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!

this is the way


Morning Sunny/Clear
#1
04-17-2023, 01:04 AM
Osiris, Leta, and perhaps West Tyree with them sought Dirge beyond the borders. But having recently heard from Leta that there was still no success there, Hydra knew that she must come to accept what most likely was before all of the rest. She had to be strong, for them.

Most of her mourning had been done—she had gone through the stages of grief perhaps a month or so ago, when she first came to fear this reality. There was regression, and progression… and she did not know where she fell on that spectrum today, nor what phase she stood within.

Acceptance was not so easy as she had wanted it to be. But each step was one in that direction, and part of her wanted to work through whatever stage was next with her teeth—she was not always the most emotionally intelligent, and did not like to sit with her emotions.

So she broke out into a run, hoping to exhaust herself from thinking in some sort of physical pursuit. Away from the past, now—toward the future, toward whatever might be next. Day by day—minute by minute.

@Medvjed
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#2
04-17-2023, 01:16 AM
 He had seen it mid-patrol and somehow felt a flame inside him. The sight of her running, the feeling that burst inside him was something akin to the hunt. He gave no thought to his own actions that followed.

 How suddenly he ran too, along the trail she left in her wake, after her. Each stride was a heavy thud of his paws against the earth. A thunderstorm that chased the very night sky she was.

 He did not know how she would react, if she cared to be followed right now. Perhaps she ran with purpose and he did not match this purpose.

 Yet all he could see was her, in action. The thought of her come to life in such an animated way that he could not miss it, miss her. His breath came out hard and hitting, not built for her great endurance.

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#3
Hunter
04-17-2023, 01:33 AM
Her ears cupped backward as she heard the heavy footfalls of the unmistakable man that had joined them during the storm of her life. But he always lingered in the safe eye of it, with the rest of those she cared for; though she yearned to use her teeth, they would not be turned against him in any malicious sort of way.

She was receptive to his company; even at her worst, she was a social beast. Hydra did slow to turn and nip at him in greeting, tail swaying behind her in a clear indication of her mood at seeing him.

A scent on the wind, though, set her off. Hydra was at attention at once, her features morphing into something malevolent as she then sprinted ahead where the scent of coyote would ultimately lead them next.

Its scent was sour, perhaps through sickness or merely the stink of its breed. Hydra detested them as much as she did any canine beyond what they themselves were. And the particular odor was one she’d see stamped out of Empyrean—it had been a while, since one had thought to trespass.

It was as good a time to remind them of the fatal consequence of that as any.

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#4
Hunter
04-17-2023, 01:44 AM
 His jaws opened softly, prepared to return the nip she had offered first. His own tail a banner of contentment to see she did not send him away. No, he would stay alongside her. The two would work as sword and shield.

 The air punched softly with the breeze of something misplaced. Something that would never have a home among the slopes of the nameless mountain. Not as long as Empyrean stood among its strong walls.

 He needed to beckoning to follow her. His pace continued with the ruckus of bearpawed steps as he chased after the scent with her. Fur already prickled as the wind ruffled it. They moved as hunters upon this trail. He had thought that he might first see her jaws work against the prey of doe, see the strength of her hunting prowess. Now he realized that he would see her work against competition. That he too would hunt down the beast until it was dead or gone.

 Did his heart hammer from the hunt or from something else?

 He would put aside his mind in favor of the growing scent that bloomed.

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#5
04-17-2023, 02:16 AM
Had the racing of her own heart began upon the scenting of this little creature, or when she had heard the tread of the man she had come to now look forward to seeing?

She, too, let her mind be occupied by the thing that must be done. But she could not miss the way her heart seemed to skip a beat each time their furs might mingle, or skin might meet as one brushed against the other.

The thrill of this pursuit, though, took over as the scent grew stronger and stronger until—there!

And now Hydras stride lengthened in full, devouring the earth to interrupt the things progress. The coyote yelped in alarm, and Hydras snarl that followed was a death knell.

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#6
Paladin
04-17-2023, 02:21 AM (This post was last modified: 04-17-2023, 03:19 AM by Medvjed. Edited 1 time in total.)
feel free to PP the coyote even if it means medvjed injury for realism!


