder whether he should ask. But there were probably dozens of Faye who'd spent years trying to squeeze into the trio that was ruined. Flynn and Declan. Why they'd brought Ethan into their little circle was beyond him.

[C]

Declan just kind of says, why not?

[B]

Why not?

[C]

Defensively, Ethan tells them he doesn't want their pity. Declan tells him they're only friends with him so that they can get good Sunball tickets.

[B]

Ethan looked between the males, then burst out laughing. Alright. He rubbed at his sore throat again.

[C]

That's a good enough reason for me.

[B]

Oh no, I'm just a wolf.

[C]

Yeah. Oh yeah.

[B]

You do want to be friends with me. Okay. And I. I honestly, I think I like the character better if he does actually just sound like that.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Oh yeah. We are friends, huh?

[C]

Well, I think it's like if you think of him as from Staten island, then it's fine.

[B]

This guy. I got so many cousins in Staten Island. I remember that guy. You know.

[C]

We pop over to Ruhn, who is at the committee with Bryce and Hunt, the latter filling in some ox members on everything that just happened. Bryce and Roon have a mind to mind argument. Ruhn telling her how serious this is and that they need to take precautions. Bryce tells him to bugger off. He reminds her that she is a princess and she deflatedly tells him. She knows, despite not wanting it to be this way because she's not like.

[B]

The other girls and she doesn't want to be a princess. Never heard that line before.

[C]

And that way she is like the other girls.

[B]

And yet you're also using being a princess to get your way. And so. And yet then maybe you are also extendedly like the other girls. But oh, am I being a bitch?

[C]

Ruhn hesitantly asks her if she plans on taking action about the name change. She says aloud then to the room that if daddy wants a princess, that's what he's going to get. We cut back over to Therian and Hypaxia after they have left the recovery room from the previous scene, where with Therian's thoughts as Hypaxi watches the street from her suite at the embassy. So they're like in her private chambers. She's disgusted by the sight of the dread wolves patrolling the street below. Therian watches the people of Lunathian cower as they strut by Therian's Commons. Therian comments facetiously for Pax to tell him.

[B]

Crazy. Sorry. Facetiously. So look does not look like the word facetiously. It's so crazy.

[C]

I actually don't even know if that's technically a proper word with adding the adverb to it.

[B]

But yeah, facetiously.

[C]

Facetiously.

[B]

Well, now none of it makes sense, so you're welcome.

[C]

He tells her. Farcles satirically. Yeah, tell him how she really feels. And she snaps to stop calling her pack.

[B]

She's a goddamn witch doctor queen, all right.

[C]

But she's also smirking a little, and Therian thinks she likes the familiarity, which she doesn't get a lot of in her life. Like the sort of just like the friendly like ribbing she doesn't really have. Because I'm not getting a romance feeling between them. No.

[B]

But it is just nice to experience friendship because we know that her coven is against her. We know that she doesn't have like. She's only a.

[C]

Just a bunch of like those Casper uncles from the movie.

[B]

Although how in love would you be with some bitch that was like, I don't know. I don't even have any friends. I only have ghost friends. I'd be like, whoa, tell me about your problems. You sound real fucked up. And that means I want to be your friend.

[C]

Yeah, tell me about it. Dude.

[B]

I'm only friends with ghosts. Go off.

[C]

Do your friends have feet?

[A]

No.

[B]

They do. You're lame.

[C]

So, yeah, so we're gonna learn a little bit about how they became friends. Because obviously that's kind of a weird combination of people. Like, how are they friendly like this? He teases her about how much Ruhn was gawking at her because of her being hot. And she smacks him in the chest. She asks how his fiance would like him missing Hypaxia so much and how he recalls how she came to find out about the engagement of the River Queen. Which essentially, she's saying, like, would your fiance like that? You're, you know, calling me Pax and all that stuff.

[B]

But it's cute. It's like, friend. Yeah. Cute.

[C]

Yeah. And he recalls in his mind in that moment how she came to find out about the engagement of him to the River Queen's daughter. And it's actually how they became friends in the first place. So he kind of, like, reminisces about how they got to know each other. Hypaxia had been seeking solitude in the Mer Kingdom subterranean pools at the summit, which. What the. Like, take me to the subterranean pools right now. Are you kidding me?

[B]

Right now? But also, I feel like at this point, they should get together like a support group for people that are being forced to be engaged to other people. But, like, being in love with other people. And I feel like they all really need to be exploring this. And they have nowhere to take this.

[C]

They can, like, tell each other's fantasies about wanting to be each other's tampons and stuff like that.

[B]

Sure. Suck it all out, man. Who knows? You know? And then again, it's a support group. It's not. They're not there to judge.

