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Sep 12, 2022

Chestnut Fest 2022 Week 2: 50 Cents In Store Credit

Here we go, Week 2! This week's theme was "Gamers", so I opted for a little bit of a slice-of-life-y story with some new characters! Bonus points for anyone who notices the naming convention and what their names are derived from. And yes, Dragon Quest is the only franchise mentioned by name, for obvious reasons. :) Let's get right into it! Links: AO3 FF.net

Android 18 had a job.

She hadn't planned on it, honestly. When she and Krillin had dropped Marron off for the summer to spend time on her uncle's preserve, helping with the animals, 18 had originally planned on taking the time for some relaxation time. After all, having a daughter approaching her teen years could be taxing.

But that's when the realization hit her. Her daughter was almost a teenager. In a few years, she'd be an adult. Off to college. And a good college wasn't cheap. Granted, she and Krillin had long ago started a college fund for their daughter, but 18 wasn't terribly fond of the rate they'd been able to fill it up recently. And with tuition prices going up and up, a little padding certainly couldn't hurt.

The search hadn't been easy. She wanted something not super intensive and part-time, so she still had time for herself. Krillin, bless his heart, had offered to put in a good word for her at the station or see if Bulma could find something for her at Capsule Corp, but clerical work wasn't something she had the patience for, and she wasn't really willing to be a guinea pig or whatever else Bulma would try to use her for. So when she found an ad in the paper seeking a clerk at a video game store, she jumped at the opportunity. It was no secret that 18 enjoyed gaming, and this seemed like a perfect fit; money, video games, employee discount, what wasn't to love, right? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, it turned out, the manager, for one.

He was a tall, bony, middle-aged man with tight brown curls and thick glasses. A prototypical nerd, she thought. And, unfortunately, it seemed he had some of the stereotypical behaviors to match.

"No job history, no education, no sales experience at all..." he tapped his pen on his clipboard and glared at her over the black rims of his glasses. "Do you even know anything about video games?"

18 had rolled her eyes, and placed an elbow on the desk, propping up her chin. "I can name most major game publishers, some you've probably never even heard of, I can list of the award-winners for the last 17 years, I can even identify rare peripherals and controllers without having to look them up online..."

The manager waved a long, bony finger under her nose. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. No idea if you're feeding me a line of bull here or not," he smirked, "But you're cute. And if there's one thing customers in this business like, it's cute girls behind the counter, ya feel me?"

She'd scoffed and wanted to protest but held it in. The job was the job, and it's not as if she was being asked to flirt with anyone. She could handle working for a jerk for a while. "Fine. But I'm putting my foot down on a few things." She held up fingers as she counted off. "One: no weird revealing costumes. I'm a married lady and I refuse to be objectified like that. Two: If I catch you trying to perv on me at all..."

The manager guffawed. "OH boy, lady... look, you're barking up entirely the wrong tree there, I'll leave it at that."

She blinked. "Huh. Didn't see that one coming."

He chuckled again. "I just don't consort with other people at all, myself. Don't see the appeal." He stood and sauntered over to a small wardrobe in the corner of his office and opened it, revealing a rack of what she'd guessed was a rack of uniforms. Dark pink shirts with the store logo and black pants. "Now then... what's your size?" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And now, about a month later, she found herself behind the counter, nails rhythmically tapping on its surface as she waited for the next customer. Not quite as fun as she'd hoped, she had to admit; part of her had assumed she's at least be allowed to go mess around on the game demo stations on the shop floor during the slower hours, but the manager was quite clear about store protocol and forbade it. (He'd at least made a concession on reading the store's magazine behind the counter but really, one could only read the same articles so many times before exhausting it as an option.)

Thankfully, she didn't need to wait much longer, as the familiar ringing of the doorbell heralded customers. 18 looked over and smiled at the trio who approached. "Oh, hey there guys. I figured you'd be in today."

"Heya, Miss 18!" A shorter, chubby man greeted her with a grin. He was in his late 20s, blonde and bearded with brown eyes, wearing a red shirt emblazoned with the familiar visage of a posing Great Saiyaman. He was flanked on the right by an older, tall brown-skinned man with long, dark hair, darker, narrow eyes and a leather jacket; to his left, a younger, redheaded man with green eyes and a blue button-up dress shirt tucked neatly into his khaki pants.

"Hey, Gesa. So... did you finally talk to her?"

