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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CODING
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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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MEDIATOR
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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.
[attr="class","CONTENT"] Bored eyes wandered over the bar area once, twice... observing various costumed people grab drinks for themself or someone else. Aaron let out a heavy sigh as he looked down at himself and his very own costume - doctors‘ scrubs and a simple one use surgical mask. It sat right on top of his nose, curling around his face to cover half of it. It was a little warm but it was the perfect excuse to wear a mask for coverage.
There were exactly two reasons he couldn‘t be caught dead at an illegal Halloween rave: he was a soldier, law enforcement support, the one who was supposed to work against these sort of situations... and then there was a too familiar face he wanted to look out for. Unfortunately, it wasn‘t his first run in so they would recognize him too and most likely flee. Not this time, he swore to himself. Dakota managed to blew his last deal... but not this time.
Moving through the crowd he managed to make his way to the bar himself unscathed. No drinks were spilled, yet. The outfit felt awkward, a little too thin for his taste and no room to put anything. It did conceal his weapon perfectly fine under the loose top. He leaned against the counter, waving off a barkeepers attempt at getting his order. He wasn‘t here to party let alone to drink. Emerald eyes narrowed at a group of cheap skeleton costumes on the other side of the dance floor, smoking and cheering with their glasses raised high.
[attr="class","TAG"]261 WORDS @dakota costume - undead/dead doctor (scrubs)
Dakota didn’t have a good reason for why she was at this party. Just as she’d been leaving the hospital that same morning, she’d overheard two nurses talking about a ‘secret party’, and she hadn’t realized she’d made the conscious decision to go until she was pulling an old Halloween costume out of her closet. She was dressed as a soldier, minus the far-too-large army fatigue jacket. An olive green tank, tucked into camo pants, black boots on her feet. Her hair was scraped back into a tight bun, with a military style hat pulled over her head. She added a bandana tied around her face, covering her nose and mouth, both because she didn’t want to get sick by not wearing one, and as a way to conceal her identity.
The haunted house hadn’t done much for her, but it had clearly had a lot of thought put into it in such a short amount of time. And the party was deep under way, the warehouse packed with bodies. Moving through them, she could see a bar on the far side of the crowd. She didn’t know why she chose to head that way, but as she moved through the crowd she glanced from face to face, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. What had she hoped to find here? Clearly she’d lost her mind from too much work, and maybe thanks to a certain someone beating her into unconsciousness. Though, if she recalled correctly, she’d gotten in a few good hits herself. She hoped they’d hurt. Why was she thinking about Aaron right now, anyways?
She was at the edge of the crowd, frowning at the bar beneath her face covering, when she felt a body slam into her back, shoving her off to the side like a human hockey puck. She crashed into another body, grabbing an arm to catch herself from falling. ”Jesus. Sorry.” Quickly, Dakota released the other person, her mind panicking. This was definitely not the way she wanted to spend her night off. So why was she here? Sighing under her breath, Dakota glanced up at the person she’d bumped into, trying to look sorry.
[attr="class","CONTENT"] The music was blasting in the background and to be honest, wasn't his taste. The flashing lights bothered him too, making it harder to keep watch on the group. And then there were the drunk party goers who were stumbling around. He already managed to dodge a few here and there. Despite the darkness, he saw someone falling towards him in the corner of his eyes, immediately reaching out to stop them from completely slamming into him or worse, into his gun.
'Jesus. Sorry.'
Aaron looked at the woman in the soldier costume, letting go of her the moment she let go of him. He moved his head slightly to the side, trying to check on the skeletons, afraid they might have left in that brief moment of distraction. He tensed, gritting his teeth, but once he saw them still standing in the same spot a sigh of relief escaped his covered lips.
He looked back at the soldier, couldn't help himself but smirk at her costume, and raised his eyebrows at her. "If you're really sorry you'd offer to buy me a drink, ma'am." Aaron said with a shrug, nodding towards the bar. A drink or two wouldn't hurt. He could tolerate much more and as long as the skeletons weren't moving from their spot he couldn't do anything else anyway.