[C]

Yep.

[B]

They're like, oh, wow. Tell us more.

[C]

So basically, this is that for them. He was also going down there to have sad boy time. He was bummed out about everything going on. He went down there and found her sitting there. And they had developed a friendship quickly. They just started talking while they were just both, like, trying to escape everything. He gets serious and asks why Hypaxia hasn't talked to him about the coven's behavior. Because he learned about it from Ruhn that she was afraid of her Covenant. Therian's hurt. And thinks how little he could have done anyway about his options when he runs out of stalling for time with Emil. Because he's like, I wish I could help her, but I can't even help myself, really. Before they can continue their conversation, they feel an ugly ripple pass over them. And they look out the window to see the Hammer and Mordoc stomping down the street.

[B]

Stomp Stomp, stomp. When, you know, they feel like they're just like, yeah, look at us. Everybody's, like, scared of us and every. Oh, just, like, strutting. But I imagine they also do have, like, these. What are these called? Floofy doos.

[C]

Boas.

[B]

Boas. Yeah.

[C]

They're not cool enough to have boas.

[B]

Yeah, no. I imagine they're, like, flapping them all.

[A]

Oh, no.

[B]

It's on your drinks. Feathers are getting everywhere. It's going to our drinks.

[C]

Coming through.

[B]

It's going in our drinks.

[C]

I feel like this might be poison.

[B]

There's feathers everywhere. And I just did this to us, and I did it. Yep, A lot of feathers in my coffee.

[C]

I feel like that's probably not feathers. It's like asbestos.

[B]

Oh, for sure. It's dinosaurs. It's kind of like we're filled with dinosaurs now. Oh, that's cool. Feathers in my coffee. Feathers in my coffee. And it's just hypaxia. Just drinking and staring out at Mordoc. Yeah. You're so vain.

[C]

He is. You know, he's like, that ice bath.

[B]

Earlier makes my muscles really stand out when I walk on the street. Oh, yeah. And you know that they do. And I feel bad that when what I'm about to say, they do the cold plunge. You know that. And I know that wonderful people do cold plunges, too. But, you know, Hammer and Mordoc in the morning, as they're both rock hard, they're like, let's get into our plunge baths.

[C]

And then they, like, put the red light on their balls.

[B]

Have you had, like, someone that is obsessed with cold plunge try to tell you all about the cult of cold plunging? And again, I know that it has a lot of health functions that are good, but listening to someone being like. And you gotta be in the cold plunge. Cause if you're not in the like. I think it is just that mansplaining of like. Yep. You get in that cold plunge. Wow. Sounds really cold. Oh, five minutes. Wow. Yep, Sounds really cold.

[C]

My gym has a cold plunge and a ice. What is it called? Like, a chamber. Like an ice chamber.

[B]

Oh, a cryogenic.

[C]

I have tried to do both. It feels the worst. Like, I hate the feeling of it so much.

[B]

Put me in a hot tub. Can I go in a hot tub instead?

[C]

I do saunas and stuff. The cold pl. I cannot get into it. And I. I have tried hard. It is so unbearably uncomfortable to me.

[B]

It's a cult, though, because then the people that get really into it are like, you Gotta do it. And they look at you down that barrel of your eyes. You're like, yeah. Cause you're not getting cold. You're getting old. And it's like, I guess I'm fine with that.

[C]

Yeah, that's fine.

[B]

I.

[C]

Man. Because when I try to do it and get in, it feels like my heart is gonna stop. And I'm like, this isn't. There's. I know we're gonna get some emails about ice plunges, but it feels like it's not good for you because of how bad my body wants to reject it.

[B]

And I don't want to pay to hurt. Unless it's a tattoo.

[C]

No, I pay to hurt all the time. I pay for all kinds of stupid stuff.

[B]

Oh, no, it's like a Johnny Cash thing.

[C]

Skincare.

[B]

Oh, skin care. Yeah. I mean, yeah. You do the vampire facials.

[C]

Yeah. And I love a deep tissue massage.

[B]

I know, I know. Like, I only like to be comfortable.

[C]

No, I like it. But not doing the ice plunge anyway. They are. Hammer and Mordoch are definitely doing it. They look positively gleeful at the fear on the people's faces whom they pass. Thean thinks back to earlier in the night when he was at a wine bar with a pack of lionesses. Because of course he was hypoxia. And he got the call about the incident that happened pre. You know, to Ethan. He had booked it over to the embassy, saying he was there on Blue Court business and he needed to get in.

[B]

So he.

