LPN Deep Dives: HOSAB / Episode 6: Wings and Wangs

Summary

Podcast Summary: LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City – Episode 6: Wings and Wangs

Hosts: Natalie Jean and Jackie Zebrowski
Release Date: July 15, 2025
Podcast: LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City by The Last Podcast Network

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Introduction

In Episode 6 of LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City, hosts Natalie Jean and Jackie Zebrowski delve into Chapters 9 and 10 of Sarah J. Maas's acclaimed adult science fiction novel series, Crescent City. This episode offers a comprehensive analysis of character developments, plot advancements, and thematic elements, enriched by the hosts' engaging banter and insightful commentary.

Chapter Overview

Chapter 9 introduces significant interactions between key characters, notably Bryce Quinlan, Hunt Athalar, Cormac, and the enigmatic Celestina. The chapter focuses on Bryce's complex relationship with Hunt and the unfolding dynamics with Celestina, an archangel whose intentions remain ambiguous.

Chapter 10 continues to unravel these relationships while introducing new antagonists, namely Pollux and Baxian Argos, known as the Hammer and the Hellhound, respectively. The chapter intensifies the tension between the protagonists and antagonists, setting the stage for future confrontations.

Character Spotlight

• Bryce Quinlan: The resilient and outspoken protagonist grapples with the emerging threats from her past and the new dynamics introduced by Celestina. Her interactions reveal her strong sense of agency and protective instincts towards her loved ones.

• Hunt Athalar: As Bryce's partner, Hunt displays a mix of vulnerability and strength. His confrontation with Celestina hints at deeper layers of his character, including his unresolved trauma and protective nature.

• Celestina: An archangel whose demeanor oscillates between benevolent and manipulative. Her initial interactions suggest a strategic approach to gaining trust while concealing ulterior motives.

• Pollux and Baxian Argos (Wings and Wangs): The introduction of these antagonists adds complexity to the narrative. Pollux's sadistic tendencies and Baxian's dual identity as both a shifter and an angel present formidable challenges for the protagonists.

Plot Progression

The episode highlights critical plot developments, including:

• Celestina's Arrival: Celestina's introduction as Hunt's new overlord brings a mix of hope and skepticism. Her promise to earn trust contrasts sharply with Hunt's distrust based on past experiences.

• Confrontation with Pollux: Hunt's aggressive response to Pollux's taunts underscores the escalating conflict. The tension between them foreshadows potential future clashes.

• Introduction of the Oracles: The revelation of twelve oracles scattered across Midgard introduces a mystical element that could significantly influence the storyline and character motivations.

• Ethan's POV: A new perspective is introduced through Ethan's experiences, providing deeper insight into his emotional struggles and the broader implications of the royal turmoil.

Themes and Analysis

• Trust and Betrayal: The intricate web of trust between characters like Bryce, Hunt, and Celestina explores themes of betrayal and alliance.

• Identity and Transformation: Characters like Baxian, who embody dual identities, and Hunt's struggle with his form highlight the theme of identity and personal transformation.

• Power Dynamics: The shifting power dynamics, especially with Celestina's strategic positioning and the emergence of new antagonists, drive the narrative forward.

• Love and Sacrifice: Bryce and Hunt's relationship epitomizes themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities that come with protecting loved ones in perilous times.

Notable Quotes

• Jackie Zabrowski on Cormac's Tattoo:
  "She also notes the strange symbols tattooed on his left bicep. And do we find out what that is? And I don't." (15:19)

• Natalie Jean on Oracles:
  "In her thoughts at this moment, we learn that there are actually 12 oracles scattered across Midgard, including one that dwells under the sea." (17:53)

• Jackie Zabrowski on Character Dynamics:
  "It's like, they're suppressing their true selves, creating layers that might never truly be peeled back." (22:03)

• Natalie Jean on Bryce's Defiance:
  "She's right there, she lets some of her light out, blinding him." (66:42)

Conversations and Insights

The hosts engage in lively discussions dissecting the characters' motivations and actions. Natalie emphasizes Bryce's unwavering strength and refusal to be intimidated, while Jackie highlights the complexity of Celestina's character—posing as benevolent yet potentially harboring malevolent intentions.

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the introduction of Pollux and Baxian, analyzing their roles as antagonists and the potential impact on the protagonists' journey. The interplay between Bryce and these characters illustrates the blurred lines between allies and enemies in the Crescent City narrative.

Additionally, the hosts explore the psychological aspects of the characters, particularly Hunt's internal struggles and Ethan's emotional turmoil, providing listeners with a deeper understanding of the protagonists' vulnerabilities and motivations.

Conclusion

Episode 6 of LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City offers an in-depth analysis of Chapters 9 and 10, capturing the essence of Sarah J. Maas's intricate world-building and character development. Natalie Jean and Jackie Zebrowski provide listeners with a rich, engaging exploration of the plot's unfolding complexities, making it a valuable resource for both avid fans and newcomers to the series.

Listeners are left anticipating how the introduced conflicts and character dynamics will evolve, setting the stage for future episodes in the Wings and Wangs series.

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Stay Tuned: For more detailed discussions and breakdowns of upcoming chapters, subscribe to LPN Deep Dives: Crescent City on your favorite podcast platform.

Transcript

[Natalie Jean]

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[Jackie Zabrowski]

That's why it's so cool that Oregon.

[Natalie Jean]

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[Jackie Zabrowski]

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[Natalie Jean]

Play for many Oregonians can add up to a lot of good the Oregon Lottery Together, we do good things. Lottery games are based on chance and.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Should be played for entertainment only.

[Natalie Jean]

Must be 18 or older to play.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

We all belong outside. We're drawn to nature. Whether it's the recorded sounds of the.

[Natalie Jean]

Ocean we doze off to or the succulents that adorn our homes.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Nature makes all of our lives, well, better. Despite all this, we often go about our busy lives removed from it. But the outdoors is closer than we realize. With alltrails, you can discover trails nearby and explore confidently with offline maps and on trail navigation. Download the free app Today we're excited to announce that we're going to Prythian and Valbara and Basgaeth.

[Natalie Jean]

If you're nasty and you can too.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Join us in spring of 2026 at the Dreamers and Readers Festival. A three day event chock full of choose your own adventures. Multiple Fae balls, fashion shows, photo shoots, Hoteez, Everybody.

[Natalie Jean]

At least 15 different events at the otherworldly Gaylord Texan Resort that you can customize to make the perfect trip fit your Fantasy Dreams.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Visit fantastiquecollection.com and use our code Faybayes at checkout to receive $10 off of any of these events.

[Natalie Jean]

Dreamers and Readers Night 1 and 2.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Mythical Creatures Masquerade, Fantastic Starfall Ball and the Farewell Fae Bash.

[Natalie Jean]

Not only that, but if you use our code Fayebaes at checkout for those events, you will receive an exclusive swag bag from the weekend.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'll do anything for a swag bag, Natalie.

[Natalie Jean]

Give it to me.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes, that's right. Use our code Faybase F A E B A e [e-mail] to get your $10 off of any of these events.

[Natalie Jean]

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

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Gimme, gimme.

[Natalie Jean]

Give me that swag.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

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

[Natalie Jean]

Oh.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh no.

[Natalie Jean]

You had to pee in the dark once.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh my God. This one time I had to pee and there were no lights.

[Natalie Jean]

I mean, it's gonna make you stronger at the end of the day, ladies.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

If you're in a poop Cruise. You know, if you happen to find yourself on a poop cruise, you gotta make the best of it.

[Natalie Jean]

I just feel like a lot of what they were describing is just living in Brooklyn.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Natalie Jean]

20 something.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sometimes you just got to find a place to shit. Just sometimes it's somebody's bed.

[Natalie Jean]

Sometimes it's somebody.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I am over here desperate for my flaps.

[Natalie Jean]

I don't know if they're going to stay, babe.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I want these flaps. If for those of you that are unlucky enough to not be watching the video I am currently.

[Natalie Jean]

You're like, did Jackie actually shave her head?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No. I know, because it looks so real. And I'm wearing a bald cap. And for those of you that don't know, if you haven't experienced work with a bald cap, it's one of the most frustrating accessories you could put on. And if you are watching the video, you can see that I didn't do a good job. And that's fine.

