Welcome to Canis Major

a wolf and animal rpg (role-playing game)

Canis is a writing community for play-by-post (forum-based), freeform roleplay set in a fictional dream world in the intrusion fantasy genre. Most characters on Canis are wolves; many play elements are focused around wolves and canids, but the world makes room for a large variety of other animal characters such as dogs, horses, cats, bears, deer, and many, many more.

Our community is focused on flexibility, creativity, and collaboration. That boils down to a few important features:

  • There is no set activity requirement to write
  • The setting and plot are member-created and staff-supported
  • The game is continuously improved to increase fun and decrease stress

Learn more in our Rulebook!

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The Little Bird


Sunrise Partly Cloudy
#1
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Content Warning
05-18-2022, 09:33 PM (This post was last modified: 05-18-2022, 09:35 PM by Serein. Edited 2 times in total.)
Content Warning
This post contains content that may be unsettling to some readers, including:
  • Suicide (Mild mentioning)


Darkness shrouded the individual’s body like a cloak, pressing against the curvaceous crevices of her former life. Ideally remembering the moments of when they tried to save her, she could hear someone in the back of her mind. The continuous calling out of a name, surely, it had to belong to her. Her muscles were relaxed as she felt the coolness of death slither across her skin, causing the hairs against her body to stand erected. Had she hoped for a death as painless as the one that was given? A door creaked open, the sound louder but she refused to move from the comforts of the object that kept her still. Wanting nothing more than silence to register against her ears as she sought out the solitude she desperately needed. Pleading… she could hear the desperation for her to hold on a little longer, watching as they peeled back her mouth to lodge their fingers down her throat. It was too late… the numbness had already settled and she would not be waking up to the world that she had used to know.

Down, down, down, the darkness would carry her further away from the light she cared not to grasp onto. She made her choice and soon enough reuniting with her mother would come at an earlier date than anyone fathomed. Never thinking it was her, the one who continued to excel at life - who drowned out her sorrows in an awaiting bottle of liquor. They didn’t pay close enough attention… not caring, not wanting to draw attention otherwise they may bring forth the unwanted desire of her sadness. Keep her at arms length, watch as she twists and molds herself into something worth wanting.

Serien could feel the coolness of the wind splashing against her face, not quite understanding the gravity of the situation. Her face met with sharpened needles of a pine tree, eyes emerging as her instincts were to catch herself. Expanding her arms, only to find that she was not human anymore. Instead they caught onto the wind, shifting the current to allow her to levitate in the air. Briefly… she flapped once more, then again… looking down at the world below until her eyes met the horizon. Blue orbs were widening as she looked down at her talons, frightened by what had happened to her body.

A scream pierced the air, though what was to come out sounded more inhuman. The wailing of the owless would awaken ones nearby, her body feeling quite faint to the idea as she shook her head, “This is just a dream.” She told herself, wondering how this had all come to end like this. Hyperventilation… oh gosh she was terrified of heights! Gulping she felt her head lull backwards and suddenly her body followed pursuit. Hitting against the ground with a softened thud, luckily for her it would just end in various bruises and a few missing feathers.

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#2
Hunter
05-19-2022, 05:23 PM
Osiris had been hunting for most of the afternoon. He'd managed to catch two mice and a hare. However, his inner perfectionist felt that it was a mediocre haul, and he knew there was still more time in the day to catch something else. So, with that in mind, Osiris contributed what he'd acquired so far to one of Empryean's numerous stores and then went back to where he had been hunting. 

He trod down the mountain's incline on light-footed steps, moving carefully to avoid unwanted attention. It was easy to scare any nearby critters; the stones, grit, and dirt were loose and easily able to be dislodged. One wrong step, and he risked spooking his next catch.  

Suddenly, Osiris heard a thud. He paused, his eyes and ears turning towards the nearby forest as he tried to check out what had caused the noise. Whatever it was was down in the woods, not too far from where he stood, and he rerouted himself towards it. Osiris crouched as he stalked towards the pines, walking in long and careful strides. The smell of owl came to him as he broke through the treeline, and he began to salivate. This would be the perfect ending to his fruitful hunt. 

He wove through the forest and soon spotted a figure facedown in the distance. Osiris couldn't believe his eyes; was this going to be that easy? It felt too good to be true. So instead of diving right into it, he continued to watch, just to make sure it was dead.

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#3
05-19-2022, 05:50 PM
There she lay, once more in a suspended state of mind. Entrapping herself with the thoughts that whatever had happened was just a strange dream. She would awaken back in her bed like she had done in the previous attempts, her guardian reprimanding her about how she needed to get herself back together and stop moping around. That was how it was supposed to be anyway… how it always ended. This time, there was a different scenario at play. No longer would she be balanced on the delicate tightrope she continued to try and throw herself off of. The net had been casted aside and she was left to her own devices. The owless stayed momentarily still, the only sign of life was her jagged breaths of her chest as she tried to concentrate on keeping herself asleep. Waking herself up out of this dream she could not escape from.