 Grace in the chaos was not an easy thing. One, despite their nature, was not born knowing the perfect way to wield themselves. Yet she moved like she had known this a lifetime. He had only a moment to watch before he too turned to the arts of their war.

 Ubiti! The word ripped free a snarl. A horrible time for a language lesson, but she had wished to learn and here she would see the word come to life. The coyote must be killed — as signaled.

 He lunged with the goal of pinning, crushing. As if he was part of the stone mountain, made to trap the beast so the queen of this mountain might face it fearlessly.

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#7
Paladin
04-17-2023, 03:10 AM
The word rang through her ears. At once, Hydra knew what it must mean. From the tips of her ears to the then arched tip of her tail did the word reverberate, Hydra a caricature of its meaning as Medvjed descended upon it like an immovable hammer, swinging down

and true. The beast was quickly captured and crushed beneath the weight of him. Yes, Medvjed the hammer, this thing the nail, and she the hand that swung it—the mountain the coffin they built, they pinned this thing to. Hydra ignored its own nipping teeth, the brunt of the violence it could bring to either of them tempered by its position. It could not ignore her own, though. Quick, and efficient, Hydra did not prolong its inevitable end.


As with most violent things, it was over as quickly as it had begun. Her muzzle smarted some, but she looked proudly down at their work and chuffed lowly. Another enemy done away with. They two had effectively protected their caches, and Hydra had young to think of—the future of Empyrean. Not her own, not yet—her gaze turned upon him then, seeking any wounds that the coyote might have landed—ignoring her own hurts then in favor of being certain he was alright.

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#8
Paladin
04-17-2023, 03:27 AM
 He could tell — like any thing that wished to live — that the beast beneath him wanted to strangle him. Medvjed had threatened its life and although it was not long for this world, it would leave a mark.

 Teeth hot upon his shoulder in its thrashing for the true killer that would be upon it. It burned like nothing in comparison to the scalding pride that came with this. A kill, a protection. It could be food too, truthfully, if the famine had left some of Empyrean on the hungrier end of things. Medvjed would not look down upon it. Resources would always be vital.

 He only pulled away when it slumped beneath, when he knew they were both safe no matter what tatters they may wear.

 How right he had been to find a stunning beauty in the strength of her jaws. Distracted he was from even his own wound. The cold mountain air upon it felt like a soothing kiss, a thanks from the land they called home.

 He was speechless in the aftermath of their protective scuffle.

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#9
04-18-2023, 03:15 AM
For months Hydra had been living, but as she stood before Medvjed and above their kill, once more she felt alive. That spark of life could well become a fire if she let it, and Hydra felt she very well could—should. Empyrean could not thrive in stillness, just as she herself could not. She had seen the way the man had lain himself out, to protect, to defend. Felt their own symmetry in the hunt. The asking—the answering. Her eyes fell to his shoulder, and Hydra stepped away from their kill to sniff delicately at it, and then—if permitted—tend to the wound through cleaning it.

She remembered a dappled man having died from a scratch; Hydra would not see such a fate befall him, not now, not ever. Strange that now she counted on the years with him, that she now hoped for them. Hydra could not lie to any, never mind herself.

The matriarch was careful in the way she cleansed the wound with gentle tongue (if he had allowed), and once she was satisfied with her work she moved toward the meat to eat, rumbling in invitation for him to join her. Perhaps too casually, as she inspected the corpse and sought prized liver, Hydra inquired, “is it your wish, to ever become a father again?” She remembered the hurt of his past, and so would not press further and understand, too, if he could not bear it for himself. But the scent of Spring was on the air, and Hydra herself was not immune to the call of it—not yet.

...but she was asking for Empyrean, of course, too; as its leader, it would be important to let him know the way of things, should he wish to.

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#10
04-18-2023, 03:31 AM
 He rumbled something, low and appreciative. Wordless still even as she swept her tongue over his shoulder. Medvjed was lucky that he knew those that might tend him after this. Yet in the moment all that mattered was Hydra. Wholly and utterly.

