Omake Week 2018, Day 4: As I noted earlier this week, the ongoing adventures of Alys Brangwin and her not-quite-annoying-enough-to-murder suitor Joss were how I began the idea of writing a series of omake stories in a fandom, and while Phantasy Star doesn't attract anywhere near the attention of most of the other fandoms I write for, it wouldn't be Omake Week without Alys and Joss.
~X X X~
"You know," Jason Cord asked Alys Brangwin, "I have never understood why women are attracted to rakes."
Alys blinked. That was kind of an out-of-the-blue question.
"Can't this wait until we get into the bar? The landscaping crew that's been working on those flowerbeds there just knocked off for lunch and if we don't order soon they'll drink Garn's liquor supply dry."
"I thought he was supposed to get a new shipment of Kadary Red today."
"He was, but I saw at the Guild that Joss is the escort for that."
Jason chuckled.
"Let's be fair. Putting a large wall of meat between valuable items and greedy bandits is tailor-made for Joss's skill set."
"You have a point. So why are you wondering about women liking the dangerous, charming, player types? Are you and Fen having relationship problems?"
"No, but my sister has just been charmed, then dumped by her third 'bad boy' in the past year."
"If you hadn't done such a good job hiding the bodies of the first two, word would have gotten out to leave her alone."
Jason snorted.
"Very funny, Alys. I try not to be an annoying ass of an overprotective brother. Besides, if she wanted her ex-boyfriends beaten to a pulp, she would do it herself."
"Also another point. I once watched her split a crawler in two the long way with that axe of hers during one job we worked together." Like her brother and Alys, Elin Cord was an experienced hunter.
"It just bugs me to see her get hurt. It'd be one thing if she just wanted a quick fling for the fun of it; that's not exactly comfortable to think about but that's my problem, not hers. But she keeps thinking that she's going to find a serious relationship."
"The old stereotype of reforming the rake, I suppose."
"I just don't see the attraction. I mean, I know that I can't magically change things for her, but I'd at least like to understand what's going on."
"All right, but why are you asking me?"
"Because asking another guy about how women think is an exercise in applied stupidity."
"That's obvious, but why pick me? Have you ever seen me with that type of guy?"
"No, but Fen's out of town on a job and the list of women it's all right to discuss Elin's love life with is short."
"All right, I'll buy that. But I still—"
"Hey, Alys!"
Both hunters swiveled their heads in the direction of the booming voice. There was no need to ask who it was; they instantly recognized the dulcet tones of professional meat wall Joss Howland.
"Babe, how are you doing? I'm back in town, so lemme buy you a drink while I tell you about my latest job!"
"On the plus side," Joss murmured to the facepalming Alys, "this means that the bar won't run out of ale."
"If only there was enough alcohol for me to ignore him."
Joss, oblivious as always to the response of the object of his affections, jogged between the flowerbeds directly towards her. Unfortunately for him, he was equally oblivious to the tools left behind by the landscaping crew. His boot clomped down, and a handle swung up to connect squarely between his legs. Howling in pain, Joss staggered away, only to stumble over one of the raised beds, which sent him tumbling back into the fountain.
"You know, Jason, I'm starting to understand how a woman could come to have warm feelings for a rake."
