Coupla V/A Pictures

But first, the Alice report -- I've only got to defeat the Queen of Hearts, and then I'm good. :) I learned another trick to use in the game too -- this one from a speedrun I saw. Those of you who have played it, you know how the Castle Keep level is such a pain? Gotta keep running to and from the stupid mirror puzzle? Well, there's a little glitch or something you can exploit: When you get to the room where you have to "shoot" the appropriate painting, equip the cards. Then shoot one of the paintings NEXT to the one you need, and IMMEDIATELY shoot the painting you do need.
-M: Uh, how does that help?-
If you shoot the wrong painting, you're automatically transported back to the mirror room to redo the puzzle (or, more accurately, do the next bit). That I learned from FFWF's Let's Play. But the speedrun showed me there's a moment's pause before the game does this, and if you shoot the right painting in that timeframe, you get sent back, but the game registers that you got the right one (shown by the painting vanishing in the mirror room). Result? Free trip back to the puzzle!
-OD: *Verne* Sounds great! *Albert* Bet there's a catch. *Doc* Albert. . .-
No, actually there is. The game punishes you for "screwing up," at least on the Diamond and Spade chambers. When you get back, two of the appropriate sort of card guard are in the chamber with you, and there's a couple outside in the entrance room along with the two regular heart guards. But the Jabberwock's Eye Staff makes short work of them.
-TD: Well, you've certainly learned your way around this game. Any other glitches you can exploit?-
Charge up the secondary attack of the Jabberwock's Eye Staff before activating the Queen cutscene in stage one of the boss fight. Free hits! I can't think of any others at the moment.
Anyway, now for some Victor/Alicey stuff, since I'm in the mood. I made these the other day, after finding a good picture of Victor alone and a new page from the artbook on the AM site:
( One Big Pic, One Little Pic )

So yes, that is my contribution to fanart today.
-OD: You should post a couple of these on your devART, just to let people know you're still alive.-
Maybe. Though if I was gonna do that, I'd probably put up some of the posters I've made. Those are more interesting.
-VD: Worry about fanfic first.-
Hey, I think I may be close to an update here. . . .