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.
GENERAL INQUIRIES
CODING
GRAPHICS
ADVERTISING
CHARACTERS
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!
GENERAL INQUIRIES
APPLICATIONS
THREAD MODERATION
MEDIATOR
CHARACTERS
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!
GENERAL INQUIRIES
CLAIMS
DIRECTORY
CHARACTERS
STAFF NAME
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.
Ruby was having a long day. She had gotten back to work and was immediately met with a stack of files and clients that needed her attention. Will and Harper weren't the only ones who had felt her three-month long missing presence and she found herself swamped Monday morning with calls and emails. She first sorted through the files and notes, arranging them into three separate piles. If she was honest, she was happy for the distraction.
The morning had started off with one of the female junior assistants commenting about how good she looked. When she couldn't come up with an appropriate response, the woman had apparently realized her mistake and turned red. Ruby had gone straight to her office after that. She and Will hadn't explicitly told anyone about the baby, but it had been abundantly clear. Especially at the office where she had to work around doctor office visits. As she sat at the desk she forced herself to focus on the present. To focus on the people who needed her and the ones who were still in her life.
It was easy to get pulled into her work. The people who she represented, the people who she helped genuinely needed her, at least 60% of them. They were the ones who the system had mistreated, who the police or military took advantage of. The ones who were too afraid to fight back, who had their backs against the wall. This business couldn't just serve the ones who she worked pro bono for however. To keep their offices in business they had to also accept larger clients. The ones who had no issue paying whatever fee she asked for because she could, at least in most cases, get them results. She was good at what she did and she didn't feel bad about that. She sometimes had to take the less than moral cases because if she didn't, there was zero chance in hell she'd be able to fight for the smaller ones.
The hours passed by and she had just opened up her inbox for the last time of the day. She had sent out thirty-two messages, twenty calls, and booked twelve court dates. Opening up her email she saw a message towards the end of the list, from Alejandro's wife. The woman who she had made a widow. Ruby gripped the edge of the desk, forgetting to breathe for a moment. She had been able to get money to the woman, but she hadn't had the time to actually ensure the woman was doing well, that more importantly the baby was doing well. She had gotten pregnant and then sick, the days had turned to weeks and months quicker than she could blink. Now there was no way to not face whatever that email held in store.
Ruby's hand hovered above the mouse, but before she could click it, her office phone rang. Pulling herself away from the computer she picked up the phone. Her assistant was on the line, letting her know that a client was coming into her office. She murmured a thanks and hung up, quickly closing off her email account. She looked up from her desk as the door opened, a polite smile on her face, "Hi. What can I help you with?"
Sat in the reception outside of her office, Grey drummed the fingers of his right hand against the still perfectly creased knee of his suit pants. Watchful green eyes had swept every single person beavering back and forth through the place. Masks shielded their faces, cut everything down to hair and voices and eyes. A narrow slot to try and figure people out, clues running thin.
He raked teeth over his lower lip, glancing back at the receptionist who’d put the appointment together for him that morning. An arm bent to worm him into the system. That was the price of having a brother who’d slid over the line into the zone that was getting greyer and greyer with every passing day. Grey’s lips pressed together as he glanced away again. His dad would’ve loved it. He’d always flourished in those moments where everything seemed to be balanced on the edge of a precipice, walking away when the footing was steadier like the one who hadn’t come away from it scarred.
Almost every time at least. His one failure? His daughter.
Grey glanced as another woman emerged, this one with eyes that creased at the corners above her mask as she called his name. An underling, he had enough to know exactly what they looked like. He straightened up, a hand smoothing down the front of his shirt while the other gripped the slim folder he’d brought with him. An assistant maybe, his sister’s major domo greasing the wheels of this place, probably working overtime with his sister only just being back at work.
Glancing over his shoulder at the receptionist, Grey let a smile curve under his own mask as he lifted his file and used it to tip in her direction in a silent thanks. Another crumb of information he’d trailed here, hoovering them up until finally, after more than twenty years she was right there at his fingertips. The one who’d gone and not come back, the cuckoo in another nest who didn’t have a clue who was being shuffled into her office now.