Gesa grinned wide and thrust a fist into the air. "Yes! I was so nervous to talk to her at first but I did what you said. Stayed calm, approached her about our mutual interests," he thrust a thumb at his Saiyaman shirt proudly. "And now, we're going to see the new Saiyaman movie together this weekend! This is the one where he teams up with Raiden and Captain Fusion!"

18 smiled. "See, what'd I tell you? Remember now, just keep it cool, be respectful, and don't try to push things along, k?"

"Oh yeah!" He grinned and trotted off toward the collectibles on the shelves. "I need something to commemorate the occasion first though!"

She shifted her gaze toward the tall man, his lips curling into a smile. "Hello, Tari. Looking for the new minifigs for your game, I'm guessing?" He nodded and she tapped the tabletop.

"Well unfortunately, they already sold out. There was actually a line this morning when we opened." She shrugged. "Who knew the little space marines were so popular?"

The tall man frowned, his shoulders slumped a bit. "Buuut.." she reached under her counter and produced a small box. "I may have accidentally purchased a full set for myself in all the confusion that I have no real use for. And if someone were to, say, reimburse me for the expense..." Tari gasped, narrow eyes widening with glee. He quickly pulled out his wallet, wad of zeni in hand.

18 smirked and took the cash, handing the giant the box of mini-figures. He grinned widely. "Thank you, ma'am!"

18 turned to the last man, the youngest of the three. "And that just leaves Geo."

The redhead's fists were balled in front of him in excitement. "Is it here? Did it come in today?!"

18 turned to the back shelf and scanned the items they kept in reserve. "I'm pretty sure... ah! Here it is." She turned back and placed a game case on the counter. "The new Dragon Quest." Geo picked it up and squealed with delight.

"YES! Weekend sorted!" He looked back to 18, tears of joy in his eyes. "Thank you so much for making sure there was one left for me!"

She chuckled. "Well I figured you guys come in here so often, I figured you ought to be a priority. That's just good business, right?"

"Well, it's certainly gonna keep me coming back! Thank you so much!" He hugged the case to his chest as if he were afraid it might disappear.

"You know, you have very similar taste to my husband. I think you and he might have a lot to talk about, at least as far as games go."

Gesa piped up from the back of the store. "Oh yeah, you've mentioned him a lot." He smirked. "For being married to the guy, you sure do act like you're crushing on him."

18 felt her face turn beat red and she lowered her head, hoping her hair might help hide the embarrassment she felt at being teased. "Watch it, buster. Or no more relationship advice."

Gesa chuckled nervously. "Sorry, sorry. Just playing is all..." He set a robot figurine box on the counter. "But are we ever gonna get to meet him? He seems pretty cool."

She smiled. "He's a massive dork, but I think he's pretty cool." She scanned the box, only faintly hearing the door chime as another group entered behind her customers. "Ok, you know the drill, rewards card, magazine sub, yadda yadda..."

He presented her with the card. "I'm good on the magazine, but here's this."

18 scanned the barcode and handed it back. "Ok, so with your discount this is gonna come to-"

"Get outta my way, virgin." Gesa was shoved roughly to the side, his cash nearly flying out of his hand as he hit the floor. 18's face immediately fell, her smile gone.

The men in front of her were sadly no strangers. The aggressor smirked at her, leering over his overpriced sunglasses, sandy blonde har and blue dyed fringe half covering one eye. "Hey, babe. You got an answer for me yet?"

18 stared stone-faced. This persistent douche had been harassing her since her first week on this job, always implying she knew nothing about games or her job, yet always very unsubtly asking her to let him teach her. Over a weekend. At his place. And always in that same white tank top and camo shorts.

And worse: socks with sandals.

"I've already told you, I'm not interested in manchildren. And I'm married." She jabbed a thumb at the security camera pointed at them. "And if you keep shoving my patrons, I'm gonna have to report this to the police, so maybe consider not being an idiot and stopping that?"

The frat boy scoffed and turned to his friend, a large, stocky green-haired man in a Hawaiian-print shirt who was currently amusing himself with intimidating Geo."Do you hear the way she talks to customers, Ubi?"

Ubi guffawed loudly. "Sure did, Vacti! This broad needs a lesson in customer service!"

18 crossed her arms and glared. "Being customers implies you're here to actually buy something."

"Oh, we are." Vacti raised his hands. "True story. We're actually here to find something to kill some time before the next Corona and Call to Honor drop."

Ubi leered at her. "Yeah, and since the help is apparently an ice queen not interested in a good time, I guess it's gotta be a game! Haha!"

