LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City — HOSAB / Episode 37: Sissy Punch-a-bration

Hosts: Natalie Jean & Jackie Zebrowski
Date: February 17, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City zeroes in on the dramatic confrontation between Lydia (the Hind), the Harpy, Ruhn, Bryce, and Hunt as the story approaches its finale in House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas. Natalie and Jackie—joined by the irreverent Lydia—deliver their signature blend of sharp analysis, chaotic banter, and unfiltered humor as they unravel Chapter 75 onwards, covering betrayals, double agents, mind sex, and the infamous "sissy punch-a-bration."

Main Discussion Points & Insights

Lydia/The Hind’s Dilemma and Character Dynamics

• The episode kicks off with the hosts playfully talking about the challenges The Hind faces, drawing parallels between their own relationships and those in Crescent City (03:38–06:44).
• Lydia: “I feel bad for her because… I feel like she hasn't had a really good… like… I feel like Natalie and I get the opportunity… but what would Bryce and the Hind do with their Kiki?” (05:28)
• Jackie: “You don't be silly… But Ruhn has had sex with you… on the brain bridge. But he didn’t know it was me. So, like, that’s, you know, do we bring the consent part in there?” (03:55–03:58)
• They discuss the complexity of Lydia as a character, simultaneously a spy, a torturer for generations, and someone struggling with her own identity and loyalties.

Ruhn & Lydia (The Hind) — Mind Sex and Awkward Aftermath

• The hosts riff at length about Ruhn’s confusion and distress after his “mind sex” with the Hind, using a hilarious metaphor of his penis being "al dente" (06:59–07:46).
• Lydia: “His dick is all al dente and he doesn't know what to do with it, and he's like, do I put it back in the boiling water or do I not… It chooses me. That's not good for anybody.” (06:59–07:13)
• Jackie: “That’s not good for anybody. No, everybody hates a frowny penis.” (07:13–07:15)
• Extended riff on the concept of “mind ejaculation,” tying in comedic asides about movie sperm scenes and what happens if someone “comes in your ear,” blending Crescent City plot with pop culture references (09:14–11:19).

The Harpy vs. The Hind — The Decisive Showdown

• The main plot chunk details the physical fight between Lydia (as the Hind) and the Harpy, laced with centuries of animosity (13:00–20:29).
• Jackie: “The two engage in a vicious blade fight, both of them filled with seemingly centuries worth of contempt and rage. They've always hated each other, and now they finally get to fight.” (14:15–14:38)
• Lydia: “It's really, really cool to shove a sword through somebody's neck and then cut off their head. Especially after so many, many centuries of wanting to do it.” (20:16–20:23)
• As the Hind kills the Harpy, the hosts revel in the cathartic violence, joking about taking her blades and letting the bodies hit the floor.

The Great Escape Plan — Trust Issues & Quick Decisions

• Lydia moves to free Ruhn, Bryce, and Hunt; tension mounts as the group is unsure if Lydia is truly on their side after decades of betrayal and violence (23:17–27:08).
• The Hind explains her actions in the Sophie plotline: “She had called the depth charger to come rescue her—What? Remember when you didn’t know where the depth charger was coming from?” (29:07–29:09)
• Trust remains a major theme; the hosts highlight the psychological toll of centuries of shifting allegiances and past atrocities.

Sisters-in-Law & The “Sissy Punch-a-bration”

• As they prepare for Pollux and company to walk in, the group stages a fight to make the lethal scene look convincing. Bryce gleefully punches the Hind, sparking an extended, raucous segment on the joys (and hypothetical disasters) of a “sissy punch-a-bration” (32:04–33:43).
• Quick riff:
  • Lydia: “It's sad that we've never gotten into a physical fight.”
  • Jackie: “Is it sad?”
  • Lydia: “Maybe your 10th anniversary... we get into Sissy Punch. And we call it the Sissy Punch. The Sissy Punch Abration.” (32:11–32:43)

The Asteri’s Grand Villain Monologue

• Natalie and Jackie analyze the classic “villain monologue” as Rigelus, the Big Bad, explains how every step has been masterminded—from Cormac’s death to Celestina’s betrayal (47:55–54:11).
• Rigelus’ motives are revealed as power-mongering across worlds, intending to use Bryce’s “star” to access her home world, and to dine on its magic.
• Jackie: “He gives them a rundown, whether or not they believe him. He starts to do his villains monologue at us. Boy.” (49:33)
• The hosts poke fun at the melodrama but acknowledge the stakes: the threat spans not just this city, but multiple worlds.

