OUTBREAK: ZERO is a semi post-apocalyptic pandemic roleplay set in the fictional city of Lethford, USA. Current season: Winter, 20/21.
March 2020. The world is in pandemonium as one month ago, GHNv-20 was confirmed, five months after the beginning of norovirus season. The number of the infected are in the higher hundred thousands, and the death toll is at an estimated 250,000, with about seventy percent of the rest of the population experiencing mild to moderate illnesses connected to the S. pyogenes bacteria.
The fear of the unknown has caused mass hysteria and panic.
In an attempt to provide a semblance of safety and control, military personnel patrol the streets, even here in Lethford City, and the police force is trying to keep up with the rising street violence, assault, and theft.
Welcome to OUTBREAK: zero. Will you survive?
HAYANA
SITE OWNER + HEAD ADMINISTRATOR
Hi! I'm Haya. I'm pretty much your girl for everything! If you have any questions regarding our plot, membergroups, etc. don't hesitate to ask me. I'm also in charge of coding, graphics, anything skin related, and advertising/affiliates.
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ADDI
ADMINISTRATOR
Hey! I'm Addi. Hit me up if you need help with anything. I'm always for plotting so don't be shy. I like coffee, booze, and working out. I'm back from a long hiatus the dead so if you need anything, best ask the others until I get back into the groove of things!
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FINNLEY
GLOBAL MODERATOR
Hi hello! My name is Finnley, or Finn, call whichever and I'll be there for you (yes like the FRIENDS theme song). I am in charge of the claims and helping with miscellaneous things. Let me know if you have any questions!
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OPEN MODERATOR POSITION
outbreak
/ˈaʊtbreɪk/ zero /ˈzɪərəʊ/
a sudden occurrence of something unwelcome, such as war or disease. number, no quantity or number; nought; the figure 0.
After parting from Jackson, Arlo made her way quickly to the dispatch area of the department. The woman who were on duty flocked her as she made her way through the doors, wanting their coffees and throwing questions on why she was later than she had quoted them. She merely waved them on, telling them to just enjoy their coffee and let her get ready for her shift. She went to her locker, placed down her small bag and grabbed her comfortable cardigan in case the AC decided to kick into over drive, then made her way over to her station.
She smiled briefly as she got a text from Jackson so she'd have his number to save, and she quickly put him down as "Sir Jax" with a tiger emoji next to his name. She felt an easiness in her heart with him, he was simple to be around. It was like breathing, and Arlo didn't quite have those kind of friends in her life like so many other people seemed to have. Sure she had her high school best friend and about to be ex-roommate, but that was about it. Arlo had her aunt in her younger years until she gave up because of her father. Which meant Arlo was stuck having to deal with him herself. But Jax, he came in and easily just planted himself in her life. Even if he made it seem like he needed her, she felt like she needed him just as much.
After quickly adding him to her phone, she focused on the calls. Her eyes buzzing between the different screens and her fingers flying over the keyboard as she inserted information as it came flying at her. It was quite an uneventful first part of her shift, no big calls worth bragging over. The usuals calling for the most idiotic stuff, making her address them by their names before they had a chance to tell her who was calling. So when she kept glancing at the time, it seemed to be crawling by. When 2:45 hit, she made mention to the supervisor that she might take a slightly extended break, past the hour that was allowed. Since it was sort of a calm day, he agreed and just told her to be available in case he needed to pull her back via a phone call.
She left her cardigan at her desk and logged out, slipping her shoes back on before she headed into the station. Making her way to stop in and see Trinity to deliver the news of her probably moving out sooner than they had both expected. Trinity's blonde head snapped up with wide eyes as she told her about Jax and his offer. Which of course made Arlo laugh at his ridiculous she looked. Trinity immediately spewed out questions, about if she was sure, where would she be living, why she was choosing Jax as a roommate. With a quick glance at her phone, she realized it was 3 on the dot, so she promised to answer all of her extra questions once she was completely sure that she was moving in.
Arlo moved out to the front area where she last spotted the marbled eyed blondie walking away from her. And sent off a text to let him know that she was ready and would be waiting for him where they had agree. She really hoped that this was going to be it.