[C]

But he really needed to check on hypaxia. He asked if she's okay from using all the healing magic on Ethan and that she should get some rest. She tells him she's fine, but he should definitely go so as to not raise suspicion. Tharion can't resist and is like, suspicion of what? They think we're kissing.

[B]

She playfully shoved him toward the door. He let her walking backward as he.

[C]

Said, I'll see you soon. Okay, you have my number.

[B]

Her eyes shone like stars.

[C]

Thank you for checking in on me. So.

[B]

But then her eyes shone like stars. Interesting.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Interesting, interesting. That's all I'm gonna.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Because honestly, my brain is going. Of all the things that that could also mean.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Damn, this is good. Just like the little things.

[C]

Oh, yeah. Sticks them in there.

[B]

Felt like. Why do her eyes shine like stars? Smartless mobile here. Did you know that 90% of your phone's data goes over wi fi? So paying for an unlimited data plan doesn't make sense. Not at all, Sean.

[C]

No sense at all.

[B]

But do you know what does make sense?

[C]

What?

[B]

Smartless Mobile oh yeah. You could cut your bill in half when you switch from an unlimited plan. Pretty simple math. Unless you're Jason math it is not my strong suit. Smart less mo bulls. Go to smartless mobile.com for details.

[C]

Don't get outsmarted.

[B]

Get Smartless Mobile.

[A]

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[C]

Okay.

[B]

Anyway, continuing on.

[C]

As they say goodbye and he turns from the door to leave, he's surprised to be confronted by three of the witches from her coven. A sick feeling rushes over him and he has the urge to run and return to Pax to protect her. Because they're probably feigning like we need to check on her. But he's like, I know what you've been.

[B]

I know you're bad.

[C]

None of the witches smile at him or even speak, instead brushing past him to check on Hypaxia. Allegedly. He knows he can't go in and defend her. It's not the way things work. He can't barge in as the Blue.

[B]

Corn, be like, that's not.

[C]

What are you witches doing to her? I imagine that would be a big mess.

[B]

Yeah, because then it's like, oh, are you speaking for your queen? Because I like, what, are you guys.

[C]

In some kind of cahoots or.

[B]

Yes. No, it's no good.

[C]

Plus, he also needed to go in and wet his legs in the river to not turn off his fin power. After he did his ritual to get his fins to stay, he finds himself at the front door of a certain frat house. He knocks.

[B]

A moment later, the door opened. Tharion smiled crookedly at Ruhn and moved to Tristan Flynn and Declan Emmet standing in the foyer behind him.

[C]

Got any space for one more roommate?

[B]

I do love a house like that. There's always a couch, babe. We'll find something for you. I don't know if it's wet enough for you, but I guess you can just go back and forth.

[C]

But a couple more of them in there, you're gonna have yourself a brothel.

[B]

Or a brothel. Natalie.

[C]

I'd Go visit. Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Oh, no, no, no.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Give me a no.

[C]

At chapter 57, we're with Hunt as he and Bryce get back into their apartment. As soon as the door closes, he begins to ask her about princess status stuff. He's like, what are we talking about here? She sits on the couch and comments how her mom is going to freak out. Hunt, being the good mate that he is, says that her mom and even him will be fine. How does Bryce feel?

[B]

He scented salt and water then and sat on the new coffee table, lifting her chin between his thumb and forefinger to find tears running down her cheeks. Once he had no doubt she'd been holding back for hours. Oh, restraint collapse. MJ tells me all about the world of restraint collapse, which is what it's referred to when you hold yourself together all day, when you're upset about something especially. It's like. It's when. It's like. It's usually referred to, like when a kid sees their parent at the end of a school day. But I also do. I also do have restraint claps when I see Jeff at the end of a day. Like if I've been compartmentalizing something all day, and then I see Jeff, and it's when you feel comfortable and safe and vulnerable, then all of a sudden you're just like this, and then this. And then we're called restraint collapse.

[C]

And your partner's like, yay.

[B]

Oh, good. I'm so glad I'm the one that you.

[C]

No, it's part of. It's part of being part of relationship. Yeah, it's part of.

[B]

It's part of a relationship.

[C]

It happens on both sides. Yep.

[B]

He has checking in on her.

[C]

She has become vulnerable to him because she trusts him. And he immediately, in his mind, though, turns to anger and thinks about punching the Autumn King's stupid face for hurting her.

[B]

I mean, yeah.

[C]

She tells him how stupid she feels for walking into this trap, and he consoles her, telling her that they'll figure out a way together to deal with this. He pulls her onto his lap and she cries. She explains further why her despair is so deep under the King. She's completely beholden to his whimsical. He can use her freedoms to torture her, force her hand in marriage. Now she is technically property, though Hunt gets angry enough at the suggestion of these threats to be fair.