[attr="class","TAG"]224 WORDS @dakota costume - undead/dead doctor (scrubs)
"If you're really sorry you'd offer to buy me a drink, ma'am."
There was something hauntingly familiar about the man she found herself looking at, but she wrote it off as a part of seeing men in scrubs every single day for hours on end. His words threw her off balance as she looked up at him, looking like a deer caught in headlights for a split second before a smile reflexively lit her eyes. ”Where are my manners? Let me buy you a drink.” She said, her tone a touch sarcastic. Still she moved past him, glancing over her shoulder before heading for the bar.
Being around alcohol didn’t make her nervous, didn’t tempt her. Even with the stressful events as of late, she still didn’t want a sip. But hopefully he didn’t hear or maybe just wouldn’t say anything when she quickly ordered a coke with ice, and then she nodded towards the man in scrubs. ”And whatever he’s having.” From there, she left it up to him to choose what he wanted. As soon as the coke was in her hands, she realized she wasn’t going to be able to drink it very easily without a straw, which were available - maybe due to the pandemic and the multitudes of people still wearing face coverings - and she plucked one up and dropped it in the glass, but didn’t take a sip right away.
She had no idea what she was doing, but at least now she wasn’t just standing around aimlessly. ”I thought I was the only one who showed up alone.” She commented light heartedly, glancing over at her new companion.
Aaron's gaze followed her as she moved up to the bar. He wasn't expecting her to really buy him a drink. However, he didn't mind either. He looked at the bartender who was returning the look expectantly, ready to make whatever drink he wanted to have. "I'll just take a beer." Aaron told him, grabbing the bottle as it was slid over the counter to him. "Thanks." Wrapping a hand around the cool glass he looked at it, trying to remember the last time he had a drink at a party... but he honestly couldn't - at least not anything recent.
'I thought I was the only one who showed up alone.'
Turning his attention back to Dakota as she talked to him, one side of his lips arched up into a smirk. "Who says I'm alone?" he spoke back, lifting the bottle to his lips under the mask and taking a sip. This was just slightly weird, and it probably looked weird, but he had seen a lot of people do this. By now everyone was used to wearing masks outside and working it into their lives. "Is it the missing sexy nurse counterpart that's giving me away?" Aaron cackled ever so slightly before taking another sip of his beer. "Who knows... maybe a soldier works just as well." he shrugged, laughing at it because it made him think of someone else.
[attr="class","TAG"]243 WORDS @dakota costume - undead/dead doctor (scrubs)
There was something about his eyes that felt familiar, and also that made her feel a little tight in the oxygen department. So Dakota avoided them, casually, using people-watching as an excuse. She gave a little nod of her head as she shrugged, looking over at him as a smile spread across her face - hidden by the bandana. It was definitely the missing sexy nurse counterpart - and she was about to open her mouth and verify that for him, when he segued onto a completely different path. Thankful for the darkness of the room, Dakota could feel heat rising in her face. ”Mmm. I don’t know if I’d date a doctor right now. Especially a dead one.” She said, teasing, tilting her head as she looked over at him.
Giving him an up and down look, she raised a brow at him. ”Even if he does look good in scrubs.” Thankfully for her thoughtfulness, sliding a straw under her face covering was a little bit easier. She glanced away, back out into the crowd of bodies. She still felt a little out of place, but at least there was someone to talk to.
[attr="class","CONTENT"] For once after a long time, Aaron let out a genuine laugh. He couldn’t remember the last time he laughed because of sheer amusement, because usually, it would be a laugh initiated by sarcasm. Once it died down into a low chuckle he took another sip of his drink, the tip of the bottle resting on his lips as he glanced over at the skeletons. His eyes observed their group for a moment before he turned his gaze back to Dakota.
“Thanks, I suppose. Appreciate it.” he said, lifting one bemused eyebrow. A subtle upward quirk of his mouth remained, although hidden underneath his mask. He turned sideways, placing one elbow on the bar and slightly leaning against the counter, nodding at someone behind her. “Looks like you got another admirer over there.” Aaron told her, a scoff escaping his lips before bringing the bottle to his mouth again. He couldn’t help it but the sight of yet another person dressed in a military uniform just made him feel a little strange. At this point, he wondered how many were abusing those costumes during Halloween season. Not that he was the one to speak. “I look so much better in that uniform.” he muttered under his breath, taking a long sip.