The morning had started off well. Remarkably well. It had, in fact, started off so great that it had put him in a relatively good mood for his first day back which he hadn't seen coming. He had thought today would be filled with people giving him sympathetic looks and sad little pats on the shoulder. He had worried his boss would put him on bench duty instead of letting him actually do his job. He had feared the worst, but as he walked in after leaving Arlo downstairs, he felt a lightness. It wasn't happiness exactly, he wasn't sure when he would begin to really feel that emotion, but the heaviness that had weighed him down seemed a little lighter. It all seemed a little more possible to bare.
His boss had first told him he needed to take his first few days back easy and just as he feared, that he would be put on desk duty. Jax had made his case though, appealed to the reality of the situation that what he and the department needed most was his feet on the ground. He needed to be doing what he knew how to do, and maybe it was that slight confident nature that Arlo had helped coax back out of him, maybe it was the reality of the situation, hell maybe it was pity. Whatever it was, Jax found himself back on duty and that was all that mattered to the blonde.
His first case had him back outdoors and with his team, responding to an arrest warrant. The guy had been notoriously violent and the SWAT team had been called in to help the local force bring the guy in. The operation had gone smoothly until the guy had managed to escape from the lead officer's grip and hauled butt through the house and out the door. Jax had pursued and when he tackled the suspect to the ground, handling him with ease and sliding cuffs on him, Jax found himself smiling again. He had two more operations after that, and it was in those moments where he felt like the old him again. In those moments where he wasn't thinking, he wasn't remembering, he was just acting and reacting.
The time had ticked by and his last assignment had gone on longer than he had thought it would. He found himself hustling down the hallway, sliding his badge into the machine to clock out, and practically running out the doors. He jogged down the steps that led to the entryway where he had promised to meet Arlo. He felt his phone vibrate but he didn't check it, closing the distance to the bottom level. He pushed the doors open, putting his badge in his mouth so he could slide his jacket on. A grin broke out on his face when he saw Arlo. Jax slid the ID card back in his pocket and grinned, "Sorry I'm late. Hell of a first day back."
He ran his hands through his hair, knocking dirt and debris from it. He hadn't checked a mirror before leaving and he momentarily wondered if he had dirt all over him. The subject hadn't been too much to handle, but he had tackled him pretty hard into the ground. "You hungry?"
Arlo felt slightly nervous while she waited for Jax to meet her. Though she read as calm on the outside. Standing inside the station made her feel uneasy. She made eye contact with the woman near the front several times, and after the third time she smiled nervously at the officer who offered a welcoming smile back. Though Alys went to looking at one of the missing people flyers that was posted in the front lobby. It actually was sad to see how many faces were up there. Some from years ago, some children, some adults. Some of them were really recent. Which made her mind wonder if they had died or fled or who knew what.
She glanced around again and was reminded why she didn’t like being there. It was because of all the times she thought about walking down to one. A police station, to ask for help. Either on her own or with Trinity even driving her to the front doors telling her to get out and go make a report. But she never could find it in herself to walk in. She just kept thinking back on all the stories she heard about how abusers got away with things all the time. And if she had walked in, what did that mean for her? Turned into a home? No way. She’d take the life she was given until she could change the course on her own.
Perhaps that was the reason that she never lingered, that she didn’t come make friends with the officers as her coworkers had done. Truly, Jax was the first one. And yet she had just befriended him this morning. She knew the voices, could probably pair most of the names to the voices alone. But as she looked around the area, with others moving about, she realized that she couldn’t name one of them. Maybe she needed to work on that. It would probably establish a better relationship with her and the station. Especially since she has been there for a bit.
Her dark head of curls turned as she heard the ding of the elevator and in came Jax. His smile was infectious as she found herself grinning back at him without even thinking about it. Her freckled face did a one over him as he brushed the dirt from himself. “Well I’d say so, go playing in some sandboxes?” She teased lightly as he got closer to her. Her hands went into her back pockets as she turned towards the front doors, not quite waiting for him as she made her strides towards the outdoors. “Starving. All I’ve thought about was this amazing pizza place you kept talking about.” She tossed a grin over her shoulder, it was true. She was hungry and ready to eat. “I got approved for a longer break if needed as well. So we don’t have to rush too much.” Though she was sure that he didn’t have the same leeway as she did.