[Natalie Jean]

You don't need to. But it's the gist of the idea.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's, you know, versilimitude. That's not what this means. But I will say that I did get corroboration because our amazing producer Adam did say that the one time that he had to work with a bald cap that, like, it takes a professional out.

[Natalie Jean]

I mean, that's why there are professionals.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Who apply them properly. Apply one. So that's not what's happening up here. But, you know, I was trying to find a wig of a buzz cut. And I tell you what, I did chop all of the hair off of a wig like it was a Barbie doll.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

To see if it would work. As if I didn't expect to look like weird Barbie afterwards. I looked like someone that had become truly undone. And that's not the character I'm trying to portray. It might be.

[Natalie Jean]

I think you should keep it for another day, though.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You think? I'm not gonna use it for something. I'll use it for something.

[Natalie Jean]

That was.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

The flaps. The flaps. The flaps. My face is covered in spirit gum.

[Natalie Jean]

I think you need to let it go emotionally.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I need to let. To let this bald cap, the way.

[Natalie Jean]

You'Re holding it right now, looks like you're very frustrated with me.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Reading your mind or you're reading my mind? Actually, I do look like a mentalist right now in a couple of ways. Natalie. Ah, don't worry, Natalie. I know what you think.

[Natalie Jean]

I don't think you're supposed to call the mentalists.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, is that not what You.

[Natalie Jean]

I was making a joke.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, why? Because so big. Yes.

[Natalie Jean]

I meant about being a crazy person.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And I'm definitely giving more. I don't even want to say I'm giving more Anton lavey than I am giving. I think I'm just. It looks like my head is dirty. I was trying to put. I had already applied it. I was trying to make it look like a buzz cut and now I just look like a dirty baby. That's head got stooped in the shit.

[Natalie Jean]

Well, you could. I'm sure on midgard there is a dirty baby somewhere. So you could be being playing that baby.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'm soldier dirty baby right now.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah. Soldier dirty baby.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Bad soldier dirty baby. Don't give me a gun, cuz I'm going to shoot that diapy right off of you.

[Natalie Jean]

It's like off. What's the baby? Boss. Boss baby.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Boss baby. Oh, yeah. I'm always thinking about boss baby.

[Natalie Jean]

So it's like the leader of the army is a baby.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Natalie Jean]

It's cute.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. I mean, I feel like I could direct some soldier traffic from a crib.

[Natalie Jean]

Like, go that way, go that way.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, you'd have to include a couple gooey gogies in there.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah, that's. That's why it's adorable.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. And. Oh, everybody loves when I'm acting like a baby. Especially when I have spirit gum seeping down from my forehead. You do? Okay. I was telling Adam. I was like, see, I don't need spirit gum remover. I was like, you see, a real. Like a real true one. Like a real one. You're just gonna rip that right off your face. But what do you do when you get the spirit gum all over your hands? And now it's all over my computer. And now all of my drinks are sticky and my phone is sticky.

[Natalie Jean]

I have a adhesive remover, but I don't think it's here.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I can't hear you over the flapping of my capping.

[Natalie Jean]

I like it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. Yeah. I do look like. Like I'm trying to be a nudist. Old school pilot.

[Natalie Jean]

You do. You look a little bit like it's the kind of pilot hat that tank girl wears.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes. Yeah. Or yeah, I look like I'm in Mystery Men.

[Natalie Jean]

Oh, yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

A little bit.

[Natalie Jean]

And that's. I mean, maybe they have that amid guard and we're gonna go zip down there right now. You're a little bit like a little paratrooper, but you have wings. So I guess you don't need a parachute.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. I don't need a parachute, Natalie. Unless I just am trying to fit in. Yeah, but maybe I feel like maybe we are like, on Midgard, kind of like those characters, you know what I mean? I remember what I was saying, and then I was struggling with trying to get the slime open, and then I lost my train of thought. All right? I can't get the slime open, and this is gonna derail the entire episode. Probably I gotta wait for the slime to slink back to the bottom of the container, because it is keeping the container closed currently.

[Natalie Jean]

Ah, physics. You get a little bit of everything on this show.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. Get me on a pilot seat. I'm gonna stop thinking about the flaps eventually.

[Natalie Jean]

Do you think you can? No, I think you can't. But I mean that with love and that it's okay. You have spicy thoughts.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No, I feel that way in the same way that, like, why I don't wear fake nails. I feel like I can feel. I can hear the nails on my hands at all times. That's what these flaps are about to start being for me.

[Natalie Jean]

I give you permission to take the.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Cap off for silimitude.

[Natalie Jean]

No.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And I gotta stay in character, Natalie. And you, honestly, as Celestina, you should fucking know that.

[Natalie Jean]

I know. If you did take it off, every time I'd look at you, be like, who are you? You're taking me out?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, I'll take you out. Where you wanna go, bitch?

[Natalie Jean]

I would love to go to a pool. Can we leave?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, we're going to a. Sorry, can't finish the episode. We got to take our coffees and go to the pool.

[Natalie Jean]

Can we start recording from a pool?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, yeah. This. This is going to start being a hot tub stream. Ooh, I want to see full cosplay. Like, I don't want it sexy. I just want it wet. And also doing the same thing.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah, Just full. Wearing socks in there.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, yeah. I mean, I was trying to get my knee pads on earlier. Natalie's like, you know, you don't need the knee pads on yet. And you are correct.

[Natalie Jean]

We just. Oh, we need a kneecam. So as we're recording, we need a second lower cam. That cam only goes on, only fans.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, I was about to say, I think that's upskirts, but yeah.

[Natalie Jean]

No, no, no.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You don't get.

[Natalie Jean]

No, no, it's knee cam angled so you can't see anything sexy. It's just the bottom half of us while we're recording. Because they're like, what did they. What do their costumes look like underneath. That's so interesting. So Nikam goes on only fans. And this part goes on YouTube and wherever you get your. Your podcast, you can get us anywhere. Chapter nine, Bryson Hunt are at their respective destinations. So we have Hunt awaiting Celestina. And Bryce is on her lunch break at the Fay archives because she went to work.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, it's like they still expect her to go to work. I feel like you should get at least a year off of work if you save everybody.

[Natalie Jean]

Or like a Chipotle year, you know, celebrity card.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh. Or like the Dina Lohan black card at Dunkey's, I believe it was she got it from.

[Natalie Jean]

Why did Dina Lohan get that?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You know, the mother of greatness deserves anything.

[Natalie Jean]

She's so gross.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. I think it was Carvel.

[Natalie Jean]

Wow. I didn't know you were into weird stuff, Carvel. Because her mother is gross.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. But, I mean, you can put those crunchies into anything. I will say I recently received a magazine because I got high and got a subscription for our magazine. And it is Delish magazine. And in Delish, they had a bunch of copycat recipes. And one of them was explaining how to make the crumbles inside of a Carvel cake. And I feel like this is information we need to know.

[Natalie Jean]

I mean, I'll eat them if you make them.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And you could definitely find it for free online rather than paying for a magazine.

[Natalie Jean]

But it's nice to have a magazine to look through.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Magazines. I like magazines.

[Natalie Jean]

And I bet Bryce also would because.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

She loves, you know, she would being.

[Natalie Jean]

In the Fay archives. So Bryce is.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It was Carvel, by the way.

[Natalie Jean]

We're with. Thank God.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And I. I will do anything in my power to get a Carvel Black card someday.

[Natalie Jean]

Well, Bryce should have gotten one. She should have.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You're right.

[Natalie Jean]

And she didn't. No. She has to go to work in her little office and we're with her at her pov and she's trying to find ways to get Hun to laugh on the phone because he's nervous about his new boss.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And yeah, because the old one was a bit of a stick in the angel mud.

[Natalie Jean]

But, like, she has to keep reminding him he isn't a slave now. He's choosing to work there because he basically wants to help Isaiah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But that's like saying it's like, what job would we have after this, Natalie? Look at us. You know what I mean?

[Natalie Jean]

I think we would have to just go to beg for change.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

We'd have to beg for change because, like, what is the umbra Mortis supposed to do if he's not the umbra mortis. You know, like, I feel like he.