Sandy brows rose as the assistant opened the door for him and stepped back to gesture him in. Skittish, like they all were these days, too essential to be able to hole up at home, hoping to hell the four walls would shield them from what was running rampant out there. ”Thank you,” he murmured to her, his voice muffled behind the mask. Maybe before he would’ve extended a hand, glad-handing it as his dad would’ve said. Now it was a smile forced into his eyes over the lip of his mask, one that grew almost sheepishly as he turned towards the desk and its occupant.
Grey stepped forward, extending his hand before he made an embarrassed sound and dropped his it again. He cleared his throat behind the shield of his mask, switching the file from one hand to the other. ”Hi. Ms Torres I presume.” Polite, stilted enough as he gestured with the file to the seat on the other side of her desk. ”May I? I’m … I’m Grey Maddox. Your receptionist was kind enough to squeeze me in with your assistant for this afternoon. I know it’s a little last minute but … I’m desperate. I guess you’re hearing that a lot at the moment. Everybody’s kinda in the same situation. They’re taking my store…” There was a rough, reedy edge to his voice, skilfully added as the smile that had still been hidden behind his mask melted away, leaving a hollow look in its place. In reality it had been the other way around, the store he’d taken over previously owned by an old guy who’d gone in the first wave of this, leaving behind nothing but a debt with his bookie. That was all that was gonna be left when this was done, bookies, taxes, duct tape and cockroaches. They survived everything after all.
Ruby slipped her black mask on as the door to her office opened. While she was in her personal office by herself there of course wasn't a reason to wear it. Her assistant rarely came in without notifying her beforehand and the space was hers and hers alone. So off the mask went, and at the very least it made phone calls that much more bearable.
A man walked in, his frame filling the space and Ruby stood up to greet him. He extended his hand to her before quickly realizing his mistake, emitting an awkward chuckle and she smiled, hoping to put him at ease, "That's me." He shifted the file from one hand to another and that all too familiar softness hit her chest.
There were few things more intimidating than walking into a legal practice. She could understand the fear, the worry that she wouldn't be able to help them and then they'd be out what little money they had. The feeling of needing to put a guard up, not knowing if they could trust the person on the other side of the desk. It was all too familiar and all she could really do was hope her reputation preceded her or that they'd simply take the leap and trust her with whatever problem they were up against.
He asked if he could sit and she nodded, "Of course." She sat down opposite of him, behind her desk and listened silently as he began speaking. His voice was tense and as he said he was desperate that softness in her chest only grew. There was a raw and emotional downside to the job, that was for sure. Usually it was manageable because she could remedy the pain or at least soften blows, but that wasn't always the case. "It's really no problem Mr. Maddox, I'd be happy to look over your case."
Ruby took out a recorder from the top drawer of her desk and set it on the surface midway between them. "I hope you don't mind that I record this conversation. It helps with keeping my notes straight later on." She pressed the button on the side of the small device before continuing. It was a habit that had saved her rear end more than a few times. Especially when larger clients tried negotiating on a price that had already been agreed upon. She had found that the larger the client was, the more push-back she received. They were often much more apprehensive than the people who genuinely came to her for help. Either way it was happening or they would be finding a new lawyer.
She leaned forward and outstretched her hand for the folder that he was holding so she could look over whatever papers he had on the case. As she did she asked, "Is the property facing seizure locally with a financial lender or a federal entity?" There was only a handful of ways that property could be seized and, as with any case, if or how she could proceed would depend on the specifics.
She offered the man a polite smile again, knowing of course that he couldn't see under the mask, but old habits died hard. "Would you like any water or coffee before we go further?" She doubted he'd take her up on the offer. Most of the people who were nervous to be in her office were usually too nervous to casually sip a beverage but occasionally it did work. Sometimes people would agree and before she knew it, they were able to relax and calmly tell her the situation without any jitters or nervous ramblings getting in the way. It made her job a lot easier from there. "Go ahead and start from the top for me and please don't leave anything out."