 Yes, they had defended Empyrean, but it has been them who had done so. Her. Him.

 His eyes closed and he allowed himself this moment. Untouched by anything or anyone else. Content to be obediently still for as long as she thought the wound should be cleansed. All at once he lowly yearned to take them to the springs. To soak in warmth and victory.

 But she was carrying on like a true victor and he turned his body with hers. Teeth reached for whatever fatty thing he could grab first. An organ squeeze between his teeth as the word punched the air weakly.

 Father.

 “There must first be a woman who wants me to be a father.” He was too old to go put himself out like a young stud. Medvjed wished for a life of thoughtful unity now upon Empyrean. What use did the world have for more fatherless children? He would not fuel such a thing further. No matter his own wishes or wants.

 Meat crushed and slid down his throat like a stone in his stomach.

 He did not believe Hydra one to ask idle questions. Yet nor did he think himself so grand or haughty as to even dare a guess of why she asked. No matter his earlier thoughts of moment of silent emotional indulgence.

 Perhaps it was nothing more than he was a man and spring loomed warmly.

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#11
04-27-2023, 01:44 AM
SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY! I am sick but DIDN'T WANT TO DELAY THIS ANY LONGER SO HAVE THIS STRANGE POSTT --

Hydra loosed a huff through her nose.

She had asked for a reason, and down far below—further than she was willing to go, within herself—Hydra knew what it might be. But she could not yet articulate it. Instead, Hydra only drawled, “it takes two, and your wants are important to me,” she drawled in her low voice. A woman must want this of him, but what of his own wants? It mattered, he mattered... and she would not seek to make him suffer—

These traitorous thoughts! And her own traitorous desires! They manifested in her continued nearness, but she lowered her head to continue her feasting. Blood, gore, gristle all a distraction... even this was not enough to dilute him from her own senses.

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#12
04-30-2023, 12:02 AM
okay but same so take whatever this is


 “My want,”

 He exhaled in a soft breath, even if the weight of him felt heavier than it had in moments before.

 “Is what I said. A woman, to be mother, if I am to be a father. Unity is more important to me now than any moment before.”

 He did not hide away his gaze this time. Dark eyes softer than the beast he had been named after, the way they slid softly across the lower half of her faze as she grazed.

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#13
04-30-2023, 02:08 AM
His ways were her own. This, Hydra appreciated in him—as she seemed to all things.

Finishing her own fill, Hydra did not step away as her tongue rolled over her muzzle to remove any remnants of their kill there. “When it comes to having cubs here, the asks are simple. First you must receive approval from your leaders, and second—the individual whom you breed with must be your mate. We are traditionalists here, but this is to ensure that the weight of child rearing is shared. The pack helps in all things, too, but it is as you say—that unity is important,” her tail swayed behind her. He seemed to know this, to understand. “I say this now because it is Spring, and many seem to forget these things.” Her voice was heavy.

Again that distant memory. Her own father had forgotten these things.

Hydra smiled as she said, “there is one litter to come,” the one she had spoken of, that she would be made grandmother for, and Hydra said, “and there is room for another.” She saw prey return in abundance. Perhaps the number even greater than the year prior. And she had a want—but this she did not say.

The words would serve their purpose, though. He was a smart man, she knew. And Hydra was a smart woman. There were things she was coming to realize in her own emerging sense of wonder, renewed now; book one of her life had come to an end. But her story was not over, and it seemed that the second story to be told might start with him. It, and she, was no small undertaking. But he did not seem the sort to shirk at such things, this bear of a man. And it was part of his charm.

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#14
04-30-2023, 02:24 AM
 He had been a boy once, freshly wedded in the warmth of a season's change. Two children with a child, it had felt, as he looked back upon it. No longer rose tinted in its emotional charm for it had ended in loss.

 Once, twice.

 For he was both without child (in flesh) and without wife (in all ways.)