[Natalie Jean]

Just wants to have sex with Bryce.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. But yeah, unfortunately. Well, they don't have only fans on Midgard or else that could pay the bills. Especially the person that saved everybody. And we get to watch them have sex.

[Natalie Jean]

They might have it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Sign me up.

[Natalie Jean]

They're only fins for Therian. So she is trying to get Hunt to laugh and she's kind of succeeding. But she knows he's still really filled with concern. Obviously.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Natalie Jean]

She herself has scrolled through the interweb trying to like gauge Celestina. She's mostly just getting feet pics pulled up and trying to find any gossip about her. But they're just everybody just kind of talking about how pretty she is. There's not any sort of rumors about how bad she is, which is not more than that.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But it's not.

[Natalie Jean]

At least there's nothing being like she actually is the worst of them. You know, there's none of that online.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's like. But I'd almost rather that than nothing. And then it's like, you know what to expect. It's the not knowing.

[Natalie Jean]

And that's kind of. Yeah, that's kind of where Hunt is too.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

She.

[Natalie Jean]

He's just like, I'm going to assume the absolute worst of her.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I would.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah, you should. It's like sometimes it's better to just.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Not expect the worst.

[Natalie Jean]

Anything. All. Yeah. So we know about her is that she's allegedly very hot. Hunt tells her she might need to have dinner by herself that evening because he doesn't know what Celestine is going to ask of him. And then wants to know if Bryce had has heard from, quote, Prince. Just as she's answering no, Prince Esquire himself appears before her, almost as if by magic. Almost as if by magic. Magic. Stunned, she doesn't tell Hunt in that moment that he is there. Instead pushes him off the call by saying her boss has appeared. Weird. So I get it. She's not like hiding stuff necessarily.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But I can't deal with it right then.

[Natalie Jean]

I think that a little bit of this scene will talk. Let's talk about this. So we cut to a few moments later as Bryce is glaring at Cormac, whom she can't help but notice is jacked now that he's changed into a T shirt.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh. Thinking a little bit more about what Jesiba said of like a. I mean, it could be worse.

[Natalie Jean]

She also notes the strange symbols tattooed on his left bicep. And do we find out what that is? And I don't.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

In my head, it's really stupid tribal tattoos that mean absolutely nothing, but we don't know what it is.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah, it's just.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Just, like, means wealthy in Japanese. And she's like, oh, oh, are you sure?

[Natalie Jean]

Why do you speak Japanese?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. Is there. Okay. Reason for it? Just wanted to let. Specifically anyone that can read. Anyway, I just feel like Cormac might be. You know, at least of what we know about Cormac right now. I feel like it would be a. I think that he would have a bit of, like. I don't know. I'm sorry, I don't know.

[Natalie Jean]

Why are you a pirate?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Notice my tiny finger hook.

[Natalie Jean]

Did you see my little finger hook? Aw, that would be cute to have just a hook on your finger.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It doesn't hurt nobody. Just a little hook that honestly would come in handy or.

[Natalie Jean]

Oh, four tiny hooks where your fingers used to be.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No, that would be very difficult to, like, have a physical relationship with anyone.

[Natalie Jean]

But imagine you could hang ties on.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, you could hang ties, and then it's like you're the closet, and then you don't need one anymore. You're right, Natalie, you are correct.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah, I am usually correct. He's got this tattoo. I don't know if that's gonna come back or not, but strange symbols. Is interesting. Yes. She tells him to get out, but he again becomes preoccupied by the star on her bosom because it has once again begun glowing.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Also because it's on her bosom.

[Natalie Jean]

I mean, they're nice to look at. Come on. Yeah. He smugly tells her it glows for him because they are predestined and suggests an oracle told him. So which way to just put that out there in the middle of a sentence, just being like, wait, you're. We're gonna just waltz past that? Okay, this is news to Bryce, who gives him some earned lip, asking which oracle it was so she can kick their ass.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Hell, yeah.

[Natalie Jean]

So apparently he's saying he got an oracle reading about Bryce. So not good.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Okay, but how do you know? No, it's about Bryce.

[Natalie Jean]

We don't ever know. Because oracles can't just say something.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No, no, it's all, oh, it's got.

[Natalie Jean]

To be a riddle. Okay, so in her thoughts at this moment, we learn that there are actually 12 oracles scattered across Midgard, including one that dwells under the sea.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Whoa. I just feel like at that point, wouldn't you want to go, like, check out all the oracles and be like, I just want a second opinion. I'd love to hear what this one. Like, what's this one's perspective? But I feel like you probably can't do that.

[Natalie Jean]

I imagine they don't, like, want to. I think the oracles decide whatever. You don't get to choose.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No. And I guess they would know if you've already talked to another one of.

[Natalie Jean]

Them, too, because they probably have text.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Chain or something, like mind talk or something. So you know what I look like? I feel like I look like Cousin Eddie from National Lampoons. Like, I feel like this is with the flags. Well, you know why?

[Natalie Jean]

You're probably cross. Like, having cross memories. He wears this hat in an Independence Day.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Independence Day. Oh, my God. Weirdly apropos that. Yes, that is what it is. Exactly what it is. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Although I don't think I'd be willing.

[Natalie Jean]

To fly straight into the laser. Well, what if you were an alcoholic who'd kind of already fucked up your relationship with all your children?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Well, I mean, I am an alcoholic, but I also didn't have the kids to fucking. Well, I used to be, and I, you know, then I didn't have to, and I don't have to. So it's kind of like I'm just like him. Oh, my God. Am I Randy Quaid? No.

[Natalie Jean]

He has kids, though.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

He does.

[Natalie Jean]

I'm pretty sure.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I mean, I imagine I don't. You know, all I can really ever think about with Randy Quaid is that sex tape. Yeah.

[Natalie Jean]

I mean, it's hard to not think.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

About him the entire time. And they're wearing the masks, and I did watch the whole thing.

[Natalie Jean]

So it does suck that he sucks.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And that's not even why he sucked.

[Natalie Jean]

Like, no, he super sucks. And it was. It was heartbreaking for Henry because he started following Henry on Twitter a couple years ago right before he fully, like.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Really went crashed out online.

[Natalie Jean]

And Henry, so sick.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Because we're, like, vacation fans.

[Natalie Jean]

Randy Quaid Vacation series is like, some of our favorite movies of all time are, like, fucking Cousin Eddie. Yes. And then he immediately is doing Q stuff, and you're just like, well, maybe he should draw. He fly right into a laser.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

At least help us a little bit.

[Natalie Jean]

Come on.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Something then.

[Natalie Jean]

Come on, buddy. Come on. He can't come into the cut. Well, he couldn't come into the country to help anyway.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

He'll get an underground underground.

[Natalie Jean]

So. Yeah. So she can't go to the oracle. How fuck did we get over to this? Our conversations.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

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[Natalie Jean]

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[Jackie Zabrowski]

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[Natalie Jean]

So we're at the. She got. He got a different oracle reading than she did. Like a different. From a different oracle.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Okay.

[Natalie Jean]

And she, you know, is just trying to brush it off, being like, well, let me kick this stupid oracle's ass. And he's unmoved. Calling her a half breed and suggesting she's untamed.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Wow. So unique.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So he doesn't even know how. How unique he is. So no fucking I know.

[Natalie Jean]

When she snaps at him, he tells her he didn't mean it in a way he didn't. That he likes tame females, essentially saying.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

As like, he's flirting, he likes the fight.

[Natalie Jean]

He likes. I didn't say I prefer tamed women. Okay, all right. She responds with gross. Appropriately, she asks a second time what the oracle said to him, since this is news to all of us.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Cormac glowered.

[Natalie Jean]

The article of Alevin said I was distant.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

A little bit more pirate. I don't agree.

[Natalie Jean]

He's a pirate. He's too.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

He's too quack. Suave. I know. He's too charming.

[Natalie Jean]

He's more of like a.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Although, I mean a pirate.

[Natalie Jean]

He's got like six different kinds of creams for his face in his bathroom. You're right.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes, he is very soft to the touch. And definitely one of those where it's like he knows how to fight, but it's like still doesn't have the calloused hands. Like an umbra mortis.

[Natalie Jean]

No, he does not have calloused hands, which makes me believe there won't be a romance shift up. But sometimes S sham throws him in there?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You never know.

