Following the events of The Tainted Cup, Ana and Din are directed to their next case in the far flung reaches of Yarrowdale, a city as vital to the Empire of Khanum as it is deadly to its imperial visitors.

A fresh murder has drawn the attention of the Iudex, so Din must employ his flawless memory to investigate.

Of course, there is far more to Yarrowdale than your average homicide.

With the king set to bend the knee to the Empire and the Leviathan’s Shroud resting on the coast, Din is forced to deal with every manor of noble, engineer, and fellow mutant Sublime as he seeks to solve a seemingly impossible murder.

Dear Crone,

I've been recently diagnosed with autism at 33 (level 1).

So far, outside reactions have been varied, but my favourite is "but you don't look autistic." Like, uh, cool?

However, It gives me some comfort being around people that know because I feel less anxious about my severe resting bitch face and (unintentionally) brutal sarcasm upsetting people.

I am trying to live more ~authentically~. How can I casually inform people around me without tattooing 'autistic' on my forehead?

Pls help,

Anonymous

Dear Anon,

So long as you prioritize making yourself comfortable, you can inform people however flamboyantly or subtly you choose.

Simultaneously, I do not want you to feel forced to disclose this detail about yourself.

When you meet new people, you’re welcome to simply do what you feel is best in order to have a positive interaction.

If they are put off by your RBF or anything else you do, you’re welcome to elaborate then or not at all.

I would argue that you only need to clarify specifics regarding your behavior and needs with those with whom you wish to develop relationships.

Overall, authenticity is as much a concerted effort as it is simply reacting in the way that makes you feel the most comfortable.

Given that this diagnosis is almost as new for you as it will be for those you inform, give both yourself and your new connections the grace to process this new(ish) part of you.

A simple explanation works wonders if they are concerned about one of your reactions or behaviors.

“I’m feeling overwhelmed, so I’m a bit quiet right now,” is a perfectly acceptable explanation.

If you want to take it a step further and share your diagnosis as well, that is entirely your prerogative, but sharing what you need rather than the exact diagnosis may prove more helpful.

Encouragingly,

The Crone

O Mother of Tax Evasion,

You live in Daniel's body, yes?

Are you always inside the vessel?

If so, what happens during sexy fun time?

Do you hide in a little corner and wait till it's over?

Or are you cheering in Daniel's brain?

Also, do you like the same things and/or people?

And if all this is true, how can Daniel be mad about the ash necklaces?

A little worried about your answer,

Anonymous

Dear Anon,

We offer far more interesting details in Wanderings of the Me, and Daniel just transcribed Arc 3, Episode 3: Common Sense and Spiderfolk.

But if you must know, my possession is nonconstant.

While Daniel serves as my only pathway to interact with the Corporeal realm, I am free to travel the border-world known as the Ethereality.

I’ll tell you right now: it’s boring as all hells¹.

What were you expecting? I don’t have eyes without him!

But when he requires some alone time (which is never as frequently as he implies), I can let him be.

Because the alternative should not be seen by mortal, witch, or god.

Honestly,

The Crone

Dear Anon,

Whether or not the 3,000 year old witch possessing my body is watching me get down, I stand by the belief that having Granny’s cremated leftovers dangling from your neck as he hits it from the back is weird as fuck.

Scatter that shit.

Testily,

Daniel

Dear Crone and Daniel,

It is the season for break-ups???

Two couples in my circle of friends have separated within 72 hours of each incident.

On one hand, each of the people isn't doing well in one breakup.

But on the other hand, the other couple is being so flippant about it.

It is like they don't even care.

I am worried because of the lack of emotion.

Both of the people are really feelings-driven.

Should I be worried about them?

Xoxo,

HibiscusQueen

Dear HibiscusQueen,

There are three things you can count on in life:

1. Death (if you aren’t me)

2. Taxes (if you aren’t me)

3. Romantic relationships imploding (if you don’t listen to me)

Given the certainty of such events, worrying about them normally isn’t worth it.

For those who are falling apart after the breakup, I encourage you to be there as a shoulder to cry on and a supportive hand.

For the other two, I will suggest that the end of their relationship was a long time coming, and they kept their mourning quiet and personal.

People will process such events in different ways, and the best way for you to remain sane is to be there for those who ask for help and to give space to those who don’t.

Honestly,

The Crone

O Almighty Crone (and Daniel),

My best friend had asked for a break to “heal independently” from each other.

I agreed.

After two months of no contact, I was blocked across all platforms.

My going theory is that it’s because she thinks I’m in love with her, when I’ve only viewed her platonically.

I am a relationship anarchist, though, which might scare her, since I view platonic relationships as equally important to romantic ones.

Anyway, any good coping recs?

Puzzledly,

Rainbow in the Dark

Dear Rainbow,

There is a delicate balance here.

On the one hand, the finality with which your friend has ended the relationship absolves you of wondering what you should have done differently.

You respected her wishes to “heal independently,” and she decided she needed something more.

On the other hand, I would encourage you to assess how you would have handled a situation like this differently if you had been in her position.

Not because empathy will help get her back, but because you recognize how it feels to be on the other side and see that it isn’t an effective communication strategy.

Do not torment yourself over what you should have done; you cope by continuing your day-to-day.

It may be lonely for a bit, but finding the usual joy you do in your hobbies and regular routine is the fastest way to recover that sense of normalcy.

Encouragingly,

The Crone

Dear Crone,

My brother (21) just moved out of home, and is, as far as I'm aware (from what his GF has said and his own hints) planning to go no/low contact with our parents.

Totally understandable.

But, I'm only 17, and so still living with my parents and dependant on them.

I'm scared I'm going to lose my relationship with him because we aren't very close (unfortunately), and he won't want to see me bc of my parents.

How do I respect his (unspoken) wishes to go NC without losing my brother?

Help,

Maybe Mourning

Dear Maybe,

For starters, recognize that this isn’t about you.

This decision is purely about your brother’s relationship with his parents.

I say this because it is quite likely that your parents will seek to turn you into a messenger through whatever method of contact you maintain with your brother.

As difficult as it may be, you may need to establish boundaries against that, especially if you wish to respect your brother’s NC.

Simultaneously, you can continue to communicate and try to see him.

It will not be your job to enforce the NC rule; that will be squarely on your brother’s shoulder.

Reach out, organize a place to see him, and show up.

Don’t ferry messages, do not seek to convince him to change his decision one way or another, simply be there.  

Gently,

The Crone

Dear Maybe,

I understand your concerns over losing your brother.

But if it’s any consolation, I grew closer to my sister after she moved out.

She needed the space to process my parents’ fuckwitery, and it was a big part in drawing us closer because we understood what it was we had dealt with.

I promise you this will not damage your relationship with your brother; just keep putting in the effort to stay in touch.

And don’t be afraid to voice your concerns about seeing him.

Honestly,

Daniel