“And I want to hear all about this,” She said, turning and brushing off some dirt from his shoulder.
The small tension Jax was feeling in his chest about being late meeting Arlo dissipated when she returned his grin. She asked if he had played in the sandboxes today and he nodded, "Yeah, built a cool sandcastle with a moat and all." He followed her out the doors, the two falling in step together. He jogged down the steps, pointing to the left side of the street. "This place is the best. I'm telling you. It's just up here."
He moved to the sidewalk, pressing the button to engage the crosswalk. He glanced over at her, "Well I'm glad I get you for a little longer. So how was your morning? Heard any crazy calls today?" Jax had stayed off the radio. His team hadn't needed to call into dispatch yet. The two suspects who they had pursued had warrants out and ready for them to pick up. There weren't any calls or clarification that needed to be done. It was easier that way and he had been thankful of course, but on the other hand he was half hoping he'd get to hear her voice on the other end of his radio.
Arlo brushed something off his shoulder, asking about the story behind it and he grinned, "Ah, it's a good one." The button changed and Jax crossed the street with the other pedestrians. For the most part, people seemed to be keeping to the six feet apart rule, but there were a few who didn't bother with it. A guy with earbuds in pushed past him and Arlo, knocking into Jax's shoulder before shuffling past without so much as a 'sorry'. Jax shook his head, an amused grin on his face, "You ever wish you could be like that? Just give zero care about anyone else around you?" He couldn't imagine living like that. How someone could be so self-absorbed. He wasn't the best at reading emotions and picking up on signals but he wasn't as thick as that guy.
Jax walked a block and a half with her before opening the door to a small pizza place, gesturing for her to walk in. "Alright. Now you can't blame me if you get addicted." He followed her in, the familiar smells of basil and pizza dough comforting him. The guy at the counter was the owner and Jax smiled as the man spoke first, 'Jax. Long time no see.' Jax held his hands up, "Sorry man. You know how it is." He held up his badge and the man nodded, 'oh I know, trying to keep this place going is going to be the death of me. Who's this? Don't tell me you and Emma aren't together anymore.'
At the mention of Emma, Jax felt his chest tighten unexpectedly, the words momentarily caught in his throat. The smile wavered and he cleared his throat. "No, uh. She..passed away." The tension in his chest was back, threatening to do him in. He cleared his throat once more, focusing his attention on Arlo, "This..is my friend Arlo. I promised her the best pizza in Lethford so don't let me down."
Arlo immediately feigned hurt as he mentioned that he made a castle with a mote. "How could you? Without me? While I was stuck having to listen to Barb go on about her grandson's science project out of mentos and Pepsi?!" He seemed to have a good day. She might have peek to see where he was for the day, what he was attached to and she was glad to see he was sent to the field. She knew he had mentioned that it was his first day back after he had lost his fiancé, and she couldn't imagine having to try and fake normal while sitting at a desk on light duty. So when she saw his name attached to some SWAT in the field things, she eased up in a way.
As he fell into step with her she laughed lightly. He was excited, happy like a child who was walking up to the gates of Disney World for the first time and was trying to tell his parents about what he was most excited about. She gave him a light bump, arm to arm as he mentioned he was glad he had her a bit longer. She felt the same. He was a breath of fresh air she didn't realize she needed. "No crazy calls. It was actually quite slow this morning, but I know that just means we are going to have all the crazies later today." Thats how it always seemed to work. Either it started off crazy and never ended, or it was slow until the rush came and then it didn't settle down. Which mean that she would be stuck late at work trying to help get them over that hill of calls.
As they started in the crosswalk, she watched a man bump directly into Jax and didn't even blink back at him. "Jackass." She said, loud enough that the man could hear her as they kept walking. She rolled her eyes, curls bouncing with her step. "It sounds like he would have a miserable life. No one wants to love someone who doesn't care about anything or anyone." She remarked. Platonic or in a romantic way, there was nothing worse than someone who couldn't emotionally invest into something. Their walk wasn't a very long one, but that was quite alright because she could feel her stomach gearing up for a growl and she really didn't want to have it sing the song of its people to Jax. Not today.