[Natalie Jean]

The Oracle of Olivan said I was destined to unite with a princess who possessed a star in her heart. That it is getting pirate.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But you're. You're doing a better job than I do.

[Natalie Jean]

That our mingling would be great prosperity to our people. Nope. Where's that going?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I like it.

[Natalie Jean]

That our mingling would bring great prosperity to our people.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Bryce drummed her fingers on her glass desk.

[Natalie Jean]

A lot of room for interpretation there.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Trust an oracle to call sex mingling.

[Natalie Jean]

Cormac disagrees. But obviously there is room for interpretations. Because oracles are maddening.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Natalie Jean]

And mingling could mean something else. They can't ever just say something in a paragraph. You have to interpret.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

My God. Just say what you want to say. Who's got the time? Not me. But I guess that's part of it. It's part of the journey of like getting to know what it means.

[Natalie Jean]

I'm sick of journeys.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I know.

[Natalie Jean]

Just tell me.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I don't want to grow. I don't want to learn anymore. I'm done. I'm cooked. All right. It's over. No more learning happen.

[Natalie Jean]

I like learning. I like it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Talk to the flaps. Fucking ears ain't listening.

[Natalie Jean]

They are blocking your ears.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

So you know. Or they're thinking about it. They're definitely. It's given like they're the front lines before my ears army.

[Natalie Jean]

Oh, that's nice.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Also you really. They're protecting it looks like I have Fae ears on. But no, my ears just stick out and you don't really notice. But because I have such big hair.

[Natalie Jean]

They meant reverse fay ears. Like the bottoms of the pointy part.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, I. I mean that if I could get it. I mean I can't even get that bald cap attached. So I don't know if I'd be able to get the bottom half my danglies over here. But no, I just look like I'm about to fly away. I'm like a bird. I don't know where my cap is. I don't know where my hair is.

[Natalie Jean]

It makes you more aerodynamic.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh my God. That is good. Because I've been meaning to bust it out of here.

[Natalie Jean]

Try. Like a cannonball, Bryce is losing interest in this conversation. She asks what he wants to get him out of their asap and he's evasive, saying he just wants to see what his betrothed does during the day. When she sarcastically suggests that he seems flummoxed by a female with a job, he reminds her that chicks don't got jobs in Avalon. And she should probably prepare to adjust.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

His voice was flat, his eyes hollow.

[Natalie Jean]

So as he speaks, it could be interpreted as coldness. Or maybe that he is also not thrilled about this whole thing.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Interesting.

[Natalie Jean]

So he is there to kind of taunt her, but it's not like he's thrilled by it. He seems like there's. He's got his own thing going on in there.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

He's being a bit of a flybaby right now as well. It's more of like a get back. Oh, get away from me.

[Natalie Jean]

Yes, a little bit.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Okay. If you have something to say, say it. Okay. You don't. Bye.

[Natalie Jean]

You're just here to irritate. It's hard to say at this point what's going through his mind because he's also throwing some lines at her during this interaction. And there's something that could be considered akin to sexual tension.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Whoa. I mean, this is Bryce we're talking about.

[Natalie Jean]

She offers to pay him a bribe to get out of the union, which he laughs off. He's rich. Beyond his needs, of course. Plus, he tells her once she bears him some heirs he can take, she can take whatever lovers she'd like. Oh, well, okay, then when she tells him no.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I mean, don't get me wrong, you.

[Natalie Jean]

Know, I wouldn't want to be a kept woman.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I. Okay, I wouldn't want to be a kept woman. But if it happened to happen in a positive way with someone I wanted.

[Natalie Jean]

Without just being in love.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, but also, then it's like. And then I get to just play. Oh, I have a double function.

[Natalie Jean]

I don't know. It seems like Princess Diana didn't love it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

No, she. But she did do other things. You know, she made.

[Natalie Jean]

She was sure.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

She made the air, she made the spare. Then she was able to do whatever.

[Natalie Jean]

The hell she wanted, but she wasn't happy.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Where was she?

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah, I mean, they still tried to shut her down. That's the thing.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Okay. I won't be a kept woman.

[Natalie Jean]

I don't think it's ever as good as you think. It's gonna be fine.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

All right?

[Natalie Jean]

And she. That's what Bryce says. She doesn't want to live like chattel on his weird island.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's almost like the people that you should love that won't treat you like that are the ones that you should choose to want to be with. I guess I'm confused.

[Natalie Jean]

He smiled. So she says no, thanks to sleeping with him and living like channel on his weird island, is what she says. And he smiles and tells her he's never gotten a complain about the first part and that she'd probably quite like it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Stop it. Oh.

[Natalie Jean]

She scoffs, but notes he seems quite confident at his quote skills. He reminds her that it will help strengthen their people's bloodlines. Angered, she points to the exit. The fae are not her people, she says, and she thinks with rage about their refusal the fae to help humans during the attack.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Whoa.

[Natalie Jean]

He chastises her, calling her wild again. But she slams the office door in his face. And I have to say, with this little interaction, we're getting some competition in for Hunt here. And we don't know where it's going. But I'm gonna say I get a little bit of a Pharaoh Rizan kind of interaction between the two little enemies to lovers.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's a little like. Because it is spirited and there is that tension. It is very like, she. She.

[Natalie Jean]

Like he's getting under her skin.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes. But, like, you know, like, stop. Like, I do feel like there is like, oh, I'm not that beautiful girl you're supposed to be in love with. Get out of here.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah, yeah. So we'll see what comes of that. We go over to Hunt's POV around the same time, where he is face to face with his new overlord archangel. And we're meeting her too.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Hunt considered the beautiful archangel seated at Micah's old desk. Glowing skin as dark as onyx brought out the light brown of her eyes, and her delicate mouth seemed permanently set in a patient smile. It was that smile, that gentle, kind smile that threw him.

[Natalie Jean]

Take a seat, please, Naomi.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Too beautiful. Too patient. We do not trust.

[Natalie Jean]

No, I'm not buying it. Naomi and Isaiah are in the room with Hunt, and they are all treading lightly because obviously an archangel, regardless of how they're acting, is terrifying because they can just like, explode you at any time. He can't help but notice how many extra angels are flying past the window than normal, all being looky loose, trying to get a glimpse of their new boss. Essentially, Hunt's feeling rattled by her initial entrance into the committee, where instead of acting like a Miranda Priestley walking through the lobby, she's acting more like Nandy. Whoa. You know that. You know those references? It's Devil. Devil's wear. Devil wears.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

There's been a lot of Devil Wears Prada talk recently, and I've never seen it.

[Natalie Jean]

Oh, girl, we gotta watch.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's one of my favorites. I know, it's great. It's just one of those that I just missed and I just been meaning to go Back to. We gotta go watch.

[Natalie Jean]

I want to go. Let's go watch it now.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

All right.

[Natalie Jean]

I'm tired.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

We're gonna be in the watching Devil wears. Also filming in these outfits.

[Natalie Jean]

Yay.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I think that it's fine. Come on. You guys know you'd hang out with us in the hot tub.

[Natalie Jean]

Oh, yeah. Hunt's feeling, like, a little uncomfortable about how polite she was to everybody, like, being friendly, like, welcoming herself and like, saying, hi, it's so nice to meet you. And she mentions in this first initial meeting with them that they are the only Triari left from Micah's reign. And they're middle of their conversation. And Hunt goes again, thinks about Vic.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Who is a Triari, the bottom of the ocean, who is alive.

[Natalie Jean]

And Hunt's just going, wow, she must be having a bad time down there.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

She's still down there anyway.

[Natalie Jean]

Damn it, Hunt.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That's what makes me think that. The governor angled her head, her tightly curling black hair shifting with the movement. She wore pale pink and lilac robes, gauzy and ethereal, and the silver jewelry along her wrists and neck glowed as if lit by the moon. Where Micah had radiated dominance and might, she shimmered with feminine strength and beauty. She barely came up to Hunt's chest, yet she had a presence that had Hunt eyeing her carefully.

[Natalie Jean]

So we have this whole other. Is this character going to end up being a big part of the plot line? We don't know yet.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

We don't know.