“Our Love is Stronger Than Time” — Farewells and Sacrifice

• Bryce and Hunt’s love gets an emotional spotlight as they brace for likely separation or death. The hosts are deeply moved yet provide comic relief:
  • Hunt to Bryce: “Our love is stronger than time, greater than any distance. Our love spans across stars and worlds. I will find you again, I promise.” (57:43–57:59)
• Jackie and Lydia riff: “Don’t make him more of a sad boy.” (58:31)

The Final Gambit — Bryce’s Escape

• The secret plan is triggered: Bryce grabs the Star Sword, uses Hunt’s lightning to power her leap through a portal, leaving Hunt and Ruhn behind as chaos erupts. The question: did Bryce actually end up in Hell, and will armies be brought to fight the Asteri? (61:21–64:33)
  • Jackie: “She burrows down to the bottom of her power and blasts it towards Rigelus in an instant...” (61:21)
  • Jackie: “Guys, where the f did she just go? It seems as though they had made this secret plan... to get her to hell and raise their armies. But what happens when that ain’t go to hell?” (64:39–64:57)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote / Moment | Speaker | |-----------|----------------|---------| | 07:13 | "That's not good for anybody. No, everybody hates a frowny penis." | Jackie | | 11:05 | “They’re all John Travolta. And that’s the problem with having John Travolta come inside of your ears.” | Lydia | | 13:46 | "Throw it down. Throw it down." | Lydia (urging on the fight) | | 20:16 | “But it is really, really cool to shove a sword through somebody’s neck and then cut off their head.” | Lydia | | 29:14 | “Get your facts straight. I'm evil, but I'm not that level of evil.” | Lydia (as The Hind) | | 32:11 | “It's sad that we've never gotten into a physical fight.” | Lydia | | 38:28 | “Ruhn ignored the begging voice, the way it broke as she said Ruhn— he fortified the walls of his mind brick by brick.” | Natalie (reading) | | 41:52 | “Cormac would continue to fight. Maybe Tharion and Hypaxia and Ethan would pick up the cause. Perhaps Fury too.” | Natalie (reading Bryce’s thoughts) | | 43:29 | Lydia riffs on “the ick” of characters who choose one person over the whole world: “It was such a big ick for me... if we are all in the business of saving the world, don’t fucking save me and let the fucking world end.” | Lydia | | 47:55 | “So, like, everything happened, it was all the hysteria just kind of leading him to this point.” | Jackie | | 57:43 | “His lips brushed her brow. Our love is stronger than time, greater than any distance. Our love spans across stars and worlds. I will find you again, I promise.” | Natalie (reading Hunt’s line) |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro and Personal Banter: 03:06–06:44
• Lydia/The Hind Discussion: 06:44–09:14
• Mind Sex Analogies & Sperm Riffs: 09:14–12:10
• Harpy vs Hind Showdown: 13:00–20:29
• Aftermath and Rescue: 20:45–26:19
• Sissy Punch-a-bration plans: 32:04–33:43
• Asteri Villainy / Monologue: 47:55–54:11
• Goodbyes, Farewells, and Secret Plans: 57:13–64:33
• Cliffhanger Outro: 64:39–65:09

Tone, Style, and Takeaways

• Language & Tone: Unfiltered, raunchy, and deeply irreverent, with frequent asides and pop culture references. The hosts sustain a giddy, conspiratorial energy as they dissect serious book moments with robust wit and empathy.
• Analysis Depth: The hosts expertly balance emotional beats, fandom humor, and character study—never shying away from the complicated dark elements of Maas’s world.
• Engagement: The “audience participation” jokes (e.g., “sissy punch-a-bration”) keep the summary feeling intimate and inclusive, perfect for fans and newcomers alike.

Bottom Line:
This episode masterfully combines scandalous humor, sharp literary analysis, and genuine affection for the characters as the Crescent City saga barrels toward its climax. The hosts revel in the chaos, heartbreak, and fight scenes, leaving listeners with a deepened connection to the story—and desperate to know if Bryce truly made it to Hell.

For Next Week:
Read to the end of the book for the epic conclusion!