Another day, another successful hunt.

Climbing out the waters, he hulled out the heavy, kelp net over his shoulder. Shaking the water off him, he straightened his back and proudly walked forth towards the village as other hunters emerged out with their own hunt or diving back in to catch more.

The snow crunched under his talons as he sauntered over to the community. Reaching the center of the village, he set the bag down with a plop as the other hunters followed—bags down, assortments of fish, krill, and squid spilled out over the snowy ground.

“THE HUNTERS RETURNED!”

An Elder called out, alerting the other penguins. And soon, footsteps shuffled and rushed over to the center.

Everyone around smile and thanked the hunters, collecting and taking the catch into their baskets to take home. Voices happily echoed around, speaking to one another or occasionally fighting over the biggest fish to take—a community of Emperor’s dividing and taking their share.

“Thank you, Rumble!” “Good catch as always, Rumble.” “Mighty catch!”

Praises and compliments were thrown at Rumble’s way as he stood aside, watching at the others smile and nod his way. It felt good. His chest puffed larger at the praise—if he wasn’t eating so much fish, he could be full from compliments.

Hands in his jacket pockets, the corner of his beak twitched into a smirk. The sun was high, everyone was happily grabbing their share as more hunters came and dumped more catch down; the smell of cold snow, fish, and already smoking fish filled the air.

Igloos’ chimney already smoking up as some began to smoke, bake, or roast their meals for the day.

Rumble’s tail slightly wagged in content, practically glowing at how his community were now full for a good few moons before the next hunt.