Eyes of tarnished turquoise would agape from her lids, blinking several times as she lay face to face in fallen leaves. Moving her wings to push her up, like she would have with her arms as human. Positioning herself on her talons, she would wobble back and forth. The edge of her wing pressing to her temples as she groaned softly to herself. Having hit her head pretty hard, she was surprised to still be alive from such a nasty fall. Slipping back against her rump, her feathers ruffling with disdain as she looked down at her feet. Wiggling each sharpened talon before they would close in a fist. She was certain that this was her, there was no doubt that her mind was conscious in the body of an… owl?

How could this have come to be? Was this what the afterlife promised? All those Sundays going to church she was not sure that they would be prepared to learn that they came back as animal spirits. Feeling woozy and much like she would faint again… that was until she heard the crack of leaves in the distance. Large circular orbs would peer in the direction the sound was coming from. Widened eyes as she was quick to try and pick herself off the ground, “Whoever is out there, I am warning you. I got these… erm… these claws and I ain’t afraid to use them!” Clearly bluffing, but she made sure to make it a point to show the daggers at the end of her feet.

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#4
Hunter
05-19-2022, 06:10 PM (This post was last modified: 05-19-2022, 06:10 PM by Osiris. Edited 1 time in total.)
Osiris had also heard the cracking leaves. He tensed and looked in the direction of the noise, wondering who else was stalking his meal. When he didn't see anything, he lifted his nose and sniffed. There were several fresh smells, but the most noticeable was the stench of fox. It looked like he had some competition. 

Carefully, Osiris stalked and circled wide, moving closer to the fox. For now, he didn't acknowledge the owl's threat. There was much more on his plate; potentially, he could catch two decently-sized meals for Empyrean. Osiris couldn't pass up this opportunity.

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#5
Hunter
05-19-2022, 06:35 PM (This post was last modified: 05-19-2022, 08:05 PM by Serein. Edited 1 time in total.)

Perhaps it was punishment for her selfish acts in the previous life, to become a bird susceptible to being eaten. Would it be so bad if the only way she could escape from this alternate reality was through death itself - just as she had managed to get here. Yes, she was aware of her death, her memories were not taken away. Every hurtful memory of her past continued to onslaught her, even though all she wanted was to return to the island of the lost. Where she could settle in the darkness and lay quietly… alone.

Trying her best, she began to move her talons forward, until realizing that her legs did not work that way anymore. Trying her best to think like a bird, the only time she saw them were zoos and various reference photos from when she was able to draw them. The rustle of leaves continued as she moved to push off the ground, her wings flapping periodically until she hovered above the ground. Gulping softly as she moved to press herself against one of the branches. Looking down to the fox that had tried to spring in her direction. The cackling of chatter emerged from its throat. She chirped in his direction, “Go away! Shoo, I am not food.” Alas the creature noticed her hesitance to leave from the tree. Any higher and Serien would find herself back in her dizzy spell.

Even a few feet from the ground made her rather queasy and she had to swallow the lump of vomit. Watching as the fox began to scamper up the tree, his rotating cuffs allowed it access against the bark. It seems as though she had to make an example of this unruly beast. Taking in a deepened breath she closed her eyes for a moment before fluttering above the ground, swooping down to try and claim the right eye. Beak opened as they began to fight one another, the fox losing balance as it fell to the ground with a whine.

Another caw and she swooped back down, too fast for the individual she grabbed at his ear. Viper grip as she flapped in the opposite direction, determined to rip this beast limb from limb if she had to.

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#6
Hunter
05-19-2022, 07:55 PM
Osiris caught Serien's movements from the corner of his eyes. Although it was good to know that the owl was up and about, his focus remained on the fox as it was his biggest concern. It was a competitor and prey, though he was confident that the fox was unaware of the latter. Osiris hoped to take the predator by surprise. 

The owl flew away, and the fox gave chase; it was curious that the bird of prey sought shelter in the pine's lower branches. He tried to rationalize it, but he couldn't come to a sound conclusion. It seemed like the fox (but more so himself) would have an easy meal. 

Fate seemed to swing in Serien's favor; the fox fell to the ground, and she swooped in for the kill. However, since it seemed like she could not fly far, Osiris took advantage of the situation. Going from a jog to a leap, he entered the fray. While Serien pulled the withering fox in one direction, Osiris grabbed onto an ink-dipped paw opposite the owl and pulled them both towards him. First, he'd deal with the fox and then with the owl.

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#7
Hunter
05-19-2022, 08:23 PM (This post was last modified: 05-22-2022, 12:34 AM by Serein. Edited 1 time in total.)

The swelling of pride seemed to push in the female’s chest, sharpened weapons unsheathed to press against the fox’s form. Trying her best not to think of how high she must be from the ground at the moment. That was besides the point, if her mother was casted into this realm she would be damned to give this beast the satisfaction of eating her like Thanksgiving dinner. Serein would show the true power of what she could do when she was angered, coursing through the air as screeches from her strange tongue. Slurs emerged with each swipe of her talons or beak, her tail feather’s lifting as she watched the snapping of jaws in her direction. Fluttering above his face she squeezed her weapons into the fox’s muzzle. Swiping with intent of drawing blood, and in the end the metallic scent would spew into the air.