[attr="class","TAG"]211 WORDS @dakota costume - undead/dead doctor (scrubs)
Dakota was a little pleased with herself that her attempt at flirting hadn’t gone downhill, because she probably would have just gone home at that point. She gave a little nod of her head at his response, smiling beneath her mask. And then he was leaning against the bar, pointing out the “admirer” she had. She couldn’t help but analyze his choice of words - another. Discreetly glancing over her shoulder, Dakota took in the sight of a guy dressed up like a military man. Peering at her.
Turning her attention back to Aaron, she thought she caught the words he muttered, but with the music pounding in the air around them, all she really caught was ‘better’ and ‘uniform’. ”What did you-” At the moment that she was about to ask him what he’d just said, the bartender appeared on the other side of the counter and set a tall glass next to her elbow.
’From the guy in the military getup. Sex on the beach.’
There was a pointed look from the bartender that made Dakota quirk an eyebrow, wanting to throw a ‘who the hell’ look at the guy, but choosing to keep her back to him instead. The bartender then flounced off, before she could push the drink back and reject it. Sighing, Dakota shook her head. ”And here I thought he was staring at someone else.” She commented to Aaron, shaking her head lightly. Maybe approaching the bar, as a sober-by-choice person, wasn’t the brightest idea.
[attr="class","CONTENT"] Aaron took another sip, bringing the bottle to his lips under the mask and quirking his eyebrows briefly. He looked at the crowd, realizing he had finished his bottle faster than expected. Setting it on the counter next to him, hand still wrapped around the empty glass bottle, he turned over to look at the two soldiers. His eyes flicked over to the drink that was presented to the brunette by her admirer. "That’s very blunt." he scoffed, pushing his empty bottle towards the barkeeper and gesturing at him to bring another beer.
‘And here I thought he was staring at someone else.’
"Mhm. Women in uniform are still not that common. He probably fell at first sight but be careful... military men are jerks." he said, chuckling lightly and shrugging as if he wasn't one of them. Aaron gave the guy a quick look-over, internally snorting at the lack of chest candy - ribbons and medals - thinking he could have put at least some more effort into his costume. Might have scored him more chances.
"Looks like that guy is black on brains. What a football bat." he snorted softly, trying not to sound too much like an ass, intentionally using a teensy bit of military jargon to show off just a bit. He was pretty sure the two fake soldiers wouldn’t understand it anyway. Aaron did a mental eye roll before grabbing the new beer the bartender swapped out with his empty one. "Well, hooah I suppose." he said, looking back at Dakota, raising his beer into her direction to clink drinks and do a cheers.
[attr="class","TAG"]269 WORDS @dakota costume - undead/dead doctor (scrubs)
As Aaron commented on the drink of choice, Dakota couldn’t help but raise her brows and take in an audible inhale, the visible parts of her expression obviously agreeing with him. ”Not even a good choice.” She commented, having always preferred her alcohol straight when she used to drink. Though that might have just been the alcoholism speaking. She didn’t reach out for the glass, staring down at it hard, as if it were a potential threat. In many ways, it was.
Glancing over at him as he continued to speak about being careful of military men - which annoyingly brought thoughts of Aaron to mind - Dakota made another humm in her throat, though she wasn’t sure if he’d even heard it. ”Oh trust me, I’m well aware.” She said, a touch of sourness to her bemused words. She let the breath she’d taken in out in a loud sigh, physically turning her body towards Aaron so that she didn’t focus on the drink. She cocked an eyebrow at his lingo, only partially understanding from context.
And then he was holding his bottle out. To clink. Ice began to form in her chest. She had really hoped to avoid having to explain her lack of drinking. She’d already finished her coke, though she considered taking up the empty glass and clinking him with it. She wasn’t touching the alcoholic beverage at her elbow. ”I - uh,” A nervous chuckle escaped her lips as she hesitated. ”I don’t drink, unfortunately for him.” She said, trying to sound casual as she gave a little shrug.
