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!

AW
Breakaway


Morning Partly Cloudy
#1
AW
Adventurer
04-10-2023, 04:22 AM (This post was last modified: 04-10-2023, 04:23 AM by Cirrus.)
Now that they'd deemed the mountains far too dangerous due to their non-wolf inhabitants, Cirrus had moved on to elsewhere. Rolling hills and fresh spring grass that seemed quite promising to them -- and hopefully no large cats around. They really didn't want to deal with cats, thanks. Cirrus actually was hungry at this point -- fleeing definitely brought an appetite -- so once they were done scouting they'd probably try again to find some sort of small prey. They wouldn't mind lingering around here if wolves were the only predators around and prey was as plentiful as the grasses suggested it might be, then they'd be fine. Probably.

From the peak of one of the hills, the most they saw were more distant, larger shapes of various prey that was well outside their comfort zone let alone beyond their solo abilities. Where those lived, so lived small stuff, right? Thus far, there wasn't anything moving around that struck them as much of a wolf-like shadow, but they could so easily be in the depression between sets of hills and out of vision. Yeah, they could live here if they had to. So far. They headed down the hill, nose down to search for scents of rodents, ears alert for the sound of anyone approaching, nervous of what had happened in the past.
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#2
Adventurer
04-13-2023, 04:28 AM
 He watched the soft roll of the grass from above, then decided in the early light to descend. Carefully he prowled down the slopes of the mountain Empyrean claimed, mindful of each crevice that might seek to crush his bone's like a giant's teeth.

 It became abundantly obvious when the mountain stopped and the foothills began. A kinder world here, but not a world for him. A place with it's soft flowing rivers and small copses of trees. Prey seemed to mingle about without much fear. He had watched them graze for a moment before he carried onward. Even Medvjed knew that he could not take down one thing by himself.

 So he sought only to roam, to learn, to map the place that bordered the mountains.

 Only he had not expected company. Especially not in the form of a youthful figure. A smattering of winter left behind it seemed. Did a mother or father wait nearby? He had not seen sign of life beyond prey and this one child.

 Cautiously he announced himself with a deep chuff.

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#3
Adventurer
04-13-2023, 05:03 AM
Thus far, things still were looking up. They'd found a worn little trail where the grass was bare that likely was worn in from one of the herds. It seemed fairly narrow, so perhaps deer? That or it was just rarely used. Either way meant that they would find it easier to move without getting whipped in the nose by taller grasses -- and maybe in the end it would lead to some destination, like a copse of trees or a creek or something. Their head was still low, sweeping for the scents as they continued downhill.

They'd almost started feeling good about the progress they'd made. There definitely were mice and stuff out here, they'd scented a few, so they figured they'd head to wherever the path went and then from there would settle down to hunt proper, until then they'd just learn the land a bit better. And then someone called. Their head whipped up that momentary almost-panicked search for who or what it was (who, in this case), before spotting a shadowy wolf not horrendously far away. They must have been on the far side of a hill when Cirrus was at the top then? Something like that.

But Cirrus made no attempt to approach, no attempt to run, and not even speaking a word. They just stood there, ears perked, alert and watching, with carefully measured indecision that would only be acted on when the other wolf clarified their intentions. Okay, they did give a singular wag of their tail to say that they were friendly (if the other wolf was) but after running into the tiger was going to be a bit more gunshy for a little bit just to be sure.
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#4
Adventurer
04-13-2023, 05:16 PM
 Reserved was the only word Medvjed could think of.

 The child did not rush to him or away from him. They did not cry out for a parent to save them, nor alert them of the presence of a sudden man. Only a little wave of a tail. This Medvjed returned with a kind but wide wave of his own tail.

 And then he began a tentative approach, mindful of personal space still. Yet he cut through the grass without much hassle, allowing it to sweep sidelong his body. He noted that the world felt warmer here too. Not strangled by the winter of mountains. Even with the soft clouds that fluffed the sky. Ah, but the child!