[B]

She was property the whole time.

[C]

Yes. You know, but now even more that she has to pull him. Like, he gets so freaked out, he starts to get all lightninged up and she has to pull him back from battle mode?

[B]

Yeah, Hunt's battle mode. Oh, he's getting upset.

[C]

Yeah. He gets control of himself and simply comforts her. They sit in silence together until he feels Bryce tense a little. So they're just sort of like sitting and. And like ruminating on our thoughts. But then he feels her kind of shift. He looks at her and sees a spark in her eye and asks if she's come up with an idea of how to get out of this.

[B]

Who?

[C]

Bryce.

[B]

She's always got an idea full of them. She kissed him softly.

[C]

You're not going to like it.

[B]

I know that we're supposed like. We're supposed to be like that impish Bryce. But you know it annoys me.

[C]

I know annoys many people.

[B]

Oh, you covered in feathers. Oh, are there feathers up your fucking nose? Oh, well, you can't hang where the feathers. Just go through there. Every time I.

[C]

Move. Stop moving. Then we're with Ruhn and he's standing on the mind bridge.

[B]

Oh, it's my time to shine. Our time to shine, babe.

[C]

Oh, you're babing me now.

[B]

Yeah, I'm babing you.

[C]

He's feeling quite prickly and only came for his commitment to help the rebellion along for the time being. Because she has called him. He asks her tersely for the info. You upset with me? Just give me the information.

[B]

You upset with me? But look how hot I am.

[C]

You upset my me. I'm just some dumb idiot like you said.

[B]

I'm sorry I called you a Nepo baby. I'm just really right. What? Sorry. I didn't realize it was the so serving shade.

[C]

I think it's the.

[B]

I think it's the.

[C]

The boat.

[B]

You are the sun.

[C]

So you are serving shade.

[B]

Thank you for recognizing my strength. You're welcome.

[C]

For you to say something.

[B]

I forgot.

[C]

So he asked for the info. She observes that he's angry. He shoots back that he doesn't care enough about her to be angry.

[B]

Oh, hon. Liar.

[C]

She retorts.

[B]

We know that's not true.

[C]

Whoa. After a moment, she tells him that she owes him an apology. Rune being petty is like, why apologize? I'm piece of. Right?

[B]

This is not effective communication, guys.

[C]

It's not. They need a bridge therapists. A brain bridge therapist. They need to bring a third person.

[B]

Third person in there. Get another rebel in there.

[C]

She tells him it's not true. She then, seemingly almost pained, tells him that she hasn't talked to someone as herself in a very long time. And she might be a bit rusty at it. He Makes a big old turn in convo at this point and asks her what she thinks makes a good leader, which is just very, like, jarring.

[B]

What are we in, like, an interview right now?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

What are your biggest faults? It's like, well, I work too hard and I'm too on time.

[C]

I care too much about my job. I guess he's just kind of, like, now just going back into a conversation because he was originally just gonna, like, leave, but now he's asking what she thinks makes a good leader. He's obviously troubled about a lot of things going on. Right. Even though in his mind he feels like an idiot for asking this. She doesn't balk, though, instead saying that she thinks it's someone who listens and who thinks, who understands viewpoints, who does what is right. Even if the path is long and hard.

[B]

Even if the path is long and hard.

[C]

Ooh, flirting.

[B]

Why?

[C]

She wants to know, is he asking? He tells her he's questioning the movements. The rebellion movement.

[B]

And not bowel.

[C]

Hopefully not. And for what?

[B]

And if you're questioning the bowel movement, you should think about what you put into your body.

[C]

Try to save the bowel movement. Talk for a little while. Into the flirtation.

[B]

Yeah, I guess. Maybe keep it off the bridge. There's no shit on the bridge as far as I think.

[C]

I don't think that because there's no toilets. Maybe all of it's toilet.

[B]

What if it's like, more of, like, a dream realm? So all of a sudden you open up your mouth and then light. Like, the. Like, bubbles come out, but instead it's just turds. And then they float up into the brain bridge. And then you're just, like, sitting there trying to flirt, but, like, your shit's just kind of dancing around your head.

[C]

It's horrible.

[B]

Like, I hope that doesn't happen. But they didn't ask.

[C]

Oh, man, I hope not. Let's see if that happens. Let's check in.

[B]

Let's check in. See if that happens in this chapter.

