A/N: As can be seen by the fact that in this story, Alys has Chaz in tow, the Alys/Joss stories are not particularly written in chronological order, though I don't "go back" in later installments (for example, once Fenris starts dating Jason Cord, I won't then feature her in a story where she's looking for another guy...although it may seem that way to you reading this collection because I put up each "new" story with 2-3 "old" ones in tow, and there were five or so posted as individual fics as well). One nice thing about "gag" fics is that they don't have a lot of continuity to them.

"Mila" is another example of the kind of world-building I tend to relentlessly engage in when writing Phantasy Star fics. Creating new world details, and then using them everywhere else in my stories to create a unified continuity probably says something about my psychology. This one was from my very first completed PS fanfic, "Eight Swords."

~X X X~

"Alys!" the bartender at the Hunter's Guild tavern called cheerily. Alys Brangwin waved in response.

"Afternoon, Garn."

"What'll it be? The usual for you, maybe a mila for the kid?"

Alys shook her head.

"Nope. I'm just here to teach Chaz a bit about human nature. I figured a demonstration would suit better than a lot of talk, and be easier on my throat."

A fair number of hunters envied fourteen-year-old Chaz Ashley. Alys had more or less adopted the boy on one of her jobs, and now he was her apprentice, studying the methods of the Guild's most famous and successful member. They figured it would be a short trip to fame and fortune once Chaz became a full-fledged hunter with that training behind him.

"Can I help?" Garn offered.

"Thanks, but I think I've got it covered." Her cool blue eyes had been scanning the crowd and it seemed she had finally spotted her quarry.

"Hey, Joss!" Alys called. "Can I borrow you for a second?"

Joss Howland, a big, handsome lunk of a hunter, stood up from his table and swaggered over. Lots of women liked Joss—so long as they weren't looking for someone with a working brain.

"Hey there, Alys. Finally decide that a hot babe like you should give the best a try?"

Ignoring the idiot, Alys turned to Chaz.

"Now do you understand what I mean?"

Chaz's head bobbed up and down.

"Oh, yes, now I get it. Geez, Alys, coming on to her like that I'm surprised all Melissa did was slap my face!"