[Natalie Jean]

Celestina seems to note their apprehension and makes herself quite clear. She does not wish to have slaves who fear her. She wants to have a partnership with her angels to bring prosperity and safety to their territory and their people. Hunt is not buying it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, what you're gonna see us is like one eighth of an angel now. But that's like, more than people would have.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah, it's like, o. Wow, great. So you're like, well, I don't want to like, put you in a dungeon. Thanks, I guess, but no, but like, she's trying. She seems, at least on the surface, like she is trying to make it clear that she doesn't want that. That kind of life with them.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And I don't think we trust like that.

[Natalie Jean]

I mean, you can't at least that quickly. She's got to earn it. And she knows. She actually says that I want to earn your trust. But he's just not buying it. Surely she can't just be brushing off that he and his roommate killed an archangel.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Two archangels, just a few months ago.

[Natalie Jean]

Celestina Seems to pick up on that also and assures them that she will. She'll earn their trust over time. Hunt still doesn't believe her. He almost wishes she would just come out and be cruel, but the. The cruel overlord that he assumes that she is. It's worse almost to be like Micah and feign compassion only to snatch it away.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Just be a bitch. Out the gate, man. Out the gate. There is something about, like, someone that is through and through bitchy, like, off the rip. That I do usually. Doesn't mean you want to be friends with them, but I do inherently trust them more than people that are just nice.

[Natalie Jean]

But you're like.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, exactly that. Oh, my God. When we first moved from New York to Florida, how many of, like, the Southern mentality of. Of, like, the bless your heart, like, that whole thing. Meanwhile, we're coming in with Queen's energy. My mom was like, I don't trust any of these. Which I understand, because she's like, I'd rather you call me a to my face than you say it behind my back.

[Natalie Jean]

Right.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But, you know, just different sensibilities, I guess.

[Natalie Jean]

This. The Southern sensibility of being passive aggressive.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Bless her heart.

[Natalie Jean]

So Hunt's having all of these apprehensive feelings, but is also kind of surprised to see hope in Isaiah and Naomi's eyes. Almost like they believe her or at least want to. Hunt will do no such thing. Hunt blurts out that Micah tried to kill his Bryce Quinlan. Like, I think he was gonna say his girlfriend.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Girlfriend. Seemed like he was about to drop the G, y'. All.

[Natalie Jean]

Who knows? Or maybe he was gonna say the M word.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. Or my. Or yeah, my hoe.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Except not even his hole. Not yet.

[Natalie Jean]

No.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I guess his lips. My lips are at home and somebody was pouty at him.

[Natalie Jean]

That is unsettling. Yes. Which. Which lips?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

The top of the bottle.

[Natalie Jean]

When she gently suggests so. He blurts this out when Celestina gently suggests that she hopes she can work with Hunt to learn what caused the tension between him and Micah. It could be all of the trying to kill him, but, you know, whatever. Naomi tenses at this sort of interaction because Hunt becomes immediately alert when mentioning anything about protecting Bryce. But Celestina only sighs and tells him that she is sorry for the pain of that experience. Further, she surprises everyone by letting them know that not only is Hunt welcome to keep living at Bryce's, that she welcomes any of the Triari to find their own dwellings outside of the Ox dorms if they so choose.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I don't trust yo ass. I don't trust your top.

[Natalie Jean]

Neither your ass or your top part.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, but in between is fine. The in the guts I'm fine with.

[Natalie Jean]

She then looks at Isaiah, his tattoo on his forehead, and has the balls to say out loud that though the Asteri see him as a slave, she views him as a free male and that she will continue to work on getting him released from his bonds.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Isaiah's throat worked and Hunt studied the window, the shining city beyond, to give him privacy. Across the room. Naomi followed his lead. Celestina couldn't be serious. This had to be an act.

[Natalie Jean]

But Selena just continues forth like she didn't just say this really insane thing to Isaiah, going over schedules and going through her expectations of them as a boss would. She concludes the meeting saying, hey, let's all meet up at 9am tomorrow. Get a little sleep, you know, get some sleep in time before the others get here. Others?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Isaiah asked. The archangel frowned slightly.

[Natalie Jean]

The rest of the Triari, they were delayed by a few hours due to some bad weather up north.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

All three of them stilled.

[Natalie Jean]

What do you mean?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Hunt asked quietly. Oh, what's this like we're all waiting for the other shoe to drop?

[Natalie Jean]

What's this fresh hell you're bringing?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Let's hear it, bitch. Let's hear it.

[Natalie Jean]

Celestine looks confused as to how they don't know what she's talking about. She apologizes for the lapse in the communication, and maybe we should work on.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

The communication of this business, huh, Celestina?

[Natalie Jean]

Maybe that's your first day on the job. And she explains that after Ephraim took over Sandriel's place, he was left with a large triari, and Micah's had shrunk down due to the torturing. Since Selena didn't have her own before on her tiny little territory, the Asteri decided to split up.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Ephraim's Triarii roaring erupted in Hunt's head. Sandriel's Triari. The actual scum of the universe. They were coming here to be part of this group in this city. A knock sounded on the door and Hunt twisted as Celestina said, come in. Lightning crackled at Hunt's fingertips. The door opened and in swaggered Pollux, Antonius, and Baxian Argos, the Hammer and the Hellhound.

[Natalie Jean]

Dun dun dun.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Maxian. You better hound right out of here. And I'm like, but my flaps. But what about my flaps? It should make it easier to get out. I think it's maybe we should think about the hellhound as dressed like this. Instead think about his dirty little baby head and his dumb little fucking sticky flaps that won't stick to his face. And think about that man why Torturing your ass.

[Natalie Jean]

Oh, being a silly billy. Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And be like, oh, me, oh, my flaps might get in your wounds. And it's just flapping about the town. And Very scary though.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah. How do you feel? We talked about whether or not you'd want your torturer to be hot. Hot or not. Would you want them to be funny?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That, I mean, then it really like ruins your. It's like doing knock knock jokes. Like knock knock goes there. It's like, oh, it's a hammer in the face. Like, you know, they're not gonna be good at it.

[Natalie Jean]

That's not a good one because I.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Feel, well, I. I mean, obviously I'm putting my brain into a torturer's stand up body, you know, and what kind of things he would find funny. I'm sorry I assume the gender, but they would find funny. Thank you. But you're right, because you know what? Women can torture too. And bees can torture as well. Anybody can get to torture. And if they have a will, there's a way.

[Natalie Jean]

Yep. And that's for all of you to remember out there.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Always remember there's always be afraid of everyone.

[Natalie Jean]

Always. Everyone's a threat.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

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[Natalie Jean]

Yes, just so many good brands.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Vince Birkenstock and more brands you love.

[Natalie Jean]

Are at Nordstrom Rack stores now. Plus buy it online and pick it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Up in store the same day for free. Great brands, great prices.

[Natalie Jean]

That's why you rack at rxbar. They believe in simple nutrition without the bs. That's why they said no to artificial ingredients. And yes, to deliver intentional transparent nutrition. Try their original 12 gram protein bar, the nut butter and oat bar, or Minis RXBar, the proud sponsor of no BS. Use code RXBar on RXBar.com for 25% off, subject to full terms and conditions and to change. Valid until September 30, 2025, and may not be combined with other offers. See r xbar.com for full details and limitations at Chapter 10. We are getting our first glimpses of these bastards. It took me a while to really sort through all of these side characters, so I've obviously read the book now like five times. And there are so many characters in her books that have two to three separate names.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Each. Each. And like, so much happens over time as you get to know the characters, so what you know of them could ebb and flow. But you also never know if it's going to or when it's going to. And you should just always assume that they're all bad until you find out otherwise.

[Natalie Jean]

Or that they're all gonna have sex.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

With each other or they're all gonna be banging away. Wings. Yeah, Wings and wings. I'll take it all.

[Natalie Jean]

Wags and wings.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That was a triari.

[Natalie Jean]

That's your. That's your all male strip club. Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Wangs and wigs. Oh, my God. Yes. But it's like a. It's a Fae strip club. Well, it wouldn't just be Faye, but you know, it's like. Oh, like you.