18 growled, her nails digging into her arm. It was taking her every ounce of willpower not to toss these clowns right out on their asses. "Alright then. Tell me what games you're looking for so I can help you get out of my hair as soon as possible."

Vacti and Ubi sputtered and laughed loudly. "Haha! That's rich!" Vacti caught his breath. "Look, no offense but, uh... I'm looking for the input of someone a bit more... versed in this field, you feel me?"

"Yeah! And chicks don't know games!" Ubi piped up, grabbing Geo by the collar. "So we'll just borrow this nerd here-" A deep growl from behind wiped the grin from his face. He turned slowly to see Tari towering over him, glaring."

"You let go. Now."

The stockier man sized Tari up for a moment, wondering if he could take him. Something about his aura though made him reconsider. "Heh... sure man. I was just foolin' with the little guy, y'know?" He loosened his grip on Geo. "See? All good."

Vacti facepalmed. "Good one, tough guy, we're all impressed."

Another chime from the door caught 18's attention and she found herself smiling, despite the going's on, at the new arrival.

A police officer, helmet in hand, bald head reflecting the store's lights.

"Heya, 18. Did I come at a bad time?"

She breathed a sigh of relief. "No, I'd say you were right on time."

The short man sauntered up to the counter and stood off to the side setting his helmet down and stretching. He looked down and noticed a patron still on the floor, staring, seemingly scared. "Hey fella, you ok?" He reached out his hand and helped the man to his feet. "Ahhh! There ya go."

Gesa, more confident with a police officer there, finally let himself relax a bit, slumping against the counter. "Th-thanks. I-" He glanced over at Vacti and Ubi. "...tripped, I guess. Shoelaces and all."

The officer noticed Gesa's gaze and stole a quick look at the two of them, eyes narrowed. After a moment, he looked back at 18 and grinned. "I was just in the neighborhood and break time came around, so I figured I'd stop in and see how my favorite gal was doing at work."

18 smiled, her cheeks tinged a bit red. "Heh. Well, I appreciate the thought."

Vacti's eyebrows shot up. Was Store Chick... blushing? At this weirdo? He was shrimpy! He didn't even have a nose, for crying out loud.

He thrust an accusatory finger at 18. "Hey, what gives? You into this weird guy but not me?"

18 raised an eyebrow before her eyes narrowed and a devious grin found its way onto her face. She reached over and traced her fingers around the officer's head. "So what if I do? Does that upset you?"

Vacti grabbed his sunglasses off his face and tossed them to the ground. "But why?" He thrust his finger at the officer. "Dude is so old! He's gotta be at least 30!"

"You think 30 is old?"

Vacti ranted on. "What, is it a cop fetish, or just a thing for gremlins with no nose?"

A loud screech echoed through the store as all the patrons covered their ears. 18's eyes were narrowed, her nails digging strips across the countertop glass. "What did you just say about my husband, you little worm?"

Vacti froze, eyes wide, the color drained from his face. "Y-your... husband? I... I thought you were like, in college..."

18 sighed internally. Between this nonsense and her own daughter starting to pass more for her little sister, she was going to have to do something to look more her age.

Krillin rubbed the back of his head and laughed. "Well... I feel like there's a lot of backstory here that I'm missing out on, I'll say that much." He turned back to 18. "Oh hey, are there any copies of the new Dragon Quest left? I hope I'm not too late."

"Don't worry, hon, I saved you one too." 18 turned around and snagged a copy from the back shelf. "Already paid for and everything so you can take it with you."

Krillin smiled and took 18's hand. "You're the best, babe."

Vacti's hand balled into a fist as he shook, embarrassment and anger welling up inside him. "No... that's it... I've had it..." He raised his fist to the sky and bellowed. "I'M NOT GONNA LET THIS STAND."

He glared daggers at Krillin. "YOU!" Krillin pointed at himself in confusion as Vacti pointed at the kiosk in the middle of the shop floor. "We're going to settle this the way real gamers do! I challenge you to a deathmatch in Call to Honor!"

Krillin raised an eyebrow in amusement and chuckled. "Well far be it from me to make fun of someone taking their passions seriously but uh... I'll pass."

Vacti smirked. "What's wrong, old man? Scared? Worried I'll impress your wife more than you? Scared of being a cuck?"

"PFFT!"

Vacti looked to 18, barely suppressing her laughter, and growled again.

"Well the truth is.." Krillin chuckled. "I just have nothing to prove against an insecure kid." He held up his game and laughed. "And honestly, those sorts of online games just aren't my thing." He jabbed a thumb back at 18, who was cracking her knuckles. "But they are hers."

