Revered Crone & Admired Vessel,

Just wanted to say your newsletter is the highlight of my week.

I don’t stay subscribed to any other kind of notification or email or anything, ever, cause it pisses me off; but Valthakan Times is the exception.

Nothing better to see at the end of a long school day than opening my phone to this notification on my screen.

Updates? Fresh tea? I am Sat.

Thank you so much and I wish you the best of luck on new adventures (that i WILL be tuning in for!)

Jack of All Aces

Dear Jack,

Taking the time to share your enjoyment of our content means the world!

And we’re doubly happy that you’re waiting until after school is finished.

We hope we continue to deliver and that you enjoy today’s edition!

We have a lot coming your way.

Buckle up!

Love,

The Crone

As previously mentioned, I am not the world’s foremost fan of the isekai genre.

But when the solution to one’s problems involves absorbing sublime materials and using them to craft a house inside your soul… I’ll hear ya out.

Theo was betrayed in a previous life. His mentor expending him once his usefulness was past.

Now, with a fresh opportunity in the Nine Worlds, he must regain his power, all the while hoping his old enemies don’t track him down.

All in a day’s work for a soulcrafter!

Dear Crone, dear Daniel,

In March, I reported the boyfriend of one of my besties for domestic violence (he hit her) and told her later (she freaked out but still keeps some contact with me)

Most people say I should ask her to grab a Matcha every now and then (was a regular thing until I told her), others say I should keep my distance because he could hurt me when I meet her.

I think that is not something to worry about since we always meet at a café.

What do you both think?

Sincerely,

Tealover

Dear Tealover,

You’re certainly welcome to reach out, but don’t be surprised if she isn’t interested in it.

It sounds like she’s still with him, in which case, I’d argue she’s fairly clear with her choice.

If you miss her, go ahead, and I think meeting in a cafe is a good idea, but do you have an idea of what a continued relationship with her would look like?

I only ask because I don’t see your dynamic recovering from this, so long as she remains with her current partner.

Honestly,

The Crone

Dear fabulous Crone (and Daniel!),

Yesterday was my birthday, and not one of my friends texted or called.

My love language is gift giving, and I go all out for my friends' birthdays - a handwritten letter, a special gift from abroad, etc. I, of course don't expect anything like that from them, but... Not even a text.

Should I sulk or be reminded that they are my friends nonetheless.

They are great friends, i just didn’t expect this one.

What do you think?

yours truly,

a birthday gal

Dear Birthday Gal,

To start, happy belated birthday!

I’m sorry your day didn’t go as you wanted, but I think this is a time for honesty.

Don’t assume malice just yet.

Reach out and ask what’s up.

Is it possible they thought it was a different day? Or simply never knew in the first place?

I think direct is better than sulking, quite honestly.

You’ll get the answers you need faster that way.

Encouragingly,

The Crone

Dear Crone,

Do you think it’s possible for me to still have a relationship with my dad while continuing to cut my mom off?

(Am in therapy, cut mom off 6+months ago because she won’t respect my boundaries and won’t acknowledge/ accept that she and sibling were abusive to me).

Not actually malicious,

Malice

Dear Malice,

Truthfully, that’s entirely up to your father.

If he’s capable of respecting your boundaries with your mother and seeing you without her, then I think everything will be fine.

That said, it’s unlikely.

So what this requires is sticking to your guns and making it clear how you will engage in a relationship with your dad.

If he pushes, stay firm. If he springs her presence on you, get away.

He will most likely attempt to play the mediator; it’s his role as the husband and father in this regard. You just need to know how you’ll handle that.

Delicately,

The Crone

Hello dearest Crone and Vessel,

When I start something new, and I learn that other people are doing it, it loses its appeal.

As an angsty teen I desperately want to “not be like the other girls”, and definitely missed out on a bunch, 15years later and it hasn’t changed, I want to write a story, other people are writing a story, well I guess it’s not for me.

Best,

InMyOwnWay

Dear InMyOwnWay,

The surest way not to be like everyone else is to do things regardless of what others are doing.

If you no longer want to do something, that’s fine, but if you no longer want to do something because others are doing it, you’re letting them make the choice for you.

There isn’t a question here, but if you want my two cents, all I’ll say is your adult choices shouldn’t be made in regard to others’ decisions.

Honestly,

The Crone

To vetslut,

Hello from a recent grad vet!

Unfortunately the vet field attracts the most NEUROTIC and insane people.

That combined with the small, intimate class size and years together make it High School 2.0… Vet students can be incredibly catty and awful.

Personally, I would recommend keeping things distant but cordial. As you said, you have 6 years!

They’ll fuck it up themselves eventually, no help needed.

Pull up a lawn chair and enjoy the show!

Love,

A catty bitch

Dear Catty,

See, this is the kind of encouragement we need in our lives!

As we said, be cool, calm, and let them wreck themselves with their own nonsense if it comes up.

You’ve kept your side of the street clean; now it’s time to focus on your classes.

Thanks for the assist, Cat!

Sincerely,

The Crone