[Natalie Jean]

Oh, oh. You open the strip club and it's only cosplay characters doing the strip.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I mean, it's kind of like. I guess it would be a different level of themed burlesque. Yeah. But like, take it to like, I want it to still, like, I want there to be a whole. I'm not saying donkey show. I just feel like it, like if there's more. Not because like a burlesque is an insane, like, very. I mean, very talented people.

[Natalie Jean]

Oh, my God. Something that I always seen with dancers, exotic dancers.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Very, very difficult.

[Natalie Jean]

It's very credible.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Insane to me. People think that people look down on people that strip or anyone that like, does burlesque and things that's like, do you know how difficult it is to do that?

[Natalie Jean]

Well, I don't want to know. The people who would look down on it. They're there because they. They're like, what?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

They're boring.

[Natalie Jean]

Boros, noro, idiots.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. It's just like, could you imagine being.

[Natalie Jean]

Like, oh.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It'S just because you can't do it. Yeah.

[Natalie Jean]

Now we're just yelling at people that we've made up in our heads.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. And I'm angry about him. And maybe it's because I can hear the flaps calling in the air tonight. Stop it. Natalie, stop. So I can't put my hands on my head or else I'll destroy my hairline.

[Natalie Jean]

So we have these two new characters, the Hammer and the Hellhound. The Hellhound, whose given name is Baxian, is described as dark haired, dark skinned, finely muscled, with shining crow like feathered wings.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. Hello. I'm right here. I don't think I know you needed to describe it to anybody.

[Natalie Jean]

I know.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'm sitting right here. Now.

[Natalie Jean]

Some people are only listening. He Has a nasty lightning shaped scar down the side of his neck. Hunt knows the Scarlet.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh yeah. Why come? He'd given it to the Hellhound 30 years ago. Some powers it seemed even immortality couldn't guard against. Kyo. It makes me slamity slamme for him.

[Natalie Jean]

Hunt scarred him forever.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. You see it? Yeah. I think about you all the time, boy. Wings and Wangs think about you all the time. Hot. Honestly, I know Band Wings and Wangs. I want it.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah, same. So their enemies. Their enemies turned lovers. Question mark. We'll find out. Hunt feels anger at the sight of him. But his rage really simmers over at the other male, Pollux, who's also known.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

As the Hammer, which was my nickname in college. But I will say Pollocks are the Hammer. The Hammer. I was called Hammer for a very long time.

[Natalie Jean]

Cause you wear those genie pants.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I wish I was wearing genie pants. No, it was just because my catchphrase was the Hammer gets nailed. And I would just get really drunk. And that's when my alter ego, the Hammer would show up. And it was he like, the Hammer. My Hammer is very different than this hammer.

[Natalie Jean]

Mostly because you weren't a sadistic, calculated killer.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I just wasn't blonde. I was Bruno.

[Natalie Jean]

Otherwise it's the same.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Exactly the same. So please.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah, that sounds like very dangerous. And I'm glad that you survived. Thank you. He's the Hammer. So blonde, so mean, golden skinned. He looks like Rocky from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. But a sadistic bully instead of just being a himbo.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

That sucks. I hate that Madeline. Why can't he just be a himbo? You know I have a soft spot for himbo.

[Natalie Jean]

I know. I wish he was just Rocky from Rocky Horror Picture Show.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's just so, like. I know we bring this up all the time, but it really is crazy in my head when you look at the pictures, like the, like the artist rendering of what the characters look like. And it's so, like, it's so pathetically simple in my brain that I'm like, I can't see the bad people as being so hot. Like, my brain can't let me think of them as so fucking hot. And then you look at the pictures like. But it is even scarier. Oh yeah. Knowing that they're so hot.

[Natalie Jean]

I think one, one like Pollux makes more sense because he looks like a bully from high school. Like, he looks like people I was actually afraid of.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, like. Like the captain of the swim team.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah, for sure.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I don't know if your swim team. My swim team was very, very bitchy that.

[Natalie Jean]

Well, them and I think, well, our football players were the meanest. Meanest.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But it was because we had a bad football team. That's why.

[Natalie Jean]

I don't know if ours were any good, but they were big and they were cruel, but not handsome.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Damn. No, that's a bad combo, y'. All. Although, don't worry, I'm sure, unfortunately, someone is strapped to them somewhere.

[Natalie Jean]

Oh, they sure are. Occasionally I'll go see if they're online, like when I'm really drunk or something. And I'd be like.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Like you.

[Natalie Jean]

You hear that, Jeff Wingler?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You're a piece of you.

[Natalie Jean]

But I think he's f. He's probably fine.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah. And it's like you're not writing the comments. You're just thinking, no, I just yell at them.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Natalie Jean]

Rage fills Hunt's head as he sees Pollux grinning at him. And he can't hear what Celestina is saying as Pollux smirks at Hunt, clearly enjoying rattling his demeanor.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Couldn't hear anything except Pollock's drawling, hello, friends. Before Hunt leapt from his chair and tackled him to the floor. Hun, you know we can't do this right now. Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep. You know, but like, what is this gonna do, babe?

[Natalie Jean]

This is. See, this is where he becomes sort of the himbo part of him.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

The love island section of love. Yes. Must attack. He didn't like. Not control. Not thinking. He's. He is reacting, not responding for a second.

[Natalie Jean]

Hunt, you just got permission to stay with Bryce and you haven't even gotten them panties yet. We'll have to wait to find out what. Ha. Well, I guess he kind of got her panties.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I mean, yeah, he's E, but yeah, he ain't gone all the way. He ain't hit that home run yet.

[Natalie Jean]

No, he ain't got the home run. We have to wait to find out what happens after this moment because we cut back over to Bryce's apartment and somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I. And I really tried to look back, but I believe this is our first ever Ethan pov. I don't think we've ever.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

In the last chapter with his. No, none of that was. Cause that was Hunt's perspective.

[Natalie Jean]

I feel the same way. There's like this scratch at the back of my brain that I didn't. We have him, but I can't find anything where he wear with his pov. So this might be his first time and if not, you guys have to yell at us, I guess.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Please.

[Natalie Jean]

So we're with Ethan, and he's alone at Bryce's as Bryce and Hans are both at work. And he.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Of course, maybe this is the one I'm thinking about.

[Natalie Jean]

Sorry. And he is at Bryce's by himself because, you know, of course, he was dropped there the night prior. And they basically told him he has to stay there for now. So he's there alone. He. Well, with Syrinx. Syrinx is also there. And he's peering around Bryce's bathroom as he holds a washcloth to his face, trying not to get overwhelmed with the memories as he sees and smells Bryce all over the room. Her makeup, her perfumes, her hair accoutrement. It's all too much for him. On top of that, he's running out of distractions at the house that will help him not think about the royal mess that he's found himself in.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Well, not only the royal mess, but also it's like there's something about, like, being in a crush's house without, like, with no one else. But, like, I feel like. I don't know if I can ever say I've been in that situation before, but think of the want to go through her shit that, you know, is there. That it's like. I feel like I'd be like, well, if I just look through her shit, then I'll stop thinking about the royal mess that I'm in and I'll change my. I'll change my perspective.

[Natalie Jean]

I think at this point, we don't even really know he has a crush on her.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I mean, I feel like we kind of. Well, yeah, I think you can kind of assume that he does because especially the way he is about, like. Like his brother loving her so much. And like. Yeah, I feel like also that kind of love of like that his brother never got to love her. I feel like this crush is so, of course, like, I feel like it's kind of like, of course he has a crush on her, you know, that.

[Natalie Jean]

And also part of his brother. And also it's just the awkwardness of this person you were extremely close to and then went through a huge trauma with and then never spoke to again.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Like, both of different places.

[Natalie Jean]

I have friends who I haven't spoken to in a long time. Imagining being in their house after that. Being like that is weird.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

After they did you a huge solid as well, like that. It's very uncomfortable, very precarious situation to be in.

[Natalie Jean]

And he knows he has to be here Though he knows Sabine meant the banishment, that it wasn't a joke, knows that even though she'd missed that, she'd meant to take out his eyeball and almost succeeded, he reflects on how he'd probably be getting ready to go meet the archangel right now with Sabine had he not, quote, unquote, betrayed her. And instead, he's going to need to prepare, and this day is going to be him trying to figure out how to be a lone wolf. Something rare in the wolf world, but not unheard of, much like he's a Rambo.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, yeah.