 Medvjed stopped a few yards short. Closer than before, but not here to present himself as a threat. He whuffed now. Warm and curious.

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#5
04-15-2023, 04:36 AM
They both seemed to have a similar vibe -- wary, but not aggressive -- which was fair enough. Cirrus considered themselves as the one that should be approached rather than the one doing the approaching, but that was probably their default setting. They were far too passive to be comfortable boldly striding up to strangers. They would have to at least have the idea that a particular pack was nice or something to even begin having that much backbone. They'd leave that up to the dark man and stand their own ground here as he approached, orange eyes watching him just in case there were any sign that Cirrus should flee. Again, the tiger had made them more cautious than previous.

They tried to pick up the man's scent to understand who all he was and who else might be with him. Nothing familiar, obviously, but there were some other scents there, but they were too far apart for Cirrus to really study them. Their ears tilted around again too, making sure that he was alone, and still Cirrus didn't hear anyone, so... Probably? A whuff. Cirrus' tail almost-wagged once again. Sort of a faint wave, but nothing too big and dramatic. Apparently not the type for frivolous introductions, as what they then said was concise, “Who are you?” They could have continued with another question or two from there, but that was a solid enough start -- even if Cirrus didn't give their own answer to it. Yet, at least.
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#6
Adventurer
04-17-2023, 12:40 AM (This post was last modified: 04-21-2023, 01:14 AM by Medvjed. Edited 1 time in total.)
 In truth, he appreciated a direct single question. It spoke to him better than those who rambled long introductions or wove a million words he did not understand.

 “Medvjed of Empyrean.” His words a husky direct introduction. On Empyrean he only gestured vaguely back to the mountains that loomed in the distance. Medvjed did not fear giving a location to a boy. Not when the pack consisted of hunters and warriors.

 Still he noted that no mother or father came. The child seemed old enough to wander alone but...the lack of others upon his scent unsettled him. Had the same thing happened to the child that happened to Medvjed? Awoke alone in a new place? A stab to the heart of the once-father.

 “Who are you?” Where are you from? Does one wait for you? He held himself back from becoming the very thing he dreaded from others!

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#7
04-17-2023, 02:08 AM
Their reply was short, again, “Cirrus,” as they had no fancy title or what-have-you. They were just Cirrus, and their family name likely didn't matter right now. If asked, sure, they'd mention it. That was all past now anyway. Cirrus seemed relatively unbothered by it all, inquisitive but slightly subdued, and though at the odd sound of the world around them -- a bird chirp, the wind, whatever -- an ear did tilt to listen to that, they didn't seem to be too twitchy and eager to run away nor expecting someone else to come over the rise. They seemed to be appropriately "in" the moment, or would be if Cirrus reflected on themselves about it.

They looped back to what the man said, wanting to confirm his name, “Sorry, was it... Medhjed?” His name didn't roll too easily off their tongue, but they gave it a fair attempt -- with a focused frown, trying to enunciate clearly but feeling fairly tongue-tied about it. They seemed fairly certain they'd said it wrong at least, as after that try, the frown faded instantly, ears pricking up curious for the correction he assumed would be coming. It was very foreign to them, and they hadn't had much experience with words or names beyond those they grew up with. They were definitely going to mess it up if it ever became important later unless they clarified it now.
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#8
04-17-2023, 05:13 AM
i'm bad at writing pronunciations i apologize!!


 A child named Cirrus. A child who did not give a last name or speak of a titled home. This, paired with the knowledge of lacking scent, only further bloomed something within him. Fatherly, but not quite. Something adjacent. Perhaps just the concern of a man branded as guardian and provider.

 He felt a sense of ease to hear the child attempt his name again. The mark of a good one in his eyes. If the boy had been raised to not care or was a savage, he would not bother with the attempt of saying Medvjed's name correctly. Briefly he smiled, a faint and fleeting thing but it had been there.