Vacti gulped. "F-fine... but the challenge stands! If I win..." He grinned wickedly. "If I win, she has to give me a kiss. Right in front of you."

18 growled. "Now we get to name terms, huh?" She took a deep breath to calm herself down. "Fine... but if I win..." she smirked. "You two leave me and these guys alone and don't come back."

Vacti cracked his knuckles and returned the smirk. "Deal. But I warn you... I'm a regional champion here in Satan City. Three years running."

18 raised an eyebrow as she grabbed one of the controllers. "Am I supposed to be impressed, or...?"

Vacti growled and grabbed his, setting up the match.

Geo, Gesa, and Tari all crowded around Krillin, who sat at a table behind his wife. "So..." Gesa spoke up. "Aren't you a little bit worried? I mean, if your wife loses, she has to-"

"Nah, I'm not worried at all." Krillin smiled. "I've watched 18 play for years. She's... well, you'll see."

The trio gazed up at the screen and gulped. "I sure hope you're right, sir."

Vacti sat down hard with a thud, a look of shock plastered on his face. Ubi joined him soon after, his jaw hanging loose.

"I- I lost?!"

18 dusted her hands and crossed her arms, smirking. "You lost 2 to 14, actually. And that's with me granting you extra rounds for your 'comeback'."

The Trio hooted wildly behind her and Krillin chuckled. "I told you this was her kind of game."

Vacti and Ubi stood quickly, growling. "No, that's not possible. This was rigged!"

"Yeah, you tell 'em, Vacti! Rigged!"

18 rolled her eyes. "The consoles are locked in the kiosks, you moron, and you picked them. Stop trying to weasel out of it and just take the L."

Vacti took a step forward, cracking his knuckles. "We'll see who takes an L, bi-"

Before he could even finish, Vacti found himself flat on his back, the wind knocked out of him, and a police officer's boot in his gut. Krillin glared down at the man beneath him. "Watch how you talk about my wife, buddy. Now, I know I got here late, but I couldn't help but notice the very unpleasant atmosphere when I arrived, or the way everyone was intimidated by you." He jammed a thumb at the cameras. "And while I'm sure 18 would rather this not be a whole thing, I'm sure that if I were to take a look at the footage from those things, I'd find a whole lot of material that could make things... unpleasant for you." He removed his foot from the man's gut and pulled him up, tossing him toward his friend. "So how about you guys just keep your word and we'll pretend this never happened, huh?" He smiled at the two and waved. "Be careful on your way home now, look both ways and all that."

The two men grimaced and hurried out the door, booking it down the street in front of them.

18 was speechless. She felt her cheeks flush and that old nervous stutter threatening to come back. Her husband, that little dork of a man...

She smiled. 'The coolest dork of a man I know.'

Krillin dusted his hands off. "Welp! That's that." He checked his watch. "Oh shoot, I gotta get back on patrol!" He leaned over and pecked 18's cheek. "I'll see you later hon."

18 quickly grabbed his arm and leaned forward, breathing into his ear. "Tonight, you and I are gonna... have a special dinner."

Now it was Krillin's turn to blush a bit as his eyebrows raised. Trying to be discrete, he wrapped his arm around 18 for a quick hug. "Sounds like a plan," he whispered back. He waved at the trio. "It was nice finally meeting you guys, by the way! 18 talks about her friends at work sometimes. We'll have to catch up sometime!" He trotted out the door. "Laters!"

Gesa, Tari, and Geo all looked at 18, confused. "You... consider us friends?" Tari asked, tears in his eyes.

18 smiled. "Yeah... guess I do. Just don't let it go to your heads. OOP!" She found herself lifted off her feet as the giant of a man picked her up for a hug. "Okay fella... personal space now." He apologized and set her down quickly.

Geo jumped up and down. "Oh my GOD you were so COOL!" He gestured toward the door. " AND YOUR HUSBAND WAS SO COOL!" He glanced at the game in his hands again. "...best day ever. No contest."

Gesa grinned and rubbed his chin. "I gotta take some notes. Maybe I can be that smooth on date night."

18 felt a soft rumble in her pocked and pulled out her phone. She rolled her eyes and chuckled when she saw Krillin's text.

"Hey babe. About tonight's 'plans'. Any chance you can-uh... bring that uniform home with you? For reasons? :) "

18 chuckled. "You little perv."

"Hmm... we'll see. ;)"

"Alright fellas. Time to close up. See you next time."

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