The masks made everything impersonal these days, at least on the surface. For him it just boiled it down to something far more intimate, Grey thought as he watched his sister slipping her mask into place. They called eyes the windows to the soul for a reason. In the blue eyes that peered above that black mask Grey was pretty sure he could see the sister who’d been snatched from his life leaving a gaping hole behind, one that had eventually been filled with lies and half truths while everything else around it slowly hardened into a shell. Glossy in some places, splintered and ravaged by violence in others.
It was that gloss that had him extending his hand to her even though he knew better. All feigned, all a cover to allow him to slip into her life seamlessly without busting that door wide open again. That veneer of doubt and skittishness leaving him uncertain of what to do here. As she confirmed he had the right person Grey bobbed his head, that hidden smile curling beneath his mask again. ”It’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. Torres,” he murmured. That much was the truth at least. He’d spent years working towards this point after all, only given the opportunity thanks to the current situation.
How long would he have waited if the world hadn’t ended up practically on fire? Years? Decades? Would he ever have managed to track her down? Maybe not. Maybe he’d have gone to his grave not knowing, just like his father. Blinded to the truth but those who had wanted to take what belonged to his family and had in a way as they had taken his sister from the life she’d known and left her … here.
Someone had definitely done right by her, getting her to law school, into a glossy office. Grey lowered himself into the seat opposite hers, separated by that expense of desk. He cleared his throat, trying to relieve that rough edge as he stumbled through his explanation for why he’d booked the appointment with her in the first place. Letting out a sigh as she agreed to look into things, Grey allowed himself to slump forward slightly. He nudged at the file with his fingertips, pushing it closer towards her. The file filled with lies, a cover that had to be just like a dozen others that had come across her desk since this had started. ”You’ve got no idea how glad I am to hear it,” he rumbled hoarsely. ”We’ve been so alone with it…” A lie. Perhaps in a way he had been alone but that was the way he’d wanted, a step above those he had working for him here. The only way to operate.
Grey let his eyes widen as she took the recorder from the desk but as she asked about recording it he was shaking his head. He had no problem with it, considering he wasn’t about to mention a word about the grey area he actually worked in. ”That’s no problem,” he promised. ”Anything that’ll help with the case. I just … need someone to listen, someone who wants to help.” He let that desperation bleed back in. The same tone his mom’s voice had taken on that day they’d taken his sister. She’d sobbed, her voice high and ready until someone had given her something to knock her out, leaving his dad to deal with it all.
Teeth raking his lip, Grey handed the folder he’d brought with him to her. There were faked documents in there, ownership of the store, information on all the provisions they’d tried to put into place to stay open with all that was going on. Bullshit, all of it, but believable enough he thought. ”Federal,” he breathed, although that was the riskier of the options. ”The store was ours, we didn’t owe a penny on it for any lender to be grabbing it back now. They …” His lips pressed together before his mask, his voice trailing off before she shot that polite smile his way and asked if he wanted anything. ”Some water maybe.” A prop, like anything else. Something he wouldn’t actually touch.
He curled back into his seat, his hands shifting restlessly down the neatly pressed thighs of his suit pants. Grey swallowed hard, not because he had to, but every action was a part of this little play and he wanted to radiate nerves. ”It started in New Orleans I guess. That’s where my parents came from. They had a business there, one that had been in the family for years. They were happy I guess, at least as much as they could’ve been until … my little sister went missing. Someone grabbed her off the street. It devastated my parents. They weren’t the same afterwards and when years went by and they thought … they had lost her entirely … they moved here. Every dime they had was sunk into the store. It was all they had, all I have now … they’re both gone. This thing … they were infected fast and they died. I took over … tried to keep it coming but then there was a raid … can they really take people’s livelihoods that way?” The desperate edge bled back into his voice, his fingers curling into his thighs.
Ruby watched the tell-tale sign that everyone now knew to be a masked smile. The small crinkling of the eyes that was now synonymous with showing a small sense of welcome, happiness, or relief under the hidden features of what they all wore now. Ruby shook her head softly at his comment, "The pleasure is mine."