"Always the gentleman," she teased as she walked into the door he held open. The smell washed over her and she almost moaned loudly. Well, she did moan, but it was thankfully only loud enough for Jax to hear her if he was paying attention. She approached the counter with Jax, a smile on her face as she looked over to the man that obviously knew Jax to some capacity. The smile faltered however as the mans eyes landed on her and the question slipped from his lips, asking who she was and where Emma was. She immediately looked at Jax, knowing that this wasn't a good thing. She held no pity in her look, only a look of concern. He recovered well, but he was different. And her chest tightened a bit. Part of her told her to reach out to him, to comfort him. But she didn't want him to take that as a move for pity or like she was pushing her boundaries. Instead she locked eyes with the man, her eyes narrowed slightly as if telling the man to keep his mouth shut.
"Whatever he usually gets and a meat lovers slice for me," She hoped Jax didn't take her assertiveness as rudeness, she just wanted to put distance between that moment of heart break and their time. She walked over to the register and looked back at the blonde with her. "Snag your favorite spot for us?" She wasn't letting him get away with paying this time. And she hoped he would go find a spot so she could maybe give the man a tongue lashing on how rude it was to ask a question like that, especially if he was assuming Jax was out on a date with a new girl. Way to make things awkward. Even though she was just a friend, it was too much. She felt protective over her friends and he was no exception. He had shoved his way through her walls and planted himself there.
Jax let out a fully belly laugh as Arlo complained about having to listen to someone named Barb. He couldn't imagine the firecracker of a girl next to him sitting quietly, politely nodding along to some story that someone droned on and on about. He supposed she had to play a lot nicer than he did when it came to office politics. At his job, if someone was annoying you, you could flat-out call them out for being annoying and they might retort with a lovely little well screw you in return. That was normal, that was expected. They could take the insults, ribbing, and playful punches. Dispatch tended to be female-dominated though and he doubted they'd take too kindly to the name-calling as the guys upstairs did.
He nodded when she mentioned the calls were easy, but that it only meant they'd get worse as the day grew. That was the damn truth. He could never figure out why everything seemed to happen at once. It was like everyone was wearing an alarm and they all went off at the same time to cause havoc and chaos. "Do you ever miss the good old days where the calls weren't filled with people complaining and tattling on their neighbor for not wearing a mask?" He had been forced to go with a few officers before things hit the fan, instances were people got into altercations because they were refuting the new laws. It didn't matter what the restrictions were or why, there was always someone out there complaining, someone out there refusing to follow the law.
As if she had read his mind earlier, the firecracker went off at the guy who had shoved into him. Jax found himself grinning as he watched her yell at him. She was so tiny and petite, it was funny to watch her go off like a pitt-bull when she was provoked. "Why do I have the feeling that if we go to a bar together you're going to talk some smack and I'm going to have to play bodyguard to you all night?" He grinned, all but able to imagine it. Someone would piss her off and she'd go off on them, he'd have to carry her over his shoulder while she was still threatening the provoker. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Bet he sleeps like a damn baby though." No care. No anxiety. No stressing about other people's feelings. He'd be lying if he said he wouldn't like to know that feeling, at least for a day.
He rolled his eyes playfully when she called him a gentleman. The grin didn't leave his face as he heard the small happy little noise she made when she went inside. He was pleased with himself. It might be something insignificant, but even when the world was going to hell, a little bit of comfort food could make it seem like it was all going to be okay. Then the guy had brought up Emma and his smile had wavered. He looked to Arlo and found her eyes already on his. Neither said a word but he could have sworn she understood, could have sworn that she had read his mind again.
She moved her eyes from his and spoke to the owner, giving him space to breathe as she took up his slack. Jax glanced at the wall, unable to move for the time being. He wasn't sure what the hell kind of look Arlo must have given him but the man didn't apologize, just repeated her order back to her and mentioned it was on the house. He glanced up when she spoke to him, "Yeah, sounds good."
Jax walked to the spot that had a table by the window. The sun wasn't bad and they'd get to watch people as they ate their lunch. He waited for her to return, running his hands through his hair. "So, how much stuff are we going to move from your old place? I've got two buddies on the squad who owe me favors." He didn't mind helping her move. It would be a nice reprieve from dealing with all the things he'd have to pack up of Emmas.
