Dori & Nico & a Pushy Costumer (Backdated to Friday Afternoon)

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Nico comes to visit Doreen on her new job, and helps to deal with a difficult costumer



The door of the comic store opened slowly, and Dewie Stevens entered quickly, eyes blazing as the avid comic books reader he was. Quickly spotting his weekly pics, he directed to the counter...when he found something unpleasant, and turned away, trying to buy time on another aisle, tension rising in the store; he was the only customer, after all.

Doreen was the type to hardly to notice tension. She skipped on up to the customer and smiled, “Hi! How are you today? Can I help you find anything?”

"Hmmmmmnope."

The boy made a quick turn and walked hurriedly to another aisle. "I can do this perfectly for myself, thank you." There was some fidgeting of the comics he was already holding, and he turned once or twice towards Dori, as if making sure she wasn't getting any closer.

“Oh, okay,” Doreen said, “Well, if you need help, I’m right here. I shopped here all the time before I started working here. If you’re looking for a gift or anything new to read I’d be really glad to help,” Doreen said, following him.

More fidgeting, more running away; because that was what the boy was doing. Finally, he rushed back to the counter, placing the comics on the stand unceremoniously. "Look," he started, talking a little to high and slow as if he thought Doreen couldn't really understand. "Isn't there anyone else here that can attend me better?"

“I do know what I’m talking about,” Doreen said, “And I’m the only one here at the moment, my boss went on his lunch break. Don’t worry, I can promise I’m 100% flea free,” she said brightly.

Dewie suddenly snapped, one hand slamming the counter as he glared at the squirrel girl. The door of the store opened, but the boy was making his best effort to get all of Doreen's attention. "Ok, look here mutie, I don't want to have touching my comic books, are even less my money, so you are going to call someone else to attend me, or I'm suing you and whoever idiot thought it was a good idea to hire you. And don't think you have a chance to w---Ah!"

Dewie's legs failed him as an intense pain on his neck made him lose his balance; the cause was a pale hand, black nails on fingers pressing exactly on a nerve. Behind Dewie, Nico was giving him a contemplative look. When the boy seemed about to cry, she leaned, whispering on his ear. "Apologize. Now."

Rising his eyes, the boy gave Doreen a single look of disgust before looking down. "S-sorry." Nico pressed a little more, and this time some tears did come out. "Come on, put some heart on it at least." Dewie cried a little in pain before looking up at Dori again. "Okay, okay; I'm sorry I insulted you, I'm sorry and I won't do it again! It's that enough, please?" No, it's not enough; I want to make you suffer more...but I can't. Releasing the boy, Nico gave a step behind.

"Well, grab your comics and get out of here." Turning to see Doreen, Nico smiled as if nothing had happened. "Hey."
“Hey,” Doreen said, still smiling, it only wavered a bit, “That was totally a first. Is that like a Vulcan neck pinch?” she asked.

Money was paid quickly, and the sound of the door closing was the last both the girls saw of Dewie Stevens. Nico gave her friend a puzzled look, but she supposed Dori was talking about something comic-related. "I guess? I picked it up from Self Defense, but never tried it before." Leaning on the counter, Nico was tempted to ask Doreen if she was alright, but only managed to give her a worried look for a couple of seconds before desisting; some things were meant to be solved by ourselves.

"So, here I am, ready to be educated on the fine arts of comic book reading and moves appreciation. Would you help me out? I promise to buy plenty of research material."

“Sure,” Doreen said, “I’ll totally help you out. And the Vulcan Neck Pinch is what Spock uses. In Star Trek. I have all the DVDs if you want to watch the series. They were things I got before Dad got all weird,” she said happily.

"That Spock sounds like a pretty badass guy." So cute it's getting a little weird, that was how Nico started to reason the way Doreen was acting. "That sounds like a couple of nights of non-stop TV action, I like that but you should totally watch it with me, so I don't get lost." Looking around at the store, Nico decided it was best to think about anything else for the time being. "So, were do we start?"

“Right over here,” Doreen said, happily showing her friend the way, “And he totally is.”