[Natalie Jean]

Since wolves have to get introspective, you know, because they gotta think of their deep thoughts, and they need to do it both as a human and as a wolf. He shifts into wolf form while still in the bathroom, realizing a little too late that he's probably too big to fit in the room. And bottles go flying as he becomes his wolf self.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, no. In his clothes, but burst off his body.

[Natalie Jean]

I don't know how that works. I mean, he might have already been naked. He probably already was.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Okay, I'll take that. I. There. Nothing gives me more pleasure than thinking about the clothes of a werewolf bursting off their body as they shift.

[Natalie Jean]

Don't sexualize him. He's being sad right now.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I know he's sad, but that's the perfect time to sexualize.

[Natalie Jean]

No, I know. It's hard not to.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Especially pining sad. I know. It's not just pining. He also, like, lost his wolf pack and, like, well, everything else.

[Natalie Jean]

And he has to gaze at himself in the mirror and be like, who do I look like when I cry.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Is this girl I see staring straight back at me?

[Natalie Jean]

That's what he's singing, I'm assuming.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes, it's very X Tina.

[Natalie Jean]

So he watches himself as a wolf in this room, just trying to figure out what the future holds for him. When his phone buzzes, he shifts back to humanoid form, dejected. I wish that he could. Yeah, it would have been so cute. Or if he could, like, text with his nose.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, it would be. Oh, my God, dude. Oh.

[Natalie Jean]

He sees that. It's a text from Perry Ravencroft, wanting to know frantically whether or not he was alive. He has no interest in speaking to anyone, including this Perry, who is, as he thinks about, the omega of the Black Rose Pack, is also Amelie's younger sister. But technically, Perry did bring him to Bryce's, even if she didn't help step in to help defend him as he was being beaten half to death. So Perry kind of is doing Him a solid being a bro. Because he. She did take him. Two Bryces afterwards.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Step up. But also at that time period, what was she gonna do?

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You know, it's like if she knew she was more powerful than Sabine, I would. I would expect and want that.

[Natalie Jean]

But she's an Omega. She's an Omega. Come on.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And also, going against someone higher than you in the wolf pack is against every section of their fiber of being. So even doing that probably was difficult for Perry.

[Natalie Jean]

She did. And she is asking about him if he's okay, so. And Ethan is that technically, he's an old softie at the end of the day.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah.

[Natalie Jean]

She begs him via text just to respond yes or no. But before he does, he takes a moment to look around Bryce's bathroom again, sort of realizing that Bryce has also been exiled from her pack over the last couple years.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Think about it for a second.

[Natalie Jean]

Maybe having a moment of realization, almost empathizing. He texts back a simple yes to Perry and then puts his phone away, making his way back to the living room. He thinks about how he didn't regret for one second coming to Bryce's aid that day in the streets, even if it landed him here.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes, King.

[Natalie Jean]

But he doesn't know how to handle this emptiness that he's feeling now. So similar to when the pack was murdered or when he walked away from the Sunball team. But he gets a sense that Connor is somewhere, asserting that he needs to just keep moving on. Somewhere, the ghost, the spirit of Connor, is telling him to keep stepping forward and to make better choices than he did the day before. He sighs and walks over to Syrinx, asking him if he'd like to literally put one foot in front of the other and go on a walk. Syrinx just rolls over onto his back for belly rubs. Ethan obliges.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I want to give Syrinx belly rubs.

[Natalie Jean]

I know.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, my God.

[Natalie Jean]

God, so cute.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Monica rings so badly.

[Natalie Jean]

Garmy's pretty close.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I know she is. And I love our baby, Garbie. She'll eat anything, though.

[Natalie Jean]

She sure will. I feel like Syrinx would, too, though.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, I think so. I think that Syrinx definitely is. Is a little mischievous.

[Natalie Jean]

Oh, he's so mischievous. We'll find out what happens to Hunt. Now. Bryce's POV is watching him disapprovingly on the other side of some cell bars.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

They are split once again.

[Natalie Jean]

Gel baby. The last time he was in this position, in this room, it was pretty dire, if you'll remember from the first book. Basically, was being tortured and told he was gonna, you know, be, you know, Sandril's servant. Again, this seems less dire today, if only for the simple fact that Bryce is in the room this time instead of, you know, him just having to, like, look at photos of her scrolling across the wall. Also because we know Bryce's thoughts here are more bemused than terrified.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes.

[Natalie Jean]

So he is back in that cell, but seems like Celestina is not immediately turning into a scary monster. She tells Hunt she's already talked to Celestina, actually, and that she seems nice. In fact, so nice that she had called Bryce to come retrieve her bruised and battered property.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Wow.

[Natalie Jean]

Certainly a far cry from Micah's behavior.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Certainly. Again, not something that I trust.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah, I don't know about this. Bryce is sort of lecturing Hunt, asking him why he would act like this on Celestina's first day. And he challenges her, asking why she thinks he would do this on purpose. She cringes at the voice that responds. Because you're a stupid bastard.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I don't know why.

[Natalie Jean]

I think he's Southern.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, I'll. I. I get it. I mean, you know, it's. He's definitely, like, given frat boy. Deliverance esque.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You know, of just, like. So give him that accent. Give him that distinguishment.

[Natalie Jean]

Because you're a stupid bastard.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Not that I think that everyone with a Southern accent is like that.

[Natalie Jean]

I do.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Natalie does, and she's told me that many times, and I've asked her to stop saying it, but you can't change someone's feelings.

[Natalie Jean]

Nope. She's reminded.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Everybody knows, man. I think anyone that has listened to this show for this long knows, man. Natalie, raging bitch. Just, like, wow. Once there's no change in her.

[Natalie Jean]

Thank you. Thank you for acknowledging.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Ah, my flaps. Cowering in fear.

[Natalie Jean]

I won't bully your flaps till we're off air.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Thank you.

[Natalie Jean]

So thank you.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Because I just. I can't cry into the mic right now.

[Natalie Jean]

I know. So she is reminded when she hears that voice that that creep Pollux is in the adjoining cell. Hans basically tells Pollux to shut it. And then another angel appears, this one not behind bars like Hunt and Pollux. Bryce recognizes him as the Hellhound and describes him in her thoughts as tall and lean, striking in the face, but not beautiful the way Hunt and Isaiah and most angels were.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Thank you. I did this on purpose. Thank you.

[Natalie Jean]

She recognizes him as the Hellhound because his skin flaps out to the side.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And he's so upset that he goes into hound form eventually, just so the flaps turn into ears.

[Natalie Jean]

She also recalls that his nickname comes from the fact that he has the rare genetic makeup of being a shifter as well as an angel. So he becomes a hound.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Fucking cool, dude.

[Natalie Jean]

She has dislike and distrust of Baxian, but utter disdain for Pollux. For Bryce's part, it's partly because she knows that Baxian never directly tortured Hunt and just that he's done a hundred other terrible things.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Bryce, angel, shifter, gotta do what angel shifter, gotta do.

[Natalie Jean]

I mean, technically that's true. Like he doesn't really have a lot of choice in the matter, but.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And also like in thinking, I guess.

[Natalie Jean]

He could have rebelled like Hunt did and he didn't.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And look at how far it got him.

[Natalie Jean]

But he did the right thing.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But I imagine though, that does put Baxian in quite a. An interesting predicament to be both a shifter and an angel. Yeah, like, that you don't like. Whereas, like, you know, Ethan has his pack that like, you know, even Bryce earlier saying that like, she doesn't identify as Fae, she identifies as a human. Like, it is very important what you identify as in this world to know what your community is in this world and. And this world. But I feel like Baxian, I think that out the gate is like a. Oh, okay. Interesting that maybe you never. I know at this point you're not thinking that, but it's like as you get to know the character more of just like maybe there is, you know, look at the umbra mortis. Did the umbramortis want to do what he did? No, I'm not saying that.

[Natalie Jean]

She's just really good at killing people.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's just. I think that the play of. It's always the shades of gray. I love that she plays with it.

