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

The buck was displeased, to say the least. With another loud bellow, it lowered its antlers and charged right back at Penn, which should have made him piss his damn pants, but merely sent another delightful spike of adrenaline shooting through his veins. This being his first run, he wasn't quite as bold as Finley would've been. He shot off to the right with plenty of time to spare before the stag reached him, his head and tail high with delight. The stag slowed, confused by the sudden move, but it didn't give up pursuit until Penn was swooping back away from the herd as though he were going to leave them be now.

He wasn't, and the stag must have suspected as much for the attention it kept pierced onto the Blackthorn's striped back. Penn didn't mind--he needed a minute to catch his breath anyway before going again.

He nearly missed the stranger watching him as he turned back to taunt the buck with some eye contact. He caught sight of him as he turned and grinned broadly. An audience! How gratifying! He called out a short howl of hello and wagged his tail, turning then to size up his opponent once more.

Emboldened, Penn let a rumbling snarl loose in his chest that was an equal mix of playful and challenging as he stared down the stag. The deer stiffened again and brought its antlers a bit lower, anticipating the start of round two. The yearling grinned and again he sprang, determined this time to get closer before he sprang out of the way of the sharp tines. He had to put on a good show for his adoring fan, right?