True to the Warden role that he coveted, Dante too had yet to venture forth from the lands since joining. He had been content to wander through the Plateau and begin to get to know many of his packmates in the process. Today, though, he had felt the need for a run. The day was hot but he did not mind; he still had a bit of the restlessness of a loner, though it was fading the more at home he became.

Seemed he didn't need to stay in the lands of Blacktail Deer Plateau to run into packmates however. Dante scented the elk at the same time that he caught sight of Lasher, so he made his way forward cautiously, creeping towards the top of the rise and looking out at the herd as well.

"Nice setup," he said in a quiet, low voice, the wind carrying his words away from the herd. The way they were set up it was quite easy to observe the herd without alerting them. He looked at the other wolf, silver eyes taking stock of him. He knew his name, but nothing else, for he had not yet spoken with him at all. Dante refrained from saying too much now, though, not sure what Lasher's goal was. He didn't want to steal his meal if he intended to take one of the elk, but if Lasher didn't mind sharing, he would gladly join in on the hunt.

"Thanks," he responded in an undertone, slinking onto the rise to remain out of sight and seating himself beside the brown male. He eyed the herd to make sure they had detected nothing amiss, then turned to the other.

"I do not believe that we have, but it's a pleasure, Lasher. My name is Dante." He smiled. "Just Dante now, thank the gods." He turned to look out at the elk once more, hunger rising in him at the thought of chasing one down. As if in response, his stomach growled, and his smile turned a bit sheepish. "Would you care for a hunt? If you were planning on catching one yourself I can stay out of your way, but together we might be able to take one down a bit more easily." He wasn't sure if Lasher (or was it Taltos? He wondered briefly if the bru had a preference) had even planned on hunting, but he figured he would ask since his stomach had decided to make itself known.

The stag that Lasher referenced was truly a magnificent creature, causing Dante to flash back to the story that he had told that night of the gathering. "Indeed we will." The fawn looked to be a good target. It's nearness to the herd wouldn't last long, though, once they had spooked up the deer. Nothing could make a prey animal forget themselves quite so well as a predator bearing down on them. It would hopefully be left behind in the mad rush to get away. The stag, though... it was the variable here.

"If one of us went around, the other could panic the herd to run by. Then the former could take out the fawn. Then that one," he indicated the stag, "would likely either be off with the rest of the herd or too focused on the wolf who scattered them to get to the fawn in time." He paused, looking at Lasher. If the male had another idea, Dante would gladly follow his lead. He was just throwing out options. He wouldn't mind keeping the herd busy; his size would do well in spooking the deer. He doubted he would be in too much danger... as long as he didn't get too close, the elk was unlikely to do much more than posture. They weren't as aggressive as other prey, having more flight in them than fight.

"You are probably right on that account," Dante replied cheerfully, getting to his paws and performing a quick stretch. He wasn't depending on it but he would need some measure of speed in this. Intimidation would only get him so far. His silver eyes tracked Lasher as he made his way, ensuring that he knew the direction that he should take the herd. He'd hate to lead a stampede that would trample his hunting partner.

Once he had taken in Lasher's heading, he set off at a gentle lope, picking up speed as he traveled down the embankment. By the time the ground leveled he was at a sprint, a nasty snarl building and letting loose with surprising volume from the normally taciturn male. He punctuated this with a few short, sharp barks, aggressively baring his teeth at the deer. He probably looked a right monster, but it did the trick. He watched momentarily as the elk turned from him and fled before putting his attention back on the stag. With another hearty snarl, he faced the massive creature, legs stiff and tail raised. It was a total dominance show and he watched the stag hover between the urge to run and the need to protect the fleeing herd.

Dante continued to growl, staying carefully out of antler's reach but close enough to attack should the stag turn it's attention to Lasher's antics. He would keep it busy long enough for it to either judge the herd far enough and follow or for Lasher to make off with the fawn.

Dante glanced just in time to see Lasher chasing the fawn. From his peripherals he watched while still keeping a wary eye on the stag who remained facing off against him. After what seemed an eternity (but was really a few moments) Lasher's barks announced his success. With another loud snarl Dante locked eyes with the buck.

It was the indecision that he saw there that prompted action. Something needed to tip the scales. Baring his teeth he lunged at it, closing the distance in an extremely threatening manner. It brought him within range, but the buck had had enough. The herd was far enough away and the scent of not one but two predators was thick on the breeze. With a stamp he whirled and took off, antlers held high. Dante watched him go, a bit of admiration passing through him at the magnificent creature.

Turning back to Lasher, he grinned. "Nice move on the fawn!" He said breathlessly, loping over to join him. He wasn't sure he would have thought to lame the youngling in order to keep it from following. It was some quick thinking.

While he knew that it was natural to prey on the weak so that the strong survived, it made Dante feel better that Lasher too seemed not to relish the death of the young deer. It made him uneasy when wolves took too much pleasure in killing the young. Such glee at the pain of something so much weaker than yourself showed a lacking of character in his opinion. There was a difference between the adrenaline and joy of the chase and sadistic pleasure in the pain of other creatures.

"We did make a great team!" Dante grinned back, happy that they had accomplished their task. A successful hunt was always a good one! They had come away unscathed and with meat for the pack. "Suppose we should get it back," he added, looking at his swarthy companion. Questioning silver eyes met blue. "You haul? I haul? Double team?" It mattered not to him.

Dante would not have minded, he could have managed the small deer, but Lasher's help would indeed make the trip less strenuous. Gladly accepting, he gripped the fawn by one of it's haunches, picking up the end to drag that Lasher was not currently occupying. He too began to lug the small prize home.

Whoever was able to share in this meal would be eating well tonight.