[C]

So he is questioning why this movement is moving like the rebellion. What would come after the Asteri falls, even if they could be filled? And this is a larger philosophical question that most movies don't ever answer because we have this. You know, the bad guy's fallen. Now what? Like, how do you replace him with something? And it's something we have to deal with in the real world all the time. Like, we want things to be better, but we can't just defeat a person and then everything's good. It's like what do we do? Then they sit in silence for a bit before Day says that she's not sure how to do this sort of thing to be his friend. He's surprised by this admission and asks if he's her friend. So we're friends now? She tells him actually, he's her only friend.

[B]

But I would say big red flag if you're trying to date somebody. If they're just like now you're my only friend. You're all I need. No, it's just us on the brain bridge and the poop comes out of our mouth. We're fine with it.

[C]

I would say that's definitely a big red flag. If poop comes out of their mouths.

[B]

And they're fine with it and they're.

[C]

Fine with it, they should be at.

[B]

Least upset, be nervous.

[C]

So he tells her, half jokingly, that she should work on friendship because she, quote, fucking blows at it. Which causes her to laugh a little. Bitterly. She tells him she deserves it. He tells Sarah he can teach her lessons about friendship and that if you crap on your friends, they'll usually forgive you if you buy them a beer. She says she'll do that. This surprises Ruhn a little, and he asks if that will occur when she comes and visits him. Okay.

[B]

Yeah, she said, the word echoing, when.

[C]

I come to visit you.

[B]

He rose and crossed to her couch, peering down at her.

[C]

Which will be when? Day.

[B]

She tipped her head back as if staring up at him on the autumnal equinox.

[C]

Whoa.

[B]

What oh.

[C]

What? Oh.

[B]

Okay, let's go. Runes Shooketh man oh my God. You could just tell he's vibrating. He needs to see. He doesn't know she is. He doesn't know she is.

[C]

He asks what she means when she says that, and she stands and walks behind the couch as. As if needing to put distance between them. When she tells him that she will be attending the meeting ball, he realizes that she must be someone very important to be invited. He continues that the autumnal ball is always a masquerade.

[B]

Maple Face is operating.

[C]

So they can meet there, though I don't know why it would matter, they'd still probably be able to tell each other who each other. It's just like a paper mask. Like, it's not like you're actually hiding your identity.

[B]

Right? But it is sexy.

[C]

Sexier. Who are you? Her breathing picks up at the idea that they could see each other. Kind of. I think she is kind of getting in those feels.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

He suggests they meet at midnight at a specific fountain. She's like, no, we shouldn't. That should be. Be so naughty. And then she's like, but we actually. Like, how am I supposed to trust you? What if you're baiting me for the asteri?

[B]

Masturbating me?

[C]

Right. I'll jerk you off at this fountain.

[B]

Jerk you off in front of everybody at this ball.

[C]

He asks her to look at him and tell him that she believes that he's trying to trick her.

[B]

She did. Ruhn came close enough that the heat of her flame warmed his body. Natalie, do you feel my flame? Yeah.

[C]

My chestnuts are roasting on that open fire.

[B]

Bet it smells good, though.

[C]

My nuts.

[B]

Yeah. Roasted on my open fire.

[C]

Oh, yeah, I bet. You know, he's like. He says. He says a yolo. And he takes her hand.

[B]

We're having a moment.

[C]

Asks him what he'll do if she's not what he expects. He counters, asking what she thinks he's expecting. She almost. He tugged on her arm, pulling her a little closer. Oh, wait, that's your life.

[B]

Oh, to overcome with us touching. Can't even get through the episode. Natalie. Yeah? What happens on the bridge? What happens on the bridge? Am I the troll or am I the goat? And he tugged on her arm, pulling her a little closer. When was the last time he'd had to work for a female's attention like this? Fuck. He was working for it, wasn't he? He wanted to see her face, know who was bold and brave enough to risk her life again and again to define the Hysteri.

[C]

Oh, it's getting him going.

[B]

Who am I?

[C]

Rune stares into her fire eyes and says, I want to smell you.

[B]

I want to smell you.

[C]

But in Lunathian, that's romantic.

[B]

Yeah. Again, it's all the sniffing. It's all. Everybody loves their sniffing. But I just tell you, if I. If you're a stranger and I can smell you, you're too close. And you probably need a shower or.

[C]

You need to cut back on the cologne, man.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Sometimes those guys that. It, like, makes my eyes water.

[B]

It really does come full back around when you meet somebody that still, like, lives that, like, axe life, where they just. And you enter a room with them and you're like, how do you do? Like, how do you live like that?

[C]

I guess they just don't want their farts to smell. Yeah.

[B]

You know, maybe they just Cabbage Patch.

[C]

It's just like, if you. The immediate trigger of smelling Febreze is like, oh, there's gross smells here, too. Like, Febreze is not a good Smell.