[Natalie Jean]

She does. Oh, she paints. Oh, she's of gray with her paintbrush of thoughts. Oh, I know. So she feels this sort of extra contempt for Pollux because he is a bastard and has definitely tortured Hunt a bunch of times. However, Bryce refuses to shrink as Baxian approaches and Pollux, behind his bars, begins to taunt her. So they're both sort of like shaking her down. Pollock stares at her, cruelly objectifying her in his gaze and insinuates that she's dressed like a prostitute.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Wow. Oh, so new. Bryce snickered.

[Natalie Jean]

Any other outdated jabs to throw my.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Way at Pollux's silence. Bryce said, sex work is a respectable.

[Natalie Jean]

Profession in Crescent City. It's not my fault Pangera hasn't caught up with Modern times.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Whoa. Slay, slay.

[Natalie Jean]

Sorry, sorry. Pollock.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes.

[Natalie Jean]

Pollock's sneery sneer sends at her and suggests that Micah should have killed her long ago.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Wow, you're really just like. It's. Again, it's so funny how, like, all bullies just go for the same thing.

[Natalie Jean]

It's like, if you really want to get to her, say, like, you weren't good enough to become a professional dancer.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Sure. Ouch. Yeah. Get to know her a little bit more and then. And then you can fucking read her a little bit better.

[Natalie Jean]

I know. Seriously, she's got things to be read.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Don't get it wrong.

[Natalie Jean]

So he's doing the same old thing that they. All of these males do.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh, she's a whore. Oh, wow. Good one. It's so, like, I feel like I wish I had had this attitude growing up, being called the Diesel. So many.

[Natalie Jean]

Oh, my God. Over and over in high school.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's just like. But also like, thank you.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I wish they, like, I had been at this brain space at that point to also be like. And it's just, yeah, I probably eat way more pussy than you do, so.

[Natalie Jean]

And, yeah, no, for sure. But that's why it's easy to, you know, like, kids get bullied. Because, I mean, I didn't know how to defend myself at all. I didn't understand the power of humor.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Interesting. Don't worry. Yeah, but look at how funny we are here now.

[Natalie Jean]

Now, aren't you all. Sorry. Courtney Smith.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Wow. Yeah. Love it. Oh, a generic name, too. So you can never really find her again.

[Natalie Jean]

Oh, I found her. Don't worry.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Keeping tabs. Keeping flap tabs.

[Natalie Jean]

No, it's fine. She's fine. She had her own battles, I found.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

See, this is the thing, and this is what ends up, you know. Oh, perspective presented 2020, but not the year.

[Natalie Jean]

So Price.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I just feel like, man, remember at the start of 2020, when everyone's like, 2020 vision, it's 2020. Like, I feel like you just.

[Natalie Jean]

Isn't that, too.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

How. How quickly it changed, man.

[Natalie Jean]

I am rewatching Parks and Rec for, like, the 10th time because I like to have the coverage shows on the background sometimes. And their predictions for 2017, 2018, 2019.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Were they spot on? No. Oh, no.

[Natalie Jean]

They had a lot of hope. Very optimistic, looking towards the future.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's nice. Yeah.

[Natalie Jean]

Because they didn't know it was gonna happen in 2016, and they did not have predictions for it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You know what, Natalie? I also hoped to properly put on this bald cap today, but sometimes that Hope just goes right in the toilet.

[Natalie Jean]

So you got flaps then you got.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

And then you look at the government flaps cruise. Yep, it's poop cruise and flaps everybody. That's all that we're left with.

[Natalie Jean]

So Bryce won't be intimidated by his insults and stares into his soul with her fire eyes. He gets more pissy at her pertinence and calls her all the classics half breed whores. Just he'll shove his down her throat. Etc. She just laughs him off. Actually approaches him and lets Pollux near enough to grab her throat. Shows him how unafraid she is of him by letting him know that if he goes after Hunt, she'll make his life a living hell. Not probably shouldn't. Hunt started it technically.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

But guys.

[Natalie Jean]

But as he does this look like.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Staying out of shit either one of you.

[Natalie Jean]

As he lunges for her because she's right there, she lets some of her light out, blinding him. He hisses and covers his eyes and she laughs good.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

You're just like a gremlin. I ain't gonna feed you after midnight either.

[Natalie Jean]

Nope. She's surprised to hear Baxian laughing softly behind her as well. She tells him to off in so many words, but he doesn't offer the same level of aggression that Pollux does. Whatever that is going to mean for the future. We don't know. So is he playing both sides? Is he? What's happening?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

The hellhound's dark eyes gleamed. He turned on his heel and said before entering the elevator, glad someone finally.

[Natalie Jean]

Put a bullet through Micah's head.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Oh really bitch? Okay, okay bitch. I see you.

[Natalie Jean]

Or is this another trick trickery?

[Jackie Zabrowski]

We don't know. We don't know. Natalie.

[Natalie Jean]

This seems to stun both Hunt and Bryce, but they don't discuss it further with Ol Hammer nearby. She mockingly lectures Hunt again and he gives her a little pouty face behind his his little cage and asking if he can go home yet. Bryce tries to hide her smile as Celestina's voice filters into the room over an intercom, obviously listening into the conversations going on in this holding room. She tells Hunt. Celestina, that is, tells Hunch he can go home now. Pollux, incensed, ask what about him? He didn't start this fight. But she seems not ready to let him out. Maybe because he's got a rude tude.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Rude?

[Natalie Jean]

Dude, bad attitude dude.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Bad attitude.

[Natalie Jean]

Hunt's cell slides open as Celestina tells Bryce to keep Hunt in line.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Bryce waved at the camera mounted beside the TV when Celestina didn't answer. Bryce stepped back to allow Hunt out of the cell. He limped toward her badly enough that she looped her arm around his waist as they aimed for the elevator. Pollux sneered from his cell, you two.

[Natalie Jean]

Mongrels deserve each other.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Bryce blew him a kiss. Yeah, bitch. Stay there. Bye, bitch. Oh yeah, I know that we're gonna fucking come back to this at some point in the future, but it's probably.

[Natalie Jean]

Gonna like, not bode well.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

It's probably gonna hurt. And it's probably like we maybe shouldn't have started it off like this with.

[Natalie Jean]

A guy who loves his favorite thing to do is torture people. But he is a torture fanatic.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Please, you know, really make sure to like have all those wounds.

[Natalie Jean]

Immediate enemy festering.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, make it good, Pokemon it.

[Natalie Jean]

Poking at you, poking at you.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

The thing is poking at you, poking at ya. The thing is that I like to follow rules and all of this hurts my chest. All I keep thinking of is like if I were told like you better be good or, or that's why I.

[Natalie Jean]

Say it every day at the beginning.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Of the day so that Natalie calls me at six o' clock in the morning every day. And then she threatens me and I wouldn't be good if I didn't have it.

[Natalie Jean]

And you say, what does it mean to be good? And I said, well, you better figure it out.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, bitch. And then you say, put on another ball cap and I'm like, bitch. And then you hang up. But that's like our ritual every day.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah. I bully you every morning and it gets you to do your work.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes. And that is what a partnership is.

[Natalie Jean]

So I guess I hope that's nobody's really. If that's your relationship, that's not good.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

They're calling every. It's like, yeah, at least. Like, I mean, I guess if you're around I'll deal with it then. But like don't be calling me to bully me.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

What?

[Natalie Jean]

I'm gonna answer the phone.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

I'm not gonna.

[Natalie Jean]

I'm a millennial. I don't want to talk on the phone.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yeah, yuck and a half. But I know that all of this is bad and I'm nervous about all of it.

[Natalie Jean]

Yeah, it's not gonna just go away, certainly. But you know what will happen in between all of it.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Banging, bangin banging banging banging banging.

[Natalie Jean]

That I can promise you.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Yes, thank you so much for the promise, but I'd rather it be a threat. Yeah, I'm gonna bang you. Please read up until chapter 12 for next week.

[Natalie Jean]

Ready to rack to school and save big.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

Get to your Nordstrom Rack store today for thousands of deals from just $20. Cause I want to look fresh. How did I not know Rack has Adidas? I got a new backpack.

[Natalie Jean]

Score. Everyone's favorite denim sneakers, boots and activewear.

[Jackie Zabrowski]

From Nike, Levi's, Steve Madden, Madewell and Free people. Great brands, great prices.

[Natalie Jean]

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