 Now Hydra laid out her words with all the thoughtful placing of a woman of her place, her standing. Room for another — said as if it was not hers to take with the weight she carried. He did not think she meant to marry him off to some woman he did not know, just to boost the heart of Empyrean. Now he did place that thread of importance around his own heart. He might be a man worth having, if she trusted to tell him of their ways here. After all she had trusted him enough to bring him, a newborn stranger, home to her family.

 “It could be yours —” He did not presume, only suggest in the soft baritone of a husky, blood-warmed throat. “Is that your want? Will you share your wants with me?”

 A question that teetered deeper than the surface level. Oh, but perhaps she knew and still he went to rip free flesh from the felled beast that tasted sweeter than any honey with her nearby.

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#15
04-30-2023, 03:08 AM
Was that her want?

She watched him feast. And she said, her eyes not leaving him, “yes.” For it was. It always had been. Hydra loved her family more than life; it was her children who would continue her legacy, well after she was gone. And when she was gone, she wanted each and every one of them to always look out for one another. Much of those she had produced had gone their own way, or else the world had created distance between them (in truly the literal sense). Hydra wanted for more, and had so much more left to give. To provide. To do.

It was then her eyes broke from his strong form toward the horizon.

“I have many wants,” she drawled to him, smiling, “some that I understand might never be,” the dead were (and stayed) dead, after all, “and some already fulfilled. All that I want I have,” and here her gaze turned to him, “and what I do not, I surely will,” her tail lashed behind her as her ears pricked. There was an impish light to them as she said the words. Indeed, the winds of spring brought this flirtation on!

Her questions had been asked to see if he might be the man for the task; perhaps implied that want he asked of her. She could not be so bold, not then!

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#16
04-30-2023, 04:19 AM
 He must be bolder, he felt. The weight of her words slid around his heart and down into his gut — but not like a sinking stone. Instead it bloomed like hope, it twisted like vines that took root.

 How quickly had he come to know Empyrean as home? How quickly had he come to see her each time the nightsky of her shined across his vision? He but a constellation, chasing and vying for a spot among her skies. Yet all stars had earned their spots and their stories through hard acts.

 Now he must show his willingness to do this as well.

 “I want to give you these things, help you fill these wants. Known and unknown.” A thoughtful tilt of his chin upward ever so slightly. Let her look upon the strong foundation of his words and how he spoke without uncertainty or trepidation now. For she could cast this all aside with a simple no or a knowing look, and he would not speak of it again if she had no want there.

 But let her look within him and find him worthy of standing along the expanse of her nightsky.

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#17
04-30-2023, 09:45 PM
His words were met with a long look, not at all hard but searching. But she could see he meant them, these words—and she found herself counting upon them as she had not in several months. It was an exercise of trust, but one she let herself free fall into.

“I trust you to show me as much,” Hydra admitted, and said, a slight tease but also a gentle plea, “do not let me down,” her tail waved slowly behind her. She could not look away then, and leaned in ever so slightly before she forced herself then to step away.

This was not the moment to pursue this. But she had let him know that it was something she wished to, in time. Now then was the slow dance of their own courtship, begun by the culling of their common enemy—

A fact that gave her much joy. A fellow warrior, a strong hunter, to be by her side.

She looked back to him and drawled, “would you like to train with me?” with a flick of an ear. Her blood ran hot; she needed to keep moving!

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#18
04-30-2023, 10:14 PM
 How could he ever?

 He'd sooner fall on his own sword before he let down her — or even Empyrean. So much had been given to him and now chance was given too in the form of her teasing, her proximity.

 Yet he too felt it, the need to move. Lest he fall into some sort of whimsy of thought, a thing not very befitting him these days. He was better in the flesh and as a functioning body put to work.

 “Test me,” His tone turned warm as he side stepped away from the kill. “Again.”

 And again, and again.

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#19
04-30-2023, 10:33 PM
fading! Wanna start us another thread? I’ll be home in like… an hour to actually spree LOL


Her eyes were bright at his words.

Stiff legged, she dove at him to nip his shoulder before she lunged away and said, joy abundant in her voice, “capture the killer,” her own aggressive brand of tag. Tail waving, she sprinted away—

Ready to be caught, though only by him then.

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