[B]

No, to cover it up.

[C]

So, yeah, she pushes back again. But she's like, I don't know if we can. But he insists just for a moment. She asks, why? And he says, you know why.

[B]

She hesitated. Then she said softly, yes. Her flames seemed to reach for his stars and shadows Midnight she faded into embers on the wind Midnight she promised. I imagine it's sexy.

[C]

Can you put us in like a vortex? Yeah.

[B]

Jesus. But like a sexy vortex.

[C]

Like.

[B]

Like, it vortexes our clothes off. Don't you want to do that to the boss's brother or boss's sister and wife? James, vortex our clothes off.

[C]

Don't vortex our clothes off. James. James off.

[B]

And he'd be like, james, like, Henry, I'm sorry. They begged me to do it.

[C]

That's us causing problems again.

[B]

They vortex their clothes right off their bodies.

[C]

So they're planning on meeting. It's two weeks later and it's time for the fall ball. So we cut over. It is two weeks neck later on. Hunt is pulling at his bow tie in front of the mirror at the apartment, already uncomfortable and ready to change. But you know, he loves look so good. I wanted to see them so bad. I was like, looking up. I put a picture in there.

[B]

Yeah, you did. And it is a picture of a Hunt all dressed up and Bryce all dressed up. And they're getting ready for the ball and they're.

[A]

Good Lord.

[C]

You can look up Alex Oxy O X Y. I like this visual of that.

[B]

Yeah, no, it's a. Yeah, it's a visual. I'm looking at as someone that brought up earlier that I got a husband's gift getting big ol. Big ol. I'll tell you what, his arms ain't fitting in a lot of his suit jackets anymore.

[C]

Why is he wearing suit jackets?

[B]

I'm putting them on him just to see them. I want them shoved in there like a little sausage. Say, put this one on. I bet this one's too little. Yeah, put this one on, baby. I bet this one's too little. I'm doing fine.

[C]

You're a verse pretty womaning him.

[B]

Yeah. I treat him like a piece of meat. And every once in a while, I do ask, like, I'm not, like, making you uncomfortable, right? And he says, no, you ask every couple times.

[C]

Just night. That's great.

[B]

As I literally, like, I walked past his ass the other day and did a double take. I was just like, wonk what? Hey, that's bigger than it used to be.

[C]

That's nice that you have. You think that about your husband.

[B]

Thank you. Thank you. But how do you feel about that as a brother in law?

[C]

Slightly uncomfortable.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. But we did touch hands earlier and everybody's gonna be making fanfic about it.

[C]

Oh, yeah, I bet.

[B]

Yeah. Out on that bridge, what happens when you're not corporeal? Are you still sisters in law?

[C]

No, Jackie, don't.

[B]

But Natalie, we're just. We're just the sunshine and we're the night sky. Don't put this into the universe. We're not even human. Come on, Natalie. Who knows what we need to take a chance at her. On the brain bridge, Hunt is thinking.

[C]

About how bullshit this whole night is. Oh.

[B]

Rebecca.

[C]

Dawn. But is glad Cormac somehow convinced the Autumn King to allow Bryce to arrive and he van big enough for Hunt's wings to get in. But like they're saying, it's as her security. Security. Yeah. For the two weeks leading up to this, Bryce was bombarded with all the requirements she'd have to endure to maintain her princess facade. The bull, her nails, the ways that she's supposed to eat her, you know, her hair, the way she. You know, the princess stuff. How you could cross your legs like all that. Shit it. But Hunt's not super upset because each new command she got was an another time she needed to get railed. Apparently she was using the stress to now, you know.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Experiment with their new found physical connection.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Now that they're fully joined, as SJM likes to say, they're in their mating frenzy. Hunt thinks about how even though they're going at it at least twice a day, sometimes he can't go a full workday without seeking her out. His thoughts swirl clearly caught an emotion over finding his partner. He thinks of his mother and wishes that she could be here. Not the time to let your mother. A lot of SJM's male characters.

[B]

Almost a little mommy problems. Yeah.

[C]

A little too connected to their moms, I would say, but.

[B]

And a lot of the girls have to have the daddy problems. Interesting.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Sorry to say, girls, that yucked me out. The women. The female characters.

[C]

Yes. So he does think about his mother separate from the sexual thoughts and wishes that she could be here. Not only because she'd have been safe, but so she could see a life he was beginning to build. That she could know he could take care of her now, which is very nice.

[B]

It's cute.

[C]

He shook out of his thoughts by the view of Bryce walking into the room. He's blown away by her beauty and tells her so Also, he starts to get hard. There's a lot of sexual energy in the new section of this book, by the way. It's gonna keep happening. They are very hard up for each other.