Her eyes immediately went into an eye roll and she let out a small groan. "Jax, I would give anything to not have to argue with these idiots on the phone about why I am not sending my boys in blue out to a gated community because there is a part of fifteen happening next door." Her curls bounced as she shook her head and looked up at him. "My favorite call to date? A man called the emergency line. As in, he dialed 9-1-1 thinking that I was going to send the Calvary out to the grocery store because someone in front of him removed their mask so they could take a drink of water from their bottle." She laughed at the memory, the laughter one of almost 'can you believe this?'. "He demanded that I send officers out to arrest the felon, FELON JAX." God she missed those days of answering a call from a regular because they were having a hard time reaching something up high.
"Did you ever get sent out to widow Harriette's house?" If he had, he would certainly remember this woman. "She was the one who would press her life alert 'accidentally' to have attractive cops and firefighters show up to check on her. Or fake having issues if it was the paramedics who showed up? She called me one day and I quote, 'I have nothing better to do, and I have good insurance for a reason. And money!'." She laughed, her hand over her heart as she thought of the older woman. She hoped she was doing okay. Now that she thought about it, she hadn't heard from her in a while. Hopefully she just slowed her calls because she was smart and knew they were insanely busy ever since this sickness started spreading its way quickly through their city.
After she bit out the 'jackass' to the, well, jackass that passed, she returned her eyes to him. He was looking at her with a grin and she tilted her head slightly, an amused smile on her face as her brows pulled together. "What's that look for?" She laughed lightly. She laughed as he said he could see himself playing her bodyguard. Arlo chuckled lightly and flashed him a wicked grin. "You'd be far too busy dancing your little butt off to even realize I needed you," she joked. Needed was perhaps not the right term, but she did have a bark that was bigger than her bite. She knew she could take a hit, she just didn't really know how to take care of herself in that sense. "Maybe I'll have you teach me some self defense," she mused lightly as the kept moving.
When they moved into the pizza parlor and the incident happened, she was on high alert. And she was glad that he seemed to listen to her gentle suggestion about finding them a table. Once he was out of ear shot, she turned slightly narrowed eyes on the owner. She dug through her wallet and produced a bill that more than covered their slices and a tip. This wasn't a chain place and she knew that small businesses were struggling, so she wanted to do her part. "This tip is for them" she said and nodded to the ones in the back making new pizza's. "The tip to you is that you should think before you speak. If he had been on a date, how awkward it would be now because of that comment. Instead, he had that slapped back into his face. Think before you speak." She repeated it twice, before she pushed the bill towards the register and grabbed the heated two slices from the glass top.
As she pulled up to the table, she slid his slice towards him before she settled in. She watched him a little intently at first. She didn't want to make it awkward but she was also trying to see exactly how he was handling coming back from the comment. As he asked about if she needed help, she gave a small roll of her shoulder for an answer as she reached for the cheese filled shaker. "I guess not a ton. I need to get myself a new bed, so I figured I'd order one and have it delivered to my new place. So really just a dresser, an abnormally heavy mirror, and just boxes of clothes. Which probably won't be a lot. The rest of stuff is Trinity's." She covered the meatlovers pizza in Parmesan cheese and then smiled at him. "If one of them has a good truck, then I'd cash in on that if its an offer."
Her small hand reached for the crust and folded it in half before she picked it up. "So," Arlo started as she nodded towards him, "Care to tell me about your sandbox adventure?" She grinned before she bit into her slice of.... oh heaven. She moaned again and nodded her head in approval. She didn't even comment before she dove in for a second bite.
Jax glanced over at the brown-haired girl, an amused grin on his face. He could only imagine the downright professional voice she made herself have when she talked to the idiots over the phone. He made a mental note to sneak down there one day, listen in and make faces as she spoke calm and courteously to the callers. Sure, he imagined she'd probably then chase him out of the room threatening to hit him, but it'd be worth it.
Their eyes met as she began telling him about her favorite call so far. He laughed at the idea, thankful that he didn't have to deal with the bulk of all those crazy people. He didn't know if he could handle being a patrol cop again. His patience was nowhere near what it had been all those years ago when he had started with the force. Back then he was new to the routine and streets, he could handle the idiot call or question. Now though? He didn't know if he could stomach the annoying people without saying a few harsh words.
