[Shiny]

War brought out the worst in humanity and shadows no longer felt the need to hide. Needless to say, the things of nightmares took delight in this new playground. However, Micah would never invade anyone's bad dreams. Slender and pale, half starved for the blood that was so hard to get despite the fighting and death spread over the world, Micah's intense but light blue eyes and long, tangled shock blonde hair gave him an almost otherworldly aura, near ghost-like. His weaker stature probably didn't help his case with the clan of this region, especially with both willing and unwilling food being so scarce and precious. Bastards threw him out when it became clear that there was no benefit to letting him stay. They did give him one option to stay, but hell if he was going to accept that.

So, days of lingering outside this human community, peering through the barbed wire fence, had Micah desperate. He wasn't sure how he'd get in. One good look from the guards and they'd know him for a vampire, for sure... His fingers scraped furrows in the dirt as he crouched, watching. These humans sure were a cautious lot. None ventured out alone, clever little things. It made it that much more difficult for him. Micah huffed under his breath. Anyone would do. Humans were all the same. Except for one that had caught his attention... Micah found himself eager to catch a glimpse of that boy. And that pissed him off to no end. Still, he waited for a moment more, lingering at the edge of the forest just on the outside of their dreadful fence.

[Eithra]

"Seriously, I think the captain's getting paranoid."

"Hm? Oh really, now?"

"Really. He keeps saying that there's a whole pack of vampires, stalking us all. Just waiting, watching..."

Alex couldn't help but roll his orange-redish eyes at his post-mate's talking. He always thought that the captain was getting paranoid. "Don't you think he's just making sure we're paying attention?" he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I mean, we are supposed to be making sure nothing gets in here, and nobody goes out alone. That's our job, remember?"

The brown-haired guard gave a huff. "Sure. Like anything ever comes around here."

Again, he rolled his eyes, balancing the barrel of his rifle on the ground. "When the vampires come, I'm shoving you right into their ranks." Alex just grinned when his post-mate gave him a scared look, not meaning a single word of what he said. Like he would be sacrificing a fellow guard to the vampires. Only the lowest of the low would do that... At least he hoped that. Oh well, he supposed it didn't matter much. Ever since becoming a guard at this human community, Alex hadn't seen a single vampire. Just heard stories about previous attacks.

A few minutes passed in complete silence before the brunette stood up, excusing himself to the bathroom and leaving Alex all by his lonesome. He pulled his rifle into his lap, just leaning back in his chair as he stared out into the trees. He had to keep alert, that much was indisputable. I mean, vampires weren't the only danger; There were other nightmares, both human and inhuman. The most common, though, were human raiders...

"Hm...?" The ashy-haired male blinked, seeing something...white hiding among the shadows. Now that definitely wasn't normal. Alex glanced around, looking for his still absent postmate... Yeah, he was nowhere to be found. Looks like he was going to be going at this alone. Alex shifted his grip on his rifle as he stood up, quietly moving closer and closer towards the white shape hiding in the shadows of the forest...

[Shiny]

No, Micah wasn't waiting for the boy with the different colored eyes. He was waiting for an opportunity to strike. That was all. Absently, he smoothed over the furrows in the dirt, erasing the only real sign of his presence. This place was too guarded; it was beginning to look like he'd have to resort to catching some animal for the blood. Nasty stuff, but the alternative was growing weaker. That wouldn't help things at all. Standing up, Micah brushed his hands off on his jeans, leaving behind a streak of dirt to match the rest of the dirt and grime on his clothes.

A movement from the guard station caught his attention and he cursed under his breath, but it was only one of them leaving, no doubt to the restroom. That left one... the one with the orange eyes. Micah frowned. When did he become a guard? Hm, but he was alone so Micah could take him. Then again, getting hit by bullets stung like hell. He'd rather not do that. Oops. Too late.

The guard boy was heading this way. A moment of indecision had him rooted to the spot a moment too long. Without a doubt, the kid was sure to have seen him clearly enough. Micah slipped deeper into the forest, waiting for the boy to come after him. It'd be easier for him to get the drop on him and hopefully avoid being shot in the process.

[Eithra]

Alex's brow furrowed when the white shape seemed to shrink a bit, taking a moment to realize that it was because it was going deeper into the forest. It had obviously seen him... Not like Alex had been trying to sneak up on it or anything. But the fact that it was apparently retreating farther into the shadows just...seemed to set off some alarms in his mind. He let his finger rest on the trigger of the rifle, feeling a bit hesitant about following this mysterious thing into the trees. Maybe if he had his partner with him, he might not be so uncertain. But right now? They were always being told not to go into the forest alone...

But if this was something that would prove to be dangerous to the community later on, well... Alex didn't want to take that risk, not right now. He moved into the forest, trying to stay as quiet and alert as he could. No point in being caught off guard, right? But he was already getting too far... "Who's there?" Alex called out, lifting his rifle to aim at the figure. "What are you doing out here?"

[Shiny]

Now that Micah could see this guy up close, he didn't have much confidence that he could take him on. His eyes darted to the side, noting one or two escape routes though neither one was practical. He'd have to turn his back on a guy with a gun to take either route. Not that'd kill him, but still...

Micah peered out from behind a tree, frowning when he saw the other boy with his finger on the trigger. Jeeze, did no one here let down their guard for a second? So ready for trouble! Sighing, Micah stepped out from behind the tree, holding up his hands in a completely nonthreatening way. Of course, he was taking advantage of his dirty, starved appearance too. A young, hungry boy alone in the forest was something to be concerned about, sure but most people wanted to protect something like that. Micah let a shiver take over him, blinking owlishly. "Please... Don't hurt me?" He tilted his head, glancing back over his shoulder for a moment. Should he run after all? His plan to get food wasn't seeming so good now. A rabbit was beginning to sound really tasty and much less trouble. Micah sighed, "I'll leave. Just don't tell anyone I was here?"