 “Ah — it is like Medvyed. Smooth it some.” His voice only encouragement. “It means bear in my mother's tongue. What is Cirrus?” They would likely both need to work on one another's names if they continued onward.

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#9
Ecologist
04-18-2023, 02:31 AM
Definitely glad that RP is just written, the "I don't actually know how to say that" feature is great sometimes, rofl!


Cirrus tried again, slowing down on the second half of his name, Medevyed...? Medvyed?” They were kinda close, but not entirely. It still sounded stilted, and wasn't quite right, but it was heaps better than their initial attempt. It still was a far different tone and conglomeration of letters than they were used to, and felt weird on their tongue. Still, they looked for approval that they'd at least made some progress on saying it right. Perhaps it was silly that they were trying hard when they very well might wander off and not see him again, but it was one of those things that had at least for the moment caught their interest so they would investigate. There was a very real chance they'd end up just wandering off again after, and not think any more of this moment or the man in a few days time.

As for their own name... “A kind of cloud. Like the thin, wispy ones I think.” They actually paused and looked up then looking up at the clouds above, trying to see if there were any to point at. Between the smattering of blue sky, at the moment, most of the ones they saw seemed to be more cumulus or stratus types. If there were any of their namesake clouds up there, they were pretty much hidden and would be too hard to point out, or so they decided. The chunkier clouds up there now were more likely to threaten a spring shower than to cooperate with the Cirrus wolf. They looked back down and shook their head -- they'd have to try again some other time.
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#10
Adventurer
04-18-2023, 02:43 AM (This post was last modified: 12-25-2023, 06:30 PM by Medvjed. Edited 1 time in total.)
whuff you're telling me lol!!


 The child tried and the progress was found in little slivers. Much better than before and in this he let his tail wave behind him, that brief grin appeared again. That familiar feeling had wormed its way into his heart and seemed content to stay there.

 Never had he expected to have this wellspring of feelings hidden beneath. Not after so long. Yet Hydra, Empyrean and even this wayward child had tested that against him. Such things gave a man purpose though. A passion for the life he carefully held.

 Soon enough his own thick skull tilted upward, looking and seeking. He wondered if he might spot a wolf-shaped cloud in the sky. Thin and wispy, much like the one who carried the name of them. “I think I have seen such before. Upon the mountain heights when looking out.” Was the child interested in such a thing? Did he have the heart of a mountain dweller? Or the desire to be such? The lower reaches could be kinder on a child, he thought.

 Medvjed could not stop projecting himself into places that other people ought to be, it seemed.

 “I have the want to ask if you have family nearby, but only if you have the want to answer.”

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#11
Ecologist
04-18-2023, 06:42 AM
A slight nod, but it seemed Cirrus had taken the words at face value, “Makes sense. They are high up in the sky -- I am just not sure if you see them mostly on clear days because that's when they the most common or because that is just when they're easy to see.” A thoughtful cant of their head at the thought, but not too seriously. They knew that they didn't know everything out there. They could paint the world in broad strokes, but understood that there wasn't that level of detail that they would trust it was always the way they understood.

At the change in topic, they blinked in a way that suggested they weren't expecting that change in subject, but that lasted a mere second or two. “No, not nearby. Not any more.” A slight shrug. Cirrus didn't seem to be mourning the loss openly right now at least. They seemed to accept it at fact, and understood it wasn't one that they could do anything about. They were otherwise hard to read. Should they have been more distraught about it? Probably, but for whatever reason Cirrus didn't show it if they were feeling it.
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#12
04-21-2023, 01:28 AM
 Still lingered the want to offer. Still he remained unaware of any kind of status. Perhaps he was only momentarily wayward and an angry parent might roll upon Empyrean if Medvjed dared to invite the child back.

 Then he became aware. Vaguely.

 Not nearby. Not anymore. The kind of things that left room to the imagination. Tragedy? Runaway? Simply parted without a clue? Any idea could be reasonable in this wild world it seemed. Perhaps if the child had wanted to say more, they would have. So Medvjed once more pivoted the conversation in a way that was less intrusive — or so he hoped.