"People are crazy. One time when I was on patrol we had a guy call us because his girlfriend was shopping and he said that they had been there for two hours and he wanted to leave. She apparently had said no and his bright idea was to call us and I'm quoting here 'make up a reason to escort them out of the store' so he could go home and watch the rest of his football game. When we pointed out that it was not our job to wrangle women out of stores he said...." Jax made a drum-roll sound..."Why not? I pay your salary don't I?" He shook his head, remembering the call. That had been during his first week and he hadn't forgotten it. He doubted he ever would. His partner had handled the situation well and the two had laughed their asses off the entire way back to the station. That had been a good one, but they weren't all that funny. He was glad those days were behind him.
Jax shook his head again when she brought up the widow. He hadn't been there before, but he had heard the stories from the poor souls who had to go there. The woman meant well of course, and most of the guys were good sports about it, but sometimes the calls like that were just too much. It wasn't like things were ever slow enough to constantly be providing some eye candy for an old lady. "That's going to be me when I get old. Not for the eye candy, but I most certainly plan on playing pranks on whatever poor sap is stuck dealing with my hind-end when I'm old." He gave an amusing smile at his little joke. He liked to imagine that version of his future. Faking this or that to get a rise out of people. He had always imagined it with Emma of course, her smacking him for being a pain in the butt. Now he didn't know what the future held, at least he wasn't entirely alone though. The thought of Arlo hanging around, the two of them having wheelchair races down the hall at a retirement home bringing a lopsided grin to his face.
She then had told him he wouldn't even realize that she needed him and he feigned being hurt. "Excuse me? Just because I am a god on the dance floor doesn't mean I would ever ignore you. Can't forget the lowly peasants, after all, who would clap for me?" That one he figured would earn a hit and he was grinning just waiting for it. He let his mind wander just a bit to how much fun she'd be at the bar. Sure he liked dancing, but if that wasn't her thing he didn't mind giving her company at a pool table or dart board.
As for the self-defense lessons, he was more than prepared for that. Jax stopped on the street, gently pulling her arm so she'd look at him, his face serious, "Have you seriously never taken a course before?" He thought dispatch would have made them take some kind of class about it, but in honesty he had no idea. Sure they weren't on the front lines, but hell anything could happen. He didn't like the idea of her not knowing how to handle herself.
Then they were inside and Jax had moved to the window seat. He wasn't sure what she was doing as he had left her. All he could think of were the words spoken from the owner. He should have expected them of course, he and Emma visited this place more times than he could count, but he wasn't ready. He wasn't prepared to face the fallout of all the places they had gone to, all the people who they knew. He wasn't ready for what that all meant yet. Thankfully Arlo returned and he focused on her words, trying to shove out all of the thoughts of Emma. "Yeah, Michaels has a truck, I'm sure he won't mind us borrowing it. Hopefully, he won't tag along, he's got the worst stories and five kids so trust me...all of the stories come with five or more pictures. It's terrible." He grabbed the pizza slice and grinned when he watched her take a bite, a satisfied 'told you' smile on his lips. He folded the cheesy slice and took a bite, happy that she liked the place as much as he did.
"Alright so we went out to arrest this guy and it was super boring of course, he turned himself in right away." He leaned forward, highly invested in telling the story. "But the officer who has him, loses his grip and the guy takes off running out the house so I charged after him and right before he hauls his rear over a fence BAM" Jax clapped his hands together, "Nailed him in the ground. We rolled around a bit but he gave up. Great first day back so far." He sat back in the chair, a satisfied little smile on his lips.
Her eyes immediately went into an eye roll and she let out a small groan. "Jax, I would give anything to not have to argue with these idiots on the phone about why I am not sending my boys in blue out to a gated community because there is a part of fifteen happening next door." Her curls bounced as she shook her head and looked up at him. "My favorite call to date? A man called the emergency line. As in, he dialed 9-1-1 thinking that I was going to send the Calvary out to the grocery store because someone in front of him removed their mask so they could take a drink of water from their bottle." She laughed at the memory, the laughter one of almost 'can you believe this?'. "He demanded that I send officers out to arrest the felon, FELON JAX." God she missed those days of answering a call from a regular because they were having a hard time reaching something up high.
