Dawnlark Plains this isn't like swimming after you eat.

His mother had told him a story once.

It was when she'd first come to the Teekon Wilds, young, full of fire and eager for a change. Getting herself into trouble was in no way unusual for her, nor was the activity she'd engaged in. But this particular round had changed her life, she'd said, because she'd met someone, and that had been the start to it all. 

Of course, Penn gave no fucks about the life-changing part. He recalled the story only because he was bored and because this was the first large herd of deer he'd come across since the deluge.

The yearling grinned fiendishly as he watched them graze in the early morning frost. He kept himself low, letting the tall grass and the haze of before dawn keep his athletic frame hidden. He scanned the herd as wolves often do, but he wasn't looking for the old or sick like a normal/sane hunter. He was looking for the youngest, biggest, strongest buck. He wasn't hungry for food. Just for thrills.

He spotted the head of antlers before he saw the rest of the animal. A grin dashed across his face and forward he went. He jogged easily along, watching as eyes began to follow him and tails began to flash. He moved along the side of the herd, sending a few does skittering out of his way. His moves weren't aggressive, though, so they didn't panic and bolt. They both knew the element of surprise was gone and with it went any hope of a successful hunt. But that wasn't what he was after.

Penn smiled as the buck spotted him and turned in his direction. It stalked towards him, stiff-legged and threatening. The Blackthorn stopped and let him come, which caused the beast to falter. It apparently wasn't used to this sort of reaction. His grin broadened and he turned to face it, lowering his chest towards the ground as though inviting the stag to play. It frowned, dug its hooves in and bellowed loud. A warning that sounded like an acceptance to the invitation to Penn.

With an excited snarl, Penn sprang and charged straight for the buck.