 “What do you like to do, Cirrus?”

 His held tilted back softly to sniff at the breeze. To test the scents that might come to him. Bison had temptations, but without a herd of hunters it was fruitless.

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#13
04-21-2023, 05:49 AM
They were perfectly fine with there being no more said on the matter. It didn't concern them any more, they lived in the moment and that was all that was needed, honestly. But with that question, Cirrus had to think about it. That little, thoughtful frown again, “Exploring has been nice. Mostly. Learn about stuff. Find things. But that means I have to do everything, it does not matter if I like it.” They were very practical about it. “I am here, so I am doing ok.”

Then a pause, “Why?” It seemed like a pertinent question. There were plenty of other things that might be more interesting to talk about, but Cirrus wasn't exactly a pro about directing a conversation in any particular way -- this was about as good as they got. A singular question that was pretty open-ended, but it wasn't like they were oh so experienced at understanding every motive of an adult either. A tilt of their head, their quiet expression wondering if there was something they'd missed, but still otherwise unconcerned.
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#14
Adventurer
04-30-2023, 12:51 AM (This post was last modified: 12-25-2023, 06:31 PM by Medvjed. Edited 1 time in total.)
so sorry for the wait!


 The child sounded like a little soldier, in the way they spoke now.

 "But that means I have to do everything, it does not matter if I like it.”

 That achy sensation in his chest blossomed a bit further, a bit deeper. Punctuated by the way the child questioned his own inquisition. Had no one ever asked? Was it suspicion or confusion? Merely that childlike wonder? The drive to ask why a million times.

 “It is good to ask these things,” His tail offered a soft sway for a moment. “I am learning and exploring too, but I have found a safe place for resting when I am done with those things for the day.” The unspoken question of where the child might go when the day was done and settled.

 The still heavy want to take them with and secure their future.

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#15
05-03-2023, 12:54 AM
No prob! I've had a crazy week or so, so it kind of lined up great time-wise, haha


It hadn't quite gotten them the response they wanted. Their brow furrowed slightly as Cirrus tried to search for a better way to express it. It was fair enough that  Medvjed also explored, but they also weren't sure what that otherwise meant for Cirrus themselves. They had considered themselves probably not worth the time to many, or at least perhaps that was the healthiest expectation rather than to demand strangers provide their every desire.

“But why ask me?” That was perhaps more clear. They figured an adult probably didn't care too much for what the younger wolves did, and they assumed that the adults likely weren't going to learn something knew from someone such as themselves... So, Cirrus had concluded asking such was more of a waste of time. What had they not seen? Perhaps it did make them somewhat suspicious (or perhaps "somewhat" was an understatement). Being inquisitive was in Cirrus' case a sign of caution, the setup for the preparation to seek sanctuary elsewhere if they needed to... Just in case. At least he wasn't a tiger.
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#16
05-05-2023, 08:52 PM
 Ah, the child questioned more specifically. Now Medvjed knew he must reveal his hand and let the growing child make their own decisions here.

 “Because I like you. You are direct yet willing to learn.” The marks of a good child, one who would grow into something fine — or perhaps it was only wishful thinking. His tail softly waved in a crescent swing once, twice. Settled comfortably down once more.

 “If you do not have a place to stay, perhaps I can offer one. If you like.”

 He did not dare shoehorn himself into the role of father with the child. Perhaps he would be nothing more than friend, mentor, but that would also be very good, no? To leave a mark upon another that was not tarnished by a past failure. To raise a future generation and know that they might march onward with health and knowledge.

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#17
05-07-2023, 12:10 AM
What he said was true, at least from Cirrus' perspective. They were indeed direct, and they did work to learn stuff that was important. However, they were of the opinion that wasn't such an uncommon thing -- perhaps they were just sheltered in that sense, or had a better view of what was probably the common wolf than what was actually true.