"Did you ever get sent out to widow Harriette's house?" If he had, he would certainly remember this woman. "She was the one who would press her life alert 'accidentally' to have attractive cops and firefighters show up to check on her. Or fake having issues if it was the paramedics who showed up? She called me one day and I quote, 'I have nothing better to do, and I have good insurance for a reason. And money!'." She laughed, her hand over her heart as she thought of the older woman. She hoped she was doing okay. Now that she thought about it, she hadn't heard from her in a while. Hopefully she just slowed her calls because she was smart and knew they were insanely busy ever since this sickness started spreading its way quickly through their city.
Arlo sometimes forgot he was part of SWAT, and not a regular officer. Even though he carried himself differently. She wasn’t sure she could ever put it into words if someone asked her to explain it. The best she could do was that he had this air of confidence that didn’t touch cocky or aggressive. He was straight forward but willing to listen and had a wicked sense of humor. He kept her on her toes without ever making her feel like he was over stepping, and that was from the few times they had conversed over the radio and the short time now.
After she shared her favorite, she watched him with amused, curious eyes as he shared his favorite. Which ended with her trying to bite back a laugh and shaking her head before the drum roll even started. Literately. Which of course made her immediately crack a smile and start laughing. She had a feeling she already knew what was coming, simply because she had heard that so many times. And from when she talked to other firefighters, EMT’s, and police, they all had heard that comment at least once in their career. “I feel like we should be allowed to immediately arrest them for saying that.” She said with a small laugh.
She clicked her tongue as he said he would be doing the same thing, but not for the eye candy. “I’m going to call BS on that,” She flashed over a teasing grin with slightly narrowed eyes. “You are definitely going to be that old man looking for some eye candy to come to your ‘help I’ve fallen and I can’t get up’ call. Hopefully the good looking women are working EMS that day.” She joked. “I only hope I’m around to see that,” Arlo continued. He would be a blast, he was one now and that spirit of his wouldn’t be going anywhere. She loved it, she felt energized just being around him. But she did make a mental note to watch out when they lived together. She had a feeling she might be subject to some of the pranks he spoke about.
Her hand immediately shot out and swatted his arm, firm but not enough to actually cause pain. If anything, her fingers stung a bit from his firm arm. “Are you saying I am your peasant?!” She tried her best to fake a mad face, but had to slide it into a pout to for her lips to not turn up. She was not a dancer, at least she felt like she was clumsy and had two left feet. But maybe she’d give it a shot, for him. Even if she gave up quickly and found a spot along the wall to watch him dance his little heart out.
She was caught slightly off guard as his hand wrapped around her arm, pulling her to a stop. Her brown eyes turning to look up at him and she tilted her head a little at the sudden seriousness in his voice. “Ah, no. I just… I guess it never occurred to me to take one? I sit at a desk all day. And during the training for dispatch, well we were more focused on not panicking during calls and CPR than anything else.” She knew that they did recommend them taking a class for self defense and also a basics for firearms, but she had always been too busy. Arlo gave a light shrug. “Like I said, maybe you can give me a crash course.” She had a feeling he’d be a better teacher than someone else. Especially judging by how serious he had gotten on the subject.
Once seated and trying to put the who ordeal behind them, she took in the space that was around them. The window seat was a great choice and left it so they could gaze out and watch the street easily. And she might have noticed that he had a good line of vision to the door. Such a tactical way of thinking, even if he didn’t notice it. “Oof, five children. Bless his and his wife’s soul.” She said after she swallowed the larger than she should have taken bite. She took another bite and scrunched her nose up at his knowing, cocky look. Knowing that she truly was enjoying the pizza that he recommended. “I mean, big family sounds great. But five offspring? That’s… excessive.” She laughed. She had been the one and only of her kind, so she didn’t really have much family. She was quite jealous of those who did. Though pushing out five babies? Yikes.
She watched him light up like a kid on Christmas as he leaned towards her, telling his story. She enjoyed her slice of cheesy, meaty heaven as he went on, almost choking on a piece as he clapped his hands together for dramatic effect. Well it worked. She laughed as she cleared her throat. “How are you going to top that adventure in the second part of your shift?” She laughed, watching him stretch in his chair. He had boyishly good looks, and she felt herself smiling at him. “Are you always this cheerful?” She asked curiously, clearly not bothered by him being the way he was at all.