[B]

Oh yeah.

[C]

You can just assume that Honda's becoming erect during every scene.

[B]

Okay, she did.

[C]

Okay. She takes his arm and they head out the door. Cut to Ruhn, who has already arrived to the party and is joining Hypaxia in bowing before the archangel. Which is incredibly sad with what we will learn shortly. Next episode probably. Ruhn looks down at himself in his.

[B]

Black on black suit and yes, Natalie slay.

[C]

All you can think about is whether day is going to hold her promise to meet him in a few hours.

[B]

Bloom, I'm gonna be out there but.

[C]

She'S not gonna be fire.

[B]

No, no. So you won't even know if it's definitely me or not. Or will he?

[C]

This is gonna be quite a turn of events. So he looks around the room wondering, is she here right now?

[B]

He had no idea what to look for, where to even look for her. In the vast candlelit space bedecked in garlands and wreaths of autumnal leaves brought from the colder climes up north, winged skulls and scythes were interspersed with a rainbow of fall gourds on every table. They could be anywhere.

[C]

So come find me, yeah? He doesn't know how to. He's trying.

[B]

I know.

[C]

He looks to Hypaxia, who is stunning in her blue ball gown and cloudberry crown. As they finish their greetings, Ethan approaches them and gestures towards Therian. Beside him is a young beauty in a gauzy turquoise gown. He looks quite uptight and Ruhn realizes that quote, his leash only reaches so far. Meaning to say that even though he's been able to shake off the River Queen by saying he's still looking for a meal, if his. If the daughter wants something, he's got.

[B]

A ring, a ling, a ling, a ling. Oh yeah. He better drop everything and get wet.

[C]

So apparently fun way apparently the River Queen's daughter has convinced her mother to allow her to attend this ball. And the River Queen's daughter looks simply thrilled to be in the room. Tharion looks like he's trying to look not upset. Hypaxia smiles and says of course she'll go over and meet the young lady. Hypaxia excuses herself and run size looking around the room for a drink. Before he reaches his destination, he spots his sister making her entrance, Hunt and Cormac flanking her. Whoa. Hunt's a pace behind because he's not supposed to go.

[B]

He's not. Because they're not.

[C]

Rune surprised Hunt wasn't becoming Lightning Guy, standing behind his mate on another male's arm.

[B]

He can't be.

[C]

Oh, but he is the Umbramortis after all. He can put on a facade. He sees his father make a beeline for the couple, but Bryce spots the Odden King first and makes a quick U turn away from him.

[B]

A few Fae gasped at the snub. Flynn's parents among them. Flynn the traitor had claimed he had a headache to avoid coming tonight.

[C]

But you know, they're. I mean, they're eating this.

[B]

Ah, this is all goss a goss. You know, everybody gonna be talking about it tomorrow. She walked away. I was coming to talk to her.

[C]

Bryce and Hunt greets Celestina in Ephraim. Ephraim looks bored. Ruhn feels relief that Mordoc is not present at this party, no doubt on some seedy mission somewhere. But the hind was present, putting Ruhn on edge, always wondering what she has in store for them because she has this big secret. Ruhn's close enough to hear Bryce's greetings to Celestina and Ephraim. Celestina that she extends her wishes back to Cormac and Bryce, though Celestina knows better. He knows what actually is going on. But she's like, congrats, Congrats. Thank you.

[B]

Bryce said, smiling widely.

[C]

Prince Hunt and I will be quite happy.

[B]

A gasp rippled through the room. Bryce half turned toward Hunt and extended a hand. The angel walked to her, eyes dancing with wicked amusement. Cormac seemed caught between surprise and fury. Not the person.

[C]

Not fury. You crazy.

[B]

You're crazy, Bryce. But, oh, is that Bryce up to something? I'm sure she is. I'm sure there's. There's reasons for it.

[C]

Rune holds in his gasp. He wants to laugh. Bryce, smiling, explains to the archangels that she is mated to him, therefore he is now the Prince. She goes on to say that Cormac has become her friend through this experience, although she clearly didn't tell Cormac about doing this. Then she has the audacity to turn to the Ottoman king and say, oh, I thought you told him father.

[B]

She played their but and their father, who hated public scenes. He could either risk calling his own daughter a liar, thus embarrassing himself, or play along. The Autumn King said into the stunned crowd.

[C]

My apologies, your graces.

[B]

Ah, we got you, daddy. We got you, daddy. But you know Daddy's not gonna be happy.

[C]

No, he looks like he wants to kill her.