Wondering what had happened mere seconds of her becoming a frightened woman beating this little fox to a pulp. Perhaps it was the instincts that came with being a bird of prey, she would not cower to an individual she knew she could beat. Of course… Serein knew she would not be able to fly very far and it was only a matter of time before the fox could leap and snatch her down. If her wings were to get pinned she knew she was done for.

Anger arose in the fox as she heard the dialect of clicks and chatter, the heavy snarling as they tried to swipe at her body with the free paw. Just as it was about to connect to her stomach, they were both dragged to the ground. They both tumbled to the ground, Serein’s claws unhitching from the fox as she now laid several paces away. Pushing herself up on two feet once more, mouth gaped open as her eyes found the individual responsible, “Now you listen here, I had this under control.” She was quick to jump back as the fox emerged from under the wolf. A squeak of surprise as she hovered above the ground a few inches, “Should have left me alone.” Her tongue fell out from her mouth as she flapped a few more paces upwards back into the tree. Ready to aid in the wolf if he needed.

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#8
Hunter
05-19-2022, 08:51 PM
"Now you listen here, I had this under control," Serein objected. 

[Image: girl-sure-jan.gif]

Osiris was too busy wrangling the fox to acknowledge her; its thrashing made it very difficult for him to hold on, and soon enough, it slipped out of his grasp. However, the setback did not deter him. Instead, he pounced after the predator, grabbed it by the tail, and dragged it towards him. The thrashing continued, but Osiris clamped down harder, causing it to yelp sharply and thrust its head back. As a result, the fox's neck was exposed, open for anybody to swoop in for the kill.

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#9
Hunter
05-22-2022, 01:20 AM

She remained in her position, watching from a distance, calculating gaze tactically following that of the wolf’s. Surely, she knew that the fox did not stand a chance between such a larger opponent. If he had not been so keen on killing her then Serein would have actually pitied the creature. Instead, her eyes casted a shadow with rage, they had this coming. Pushing her wings outwards, fluffing her feathers for a moment as she laid them back to rest. The fox had managed to pull away and she thought for a moment that it may have a chance to flee. No, this asshole did not get to get away with what he had done that easily.

The larger beast sprung into action, taking the smaller individual and putting them in a vulnerable position. The female would take the opportunity, instinctively she would catch flight once more. Telling herself that it was just an easy jump and… her eyes closed a moment as she took the plunge. Reopening them as her talons would come first with the fox’s neck. Gliding them to pierce the jugular vein. Instantly scathing the arteries, crimson liquid would fall into her feathers and soon the fox would go limp in the male’s mouth.

Chest heaving up and down as she was now against the ground. Hopping around and strutting, shaking her tail feathers in the process, “Boom! In your face, take that!” Not really paying much attention to the wolf, instead it was casted to her victorious takedown.

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#10
Hunter
06-07-2022, 09:07 PM
Really sorry about the delay!

Serein swooped in and finished what the fox had started. She was graceful and powerful, and Osiris admired how quickly she had ended their opposition's life. Once the fox was limp, and there was no indication that it was still alive, he dropped it and licked away the blood splattered onto his muzzle. 

"Boom! In your face, take that!" the owl gloated. 

Osiris shook his head, scrutinizing her lack of awareness, before seizing the opportunity that had presented itself. He gathered himself, gauging his center of gravity, and then sprung towards her with the intent to catch her unaware.

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#11
07-04-2022, 02:06 PM

Though the owl had thought nothing of the wolf, she had nearly escaped death after all. How was she supposed to expect that the other predator wanted her as a snack as well? How greedy could one get, besides she was quite tired and still trying to figure out how she managed to get in this body? Her wings expanded and she began to flap, exploding from the ground and a moment later she would have been dog food.

Looking down, she squealed, the wolf had every intention of making her a snack just as much as the fox. Her eyes darkened with annoyance, had she the energy to provoke the beast? Perhaps, if it was at a different time… her talons clicked forward. Still propelling herself in the air, though at a safe distance as any further would cause her head to spin.

“Shoo, shoo!” She flapped her wings in his direction, “If it weren’t for me, you’d still be battling that fox!” She had doubts that the wolf could understand her, but she was used to talking with animals in her previous life. Then again, her only companion was a cat - he was not much of a listener anyway. No one was… her wings faltered at the memory and she had realized how close she was to the other. Quickly regaining her distance she would perch in one of the lower branches, “Go eat that! I have high doubt I taste like chicken!”

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#12
07-13-2022, 07:59 PM
Osiris's nose wrinkled as Serein tried to shoo him away. He shimmied back a step and held a forepaw against his chest as he listened to the owl; none of her explanations resonated with him. He wasn't going to even give her the time of day to counter her ridiculous claim that he would still be fighting the fox. 

He followed as she lowered herself onto a branch, and he stopped right below her and looked up. "You're quite mouthy for an owl," he observed. Although his interactions with them had been limited, Osiris had found them to be quieter than most birds. "You'll get yourself killed if you keep screeching as you have been." Despite his feedback, there was a look of mirth dancing in his gemstone-colored eyes. It looked like he was getting dinner and a show tonight.

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