I have only half solved so do not have the message.
For 28d, I have two letters for belong to and 5 for the sect. A word for smiling as answer. So I m not sure how can it not be normal.
Help with two to start with. One extra letter in each to be discarded before solving.
6. Heavily crushing whoever in terror left nasty smell (8)
17. Empty teahouse let me doss in the middle, moving some seats (9)
Thanks.