She watched as he sat down, exhaling a sigh of relief as she spoke and she hoped it was something that she, indeed could fix. There weren't many that came across her desk that she couldn't help, but that didn't make it hurt any less. The man's eyes widened slightly at the appearance of the small recorder but with a shake of his head, he waved off any objections. She hadn't pegged him as having a problem with it but was relieved nevertheless as he didn't object. She liked working with everything out in the open. She didn't hold back or sugarcoat anything to clients and she expected the same in return. All cards on the table at all times.
"Someone who wants to help."
His speech was the definition of heartbreak as his voice wavered on the words, desperation heavy in the air between them. She gave a sympathetic smile to him, a small nod. Trust. That was all she could offer before actually reviewing his case. Trust that she would look over his plea and do what she could. Trust that he was in a position of needing the help that he was asking for. It was a two-way street that only worked on mutual trust.
Ruby's fingers gently took the file that he extended to her and her eyes began looking over the papers as he continued to speak. At the mention of it being a Federal entity she nodded, making a mental note. Typically federal cases were much more complicated and riskier, especially in today's climate but that didn't necessarily put it out of play. He said the store was fully owned and her eyes scanned over the deed. "I see that. Your store was purchased in full in 2001, all lenders were paid and the deed was turned over." A small crease appeared between her eyebrows as she looked over the forms.
The papers seemed to be perfectly in order. As prepared and clear as she could have asked for. It was clear as day that the place belonged in full to the owners, presumably this man's mother or father and then himself. As she asked if he'd like a beverage, he asked for water and she nodded, "Of course." She pressed the button to her assistant's line and when the woman answered Ruby replied, "Hey Jessica, can I get some water in here please?" Her assistant replied politely and Ruby put her attention back to the papers.
"There were no other loans made with or against the property that you are aware? Secured, mortgaged, financed?" Ruby scanned over the list of forms and papers, not seeing any additional loans against the business. The idea that the government would be trying to take back the property after years of personal ownership was absurd.
There was a small knock on the door, interrupting her reading and Ruby looked up as Jessica walked in with a water pitcher and cup of ice. She set the glass down in front of the man with a pleasant smile before filling it with water and placing the pitcher next to him. "Thank you." Ruby replied, watching the girl take her leave and shut the door behind her. She watched the man sit back, his fingers nervously moving along the edge of his pants. She pulled her attention back to her screen, typing in the address of the store into her computer.
He began to speak and she put her full attention on him. And as he spoke, his nervousness gave way to sadness. Ruby's eyes widened at the mention of his sister being taken. She couldn't help but think of Harper. Sweet and innocent Harper. She couldn't imagine the pain and heartbreak that this man's family had gone through. He spoke about it devastating his parents and she couldn't help but feel her heart aching for them. Of course it had been devastating. Losing a child was always devastating, she knew about that first-hand. She had to swallow hard, forcing herself to stop thinking about the child she had lost and focused on the client who needed her help. She couldn't let herself think about the baby. Not now.
She didn't interrupt him as he spoke about the situation. The world could be cruel and this man clearly knew that. Not only had he lost a sister at a young age, but then his parents and now possibly the one thing he had left of his family through no fault of his own. It was cases like this that made her feel secured in her decision to become a lawyer. When she could help people like this man.
When He paused, his words desperately asking for answers, Ruby spoke, her voice heavy. "I'm so sorry for your loss. There aren't any words that I can give you to ease that pain but I can promise to do everything in my power to insure your store stays in your family." She pulled out one of her notepads and began jotting things she wanted to look up, things she needed to remember quickly before turning her attention back to him. "When were you first approached about the property being seized? Was it a notification in the mail or was it done in person?"
She looked over to her computer at the property that was pulled up. There wasn't anything jumping out in regards to the land. It didn't look like an area that the military was trying to buy for space or equipment. At least nothing on the screen, which didn't rule it out of course but at least if it had been blatant, she'd have a clear answer. "Unless there's a loan or mortgage in default, they have no standing, period." She scrolled the mouse on her computer, pulling up property lines and began typing the address into the search. As she waited for the search to run she met his eyes again, her voice light in an attempt to put him at ease. "So, how old were you when you moved to Lethford? That seems like quite the cultural shock from New Orleans." A soft smile was on her lips and she thought back a moment to Boston. Lethford had seemed like a tiny little town in comparison to her old place.
