**Hello! You’ve found one of my cryptics from before I figured out how to make cryptics well! Please enjoy the diamonds in the rough, but expect neither elegance nor fairness. It takes a while to learn how to do it right!**
Hello cryptic fans!
It was so fun to hear about folks enjoying themselves with last month’s variety cryptic that I just had to make another one. Once again, I’ve tried to create something approachable for less-experienced solvers, though there are a few tricky clues here and there, and of course a bit of a mischievous variety element going on.
I know that there’s an even smaller scene of solvers for variety cryptics than there is for independent crosswords in general, and I really want folks to feel welcome in this space. I’m always happy to hear civil feedback so I can keep making these even better. Extra thanks to cryptic solvers k0rmad and Citizen Ra, who gave this one a test run and picked all the right nits!
Like last time, there’s no .puz file, because this thing is full of bars, not blocks! Also like last time, I think there isn’t much to be lost in solving online, though a bit of scratch paper may be nice to have.
Enjoy, take care, and see you next week with a crunchy-ish themed puzzle!
Square Pursuit 
you know i’m all about the VCs, if you need another test solver, hit me up!!!
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Oh, that would be great. Thanks so much!
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The 9-down clue also inexplicably appears as 9-across. Obviously in error.
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Fixed! Thanks for the catch.
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