[B]

Oh, baby. It's like you got him now. But is it good in the long run? We don't know, because we don't know.

[C]

What'S up Dice's sleeve. But technically smart to do this in front of Celestina, who she knows is technically probably the one, like, on her side. Yes, and she has more power than the Autumn King. Celestina is clearly amused by this turn of events, but is clearly trying to hide it. She offers her blessings to Bryce and Hunt, and Ruhn knows that makes it pretty much a signed, sealed, and delivered mating. Bryce bows and turns away with Hunt. Ruhn walks towards them. He tries to hide his shock, and, if he's being honest, his admiration.

[B]

Cute.

[C]

He tells her he's really glad that she's his sister.

[B]

Bryce smiled so broadly it showed all her teeth. Ruhn shook off his shock and said to Athelar. Sweet talks, he added, just to be a dick.

[C]

Your Highness.

[B]

Brothers being brothers, giving each other a little rib.

[C]

Their conversation is halted by Celestina and Ephraim standing. A screen drops down behind them. Celestina addresses the crowd, thanking them for joining their celebration. Ephraim announces that their mating is official. And now they welcome their special guests.

[B]

The lights dimmed, leaving only soft candlelight that made the decorative skulls all the more menacing. Then the screen flickered on, revealing seven thrones, a sight more harrowing than any skull or scythe. Six of the thrones were full. The seventh had been left vacant, as always, thanks to the Prince of the Pit. A chill skittered up Ruhn's arms as the Asteri coldly surveyed the party.

[C]

Uh oh, what are they gonna say?

[B]

Why are you at the party? And something makes me think that maybe this isn't gonna be a fun party. Does it mean it's gonna be a bad party if the Asteri are here?

[C]

You don't like your party's being overseen by an omnipotent being who wants to kill you?

[B]

Yeah, especially if they're just, like, gonna be. It' gonna stare at us. Drink. Is that. Oh, no. You're probably gonna do something. Okay, great. I'm so glad. I'm so glad. But also, maybe you should just come to the party, because it seems like you Asteri are kind of upset and maybe you need a drink.

[C]

And they also love all of their, like, flair. They're all wearing, like, crazy outfits. Like the one, at least. Sounds like a little twink. So you would think he'd want to come hang out, party, go have a good time.

[B]

Like, go like, don't you want to scare them in person? Like, I must. I imagine they really feed off of the fear of people being in the room with them, but also, I guess they don't need it. Maybe they're just so powerful that they don't require any of it.

[C]

Yeah, Also, I can kind of. I like going to parties, but I can see the appeal of going like, I'm here. See you later.

[B]

Bye. That or you put up like a. A still. Like, maybe it's just a still image of them all sitting there, but everyone thinks it's a video. They think they're just sitting there reading really, really still and staring at them, but really it was a ruse the entire time just to make them feel uncomfortable.

[C]

You know, we saw Mariah's Christmas show over the weekend last time, and up until she appeared, I was half convinced it was going to be just her on a FaceTime. You know, like, the curtains would open. It's just like a hologram of her. She's not coming to the stage.

[B]

I'm truly upset that she was not brought out on a restraint, restraint dolly. I'm very upset.

[C]

I mean, she was brought out on a big chair that came out of the ceiling.

[B]

Oh, yeah. But Henry did say maybe the next. Maybe next tour is when they're gonna start enacting the restraint dolly. You know, when they actually just have to truly wheel her onto the stage, dump her into a pile and be like, go make your millions.

[C]

She's truly the hysteria of Christmas.

[B]

Please read up until chapter 61 for next week.

[C]

Sam.

[B]

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[C]

So paying for an unlimited data plan.

[B]

It just doesn't make sense. You know what does make sense, Jason? What's that, Will? It's the perfect 10 from Smartless Mobile. 10 gigs for 10 bucks a month. It's pretty simple math. Unless you're Jason. That hurts. Go to smartless mobile.com for details and full terms, taxes and fees. Extra restrictions apply.

[C]

Don't get outsmarted.

[B]

Get Smartless Mobile. This is Comedy Bang Bang. The podcast, the promo, and in 30 seconds, I'm going to tell you why. You should check out the show. I, the host, Scott Aukerman, have a lighthearted conversation with famous celebrities like Jon Hamm, Alison Wilson Williams, Phoebe Bridgers, Jason Alexander, Natasha Leone, Bob Odenkirk, just to name a few things, go a little off the rails when different eccentric characters and oddballs drop by to be interviewed as well. Each week is a blend of conversations and character work from your favorite comedians, as well as some new hilarious voices. Comedy Bang Bang the Podcast Listen every Monday wherever you get your podcasts.