Cirrus, though, much like their namesake was perhaps a bit flighty -- not in the sense of scared off like a deer, but prone to wandering. They weren't one to stay just because staying was what was normal... After all, they were out here, weren't they? Despite not a word being said about what came before they were out there, they still didn't seem to find this all that unusual. They shrugged, a silent "I don't know" for now, “Why would there be better than other places? Traveling has been ok.” Mostly. The cat was still the lingering bad part. They watched Medvjed a bit more closely then, because that was a far more important question than some of the others. Perhaps it was foolish for them to think that traveling had been ok, perhaps they just had a far broader tolerance for the harshness of life than most did... But they still needed a reason to change their ways.
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#18
05-08-2023, 02:16 AM
 The child did not speak of a need to return to a family or that he must continue his travels to find one. Only asked after the place and its status.

 “Because it is a place to return to when you are done traveling, when you are tired and hungry or lonely.” Did this not appeal to the child? Would it ever if he had never known it? “But perhaps you mean to travel endlessly...?”

 There was soft curiosity in him now to think of such a thing. A young one who would venture endlessly. He could not decide if it sounded like the start of a tragedy or a legacy.

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#19
05-10-2023, 04:47 AM
It was likely that Cirrus' perspective, and thus expectations varied from many. Why was still clouded, of all the puns possible, but that was something that others would just have to deal with, including Medvjed, should Cirrus stick around.

“Perhaps I should,” was their thoughtful statement, but considering they hadn't left with it, it seemed they weren't going to act on it. Yet. The thing that stopped them was again the cat. It was so random and odd, from their view at least. Cirrus was young, but not a total fool. What if the cat followed them? They'd not mention it for now. “Do you teach things there?” They didn't expand on their reason for asking, or even what sort of things they might be looking for. They considered it their own personal business at this point. Their look was a little bit more serious though, so obviously something was afoot inside that skull of theirs.
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#20
05-15-2023, 06:38 PM
 Had he pushed the young man away? It felt impossible to tell, impossible to read him. Medvjed knew he was not so different in that regard though. Hardly one to air his emotions about freely and comfortably. Even if he felt a touch softer now with his new arrival.

 “I do,” He offered warmly to the seemingly serious wayward child. Perhaps he did not teach always and he most certainly spent more time learning right now but... He had shared bits of his mother's tongue. He had sparred, he had roved and hunted. Exchanged the knowledge of his skills in each trade off of the actions.

 He wished to say a many things then and yet he feared too much would be too great a burden. It was best to let the young traveler decide now.

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#21
08-04-2023, 05:01 AM
Sorry, I pretty much fell off the planet for a bit there. As such, no big rush getting back to me, I see you're away. <3


Priorities were fickle things. “Then that would be good. I would like to stay and learn things.” Perhaps it was odd that their first thought was not companionship but instead just learning, but at least they realized that was not a thing that they could do on their own. They understood that they were young, they understood that the world was the wild unknown, and yet that was not a thing that they feared. It was something they apparently had long accepted.

And now? They wouldn't promise to stay, but they would at least stop. There was a fine definition between the two. But whether it be a pause or a final destination, they again watched closely for the next step. For there had to be one. Nothing was simple, even if Cirrus seemed to act like their own motivations were.
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#22
08-08-2023, 09:21 PM
tag for info/ref!
and lmk if you would like us to start something new at the mountains <3


 The child wished to stay and learn.

 He imagined the boy was old enough that @Hydra would not take issue with this. Old enough to have survived so far on their own, at least. Medvjed only allowed a brief sweep of his thick tail behind him. Pleased to at least have...some good deed parted from him onto the child. Even if only for a little while.

 “Should we go now? Or perhaps you want to see more of the hills first —” His head turned to sweep side to side. Looked out at the surrounding areas. It was certainly close enough to the mountains to return to over and over, if the wayward child so wish.

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